Kitchens and Bathrooms: Up-to-Date Remodeling and Decorating Ideas

Kitchens and Bathrooms: Up-to-Date Remodeling and Decorating Ideas

Since kitchens and bathrooms are some of the most frequently used rooms in your house, and the ones that have the most to do with property value, it makes sense that doing a general remodel of them is a great way to spend any home improvement money. While the budget and personal tastes are large factors in which projects undertake, it is important to recognize some of the up-to-date remodeling and decorating ideas that are desired in the marketplace.

Kitchens: Sleek Appliances and Colorful Contrasts

1 – Spend a little bit more money on modern appliances with a high energy efficiency rating. Stainless steel and brushed metal finishes are still quite popular. The most important thing is to have a cohesive look between your refrigerator, stove, oven and dishwasher. If you have countertop appliances like microwaves or copy machine, continuing the same look can make your kitchen look more attractive and deliberate.

2 – White cabinetry with up-to-date hinges, door handles and drawer pulls are popular once again. Stained wood can look dated, but if you prefer the look of wood grain, select a lighter finish and make sure the hardware is unique. Kitchen cabinets painted in more vibrant colors are also in style. Painting both the top and bottom cabinets the same color is the best way to go. Accent trim can also look great.

3 – Floor tiles, countertops and backsplashes are great places to add sparks of color or interest, but beware overloading the kitchen with too many contrasting shades. While you do not have to match the floor tiles to the countertops exactly, the colors should be complementary. Or, choose a neutral for countertops, the same neutral with a view colorful accent tiles for the floor and bring that same color up to create a more vibrant tile backsplash.

Bathrooms: Unique Design, More Space and New Fixtures

1 – Even though bathrooms are quite small, unique wall treatments can add interest and even the illusion of more space. Dark colors are a popular choices lately, especially with white fixtures such as a soaking tub and the sink. Smaller bathrooms may do better with a lighter or brighter accent wall instead of a complete surround.

2 – Since space is at a premium in the bathroom, any home remodeling that makes these rooms seem larger is a great idea. Glass shower enclosures, horizontal lines such as tile edging in a contrasting color, and less bulky countertops, cabinets and vanities give the illusion of more room. Although a considerable amount of storage speeded, consider open shelving instead of blocky closed options.

3 – Space permitting, new bathroom fixtures should be separated as much as possible. People looking for quality homes these days want the toilet hidden behind a door and wall, perhaps with accompanying bidet, and a separate shower and tub. Alcove tubs, those that are tucked between three walls, are still the most functional for a small bathroom. If your bathroom is larger, consider remodeling it to include a glass-walled shower stall and separate soaking tub, which is deeper than more old-fashioned models.

Homeowner’s Guide to Surviving a Kitchen or Bathroom Remodel in College Station, TX

Homeowner's Guide to Surviving a Kitchen or Bathroom Remodel in College Station, TX

A large part of a homeowner’s job during home remodeling in College Station, TX or Bryan, TX is simply surviving the process without getting too stressed out. Even a general remodel upsets the natural flow of your life and makes it more difficult to get things done, but temporarily out of service kitchens and bathrooms can really cause problems for the unprepared.

Before the Kitchen or Bathroom Remodel Begins

If you hire reputable building company, they will be happy to work with you as you lay down some ground rules about when they can work and what access they have to the house. Of course, having handyman services or home remodeling (bath & kitchen in particular) done requires strangers to walk around your house and interact with your family in some manner.

Meet with the person in charge of the process and discuss such things as the earliest and latest working hours, which door they should use access the house and how, which parts of the house they can access as needed and even such things as where they can smoke or if they can play music as they work.

During the Kitchen or Bathroom Remodeling Process

These two rooms are the most frequently used and most irreplaceable in a house. If, for example, you are having a bedroom repainted or Skytunnel skylights installed in the living room, you can make other sleeping arrangements or simply stay out of the room for a while. Bathrooms need to be used regularly and the kitchen is where you cook all the family meals. If the only bathroom in the house is being remodeled, staying at a hotel or a friend’s house may be the best idea.

It is essential that everyone in the family understands when they can access the rooms being remodeled and when they have to stay away. This is especially true for kids who may be curious about the process. If the stove and fridge are still in place during the remodeling process in College Station, TX, cooking meals in advance and fetching them from the fridge quickly can help you stay well fed without disrupting the workers who are diligently finishing the remodeling job.

Keep the Family Happy During a Remodeling

Not being able to use the kitchen or bathroom can cause stress within the family as well. As long as you picked a reputable home remodeler in the Brazos Valley, TX, the workers are sure to be diligent and quick so you can have your home back as soon as possible. The idea behind remodeling, of course, is to have a new, more attractive room to use. Focus on positive outcome rather than the stressful process. Make sure everyone in the family understands how long it will take and what to expect before the job commences.

Going into it with realistic expectations, clear guidelines and a positive attitude can help. A bathroom or kitchen remodel can improve the family living space and the value of the property, but the process can be disruptive and even stressful.

Home Renovation – Pergolas, Decks and More for a Backyard Pool

Home Renovation – Pergolas, Decks and More for a Backyard Pool

Create an Oasis

Families who enjoy their in ground pool, may want to add additional interest and add to the backyard with the addition of a deck or pergola. Experts at home renovation in College Station, TX can design a perfect oasis that combines the blue sparkling waters of an existing pool and or spa with stylish hardscaping, a comfortable seating area and protection from the blazing sun.

Make the Most of an Existing Pool

No matter what size your backyard pool is, or if you only have a hot tub or Jacuzzi, you can transform it into a place of ultimate relaxation or fun with the help of experienced professional home renovation experts. Most pools are surrounded by a cement, stone or brick walkway or patio that frequently holds lawn chairs or simple beach towels for sunbathing or hanging out. While these are functional and can be attractive, there are so many other options such as arbors/pergolas and decks.

Deck Ideas for a Backyard Pool

When a person emerges from the cool waters of the backyard pool and wants to dry off for a while in the sun, they need a place to sit or set up their chair. While a cement surround can be sufficient, it does not offer many options and it certainly doesn’t look as good as an expertly installed deck can. Consider a wooden deck that stretches between the back wall of the house and pool. There would be no need to get your feet dirty in the grass on the way to or from your swim or sunbathing session. Decks not only look more attractive, but they can also offer some level of security if there are children in the home. They have railings and can even have locking gates at the stairs in order to keep young people away from the pool.

Why Pick a Pergola for Your Backyard Oasis

While some people may enjoy sitting out in the sun and getting a tan, others prefer to avoid some of the hot Texas heat by seeking the shade instead. Pergolas offer the perfect combination of sun and shade for a family who has individuals with both tastes. Pergolas are usually fashioned from wood and include for sturdy posts and a slatted wooden roof that can let through the rain and some sun, but also cools the area underneath naturally.

Experienced home renovation designers understand the best ways to turn an existing backyard with pool into an oasis where the family and friends gather for fun and relaxation. A quality deck can add value to your home not only for its multiuse possibilities, but also financially as well. Likewise, a pergola extends the living space out into the yard. These homes accents can be combined with hardscape walls, built in seating areas or even an outside fireplace, fire pit or built in barbecue grill. If you and your family enjoy the outdoors even more than the rooms inside your house, it makes sense to install a deck and pergola to help you enjoy it even more.

Sun Rooms and Screened Porches for Year-Round Living

Sun Rooms and Screened Porches for Year-Round Living

Adding extra living space to your home always provides more options for a comfortable family life and entertaining, but having an entire addition put on can be cost prohibitive and too disruptive. When you don’t need another whole room, contact experts in home renovation College Station, TX or home remodeling Brazos Valley, TX to find out what your options are for sun rooms and screened porches.

Five Useful Reasons to Get a Sunroom or Screen Porch Addition

  1. Creates another whole room to play or work in.
  2. Allows you to enjoy the outdoors without glaring sunlight or biting insects.
  3. A great place to grow plants and extend your garden indoors.
  4. Helps regulate home temperature in an earth friendly way.
  5. Increases property value.

General Remodel Options for Home Additions

Sun rooms and screened porches give more living space and create an interesting combination of indoor and outdoor living that is very accessible and dynamic depending upon the season and weather conditions. Deciding which one to have built is something you, the homeowner, need to discuss with experts in home remodeling in College Station, TX or Bryan, TX. They should be able to use their knowledge and experience about home construction and remodeling to recommend the best option for you.

A sun room is much closer to an actual room of the house, but with a lot more windows, glass walls or sliding glass doors that lead out to the backyard or a patio or deck. Although most people install shades or curtains in the sun room to keep out the hottest sun, they do tend to heat up in the hot Texas weather. They make excellent greenhouses if you want to start seeds or grow exotic houseplants.

The screened porch is more like a deck or patio that has an impermeable roof to keep off the sun and rain and screen windows to keep out insects and debris. These can be built on top of an existing deck or added separately to the back wall of the home or even created from a freestanding gazebo. Experts in home remodeling and design can help decide what works best for your needs.

Although both sun rooms and screened porches get a large amount of light, there are additional options that may accentuates the sunny glow of your new home edition. Many people put skylights in these types of rooms in order to increase brightness and offer a way to create more airflow to remove heat accumulated near the ceiling. Although they do not open, Suntunnel skylights offer a simple way to illuminate a screened porch or sun room without the need for electricity.

Home Remodeling in College Station, TX

Home Remodeling in College Station, TX

Home Remodeling in College Station, TX

Improve Kitchen and Bath Lighting With Suntunnel Skylights and New Windows

Before your first cup of coffee or invigorating shower in the morning, the harsh glare of fluorescent or incandescent bulbs can seem like a shock after the quiet dark of your bedroom. During a general remodel of a home, light fixtures can be changed and dimmer switches can be installed, but there is another option that brings natural sunlight into your kitchen and bathroom without the need for electrical re-wiring or extensive home remodeling (bath & kitchen in particular) in College Station and Bryan, TX.

Choose the Right Windows for Every Room

When you undertake home remodeling in College Station, TX, replacement windows may be one of the improvements in your budget. Although it is good to have a cohesive window type throughout the house, there are options for particular rooms that may serve you better.

Bathrooms require not only a way to get some fresh air but also privacy. Having large windows in the bathroom is not standard design procedure, but they can work if certain steps are taken to ensure no neighbors or passersby can begin and what you shower or change. One option is to replace standard, clear glass with frosted glass or even stained-glass options if they match your overall decor style.

Kitchens are usually meant to be bright and sunny places, so large windows are perfect for them. Natural light is easier on the eyes and can help you see particular ingredients better when cooking. Some say that people enjoy food better when they can see its attractive presentation.

Other Options for Natural Light in Kitchens and Bathrooms

If you peruse online home decor websites or magazines, you will notice that many kitchens and bathrooms have spotlighting or recessed lighting strips to add additional light to the work areas of the room. Experts who do home remodeling in Bryan, TX can certainly install these types of lights so you can cook more easily or shave and apply makeup in front of the bathroom mirror.

Besides electric lights, there are other options that will give you sufficient brightness in natural tones without having to spend any money or energy at all. Skylights are one option. They come in various sizes and styles to suit particular room’s needs.

In a kitchen, a large skylight that can open and close and provide not only lights but a way to vent the heat of cooking or any smells that may linger after dinner. The same benefit can be found in the bathroom, but since they are usually smaller rooms, a large skylight may be overwhelming. One option that provides an amazing amount of light but not the vent benefit is Skytunnel skylights. These cylindrical holes through the roof have special lenses above to magnify the sunlight down into the room. They are essentially natural spotlighting for workspaces.

Whatever option you choose for additional light in kitchens and bathrooms, be sure it fits your purposes and decor style. During you home remodel, changing windows and adding skylights can be affordable way to spruce up your living space and make it easier to manage those early morning tasks.