Have You Thought About Renovating Your Basement?

                                                                                Before you spend thousands of dollars on a room addition, take a short trip downstairs and have a look at your basement. Remodeling a basement is one of the easiest, cheapest ways to add usable square footage to your house without a grade level room addition. Basement remodels take up no additional land area and don't take away from your home's existing architectural style.

Play Areas, Teen Hangouts, & Music Studios

Don't think of your basement simply as a place to store holiday decorations, place sports equipment that you think you will use someday, and send your kids when they are bad. If you maintain an open mind, your basement can be anything you want (well, almost). Take advantage of your basement's "faults" such as isolation and darkness. Since basements are separated from the rest of the house on a lower floor, and are partially or completely underground, the surrounding earth acts as a sound barrier. This makes the basement ideal for noisy activities.

Exercise Rooms & Recreation Room

You can take advantage of the large open space in your basement by turning it into an exercise room or recreation room. Since a basement sub-floor is almost always concrete, which doesn't transmit sound or vibration; you can go crazy on the treadmill without making the house shake like a 7.0 earthquake. You can carpet a portion of the room so that you will have a cushioned area for stretching, sit ups or running in place. If you are concerned about lugging your vacuum down the basement steps, you consider using interlocking rubber mats instead.

Remodeling Your Bathroom Is a Wise Investment

Whether you are a home buyer looking to renovate, have an investment property or you are a home owner there are many benefits and reason to look at investing in renovating a bathroom.

The most appealing aspect of renovating a bathroom is the ROI (return on investment), the bathroom has the highest ROI of any other room and is the most popular choice when it comes to renovations. If you decide to or are leasing the property out a bathroom renovation will increase the rental return as well as the value of the property.

The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in a house so it is important to have good usability and comfort and these can be easily attained from renovations. Your guests will appreciate a nice bathroom as well. You also have the option to upgrade your bathroom fixtures to water saving ones. There are many water saving fixtures on the market today and you can upgrade your shower and vanity spouts to water saving ones. Upgrading your toilet to a dual is also a good decision and newer toilets require less water per flush.

The most exciting part of renovating your bathroom is that there are so many different styles to choose from like Modern, Traditional, Contemporary, French, European, Vintage, Ranch, Pan-Asian, Lodge, or even creating your own unique style. Overall renovating your bathroom is a wise decision you will increase the value of your home, rental return, your bathroom will be more inviting and comfortable, you will save water and money and best of all it will be just the way you want it.

Which Part of Your Home Should You Remodel?

As time passes, every homeowner begins to get tired of some aspect of their house. "The kitchen's too small" or "The bathroom is not a place for a relaxing bath" are some of the most common complaints. Every home could always be better; more attractive and functional. How does one achieve the results they desire? Which room or rooms should be given priority for remodeling?  Most real estate agents and builders will recommend that remodeling a kitchen and bathroom will maximize any increase in the home's value, especially if selling the home is a potential reality within the next five years or so. Even if the homeowner is not planning to sell, it still makes perfect sense to improve the home just for their own enjoyment.

With all the new and exciting kitchen and bathroom upgrades available on the market such as whirlpool tubs, imported tile, efficient green light fixtures, and so on, it's not surprising that people are itching to spruce up their own abodes. Currently the trend for upgrading and remodeling a home has been with a strong focus on efficiency and the use of "green" materials.  As more builders recognize individual's concerns regarding the environment and future generations, options for remodeling any part of the home are opening up. What once was viewed as impractical or expensive is now acceptable due to individual lifestyle changes being made by homeowners in order to be more efficient and cost effective.

Many of the more common place "green" items available for bathroom remodels are dual flush toilets, LED lighting, and recycled tiles. Pedestal sinks have been making a comeback as well, as more homeowners are trying to achieve a more classic feel. Many such fixtures can be reclaimed from older home sites that have been demolished or remodeled themselves.

Bathroom Renovations Are Definitely Worth It!

Renovating your bathroom can end up being a very costly project, and for that reason many people venture nowhere near full renovations, and often stick to surface repairs and improvements. However, in some cases, superficial renovations are simply not enough, and the homeowner must sometimes go for a full makeover, which basically requires the tearing down and rearrangement of all the bathroom's elements.

This process is usually a very expensive one and of course it depends on the size and type of your bathroom. Naturally, it also depends on the types of materials you're planning on using (expensive, fancy and ornate materials, or sturdy and reliable ones), the different and new accessories and fixtures you'll need to buy and install (a new sink, bathtub, toilet, and shower all come with a full-scale bathroom renovation), and of course your contractor's fees. Also remember that you'll also need money to pay not only your hired help, but also the people hired by your contractor, such as the plumbers.

Once the core repairs and renovations have been completed, only then should you concentrate on your bathroom's surface. By concentrating on the surface, I mean repainting, and rearranging the lighting in the room... if you can afford it, you can also choose to install some granite or marble counter-tops to add that luscious finishing touch to your masterpiece. Also remember that you can repaint much more than solely your walls; for example, you could have some intricate patterns painted on some of your accessories such as the sink or the bathtub and really customize your bathroom to your tastes and turn it into your little private sanctuary.

Green Ideas for a Bathroom Remodeling Project

Bathroom remodeling appears to be one of the most well liked home remodeling projects today. Remodel projects can go from total demolition and remodel all the way to changing out a few decorative items. No matter what you choose to do, it does not have to be a difficult or expensive process. What's really exciting about remodeling today is that you have a number of eco friendly furniture and home decor remodeling options.

Once you have determined the budget for your project, move on to measuring the space. Keep those measurements with you while you shop. For eco friendly decorative items, like bathroom vanities, you will want to do your shopping online. That is where you will find the largest selection of eco furniture. You'll also find good retailers that are willing to help you to ensure that you are finding top quality eco products.

Once your new floor plan, concept, and needed tools and equipment are established you may begin the actual bathroom remodeling process. Make sure you review all of your design concepts with your contractor, if you're hiring one, prior to starting the remodeling project to ascertain everything will be accomplished the way you want it.

People utilize and waste more water in the bathroom than any other area in the home. Throw in all that water utilization with shampoos and soaps and the power employed to heat the water, and your bathroom could be causing a lot of harm to the environment. Fortunately, this doesn't have to be the case.

Kitchen Remodeling Ideas That Won't Break the Bank!

Want a brand new kitchen design but don't know where to begin?  These bright kitchen ideas can jump-start your creativity without putting the brakes on your budget.

Great Kitchen Design Ideas for your Kitchen Makeover

It's time for a change! Which of these five kitchen ideas suits your fancy?

1. Reface your cabinets. With a few coats of paint or stain, you can brighten up your old cabinets without destroying your budget. Not ready to reface? Add new hardware for a quick and attractive change.

2. Upgrade appliances. That avocado fridge has got to go! Invest in sleek stainless steel or opt for a brightly-colored appliance, such as a cherry red stove or a sky blue refrigerator.

3. Add more lights. That big overhead light looks okay, but does it provide enough task lighting? Add lights under the cabinets and put accent lighting on the walls to highlight architecture or works of art. You could even consider upgrading the overhead fixture with a classy chandelier or funky art-deco piece.

4. Replace the countertops. Changing your kitchen countertops can turn a so-so kitchen into a bold statement. If you want a classic look, go for ceramic tile or stainless steel. Want something more opulent? Turn to granite, slate, or even glass.

5. Add unusual furniture. Consider a bookcase tucked in the corner to handle all those cookbooks, or a small wine rack that fits on your countertop. A plush chair in the corner can create a nice sitting area, and a small desk with a chair can make a handy computer station.

What unique kitchen remodeling ideas can you imagine? Kitchen makeovers can be fun projects that bring new life to one of the most important rooms in your home.

a Few Fun Ideas for an Empty Nester Remodel!

If your youngest child has finally fled the coop and left you and your husband with an empty nest, you are probably wondering what you are going to do with all of your extra space. While some families tend to leave the house exactly as the kids left it, others choose to dramatically change the layout of their house plans.

There could be nothing more therapeutic than taking a sledgehammer to a wall and tearing it down. If this sounds like it could be fun to you, perhaps you should consider a serious home remodel. Depending on where your kids' walls for their rooms lie, you could expand your own master bedroom to be remodeled into a grand master suite! Imagine the master bathroom of your dreams with two walk in closets. By simply tearing down one wall you can combine your master bedroom with a whole other bedroom. This could turn your whole world upside down. You could have room in your master suite for a fireplace, sitting room and more with this simple remodel. All you really have to do is to make sure that the wall you will be removing isn't load bearing for your house; tear the wall down and finish off the floor and ceiling where it was removed.

If you would rather avoid making a huge mess in your home you could simply remove the furniture in their rooms and make them into your own special spaces. You could take one room and make it a stamping room where you make your own greeting card and scrapbook pages. If you are more energetic you could turn the room into a workout room with lots of workout equipment. For those who are more leisurely, you could tear down the walls between the two kids room and transform them into one giant library or just about anything you can imagine.

Innovative Kitchen Ideas that Make a Statement!

What are the new additions you should consider for your kitchen remodel? Here are a few tips what to look for:

Induction cooktops

Induction cooktops are probably the most widespread of all kitchen technologies. These cooktops use electromagnetic effect to heat up pans and pots you put on them. As the cooktop itself does not heat up at all, it's much safer than regular ones. Also, it consumes much less energy, as it heats the pots directly.
One thing to watch out for, however: induction only works with ferrous metals.

Dishwasher drawers

When you're short in space, a dishwasher drawer comes in handy. They need about half the space of a regular dishwasher, and can be fitted with your cabinets in a way that gives the appearance of a regular kitchen drawer. They are easy to operate, too - imagine not needing to bend down again!

Appliance garage

Are you tired with small appliances cluttering your worktop? Worry no more, an appliance garage is like a cabinet, only put on the worktop-level, where you can easily stow appliances. It has a roll-down door you can easily close, so there is no clutter, and - as a bonus - your appliances don't collect dust. If you want even more fancy, add electric outlets into the garage too.

Microwave drawer

If you have a base cabinet you can spare, a microwave drawer can free up worktop space too. Just like the dishwasher drawer, they might be easier to operate and are more accessible too. A few things to consider though: you should put the microwave on the side of a counter and far from the cooking range, so there are no issues with greasy splatters from the regular cooking. Also watch out for the steam when you open it.

Unique Ideas for Your Kitchen!

Unique kitchen remodeling ideas do not have to be out of this world. In the world of designs and styles, people tend to experiment on things just to come up with something unique. The idea is to create unique kitchen remodeling ideas based on existing materials and use them like they had never been used before.

Here's how:

1. Themed concepts

If you want to have unique kitchen remodeling ideas, you can start with themed ideas. Maybe you would want that classical kitchen design back in King Arthur's palace. With this, you need to come up with more wood designs that are based on mahogany or other wood types that depict classical era.

You may also incorporate futuristic theme by using the elements of stainless steel. Kitchen counter tops that are made of stainless can be the first factor to consider.

2. Color combination

One of the factors to consider when coming up with unique kitchen remodeling ideas is trying to combine colors. Most people are afraid on color combination thinking that one color may not harmonize or blend with the other. But that is what the whole idea is all about. It is the contrast that makes it more unique. As far as the contrast is not that absurd or simply unpleasing to the eye, you can combine as many colors as you want.

3. Lighting

Good, remarkable lighting can emphasize a certain design in your kitchen. By providing accent lighting, you can draw attention to your original displays or extraordinary architectural designs. The idea is to focus things that will liven up your kitchen area.

4. Layout

Unique kitchen remodeling ideas can be directly proportionate to the layout of the cabinets and other features in the kitchen. The way you have created the layout will bring out your fresh ideas.

5. Customized cabinets

Another factor that will impact the way you create unique kitchen remodeling ideas is the customization of kitchen cabinets. Innovative storage ideas will put a great impact on the way you want to conceptualize unique ideas in your kitchen. Your own design will definitely bring out the freshness of your whole idea.

Kitchen Design Ideas

As many people begin downsizing the rest of their home into more manageable and affordable sizes, the opposite has happened for kitchens!  In modern times, kitchens are being designed as the primary living space of the home, where the family comes together to work work and socialize.  The kitchen is no longer simply a space for cooking and eating.  These were just a few of the observations noted by kitchen designers Mary Jo Peterson and MaryJo Camp, and architect Doug Van Lerberghe in a January 13 session on “Reinventing the Kitchen” at the International Builder’s Show in Orlando, Fla. They offered these timely tips for creating kitchens that shine in today’s market.

1.  Sinks are now becoming the "prep" areas of the kitchen rather than just for dishes.   Try and upgrade to two sinks if possible to allow two people to work simultaneously.

2.  Universal design for kitchen to make it functional and accessible is a trait that everyone can appreciate.

3.  Use the space in your kitchen wisely to allow for better functionality, don't try to cram "luxury" features if it is not feasible.

4.  Going green in your kitchen design with items such as energy star appliances will  help you, the homeowner, save!

5. Try growing an herb garden or small vegetable garden on the window sill for organic and local food!

6. Splash some color on unique parts of your kitchen to add emphasis and personality.

7. Try new colors in your kitchen that you may not be used to, it can add even more fun and personalizes space to your kitchen.

8. Try different contrasts such as light/dark or smooth/texture to add dimension to your kitchen.

9. Remember that when you are designing your kitchen make sure that you make changes that can easily be swapped out later and for long-term investments try to go more neutral.

10. Give your kitchen a feeling of openness and warmth by using warm colored and metallic finishes.

11. Make your kitchen simple, traditional never goes out of style!

12. If you have a certain special element in the kitchen make sure it stands out and isn't competing for attention from other elements.

13. Function, function, function! Your kitchen really should incorporate functionality as a cornerstone of the design.

14. Make your kitchen mobile; for example, use an island that is on wheels to help make a kitchen bigger if it needs to be.

15. Use appliances that can handle more than one task at a time.

16. If you are on a budget, pick the things you want most and put the majority of the money into those and leave the smaller budget for the less unique aspects of the kitchen.

17. Always look for savings when designing your kitchen!

18. Lighten up your kitchen by adding windows or a skylight that can help create a more welcoming atmosphere and happier space in the kitchen!

19. Embrace designs of nature in your kitchen, nothing is better than being one with nature!

20. Splurge on the design elements in your kitchen you want, small expenditures to make your kitchen better are always worth it!

For more information on design elements for your kitchen click here!