When you buy your first home, friends and family shower you with “housewarming” gifts that mostly center around decor and sentimentality. But practical items are must-haves when you’re moving into your first house. Here are the essential items you’ll need for day-to-day life in your new home. General use Cleaning supplies: broom, mop, bucket, dustpan,… Read more »
Since your bathroom is where you prepare to meet the day, good bathroom lighting is essential to looking your best. Here’s how to illuminate this important part of your home. Areas to be lit Three areas in your bathroom need appropriate lighting. The most important is the vanity. Good lighting is crucial here, since the… Read more »
In recent years, once-popular brass has taken a back seat to brushed nickel, stainless steel and oiled bronze when it comes to interior design. But brass is now shining once again. Read on to learn how brass is back! Home colors are getting warmer The return of brass comes on the heels of a return… Read more »
With today’s new materials and colors, choosing grout for your tile project can be overwhelming. Here’s a breakdown showing the choices available to new homeowners and remodelers. Types of grout From powder to pre-mixed, and even epoxy, grout comes in many types. Powder grout, a cement-based product, contains pores – meaning it can hold stains,… Read more »
Kitchen countertops get lots of use – and abuse – leading to dents, nicks, cracks, and scratches that can hold dust, food, and bacteria. The good news is your solid surface countertops likely can be repaired rather than spending lots of money to replace them. Granite Countertops Smaller scratches to granite can be rubbed with… Read more »
Whether you’re shopping for a new home or updating your existing property, an upgraded shower is a great way to give your bathroom a boost. These days, sought-after showers are more high-tech and bigger than ever. In fact, some homeowners forgo tubs completely in favor of these expanded, spa-like showers in their master bathrooms. Before… Read more »
In a bathroom remodel, selecting the right material for the walls is essential. It has to be tough enough to handle the moisture but handsome enough to please the eye. Painted walls. Use a less-porous paint such as a semi-gloss or gloss. Be sure to ask for paint with anti-fungal additives to deter mold. Wooden… Read more »
If you’re custom building a home or remodeling an outdated bathroom, don’t forget to consider an updated toilet. Take a look at the most recent changes in commode function and style. Function. Newer “dual-flush” toilets give homeowners the choice to use 1.6 gallons of water while flushing or the water-saving .8 gallons of water. Worried… Read more »
Bathroom sinks and countertops have come a long way from the standard-issue white porcelain sink dropped into laminate cabinetry that you find in many homes across the country. Need a change? Treat yourself and your bathroom to a gorgeous makeover. Countertops. The same great high-end surfaces available for kitchen remodels are now available in bathrooms…. Read more »
Bathroom showers have surged in popularity in recent years, making bathtubs a secondary feature in many remodeling projects. If a makeover is in your future, here are a few things to consider before getting your feet wet. Expansive size. In some instances, showers have become so large, they may not even need doors, a definite… Read more »
Bathtubs may have taken a temporary backseat to luxurious showers in home style trends, but the latest tubs offer plenty of advances in design and technology of their own. And don’t forget, in a home with multiple bathrooms, at least one should offer a tub — if only for the kids and the family dog…. Read more »
Although bathrooms are among the smallest rooms in a home, they are a big job to tackle when it comes to remodeling. Roll up your sleeves and let the planning begin. Function first. List the functional aspects of the current floorplan and what you would like to change. Are there dead spaces? Can two people… Read more »
Aging in place can be a great comfort to senior adults, especially when necessary renovations make familiar surroundings more accessible. That’s particularly true with bathrooms, where comfort and safety must be considered as loved ones’ mobility and dexterity diminish. Doorways need to be 36 inches wide to accommodate a wheelchair. This includes both the bathroom… Read more »
If you have a small bathroom, you know it can be a challenge to make it work. Bathroom spaces need to be functional, of course, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t also have style. With the right fixtures, smart storage, and a few design tricks, you can create a great-looking bathroom that works for… Read more »
If you’re talking about a potential home renovation project, it’s important to know if the money you put into the project will translate into more money down the road when, or if, you sell your house. Some projects will pay off handsomely while others will not. And, sometimes, it’s how you do the project that… Read more »
