The process of choosing kitchen cabinets is one that takes a little research and planning. For some help in those areas there are many remodeling books and home magazines available. These can be purchased or found in the library. The pictures offer a great look at what the cabinets look like in a finished setting. If there is something in one of the books or magazines that catches the eye, there is usually information on where it can be picked up.

An estimated budget has to be determined for the overall remodeling project. Cabinets will cost an unbelievable half of that budget. This will include the labor to install them. The cabinets can then be chosen as in stock, custom or semi custom. Knowing this ahead of time will reduce the chance of going way over budget.

The in stock cabinets come in fixed sizes and a limited number of styles and finishes. Due to the lack of ability to customize, these are the cheapest cabinets available. This does not mean that these are cheaply made. On the contrary, there are many high quality in stock cabinets. The semi custom, offer more flexibility to fit a kitchen and its owners preferences. Custom cabinets offer unlimited choices and are made by a cabinet maker from start to finish.

The kind of material will need to be chosen. This may be based on the type of kitchen and the lifestyle of the owner. If there are children in the home it may be a good idea to go with something that is easy to clean. The laminate and stainless steel cabinets fit the bill. The laminate cabinets also come in any number of colors. Wood cabinets come in various finishes and are able to be painted as well.

There are so many kinds of wood that are used for cabinetry. Those that are typically used are pine, maple, cherry, birch, mahogany and oak. Oak is the most popular for its color. For those looking for a green option there are cabinets available in bamboo, an easily sustainable wood. The darker woods of walnut and ebony are beautiful and expensive. These are usually purely custom cabinet material.

Cabinet accessories can be used to give a kitchen a customized feel. The door pulls do not have to be the traditional smooth metal type. They also come in granite, bronze, ceramic and glass. Some are hand-made or hand-painted. They are in many shapes, finishes and sizes. Inside the cabinets, a Lazy Susan, fully extendable drawers, drawer inserts and organizers all make them more convenient to use.

With all the above in mind, making a choice for kitchen cabinets will be focused if not simplified. Remember to do the necessary research and to stay within the budget. It may be good to keep an eye out for any close out sales or auctions. A better quality cabinet could be available for a lower price.

When choosing materials for your bathroom remodel, tile should receive as much consideration as your new fixtures. Tile, in addition to providing protection from water, is integral to making your new bathroom feel like it is truly “yours.”

Durability, expense, ease of cleaning and aesthetic value should all come into consideration during tile selection-there are thousands of kinds to choose from, but there are some obvious winners. Here are three examples of such bathroom champions.

1. Ceramic

An extremely durable tile, Ceramic comes in every color under the sun. Typically molded from clay, fired and glazed, Ceramic is a classic tile material. Ceramic tile mosaics and installations are still intact in ancient structures from Egypt and Pompeii. Ceramic is easy to clean-a wet towel does the trick-and doesn’t harbor germs. It can be purchased in five different gradations of hardness: zero through two are typically chosen for wall tile and three for flooring. It is easy to install on your own, and is very affordable at between $3 and $7 a square foot. Be sure that all tile used in your bathroom comes from the same lot, as color and size can vary slightly between manufactured lots.

2. Porcelain

Porcelain is a variation on Ceramic tile, in that it is durable and affordable. In fact, it is more typically used for commercial tiling jobs as it is more durable than is necessary for residential bathrooms. Manufactured in the same way as Ceramic tile, Porcelain comes in an infinite number of colors and sizes. Priced essentially identical to Ceramic at between $3 and $6 per square foot, Porcelain has great value. It is easy to install-and definitely possible to do yourself-though it must have a different setting material than typical Ceramic. It is a more porous material, so ask the tile’s manufacturer about their preferred type of compound setting.

3. Terra Cotta

As one of the most ancient tile materials-dating back to before oven-firing was an option in its baking process-Terra Cotta is certainly tried and true. It provides a uniquely rustic and weathered look to any space, while remaining within the same range of prices for the preceding tile types. Some added expense is incurred, however, when installing and deciding whether or not to seal the tiled surface. This is a job for tiling professionals (like those at Denver Tile Installation), particularly in terms of selection. While good Terra Cotta will last forever, even tile experts have a difficult time evaluating its quality. Only buy from a trusted source, and seriously consider sealing. Sealing the floor-applying a glaze over the completed surface-will ensure that no water will infiltrate and will dramatically improve the ease of cleaning.

There are many options for creating aesthetic quality in a bathroom, and it is tempting to go with what is most attractive. However, since bathrooms need to serve a practical purpose first and foremost, you should also keep more practical aspects of tile selection in mind. That way, you will not only love the way your bathroom looks when it is completed, but also be able to enjoy it long afterward.

When remodeling a bathroom, the decision for tiling a shower is of the utmost importance. You must know your options and your preferences in order to find the perfect look, so that you won’t want to be redoing it all over again in another couple of years. Tiling a shower requires care and craftsmanship, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could be stuck with something you don’t like. Before you decide where to spend your money, choose from these best options:

Ceramic. Both lightweight and durable, ceramic is one of the most common and versatile forms of tile shower designs that you can pick. This non-metallic solid holds up well not just in the bathroom but all over the house, offering a temperature controlled setting that is both cool in summer and warm in winter.

Porcelain. A very sturdy and heavy tile option, porcelain carries with it a great deal of strength and comfort. It is not quite as cold as you might think either, so don’t let fears of traipsing barefoot in the morning before work scare you off. It adjusts quickly to the temperature of the house, and at the same time offers a cooler environment during those hot, steamy summer months.

Quarry. If you are looking for a more rustic look, then you will certainly want to consider quarry for your tile shower designs. Usually occurring in shades of red and brown, the richness of quarry comes from natural clay and shale ingredients. While bathrooms typically come in brighter color patterns, quarry could be just the thing to differentiate yours from the rest of the neighborhood and give you something that you can really be proud of.

Mexican. Go south of the border with this option that brings out the best of Old Mexico in a modern design. If you feel that your bathroom needs a unique touch then you may wish to try out these options, which are plentiful in size, shape, color and texture. From strong primaries to the more naturally blended, tiling a shower with Mexican tile allows you free reign to determine the mood and contrast of your bathroom.

Terrazzo. From thick to thin, this type of tile enables you to bring a rocky look to your shower that adds a real sense of style and elegance to your home bathroom. Made from chips of marble and/or granite, these usually come pre-manufactured, so all you have to do is install. No special sealants or coatings necessary like what you might encounter with Mexican tile.

Agglomerate. Like Terrazzo, Agglomerate borrows the look of marble and granite chips to create a choice with terrific water absorption capabilities. Fending off mildew and other unpleasant commonalities that come with daily use of a bathroom, Agglomerate has been known to come in thicknesses ranging from 6mm to 20mm.