Kitchen Designs- Make it Your Design

When it’s time to replace your kitchen cabinets, or if you’re choosing cabinetry for new construction, it’s going to be a difficult task, because so many beautiful and original designs are available. You have choices of styles, woods, and finishes, and every choice you make is going to make a different statement in your kitchen. This article is being written in order to give you some ideas of what is out there, what is popular, and the different looks you can achieve.

Cabinets can be configured any way you like to include different components. No matter whether you want a sleek, modern kitchen or a cozy, country feel, you can get cabinet designs that will enhance the décor while giving you all the functionality you need. In addition to basic cupboards, you can get modules that contain pantries, dish racks, glass fronts, wine racks, a matching stove hood, and other unique pieces that will give your kitchen a unique flair while adding to its usability.

Kitchen cabinets are available made of numerous different woods. Most have hardwood fronts with plywood interiors for economy. Beware of those made with particleboard interiors, because particleboard is notorious for absorbing the water from the kitchen environment and then buckling and cracking. You may want to choose the wood for your kitchen cupboards to match the rest of the woodwork in your home. That is the traditional way to select kitchen design. However, in a modern kitchen, anything you like goes. If you want different cabinet components made of several types of woods or in varying colors, go for it!

There is a wide selection of finishes that can be used for kitchen cabinetry. Even new homeowners these days are electing to have painted cabinets in various earthy shades. Just as the days of utilitarian, white metal cabinets gave way to the wooden designs of the past few decades, modern design is changing to reflect the personalities of those designing them. While you can still get wooden cabinets finished to allow the wood grain to come through wish varnishes and lacquers, you can also find an array of cabinets with thermo foil and other manufactured finishes.

Having mismatched cabinets, both in design and color, is one of the latest trends. Exotic woods, such as knotty chestnut and Canadian red birch are becoming more popular, and people are choosing cabinets with both horizontal and vertical graining to give their kitchens a unique look. In addition, many people are selecting cabinets in the European style which stand on legs and are made to resemble fine furniture. No longer are kitchens just basic rooms. Now they reflect the style and taste of the designer more than they’ve ever done in the past.

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Master Bath Designs

One of the most popular remodeling projects involves putting together master bedroom bath designs. The master bath is an increasingly important part of your home’s value, so it is generally a good investment of time and money to remodel and make improvements. You should not just jump in and start demolishing the old master bath, though. The first step (and a very important step) is to consider different options and draw up one or more designs of what you would like to do.

Several things are important to consider when putting together master bedroom bath designs. For instance, even a relatively small space can be redesigned so that it is more functional and feels more spacious. All you need to do is carefully plan and position the right components the right way. When planning the layout of your bathroom design think about how you move about the master bath and where each component should be located.

Master Bedroom Bath Designs

Color is also an important factor for your master bedroom bath designs. Different colors can create different effects depending on the rest of your décor, the natural lighting and the electrical lighting in the space. As you are choosing a paint color for your bathroom bring color samples and sample materials into the bathroom space to see how they look in the ambient light.

Durability and cost are important parts of your design as well. Remodeling a master bath is a big job that you probably do not want to do very often, so select materials that are attractive as well as durable over the long term. Your budget is another important consideration. More and more manufacturers are offering extremely high end bath fixtures and components that are innovative but very expensive. Most of the time, if you splurge and spend a lot of money on these fancy items you will not recover those costs as fully in increased value of your home. It is generally better to choose mid range materials and items for master bedroom bath designs to gain the greatest return on your investment.

This article was written by Gregg Hicks of http://www.reliableremodeler.com which provides Internet-based home improvement information and services. Offering homeowners a simple, quick, and free way to access, qualified home improvement remodeling contractors.

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Bathroom Remodeling: Things to Consider

Are you thinking about bathroom remodeling? You might be thinking about a bathroom remodel for any of a number of reasons.

1. You need more space or functionality
2. You need a second sink
3. You want to provide a little more privacy when two people are in the bathroom at the same time
4. You want to make your bathroom safer
5. You want to make your bathroom accessible to people with disabilities
6. You want to update or modernize your bathroom
7. You want to create your own spa in the privacy of your own home
8. You want to add a shower
9. You want to add a whirlpool tub
10. You want a linen closet in the bathroom
11. You are getting your house ready to sell
12. You just want a little change

These are all great reasons to remodel a bathroom. And your reason for remodeling will determine the changes you make. Your budget will also be an important factor in deciding how you will change your bathroom. But there are a few other things you might want to consider in your plans.

— Are you planning to stay in your house as you grow older? If so, you might want to plan to equip the bathroom with fixtures that will make it safer. Should you consider higher toilets? Should you consider stepping into a bathtub in order to take a shower?

— Will someone who has a disability use the bathroom? How will you need to arrange fixtures for ease of use and for the ability to move around in the bathroom? Do you need to plan for space to navigate a wheelchair? If the bathroom is to be used by someone in a wheelchair, should you lower the surface of the vanity? Should you use different sinks?

— One current trend in new homes is to build larger master bathrooms. If you are remodeling your bathroom because you plan to sell your house, this might be a consideration.

— Do you want to add a little luxury to your life? Do you want to create your own spa?

If your remodeling goal is to make your bathroom more accessible and safer, you will probably want to think seriously about access to the shower or to the bathtub. You will certainly want to place a few grab bars (near the toilet, near the shower and near the tub). You might want to install a seat in the shower or a raised toilet. You may find that some of the luxury features also serve comfort and therapeutic purposes as well. For example, multiple shower heads can be soothing for aching joints. A heated floor may be very comfortable in a cold climate.

If your goal is to add a little luxury to your life, you will find that the sky is the limit. Almost anything you can imagine is possible if you have the space and the budget.

If you just need a little extra space or an additional sink, you can do renovations that meet those needs and others at the same time. For example, if you want a second sink in the master bathroom, you can create dramatic effects by choosing a particular style of sink. If you want to remodel your bathroom to provide additional privacy when two people are using the bathroom at the same time, your remodel might be as simple as adding a short wall and a door to enclose the toilet area.

So what is popular now in terms of design and materials? The answer really depends upon what you want to achieve and the direction you want to go. Retro continues to be very popular. You might want to tear out existing vanity areas and bathtubs so you can replace them with a retro footed free-standing bathtub and pedestal sinks. You may be tired of chrome fixtures and simply want to try a new look like brushed nickel.

If you have decided to create a home spa, you might want to use more mirrors, particularly the fog-free mirrors. These mirrors can also be used as nearly-invisible doors to cabinets and cupboards. There are many new styles of small sinks that create amazing visual effects, as well as functionality. You can turn your bathroom into a steam room. You can install a shower with multiple adjustable shower heads at various heights to provide a full body massage. You can install a bathtub on any level (sunken, raised, etc.) for beauty and functionality. Your tub can include several types of jets for hydrotherapy effects.

Your choice of materials will be determined by the “look” you want to achieve. Ceramic tile has almost completely replaced vinyl floor covering. The many varieties and designs in ceramic tile can create virtually any style you want. You can install heating elements beneath the tile for a little bit of extra warmth and luxury. Your sink, tub, and shower can be made of anything from fiberglass to porcelain to various metals. Your walls can be painted drywall or drywall painted with a mural. You can choose wallpaper to create the effect you desire. Or you can use ceramic tile or mirrors on all or part of the walls. With a little shopping and planning, you can make your bathroom look like a Roman bath or an Asian spa or a turn-of-the-century hotel bathroom. You can use granite or marble for counters. And there are no limits on the colors you can use to create a mood of relaxation. Just check with a few stores to see what is available and create the design that serves your purposes. You might be amazed by the variety that is available in most any bathroom fixture.

Once you have your design and you have chosen your fixtures and materials, you only need to decide whether you will do the remodeling yourself or hire a contractor. The decision to do it yourself will depend upon your skills, your knowledge of how to install various fixtures and design elements, and the extent of the remodel. You might find that you would be in over your head if you decided to do electrical or plumbing work and hire a contractor to do those tasks, allowing you to do the painting, wallpapering, and less complex tasks. If you know the basics, you might find that you can do more of the work yourself if you take a class at a home improvement store or center.

Don’t be afraid to remodel your bathroom. Just consider your needs both in the long term and in the immediate future. Then design the space and the “look” that is right for you.

Copyright 2009 by Dan Fritschen

Dan Fritschen, the author of this article, is an internationally respected remodeling expert. He has recently published his Bathroom Remodeling Workbook, a step-by-step guide for homeowners considering bathroom remodeling. To learn more about the book, visit http://www.remodelormove.com. Dan is the author of five books on remodeling and hundreds of articles to help homeowners enjoy stress-free and affordable remodeling projects. To access these articles and his remodeling cost calculators, please visit his web site at http://www.remodelestimates.com.

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