The Secret of Good Kitchen Lighting
When designing our kitchens, our minds immediately go to the “big things.” These include what kinds of kitchen appliances we will buy – the makes, the sizes, and colors of the refrigerator and stove, for example. Where will we fit them in? And what about more auxiliary appliances, such as the washing machine and dryer, which don’t necessarily have to be in the kitchen but often are? Then, there are the countertops – what color will they be? Will they be marble, formica, or wood? And how many kitchen cabinets do we need? What size, and how high will they go?
But the one thing that we often forget but can be just as important as any of the items mentioned above is kitchen lighting. The way that we light the kitchen can affect the ambiance and feel of the room. Yet we often forget this important point, and many kitchens are just fitted with a plain strip light to make them as bright as possible.
In fact, in many households the kitchen is the nerve center of the home. It is the place where we prepare food, and depending on its size it is where we eat, hang out, and for some of us it is the place where we spend most of the day. Therefore, the brightness of the light is not the main issue. We want the room to be homely, welcoming, and comfortable. On a cold winter’s day, we think of a warm kitchen as the place to come for a bowl of hot soup to relieve the chill. In many families, it is also the place where we can be ourselves; more formal meals are served in the dining room, but more private “family” time is spent in the kitchen.
For this reason, you really need two types of kitchen lights. On the one hand, they need to be soft and comfortable for those intimate, “hanging out in the kitchen” moments. But on the other hand, it is also important to have sufficient light to see what you are doing. You need to see very clearly whether the food is cooking properly, if there are bugs in the lettuce, and whether the food in the container you just took out of the fridge really does look like that.
So how do you juggle both of these needs? Here are some possible solutions:
-An attractive light fitting as an overall, overhead light. This does not have to be glaringly bright. In fact, it can be quite dim and provide the warm, friendly atmosphere of the home kitchen. But over the counters, you can fit small, bright fluorescent bulbs so that you can see what you are preparing. If you are fortunate enough to have a kitchen island, you could fit a pendant light over it to brighten your working area and which can be switched off when you are not there.
– Fit dimmer switches to the lights in the kitchen. This way, you don’t have to fit too many lights, and you can control the brightness and light as you need it. Turn it up while you are cooking and turn it down when you and your partner are having an evening cocoa before bedtime in the kitchen.
Whatever you decide to do, don’t forget your kitchen lighting in your design plans.
The Pros and Cons of Bathroom Remodeling for Resale Homes
On each flip project a decision must be made as to whether or not the bathroom(s) need to be remodeled. The decision to remodel the bathroom of an investment property is one of the biggest you’ll make as it will also result in one of the largest costs in terms of time and money. The net financial result is what should concern you. Will the remodeling yield a profit on it’s own, or at least contribute proportionately to the overall profit.
The Pros of Remodeling the Bathroom of an Investment House:
Give it the WOW factor! The Wow factor is probably the major reason you would renovate the bathroom. There are three rooms that you want to be impressive; and the bathroom is arguably number one. Mr. and Ms. Buyer will often make their decision based on the condition of the bathroom.
Whether you choose to remodel the whole thing or just replace certain components should be based partly on the criticality of the bathroom in the buy-decision. Done properly a bathroom renovation could well be the deciding factor between getting your price and not selling your house.
An ugly, poorly maintained bathroom will have the potential buyers lowering their pricing expectations disproportionate to the amount it would cost to renovate it. A buyer purchasing a renovated house has expectations that certain things are in good shape – that’s why they’re buying a house that’s already been renovated.
Whether it’s a facelift or a total gut, that one room can make or break the deal.
If you’re working with a very limited budget you can decide which particular parts of your bathroom that you would like remodeled, such as the tub or the toilet or the sink.
If money is not an issue, you may make the decision to remodel your whole bathroom. In addition to deciding what parts of your bathroom you would like remodeled, you will also have complete control over the products and materials used.
For instance, if you wish to replace the toilet, you can choose the quality which suits the budget. What matters is that it’s new. Knowing that the toilet is new and has never been used is a big deal to some people. They may think “I will replace that toilet someday”, but it’s good enough to help facilitate a good overall impression.
Bathroom remodelling can be relatively easy to do depending on the depth you want to go. It is something an average handyman can do by themselves in order to save expenses.
Although you can save yourself money by doing your own remodeling, you may not want to or you may be unable to do so. If that is the case, you still have a choice. That choice is seeking assistance from a professional contractor.
Despite costing more money, your bathroom will be remodeled professionally and often in less time.
It is also important to mention that bathroom remodeling projects can help to increase a home’s value. That is one of the biggest pros to having your bathroom remodeled. The increase in value, if there is one, will depend on a number of different factors. Those factors include what type of remodeling is done, as well as how well it is done. Whether you choose to hire the services of a professional bathroom remodeling expert or if you have prior home improvement experience, the decision to remodel your bathroom could significantly increase the value of your home.
Although there are a number of pros to bathroom remodeling, there are also a number of cons. Those cons mainly include the cost of doing so. When it comes to deciding whether or not you want to remodel your bathroom, you will have to make up your own mind; however, when doing so you may want to keep the above mentioned points in mind.
The Cons of Remodeling the Bathroom of an Investment House:
There are two major cons to remodelling for a flip; cost and the impact of a poor job.
If you are contemplating a bathroom remodeling project, these cons may make you want to rethink your decision.
The biggest con to remodeling is the cost, particularly if you go high end on your fixtures. Remodeling for resale is not the same as remodeling for yourself. You must keep this in mind for a flip. The character of the end result should match the character of the house not your idea of what the perfect bathroom should be. Remember, you are in this for profit.
The extent to which you remodel will affect the price as well. If you gut the bathroom down to the joists you will be looking at a lot more than if you simply replaced the toilet and added a tub surround. In addition to the cost of supplies and materials, you also need to determine whether or not there will be any additional costs. For instance, if you make the decision to have your bathroom professionally remodeled, you will need to pay a professional contractor. Although a professional contractor often produces better results, you will find the cost of hiring one fairly high.
In addition to the cost of bathroom remodeling, it is also important to note the time that it will take. How long a bathroom remodeling project lasts will all depend on what is being remodeling. If you are simply looking to replace your toilet, you will find that your remodeling project takes less time than it would if you were planning on remodeling your entire bathroom. The amount of time it takes for remodeling will also depend on how much time can be devoted to it. If you make the decision to hire a professional contractor to remodel your bathroom, the remodeling will likely be done quicker. In addition to knowing exactly what they are doing, professionals can usually devote more time to work than someone who is only doing the work on the side.
Another one of the many cons to remodeling your bathroom is what it can do to your home. As you may already know, it is possible for a bathroom remodeling project to increase the value of your home. While an increase is likely to occur, it is not guaranteed. If your home’s value does increase because of a bathroom remodeling project, it will all depend on how much remodeling was done and the result of that remodeling. A professional or quality remodeling job is likely to produce the best increase in value.
What you need to be aware of is what a poor remodeling project can do for your home. There is a chance that a poor bathroom remodeling project could also decrease the value of your home. The chances of that happening are slim, but there is always a chance.
As previously mentioned, when having your bathroom remodeled, you have a choice as to whether you want to do your own remodeling or a have a professional do it for you.
When it comes to bathroom remodeling, you will find that are more cons to do it yourself bathroom remodeling.
As you can see, there are a number of bathroom remodeling cons. Although it may seem as if it isn’t worth it to remodel your bathroom, there are also a number of bathroom remodeling pros. These pros include a new bathroom and the possibility of increasing your home’s value. If you are interested in remodeling your bathroom, only you can decide whether or not it would be worth it and given your skill set and time, what the best approach would be.
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Steve Leighton Real Estate Investment Consultant http://www.HouseFlipOnline.com [http://ebook1.HouseFlipOnline.com] Author of “Guide to Buying and Selling Fixer Upper Homes” Get your FREE copy today and sign up for the HouseFlipOnline News Letter Today! Visit: http://www.HouseFlipOnline.com [http://ebook1.HouseFlipOnline.com] Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Leighton
www.LKNcabinets.com has 15 years experience in “flipping” homes and investment properties. Give us a call today for a FREE estimate on your project 704-232-5169 |
Bathroom Vanities Can Make A Statement
A lot of people look to their sinks, tubs or even tiles to set the tone in the bathroom. While these can achieve a certain feel in the room, when a quick update is desired the place to look is at the bathroom vanities themselves. Offering a relatively affordable, easy way to update a bathroom, these fixtures can take little time to switch out, too.
There are lots of reasons why changing these fixtures out over and above the tub, shower stall and even floors is the desired method to update for many. The reality is bathroom vanities do a lot more than hold up a counter and serve as a place for the sink to be set. These creations do in fact help set the entire tone for the room. When a new look is desired, often replacing the vanity is all that’s needed to get the job done and done well.
Bathroom vanities can come in many styles, each lending itself to creating a different kind of atmosphere in the bathroom. Some of the many options include:
* Retro. Formica bathroom vanities and other similar creations can give a bathroom a retro feel. When they are used in conjunction with period countertops and sinks and fixtures the overall look of the room can be changed completely without having to go to the expense of changing out the tiles, tub or even flooring. If the flooring is going to be changed, a black and white check pattern can really add to the new look.
* Country. Light woods don’t necessarily have to give off a down home country feel, but they can very well. When a softer, more homey look is desired in the powder room, a light wood vanity can achieve the goal quite well.
* Traditional. Darker wood type vanities with white countertops are ideal for creating a stately, somber look in a powder room. When sink fixtures are chosen that give off an antique feel, the overall look of the bathroom can change quickly and effectively.
* Ultra modern. Fabricated, hard plastic bathroom vanities that come with similar or matching countertops and sinks can really offer a spectacular, updated look. When these are used correctly in a decorating scheme, the look can be quite impressive.
Replacing bathroom vanities might seem like a lot of work, but it doesn’t really have to be. Some vanities can be purchased pre-made and all ready for the sink to be hooked up to the plumbing. Others prefer to create their own vanities to make a more rustic, antique look possible on a budget.
When replacing bathroom vanities, remember, the sink will need to either be saved or a new one purchased to fit in its place. Countertops, too, might have to be replaced, as well. Some vanities, however, come complete with everything but the final hook up to the plumbing.
When a fast change is desired for the powder room, one of the best places to look is at the bathroom vanities themselves. Fairly easy and affordable to change out, these cabinets can make or break a room’s designer appeal.
Keyword Articles: http://www.keywordarticles.org
For more information on bathrooms, try visiting www.bathroomdetails.com – a website that specializes in providing bathroom related tips, advice and resources including information on bathroom vanities.
www.LKNcabinets.com is located in Mooresville, NC
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