All you wanted to know about bathroom lighting and more! Proper and safe levels of light in bathrooms are more than just being able to see, and lighting needs depend on the individual as well as the task they’re performing. Eighty percent of older adults experience a fall in the bathroom; proper lighting could reduce…

We get a lot of requests for home additions – everything from a small walk-in closet addition to a second floor over the garage. If you love your neighborhood and if your home has gotten too small, due to a growing family, or the desire to cook gourmet meals for guests, then it is time…

If your kitchen is getting you down but you don’t know what it needs, other than gutting it and tossing the whole thing in the recycle bins, then you could use some help from an experienced kitchen contractor. Every kitchen is different, so an analysis needs to be done. What can be saved? What really…

ADA, Universal Design and Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) are all terms and designations describing design for accessibility for all. If you still think designing a bathroom for accessibility means a hospital-like bathroom, be ready for a surprise! The advantage of so many baby boomers reaching retirement age is that designers and manufacturers are…

Too often, garages become disorganized dumping grounds for stuff you don’t use every day. Finding what you want can be a real chore, and just thinking about searching can be disheartening. It doesn’t have to be that way! Attractive storage cabinets, shelving and appropriate hanging options for tools, gardening equipment and gadgets can make organizing…

First, are you doing it for yourself or to upgrade your home for a future buyer? The best answer is both. It is rare to recoup 100% of the cost of a remodel, so the most logical choice is to remodel for yourself to enjoy, but with an eye to a future buyer. So that…

We all want our kitchens to be a pleasant space to be in: Good lighting; ambient, task, and accent lighting. Everything stored close to where it will be used and is easy to find. Coordinated color scheme. Surfaces easy to clean and maintain. Appliances selected that are appropriate for the size of the kitchen, that…

Is this your year to have that outdoor kitchen built? Outdoor kitchens range from a simple built-in barbecue with a counter on each side, to a full-blown kitchen with sink, outdoor refrigerator, and all the amenities of the indoor kitchen. With the right setup, you can entertain through many seasons. Your outdoor kitchen can include…

Does your bathroom have an awkward layout and you can’t change it? Perhaps you own a very old home and it has been added onto or remodeled, and not in an aesthetically pleasing way. Or you may have a slanted ceiling, a very small room, or an L-shaped bath. An inconvenient bathroom space doesn’t require…

Showers come in all sizes and types, from huge spa-like tile and glass wonders to miniscule, efficient, fiberglass fixtures tucked into a corner. Here are some options to get you started on your plans: Fiberglass, tile, glass or Corian walls: Tile is a frequently chosen and attractive material for showers; oftentimes the homeowner will have…

As you probably know, the bathroom is one of the most used rooms in your home. And you want it to be something more than just clean and utilitarian, although that would be nice! Every bathroom strives to create a balance between good looks and usefulness. When your bathroom is either not pleasant to be…

A well designed remodel can use creativity to incorporate techniques and elements that make a space feel and function like it’s much bigger than it is. Here are some ideas: If your shower will have a floor pan, keep it the same color as the floor tile, unless someone who will be using it regularly…

  Corbels! With the popularity of eating spaces in the kitchen, an overhanging countertop bar has become commonplace. Have you wondered how they are built so that they “stay up” and do not break or crack when your teenager decides it’s a tall chair, or a family member plops a heavy box of books on…

  Homeowners seeking to upgrade their homes request the following features most often: Kitchen remodels: New appliances, with stainless steel topping the list of preferred finishes. Kitchen islands are popular, as they provide additional room to put out food for the family and allow the kitchen to be more organized. Homeowners often request granite countertops…

If your home only has one bathroom, you can recoup a large chunk of your investment by adding another one. Experts estimate 80% – 130% of whatever you spend adding a bathroom will be recouped when selling. When analyzing your home to locate some square footage for that extra bathroom, look at rooms that are…

You don’t have to knock down walls, add square footage to your house, or completely overhaul your kitchen to get that special look in your existing kitchen. As the old saying goes, “If the bones are good, then some new relatively superficial changes will make a huge difference.” A fresh coat of paint, a new…

It isn’t just for seniors or those with physical challenges. Safety is important for all of us, and especially with the slippery surfaces in the bath. The good news is, you can get safety fixtures with style, now that manufacturers have woken up to this need. Practicality, safety, and style are designed into many bath…

What can you do if you have lived in your home for years, like where you are, but are just not satisfied with your home? Sit down and make a list of what you find annoying about the home; it could be a cramped, dark or poorly laid out kitchen; it could be that the…

Be resourceful about storing items. Instead of the usual cabinet shelving hidden behind doors, have deep drawers installed in your below counter spaces. It makes it much easier to find what you are looking for, and makes the rear space far more usable. For visual “space”, instead of the typical upper cabinets, install shelves on…

Multiple surveys have shown that Americans use the shower for more than just getting clean. Many use the shower experience to de-stress and escape daily pressures. Whether you are using the shower to relax at the end of the day or to wake you up, the shower head should be chosen to meet both needs.…

Kitchen and bath projects don’t have to mean a full scale remodel to be worthwhile. Replacing an old plumbing fixture, such as a toilet that is still flushing away 3.5 gallons each time the handle is pulled, will not only improve the bathrooms appearance, but make a favorable impact on your water bill. Small improvements…

As you probably are well aware, the baby boom generation is driving many purchasing trends, and as that generation is now at or near retirement, their effect on the housing and remodeling industry has been evaluated by many industries related to the housing industry. The Demand Institute studies economic conditions all over the world and…

Like Carnac the Magnificent of Old, we here present you with knowledge of the future you could not know on your own. Home Remodeling trends expected for 2015, taken from many sources in the Remodeling industry: Kitchens: Custom built, sleek, modern style cabinets are popular. Granite is still the favorite for countertops, but Caesarstone, a…

  Ah, winter! The time of year when it gets dark early and we spend more time indoors; we can no longer ignore those walls we should have had painted last summer, and that awful cracked tile in the kitchen. Now is the time to get your favorite contractor out to do those myriad indoor…

  Have you heard of Murphy’s Law? “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” You need a list, so I have provided one for you! Materials might be delivered late, dented, or with something missing. The wrong product delivered. Termites or carpenter ant damage could be discovered when walls or floors are opened up.…