The goals to get the best layout for a kitchen are: If you follow these guidelines, your kitchen will be a place you love to cook in for years to come. When you decide it is time for another remodel, it will cost less, as you won’t need to move any major appliances or cabinets.

If you’ve been struggling with a poor layout or limited storage, a bathroom remodel can be a lifesaver. For anyone with limited mobility or who is planning to age in place, changing the layout of the bathroom can make it much safer and work for changing needs. Problems with plumbing, loose tiles, and damaged bathroom…

The signs that it is time to replace the flooring are: Don’t put up with old worn-out flooring, it can cause allergies, unpleasant smells, and a style that clashes with your preferences can just be a downer to come home to. Upgrade to something that is healthier, and makes you smile when coming home. We…

This is a bit humorous, as the truth is, paint it whatever color you love, but the experts have opinions, and they base them on psychology and experience, so here goes: So there you go; remember that those little swatches you get at the paint store can be overwhelming when applied to an entire wall.…

When designing your new shower or tub shower surround, have one or two niches built into the shower wall. This will provide a perfect place to put those shower items like shampoo, conditioners, soap, etc. It adds a great style element as well as a location for those needed shower items. Have your new shower…

You might have guessed the answer to this question – it is the kitchen. Updating the kitchen adds the most significant amount of value to your home in the event of a future sale, and it also attracts potential buyers. Don’t remodel the kitchen just for future buyers, though, do it for yourself and your…

If your home has a powder room, also called a half bath, it can seem rather boring and drab. (Not to mention claustrophobic). Since this bathroom is often used by guests visiting your home, there are plenty of small powder room ideas to transform the space into a stylish, pleasurable bathroom space. Be sure to…

Many older homes were built in a way that mostly closed off the kitchen, which tended to make the kitchen dark and certainly kept any potential company out! Today’s families prefer to open up the kitchen both for a brighter workspace and in order to include helpers in food prep as well as company for…

First, kitchen tile can be placed as a backsplash behind a stove, or on the wall to the underside of the upper cabinets. Tile is a popular countertop material, and can also be used on the kitchen floor. Tiles protect the wall from water and grease, and are much easier to clean than a painted…

First, the mundane design requirements are locating the fixtures. Even the most wonderful bathrooms have plumbing drains, water line and vent stacks, and electrical wiring in those walls. A good contractor will help with the most efficient layout, and with code requirements. Good lighting is important, and frustrating if not done right. The most critical…

Remodeling your house can be exciting and stressful, and it might seem like there are many prospective upgrades to do all at once. It’s common to put off tasks until they are necessary, but some indications shouldn’t be disregarded, and postponing a crucial update could end up costing more in the long run. Here are…

A kitchen cabinet remodel could be the perfect way to enhance your home. A cabinet upgrade can open up the space in your kitchen, give you more storage, or create a more modern look in the home. Cabinet upgrades can range anywhere from having them resurfaced, replacing the cabinet doors with another style, or having…

Kitchens are basically multi-purpose rooms. Not only do they need to accommodate the cook, they also serve s a workstation for kids and adults, a gathering space for family meals and dinner parties, etc. While lighting plays a big role in setting the mood for these tasks, it’s easy to come up with a custom…

If you are lucky enough to have a basement on your home, don’t leave that space as a place to toss junk! That square footage is a game room, office space, guest bedroom, exercise room, or many other possibilities. We have upgraded Bellingham area home basements to include all the above, plus a new bathroom,…

It’s been popular in recent years to include an island in a kitchen layout. The benefits are many, and the only real drawback is the space required. Islands provide more counter space, which is always an advantage, and the storage islands provide underneath are a benefit. Working on an island can be more pleasant than…

Many homeowners choose to have an old bathtub pulled out and a shower installed. Tubs are not used with the same frequency showers are, plus showers use less water than filling a tub. To keep an open look, much of the shower surround can be glass. To add a luxurious feel to the bathroom, have…

If  you need more space in your home, consider an addition, rather than searching for a larger home. For many homeowners, it is a smart investment that increases livable square footage while boosting a home’s value. Additions can be large, such as building on second additions or two story spaces, but they don’t need to…

The tiniest remodel can do wonders for your home. When thinking of how to improve the bath vanity, don’t get stuck in the traditional cabinet with sink that is so common. Not that there is anything wrong with that style, but if you are looking for a change, here are some ideas for you. Bath…

If it is time to upgrade the bathroom, then you should consider some features that may not have been included in the original bath. Whether you are young, or at retirement age, adding some features that make life easier for mobility impaired persons is a good idea. Anyone can suffer from an injured leg or…

Sunrooms are perfect additions to homes that are starved for sunlight. Typically less expensive than conventional additions, these built-ons offer more window space than wall space to bring in as much light as possible to one end of your home. Sunrooms vary in their construction; some are basically a room added on, with lots of…

Operable skylight windows can open to let in the fresh air. This helps with cross ventilation in stuffy rooms, freshens up the air and cools down your living spaces without turning on an air conditioner. Skylights can add value to your home in a way that can’t be measured monetarily; by improving the overall look…

The primary purpose of a kitchen backsplash is t protect the wall behind the sink from water damage, and the wall behind the stove from heavy grease and cooking stains. Backsplashes are designed to be durable; it reduces the risk of damaging the wall behind the sink or the stove. The most popular type of…

What’s the key to a happy cook? It starts with an organized pantry where it’s easy to see and therefore use what is there. If it drives you crazy walking into a pantry space that is disorganized and cluttered, then maybe it is time for you to have that pantry space re-designed and upgraded. Whether…

So Whatcom county has had it’s first scorcher of the summer this year; those days of hot weather may have some of you wishing there was a roof over the patio or deck. In our climate roofs over outdoor spaces are guaranteed to be well appreciated. For most of the year we deal with rain…

Showers do not age well, and when the time comes to replace a worn out shower, think of it not as a problem, but an opportunity. Whether you are replacing a tub/shower or an old shower, you can totally remake that bathroom with a well designed shower. What makes a shower great are features such…