Category: Blog

Remodeling kitchen is a great investment that can help the individuals in making the kitchen look great along with the new things that are present. It can really make the house great and awesome. There are certain tips and tricks that can be of greater help for you in doing the kitchen remodeling in greater and awesome way. Here are the things and tips to follow for making the kitchen look great. Once when you know these tips then only you can easily get the kitchen get a great design in an awesome manner as you feel. It is also important to consider how your energy bills could be affected by the changes. My friend suggested Simply Switch and they were so helpful!

Think Forward

When you are remodeling the kitchen, you need to think better and in different way than the current trends. When you think wise and different, then you can end up in getting the kitchen remodeled in such a form that you can feel really great. You can choose the kitchen to be something that of L or U shaped when they are planning for that. There are chances for the individuals to choose the kind of design that is appropriate for them. The kind of the shape that you choose for the kitchen is very important. It decides the whole layout of the kitchen. You should also consider what appliances are going to go where in the kitchen and also think about getting a kitchen faucet and sink that goes with the design of the kitchen and doesn’t stand out.

Find Space for Storage

The big mistake that the people do is to leave no space for the storage. It is important for the kitchen to be planned in such manner that there is space for cabinets and such facilities for storing all the things that are related with the kitchen. You should make sure that there are facilities for keeping all the appliances that you want to include in your kitchen. If you are not going to use the kitchen so well then it is better not get all the kinds of things that you need. You can consider having deep drawer so that the pans and pots can be easily stored and accessed.

Lighting

Lighting in the kitchen is something that is different from various other parts of the house. The lights in the kitchen should be under cabinet ones so that they can directly shine over the countertops. It is not good for considering the overhead lights that can cast shadow on the kitchen. What the individuals need is a good light that can easily show the whole areas of the kitchen. The proper lighting can help the individuals in working in kitchen in safest manner. It should be made sure that the kitchen is given proper lighting.

Power Play

Make sure that the new and the relocated appliances have got good sources of power supply. There are many people who plan everything and spend money on that and then realize there are no proper electric and power lines. They may also be unfortunate in experiencing things like plumbing issues which need to be sorted quickly to minimise potential damage caused to new appliances. If you find yourself in this position, you can click herefor more information about plumbing services on offer. When you have your new appliances in place, the whole design should be done well so that the kitchen has got all the designs that are appropriate.

Surface and Space

There is nothing like greater amount of counter space. You need to find the surface that can be easier to work and maintain.

Picking the best paint colors for each room of your house can be a daunting endeavor especially if you have never done it before, or if you have no idea which paint colors to go for and which ones to leave out.

But the good news is that picking the perfect paint colors for your rooms can be a walk in the park if you know how to go about it. However, if you are clueless on where to begin your search for the perfect paint colors, here are some action tips on picking paint colors that are worth your read.

Consider how paint colors flow from one room to the other

This is arguably the most important thing that you need to do in order to pick paint colors that will make your rooms appealing. If you are unable to find paint colors that will flow well from one room to the other, then it is prudent you use one paint color throughout all the rooms especially if your house has an open floor plan.

Look at the existing items in each room of your house

Rugs, flooring, upholstery and artwork can give you an idea of the paint colors to choose for your rooms. As such, consider the existing items in each room when deciding on the paint color to go for. If you have white flooring, then you can go for a paint color that will match with your white flooring.

Take some paint color samples home

It is imperative to note that the paint colors that you pick in the store will look quite different in your home, thanks to your home’s lighting conditions and the texture of the walls as well. Therefore, you should take some samples home and then try them out on your walls before purchasing any paint colors. Nothing can be more disappointing than purchasing some paint colors, only to realize that they aren’t working well for your rooms.

Consider your house lighting

This is also a rule of the thumb when it comes to choosing paint colors. If you have ever visited a pain store before, you may have observed that they have light boxes for clients to test paint chips. Basically, natural daylight reveals the truest color, while incandescent lighting brings out yellows and warm tones and fluorescent lighting brings out a sharp blue tone. Therefore, strong color paints might be bright and overpowering once used on all walls of a properly lit room. In other words, consider the lighting of your house when choosing a paint color that will make all the rooms appealing.

Consider the mood

When picking color paint, it is important you consider the mood of each room of your house. In the bedrooms for instance, you may like the feeling to be soothing, restful and intimate. As such, you can choose soft, cool colors over stronger colors. Again, if you want the dining area to feel more stimulating and sociable, or if you want it to appear formal and quiet, then you can go for brighter and deeper paint colors in order to give your dining place a more formal ambiance.

With these tips on picking paint colors at your fingertips, you are now a step closer to picking the best paint colors for your rooms.

With the exciting prospect of home renovation available to home-owners, the potential for new and ground breaking designs is always under development within the home modeling sector. To coincide with an ever-increasingly aware and environmentally conscious public, the emerging trend of green kitchen remodeling is one of many innovative advancements for home-owners to consider. Eco-friendly solutions for your home encourages utilizing re-usable and raw materials, that can be implemented into kitchen architecture without sacrificing quality or pleasing aesthetics.

Many showrooms are beginning to present eco-friendly displays to the public, with schedule visits or appointments available to the general public. This allows for an educated and informed opinion to be given to consumers, before home-owners make the important decision on how to execute a successful kitchen renovation. Many online traders also regularly display the latest designs, another viable option for customers.

Several components and elements need to be considered when planning a kitchen remodel.

Kitchen cabinets that are comprised of sustainable materials ensure sturdy design, especially with the range of wood products available on the market. Sustainable forest management guidelines and services have been regulated to ensure formaldehyde-free glues and organic finishes are applied to given materials, thus resulting in the reduction of potentially harmful toxic fumes. Cabinet boxes built with straw or wheat board are naturally made from agricultural waste, which allows for a renewed life cycle and purpose for a once wasted resource. Featuring formaldehyde-free binding agents, they provide strong stability for long-term use and undergo crucial testing to ensure high-quality standards are met, prior to going on sale.

Green counter tops are the perfect solution to those implementing a green kitchen remodeling plan for their home. With recycled materials and low-toxicity binders in place, each product undergoes an eco-friendly manufacturing process to ensure minimal effect upon the environment. The variety of products available may contain materials such as recycled glass, recycled paper and cement, fly ash and renewable bamboo fiber. Products such as wood-based counter tops include materials collected from old or abandoned barns, commercial buildings and warehouses, giving them new life for an exciting home display.

Many flooring options exist for consumers to explore and experiment with. Super thin tiles are a revolutionary concept that measures at just 4 millimeters thick. 60% less dye is utilized to create these remarkable flooring designs, which can also be implemented into wall installations. The reduction of harmful chemicals is impressive in comparison to traditional methods, with a 30-50% reduction in the use of nitrogen, carbon monoxide compounds and sulphur.

These tiles are recycled from glass and deliver a sleek, contemporary design to any warm-welcoming kitchen. Those looking for the latest technology in green kitchen remodelling should look no further than super thin tiles.

With an array of products and services available to assist consumers in conceptualizing the perfect kitchen for their home, the potential for unique styles and designs has never been more accessible. Reach out to online lenders or showrooms to discover the possibilities available with today’s kitchen models.

Bathrooms are currently the rooms undergoing the most remodeling in home repair. People generally wait to spend money on their bathrooms since they are the smallest rooms in they look and feel impact the mood and comfort of occupants. Therefore, people are starting to get rid of their outdated, annoying bathroom supplies and they are completely outfitting their bathrooms with the latest styles. Here are the current trends on the market in 2015.

Colorful Redos

Customers are now asking for bathrooms to be painted bright, relaxing colors such as blues, greens, and purples. The walls are outfitted with thick layers of paint that scream the color. White walls have started to become associated with feelings of unsettlement, annoyance, and even fear because so many official buildings like schools and offices have started using cinderblock walls painted white to minimize building costs. Deep, soft colors are relaxing and remind us of natural things like large bodies of water, rain, and waterfalls. This form of relaxation is known a chromotherapy because we use colors to feel better about ourselves and our surroundings. Bathrooms are becoming more peaceful with just a splash of paint.

High Tech Gadgets

Bathroom comfort is now being equated with how many gadgets there are to play with. In modern society, it’s easy to turn anything into some kind of technological marvel. Showers now are outfitted with multiple spouts that spray water like a spa or even spray water from the ceiling. People are installing vents into the walls that blow warm air to dry a person after a shower instead of using a towel. People are also getting their bathrooms outfitted with surround sound speakers and TVs so that they can enjoy high definition while they soak in the suds. It used to be impressive to have a phone connected to a wall in the bathroom. Times have definitely changed.

Eco-Friendly Fixtures

Toilets used to waste a lot of water when they flushed and refilled their bowels. These days, toilets are becoming more environmentally friendly because they come with built-in water saving fixtures. These fixtures make it so only the necessary amount of water is used to flush necessary things down the toilet. You can press the handle in different directions in order to use more or less water to facilitate the flush. These toilets are also built to clog less and have a longer lifetime than older toilets.

Modern Looks

People are also now buying modern furniture to put into their bathrooms. People love the seamless look of metal and wood fitting together. This reminds people of nature and helps them feel more peaceful. Bathtubs are now coming out with more rounded shapes that focus on geometric beauty rather than space saving. These looks feel more natural to the occupants and help them relax. Furniture and style does add to the tranquility of the room. Picking nice looking, elegant pieces will make the bathroom look sophisticated and sheek.

Bathroom remodeling can be a very expensive process, but you will love your new bathroom forever. To check out more of the latest trends, visit friendlycontractor.com. They are bathroom specialists and will help you achieve your dream bathroom at an affordable rate.

There is a new state law in California that has every homeowner smiling. The much welcome law gives homeowners the ability to construct an accessory dwelling unit or an extension to their property. The new law will make it easier for residents to construct extra quarters which are usually known as granny flats, in-law units or back houses.

The new state rules on granny flats in California which were approved by Governor Terry Brown came at a time when there is dire need to develop new housing units. This is timely in ensuring the ever increasing demand that has seen the skyrocketing of rental prices is met. In the recent past, there was a question over the legality of thousands of residences that had granny flats added to them. There was even a ruling to the effect that city authorities had been irregularly permitting the construction of granny flats.

The new rules on granny flats in California took effect on January 1 and eased the regulations on granny flats. Some of the things amended include; elimination of sprinkler requirements, eased parking restrictions, elimination of sewage and water hook-up fees and increasing the maximum permissible size of a granny flat. The new laws also eliminated the need for ministerial approval to convert an existing structure like a garage into a granny flat.

What are the implications of the new rules?

One thing is for sure; homeowners will take up that law with enthusiasm and will begin to construct new accessory dwellings without a fuss. The city council had ceased issuing the permits for construction of accessory dwellings even for the better part of 2016 but a memo issued by the Department of Planning on December 30 ruled out the illegality of those permits. The memo states that applicants should be able to get their permits as of January 1 on condition that their granny flats meet the required state standards. It seems however that the officials at the city council are working on a set of requirements that are rumored to be stricter than those demanded by the state.

The said city regulations will put a cap on the size of a back house to just 50 % of the main house or 640 square feet ( whichever is larger ) from 1, 200 feet. This city rule would significantly limit the scale of accessory dwellings for many homeowners. The state requirement was a general limitation of just 1, 200 square feet. Homes in hillside areas will be prevented from having a granny flat constructed to them if the city requirements see light of day.

Accessory units have long been a bone of contention between those advocating for cheaper housing and the city authorities and the debate has picked up quite some speed in the recent past. Those vouching for granny flats argue that the additional units will serve in easing congestion without necessarily changing how the neighborhood landscape looks. Opponents to the SB 1069 argue that the additional units will lead to increased traffic. The new law is estimated to create an additional 5, 000 to 10, 000 housing units in Los Angeles which will do good to address the housing crisis in the state of California. If granny flats were built on just 10 % of the existing single-family residences in Los Angeles alone, that would quickly meet half of the 100, 000 new housing units target. This would do so without changing the scale and character of the neighborhoods.

Previously home owners had to cough up to $ 60, 000 in regulatory fees alone to obtain an approval for constructing a granny flat. This is essentially the same amount of money someone building a mansion required to part with to get an approval. The bill was put together in order to address some of these challenges that red taped the building of residential houses and accessory units.

The mulled regulations from the city will of course bring a stand-off between city and state laws. California prohibits her cities from demanding a discretionary procedure to decide which granny flats are permissible but allows them to set some local standards that affect such things as granny flat sizes and placement. All in all, more residents will get permits with ease and go on to construct an accessory unity whenever they please.

Picking new flooring can be daunting task. There are many materials to choose from and each type has a ton of options to go along with it. Also, depending on the room and the flow of traffic, there are a variety of considerations to think about. In this blog post, Preferred Home Builders will help you decide which type of floor material will look and feel right.

Hardwood

Thanks to hardwood’s durability and warm, natural feel, it continues to be the flooring of choice for many homeowners. Hardwood is one of the most popular types of floor material and commonly adds tremendous value to the home, with an average return on investment of 70-80%. Hardwood floors come in a variety of styles such as plank, parquet and prefinished boards that you can install yourself. With a variation of woods to choose from like Brazilian cherry or Tasmanian oak, there is an option and for everyone.

Laminate

Laminate is also very popular as it is very easy to install and cost efficient. Laminate floors get their name because they’re composed of different wood-based materials that are layered, or laminated, together then topped with a wood grain photographic imprint on the face of each board.

Tile

Tile, similar to hardwood, has many different options to choose from. When on a budget, porcelain tiles are often the way to go as they look fantastic and very cost efficient. It combines the beauty and hardness of stone, but costs considerably less and is much easier to maintain than marble, which is porous and must periodically be resealed.

Concrete

Concrete is one of the hottest new types of floor materials on the market today. Concrete gives homes a modern and upbeat feeling as the floor patterns and designs are very flexible. Ranging from color of concrete to design, the choice is yours. Concrete is not only one of the strongest floors to install but one of the easiest to maintain. Also, concrete naturally radiates heat.

With so many different types of flooring in the market, it can be daunting to try and decide which may look best in your home. Make your life simple, call Preferred Home Builders today and make your home dreams a reality.

Whether you are doing a complete bathroom remodel or just partial, often times the replacing the vanity is a key aspect in getting a fresh feel for a new bathroom. First though, what is a bathroom vanity? A bathroom vanity is often times the location of the sink as well as storage space. Another important aspect of the bathroom vanity is its ability to conceal the plumbing that surrounds the sink basin.

The Essential Steps

When it comes to picking the right vanity it is important to follow these essential steps.

Picking the Right Size

This is the one of if not the most important step in picking the right vanity. Often times, the contractor that you are working with will make sure that the vanity being placed is of the right size. However, if this a DIY project, then measuring the width, depth, and height to properly fight the room plan is very important.

Number of Sinks

Vanities will often come in two options; one sink or two. After considering how much counter space you would like, decide whether you would like a single sink or double sink. Usually, common countertops will be 48 inches in length, at this point it is the customer’s decision if they want single or double.

Mounting Options

Vanities typically come in three mounting options; freestanding, wall mount, and corner mounts. Freestanding (aka standard) options are the most common and offer a range of foot styles. Wall mount or floating vanities skew modern and generally offer less storage given their cropped height. Corner units fill a specific need and are limited to one sink.

Sink Types

Often times, this is the most exciting and provides the biggest overall feel to the bathroom. Depending what style the home and the bathroom is,  the size and material of the sink is very important. Undermount: Installed underneath the counter for a seamless top.Vessel: Sits on top of the counter; available in a variety of shapes including bowl and square.Drop in: Top mounted so the edges rest on the counter but the basin is inset.Integrated: The countertop includes the sink itself in one continuous piece.

Materials

Materials can range from wood, marble, and more metallic hardware. Depending on the desired feel of the home, a material can then be decided.

When it comes to bathroom remodels, Preferred Home Builders is your premier contractor. Call today to book an appointment.