Remodeling is a great way to transform you existing home into a home you will enjoy and be more comfortable in for years to come. However, remodeling should not be undertaken lightly (be undertaken with the knowledge that improvements to your home will require that people and materials be moved about inside your home.) There are many remodeling projects that focus on the kitchen or bath. Both of these projects should be well planned and undertaken with the understanding that there will be (some-to lighten the blow) disruptions throughout the construction.
Five Tips for Remodeling Kitchens
- Think things out clearly before work gets underway. Think about where and how you will be using items in your kitchen. As an example, breakfast foods and cereal bowls should be located within close vicinity of the breakfast table.
- You will be working in your kitchen, so you need enough room to move around. Ensure any passages or paths in your kitchen are wide enough. Paths in the cooking area should be at least 42 inches in width for a single cook and 48 inches wide for two cooks.
- Watch out for corners. So you can make sure your kitchen appliance doors and cabinet doors are fully operational, make sure your planning includes adequate space for the door’s clearance as well as its swing direction in the design of the kitchen. You don’t want appliances close to corners and you want them located so they don’t bang into each other.
- When it comes to countertops, you need to look at how often you use them and the height. Those who cook more need extra counter space between the sink and stovetop. By using two different countertop heights, you can bake much more easily. Children can also become involved in meal preparation much more easily. (Don’t really get any request for this, but suggesting an island as a work space is always a good idea.)
- Consider adding a swing-out tap (usually called Pot Filler here and people love them), which is installed by the stovetop. It enables fast fill-up of pots near where they are heated, so you don’t have carry heavy, water-filled pots from the sink to the cooktop.
Five Tips for Remodeling Baths
Remodeling your bathroom is also a serious project to undertake (still don’t like the ‘serious’. It sounds scary and negative to me. How about something like “The idea of remodeling a bathroom can be a little unnerving, but with proper planning can be done in a reasonable time with minimum delays.) Bathroom remodels can make your bathroom easier to use (more comfortable-most of my customers mention the words comfort, warmth and homey throughout the project), more attractive and increase your home’s resale value. Here are 5 tips for remodeling your bath.
- Choose bathroom fixtures wisely. A blocky vanity is nowhere near as attractive as a pedestal sink. Traditional bathtubs are not as stately or attractive as classic claw foot bathtubs.—Pedestal sinks don’t provide for any storage and, while beautiful, a claw foot tub is usually 4 times what a large jetted tub cost. I would put something like-Consider using a furniture peace as your vanity for a warm stately feel and a claw foot tub, while more expensive, is a classic touch to any bath.)
- Choose flooring that is water-resistant as well as durable. Consider the heating coils in the subfloor and how they will warm the hard surfaces. If you opt with hardwood floors that are sealed, you can count on natural warmth, but make sure the product you choose is rated for wet areas.
- Make wise use of space. You should (can) use any (some spaces will be blocked by wiring, plumbing or pocket doors) space between the wall studs adding a tall, recessed storage cabinet into the structure of the wall. This will help you increase your vertical storage capabilities while you save floor space.
- Construct a shower area, such as an open-concept shower that doesn’t require a door or curtain. These showers are not as confined as a standard shower stall. Ensure the drainage is well-built and designed and that you use a showerhead that does less water splashing (will cause less splatter).
- Choose a high quality toilet. A good one-piece comfort height, toilet with an elongated seat and bowl is much more comfortable and is more likely to last considerably longer. These usually save you money on utility bills because they are energy efficient, using less water.
Just by taking the time and thinking things through before your remodeling project gets underway, you can save yourself a lot of time and grief. When it comes to bathroom or kitchen remodels in the area surrounding Gulf Breeze, Florida, call Bella Vita Construction. We are an experienced construction firm staffed by highly skilled building professionals.