Practical Kitchen Remodeling Tips That Make the Space More Functional  

The kitchen is an important space in your house. It is more than just a cooking place with gorgeous cabinets. If you plan to remodel your kitchen, you want to make it spacious, adoring, and functional. A Los Angeles remodeling company may help you spruce up the look and feel of your kitchen while also making it functional and easy to live and work in. You may want to use the below tips when remodeling the kitchen:

Let the walkways be wide

The paths in the kitchen should allow easy movement and reach of appliances, working surfaces, and other items in the room. Having paths that are at least 36 inches in width ensures that you can move from one point to another. In case of the cooking zone, you can have the paths designed to be 42 inches or something close to that for a one-cook space. If the cooking zone needs to accommodate two cooks, then a 48-inch-wide path is more appropriate.

Minimize steps you take in kitchen

When working in the kitchen, you will need easy access of items. So, think about where and how you will use the items. You may want to store breakfast foods and utensils close to the breakfast table. The dishware and flatware should be located near the dishwashing machine to ensure ease of unloading. Again, you can have plastic containers and wraps kept in a suitable spot close to the work surface to make it easy when wrapping leftovers.

Keep the traffic in the right place

There are other people who will occasionally enter the kitchen, for example, children. When designing your kitchen, ensure it is kid-friendly. You may want to keep your cooktop away from traffic areas to prevent kids from catching handles, something that may result in unwanted spills over the surfaces. The refrigerator should also be accessible by those who cook and clean up the dishes as well as by other people.

Make room for landing space

In designing your kitchen, you may want to allow 15 inches of landing space on sides of refrigerator and cooktop. The same may apply for microwave because you need space to use when working with this appliance. This way, you don’t have to make too many steps trying to reach out for items you are using.

Keep away from the corners

You may think that the corners can make an additional storage space in your kitchen. However, when you plan the design of your kitchen, stay clear of the corners. You should allow sufficient door clearance and swinging. Don’t place appliances on the corners and ensure the doors aren’t banging into one another if they are opened at the same time.

The way you design your kitchen can make or break your experience when working in this space. Using the above kitchen design tips can make your space functional and minimize the amount of time and effort you make when working in the area. In your next kitchen remodeling project, you can incorporate these tips to make sure you and your family enjoy working in the kitchen.

Budgeting Your Remodel: What You Need to Consider During the spring and summer months, many home owners decide its times for a remodel. Starting a remodel is a big decision as it can shut down a portion of your home for several days, weeks or even months. There is much to consider when beginning a remodel, including budgeting. Knowing the proper way to budget will help you stay on task as well as not go overboard with the changes to your home. Read on for top tips on how to budget your remodel and how to stay on track, avoiding spending more than you bargained for.

Consider Every Element

To begin, you will need to consider every element of the remodel. Let’s say that you have decided to remodel your bathroom. You are going for a complete overhaul. So, you will need drywall, new toilet, bathtub, faucets, vanity, light fixtures, etc. You will need to make a list of every item that you will be replacing and then go price out these items. This will give you an idea of material cost.

You will also need to consider if you will be using the services of a Los Angeles remodeling company or if you will be doing the project yourself. Hiring a company will have an added cost but can be well worth the price as you do not have to do the work yourself, the timeline is much shorter and you know there will be no mistakes in the process of the remodel. Have a company come out and price the job so you can have an idea as to how much the project will cost.

Once you have an idea of how much the project will cost see if you can cover the price. If not, take a little more time to save money so you do not end up charging the project on credit cards or taking out a loan.

Contingency Plan

It is always smart to plan on a contingency plan. With remodels, you never know what might be hiding behind the walls or for this instance, behind the tub. Have a little money set aside in case an unexpected need arises. In bathroom remodels, sometimes there is water damage or the need for re-piping. By having a contingency plan, you have money set aside that can pay for such needs, helping you to stay on budget. It is good to have at least 10 to 20 percent of your overall budget set aside as a contingency plan. This gives you a nice cushion if problems arise during the project.

Overall, if you plan out your remodeling project, you will be able to stay on task and on budget. Without proper planning, you can end up spending more money than you bargained for which can lead to further problems. You will also be able to stay on time with the completion of the project, able to enjoy your new space in no time. Plan accordingly and you will have a completed new space in your home that was finished on time and maybe even under budget!

Affordable Bathroom Remodel Design Ideas for Your Home When it comes to bathroom remodeling, there is so much that you can do that costs very little. With simple changes, you can make your bathroom into a brand new space, an oasis where you can relax and unwind at the end of the day. Take one or more of the suggestions below and put them to work in your bathroom to have a nice place to relax as you finish the work day.

Paint

Paint can go a long way and is something you can do to change the look of the room for very little money. By simply taking a new paint color and applying it to your walls, you have a fresh color scheme that can be relaxing or bold, whatever you like! Find a color that speaks to you and apply it to your bathroom walls. Add new accent pieces in a varying color for a unique look.

Decorative Touches

If your bathroom is painted in a neutral tone, you can simply purchase new decorative touches to change the look of the space. A new shower curtain, window treatments and other décor items are affordable to purchase and when you go with a completely new color scheme, the bathroom will take on an entirely new look for very little money. By making these simple changes, it will seem like you have spent a lot of money but you really only did a few minor changes to get the new look.

Lighting

Another great way to continue with bathroom remodeling is to change out the light fixtures of the space. Depending on how large your bathroom is or how many bathrooms you have in your home, you may need to change out several fixtures. Many older homes have outdate lighting that once replaced, breathes life back into the space. If you lack lighting experience, hire a Los Angeles remodeling contractor to do the job for you. After the new light fixtures have been added, you will be surprised at how different the space looks and feels.

Full Remodel

If you have the time and money, it can be worth the effort to consider a full bathroom remodel. By changing out old vanities and sinks, showers and tubs as well as lighting and décor, you can have a completely new bathroom with a new look and feel. This of course will be a great deal of work and you will need some help. Trying to tackle a full remodel with little to no experience can lead to trouble. By hiring a Los Angeles remodeling company, you will be able to have a team on hand who know just what to do and can bring new life to your bathroom space.

Overall, any change you do to the bathroom will help you to have a new space to enjoy in your home. Start with simple changes and work your way up to major remodeling projects in order to completely redo the space and enjoy a new bathroom in your home.

Exterior Design Ideas: How to Update Your Home on a Budget

With summer quickly approaching, many home owners are looking outdoors to see how the exterior of the home can be updated. With simple changes and a little work, the outdoors can become a new area in which you can enjoy the lovely summer season. From fire pits and water fountains to backyard BBQs and landscaping, there are many ways to update your home for outdoor enjoyment. Read on to see how you can update the exterior on a budget.

Fire Pit

One of the most popular ways to add an outdoor feature to the home today is with a fire pit. A fire pit adds character as well as an area where you can relax and unwind at the end of the day. Fire pits can be created with materials such as stones and pavers or already constructed from iron material. Take a look at your backyard and see how you might could integrate a fire pit into your landscaping. Perhaps you have a small space where a paver patio could be created with a fire pit at the center. Consult with a Los Angeles remodeling contractor to find out how you can add a fire pit to your home.

Landscaping

Is the exterior of your home looking a little rough? Is landscaping lacking in appeal or greenery? Sometimes adding a little mulch and greenery to the space will help the exterior of your home looks it’s very best once again. Stand in front of your home and take a look at what could be changed. Sometimes, just cutting back bushes and planting a few flowers makes the front of your home look so much better. Think of small changes you could make that will breathe new life into the first impression of your home.

Adding a Water Feature

Another great way to create a relaxing space within your exterior is to add a water feature. This could be as small as a water fountain or a big as a swimming pool. All will be dependent on how much room you have to make any changes. Add a water fountain the front of your home for curb appeal. Add a swimming pool to the backyard for fun in the summer time along with creating a gathering spot for family and friends.

Adding a swimming pool is not so budget-friendly but a great option if you have the space and the money to do so. Consulting with a Los Angeles remodeling contractor will help you to see just how much such a job would require as well as timeline for completion. Once you see the total cost for such a project, you might find that it is something you can afford and wish to see added to your home.

Overall, you will find there are many ways in which you can update the exterior of the home to meet your backyard needs. Do a little sprucing up on your home or hire the professionals to handle big projects that will completely change the look and feel of your space.

Kitchen Cabinet Trends for Your Next Home Remodel So, you have decided to remodel your kitchen, how exciting! Remodeling a kitchen takes a great deal of work but the design stage can be quite fun! There are so many trends available today that can make your kitchen a modern space that shines with high design and visual appeal. If your kitchen is majorly outdated, take time to find out more about these trends so you can update your kitchen to a stylish space that will be enjoyed for many years to come.

Two-Tone Kitchen

A big trend right now for kitchen spaces is two-tone coloring. For many home owners, kitchen cabinets are being installed with one color for the upper cabinets and another color for the lowers. White is a common color used for the upper cabinets while a gray or even bright blue can be used for the bottoms to bring a bit of color to the space. Depending on your individual style, you might want to go with a neutral tone for the bottom cabinets such as gray or black. But if you are feeling bold, you can add a pop of color with the lowers for a unique look.

Kitchen Island

A great way to make your kitchen stand out is to go with an unusual island. With kitchen islands today, the trend is to take a bright color or unique element and use it on the island, keeping your cabinets traditional. Kitchen islands can be painted a bright color or even be constructed of reclaimed wood for a unique element. Your Los Angeles remodeling contractor will be able to assist you with ideas for a unique kitchen island so your kitchen stands out. As far as countertops for the island are concerned, the popular trend is a waterfall edge. In the past, the countertop would be simply placed on the top of the island. With the waterfall edge, the material goes down the side of the island for a unique look.

Hardware

Another way to create a unique kitchen with your remodel is to consider the hardware for your cabinets. Hardware comes in all shapes and sizes these days with uniquely shaped pieces, varying materials and colors. While you may decide to go with a standard kitchen cabinet design, you can bring in color or a unique style element by being bold with your hardware. Try a few different styles to see what works best with the space as well as the look you are going for.

Be Open to New Ideas

For many home owners, it can be hard to visualize ideas provided to you by your contractor. Try to think about how the plans will look in your space or have the contractor show you images that are similar to their design plans. By having an idea in your head as to what the space will look like, you will be better able to make a decision as to what you want to see happen with your kitchen remodel!

Kitchen Remodeling: Where do I Start? If you are a home owner and considering a kitchen remodel, it can be difficult to know where to start. Should you remodel the entire kitchen at once, work on a few affordable areas or do a little bit at a time? For your first ever remodel, it can be beneficial to work with a Los Angeles remodeling company in order to see what all is involved, an estimate for the job as well as timeline. These factors will vary depending on what you plan on doing to your kitchen. Learn how to get started below.

Tour Your Kitchen

To begin, you need to decide what you want to change. Start by taking a tour of the kitchen. Look around. What do you not like about the space? Is it simply the flooring and paint color? Or perhaps you are not satisfied with the cabinet wood, light fixtures and decorative elements. Whatever the case may be, make a list. Write down what you wish to change so you know what to price out and if you will be in need of a contractor of if you can do the work yourself.

Budget

Next, you will need to consider your budget. Do you have a small budget or a nice chunk of change set aside to spend on the remodeling project? You will need to compare pricing on materials and check to see if you have enough to do the entire project or if you should work in stages. In most cases, it is best to do the full remodel at one time. If you do not have enough money in the budget, take time to save and then complete the remodel all at one time. This will save time and money as well as help you to have a completely new kitchen to enjoy.

Choose Your Materials

Once you have decided on what you wish to change in the kitchen and have a budget set, you can work with a contractor to choose materials for your kitchen. Be sure to try and stick to your budget on each section of the remodel of you may have to make changes to the plans or choose different material types such as cabinets or flooring in order to make the budget work.

A contractor will be able to provide you with a variety of materials to choose from when it comes to flooring, cabinets, countertops, light fixtures, etc. You can go the affordable route in every area and upgrade certain items such as countertops and cabinets as you will be using these features the most and they are what gives the kitchen value.

Overall, it is recommended that you work with a contractor when it comes to any kitchen remodel. You want to have someone on your side who can provide you with insight to your project needs and wants as well as has the know-how to complete the remodel on time and on budget. By working with professionals, you can rest easy knowing that your remodeling plans are in good hands.