It’s time to remodel and finally get that dream kitchen you have been wanting for so long. It’s amazing to think of what this new kitchen is going to mean to you and your family. You have your Pinterest board ready with everything that is going to make your kitchen just perfect.  

If you are like most people you spend a lot of time in your kitchen. Many of us dream of that oversized kitchen that has style, is easy to cook in, and can wow our guests when they come to visit. Unfortunately not every home is suited for a large kitchen, so you are left to dream and think of a future day when you can afford that larger home. When remodeling your kitchen you don’t have to wait to have the feel of a large kitchen in a big home. There are several things you can to do to give your smaller kitchen the appearance that it is larger than it really is. 

It doesn’t matter how comfortable the rest of the house is, people always tend to gravitate toward the kitchen. It could be kids working on a school project, friends hanging out and playing a game, or the aroma of those yummy chocolate chip cookies they can smell coming from the oven pulling them in. 

So much of the activity we do in our homes revolves around the kitchen. The kitchen is truly the heart of the home. The one most important decision a homeowner can make is choosing the right layout so the flow of activity continues and works with their lifestyle. The layout determines the ease of cooking, how and where we eat, and the socialization that occurs in so many homes. Layout can be affected by the placement of sinks, appliances, where doors and windows are placed and where people sit down to do every day tasks such has paying the bills or kids doing homework.  

Most of us are familiar with popular countertop materials such as laminate and granite, but have you ever considered using wood instead? When you think of a beautiful piece of furniture it is the wood and the finish that make it so attractive.  With kitchens becoming an extension of our living areas and more open layouts, a wood countertop can add the perfect touch.  It can be both beautiful and functional.

Most people think of a butcher-block wood that you cut on when it comes to wood countertops. There is so much more to wood countertops. Similar to cabinets, they come in a variety of woods and finishes. They show off the natural wood grain and have a warmer feel than quartz or granite.  

Some woods are more durable than others. The hardness of the wood species varies. You will want to choose a harder wood that is more resistant to damage and denting. You can find this out by looking at the Janka Hardness Scale. The higher the number the harder and more durable the wood is. Along with hardness you will want to consider putting a protective sealant or finish. This will extend the life of your countertops.

If you have recently bought an older home or you have lived in your home for a while you are probably getting the itch to start updating it and get going on some remodeling projects.

Do you start with the bathrooms, add on that extra sunroom, or the kitchen? How do you know which one will give a return or the added value should you end up having to sell? The last thing you want to do is sink a bunch of money into your home and never get the added value and return. The following is a list of projects that add value to your home and those that don’t.

Many homeowners put off remodeling their kitchen because they don’t have the cash in hand. They aren’t excited about going to the bank and hoping they will qualify for the loan.  Many have less than perfect credit. 

Today homeowners have many different options when it comes to paying for a kitchen remodel. You might be surprised to find you can actually borrow more money than you think without breaking the bank.

There comes a point in your life when you start think my kitchen needs something more. Maybe the hardware is looking warn or you backsplash is looking a little dated.  Or your cabinets are stuffed to the rafters and every time you open one you have to go digging for what you need.  We all know the kitchen is the heart of most homes and some of us have just lost that loving feeling and dread walking in there.

With all the hype of using energy efficient appliances you have probably started to hear a lot about induction cooktops. Some people are familiar with them and some have no idea what they are or how they really work.

In today’s world we are always looking for energy efficient ways to cook and save our natural resources.  We are also looking for ways to save on those electric and gas bills.  Many energy efficient appliances can almost pay for themselves in those first few years by what you are saving on your bills.  There are also tax credits and rebates offered to help offset the cost of them. 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency people spend 90% of their time indoors.  People would be surprised at what may be causing the pollution and affecting the air quality inside their home. Brian Wellnitz said, “The home cooking process is the #1 source of airborne pollutants in the house.” 

Most of us are familiar with range hoods.  Range hoods are one important ventilation system for the kitchen that helps remove grease, moisture, and other pollutants that can affect the quality of the air in our home. When you cook on your stove and notice the steam and heat that rises from the range, this steam contains some of these pollutants. That moisture and heat can also damage your cabinets.