As the use and style of bathrooms has changed so has the overall look.  Bathrooms are more than just a place to shower and get ready in the morning.  In many homes they resemble a living room and have become a retreat.  Where they  used to be sterile and cold, today they are warm and welcoming.  Just like many kitchens today they reflect the personality and style of the homeowner.  

A recent Houzz survey concluded that we will see a rise in home improvement projects this year.  Homeowner’s confidence in the economy has increased. Industry professionals reported advancing rates of growth in 2014. Almost a third of all remodeler/builders hired more employees in 2014 to keep up with the demand. A good portion of the building industry reported benefitting from the increased revenue. Confidence of industry professionals has increased. More homeowners are showing an interest in home remodeling projects such as bathrooms and kitchens.

It’s the beginning of the year and many of us are planning those home improvement projects and deciding which ones we want to do first. With every home improvement project everyone seems to have their opinion on what you should do or what needs to happen. As you look at different bathroom design trends or fads sometimes it is hard to know which trends are fads and those that are going to be around for a while.

Next to the kitchen the bathroom is the one of the busiest rooms in the house. Having a well-designed bathroom can either help or hinder the overall function of your home. You can have the cutest well- decorated bathroom with the perfect theme for your kids, but if you don’t take the time to consider a few things when designing it, that is all it will be; a perfectly decorated room that does not meet the needs of your family.

Putting some unexpected things in the bathroom can give it that perfect finishing touch. From a dangling chandelier to a built in bookcase there are many things you can do to bring the living room into the bathroom.  Bathrooms today are a place of solace and relaxation. It is the one place in the house you can lock the door and have your own personal retreat. 

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.

Once you’ve decided to remodel the kitchen or bathroom it can be a little overwhelming knowing what to do first. You have the design complete, cabinets picked out, flooring ordered, and fixtures on the way. The big dilemma is, knowing what to do first.  

Some people will just opt to hire a general contractor to handle the whole process. Others will try and save a little money and deal directly with the different contractors involved in the job. 

If this is your first time taking on a project like this there are most likely some things you may not know, or have not considered. Do you install the flooring or cabinets first? Should you paint before or after the cabinets are installed?  There are some general rules of thumb when it comes to the order in which things should be done.  

The bathroom is heart of a lot of activity in the home. Next to the kitchen it is probably one of the most used rooms in the house that affects the function of your family.  You would be surprised at all the innovative things that can be included in your bathroom remodel. Don’t be surprised when you see how high tech bathrooms have become. There are refrigerated cabinets to store medicines, as well as other kinds of smart cabinets. 

While not every trend may be for your family, we thought we would let you know what is out there in case you do decided to splurge a little and make the function and atmosphere a lot more pleasant. 

Trends to Think About

It doesn’t really matter the size of your bathroom, we all struggle with storage space.  It seems like sometimes our counters in the bathroom become some of the most cluttered places in the house.  There are hair dryers, shavers, hair brushes, and a variety of bathroom products that seem to take up our limited counter space.  How many times have you walked into the bathroom and caught a dangling cord? Not only does the hairdryer come crashing down, but everything in its path. 

There are a variety of unique storage ideas and accessories that can be added to the interior of your bathroom cabinets.  Many of us have heard of the utensil caddy, but there is something similar for the bathroom.  There is a slotted pull-out cabinet that you can put different bathroom appliances in the different slots.  Some even have an extra shelf for makeup and bathroom products you may use.