Kitchen

Most popular home remodeling projects heading into new year

Well, guys, we’ve almost made it to a new year!

If you are like me, you can’t wait to be done with 2020. Hopefully, some good has come from 2020. Maybe extra time with the family, and possibly a few ideas on ways to improve your home in the new year.

With that in mind, here is a list of the most popular home improvements during the pandemic.

The list includes both major (kitchen and bathroom renovations) and minor things (painting), so chances are you undertook at least one of those projects.

One project on the list was flooring. An ever-popular undertaking, this article outlines four big trends in flooring that you’ll want to keep in mind in 2021.

Natural colors, select grade, rift-cut floors, and long-length boards offer a little of something for everyone.

One not mentioned on the list, but popular none the less during COVID, was adding a gym.

Whether it meant converting an existing space or an entire addition, many remodelers worked around what equipment homeowners had to give them the gym they needed.

Adding some flair to function is also the theme of this Washington Post article about mudrooms and laundry rooms.

The article recommends tall cubbies with sturdy hooks for every family member, and reminds you not to forget your pets when it comes to storage.

Being more thoughtful in the kitchen is another trend that will continue in the new year.

More people are choosing to purchase environmentally conscious materials and energy- and water-saving appliances when remodeling their kitchens.

Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year!

How to make your kitchen, bathroom remodel less scary

Halloween certainly looks much different this year, what with coronavirus and all.

One thing that doesn’t have to be scary is your home remodeling experience.

Our good friends at Houzz have put together some great tips and tricks for surviving a kitchen remodel.

A lot of their advice comes in the form of preparation.

First, plan some serious time to pack away all of your belongings, the article says, so your supplies are safely secured and you aren’t rushing the night before work begins.

Next, the article suggests you make sure to have some sort of way to refrigerate food, either by relocating the existing fridge to a garage or laundry room, or by purchasing a mini fridge, like in your younger days.

Also, set up a temporary kitchen somewhere, the article says, so you have some place to toss together a meal or two.

Finally, the article suggests including takeout and food delivery to your budget, because let’s face it, you will be using it more than usual.

“But Stewart,” you say, “you are putting the cart before the horse!” Well, dear reader, if hiring a remodeler has you afraid to move, there are a good number of tips in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Confirming a remodeler is licensed, bonded and insured, viewing a remodeler’s history of working with designers, and getting all promises in writing are the three biggest takeaways from the article.

And lastly, if deciding what to do with your bathroom remodel is giving you chills, here’s some good advice.

Have a good week, and Happy Halloween!

Remodeling industry starting to recover from COVID-19

It looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The home remodeling industry is bouncing back after a dip from the pandemic, according to an article from Kitchen and Bath Design News.

The article cites a study from the National Kitchen & Bath Association, which found that both activity and interest in residential remodeling is on the rise.

About 36% of homeowners were in the process of remodeling in the second quarter, up from about 13% in the first quarter, the study says.

Additionally, about one in five homeowners (22%) is looking to remodel soon, according to the study.

So, if quarantine has given you lots of ideas about improving your home, you are not alone!

Of course, the biggest consideration for any remodel is the budget. Those who have lived in their house for a while might be interested in a home equity loan, and this Oregonian article discusses some pros and cons.

If you are more into the Xs and Os of a project, an article from MSN Money breaks down the costs of various sizes of kitchen remodels.

The average kitchen remodel is just over $25,000, according to information from HomeAdvisor, with the lower end of the spectrum coming in at $4,000 and the higher end of the spectrum reaching $60,000, or more!

Broken down into percentages from national averages, you can expect to budget 29% for cabinets, 14% for appliances and ventilation, 10% for countertops, and the very important budget cushion of 15% to 20%.

Have a good week!