Universal design

Use the holidays to plan your next remodel

By on December 4, 2017   /   Accessible design, Aging in place, Awards, Bathroom, Blog, Cabinets, Customer Service, Design, Finding A Remodeler, Flooring, Going green, Hiring A Remodeler, Holidays, Kitchen, Licensed Contractors, Outdoor, Planning, Remodel, Shop, Showers, Storage, Universal design   /   Leave a comment

FARMHOUSE VANITY 120117

December is here, which means it’s one major holiday down and one to go.

Chances are you will be entertaining company over the next few weeks. If so, it’s a good time to take inventory of how your living space responds to all the guests.

This article has several great tips on what to keep an eye on while you are entertaining and using your newfound information to guide your next remodeling project.

First up, take a look at how the people move around the place, the article suggests. Are things too cramped in one place or too vacant in another? Maybe guests keep bumping into each other in a certain area? The flow of your house is a great place to start when it comes to planning your next home remodel.

Next, take a look at your storage situation, the article says. Do you have enough storage for your kitchen items? What about your guests’ coats and purses? Now, with that storage in mind, is there a more efficient place it could be? The best storage situation is adequate and convenient. If your house is one or the other, a remodel can bridge the gap.

Finally, since you will be cooking your face off over the next month, take a good look at your kitchen. Can you move effortlessly between the refrigerator and stove? Do you risk an accident every time you forget to close the dishwasher? Make notes of things you’d like to improve, and take those notes to a designer. The solution is out there.

Speaking of entertaining, here’s a cool party trick for your next get together.

Memorize this list of most popular home renovations by state Google data that we came across on Architectural Digest. The study the article is based on was conducted by Empire Today, and their results are available here. Then, when you are chit-chatting with someone from the Southwest, tell them you know they’ve thought of renovating their living room. You will be the toast of the room. Maybe.

Have a great week!

Back to Top

Homebuyers prefer remodeling to new construction, study says

By on November 17, 2017   /   Accessible design, Aging in place, Awards, Bathroom, Blog, Cabinets, Customer Service, Design, Finding A Remodeler, Flooring, Hiring A Remodeler, Kitchen, Licensed Contractors, Remodel, Shop, Showers, Storage, Universal design   /   Leave a comment

BATHROOM VANITY 111717

Thanksgiving is next week and, if you are like me, you are already making a mental note of what dishes you prefer on your plate.

When it comes to our industry, it turns out people prefer remodeling compared to new construction, according to a new study by BuildFax. 

The study was based on “more than 23 billion data points on property history and condition,”  the release says.

Some of the other notable figures from the study include:

  • Residential remodeling activity has gone up 30 percent since 2010.
  • Remodeling investment is outpacing new construction, suggesting renovations are fueling home price increases.
  • Spending on remodeling fell 10 percent in 2016, suggesting people are opting for smaller projects.

A stat on stress

Now, even if you opt for a smaller project, remodeling can be very stressful, as we’ve written before.

That fact of life was backed up by new evidence from Houzz co-founder and CEO Adi Tatarko, who said 12% of couples consider divorce when remodeling their home. 

So, be sure to read up on our blog and ensure your remodeling experience is a good one.

Child’s play

It’s not just adults whose home design needs evolve. Children’s housing needs change over the years too.

Here’s a slide show for inspiration on what design elements to incorporate in your next remodel so that your children are accommodated.

Have a great week!

Back to Top

Remodeling stories that keep you up at night, plus more tips for your home

By on November 2, 2017   /   Accessible design, Aging in place, Awards, Bathroom, Blog, Cabinets, Customer Service, Design, Finding A Remodeler, Flooring, Going green, Hiring A Remodeler, Kitchen, Licensed Contractors, Outdoor, Remodel, Shop, Showers, Storage, Universal design   /   Leave a comment

BATHROOM 110217

The calendar says Halloween is over, but if you are like us there is enough leftover candy to snack on for quite a while.

In keeping with Halloween for a bit longer, we stumbled across an article about scary remodeling stories, but they aren’t tales about botched jobs. No, these stories will chill you in other ways.

Think along the lines of sketchy characters showing up at job sites, or our favorite, a sweet old lady whose “clothesline” contained a shocking secret.

If you are ready to move on from Halloween, that’s OK too. We also came across some tips about more projects that boost the value of your home.

Like the little black dress, a stylish and functional kitchen never goes out of style. So, adding a kitchen remodel to your list of winter goals is a good idea, like the article suggests.

Another project the article says is worth pursuing is new flooring. Whether it’s hardwood or tile, new flooring offers style that is built to last.

Thinking long-term is also important when remodeling your home. As we’ve mentioned before, universal design allows homeowners to age in place comfortably without sacrificing style.

Some of the projects outlined in a universal design article we liked were wider doorways, higher countertops, raised electrical outlets, curbless showers with bench seating, and slip-resistant flooring in bathrooms.

No matter what route you take, be sure to enlist the help of an experienced designer. *cough, cough*

Have a great week!

Back to Top