The kitchen is the heart of the home and the island is the most popular feature in the kitchen. Since the kitchen island is a focal point, make sure you are investing in a timeless piece.
Kitchens were once only for cooking and baking, and the family room was only for watching TV, or reading. Now, people have changed the way they utilize their homes, specifically their kitchen and family rooms. Envision a gathering of your favorite people, then add the sound of laughter and conversation that friends and family bring while having a great time as you host a dinner party. All this excitement takes place while everyone visits around your beautifully designed kitchen island.
Although California has witnessed a financial boom in recent years from the explosive growth of technology companies, this expansion has led to the emergence of what many would argue is the most significant housing crisis in U.S. history. The numbers are a little shocking if not surprising if you are currently a Bay Area homeowner: There are now more young adults living with their parents in the 18 to 34 age group than young adults.
The Solution: Multi-Generational Living
Finding a quality living space sounds like huge challenge, right? But there are some workarounds that offers comfort, independence and affordability that many people, from millennials to boomers, are looking for...
When starting a remodeling project, setting up a clear timetable is essential for preventing cost overruns, maintaining quality and fueling excitement. We call this "smart scheduling," an approach that will bring you greater peace of mind.
Here’s are some ideas to jumpstart Smart Scheduling:
• Develop a two-way street of communication between you and your contractor. Get clarification on price and style variations for selected products.
• Come prepared. Time wasted adds up. If you show up not having done your homework on countertop materials, for example, and expect to make the best decision that day, good luck.
If you are currently planning a major home remodel there is a key element that can easily go unnoticed: the ceiling. True, you may initially focus on opening up walls, changing flooring and adding details to doors, cabinets, and woodwork, but you may be surprised by how much of an impact a change to your ceiling can have.
Be Attentive to Your Ceiling
The easiest solution for many builders and homeowners is to slap a coating of white paint on the ceiling and call it a day. But you'll risk doing more harm than good to the overall design of your remodel if you choose to underestimate the value of your ceiling. Although your ceilings may be less noticeable than your walls, they play an important part...
As homeowners continue to adapt to the "new normal" of living in a changing world, we thought now might be a good time to introduce a home remodeling project that has a strong return on investment (ROI) and can promote both greater comfort and exceptional value.
A bathroom addition or remodel offers great rewards, especially if you take an underutilized space and make it into a room that radiates comfort and charm. Taking into consideration the “comfort factor” when designing a bathroom affords you options well beyond a bathroom’s traditional use. Indeed, bathrooms are becoming more of a focal point in the home, a room that people are taking more notice of...
Home offices were incredibly popular in the 1990s with many Americans designating entire rooms of their homes for desks, bookshelves and office equipment. While the home office has fallen from grace in recent years, it is once more on the upswing as many individuals have been forced to work from home recently.
Even as offices across the country are opening up people in many industries have discovered just how much they love working from home, and their employers are behind them all the way.
For some, cabinets may seem to be more about utility than making a special design statement. But many others would agree you should give plenty of thought to selecting cabinets. Simply due to the amount of space they take up, cabinets can easily become a focal point in your kitchen or bathroom. In fact, cabinets can be one of the largest expenses in any remodel, using up to 40 percent of your budget in some cases.
To begin, you must think about the complete design aesthetic of your kitchen or bathroom, and entire home, before landing on just the right cabinets. Step back, reflect on what you want, and then set the budget and style; then start refining your cabinet search...
Whether you fall into the category of recent empty nester or know that your last child is moving out soon, you will soon realize your everyday life is about to change.
A thought might be to sell your home and downsize, or move closer to work or to a favorite vacation spot. But what about staying put and considering a remodel? It will allow you to invest in making your current home the dream space you have always desired.You will get to enjoy the new look of your home and appreciate the boost in value (financial, social and emotional) it will bring. When things settle down you may want to consider all the positives that come with having more time and fewer responsibilities....
The sound of your home being constructed is the melody of your dream house being built. As we mentioned in Part 1, it is reassuring to know that a home remodel occurs in phases. To be sure, construction may be disruptive, but remember, it's only a short-term inconvenience for getting the home makeover you desire.
Contract
While not as creative as other aspects of a home renovation, understanding and working through what comprises a contract is a critical phase of your project, paving the way for a smooth transition to construction.
Embarking on a home remodeling project is an exciting experience. Yet, while the opportunity to create the perfect home is inspiring, you may wonder how you’re going to manage everything. A home remodel occurs in steps, or phases. The key for getting exactly what you want is to understand the four remodeling phases and create realistic expectations for everyone involved.
2020 Has Arrived. Kick Off the Year with a Remodeling Project
For many, the start to a new year signals new beginnings.Intentions can be set for long-anticipated projects or goals, often things related to work, personal health and finances. An aspiration for a long-awaited change in your home could also be among your desires or intentions for 2020.
Interesting, though, many people don't think of kicking off the new year with a home improvement project, but perhaps they should. Home remodeling projects that are planned in the first quarter often fill homeowners with a tangible feeling of excitement about how their new renovation will add comfort, style, and value to their home.
Living in the Bay Area brings homeowners many benefits: gorgeous surroundings, amazing climate and a thriving cultural scene, making it one of the best areas in country to call home. Plus, a booming economy and plenty of job opportunities provide stability.
The Current Housing Dilemma
Everyone knows the story. Even small or moderate-sized homes with two to three bedrooms and a single bathroom are out of reach for even some well- heeled Bay Area residents. But if you are a homeowner and looking for a way to bring added value to your Bay Area home, consider these ideas...
In recent decades, open floor plans for homes, especially for kitchens, have become quite popular. One could call it a modern adaptation to the current trend to bring families together into a single, communal space, but open floor plans offer even more. There are many reasons to remove walls to create an open floor plan when remodeling. We recently shared how multi-generational living is one possible solution to the Bay Area's housing crisis. Certainly, an open floor plan could be one aspect of a home redesigned for multi-generational living.
