Do you want to create a kitchen that reflects your love of nature and the outdoors? While the kitchen may not seem like the most obvious room for a nature-based design, anyone can incorporate a number of elements that will bring the outdoors into their cooking zone. Here are six things you might try. 1. Natural Lighting What could be more natural than sunlight? Open up your kitchen through the use of large windows, sliding glass doors, skylights, and an open floor plan layout. Not only will the sun shine in and light up the space with healthy, radiant light, but you’ll also add views of all th ..read more

If you want or need a kitchen renovation but lack the cash to pay for it up front, financing is a good alternative. Financing a big remodel project can be affordable while allowing you to protect the value of your home through proper maintenance and updating. But before you start your project on borrowed funds, follow these tips to ensure the best success and avoid financial surprises. 1. Make a Budget First Before you find out how much you can borrow, find out how much you actually need. Most borrowers qualify for a higher amount than they ask for, but this can result in overspending. Having ..read more

As you plan your new kitchen, one modern trend you may want to think about is a second sink. While this may seem like a feature only in luxury kitchens, it actually serves many practical purposes even in more modest kitchens. But before you add a second sink to your design, be sure to give attention to these few key tips. 1. Know Why You Want a Sink You have many choices for the placement and design of both sinks, but understand your goals before choosing. For example, someone who entertains often may need a second sink to clean up dishes and flatware, so placing the sinks apart allows more pe ..read more

The pantry is an essential part of any kitchen. But an effective pantry for modern homeowners is more than just a closet with shelves. To design the perfect pantry for your lifestyle and house, you may need to rethink some common assumptions about pantry design. What are some of these ideas that deserve more consideration? Discover a few of the most important. 1. Shelf Uniformity Most pantries have shelving that is pleasantly uniform in size, shape, depth, and material. However, is this really the best use of space? If a shelf will hold shorter items, like baskets of miscellaneous nonperishabl ..read more

Does your small kitchen need a makeover that makes it larger and more functional? While many homeowners plan an addition to expand their kitchen, not every kitchen needs a full addition. Sometimes, a bump-out addition may be a better choice. When might this limited addition benefit your home? Discover a few scenarios where the bump-out is ideal for them. 1. If You Want to Maximize a Galley Kitchen One kitchen layout that can benefit greatly from a bump-out addition is the galley kitchen. This style is one long corridor with counters and cabinets on both sides. Galley kitchens often feel crampe ..read more

The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled an increasing number of individuals to work from home. If you count yourself among them, the stress of trying to work productively in the middle of a bustling household may have tempted you to add a new space to your home, one dedicated solely to office work.   Whether you aim to build an office onto your home or you’d rather remodel an existing room, you’ll want to make sure you’ve spent that time, money, and energy on the creation of a space that will promote mental focus, productivity, efficiency, and workplace wellness. Start with these three key co ..read more

Should you add a butler’s pantry to your kitchen remodel? You may wonder why you’d need a butler’s pantry when you don’t have a butler, but these classic spaces can be problem-solvers for modern homeowners. How could you use a butler’s pantry in your home? Here are five ideas. 1. Entertainment Staging The most traditional use of a butler’s pantry was as a staging area for food coming from the kitchen and being served to guests in the dining room. It held the last-minute additions to meals, kept food warm, and stored utensils needed for serving. And with or without a butler in your employ, many ..read more

Stunning designs and trends can transform your kitchen into a chic space and your home’s focal point. If you want to renovate your kitchen countertops, you’ll be glad to see all the available options in the market. Explore some of the winning countertop trends below. Quartz Countertops Quartz countertops are glossy, easy-to-clean options that are incredibly popular with modern homeowners. Previously, homeowners couldn’t get enough of granite countertops, but the numerous benefits of quartz have made it an attractive alternative. Unlike granite, quartz is an engineered material that’s less like ..read more

In an age of increasing remote working opportunities, many homeowners want to add a home office to their layout. This relatively simple addition can transform your work life and the balance with your home life. But before you dive into this project, discover a few important questions to answer. 1. What Are Your Real Location Options? Before you commit to a location for your addition, seriously consider more than one spot. While one area may seem the most logical — or the only viable option — a skilled home contractor or designer can often offer alternative choices. Many of these options may no ..read more