Mistakes that can Derail Your Kitchen Remodel

Are you thinking of remodeling your kitchen? No matter what you are trying to do, whether it’s adding an island or knocking down a wall, most people’s goal is to get the most out of your remodel without overspending. So what sort of mistakes would cost you more money? Here is a list to help you avoid those mistakes.

1. Not Buying Appliances First

Always choose your appliances first before you choose things like countertops or cabinets. It is much easier to match your cabinets to your appliances than the other way around.

2. Overspending on cabinets and appliances

Cabinets and appliances are incredibly important for your kitchen both aesthetically and functionally. However, there is no need to go broke trying to buy the “best” the store has to offer. Do some research before buying cabinets and appliances. There are many options that give the same look and feel as the high-end cabinets and appliances while staying on budget.

3. Failing to measure

This is one of the most common mistakes among people doing renovations. Make sure you measure twice before buying fixtures, hardware, or appliances.  Then once you do that, you should thoroughly review the product details before purchasing an item to ensure that it fits.

4. Going light on the lighting

Improper lighting can be incredibly problematic, especially in the kitchen. You want to make sure you have enough lighting for every task whether that’s cutting, cooking, or using appliances. It is suggested to include a dimmer switch and under cabinet lighting.

5. Botching the Backlash

Misplacing a backlash is a common decorative mistake that many people do. The backsplash should have a clear termination point horizontally, usually aligning with the bottom of the cabinets or where the walls meet. It should never overhang the upper cabinet or turn a corner.

6. Failing to level the floor

Make sure that you check if the floor is leveled before laying the flooring. If you need to level the floor you don’t want to have the floor half-laid before realizing. That is a huge extra cost.

What to do with your spare room?

If you are lucky enough to have an extra room, you may be wondering what to do with it. There are plenty of different ideas that can fit into your home based on the needs and tastes of your family members.  Here are some ideas to get you started brainstorming on what your room can be turned into.

A nook for quiet contemplation or relaxing

This is a great option if you have an attic space or a small room available. The space allows you to have some valuable me time in a cozy comfortable setting. You could curl up with a book, have some quiet tome to clear your head or unwind with loved ones. In this space it is best to keep furniture and technology to a minimum. Focus on minimal decorations and cushy & comfortable seating.

A bedroom for the children and then a future guest room

Do you have kids that are demanding their own space? Well if you turn the space into a bedroom for the childrne then when they grow up ot can be conveniently turned into a guest room. You would just have to move their belongings and rearrange the beds and add some storage.

A media room

The spare room could be turned into a media room that allows your family to spend time together afte a long day. They can enjoy watching movies, tv or play games together. For an added bonus add a fire place for extra comfort.

A reading room

If getting lost in a new book is what you need in your life then this might be the solution for you. You can add some really comfy seating like an armchair or recliner and then surround your self with your beloved books. Make sure you arrange for ideal surface & wall lighting as well as overhead lighting to allow for the comfort of reading any time of the day or night.

Home Gym

A functional and well equipped gym is a great way to utilize your extra space. It will allow you to not only save on a gym membership but will also make it easier for you to work out.

A Home Office

If you work from home, or always bring your work home this is a great use of the space. Make sure you furnish it properly with sufficient cabinets, comfortable work station, and a supportive chair.

Essential Tips to Choose the Perfect Bathroom Tile

Are you nervous or overwhelmed with choosing a bathroom tile? I can understand why, since there are so many sizes, shapes, colors and designs to choose from. Luckily, there are a few tips that can narrow down your options and make your final selection a lot easier.

1.Think about size

Tile comes in a huge range of sizes in any store. The range from less than one inch-by-one inch to several feet-by-several feet. You may think large tiles doesn’t make sense in a smaller bathroom but they create fewer grout lines making the floor feel like more of a continuous surface. If the tiles are smaller like  mosaic tiles, require more grou and then more cleaning especially if they are in wet places like the shower.

2. Balance Different Tile Types

Most bathrooms use multiple types of tile to create a cohesive design. When you are selecting tiles it is highly recommended that you don’t choose no more than three different tiles. If not, too many tile types, colors, and sizes will seem overwhelming. If you only use one tile type there will be very little variety meanng that it needs an accent tile with a different size, finish, or color.

3. Opt for a Neutral Floor and Ceiling

If you decide on using a neutral floor color it will allow you to experiment more with accent colors on the walls. Having a neutral floor allows you to push your eye upwards to the color on the wall. Also by painting the cieling a neutral color it has the same effect.

4. Consider your Whole Color Pallette

Developing a color pallete is one of the hardest parts. A good starting point is to start with a neutral pallete and then find one tile that you love and then work around that tile. This tile could be a simple tile you use almost everywhere, or a more extravagant tile that you use more like an accent. By having one tile this will make it easier to pick out complimentary tiles as needed.

5. Don’t Neglect Texture

Bathrooms require frequent cleaning and smooth tiles may be easy to clean but can also be a slipping hazard if they are under feet. Because of this, it is better to put a slightly textured tile under your feet and a smooth tile on the wall. A textured tile can also feel good on your feet.

6. Pick Tiles that Share Dimension

It is helpful to choose tiles that share similar dimensions so that grout lines line up and so it is easier to install. A way of doing this is by making sure the dimensions are a ll multiples of each other. For exampl, using a 12 inch-by-12 inch floor tile, with a four inch-by-four inch wall tile and a one inch-by-one inch border tile.

7. Don’t Forget about the Grout

Grout is not only important to make sure the surface is water resistante but it’s color is also essential to your design. If you are using a darker tile, white grout lines will contrast sharply, while a grout with a similar tone will be more subtle and, if desired, can almost blend in with the rest of the tile. There is also a trend right now of using a very simple, neutral tiles, like a while subway tile, and then using a brightly colored, eye-catching grout in a fun color for an unexpected, playful touch.

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Home Decor Trends in 2019

Interior design trends are always changing and it is nice to see what is new in the interior design world. Now that we are over halfway done in the year lets reflect back and see what trends have started to emerge for 2019.

Mushroom Lamps

In 2018 Mushroom or Dome lamps started to gain popularity again. This only escalated in 2019. This trend has only started gaining traction since major retailers have already been jumping on the bandwagon and vintage models like the Oluce Attolo lamp becoming harder to find.

Maximalism

In the past few years, interior design has been dominated by minimalist Scandinavian design. However, recently we have been heading back to the return to more maximalist tendencies. This doesn’t mean everyone will revert to traditional or classic designs but rather they will start acquiring items that are long-lasting and from different time periods and styles.

Mid-Century Italian

Even though the MidCentury style has started to lose popularity, MidCentury Italian has been gaining popularity. Italian designers introduced curved furniture, delicate lines, and bold colors to the American side of the movement.

Primary Hues

In 2018 the colors were deep jewel hues and there has been a full spectrum of different colors in past years. However now, interior designers are loving bold primary colors. These colors include bold rusty reds, deep indigo blues, and bright mustard yellows.

Plinth Tables

In the past few years, Scandinavian furniture with skinny legs and minimalist style has dominated furniture. Now the opposite extreme is happening and weighty low-slung pieces that can balance out more delicate furniture pieces are becoming popular. Plinth tables are a great example of this. These also match with the hype around colored marble and other stone finishes.

Rice Paper Lanterns

Isamu Noguchi has dominated interior design trends in the past with his iconic pieces like his infamous coffee table for Hermann Miller or his series of Akari lanterns and lamps. Now his rice paper lantern designs have been really popular and have trickled down to mass retailers. IKEA has released a few models after making them popular in the ’90s.

Bouclé Accents

The popularity of this fabric has partly come from Goop’s collection for CB2 and higher-end retailers like HomeNature. Bouclé provides texture and high style.