Renovating a small bathroom into an expansive and luxurious space can be a design challenge.  Homeowners are often limited by the home’s footprint, with little or no room to gain additional square footage.  However, a knowledgeable design pro can certainly update and modernize the space, making the bathroom feel like a more spacious and relaxing retreat.  Here are some changes to consider for the remodel.

Updating Surfaces– Choosing light and bright colors for the walls and flooring will make the bathroom appear larger.  Whites and light grays look fresh and will unify the space.  Using the same tile on the floor and in the shower creates an expansive look, as does tiling all the way to the ceiling.  Clear glass and frameless shower doors visually open up the room.

Floating Vanity– Trading a large vanity cabinet for a floating style vanity increases the visible floor space, making the bathroom seem larger.  While still offering plenty of storage, floating vanities are a sleek, modern alternative to the traditional vanity.

Reconfigure Storage– Adequate storage keeps clutter off the countertops.  Recessed shelving installed between the studs is easy to do during a remodel.  Shelves can be open or have doors.  This can eliminate the need for a free standing storage unit.

Upgrade Lighting– Install good lighting to make a small bathroom feel bright and open.  This is especially important if natural light is lacking.  A skylight can bring a dramatic amount of light into a windowless bathroom.  Skylights that open also improve ventilation in the room, helping to reduce mold and mildew problems.

Large Mirrors– Mirrors reflect light and can visually double the size of a room.  Mirrors can be framed or unframed, depending on the homeowner’s personal style.

Sliding Doors– Pocket doors and barn doors are great space savers.  Eliminating doors that swing open into a small bathroom creates a greater sense of space and makes the room more functional.

Storage is always a major consideration when planning a new kitchen or renovating your existing space.  It’s easiest to incorporate storage solutions when plans are in the design phase.  Custom cabinetry allows homeowners to maximize the space they have in creative ways.  Whether the goal is making daily life more manageable, finding space for occasionally used items, or simply decluttering counters, here are some design features to consider.

Custom Pantry- Shelves, drawers, and pullout baskets or bins help homeowners oorganize food, appliances, serving pieces, and a variety of other items.  Converting a small closet into a pantry is an efficient use of space.

Extra Deep Drawers- These are perfect for storing large pots and serving pieces.

Retractable Shelves- Make use of small, awkward spaces with pullout shelving designed to hold spices, canned goods, or cleaning supplies.

Corner Cabinets or Drawers- Doors with bifold hinges allow corners to become useful spaces.  Lazy Susan or carousel style racks that spin provide access to items in the back.  A corner drawer is set diagonally into the corner for more storage.  Angled cabinets also work well in corners.

Large Island- A must have in today’s kitchens, large islands provide extra storage as well as work space.

Utensil Drawers and Dish Drawers- Inserts organize utensils into a manageable space for easy access.  Movable pegs separate and protect dishes.  Drawers can be reached by children in the household as well as adults.

Appliance Garage- Unclutter counters by hiding the coffee maker, toaster, or mixer from view.

False Front on Sink- Sponges and brushes can be stored in the compact fold down cabinet in front of the sink.

Pullout Trash Bin- This feature effectively hides the garbage out of sight and frees up floor space.

Pet Center- Pets want to hang out with the family, so an out of the way niche in the end of an island or cabinet run is a convenient space for pet bowls.  Pets have access to their food and water without being underfoot.

The dishwasher is truly a work horse in the kitchen and a must have for families.  It’s worth the investment to choose a high quality product that performs well, is energy efficient, and has a long lifespan.  Here are some features to consider when shopping for a dishwasher.

Stainless Steel Tub

Models with a stainless steel tub or interior last longer and are quieter to use than dishwashers with a plastic tub.  The drying process is generally faster in stainless steel interiors.

Food Grinder vs Filter

Some dishwashers contain a food grinder that pulverizes food debris so it can be washed down the drain.  Food grinders tend to be noisy and are another part which can break.  Dishwashers with a manually cleaned filter that traps food particles must be cleaned periodically to avoid odors.  A self-cleaning filter may be the preferred feature, as it rarely needs any attention.

Noise Level

Quiet dishwashers are essential in open concept homes.  Noise level is measured in decibels.  The lower the decibel number, the quieter the machine.  Factors that affect noise level include insulation used, whether there is a food grinder, and if the interior is stainless steel or plastic.

The following are highly rated brands of dishwashers.

Bosch

Both the 800 Series and 500 Series have stainless steel interiors, a third rack, hidden controls for a sleeker look, manually cleaned filters, and Energy Star certification.

GE Profile

This series has most of the same features as Bosch models, plus WiFi connectivity and deep clean jets for flatware and bottles.

Miele

Models have no handles; tap to open.  They are very quiet and feature a half load function that automatically adjusts water level and electric consumption.

KitchenAid

Some models feature clean water wash technology that continually removes food particles, so they aren’t redeposited.

LG

Quad Wash models have four cleaning arms instead of two and three adjustable racks.

Bathroom remodels are among the most popular home renovations. Master bathrooms, in particular, are more than just utilitarian spaces for today’s homeowners. Sleek design and a spa-like appearance create the perfect environment for relaxing and de-stressing. Here are some quality surface materials to consider for your next major bathroom project.

Countertops
Countertops must stand up to water and humidity in the bathroom. Non-porous materials will not become stained by make-up, soaps, and bath products. They are easy to clean and do not promote mildew growth. Granite, if properly sealed, resists staining and withstands heat. This means it will not be damaged by hot hair dryers, flat irons, or curling irons. Marble looks beautiful and is a porous material. It can stain and may require additional maintenance. A solid surface material such as engineered quartz is a very durable and low maintenance product. Quartz resists staining, stands up to heated appliances, and does not require sealing. The look of marble countertops without all the upkeep can be achieved with a quartz product.

Flooring
Bathroom flooring needs to endure the wet conditions and be slip resistant for the safety of the users. Ceramic tiles are a good option. Many choices are available in different colors, sizes, and shapes. There are even ceramic tiles that give the appearance of wood without the obvious problems associated with real wood flooring. Porcelain tiles are harder and less porous than ceramic tiles. Natural stone, like marble or travertine, has a more luxurious, spa-like feel and requires periodic sealing. When remodeling a bathroom with new flooring, consider installing heated floors for comfort.

Tub or Shower Wall Surround
Ceramic or porcelain tiles are an excellent choice. They come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, patterns, and textures with a clear protective glaze that is baked on in an oven. Though some homeowners worry about keeping the grout clean, it doesn’t have to be a major concern. New “less porous” grout products minimize this problem. Tile should be installed by a professional to ensure that water will not seep behind the tiles and damage the walls.

Marble and travertine are options. While beautiful, these products require more maintenance. Natural stone is porous and can absorb soap scum and minerals from hard water. It can also be discolored by some bath and hair coloring products. Marble and travertine must be sealed to avoid unsightly stains.

If creating a chef’s kitchen in your home has been a longtime dream, start planning now to make it a reality in the New Year.  A deluxe kitchen remodel is a big ticket item, so careful planning is a must.  This new space in your home is not just for looks but must be practical and meet the needs of the family.  A high-end kitchen also has major appeal to buyers when the time comes to sell your property.  Today’s chef’s kitchen doesn’t have to be sterile-looking or industrial.  There are many attractive options to match the design and style preferences of the homeowner.  Here are some important points to consider when planning this type of major remodeling project.

Layout

An open layout is a must have for the way families live today.  A well designed layout allows sufficient gathering space for family and friends.  There should be enough room for more than one person to work comfortably.  A custom island can offer more functionality, added food prep space, storage, and even additional seating.  There should be good flow between the kitchen and adjacent rooms.

Cabinetry

The kitchen functions better when adequate storage is available including space for a range of pots and pans in various sizes, specialty items, small appliances, and spices.  Pull out drawers are an excellent option for organizing utensils.  A design plan that makes use of all available storage space frees the countertops from clutter and provides more work area.  Custom cabinets offer the highest level of quality and functionality.

Appliances  

The primary focus should be on function.  A chef’s kitchen could include a gas range or induction cooktop, large refrigerator, ventilation hood, double ovens, warming drawer, wine fridge, and more than one dishwasher.  Options for the ovens might include convection or steam.  The appliance choices should reflect the personal needs of the cook.

Surfaces

All surfaces, including counters, floors, and backsplash, should be easy to clean and maintain.  Granite counter tops can withstand hot pans and resist stains, if properly sealed.  Quartz counters are bacteria resistant and will not chip or crack.  Wood and tile flooring are easy to clean and hold up well in busy kitchens.  Backsplashes can add visual interest and color but should be easy to wipe clean.

When tackling a major kitchen remodeling project, it’s best to bring in the experts.  The professionals at Dwell Remodeling have the experience and know how to help clients create the chef’s kitchen of their dreams.

The choice to design a kitchen with a range or with a cooktop and separate ovens is a personal one. The cooktop can allow greater flexibility in placement of the appliances. A cooktop is the burner element of a stove, minus the oven. It’s mounted into the countertop with the controls on top. A rangetop unit is a slight variation on the cooktop. It’s mounted on top of cabinets and has controls on the front. Rangetops tend to be more commercial in appearance.

Gas cooktops tend to be the most popular models. However, most companies also make induction and electric cooktops. Homeowners doing a luxury remodel often choose a cooktop with a 36 inch or 48 inch width.

Here is an overview of cooktops and rangetops from three high-end brands, Thermador, Wolf, and Viking. Dacor also makes a good appliance at a slightly lower price point.

Thermador

Thermador’s gas cooktops have star shaped burners, which are supposed to distribute heat more evenly than round burners. The burner configuration has good size variety, and there are very low settings for melting and simmering. Their electric cooktop features CookSmart sensors that control the temperature of the pan. On Thermador’s induction cooktop, the entire surface is end to end electromagnetic, meaning it can be used as one large cooking area. WiFi connectivity allows the cooktop and the hood to synchronize for turning on ventilation and lights.

Wolf

Wolf offers gas, electric, and induction cooktops as well as rangetops. Gas units have sealed, dual stacked burners with some designed for power and others designed for simmering. Sleek electric cooktops allow for fast boiling and low end simmering. Wolf’s gas rangetop has their signature red control knobs. Rangetops are available with griddle, charbroiler, and French top.

Viking

Viking offers gas, electric, and induction cooktops. Gas cooktops have sealed burners. Electric cooktops have easy clean glass ceramic surfaces. Many improvements were made to the Viking line following its purchase by The Middleby Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of commercial kitchen equipment. Viking appliances have an industry leading warranty.

Dacor

Dacor offers gas and induction cooktops. Gas models have 4 or 5 sealed, dual stacked burners. The induction cooktop has VirtualFlame technology which highlights hot surfaces. The rangetop model features a griddle and WiFi connectivity to the hood.