kitchens Archives - Page 5 of 7 - Bruzzese Home Improvements

How To Get Creative With Your Kitchen

October 29, 2015adminHome Improvement Tips, home remodeling, Interior Design, Kitchen Remodelingdecorating, home improvement, home remodeling, home trends, kitchensLeave a comment

A cottage style kitchen is one of the most elegant and ideal choice when thinking of adding creativity to it. The following post describes some unique ways of adding creativity and charm to your kitchen.

The following are a few ways to create a unique yet so simple and fulfilling kitchen for your home.

Add Glass Paneled Cabinet Doors

A shift from wood framed cabinetry to tempered glass inserts can altogether give a different look to your kitchen. You can choose from a variety of glass style from frosted to ribbed. You can use glass paneled cabinets to store dishes, glassware, pitchers, and trinkets. The glass door cabinetry is not just a way to expand storage but also add style and charm to the kitchen.

Tip! You can even paint the edges of shelves similar to the color of kitchen walls or in contrast to create a more vibrant look.

Install Open Shelves

Mounting shelves will add to the storage space and also add to the charisma of your kitchen. You can mount open shelves in the vertical spaces near the windows, between upper cabinets, next to major appliances and wherever it is practically possible to fit in. these open shelves can be used to display multi-purpose items such as old metal pitchers, crockery, plants, and charming woven baskets.

Tip! For making it visually more appealing, you can paint the shelves with the same color as that of cabinet trim.

Replace Modern Hardware with Vintage

Vintage varieties have a class of their own. You can install porcelain knobs and handles, floral accents for metal varieties. This is a less tricky job as you will find endless styles and designs for handles and knobs.

Tip! New hardware is an easy way to add a new look to the cabinetry instead of replacing the cabinets.

Decorate With A Vintage Wooden Sideboard

A vintage wooden sideboard is an excellent choice while decorating a cottage style kitchen. It is the best way to keep stacks of plates, other dishes, knickknacks, and the most treasured cottage style crockery. Moreover, this fulfills the need for extra space during a buffet meal and will not consume extra counter space needed for food preparation.

Tip! In all, adding this sideboard will avoid the chaos during the dine time and will help you in managing things better.

Wall Decor Ideas

Even if you have the world-class kitchen accessories, expensive kitchen shelves and cabinets, your kitchen is still incomplete without a wall décor.

You can choose any decorating theme to glorify your kitchen which reflects your presence in the kitchen. Choose a wall art considering the theme and color of the kitchen. Floral canvas wall art and elegant wrought iron wall decor are classy choices which are available in all sizes, colors, and varieties that would fit to your budget.

Tip! A beautiful wall art can make your kitchen vivacious.

Author Bio: – Dan Kogan is owner of NY handyman NYC, one of the leading handyman in New York City, with more than 20 years of experience. He is passionate about all things related to home improvement.

5 Tips for Decorating Your Walls With Tile

June 16, 2015adminHome Improvement Tips, home remodeling, Kitchen Remodelingbathroom remodeling, decorating, DIY projects, home improvement, home trends, kitchens, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

If you’re tired of the same old boring paint and flat walls, there is a solution that adds dimension and a modern flare to your walls – wall tiles. Tile can be anything from stone to 3-D wallpaper tiles, or even tiles made into beautiful murals.

According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, most tiles are some type of clay or a clay mixture and are classified as porcelain or non-porcelain – red or white clay fired in a kiln. What you need to know for your decorating needs is that porcelain tiles have better water resistance and hold up longer to wear and tear or heavy traffic. Non-porcelain ceramic tiles are less expensive but better suited for lower traffic, such as walls or out-of-the-way places.

1. Choose Your Material

Your first step is to choose which tiles will appear in which part of your home. For example, a glass tile may look perfect in your bathroom but not look quite right in a master bedroom. If you’re unsure which tiles to add where, ask to take home a few samples of each and set them up against the wall. This will show you how they blend with the other décor and also give you an idea of how well the tile colors go with the overall color scheme and look of your home.

2. Decide on a Color Palette

Tiles come in every color you could possibly imagine. You may want to think of about three to five colors you’d like to use throughout your house to tie everything together. You can also choose a general color palette before you ever go shopping for tiles to make sure color combinations work well together and have enough contrast.

3. Paint Existing Tiles

If you have tile in your home but it is outdated or a horrendous color, take heart. You can paint tiles for a more uniform look or just to update the overall theme. Most painters use either latex or epoxy paint to freshen up old tile. Use a combination of colors to create a textured look, paint the tile wall a solid color or paint a mural on the tiles. You can even leave plain tiles alone but add a detail such as a floral accent or geometric pattern.

4. Create a 3-D Pattern

Another option for wall tiles are 3D patterns. Typically, these tiles come in sections, but when placed side by side you can create forms such as waves, circles or flowers. You can combine different types of tiles to create a wall story or simply stick with one design and paint it a simple white. You can make this an accent wall with touches of color or create the pattern in an entire room.

5. Don’t Be Afraid of Unique Materials

Don’t be afraid to try unique ideas, especially for accent. For example, create a beautiful mural backsplash from tiny glass tiles of the French countryside. Take copper or stainless steel ceiling tiles and use them behind your sink for a sleek, modern, industrial look. Use huge marble floor tiles for the walls in your bathroom for a Grecian design.

When it comes to adding interest to your home by placing tiles on the walls, take the time to lay a few pieces against the wall, hold them up and make sure it is a look you’ll love for years to come. There is only one thing that is more challenging than choosing the tile you want for your home: That’s trying to take it back out if you decide you don’t like it. With just a little planning, you’ll find something you love and the time and effort will be worth it. You’ll be thrilled that the tile is there to stay.

Grilling in the Great Outdoors – Essential Ideas for Your Outdoor Kitchen

May 22, 2015adminhome improvement, lawn and garden, Summer Activities, Summer TipsDIY projects, garden, home trends, kitchens, Outdoor Living, patio, remodeling tips, summer1 Comment

source: telecomwiz.com

Building an outdoor kitchen isn’t easy, and there are a great many things to consider when you’re planning your next outdoor improvement. Designing from the ground up isn’t easy, but you’re in luck – part by part, we’ll cover some of the basic elements of the outdoor kitchen and give you a solid base for the work to come.

Outdoor cooking is more popular than ever before, so there’s a lot of inspiration to go around. Let’s have a look at some of the best ideas to build around.

The Pizza Oven

If you’ve never had a brick-oven pizza, you’re missing out on something special. With the right bricks and the perfect design, you can make better pies than anyone else in the neighborhood. The best part? You pick the ingredients. Whether it’s sausage or sardines, you can choose your own daily special.

source: pcbrickovens.com

The Grill

Your options are virtually endless when it comes to the outdoor kitchen’s mandatory grill. If your space is located near your indoor kitchen, you can easily choose to extend your electric or gas hookups to a gas grill. Prefer charcoal? Even that can be elegant.

source: baysideoutdoorcentre.com.au

The Bar Cart

If your current version involves a Styrofoam cooler and a bag of ice from the gas station, it might be time for an upgrade. If you plan to host parties involving anyone you’d like to impress, a bar cart is a worthy investment.

source: img2-3.timeinc.net

Remember the Basics

It’s easy to get caught up in the construction and the appliances, but storage is equally – if not more – important. The more thought you put into essentials like storage and garbage, the happier you’ll be when you’re cooking in your new kitchen.

source: fourgenerationsoneroof.com

Protect Your Kitchen

It’s important to consider the protection of your investment. Even if you live in a region that’s not concerned with rain or snow, you’ll still have to worry about wind, dust and sun damage. Be sure to keep your outdoor living space safe.

source: img.hgtv.com

Don’t Neglect Ventilation

You may be outdoors, but that doesn’t keep you out of the woods when it comes to smoke. If your neighbors live downwind, there’s a good chance you’ll hear about the smoke produced by your cooktop or grill. Think ahead and save yourself some trouble by looking into some proper ventilation.

source: cchpools.com

Don’t Forget the Kitchen Sink

Even if you’re just building a small outdoor BBQ, having a sink nearby can make your life easier every time you pick up the tongs. If an extension of your water source is in the budget, you certainly won’t regret the installation.

source: wowhomedesign.net

Rooftop Grilling

The backyard is the go-to standard when it comes to outdoor kitchens, but have you considered the roof? It can eliminate those smoke concerns we mentioned earlier, and it provides a better view besides. If your home is built in such a way as to sustain it, moving the backyard grill to the top of the roof might be the best thing you’ve done this year.

source: kalamazoogourmet.com

Go Country

If you live in the right climate, the southwestern look is the standard for a reason. It fits in perfectly with the countryside, and it inherently reflects the natural surroundings.

source: kleinslandscaping.com

Winter is Coming

Outdoor kitchens aren’t limited to dry climates. There are appliances and building materials that can stand up to snow and rain season after season.

source: weblando.com

A Garden is the Perfect Touch

Nothing goes with an outdoor kitchen like a garden. It offers more than just a vivid look and a fresh scent – you can harvest fresh herbs growing just steps away. If that doesn’t improve your culinary skills, nothing will.

source: www.devcenteronline.com

An outdoor kitchen can bring another dimension to your family’s life at home, and that’s not all – it can also increase the value of your home, improving the resale value when you’re ready for a change of scenery. Making the right choices during its design and construction will pay every type of dividend imaginable.

5 Tips For Designing A Forever Kitchen

December 10, 2014adminHome Improvement Tips, Kitchen Remodelinghome improvement, home remodeling, home trends, kitchen remodeling, kitchens1 Comment

Kitchens are the heart of the home. It’s where you prepare meals, help your kids with homework and entertain guests. It’s the room in the house where everyone gathers, where memories are made, and, with solid investment, can single-handedly increase the value of your home and help you build more of a nest egg. Even if you’re considering selling your home, all eyes of prospective buyers will inevitably be on the kitchen.

“When making investments in your home, the kitchen is unanimously the best place to start,” says Nate Berkus, renowned decorator, designer and artistic advisor for LG Studio appliances. “For me, a great kitchen is one that feels timeless. To accomplish that, reach for what feels classic for the space like subway tiles and stainless steel, and allow the elements that tell your story to come through in the non-permanent fixtures like the furniture, fabrics and details.”

Here are Berkus’ five tips for designing a forever kitchen that will sustain its value, whether you’re looking to put your house on the market or simply updating it for your family’s enjoyment:

1. A timeless look: When it comes to making big design decisions in your kitchen, put aside trends and go with timeless and elegant. Reach for what feels classic like white subway tiles, brass and stainless steel appliances – things that will look as good 10 years from now as they do today. The entire LG Studio line of premium, built-in appliances, for example, was designed with a signature look, feel and style that will easily transition with you through the years.

2. Paint: I don’t know why people always grimace when I say to paint wood. It isn’t a cardinal sin, especially in the kitchen. Tearing out cabinets isn’t always an option, but painting, while a bit of work, is one of my favorite things to do. Reach for black. It sets off all the appliances and makes for a dramatic change.

3. Brighten with lights: I tell my clients this all the time – lighting is one of the most important decisions you can make in any room, including the kitchen. I love vintage pendant lights over an island or table. Since lighting can often add to a dated vibe of the space, swapping it out for something more timeless immediately makes the space appear more modernized – perfect for illuminating any potential buyers.

4. The long haul: Making over a kitchen is no small feat. It’s expensive and time consuming. Trust me when I say I get it. So, your best asset is information. Start building that Pinterest board to identify what you like. Once you have that, you can start to attach costs. Mine always starts with what’s permanent like the cabinets, appliances and tiles. These, along with the appropriate team to help you make and install all of it, are your best investments. From there, consider ways that you can have what you want at a price you can live with. I’ve seen the most amazing islands fashioned from unique things like a farm table, or hutches that are free standing on a wall as opposed to extending your cabinets. These can all be ways to get a big look without the big price tag.

5. Consider technology: The home of the future is actually here today. It’s one that is wired for sound, TV and Wi-Fi. Simply put, our kitchen island is command central for more than meal prep. For many of us it’s also the office. So, to add value to this space, don’t undervalue what will make life easier, like outlets that have USB ports in the wall and island, charging docks and TVs. We do so much more in this space than cook. So, to add value, add ways for you be connected … just not at the dinner table.

5 Easy Updates to Making Renters Swoon

December 3, 2014adminDIY Projects, Home Improvement Tips, interior paintingbathroom remodeling, DIY projects, home improvement, kitchensLeave a comment

As Americans attempt to regain control of their budgets after the 2008 economic downturn, more families are opting out of buying and embracing the idea of renting a home. With that said, property owners are more at odds to attract the best tenants and a few updates to your property can do the trick to turn their heads. Here are 5 easy updates that can increase the time your tenant stays and your bottom line:

1. Paint

Seems like a no brainer but it’s a job that doesn’t take a lot of time, doesn’t cost a ton of money and makes renters feel like they’re making a fresh start. Before they ever walk through the door, make a good impression with a fresh coat of bright white paint on the front door. Depending on the color of the home, you can even use colors like red, navy blue and, in some instances, black. When painting the walls, stick with one color for the entire house in updated neutral colors. Where beige became the new white…now it’s gray tones. The colors of your renters belongings pop off the walls and create a chic feel that even the man of the house will love. Don’t forget kitchens and bathrooms! New paint on cabinets can resurrect your dark, outdated kitchen.

2. Home Warranty

If you’ve ever rented a home where a dishwasher or refrigerator breaks, you realize the value of a home warranty. The common appliances that most companies cover include refrigerators, lighting, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and heaters. Many companies also provide garage door servicing and water sprinkler repair.

3. Ceiling Fans

Consider this purchase a money saver that creates less wear and tear on your air conditioner. Installing ceiling fans in living room and bedrooms automatically mean dollars saved in the eyes of renters. Consider mentioning how much a renter can save per month in your sales pitch in order to close the deal and get that contract signed.

4. Landscaping

Who doesn’t love a little curb appeal or a nice place to have a backyard bar-b-que? The key with rental landscaping is to keep it simple and low maintenance. Depending on your area of the country, planting hydrangeas provides flowers in the spring and summer and a nice shrub in the winter. Also consider the Firelight Spiraea which blooms hints of rents color in a sea of luscious green leaves. For the backyard you can keep your landscaping even more simple. Just give people a place for family and friends to gather and shrubs may not even be necessary.

5. Kitchen & Bathroom

Everyone knows that kitchens and bathrooms SELL homes, but they also get them rented. Updating these spaces, however, doesn’t have to break your bank and leave you at a loss on the books. Update backsplashes with pressed tin and bathrooms with fresh fixtures. Your renters will notice the difference and you won’t have spent your entire profit margin.

Big box stores and even stores like Habitat for Humanity carry loads of great deals to cut your costs on cabinets, fixtures and hardware. Just make sure to keep a sample and/or write down your paint color to make switching from one renter to another faster and easier. Renting a home can be a lot of work but with a huge payout. Make sure your easy updates increase your bottom line and anchor renters to your property for years to come.

Budget Friendly Renovation Ideas For Your Kitchen

November 13, 2014adminhome remodeling, Kitchen Remodelinghome improvement, kitchen remodeling, kitchens, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Renovation Ideas: Budget-Friendly Concepts for Your Small Kitchen

Have you been thinking of cunning and economical kitchen renovation ideas you can put to good use?

While choosing the right concepts to pursue can get tricky, it’s reassuring to know you can dramatically transform the look and feel of the area given you choose the right ones.

Get your transformation project off to an amazing start by keeping the following savvy ideas in mind.

Photo credit

Open the shelves

Open shelving has earned quiet a following over the years, and with good reason.

Able to create the illusion of bigger space, open shelving will give area-challenged kitchens a more expanded feel.

To pull this idea off, consider removing the doors of your cabinets and painting the interiors. Also, invest in some colorful mugs and plates and display them in your open cabinet to add more charm and personality to the area.

In addition, you can also use the open shelves as a handy compartment for your everyday kitchen tools and utensils. Not only will you be able to keep things organized, you will also gain easy access to kitchen items you need on a daily basis.

Install kitchen lights

When it comes to clever kitchen remodel ideas that add value to your home, the list can be lengthy.

However, without doubt, the right lighting fixtures can do wonders for your kitchen however small.

Fortunately, you need not spend a fortune or pick costly lighting alternatives to create a kitchen you can be proud of.

A hanging chandelier or a colorful table lamp from the flea market will actually suffice. Not only will it make the kitchen look cozy, it will also greatly enhance its visual appeal.

Refinish the cabinets

Sometimes, subtle changes like painting kitchen cabinets with a glossy latex or semigloss can create a huge impact.

Cheap and easy to do, refinishing your cabinets can easily transform the area into the space of your dreams.

Depending on the look you are going for, you can also consider ditching the traditional hues and opt for a bright coral red or a glossy black to create a more modern feel.

Consider repainting

Sometimes, all a small kitchen needs is a change of color scheme or a new coat of paint to appear warm and visually attractive.

A thrifty and straightforward way to give your small area the much needed facelift, painting just might be what is needed to make your kitchen look new and different.

Search for ideas online especially if you are clueless as to ideal color choices you can try.

Add a backsplash

Undeniably one of the hottest kitchen additions to have been introduced, a backsplash was initially designed to protect walls against grease and stains associated with cooking.

Nowadays however, it has also been used to help enhance the look and overall visual of the space.

If you are not ready to spend money on a tile backsplash, consider its cheaper alternatives like vinyl, ceramic, pegboards, porcelain and glass.

Renovation ideas can be infinite. However, as long as you keep the mentioned tips in mind, you have the battle half won.

Ready to transform your kitchen? Give us a call or send us an email today!

5 Kitchen Remodel Ideas That Add Value To Your Home

September 10, 2014adminhome improvement, home remodelinghome improvement, kitchen remodeling, kitchens, remodeling tips3 Comments

No matter if you’re an aspiring chef or TV dinner connoisseur … if the look of your kitchen makes you want to dine out – it may be time for an upgrade. The kitchen should be the heart of your home: it’s where you entertain, hold family meetings and even pay bills, so why not take it from “make-do” to “magnificent?”

Nothing reinvigorates a home like a newly remodeled kitchen. Think of renovating this space as an investment. Here are five “must-do” updates to ensure your kitchen will earn compliments from everyone and add value to your home.

1. Add character with color

Even the most lackluster space can be energized with color. Paint the walls or hang new curtains in a bright fabric. Or for a bigger statement, consider painted cabinets. To save you time and energy, manufactures now offer cabinets in a wide range of beautiful – and colorful – painted finishes. If considering a bold cabinet shade like blue or red, pair with complementary colors like brown or white – it will be easier to switch up the decor and add accent colors down the road.

Sticking with a neutral color scheme? You can still make a statement and add warmth with a colorful mosaic tile backsplash. These backsplashes can instantly brighten a space and are now easier than ever to install. Plus, a glass backsplash is easy to clean, so you don’t have to worry about food splatters getting on walls.

2. Faucet facelift

The sink area is among the most hardworking of kitchen spaces, and the faucet in particular, gets the most grueling daily workout. Because of its constant use, updating the faucet will immediately improve the function and look of your prep space.

According to the NKBA, contemporary styling will be the fastest growing kitchen style in 2014. To easily obtain this look, the new Tilt pullout kitchen faucet from Moen is the ideal choice for homeowners wanting to create a sleek and chic statement at the sink. Tilt offers compact, modern styling that works well in any size kitchen. It’s also offered in two on-trend finishes: Chrome and Spot Resist Stainless, which helps the faucet stay visibly cleaner, longer.

And don’t just stop with the kitchen faucet … fixtures such as built-in soap dispensers or beverage faucets can further the functionality and improved styling at the sink. In fact, research shows that more than one-third of homeowners remodeling their kitchens are interested in beverage faucets with filtration systems, as well as matching soap dispensers. Moen is helping homeowners fulfill these wishes with a new line of soap dispensers and Sip beverage faucets. Each is available in traditional, transitional and modern designs in matching finishes, elegantly coordinating with the rest of the space.

3. Amp up accessories

Much like fashion, accessories can make a room; think of hardware as the finishing touch to make your space feel polished but also serve a purpose. To start, easily answer the age-old question: “where’s the dish towel?” Most homes don’t have a convenient place dedicated to hanging this necessity in the kitchen. For a stylish solution, install accessories such as hooks, towel bars or towel rings on the side of an upper cabinet, the end of the island or in other work areas. Next, think of the sink – accessories such as colanders and cutting boards can now fit seamlessly into the sink to help make meal prep and clean up a breeze.

4. Enhance lighting

Lighting is a critical element in kitchen design, both for its decorative and functional benefits. But not all lighting is created equal; the best way to enhance the room is to install custom lighting to suit your kitchen’s needs. It can also make the space look roomier and more elegant. With styles ranging from incandescent bulbs with vintage glass shades to ultra-chic halogen cones, hanging pendants are popular ceiling fixtures for the kitchen. For an instant update, install pendants over an island or countertop where the low-hanging fixtures won’t interfere with traffic flow.

5. Add personality

Adding something beautiful like a bouquet of flowers, new linens or a colorful new tea pot will bring life into the space. You can also jazz up your kitchen with lively artwork. Whether it’s a professional painting you love or fun vintage posters, artwork helps complete your renovation. For a more personal touch, hang a grouping of family photographs, or frame some of your children’s more colorful artistic creations for a vibrant and charming display. Or, make artwork functional by painting an old framed mirror with chalkboard paint to display grocery lists, menus or your favorite quotes.

Before starting demolition on your kitchen remodel, make sure the design is a reflection of you. By following these five steps not only will you have a kitchen that complements your lifestyle and increases the value of your home, you will also draw plenty of compliments from family and friends.

Ready to get started with your Kitchen Remodel? Give us a call! We specialize in Kitchen Remodels in Westchester County, NY.

5 Tips To Create Space In A Small Kitchen

August 13, 2014adminHome Improvement Tips, home remodeling, Kitchen RemodelingDIY projects, home trends, kitchen remodeling, kitchensLeave a comment

Tips for creating space in small kitchens by using large tiles and other tricks

The kitchen is the heart of the home; where families gather in the morning and where they eat at night. Unfortunately many a home suffers from a small kitchen, making it difficult for the room to live up to its potential as one of the interior focal points of life and activity. For this reason, DIY-ers, decorators and designers have long tried to discover ways to enhance the space of a small kitchen, making it more suited to its needs and a much more pleasant place to be in general.

Today, there is a whole host of ways that homeowners looking to decorate their kitchen can try to increase the appearance of space in their small interior rooms, ranging from floor laying techniques to colour schemes. Here is a collection of some of the most popular and effective:

Large tiles are best

Time and time again we’re told that large tiles help to create a sense of space. Granted they minimize the amount of visual joins in the room, allowing for a sense of continuity between wall and floor, but they do have to be installed correctly for this to happen. Make sure you pick a tile that’s not too large or too small, because if you end up with one single grouting line down the centre of your room then things could end up looking a little odd and no bigger at all! Try to opt for a tile size that will give a good coverage of grouting lines, while ensuring these are kept to a suitable minimum. Afterwards, these can be hidden by grouting them in a suitable and similar colour tone. To see some examples, check out Direct Tile Warehouses Large Floor Tiles

Laying large tiles the right way

Believe it or not, the way we lay tiles on the floor can have a profound effect on the finished impression of space in a room. Opting for a diagonal pattern tends to be the most effective method for creating room, as it forces the human eye to follow the longest possible patch across the surface. Other methods include actually making use of visual divides in colour, tone or grout (the very ones we tried to avoid in part one) in a horizontally laid pattern across the room’s narrowest part. This can help increase the illusion of length in a room, making it a great choice for longer, narrower kitchens.

The all-important colour scheme

Choosing the right colour scheme is another of the most important features of decorating a small kitchen for space. The general consensus is that monochrome, light hues, help to reflect light, eliminate visual divisions on both the wall and floor and create an air of cleanliness that’s pleasant throughout. This means whites, off-whites and light shades of other colours, while decorators will have to make sure their chosen scheme works well with their kitchen fixtures as well!

Clever storage solutions

Being creative with your storage solutions means much more than just getting the newest and most advanced cupboards from IKEA. It also means thinking about how to maximise space by replacing opaque boards with glass, leading peoples’ eyes into the depths of your units and giving them the impression of increased room. It also means making cleaver use of lighting on the fixtures to increase the illumination both above and below the units. This can help turn a simple cupboard or extractor fan into another source of that much-needed light, adding space and airiness to an otherwise dark and tight-knit corner.

Built in appliances to boot

Today, built in appliances are all the rage. They are used in big kitchens for convenience, but can help create much more space in small kitchens by maximizing floor space and square footage greatly. This means concealing your fridge beneath a fixture, placing your microwave in an alcove, and removing any additional appliances to a different room, if possible (the Europeans even put the washing machine in the bathroom, if you’re feeling continental!).

Ready to enhance the space in your small kitchen? Give us a call or send us an email for a free in home estimate!

Kitchen Renovations To Boost Your Home Value

July 23, 2014RezaHome Improvement Tips, Kitchen Remodeling, Tips to sell your homehome improvement, kitchen remodeling, kitchens, remodeling tips3 Comments

It’s common knowledge that when buyers first enter a home, one of the first areas they evaluate is the kitchen. For this reason, kitchens have to be capable of making a great first impression if sellers want to be successful. A beautifully renovated kitchen has the power to secure a much higher sale price for a home than one that is under equipped and out of date. Kitchen renovations are excellent investments for homeowners, especially since they have a potential payback rate of close to 100%!

(Source: Downtown Toronto Properties Blog)

(Source: Home Design Bee)

When renovating your kitchen, you should focus on adding features that are most attractive to future buyers. These include extra counter space, islands, bars, windows, new cabinets, stone countertops, and stainless steel appliances.

(Source: Lone Star SA)

A minor kitchen remodel averages a $20,000 boost in resale value, while a major kitchen remodel averages a boost of $50,000. And that’s only for midrange quality. If you go for an upscale renovation, you can look forward to even higher numbers.

(Source: Landmark Services)

Because kitchen renovations provide such big opportunities for adding value to homes, they should be done with skill. Hiring professional contractors to plan and construct your renovation will go a long way toward increasing the value it creates.

Visit the VGC team to read more great home improvement articles.

Author Bio: Although he is not one of our talented designers, he can be mistaken for one due to his fashionable taste. Though arguably the best dressed in our office, Reza is known best for his work ethics, his professional demeanor, and his ability to always stay on top of thing and still lend a helping hand. Reza joined VGC because he truly believes that VGC’s Design & Build process is unparalleled when it comes to custom build homes and residential renovations. His position as Marketing Manager allows him to build relationships with clients to improve their experience with VGC.

Tips for Choosing Your Perfect Kitchen Island

June 3, 2014adminHome Improvement Tips, Kitchen Remodelinghome improvement, home trends, kitchen remodeling, kitchens3 Comments

A kitchen island is a sure shot way to completely overhaul the look of your entire kitchen. Unlike other home remodeling choices, this one stands out completely. If you tend to spend a lot of time in your kitchen and have enough space, a kitchen island can be the perfect makeover that you have always wanted. Here are 5 tips to remember to help you choose your perfect kitchen island.

1. Balance Your Needs With The Look of Your Kitchen Island

If you install the kitchen island properly, you will realize that the functionality that your kitchen previously offered has grown exponentially. It is not just a work surface but can turn you into a chef overnight. Thus, before choosing your perfect kitchen island, evaluate your cooking needs. Do you cook for a long time? Are you more into baking? What do you think you need in your kitchen to cook more comfortably? For instance, bakers would find marble countertops extremely helpful for their dough. In case of limited space, choosing a kitchen island having a faucet and a huge sink would be the best option.

2. Choose the Right Material

You need to choose a good quality material which would not only last for a long time but would also be durable on the surface. You don’t have to choose the material that you are currently using in your kitchen because with a kitchen island, you have the luxury to choose whatever you want. Choose complementary materials. For instance, rustic wood and concrete go well with granite. Keep the complete look of your kitchen in mind when you choose the material.

3. Multipurpose Kitchen Island

If you have the vision for it, your kitchen island can provide a lot of features. It can provide you a separate space to have breakfast, you could offer brunch service, it could consist of a second stove, you could have an additional sink, you can store your cookbooks and sundry dishes in it, you can store you silverware and china in the drawers, you could feed your pets there, your kids could cook in that area, you could use it as extra cooking space, you could hang storage pots over it, when you have company you could entertain them there, and so many other uses.

4. Amazing Storage Space

As mentioned in the above point, your kitchen island can become an excellent space for storage. Add various cabinets and drawers on the sides so that things can be stored easily in your kitchen island. Convert one side of the island into a bar for entertaining friends and the drawers would still serve a purpose. Always utilize the space that is offered to you.

5. Make Room for Hobbies and Specializations

If you are a wine connoisseur, you can have an embedded cellar for wine storage in your kitchen island. Showcase your lovely collection of wine bottles with the help of proper lighting and good temperature maintenance.

Most importantly, look around for great kitchen island ideas in home improvement magazines and blogs, and you will surely find something that would make you go “this is my kitchen island!” Check out these kitchen island photos for some inspiration.

Written by Tim Smith.

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