Making homes beautiful since 1999.
The master bathroom is a major selling point for any home. When renovating, incorporate sleek surfaces for a sparkling space that makes cleaning a cinch.
The master bath should be as large and bright as possible. A separate water closet and a spacious shower with multiple showerheads are a big selling point. There is also the trend of a separate sink and water closet for each person and only sharing the shower, which we see in the most distinctive homes.
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When choosing a design that’s right for you, consider your,s and your family’s needs. Do you own at least one of everything and need a place to store all your gadgets? Would the island become a catch-all or would it be a great place to prepare a meal and watch over the kids as they are doing their homework? Would a window be nice for extra light or the serenity it would provide?
There are several considerations you should make when choosing a new house plan or remodeling your current kitchen that’s right for you.
Kitchen Islands are becoming more and more popular these days, especially with the growing need for a multi-functional space. Islands offer additional storage and room for food preparation. When the kitchen isn’t being used for cooking, an island can be used as a craft area, or kids can do their homework there. Many islands also have a breakfast bar area, so informal meals may be served here.
Form and function go hand in hand when it comes to selecting cabinetry. Because the cabinets are really the focal point of your kitchen, it is important that you select a design that is pleasing to you. There are so many options out there, from traditional to contemporary, made from all types of materials. Got some decorative plates or glassware that you’d like to display? Opt for a glass-door cabinet. Is cabinet organization not your strong point? Perhaps a solid wood cabinet door is the way to go. Speaking of organization, cabinet manufacturers nowadays have a variety of unique storage systems that can help you maximize the use of your cabinetry.
Like cabinets, countertops must be aesthetically pleasing as well as functional. Consider what is important to you, and what you will be using the counter for. Perhaps a a built-in butcher block would be useful. Are you planning to cut vegetables on your counter or put hot pans on it? You’ll need to find a durable, scratch resistant countertop. There are so many different materials out there to choose from, you are bound to find something that matches your needs and budget.
You will want to select a floor type that fits with the style of your cabinets and countertops. However, you’ll also need to consider how much traffic it can handle. Will the kids be running through with their soccer cleats on? Then you’ll definitely need a durable, scratch resistant floor! Do you cook a lot? Then perhaps a spill proof option is right for you.
Poorly planned lighting can be a real buzz kill in your kitchen! Plan ahead of time what areas you think you’ll need what types of light. For example, if you have a designated food prep area, then perhaps some under cabinet lighting would be ideal. If another part of the kitchen is designated for entertaining mood lighting would definitely be appropriate. Also pay special attention to where you place your light switches and how many you have. You don’t want to have so many lighting options that you don’t know which to choose when you walk into the kitchen!
What types of things will you be storing in your kitchen? Beyond just pots and pans and dishes, will you need office storage for papers and bills? How much room will you devote to food storage? Also, special consideration is necessary if you live with elderly adults, who may need to have medications at a reachable height. On the other hand, if you live with young children, you’ll want to make sure that those types of items are a safe distance from their grasp.
In addition to the finish on your appliances, you’ll want to decide what size your kitchen can house as well as its location. You definitely don’t want to have your fridge directly in front of the stove, so that you can only open one at a time! Be very meticulous when it comes to measuring space, because there’s nothing worse than finding out your brand new fridge won’t fit!
All of your hard work selecting cabinetry, lighting, countertops, and everything else will mean nothing if you don’t plan your space ahead. Think about what your kitchen will be used for. How many people will be in the kitchen at once? Will it be a gathering space for entertaining in addition to a food prep area? Then perhaps you will want to divide it into two separate areas-one for food preparation and the other for entertaining. Is it the hub of your home, from where you direct all of the day’s affairs? If so, you may need to plan in a space for a computer area or message center.
There are also plenty of extras you can add on to your kitchen. Butler’s pantries are very handy for food and appliance storage. Another neat option is an appliance garage, which allows you to easily access your mixers and toasters without having to always have them visible on your counter tops. For more information about planning your new home builds perfect kitchen or a kitchen remodel, contact us @ 231-798-3541
Some window designs are inherently more efficient than others. The most common types:
Gone are the days when a homeowner’s interest in windows was limited to whether they could find stylish window treatments. Today, energy-conscious homeowners want to minimize the costs of heating and cooling their homes, and selecting the right windows is a crucial step. So how far should you go when choosing energy-efficient windows? The key is knowing what window upgrades will give you the biggest bang for your buck without delivering a blow to your bottom line.
There are four factors to consider when choosing energy efficient windows: frame, glass, design and installation.
Most people know a wood frame is less prone to heat and cold transfer than an aluminum one, since metals conduct temperature much more easily than wood. But that doesn’t mean wood is always the best choice for a utility-bill-friendly window. There are a variety of materials available for window frames, and each has positive and negative aspects. It’s up to you to decide what’s best for your style and your budget.
Did you know that you will have the option of choosing your ceiling height for your custom home? Rather than going with the customary eight feet, you can choose nine or ten foot ceilings or even vaulted ceilings instead.
Increasingly, custom home builders are adding lounging areas to the overall floor plan. This can be anything from a sun room or screen-in porch enabling residents to enjoy the beauty of nature in comfort to a cozy hearth room or alcove for a fireplace.
Unfortunately, some master bathrooms are barely any bigger than the guest bath down the hall. If you’re ready to put a little more luxury into your relaxation time, let’s talk about what we can do with the master suite.
Wheather you are going to build a custom home or just wanting to remodel your existing home, one of the first things you need to think about is design, as this will determine not only layout but how all the various details come to fit together. Design is very personal and thus requires a hands-on approach.
The kitchen is the hub of the home, and functionality is top priority.
Updating the kitchen with new appliances, new faucet, new lighting fixtures and even new pulls or knobs on drawers and doors may seem trivial, but it’s a worth it and can bring new life to an old kitchen!
Be sure to contact Parker’s Custom Builder for all your home improvement needs.
If you’re a DIY’er, avoiding some minor and major mistakes can help you make the most out of your investment. I hope you already know it’s best to buy quality materials from trusted local vendors and to install classic, long-lasting materials that will be around for generations. Below are a few more tips on shopping and getting ready for your remodel…
1. Know the downfalls of buying off the shelf.
Check the box. Does it look like it has been opened or returned? Don’t buy it. Returned items may have damage and missing parts.
2. Get recommendations of showrooms and lumberyards.
A good builder should have established relationships with reps he or she trusts, so use the recommended suppliers if you can. If you’re a DIYer, try asking around for some good suggestions. When all else fails, add 30 percent to any delivery time frame you’re told and build a healthy contingency fund into your budget, just in case.
3. Just because it’s cheaper…
A lot of houses are still piped with copper, so repairs and remodeling will generally be done in copper as well. Half-inch copper pipe is 5/8 inch in diameter, but the thickness of the copper depends on the type. Many stores sell type M and L. Type M is cheaper because it’s thinner — but saving money in materials now could mean tearing open walls later to find a pinhole leak that has sprung.
4. Sometimes you don’t get what you thought you were paying for.
Some brands spend more on advertising than on making quality products. Do your research and make sure the product you’re buying is current. The situation is always changing, but make sure you know what you’re getting and who you’ll call if it turns out to be a dud.
5. Let someone else be the guinea pig.
I have tested materials and products on my own house over the years so I can vouch for them in my work. If you are not in the business, you should be buying products that have been well regarded for many years.
6. Buy local.
There are many reasons to buy local and support your region’s economy, but two big ones have to do with shipping. Make sure to factor in the cost of shipping when pricing out materials. A local vendor will usually not charge extra for shipping, and you can schedule the delivery. Shipments of online purchases can result in headaches if no one is around when a big, heavy delivery shows up.
7. Buy salvaged.
You can often get better-quality building materials with more character for less money by buying salvaged. You will pay more in labor, but once again, this is an opportunity to support your community.
8. Buy extra.
“Waste” is the term we use for extra materials ordered, because the cutoffs usually end up as just that (unless they’re recycled). The best way to figure out how much waste to order is by following a manufacturer’s or installer’s recommendations.
9. Have someone else check your work.
Before you approve a special order, especially for windows and doors, have someone else familiar with the job look over the order. You can’t send a custom door back because you didn’t notice they got the door swing wrong or because the window is designed for 2-by-4 walls, not 2-by-6.
10. Buy early.
Stopping work to wait for materials to arrive is costly. Double the lead time you were told and you’ll usually be safe. Delays happen all the time. If the materials are onsite, the contractor can check measurements and answer questions that the spec sheet doesn’t address.
If you’re thinking about building a new home give this a read: https://parkerscustombuilders.com/the-cost-to-build-a-new-home/