Home Kitchen

What are thresholds and transitions?

Often, it’s the little things in a flooring project that really get the job done, and that’s where thresholds and transitions come in! These little ones are the gap between one floor and another, or they can fill in the edge of your tile to give it the professional look you want. So what is the difference between threshold and transition? Good question.

Thresholds are the spaces between one story and another, usually about 4 to 6 inches wide. Transitions can be made from many different materials including but not limited to marble, granite, and stone. There are many ways to install a transition in the sense that there is no right or wrong direction or style. What you are doing is separating one floor from another, usually from one room to another.

A good example of this would be a tile floor in a hallway, to another tile floor in a kitchen. I would place the threshold 4-6 inches at the entrance, allowing you to start laying the tiles in the next room in any direction or type you like. So if you had ceramic tile in the hallway, but wanted porcelain tile in the kitchen, a threshold would allow you to do this while still looking professional. Even if you just wanted to use the same tile in each room, but would like a different pattern, adding a threshold will work great.

Transitions are almost the same, as they also separate one type of floor from another, although normally these floors are very different from each other. Transitions come in both plastic and metal forms, with metal being the most expensive professional option. There are many different types of transitions, depending on your particular application.

Are you making the transition from tile to carpet? There’s a transition piece for that. From hardwood to tile? There is also a transition piece for that. Even if you are going from tile to tile, you can use a transition piece instead of a threshold piece, depending on the final look you want.

Make sure you know the height of the floor you will be using or transitioning to when deciding what is best for your floor. If you have flooring that is very thick like hardwood and you want to step down to your existing vinyl flooring, choose the piece that has a downward slope that allows your feet to slide easily up or down.

In the end, it’s up to you and your particular application and taste. There is no right or wrong decision for this. That said, do not place a transition piece intended for carpet when laying tile, or use a ¾” thick stone as a threshold next to a ½” ceramic tile. It is also important to use common sense.

Have fun deciding what look you want, and if you can, take a look at other people’s houses to see what you like or dislike. Either that or buy a book or magazine on the floor and see what looks good there. You’d be surprised what’s out there.

Home Kitchen

Booming Kitchen Cabinets for Baby Boomers

According to the most recent estimates from the US Census Bureau, there are 78.2 million Baby Boomers in the United States. This generation, which represents people born between the years 1946 and 1964, includes such a large percentage of the consuming public that their consumption habits and lifestyles have a powerful influence on the economy.

The current state of the economy aside, as they approach retirement age, Baby Boomers tend to have more disposable income than their generational counterparts. In fact, SeniorJournal.com states that “the estimated annual buying power of Baby Boomers is more than $2 trillion.” What is this generation spending all that money on? “Older Boomers (born between 1946 and 1955), many of whom are empty nesters, pour their money into improving their homes,” adds Senior Journal.

However, this generation had to work hard for their money, so its members know the value of a dollar. That’s why remodeling Baby Boomers demand the highest quality return on investment. Nowhere is that more true than in a kitchen remodel, which starts with high-quality kitchen cabinets. “Accessibility and safety are [also] Key Issues for Baby Boomers [who are] expect to stay in their homes as they age,” ARAcontent reports in a recent article titled “Smart Kitchen and Bathroom Redesigns for Aging-In-Place Boomers.”

The article goes on to specifically note: “As older people age, using the kitchen can become a challenge. Arthritis can make it difficult to open drawers, [kitchen] cupboards and pantry doors. Small knobs or U-shaped handles can be difficult for older people to grasp. Larger cabinet hardware and lever-style door handles can make life easier.”

When replacing their kitchen cabinets, Baby Boomers should look for a cabinet manufacturer that offers a wide selection of decorative knobs, pulls, and complementary groups. They should also consider a kitchen cabinet manufacturer that offers cabinet options that are not only attractive on the outside but also functional on the inside. The ultimate goal for Boomers should be to make their kitchen space more accessible, flexible, and unique. These options not only give the aging homeowner the ability to add the perfect finishing touch to their cabinet selection, but also ensure that they can functionally enjoy their kitchen remodel.

Because kitchen cabinet knobs are smaller and therefore harder to grasp, remodeling Boomers may opt for decorative pulls. Plus, storage options like pull-out trays and rotating lazy Susans can make it easy to access the contents of your kitchen cabinets. A reputable kitchen cabinet manufacturer will provide the homeowner with a complete opinion on this selection process.

Look for a kitchen cabinet manufacturer whose products are made 100% to order. That way, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that each and every cabinet is built specifically for you as an individual consumer and to your exact specifications. Having control over the size and construction of your kitchen cabinet, as well as all the storage solutions and decorative enhancements that make your kitchen work for the way your family lives today and for years to come, can make the difference. difference.

Home Kitchen

Designer kitchens: Bring your ideas to life

Is your kitchen in dire need of a total makeover? Do you have a small kitchen? Know exactly what you want or need and make it happen. Bring your ideas to life by connecting with leading manufacturers of designer kitchens. There are over a hundred ideas and innovative designs and solutions to answer every homeowner’s kitchen dilemma. If you have been eyeing a certain kitchen design and want the same for your home, then the best thing to do is to look for brilliant designer kitchens.

Building a new kitchen or redecorating your existing kitchen can be a complicated job as it all depends on your budget, the size of your area, your lifestyle requirements as well as the kitchen design you want to have. It is not just about giving your new kitchen an impressive look, but everything should be well thought out in such a way that the design of your newly built kitchen allows everything to work efficiently and within easy reach.

Find a professional kitchen construction company that can reveal and express the potential of creating the modern kitchen of your dreams. They must have the best workmanship and dedication with all the willingness to help, especially during the design and layout phase of the kitchen. It is beneficial for you and your designer to understand what needs to be done. An exchange of ideas and information at each step of the process will be helpful.

When it’s time to renovate your kitchen or build a new one, call in the experts. Take all the stress off your shoulders and let them design and create the kitchen of your dreams. Of course, you can have anything you want incorporated into the new concept and design. Own a kitchen built to suit your lifestyle and your family’s requirements.

If you want to hire a kitchen planner, you must first decide on your budget. There is bound to be a competitive quote for the job you want done. Remember, creating a stunning kitchen will not just involve one person but a team of outstanding workers. The first thing they will need from you is to define what you want from a kitchen, as well as its purpose. Along with all of this is the layout you’ve envisioned for your workspace. There must be regular collaboration between you, the planner and the workers. This is to ensure quality and that the work is completed to the standards you were assured of. When planning a makeover or investing heavily in building a new kitchen for your family, be sure to work with a leading kitchen designer who can bring your ideas to life. Choose a company that has a lot of experience in creating complete and excellent kitchen designs for you.

Home Kitchen

Predesigned House Plans, Benefits and Styles

Pre-drawn house plans are those that are drawn by architects or home designers and then offered for sale, as opposed to those that are drawn for an individual, with input from the client. While this method can be a great idea, there are definite benefits to purchasing pre-designed house plans. Architects and home designers who do custom home designs also do many of their own designs, and it is these plans that are offered for sale.

They are experts at making plans that make the best use of available space and at designing a floor plan to optimize curb appeal.

Custom designing your home can take months to complete and is extremely expensive, often up to ten times the cost of pre-dawn or storage house plans. Using custom plans can delay the construction of your home by many weeks. There are dozens of home styles and literally thousands of floor plans to choose from, so you’re sure to find the home of your dreams.

If you find a house plan that you love, but want to make minor changes, most companies can have their designers do it for you, for an additional fee. It is also possible to reverse your plans, for example, if your breakfast nook faces west but the view from the north side of your lot is more attractive, you can reverse it. Many of the sites that sell house plans will allow you to see a reverse view of the houses you might want to build.

Another service provided by companies that design and sell house plans is the one that allows you to estimate the cost of building a particular house in your area of ​​the country. The south is the least expensive area to build and the west has the highest cost.

There are dozens of house plan styles for you to explore and hundreds in every category, from A-Frame to Victorian, small to large, you can find the right home for your family. There are magazines, books, and websites galore that you can search

Beach houses are small, one-story houses that are raised above the ground and generally have an open floor plan, with lots of windows, to get a good view of the yard. A low-end beach house with 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, kitchen and great room to build would cost about $74,000.00, based on the national average, and about $15,000.00 more in the West and $8000.00 less in the South. These casitas make excellent vacation retreats and are also suitable as a starter residence or as a retirement home for the empty nesters.

The bungalows are houses from 1 to 1 and ½ stories. They often incorporate features of the Craftsman-style house, such as natural building materials, exposed beam ends, and gable ends. They also sometimes borrow features from the country or Victorian style. A lower end two bedroom one bath can be built for $52,000 to 70,000. These cute houses are ideal for newlyweds or retirees

Large front porches, dormer windows, and a roof line parallel to the road are the main distinguishing features of country houses. French country and country house plans can also be included in this category. Open floor plans are not common in this type of home. A small farmhouse, 576 square feet, with one bathroom and two bedrooms, can be built for less than $60,000.00 and erected on site for less than $60,000.00. A three bedroom, 1 and ½ bath building will cost an average of around $84,000.00 to erect on your site. .

Craftsman-style homes are characterized by the use of natural materials such as wood or stone for the exterior walls and rock foundations that slope down to the ground. They can also include dormers, exposed beams, and overhanging eaves. A two-bedroom, one-bathroom home in the Craftsman style will cost between $52,000.00 and $62,000.00 to build a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home with a 2-car garage will cost around $96,000.00.

Another popular house plan style is the French country house. They are similar to the Country style in that they feature front porches, dormer windows, and roofs that run parallel to the road. A two bedroom two bath home with volume vaulted ceilings, walk in closets, covered back porch with pantry and two car garage can be built for approximately $112,000.00 to $133,000.00 depending on where you live.

Log houses are the perfect vacation home, as they evoke feelings of comfort and peace. These houses come in various styles and sizes. Wooden logs are the main construction material. A one story, two bedroom, one bath log home, with a covered front porch, will cost around $90,000.00 to build.

Victorian-style houses are generally two stories, with pitched roofs, dormer windows, octagonal turrets and, of course, the characteristic gingerbread trim. A two-story, three-bedroom, three-bathroom home of this style, with an open floor plan and an unfinished basement, can be built on your lot for around $100,000.00.

Luxury houses are huge houses with at least 3000.sq. ft. of living space, they are characterized by large master bedrooms en-suite, 1 walk-in closets, and additional rooms that can be used as a library, music room, media center, or home office, to name a few. A three bedroom, two and a half bath luxury home with a two car garage with storage, breakfast bar and covered front porch. It will cost you between $180,000.00 and $240,000.

There are dozens of other categories of home plan styles, such as A-Frames, Mission, Contemporary, Southwest, and Tudor, to name just a few. A web search for house plans yields a mind-boggling number of searchable sites. Most of these let you search for house plans, by style, number of bedrooms, bathrooms, with or without a garage, or by square footage. foot of living space.

Please note that the estimated price to build does not include the price of the plans, any changes you make to the plans, or building permit fees. Despite these fees,

Building your new house from pre-designed plans will be cheaper and probably quicker than having your house plans made to order.

Home Kitchen

Traditional kitchens make cooking fun!

Traditional kitchens are often the heart of a home; they are the place where the family gathers to eat, where the children do their homework around the table and where friends chat over coffee. Because you spend a lot of time there, it’s especially important to choose and use energy-saving kitchen cabinets and appliances wisely. Fortunately, renewable resources, like wood for cabinets and chairs, are right at home in traditional kitchens.

Good kitchen lighting is very important. Traditionally, additional lighting is used over sinks and work areas so you can see exactly what you’re cooking. It’s a good idea to add lighting under wall cabinets to reduce shadows on countertops. Sometimes a reading lamp is added to read recipes. A source of natural light from a window is an important feature that makes a small kitchen feel more spacious.

Pantry storage is an essential item in traditional kitchens. Storing dry food at room temperature is best in shallow cupboards or closets where it’s easy to find what you’re looking for. Special racks and drawers can be added to double and save space. Some foods require particular levels of humidity or temperature. A good refrigerator with a drawer for vegetables and a separate freezer can meet these needs.

Running an environmentally friendly kitchen means taking proper care of equipment and utensils. Knife blocks fit perfectly with traditional decor and are the safest way to store culinary knives. Most pots and pans should be stored in cabinets that protect them from dust but allow enough air circulation so they don’t rust. Utensils that are elegantly designed and used frequently can be stored in counter receptacles or hung from hooks.

Properly maintained food preparation surfaces prevent traditional kitchens from becoming ecological disaster zones. Sinks should be deep enough and have faucets with adequate pressure to thoroughly wash and rinse large items. Vegetables should not be chopped on surfaces used to prepare meats, and cutting boards should be sanitized after each use. Food waste to be composted should be kept separate so it does not contaminate other food.

Countertops are some of the most striking and most used parts of traditional kitchens. For a kitchen to be environmentally friendly, countertops must be durable and easy to clean. A non-porous surface will minimize places where bacteria can grow and help keep the kitchen environment ecologically sound. Surfaces made of tile, concrete, stone, and plastic or resin laminates are especially good for this.

At the center of it all, a kitchen is all about cooking. Traditional kitchens may offer a choice of gas or electric ovens and stoves. Sometimes these will be one-piece units with the cooktop above the oven, and sometimes they will be separate with a cooktop mounted on a counter or island and the oven mounted on the wall.

Home Kitchen

Small Kitchen Remodeling – Ideas Before You Begin

There are many things and factors that you need to consider when you want to remodel your kitchen. Whether it’s a small kitchen remodel or a renovation for a larger space, thinking about a few things before you even begin leads to the success of your remodeling plans.

For small kitchen remodeling, your cooking area takes up less space and therefore you need to think about what matters most to you. For example, if you love the idea of ​​having full kitchen appliances, you may have to sacrifice some storage space in your kitchen room. Think about the lifestyles of the people in your home. If you live alone and rarely cook, you may prefer to do a minimalist style for your small kitchen remodel. However, larger families need kitchens that have plenty of storage space for groceries, utensils, tools, and cutlery, as well as places for equipment and appliances, and maybe even a living room for the family to enjoy their breakfast. , lunch and dinner.

Consider the shape of your desired cooking area before beginning a small kitchen remodel. An efficient one is one that allows for easy movement and has enough space for the sink, counter, and cooking area. You can have a galley kitchen, a two-way galley kitchen, a U-shaped kitchen, or even an L-shaped kitchen. Island won’t work with a small room, so this is out of the picture in your case. . With each type of shape or design you choose, some points may be compromised for something you value more. For example, U-shaped kitchens have less floor area but plenty of work space and storage areas.

You can still put a seating corner for your family even in a small space. A breakfast table can be accommodated in a small kitchen. Decide on the layout of the room before remodeling the small kitchen. Where do you place the sink, the fridge, the preparation area and the water, electricity and gas service points? You also have to take into account the points where light can enter and also the ventilation of the kitchen.

When it comes to storage space, you can easily declutter your countertop by adding multiple hangers and utensil holders to the wall. There are several styles that can be very easily added to bare walls or even hung on the back of counters and cabinets. This makes them effectively invisible from prying eyes and at the same time within easy reach. You can even install a couple of wooden or iron shelves that hold your favorite cookbooks or thieves and coffee mugs. This also saves you space that you can use for other things in your small kitchen area.

Home Kitchen

HTC’s futuristic no-gimmick M9 smartphone

One of the favorite phones of all time is the HTC One (M8). It was loved for its beautiful design, gorgeous display, and excellent build. But some flaws arose in it, namely the UltraPixel camera, the phone ceased to become the best. To correct that, the HTC One M9 has arrived. It has a proper 20 MP camera on the back and the design has been redesigned without losing the features that made it special. Here are some impressions that would make the M9 HTC’s biggest hope for 2015.

Construction design

Over the past three years, HTC has built a reputation for great design and top-notch build quality. The M8 was designed for feel and the M9 retained many of the sharp edged designs of the original. The front is angular while the back is curved, with highly polished sides and different colored finishes.

There seems to be a compromise in the design, albeit very well done. HTC tells that there are many step processes of coating, machining, chamfering. The buttons are scratch resistant and have different textures, while the rear camera comes with a sapphire crystal over the lens.

Another thing worth mentioning about the M9 is its ‘table presence’. It’s like a clunking car door and depends entirely on how much you enjoy it.

The specifications

Like the latest phones out there, there’s a Snapdragon 810 chip and 3GB of RAM that provide enough power to handle the most demanding apps, videos, and games. The display is a 5-inch 1080p display without any display upgrade from the previous M8.

On the screen

The availability of the Sense 7 interface helps in better customization of Android. The Themes app, apart from changing some colors, reworks the textures, icons, clock, fonts and sounds. As you select an image for your home screen, the app chooses the colors and fonts to suit it. Sense Home is also aware of the context in which it is being used, the time it is being used and acts accordingly.

boom and shake the phone

The presence of finely perforated grilles on both sides of the M9 makes Boomsound one of HTC’s top flagships. A three-finger swipe sends different Dolby-enabled songs from the same phone to different speakers in multiple rooms.

Ultra Selfie Sunrise

The new M9 has a 20MP snapper on the back that produces proper big photos of people’s faces by using the ‘exposure engine’. You can even record 4K video with your smartphone. With the presence of a selfie camera, an ultra-pixel sensor, one can do without the use of flash.

For easy photo browsing, different snapshots can be collected in One Gallery app, as it links Drive/Facebook/Dropbox/Flickr/Instagram images in one place and makes searching easy.

There may be phones that can boast a lot of futuristic features, but M9 is still a great example of no-gimmicks design, with a smart interface and stunning build quality.

Home Kitchen

Natural cleaning products and their uses

House cleaning is hard work but it is part of maintaining good health. If you want to have a truly beneficial cleaning process, just use green cleaning products. Not only will it save you money, but it will also make your cleaning effective and safe.

Here are natural cleaning products you can use from your own kitchen with corresponding steps on how to use them.

distilled white vinegar It is used to cut grease and deodorize. It can be used to clean the kitchen, shine and clean glasses, remove dust and soften clothes.

lemon juice it is a mild bleach. You can use it to deodorize and clean toilet bowls and tiles.

Detergent It is used to remove grease and stains and to clean bathroom surfaces and tiles.

Borax it is a natural mineral that you can use to control pests and cockroaches in your home

Salt It is used to clean, deodorize and disinfect your home. It can be used to polish your silver items and to remove rust stains on your metal equipment.

baking soda It is used in cleaning and deodorizing carpets.

Herbs They are used in flavoring. They can be used as air fresheners.

These natural ingredients are really effective and safe to use. They do not contain chemical ingredients, which makes them harmless, especially for you as a user, for all members of your family and for the environment.

Here are 7 tips for making your homemade cleaning products:

Distilled white vinegar as spray for powders

Step 1: Combine ½ cup of distilled white vinegar and ½ tablespoon of olive oil.

Step 2: Mix the combined natural ingredients well with a spoon.

Step 3 – Simply pour the mixture into a container or spray bottle.

Step 4 – Spray solution on dusty household items and wipe clean.

Step 5 – Store or place in your kitchen cabinet with a label if not in use.

glass cleaner

Step 1 – Combine ½ cup of distilled white vinegar in ¼ cup of water.

Step 2: For the combination in a clean container.

Step 3: Mix it well.

Step 4 – Use a cloth to clean your glasses with this solution

Step 5: Store the mixture properly in a clean cabinet.

fabric softener

Step 1: Pour ½ cup of water and 1 cup of distilled white vinegar into a wide container.

Step 2: Mix the two ingredients well.

Step 3: Pour the mixture on your clothes.

Lemon juice as a shoe polish

Step 1 – You need to combine ¼ cup of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Step 2: For the ingredients in a small container, mix well.

Step 3: Apply a small amount to a piece of cloth.

Step 4 – Rub the piece of cloth on your shoes to make them shine

Step 5 – Store or place the remaining mixture on your shelf or shoebox.

Coffee or tea stain remover

Step 1: Mix ½ cup of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of salt.

Step 2: Pour mixture into a spray bottle, shake well.

Step 3 – Spray the solution on the coffee or tea stains and allow to soak.

Step 4: Brush off stains with a brush, rinse with water.

Step 5: Place or place the remaining mixture in your cabinet.

Washing soda and lemon juice as a tile and bathroom surface cleaner

Step 1: Mix ½ cup washing soda and ¼ cup lemon juice.

Step 2: Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.

Step 3 – Spray your bathroom surface and tile.

Step 4: Brush them well until the dirt is removed.

Step 5: Wash all bathroom surfaces and dry them.

Step 6: Properly store the remaining mix if any.

salt as silver polish

Step 1: Pour 1 cup of water into a medium saucepan.

Step 2 – Add 5 tablespoons of salt.

Step 3: Grill the mixture for about 3 minutes (medium heat).

Step 4: Kindly pour your silver coins into the pan.

Step 5: Let it roast for 5 minutes.

Step 6: Drain the silver ones.

Step 7: Brush with an old toothbrush.

Step 8 – Rinse with lukewarm water.

Step 9: Wipe dry.

Home Kitchen

Creative uses for a side table

What if you’re looking for decorating ideas and can’t find a blank? Consider these suggestions to breathe new life into a displaced end table.

• Place a side table outside the front door. Use it to support a potted plant during the warm weather months or holiday decorations during the year.

• If you need a central place to store things that the children share, place a side table between their bedrooms. Socks, crayons and coloring books, and DVDs that are moved between rooms will have a permanent place to live.

• Place one inside the front door to store keys, outgoing mail, and sunglasses. If it has a shelf below, store your bag there.

• Put a table in your hallway under something hanging on the wall — a painting, a mirror, a picture. Furniture anchors the artwork and prevents it from appearing to float in space.

• If you have a small conversation area somewhere in your home, use a side table instead of a coffee table so there’s room for your drink, book, or cell phone.

• If you have a side table with a shelf below it, use it as a small bookcase. This could work in the kitchen for cookbooks.

• If you have a side table with a drawer or doors, place it in the bathroom to store toiletries and toilet paper. If you have a shelf, you can store magazines or one of those bathroom essential reading guides. You can use it to store folded towels and washcloths next to the bathtub.

• How about outfitting a table with a basket or beach bucket in the boys’ bathroom and using it to store bath toys?

• Put one near where kids do their homework, and your students will understand where to look for their homework.

• Do you have a dressing room that needs more structured space? Put a side table there, and use the table to place your wallet, cell phone, and jewelry—the things you carry with you every day.

• Put one at the bottom and top of the stairs to store the things you need to make a trip to the other floor.

• Place one in the laundry room to store detergent, dryer sheets, and stain removers.

• If it’s old and worn, but still strong, move the table to the garage. Use it to store your garden tools, recycling bags for the grocery store or umbrella, CDs, and shopping bags with return items—those things that need to be returned to your car.

• Use a weather-resistant metal and glass side table outside on the patio. It can hold your portable stereo or sunscreen.

• If you like to barbecue, put up a grill fence to store tools, dishes and sauce when you’re busy cooking.

• If you have an outdoor bar, use a weather-resistant side table with doors to store bar equipment and supplies.

If you have a nice piece of furniture but it doesn’t match your decor, do a little hands-on work on it.

• Sand the stain and cover the table with polyurethane to match the other furniture in the room.

• Gather a collection of photos and other paper memorabilia on the table and cover it with a piece of tempered glass.

• Sand the table and paint it to match or contrast the decor in your child’s room. Chalkboard paint would be a fun option for a budding artist.

Home Kitchen

Kill your property value and deal

It is possible to increase the value of a home, but sometimes renovations can become a deal breaker. Homes that are consistent in style and finishes are generally worth more than those that display different influences. Residential appraisers often say that a true value killer is a remodel that is not finished.

The appeal of the house has to be consistent. It is possible to increase the value of an older home by keeping up appearances. Appraisers have a system that takes into account both age and maintenance, for example, C1 indicates that the property is new. C2 means any age if recently renovated, C3 well maintained, C4 adequately maintained with minimal repairs, C5 deliverable but needs help, and C6 serious defects.

If you have white appliances in your kitchen, it’s not good for your home’s value to invest in a stainless steel dishwasher. It is highly recommended that if you renovate, you don’t get modern countertops while you still have old appliances. It’s best to do enough so that the appraiser can classify the changes as a new kitchen or an updated kitchen.

Neighbors don’t have to be human to hurt your home’s value. A power station, a school or a cemetery can reduce the price of a property. If you let garden art get out of hand or have too much Elvis, you have a value killer.

Homeowners often have to choose between an improvement they would really love to own and one that would prove to be a better investment. If your home is on the market or you want to refinance, you can take steps to make sure you get credit for the improvements you’re planning.

Home for sale ads often emphasize kitchen features like stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and travertine tile. This is a good guide to current features and trends in popular cuisine. Real estate agents advertise properties they know are in demand. This is also a great guide if you plan to update your kitchen.

Kitchen features that are currently in high demand include:

• Cabinets: Maple is currently the most popular. It used to be cherry cabinets, but Maple topped them this year.

• Popular colors for kitchens are gray and beige.

• The contemporary design style is not as popular anymore. Shaker style is now the new trend.

• Granite and quartz countertops remain the most popular kitchen feature and continue to be the number one choice.

• Energy efficient LED lighting is the most popular.

The best designers often recommend repairing cabinets rather than replacing them. This is cheaper and you can only change the cabinet doors, while the original cabinet structure remains the same. Wood floors are popular. The least expensive options for hardwood flooring are engineered wood flooring made with a plywood underlayment with a real hardwood veneer.

Lights are essential kitchen features and are recommended for any well-designed kitchen. The lights can be installed in strategic places to create a soft atmosphere.

Another hot trend for 2014 is commercial-style stoves and other useful built-in appliances. Stainless steel appliances continue to be the most sought after in kitchens. Stainless steel appliances are in high demand and can add value and convenience to your home, but updates need to be consistent throughout the kitchen. Stainless steel appliances can do little to add value if your vinyl flooring dates to the 1960s. A kitchen island is a near-essential and a winner for most homebuyers.

A fresh coat of interior paint in a neutral color can add value to a home. Get expert advice from your estate agent before settling on colour. Vinyl floors are outdated. Try ditching the vinyl by replacing it with laminate flooring or ceramic tile. Homebuyers also prefer granite countertops over laminate countertops. Countertops can be replaced with ceramic tile if granite countertops are too expensive. A large window over the kitchen sink is also a good idea, space permitting.

Curb appeal is a very important aspect if you plan to sell your home. Painting the exterior of your home is always a good place to start improvements. Choose a color that matches the period of your home. You would like your home to make a good first impression. Note the peeling paint and the blinds hanging lopsided. A well-kept and attractive front lawn will add value to your home.

Some improvements may make the home more attractive, but will not significantly increase the resale value. A large, expensive remodel, such as adding a second story, may not add value if the home is located in a small-home neighborhood.

Create a well-designed living room with great ideas.

You can set up a cozy atmosphere in the living room using your imagination. The living room is often the first area visitors will see and should make them feel at home. You can create a well-designed area with great ideas that reflect your personality. New ideas will inspire you. We’ll take a look at space, color, furniture arrangement, lighting, windows, fireplace, a centerpiece, and how to personalize it.

The following ideas are easy and affordable.

• Paint always works wonders in a room. Use warm, neutral colors for the living room. You can use bright colors, as long as they match.

• Leave room for traffic in your living room.

• Furniture should be placed according to space.

• Lighting is an important complement to highlight some areas. Dramatic lighting usually creates the most amazing atmosphere.

• A large window will allow the flow of natural light and provide a beautiful view of the garden.

• Decorate the fireplace.

• Invest in a beautiful painting or large mirror.

• Add exciting ideas and details in your living room. Place pictures, vases, and sculptures where they are best seen.

• Place a bouquet of fresh flowers on the coffee table.

It’s always a good idea to invest in more timeless vases, sculptures and lamps. Fashion trends are expensive and don’t last long. Plan ahead before spending money on paint or light fixtures.

The living room is the most popular area in a house. You have to be comfortable with the ideas as you will most likely be spending a lot of time in the room. Try to stay in touch with the style that you would like in the living room.

If you plan to sell your home, make improvements before it goes on the market or before the real estate agent arrives. Try not to leave evidence that you are busy fixing broken windows or tiles. A potential buyer may not be able to envision what the home will look like once it’s finished.

How is your house from outside? Remove clutter from the yard. If your driveway is cracked, now is the time to fix it. Make sure all the windows are sparkling clean and don’t forget the walls. Is your front door clean or does it need a coat of paint or wood protection?

First impressions are important, and the potential buyer will ring the doorbell and have time to look around. It’s a good idea to make sure all exterior lights are working, as the buyer can come and view the home after hours. If there is a pool, it must be spotlessly clean.

When the buyer enters the house, you want the person to see a clean and tidy interior. Make sure carpets and floors are spotless. Messy things should be removed. It is important that your home smells fresh and clean. Bad smells will definitely kill the deal.

Messy rooms appear smaller. Remove all the clutter in the bedrooms. Make sure closets are organized and clean. Clean your kitchen from top to bottom. All appliances must be sparkling clean. Clean your bathrooms, scrub sinks, bathtubs and toilets. Clean mirrors, cabinet handles, and light switch plates.

Some sellers forget to clean the bases and garages. Use cleaning solutions to remove stains from the floor. Once he’s cleared all the clutter, he’s washed and cleaned her house from top to bottom and inside out, her house is ready for the show.