2012 ~ Trend Home Renovations

Enjoy the Comforts of Home With Portable Toilet Hire on Your House Renovation

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A Cheap Way to Keep Up With Bathroom Trends

When it comes to bathrooms, the majority will probably think easy-clean surfaces made of plastic, wood or stone, but it could be fun to pair these necessary items with some textured articles.

This is an emerging trend for 2011 and is all about "playful fun and experimentation", which may appeal to some homeowners about to update their bathroom suites.

It can be tricky to balance hard and soft materials in spaces where there are lots of angles and cold surfaces, but blinds and towels could be brought in to add points of interest in this regard.

Experiment with texture to give your bathroom a welcoming and warm feel. Combine different accessories and furnishings for a fresh, modern and tactile style that will make your bathroom feel more homely.

However, Melissa O'Connor of the Rockville Centre Patch believes colour to be the most important element of any renovation project, as shades can be seen as an extension of personality and emotion should be considered when deciding on varying hues.

Some might be put off by the idea of complete home renovations at a time when money could be tight, but investing in bathroom accessories may be one way of updating a space without spending too much cash.

Tim Bitterman of US-based Creative Specialties International told Kitchen and Bath Design News this is called "remodelling-lite", with the publication noting that bathroom furniture can provide increased storage, greater ease of use and improved safety.

Remember that design trends are continuing to evolve. Installing bathroom accessories and hardware is a "great way" of updating the feel of a space, as well as creating a more coordinated and fashionable look.

Similarly, Jeremy Vest of US-based DirectBuy recently noted that the beauty of these simple bathroom upgrades is that people do not have to be particularly good at DIY to get the job done.

Mexico Homes - Renovate to Make Money

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Top 5 Home Based Franchise Opportunities Revealed

When one thinks of a franchise business, it seems the usual suspects automatically fill the mind, such as Subway, Pizza Hut, and of course, that "McBurger" place. However, as a franchise consultant, many of the candidates I talk to have zero interest in that particular business model. Recently, the trend I am seeing is one that offers flexibility, limited and controlled hours, and businesses that offer lots of family time. Oh, and something that doesn't require a million dollars up front. Home-based franchises are very sought after these days. The question then becomes: are there really such franchises available that offer the above?

The simple answer is "yes". There are plenty of those types of opportunities out there in various categories. Once you have decided to pursue a franchise that is home-based, you need to become crystal clear on the other elements that your business must possess before you can effectively choose the perfect one for you, and my job is to assist you in clarifying this.

Below are 5 hot franchise businesses that are home-based.

Handyman and Remodeling. As we all know, the housing market isn't great right now. Increasingly, homeowners are choosing to remodel or expand their current home, so if you're familiar with, involved in, or passionate about the building and remodeling industry, there are several great opportunities available in this field that you should consider. Some require extensive construction experience. However, with others, your role would be that of sales and marketing, so the actual labor is performed by contractors you work closely with.

Direct Marketing. Perhaps you have a special talent and a passion for marketing. You could run your own local marketing consulting company out of your home office. Your role would be to help local businesses succeed by providing integrated direct mail, online and mobile marketing solutions that help business owners target and retain more of the right customers.

Home Improvement. Maybe you would enjoy making sales presentations to homeowners looking to replace their worn carpeting or to upgrade their window coverings. The Home Improvement market is huge and continues to grow, with Americans spending more money on remodeling, renovating and decorating than ever before. You can run this business easily from your home, using a specialized van as your "marketing showcase on wheels". In many cases, this franchise category requires little if any experience, minimal staff, and a quick ramp up to profit. Not to mention a low investment requirement.

Pet Care. Do you love pets? Did you know that there are some fantastic pet franchises that you can operate from a home office, like pet cleaning and grooming, as well as dog training?

Automotive and Tools. Perhaps you are mechanically inclined or love automobiles. You could operate a mobile vehicle detailing franchise, where you would make "house" calls at local professional businesses to clean cars. Or maybe you know tools like Warren Buffet knows investing. How about a business to business tool franchise where you market specialized tools to automotive repair shops and professional technicians.

You get the idea. There are numerous, well-established, successful franchise opportunities that cater to those individuals that want to operate their business from the comfort of their home office. A knowledgeable franchise consultant can work with you in identifying the specific criteria you are looking for in your perfect business.

Home Decor Tips - Cool Summer Home Renovation Tips

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Business to Do From Home - 6 Practical Home Businesses

It can be difficult to find a practical business to do from home. You have to keep in mind that it's basically impossible to just "make money in your sleep" or have a "magic money making machine". With that in mind, you can have the potential though to be highly successful with these 6 business ventures.

1) Home Remodeling Services
Home remodeling services have become very popular recently, and this trend still seems to remain steady. As people get older the need for home renovations will increase to make homes more comfortable and livable

2) Pet-Based Products
There is hardly anything a zealous pet owner wouldn't buy for their pet. If you can create a unique product that you can make from your home you will have a golden business opportunity in your hands. Anything from designer collars and carrying bags to organic dog and cat foods are all great ideas.

3) Catering Service
The use of caterers has increased dramatically. They are not just used for weddings and other special occasions. Career couples use them for a many social occasions as well as many busy families that feel the need for a change up from the cost both monetary and health of in some cases daily intake of fast food. So if you believe that you can throw down in the kitchen this can be an option for you.

4) Cleaning Service
There is a high demand for cleaning services and this trend will only increase. If you have great organizational skills and are comfortable with the thought of leading and running a crew, you will be landing in a gold mine.

5) Wedding Consultant /Planner Service
People are still getting married. In 2009, 6.8 people per 1,000 married in the United States, meaning there were 2,080,000 marriages. This is only in the traditional sense. With gay marriages becoming more and more acceptable there are even more opportunities for wedding related businesses. If you have great planning skills and attention for details become a wedding planner. It might be just the venture you're looking for.

6) In-Home Beauty Services
This home venture combines two trends; the passionate demand for services that make people look and feel better and younger and the growing need to have those services delivered. Think about there are multiple opportunities in this field from hair stylist to massage therapist the service that you can offer is endless.

Easy Loans For Home Renovation

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Exciting and Innovative Ideas For a New and Fresh Kitchen Design

Since most families spend a majority of their home time in the kitchen, it is no wonder that kitchen remodel projects are often the most popular home renovations. Who wouldn't like the idea of a brand new kitchen? Our kitchens are where we spend countless hours cooking, relaxing and socializing. All these things are less likely or as enjoyable in a dark, depressing and out-dated kitchen.

Your home's kitchen remodel project is often one of the more expensive areas to maintain, update and install, which is why you want everything to be done right. Remodeling a kitchen, one which will be efficient, beautiful, and adequate, takes more than throwing a lot of money around. It also needs time imagination and the right design ideas.

Clearly there are a few different ways to decorate your kitchen. Most people I speak with have so many different ideas that they never know where to begin. They also love the idea of doing these decorating projects on their own after finding some inspiration from home improvement shows or reading about how easy it can be to implement soapstone as in a soapstone counter from reading about it in decorating magazines.

One popular trend is to create open spaces so that your kitchen area is an integral part of your living area. An open kitchen is great for permitting everyone to hang out while the food is still being cooked on your new soapstone stoves, or while the kids are working on their homework at the kitchen table. When you look out from your kitchen area as you work on your soapstone countertop, isn't it nice to see your living area, or maybe a glimpse of the dining room?

Another possibility is to install a kitchen island made from soapstone. The trend of kitchens islands is becoming more and more functional in modern kitchens. Some are eating islands with bar stools, while others are functional cooking islands with a stove top. If you can design a kitchen with a soapstone island in mind your home benefits from not only a beautiful design, but also a convenient work area providing much needed extra space.

Finally, add some vibrant colors to the mix. Some of the bolder home decorators are bringing color to their kitchen appliances. It began years ago with rainbow hues and more recently, can be found on refrigerators, ovens, blenders, and even soapstone stoves. This unique blend of colors on appliances and soapstone counters which used to be white, beige, or steel, is bringing added life and excitement to the new center of the house. A purple refrigerator, a grayish hued soapstone counter, or even cheerfully yellow cabinets can give your kitchen that extra wow factor.

Home Improvement: Growing Remodeling Trends for Homeowners

When homeowners enjoy the current location of their home, but wish to add more features or make changes to reflect their styles and preferences, often times they take the home remodeling route. This involves building on additions to the home or tearing down and rebuilding specific areas of a home, such as a kitchen or bathroom, in order to have its layout better suit the homeowner's taste. There are a couple of trends that are starting to become more prevalent in the home remodeling field; trends that homeowners might start paying more attention to and start making a part of their own homes in the near future.

The environment is becoming more of a focus in terms of traditional energy usage and the carbon footprint that homeowners are putting off. Many of these same homeowners are now seeing the potential value in what is called green remodeling; the process of replacing or rebuilding certain parts of the home in order to make them more eco-friendly. If these renovations are able to reduce traditional energy usage, they can sometimes pay for themselves after a few years. Likewise, they can also increase the value of your home to potential buyers who prefer homes with built-in green functionality as opposed to those that don't have it.

Another type of remodeling that is beginning to pick up steam is called age in place remodeling. This aims to remodel an existing home so that an older adult -- one who might otherwise make a move into an assisted living facility -- can continue living in their own home. Projects like replacing a tub with a walk-in shower, or installing wheelchair ramps in the place of stairs can fall under the category of age in place remodeling. These types of renovations are also useful if you have a living situation where older extended family members share a home with you.

And, of course, no discussion about remodeling projects is complete without mentioning bathroom and kitchen renovation projects. These projects have always been fairly popular, and they continue to grow. Kitchen projects like new countertop installations, or projects that make the floorplan more open can help add to your kitchen's look or make it feel less cramped. Bathroom projects can be taken a number of different directions; you could change out the type of bath or shower, expand the area of your bathroom, or even add features to make it more of a spa environment than a traditional bathroom. The sky's the limit.

Keep these remodeling projects in mind the next time you're thinking about renovating your home. Not only will they add to your quality of living, they can also increase your home's value to potential buyers in the future.

Shawn Farner independently authors articles for WebDrafter.com, Inc. SEM clients like Twin Cities remodeling company Integrity Exteriors & Remodelers. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author only, and not those of any other person, company, or organization. No guarantee or warranty, express or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, fitness, or use of the content herein.

2011 Top Trends in Home Renovations

Home renovations always seem to lead in one direction or another each year. What was hot and trending last year is no longer the norm this year and probably is not the following year, either. While trends do come and go, money is spent each year in different areas of the home and as homeowner, it pays to keep up with these trends.

You can use them to help build a bigger return on your investment of property by updating and renovating your home. This is how you can keep all the rooms and areas of your home looking great, while also keeping up the value of your property.

The top trends for 2011 have been projected to be smaller projects that are more necessary in nature rather than working on large-scale renovations.

Here are some 2011 Top Trends in Home Renovations

Bathrooms - The bathroom is a much quicker and less expensive renovation than other rooms in the house, in most cases. Renovating the bathroom can be as simple as putting in new tiling and flooring. The return on the investment can be much more than the cost of time and materials particularly if it is a DIY project instead of using a contractor.

Warmer Tones - It is has been very popular to be minimalist and to use whites and clean looks for homes. The new trend is moving away from that outlook and home interiors are becoming warmer. Instead of black and white floor tiles, warm tones of oranges and browns are taking their place. Carpeting is also becoming warmer along with painting and other upgrades and renovations. Simply switching out the flooring is a great return on the investment as buyers are looking for these warmer tones when they are considering their choice of home.

Immediate Repairs - If a home has repairs that are needed, they should be taken care of before renovating a room that does not have any issues. Simply fixing a leaking roof or replacing a cracked driveway can add thousands to the value of a home and are repairs that absolutely must be completed. These types of renovations are not as cosmetic as others but need to be completed nonetheless.

Create One Space - One of hottest trends this year is creating one large living space out of two or three smaller spaces. If the home has a small kitchen, living room and dining room, knock out the walls and create one large space that has a flow to it. This can also work in the bedroom that has an adjoining bathroom. Create a larger area by opening up the bathroom and only enclosing the toilet. Put in a Jacuzzi tub and an enclosed shower and you have more space and larger fixtures. This renovation also has a great return on investment and adds a great deal of value to the home.

The Green Theme - This is a trend that is continuing and getting more and more popular. Anyone who wants the best investment percentage and the highest return on their investment in their renovations is "going green". This means uses sustainable materials such as bamboo for flooring, water collectors for collecting rainwater for gardening and tri pane windows. Any type of energy saving renovation does increase the value of a home by a great deal. Some are more costly than others, but if a homeowner starts with small projects, in no time at all they can have a home that is worth much more and is much better for the environment.

Home renovations follow trends just as any other industry and the savvy homeowner knows that they need to stay on top of these trends if they want to increase the value of their house. Simply changing flooring colors or replacing a leaking roof can add thousands to the value of it. Do an assessment of your home today to see what types of changes you might make in keeping with the 2011 home renovation trends as well.

Lisa Mason is a freelance writer with a specialty in Internet content and SEO articles and the author of How to Earn a Living Writing for the Internet. She has written thousands of articles, hundreds of ebooks and thousands of website pages and related content in more than 10 years as a professional writer.

Modern Home Remodeling Trends

Times are changing and more and more people are now requesting modern home remodeling styles. Most of those interested in modern home remodeling trends have similar interests, a simple, uncluttered and functional style with clean lines. The sudden popularity of modern styles in San Diego is brought about by the ease of relaxation in this kind of environment. If you are interested in a modern home remodeling style you will find many contractors who are will to take your project. This is because the style allows for the introduction of interesting features and creation of unique living spaces. Some of the major trends in modern home remodels include;

Fire glass
Contemporary designs in San Diego involve the creation of a focal point within the house. The fireplace is the best choice if you want to create a focal point in the house. Builders normally use large tiles and solid materials such as Cesar stone. However, fire glass is overtaking these two since it can cover natural gas burners. A good application for this would be a fireplace that forgoes the mantle and instead incorporates a pure wall of tiles. The hearth can be made from Cesar stone in a solid quartz surface. A mound of sparkling fire glass should be installed over H burners which produce soot free flames. The glass will get hot and radiate the warmth throughout the house.

Stainless steel
Stainless has gained a lot of use in many contemporary home remodels. One of the uses is stainless steel wire railings. The railings are made from tensioned steel instead of normal wood balusters. This assists in giving the home a modern high-tech touch. These are perfects especially on decks to preserve the view. Stainless steel is also used in remodel finishing. For instance stainless steel cabinet handles. These help to complement the style of the bathroom or kitchen. It also gives the room a clean fresh look since stainless steel is normally associated with being clean. The advantage of such handles is that they are perfect even for a traditionally styled kitchen. Stainless steel is also used to make kitchen tiles which give an instant appeal to your kitchen remodeling efforts. Making use of stainless steel in remodeling has caught the attention of San Diego.

Small elements
Apart from specific materials such as steel, modern home remodeling trends focus mostly on the small elements in the home. Even in cases of major remodels, small elements play a big role. Traditional house or kitchen remodeling styles usually concentrated on large pieces such as furniture. However this has proved hard to sustain in the long-term hence the sudden shift to small elements. Modern designers also realized that all their hard work may be ruined by the small details.

Apart from the professionals, homeowners carrying out their own DIY projects find the small elements useful since they do not require major tools or consume a lot of time to install. These elements are also cheap but have a big impact. Some of these elements include steel cabinet handles discussed earlier, lampshades and contemporary flower vases among other items. So if you were wondering what modern home remodeling trends involve you should realize that simplicity and attention to detail are the key factors.

New Home Remodeling Trends for 2012 and Beyond

The economic cold has shifted the home remodeling market from the extravagant and excessive to the practical and moderate. Homeowners used to demand grand foyer entrances and niches for displaying sculptural artwork. Now they are settling for spaces designed to accommodate sports equipment, schoolwork, or computers. Value and need are now driving the housing market and can be seen in the following home remodeling trends.

Drop Zones/ Mud Rooms - Most families enter and exit their homes through the garage so a mud room serves as a drop zone for "decluttering". These rooms are often small, sometimes only 10'x10' and can be combined with the laundry room. A drop zone contains cubbies for mail, hooks for backpacks, or a closet for winter clothing. This makes it easy for a family to keep organized during times of the days when kids are getting ready for school, when it's time to do homework, or a place to keep bills in line.

Open Family Rooms - A popular home trend for many years was the formal living room. This was often a room that was used very little, maybe just for the holidays if at all. Now homeowners view the formal living room as wasted space. The functional response is to create an open family room. An open family room will typically combine the kitchen, living room, and dining room. Spaces are often separated with furniture instead of walls. One room instead of many also has a positive effect on energy consumption, requiring less heat or A/C.

Lifestyle Center - Computers have become a household item, and it's not uncommon to place one in the kitchen. A lifestyle center is a place for kids to do homework, while mom or dad can make sure they aren't playing on the internet. It can also be used as a place to work from home and pay bills. Combing these functions into one area adjacent the kitchen, reduces the need for a formal office.

Large/Steam Showers - Soaking tubs used to be a must have for homeowners remodeling their bathroom. However, this was mainly a decorative piece for show and rarely used. Homeowners remodeling their bathroom now focus their budget on a larger and more comfortable shower. Steam showers have risen in popularity because they can be justified for their therapeutic effects. In addition to making a shower more comfortable, it's also common to see a shower with large benches and handle grip bars, making it easier for elderly to shower. This is a sign that more families are moving in together and may need to make accommodations for grandparents.

Outdoor Living Spaces - Builders are increasingly adding patio sliding doors with access to an outdoor patio. This creates an indoor/outdoor space that can make the house feel larger and serve as a secondary dining room. This can come in handy if the house is feeling a bit over crowded, especially in the great room where everyone congregates during peak hours.

At face value, these trends seem like a downgrade from the lavish lifestyles during the economic boom of the mid 2000s, but the recent downturn has forced all of us to reassess what is necessary and what is not.

A reassessment of values have created energy efficient homes that use less heat in the winter and A/C in the summer; open family rooms with enough space for generations of family to congregate; rooms that accommodate grandparents that might otherwise only visit during the holidays. Homes may appear to be downgrading in response to a harsh economic climate, but the recent remodeling trends show homes with an emphasis on family. Value and need have been driving the housing market, and would seem homeowners are finding value and need in family.

Rob Pankow is the owner of Pankow Construction, a leading Phoenix Home Remodeling Contractor. Pankow Construction has completed over 100 home remodeling projects around the Phoenix Valley since its inception in 2000.

Top Home Remodeling Trends

For many homeowners, remodeling offers a chance to improve their lifestyle. From bigger bathrooms and kitchens to greener living spaces, here are some of the latest trends in home remodeling and design options.

Lavishly expanded bathrooms. Master bathrooms are becoming an in-home oasis where people can go to and relax. Standard showerheads are being replaced with oversized rain showerheads, and those with the funds to do so are equipping showers with body sprays, steam showers, solid surface shower walls, and heated tile floors. Concrete flooring is additionally on the rise due to its reasonable cost. Stained concrete maximizes in-floor radiant heat and is a durable, easy-to-clean flooring solution that can refresh and update an entire look.

Larger, more functional kitchens. The kitchen is no longer just a place to prepare and eat meals. Today, it is also a place for gathering, doing homework and crafts, paying bills, and more. Kitchen remodels have expanded to include the addition of computer desks, comfortable seating areas, fireplaces, and huge islands. More and more mid-priced homes are opting for commercial-grade stainless steel appliances, and Viking stoves and Sub-Zero refrigerators are no longer only to be found in high-end homes. When it comes to cabinetry, maple and hickory are neck and neck with cherry wood in popularity, and the simple, sleek lines of Mission, Asian, and Shaker design can be found throughout the kitchen. Darker finishes are also a frequent choice for cabinets, with black and merlot the most popular.

Going green. The clunky solar panels of twenty years ago have been replaced by sleek integrated solar power systems that are capable of handling all the power needs of a house. More homeowners are looking to solar technology as a viable option, and it is even being integrated into the design of new homes. Some entire communities are cropping up with solar power as an available upgrade, and home remodelers can also add it easily. Sustainable living is proving to more than pay for itself, which makes it an even more desirable option for homeowners.

Neutral, down-to-earth colors. As homeowners continue to look to their homes as a place of refuge, natural and muted earth shades are being used in the home, making an appearance on walls, floors, and even cabinetry. Soft green tones, such as sage, have recently become a popular choice, particularly as an accent color on kitchen cabinets. The days of highly polished granite or porcelain tile are over, and flooring and countertop choices are also muted. In their place, soapstone and honed granite, as well as quartz countertops with matte finishes, are quickly becoming the standard choice of homeowners.

Decked out laundry rooms. The days of having an isolated laundry room in the basement are over as well. Filled with color and the best appliances, laundry rooms are becoming something of a status symbol. Families are spending more time in these larger laundry areas, doing more than just washing, drying and ironing. This room is now a place for completing messy chores, crafts, and gardening projects.

These are just five of the many hot trends in home remodeling. Before you begin any project in which you are unsure of where to start, don't hesitate to call a professional to give you design tips and construction management services.

The Five Most Popular Trailer Home Renovations For The Kitchen

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Home Remodeling Is Still Big Business in a Shaky Economy

Driven by a continuous slide in home prices, consumers are reevaluating and redesigning their living spaces for the long haul, and with more than 20% of mortgages still underwater and foreclosures still plaguing many housing markets across America, the "long haul" could be a while.

So what does this mean for general contractors and remodeling professionals? According to a recent survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), home renovation projects are up from a similar survey conducted in 2010, with nearly 50% of the contractors surveyed seeing an increase in the number of home owners who undertake remodels to avoid moving. Bath and kitchen remodeling projects jumped 17% from two years ago, with bathroom taking the lead as the most common job reported by remodelers, followed by kitchen remodels. In addition, other popular remodeling categories included window and door replacements (44%), whole house remodels (35%), room additions (33%) and handyman services (31%).

And in February, the NAHB stated that the residential remodeling market will continue to experience measured growth in 2012 after the Remodeling Market Index (RMI) rose to a five year-high at the end of 2011. These numbers probably give a good indication that Americans may be inclined to spend some money on sprucing up their current homes while they ride out the sluggish housing market. And while average folks are hunkering down, well funded investors are out in full force, securing low priced deals on foreclosed properties to answer the demand of a rising renter's market.

From kitchen cabinets to bathroom vanities to flooring to appliances, it seems that this remodeling trend is breathing new life into old homes. In 2010, the remodeling industry saw Americans spend $116 billion on improvements to owner-occupied units, and if the recent NAHB survey is any indication, the home remodeling industry should see another banner year as consumers invest in renovations and remodeling again. Finally, beyond an improvement in the U.S. housing market, other key factors that should drive remodeling expenditures over the next few years will be a rapidly aging housing stock, particularly due to a lack of new construction starts throughout the housing crisis, as well as an increasing interest in improving home efficiency and green remodeling.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members, and is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for this year.

All About Home Renovations

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New Remodeling Trends For 2011

Interior architecture and design is a continually evolving industry. Just like fashion, we can't help but notice the ever-changing design trends of the season particularly when magazines, newspapers and television shows keep us abreast as to what's hot and what's not from one year to the next. Technological advancements together with popular culture tend to set the stage for these new trends in the home design industry. Implementing every newest craze into your home renovation or design project isn't what's important - the goal is to incorporate those trends that have the staying power and that become the new lifestyle standard without ever appearing dated.

Whether you're building a new home, renovating a charmer, or adding some extra space, homes are becoming smarter, smaller (than the Mc Mansions of years past) and simpler. Easy maintenance, high quality materials and integral smart systems make for an easy transition for the changing family. In many instances homeowners are adding some extra space in order to meet the needs of aging parents (or for themselves "aging in place") and re-designing their home's overall layout by incorporating subtle Universal Design principles. Creating more open and flexible floor plans with wider doorways, main floor master suites, and user-friendly kitchens and baths are becoming increasingly important to the Baby Boomers.

Kitchens are the core and heart of the home. And the truth of the matter is according to a recent survey conducted by General Electric 60% of homeowners are eating out less and spending more time dining at home - and more than half of them are actually cooking six to ten meals per week for friends and family. This speaks to the overwhelming trend in creating the entertainer's kitchen that is well designed, impeccably detailed and beautifully appointed. So if you're one of those serial entertainers and are planning a kitchen renovation, then its time to transform your kitchen into the hottest new restaurant in town!

The current scene is definitely green. You can go all the way and completely reduce your carbon footprint or simply introduce energy-efficient windows, lighting, appliances and tank-less water heaters in your home renovation project. Utilizing recycled and sustainable products has never been easier to incorporate into your home remodeling plans. Keep in mind that the green scene is here to stay and eco-friendly homes are important to Baby Boomers and GenXers alike.

This is a new era in the home building and renovation industry. Keeping abreast of the home renovation and design trends and incorporating these new standards into your project - will keep your home in good standing should you ever decide to sell.

2011 Top Trends in Home Renovations

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Home Renovation Trends - Extensions

Those who are thinking about changing things up inside their homes will want to know about the most popular and recent home renovation trends. These days a lot of people are starting to remodel their bathrooms and if the tiles in this room of your home are beginning to look old and outdated, you will definitely want to think about tearing them out in favor of something new. There are certainly a lot of options to review and it will be important to make sure that you do everything in your power to make this area of your home look as beautiful as possible, so guests will notice as soon as they walk in.

Modern home renovation trends are starting to be characterized by necessity; in other words people are only renovating what they have to. If your roof is in bad condition and there are numerous spots where water drips through when it rains, it is probably time to call a good contractor. There are lots of different options for those who are taking on this kind of huge home renovation project and it is important to hire the right people in order to stay within your budget while getting the services you need.

People who have pools in their backyards with a deck that is starting to look old and unstable will need to consider having it fixed up or replaced altogether. The amount of work that you will need to do on your deck will of course depend on the overall condition of it, though it is always good to do as little work as necessary while still making it look good. The less work you have done on it by others, the more money you will end up saving overall.

If it is time to put in new flooring for your home, you may want to consider bamboo. As far as modern home renovation trends are concerned, bamboo flooring is definitely in right now. There is no doubt that this type of flooring is both durable and great-looking, so you will be able to get everything you need from it. Those who need new flooring in their kitchen or living room will certainly want to consider this option, because it is one that will be able to save you quite a bit of money with regards to floor repair and replacement in the future.

There are actually a lot of very simple remodeling tips which homeowners can follow in order to transform any space in their house without having to spend a ton of money. In the bathroom area of the home, not much needs to be done. This is by far one of the cheapest areas of any home to renovate and it usually involves new flooring, a new sink, and perhaps some wall decorations to lend aesthetic appeal to this space. In the end you will not need to spend a ton of money to renovate a certain space in your home and make it look beautiful.

Using a Home Renovation Consultant

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Who Does Your Home Improvements?

A recent survey looked at who did the home improvement projects around the house. A very popular media service known as Arbitron carried out this research and came up with some interesting results.

About 49% of adults have actually made home improvements within the past year. It also came to the conclusion that people living in smaller towns are much more likely to spend money on DIY improvements than those in large cities.

The city where DIY was most popular was in Harrisburg, Penn. In this town over 59% of the population started their own home renovation project within the last year. In buffalo, NY 56% of the population carried out some form of DIY project on their own home.

Other markets which where DIY was popular included Atlanta, Syracuse NY, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Detroit, Flint MI and Rochester NY. Each of these markets has had over half of the population carry out some form of DIY project within the past year.

On the other end of the scale, people living in Honolulu were the least likely to do any DIY projects, only 37% spent any time improving their homes within the past year. Other large cities did less DIY than average, including New York 48%, Chicago 46%, Miami 45%, Las Vegas 40%, and San Diego 42%.

These surveys have suggested that there are quite a few useful opportunities which companies could use when promoting their products.

The study also indicated that there were certain types of home improvement projects which were much more popular than other types. 25% of people carrying out home improvement projects decorated their homes with wallpaper, or landscaped their garden. 2% of people installed a home security system and only 1% installed a pool to their homes. You can see that there are big trends in the types of project which want to be undertaken.

Small projects are becoming increasingly popular, however people are becoming more likely to spend more money when improving their homes. 36% of people renovating their homes spent over $3,000 which is an increase of 6% since 1999.

46% of people that started home improvement projects are middle aged. 63% of these are married, and 55% of people doing DIY projects earn more than $50,000 a year.

Other interesting facts from the report:

- Users of the internet are much more likely to improve their home. Many people who use the internet to buy products and seek advice are more likely to carry out DIY.

- Half of the people surveyed remodeled their kitchens by themselves. Four percent of people paid someone to do some of the work for them. Other popular DIY projects included wallpapering, bathroom remodeling, and landscaping. Popular paid projects where professionals were used included installing a home security system, air conditioning and carpets.

- If you listen to classical music, new country or sports radio then you are 14% more likely to do home improvement projects.

Home Renovation Trends - Extensions

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A Successful Kitchen Remodel - It's All in the Bones

If you've ever shopped for antique furniture or an old home, you've probably been asked the question, Does it have "good bones"? This expression is similar to the age-old adage "Don't judge a book by its cover." What it means is that if the foundation of a structure is good to start with, you can easily spiff it up to its original brilliance so that it lasts a lifetime. But like all good things, you must start with a solid core. The same can be said of your kitchen when you're tackling a remodel, which was the premise behind a recent "Chicago Tribune" article titled, "Nate's Approach: Build good bones." The Nate of which the article speaks? None other than Oprah regular, interior designer Nate Berkus.

Subtitled "How to design a timeless, classic kitchen," the story offered an ingredient list and a few style pointers for a kitchen remodel that never goes out of style. Before diving into Berkus's suggestions, however, the article pointed to "Remodeling" magazine's annual "Cost vs. Value Report," to pinpoint the price of a major kitchen remodel in 2008-2009 at a whopping $56,661. Faced with a price tag like that, you're going to want to make sure your kitchen remodeling efforts are ones that will endure the test of time.

"Ideally, it [your kitchen remodel] should look as sharp and attractive in a couple decades as it does the day the renovation crew clocks out," the article stresses. But how do your accomplish this formidable feat? Here is Berkus's main piece of advice: From the get-go, give your kitchen "beautiful bone structure."

Short of ripping your home apart and starting new or adding on, there are parts of your house that are not going to change. "The entire Berkus team consider flooring and other unchanging materials "the bones" of a house, and they consider it their job to build bones that are timeless."

In Berkus's opinion, what do timeless bones consist of?
1. White or red oak flooring for its sturdiness and ability to age gracefully.
2. Marble on the countertops
3. Shaker-style cabinetry, which has avoided trends and managed to endure almost forever while still remaining classic
4. Glassed-in upper cabinets, "which bring a lighter quality to the room"
5. A tiled backsplash
6. White and gray paint
7. Polished nickel hardware
8. Stainless appliances

"With these [elements] as the foundation, Berkus and his team contend, homeowners can shake things up down the road by manipulating less permanent details, such as chair cushions, window treatments and accessories," the article concludes.

Now the challenge remains in finding and bringing all of these elements together into a kitchen remodel that will never go out of style. An online kitchen supercenter can provide you with kitchen remodeling ideas and links to manufacturers for Armstrong hardwood flooring, DuPont countertops, KraftMaid cabinetry, Florida Tile, Behr premium paint, Liberty Hardware and GE appliances all in one convenient place. By browsing its showcase of designs, tips and insight, you can plan your goals, measure your space properly, plan your storage and manage your overall remodel.

New Remodeling Trends For 2011

Apart from the ease of online Florida auto insurance quotes, you'll also receive lower rates than if you buy elsewhere. Why this is the case is beyond the scope of this article.

What Should You Do Before Renovating Your House?

Before you get contractors to work on your residence, think your renovation plan through. Getting your house renovated is a great thing! You can have a rock garden as you always dreamed and extended storage place which you always needed, possibly also a large garage to park the extra cars whenever you throw a party for friends! However, you need to be informed before embarking on the difficult task of renovating your house. Before picking out a home renovation book or watching a video, talk to friends and people who have recently had their houses renovated. Remember the saying: measure twice, cut once.

The contractors that you will hire will do the job as required but you need to develop a flawless renovation plan because mistakes once done cannot be fixed or are mostly expensive to fix.

Consider the following questions before going for renovations:

Is your home renovation practical?

Maintenance renovation is not a choice. You have to do it for the safety of your family. It also protects your investment.

According to experts, practicality and not luxury is in, these days. This means bidding adieu to a top-of-the line kitchen and bathroom remodeling and getting improvements that are functional. You can renovate almost any part of your house but bathroom and kitchen renovations will pay you back the most when you are selling your house.

Another trend big in market these days is to go 'green'. Insulation, energy efficient lighting and water-saving fixtures save money in the long run.

Is it worth your money?

No doubt you will save by renovating and making your home greener. However, do consider payback of the renovations you are undertaking.

According to the 2006 figures of Appraisal Institute of Canada, bathroom and kitchen renovations give the highest payback of 75- 100%, meaning they increase resale value and appeal of the house. Next are exterior and interior painting, both with paybacks of 50-100%.

Is renovation adaptable?

Flexhousing brings flexibility and practicality in your house such that you can re-use a room as your needs change over the years. For instance, you could convert a large room into two smaller ones and convert the basement into a rental suite.

Is it healthy?

Choose an energy efficient design making the most of natural light. Choose products made with recycled content such as salvaged lumber. Building material should not give off toxic gases when used in construction and should involve minimum waste.

Fitted Kitchens and Your Home Renovations

Apart from the ease of online Florida auto insurance quotes, you'll also receive lower rates than if you buy elsewhere. Why this is the case is beyond the scope of this article.

Custom Home Remodeling Increasing In Popularity

With home prices increasing and mortgage rates rising, many homeowners are opting to turn their current home into the home of their dreams through custom home remodeling.

The National Home Builders Association reports that approximately $280 billion was spent on home renovations in 20051. This amount is expected to continue to rise due to the concern for homeowners to add value to their existing home along with their desire to modernize their home. A custom remodel allows the homeowners to reflect their own style and individual tastes - from integrating a theme to using unique styling and colors.

Two of the most popular custom projects consist of kitchen and bath remodels. These traditionally consist of incorporating a more luxurious look and feel to the existing rooms and may include adding custom products such as high-end tiling, fixtures or elements.

With the current trend in creating an "open" kitchen and living area for entertaining, comes the emphasis of creating specialty areas specifically designed for individual family needs. With added square footage to open up an area, along with stunning granite countertops throughout, custom cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances that are as beautiful as they are functional, homeowners can now created a modern kitchen that takes center stage and looks fit for a gourmet chef to cook in.

The increasing desire for homeowners to remodel their homes can also be attributed to the increased interest in adding value to an existing home. By incorporating additional square footage, you've not only transformed the living space but you've instantly increased your home's resale value. For example, a recent remodeling survey found a midrange remodel costing $10,499 would recoup 102.2% of its cost if the house sold within a year2.

Once you've made the decision to remodel, you'll need to contact an experienced and reputable, licensed general contractor. When considering hiring a general contractor, it's important to do your homework and thoroughly research your options. Your local homebuilder's association is an excellent source to find out information on local and established general contractors. Also, ask the contractor for customer references and contact these customers to find out what type of work the contractor did as well as their opinion of the contractor.

What do you look for when hiring a contractor? Hiring the right contractor is detrimental to your remodeling project's success. Below are some helpful tips to follow:

o Search for a contractor who specializes in the type of remodel job you are interested in.

o Find an experienced contractor who is established and has a presence within your community.

o It's important to find a contractor who communicates with you and shows enthusiasm about the opportunity.

Your home is one of your most precious and valuable assets.

Home Renovation and Remodeling

Apart from the ease of online Florida auto insurance quotes, you'll also receive lower rates than if you buy elsewhere. Why this is the case is beyond the scope of this article.

What's New and Hot in Kitchen Design Trends

Today's modern kitchen serves as a family hub of household activity and entertaining. They are now well lit, open places. The kitchen's size and design should address your family's lifestyle and how your kitchen is used for cooking, eating and entertaining. Since the kitchen is called on to fill more roles than any other room in the house they have had to increase in size as well. Today's kitchen design challenge is in creating an open-faced kitchen - one that's part of a dining area, family room or so-called great room.

Both the function and style of the modern kitchen play important roles when tackling a kitchen design or renovation project.
If you're remodeling an existing kitchen or planning a kitchen addition or a new home, here is some current kitchen design trends to keep in mind.

One of the more recent trends in modern kitchen design ideas is to make the kitchen part of a 'great room', that is to combine the kitchen with an adjacent family room. To create the great room the wall separating the kitchen and family room or dining room is completely removed creating a more open space centered by a spacious kitchen island or peninsula.

There are some definite advantages to expanding the kitchen. You can open up the space and in so doing you make both the kitchen and the other room look and feel more specious. Also since kitchen cabinetry, countertops and appliances are beautiful pieces of furniture in their own right you can now show off your new kitchen. Your remodeling costs won't really increase all that much by opening up the kitchen other than the cost of extra cabinetry. Anyway the added cost that would be put into this type of kitchen design would be more that offset by the increase in the value of your home.

Furniture-style cabinetry will continue to be a popular trend in kitchen design at least according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). These furniture-style cabinets are considered to be especially popular in the development of kitchen islands. Features that give cabinets a furniture-like appearance are legs or bun feet, corbals onlays and mouldings. Cabinet doors are made with solid hardwoods, the most popular being maple and cherry. As for finishes light and medium finishes continue to be popular, although kitchen designers and trendwatchers also see a growing interest in deep, rich browns as influenced by the furniture industry to some extent and to create a more formal look for the kitchen.

Cabinet manufacturers and kitchen designers are starting to design more individual and freestanding pieces of furniture instead of the usual built-in cabinetry for expanded 'great room' kitchens. This is known as the 'unfited' kitchen design first popularized by English designers and cabinetmakers. This also leads to another trend of incorporating features from heirloom quality furniture such as glazed, distressed and antique finishes.

Undermounted sinks in both cast iron and stainless steel are among recent changes in kitchen design because homeowners like the clean smooth look which blends with modern designs. The advantages of an undermounted sink are that it is functional, beautiful and very easy to install. The bowl is attached underneath a countertop. No sink rim shows above the countertop and there is no lip to collect water and catches dirt and crumbs. Instead debris is easily swept into the sink so that the counter can be cleaned faster.

Other recent trends in modern kitchen design include:

Countertops: Natural stone remains most popular countertop material with the most popular being granite. Limestone is another popular choice. Mixing different materials is becoming more common, using stone on some counters, butcher block or concrete on others.

Appliances: Commercial quality appliances are becoming popular particularly ranges, as are built in refrigerators and European style dishwashers. Warming drawers and convection microwave ovens that can be used as a second oven are also popular.

Putting pots and pans into drawers. With heavy-duty drawer glides one can put large, heavy pots in drawers instead of cupboards now.

Cabinet door thickness is likely to be 1 inch instead of 3/4 inch since this size is more considered as being of higher quality.

Glazed, distressed and antique finishes are being used more and more to replace traditional ornate details once used on many high-end cabinets.

Painted finishes now include colors as cranberry, white, off-white and oyster.

According to kitchen designers as today's kitchen expands in size and complexity, "mixed orders" are becoming more commonplace. Kitchen islands, wet bars, baking centers and butler's pantries are being incorporated into more and more kitchen designs creating the need for more contrasts-in cabinet styles, colors, types of wood and finishes.

5 Major Home Renovation Projects That Offer The Best Return On Investment

Apart from the ease of online Florida auto insurance quotes, you'll also receive lower rates than if you buy elsewhere. Why this is the case is beyond the scope of this article.

Why the Right Design is Important in Remodeling Projects

The right design is among the prime ingredients to achieving home improvement project success. A crucial product of the planning stage, failing to realize its importance would surely bring great frustrations and a waste of resources by the time the project takes shape. So if you are preparing on sprucing up your New York home or apartment, better know and avoid the common pitfalls. So whether you are in Manhattan, Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens or Staten Island; it pays to know why the right design is important and how it can truly benefit your remodeling project.

Here are the reasons why your remodeling project can't do without the right design:

Inject Your Personality into the Design

No matter the yearly trends when it comes to remodeling project designs, one thing has strongly influenced the trends throughout the recent decades and this is tending towards personalization of space. More and more homeowners are finding comfort in going home to a place that they can truly call theirs. The ambiance, the mood and the design in general can tell so much about the personality of the homeowner. A remodeling project can also be in one way a realization of dreams. Have your yard landscaped into a fairytale garden. Bring Egypt into your very own room. And the possibilities could be endless.

Complement

The right design makes your remodeling project complement the overall look and boost the appeal of your home. Though every room should have an interesting personality on its own that emanates with a sense of creativity and its true purpose, the homeowner still should be able to maintain that thread of harmony to make the home improvement finish feel like a part of the home.

Match Lifestyle

The right design will result to a home remodeling project finish that is ideal for the homeowner as well as the rest of the household. Childproofing measures should be implemented if there are small children in the house. Make the rooms and your entire home handicap-friendly for easy navigation if one of the family members has a disability. Finish the basement into a recreational area or home theatre for your young teens to enjoy with you and their group of friends. Enjoy weekend getaways without having to leave home by sprucing up the property. If you have a very busy lifestyle, integrate products and innovative storage to help make tidying things up easier.

Provide Solution

The right remodeling design is a way that any room could serve its purposes more efficiently and tasks designated in the area can be done in the most economical of ways. Like if you are undertaking a kitchen renovation, the result should bring ease in moving around so cooking and food preparation can be done by several people without getting in each other's way. Issues needing repair and areas or parts needing replacement should be first prioritized to make the home improvement finish last longer and offer more productivity. Common challenges that can be remedied by the right design include: insufficient space, outdated features and design, not enough storage and old home aspects that already does not meet safety requirements by local building codes.

Use Eco Friendly Furniture For Home Renovation

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How to Do a Bathroom Remodel Without Losing Your Shirt

The very best home remodel investment you possibly can make today would be to remodel your bath rooms. Of course there isn't any point spending money on bath remodels unless of course there is an authentic need for them. Perfect time to renovate your bathroom is if you find something actually wrong with it like it's in desperate demand for maintenance or is outdated.

Why are bath remodels are such a big investment? There can be numerous factors, but the foremost and most significant one is that the bathroom is just about the essential locations in any home.

The room that receives a substantial amount of use but sometimes very little decorating attention in most homes could be the bathroom. There are a lot very practical areas of that room, however there can certainly be style and flair put into that space to really make it more than just a utilitarian space. When contemplating doing a bit of bathroom renovation, the home owner might be a bit more extravagant utilizing selection of decor, because generally that living space is not as big as the various other areas in your house. The imported tiles and stones that could be way too expensive for a kitchen area could be quite affordable in the much smaller amounts that would be required for the bath space.

With the tight economic climate and proliferation of the DIY home improvement movement, lots of property owners considered handling the bathroom remodels by themselves. But these do-it-yourself types may want to pay attention to the shrewd recommendation of the local lady we shall call Linda. The woman's spouse Don was ready to smash up his shower by using a sledgehammer, Linda frantically scoured the phone book in an effort to call a localized Handyman Service to the rescue. Needless to say, the Handyman Service got there just in time. Don's ego was injured, however the professionally restored bathtub turned out beautifully. Some do-it-yourself jobs are straightforward, but bathroom remodels should be left to the professionals. Working with a Local plumber to take care of your bathroom project might appear to be the right action to take but then you would need a electrician, a tile setter, a carpenter, if you are considering altering anything. That's the place where a professional Handyman Service tend to make sense as they simply will ensure an outstanding job that is accomplished in a small fraction of the time which you could do it yourself.

Plumbing is an complex and important part of the normal daily functioning of a home. House owners who attempt to install their own toilets, sinks, showers, and baths may find themselves with botched jobs that creates them much issues and expense later on. Even a single water leak or flood can cost 1000s of dollars worth of damage to the home. It is much easier to prevent yourself from such disasters by having a experienced business take care of the installation of bathroom fixtures.

A owner of a house is likely concerned with the time period that it will require to carry out a bathroom remodel. Having a bathroom being such a fundamental piece of the home, it's not at all likely that the loved ones will relish having the bathroom out-of-service for weeks or several weeks on end. But a busy homeowner, likely working a full-time job including domestic obligations, isn't very likely to have a great deal of time to devote to a remodeling undertaking. Thus, a bathroom remodeling can certainly drag out for a long period of time, becoming a nuisance to all occupants of the residence. Just about the most well-organized strategy to handle a bathroom upgrade would be to employ the service of a specialist, who is going to finish the job in a fraction of the time.

In the long run, a job done correctly will prove to add value to your residence. An up to date, desirable bathroom will probably set the home apart when it reaches time for you to put it in the marketplace. That amount of money that you chose to invest in a professional upgrade is likely to come back your way when you're ready to put your house on the market.

A bath remodel project may be at a grand scale or at a lower scale. Let us assume you aren't planning to sell your home, but your bathroom nevertheless needs maintenance and new accessories? You will want to just make the necessary changes and save on money and effort and time. In case your bathroom requires a new vanity or a new toilet, then just put money into those things and your total bath remodeling expenses could be under $1000 or less.

Whatever the main reason for bath remodels, the very prospect of that is often exciting and interesting. From the Internet to the magazines and catalogs and from hoardings to the television, you simply need to browse around to come up with the most suitable bath remodeling ideas and get updated with the most recent trends. Nevertheless, when electing the scheme of things and products, make certain it is possible to mix the old with the new in a stylish method that helps integrates them alongside one another instead of making them stick out like a sore thumb.

Home Renovation Ideas That Pay Back

Apart from the ease of online Florida auto insurance quotes, you'll also receive lower rates than if you buy elsewhere. Why this is the case is beyond the scope of this article.

Working With Green Custom Home Builders

In most recent years, the buzzword that has gained much popularity and familiarity in the home building and construction industries is the term Green Building. Contrary to what others may think, the concept of green building is not entirely new and has been around since the early 1970s after a group of custom home builders and building designers formed an alliance focusing on energy and resources conservation in the building and construction industry.

Since then, the growing global concerns for slowly depleting resources and increasing environmental issues have triggered the world to focus once more on these green building initiatives. The trend continues to build up as more and more homeowners and investors are trying to incorporate green building elements into their projects. Contractors are now becoming Green Custom Home Builders while realtors are slowly changing the way they call themselves to Designated Green Agents.

Whether you are located up north in Alaska or anywhere near the Boston, Massachusetts area, homeowners are becoming more attracted in the prospect of renovating or remodeling their homes using green building principles to make them more energy-efficient and less expensive to maintain. What seems to be a fad during the early years has now become a necessary undertaking that even the US government will provide tax breaks to homeowners converting to green homes.

What are Green Custom Home Builders?

Custom home builders embracing green building methods are focusing in designs and building methods that will create an energy efficient and green environment for homes and buildings. Some of these methods include the following:

* Recycling of previous building materials during a home improvement or a home remodeling project. Depending on the extent and nature of the project, green custom home builders can utilize up to 90 percent of previous materials and turn them into something new.

* The creation of a living roof for a new or a remodeled structure. A living roof involves the use of real, live shrubs, trees, turf and other plants that will act as a water barrier and a better insulation for the roof.

* The use of innovative methods and systems for heating, cooling and lighting that will consume the least amount of electrical energy and other resources.

* Green custom home builders will also make use of alternative materials such as cotton, bamboo or wool which are more quickly renewing than synthetic materials. On top of this, the green home builder will opt to buy available materials locally in support of the economy.

Why Go Green?

The most important feature of green building methods is the use of methods and systems that will consume the least energy requirements. A green custom home builder takes this into serious consideration and will design and build homes that minimize consumption of these materials that would have the least negative effect on the natural environment.

Green homes are more environment-friendly and would be easier to sustain. Some of the methods used in green building maximizes reliance on renewable energy resources like wind, solar or water to make the home more sustainable, economical, safe for the environment, and healthier for the homeowner and his household. With the US government and private entities slowly adopting green building methods and techniques, this will eventually become the mainstream standard in the home building industry.

A majority of homeowners have the impression that go green would entail much cost and may be impractical to implement. Although the cost of materials and other green building elements are much higher than standard practices, the cost savings down the road would be much more beneficial for the homeowners in the long run. An extra initial investment at the start when building or renovating to green building techniques would eventually gain up to 10 times in savings later on.

Investing in home remodeling and renovation, while working with green custom home builders, can create a significantly positive effect not only for the environment but for the homeowner and his household's way of life as well.

Three Home Renovation Ideas You'll Want to Carry Out

Apart from the ease of online Florida auto insurance quotes, you'll also receive lower rates than if you buy elsewhere. Why this is the case is beyond the scope of this article.

Today's Bathroom Remodeling Trends and Fashions

Like pretty much any aesthetic product of society, bathrooms do follow certain stylistic trends which tend to change year after year. In these times, when the scientific and artistic oppression is no longer as much of a problem as it used to be, trends keep popping up practically every month, and each one tends to be more innovative than the last one. However great this may sound, it might actually pose a challenge for homeowners planning to renovate their bathrooms, since it doesn't really give them the time to catch up on the latest fashions.

It's probably obvious for most of you, but every homeowners wants his home to be customized and personalized according to his or her tastes. Because of the pride they take in their home, many people would rather spend a fortune on renovating and remodeling it instead of getting a new one. However, in these days when people swim a lot around the home sector, bathroom renovations are mostly done with the idea of increasing a house's value.

When comparing to the previous twenty years, bathrooms have actually more than tripled in size due to the recent focus on aesthetics and comfort rather than pure functionality. These days, cabinets infused with sinks are very popular, as well as radius cabinets which manage to add a very subtle yet effective sense of class to the washroom. Cabinets which are hung on walls are also found in many homes, since not only are they a great decorative piece of furniture, but they also provide some much needed storage space without hindering your movement. Current trends also favor brighter-colored bathrooms, as well as fancier materials for the sink, such as acrylic or even fiberglass. Vinyl or easy to paint concrete flooring is also very common these days in newly-renovated washrooms.

In essence, even though you can refer to the current trends to help you select something which is right for you, don't get too hung up on them if what you want is outdated by society's standards and go for it.

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Home Renovation Trends - Extensions

A Successful Kitchen Remodel - It's All in the Bones

New Remodeling Trends For 2011

What Should You Do Before Renovating Your House?

Fitted Kitchens and Your Home Renovations

Custom Home Remodeling Increasing In Popularity

Home Renovation and Remodeling

What's New and Hot in Kitchen Design Trends

5 Major Home Renovation Projects That Offer The Best Return On Investment

Why the Right Design is Important in Remodeling Projects

Use Eco Friendly Furniture For Home Renovation

How to Do a Bathroom Remodel Without Losing Your Shirt

Home Renovation Ideas That Pay Back

Working With Green Custom Home Builders

Three Home Renovation Ideas You'll Want to Carry Out

Today's Bathroom Remodeling Trends and Fashions

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