Islands For Your Kitchen Remodel

Island Hopping For Your Kitchen Remodel

A kitchen island is where people gather rather than using a kitchen table and has been in vogue for over a decade.

Although older homes may have had a kitchen island it was more restricted to the bar style, where a small counter-like island with two or three seats was the norm.

This type of setup still works of course, if only one or two individuals occupy a dwelling. But in the last few years especially, individuals have been eating at home more, cooking at home more, and needing a larger kitchen island. 

Remodeling a kitchen now generally includes either installing a kitchen island or replacing an older one that is more cozy and convenient. The aging of adults can also signal a replacement of an older bar-style kitchen counter as the seating might be too high for older adults.

Families that are growing in size with more children being added, find that a small, cramped kitchen island needs to be enlarged, with more comfortable seating, and of course, more added features such as extra storage and shelves.

Kids do need plenty of space in which to slouch down and place their beverages and food without spilling them. Cup holders do not necessarily come with an island in a kitchen but having spaces where cup holders can be attached is a big positive for many parents!

No one style will suit every homeowner, and no one style will be advantageous as the years roll on. With a kitchen always being the heart and soul of a household, having a remodel at least of portions of it such as the island, does become a necessity intermittently.

This is particularly true when entertaining, and with more individuals now staying home and entertaining at home, the “Island Hopping” by replacement of this center of a kitchen shows no signs of slowing down in the world of kitchen remodeling experts.

Size and space of a kitchen do count and the remodel, of course, will include practicality when replacing your kitchen island.

 

 

Contact us at [email protected], or 302-998-7907. For more information visit our website at bb4contracting.com.

 Powder Bathroom In Wilmington DE

A “Powder Room” with Personality!

In the summer, many activities take place outdoors. Gatherings such as barbeques and backyard parties occur almost every weekend. It is a tradition to enjoy “cookouts” while the weather is still warm.

While many of these gatherings go on all summer, you can see an uptick in these in August. The reason is that the summer is coming to an end, and the weather can turn cooler, bringing more individuals outside.

 School is also right around the corner again and this also adds to the allure of enjoying the outside while it is possible.

The word “Powder Room” refers to a half bath with a toilet and sink, without a shower or tub. This can be a forgotten space, but when having outdoor activities, guests do use this space quite frequently.

This space, when used by visitors, can say a lot about homeowners. If it is old, outdated, dingy, or just plain cluttered because of a lack of sufficient and efficient storage, it can reflect badly on a homeowner.

While many homeowners do not give this space a second thought, guests will. A full bathroom makeover in a Master bath or other bathrooms might not be on the agenda right now, or a full kitchen makeover might not be in the budget or even needed.

But an affordable way to upgrade a home and add value, plus usability, is to redo the “Powder Room.”  This is sometimes called the “Powder Bathroom” and some homes have more than one.

With that said, let’s dive into specifics on how to make this much-used space more inviting.

Lighting

A “Powder Room” can have little to no light. Placing lighting strategically around mirrors and other areas, immediately makes this space look larger.

Mirrors

Placing more mirrors in a “Powder Room” immediately reflects the entire room off each mirror, giving the impression of a larger space.

Shelving

Adding extra shelving along the walls increases the space and reduces the clutter that a “Powder Room” can have.

Texture

This can be done on the walls via wallpaper or paint that is textured or has a unique color or artistic quality to it. Think murals, stripes, flowers, etc.

Artwork

This is overlooked, but the artwork makes this space look inviting and interesting.

Plants

Yes, plants absorb odors and lend immensely to a great aesthetic.

Toilets

While good old-fashioned porcelain toilets are nice to sit on, they take up a LOT of room. Replacing these will ensure that no one’s knees are hitting the door and create a lot of space when a smaller toilet is installed.

Renovating a “Powder Room” is a great way to enjoy it once again and add value to a home!

Contact us at [email protected], or 302-998-7907. For more information visit our website at bb4contracting.com.

 Cabinet Door Replacement in Wilmington DE

Cabinet Door Replacement or Refinishing Can Enhance Any Kitchen!

Let’s talk about what can only be called the “sticky-finger syndrome.” In any kitchen, home, or even office breakroom, people using this space will touch kitchen cabinet doors dozens of times per day. Food on fingers, plus splatters, occur, and, of course, wear and tear.

While you can clean a cooking space each day twice a day even, there always will be splatters and food particles stuck on. Cleaning these off enhances the cleanliness but adds to the wear and tear of doors. The wear and tear shows as a lightening in coloration or even actual scrapes and scratches.

A full remodel might not be in the current budget, so replacement or even sanding and refinishing the doors can have a miraculous effect on the look of this most-used space. Caution should be used, however, as exact requirements are needed for good replacement.

Refinishing requires skill also since more damage can be done by over-sanding! The sanding should be gentle and done in stages by a professional company that wipes down the area after each “pass” before continuing.

Stain is applied after sanding, so no matter what type of cabinets are sanded, from natural wood to other less expensive types, the surface must be immaculate and dust-free. Natural wood is generally not painted but finished, while other types, such as laminate and particle board, can be painted.

The types of doors can run the gamut from natural wood all the way to stainless steel, with many options in between. Knowing each type and finishing correctly is imperative.

Glass cabinet doors can be sanded, but many times, if heavily damaged, it is easier to simply cut off the damaged portions and replace those portions without replacing the entire door. Stainless steel needs a special touch as well to bring it back to the mirror finish it originally had.

Once refreshed, it is time for you to think about the hardware. From knobs to pulls, the possibilities are endless too, and these suffer wear and tear too. Changing out knobs and pulls can make a drastic update look complete.

No need to break the bank in a kitchen makeover. Since cabinet doors and pulls take a beating if on a strict budget, simply taking this step can make your kitchen look and feel more enjoyable and polished once again!

B & B Contracting, with its 20-plus years of experience, can send in experts for a free evaluation and proceed within the budget and timeframe that individual homeowners are seeking. There is also a money-back guarantee, and any questions are welcome via phone or email. 

Contact us at [email protected], or 302-998-7907. For more information visit our website at bb4contracting.com.

 Kitchen Flooring in Wilmington DE

Next to Kitchen Tiles, Flooring in the Kitchen Enhances the Aesthetic

For years, hardwood flooring has held its place in the hearts of homeowners, even when cooking takes place. In the past, however, it was less durable and certainly not affordable for many.

The drawbacks of using hardwood were that it was not moisture-proof, and let’s face it, “oopsie” occurs in any cooking space. Technology has produced water-resistant stains and polyurethane sealers, so the chances of ruining this type of flooring have diminished, cutting down on the lifetime costs. Stains and sealers also eliminate the warping of hardwood.

In addition, there are new laminate-style flooring types that mimic true hardwood. Engineered wood flooring also entered the picture in the last decade. This mimic style has a core of plywood with only a layer of hardwood on top.

Hardwood, even if not natural, has an earthy and natural beauty. Property owners who already have it installed should avoid removing it, even if it is stained and warped. It can be refinished, sanded, and restored completely if a qualified installer is chosen for a makeover of a kitchen space.

If you are not a fan of hardwood plenty of other options exist though such as vinyl, tiles, ceramic, and stone, just to name a few. Some commercial properties with much traffic can even choose cement which if installed and properly sanded and buffed can look attractive.

When an aesthetic is chosen in any type of remodeling it is ultimately up to the property owner, whether commercial or residential, to pick what they enjoy but which is also functional but goes overall with the entire aesthetic throughout a space.

No hard and fast rules apply in home makeovers. To each, their own is the method that works best! Getting a professional consultation is the best way to go, and following suggestions made by a professional can lead to greater satisfaction.

A pleasing appearance, as well as durability and affordability, are the three measures of successful choice in flooring. You will be walking on a floor for years and decades, so remembering that will assist in choosing the best option.

B & B Contracting, with its 20-plus years of experience, can send in experts for a free evaluation and proceed within the budget and timeframe that individual homeowners are seeking. There is also a money-back guarantee, and any questions are welcome via phone or email. 

Contact us at [email protected], or 302-998-7907. For more information visit our website at https://bb4contracting.com/.

 

 Functionality is All Important in a Great Bathroom Remodel

Functionality is All Important in a Great Bathroom Remodel

If your bathroom looks a bit “seedy,” outdated, or even overly cluttered, it can be time for the resurrection of this much-used space. Changes can be simple, such as a lovely new vanity, a curbless shower for safety, or as complex as a total gutting and redo.

Most individuals should plan the budget first and decide what is most important to them, given the space size. While aesthetics count, remember that a bathroom must prioritize functionality over all else. Functionality is the purpose of a bathroom!

Experts in your area should be consulted to offer free evaluations, as measurements must be exact to increase the functionality. If you are honest with yourself, like many homeowners, your bathroom countertops are probably becoming dingy over time.

But also, the truth is, like many of us in our bathrooms, we struggle with a lack of space, and toothbrushes, makeup, and hair products can clutter up the bathroom fairly quickly! Cabinetry that is insufficient can clear up this problem immediately.

Cabinets can be over the sink or under the sink or even stand-alone shelving placed on the walls, or an extra bathroom shelf space created using glass, what are called “ceiling grazing towers,” and adding multiple smaller accent shelves in very small bathroom spaces.

Of course, plumbing plays a part in all of this, as well as the size and shape of tubs and shower stalls. It is a dance between beauty and functionality and takes precise measurements and design.

With all this said, the truth is that an uncluttered bathroom that is more functional is less stressful to use and, of course, more relaxing to use. The tendency to leave towels and toiletries out can become a habit and one that is hard to break, especially without enough storage.

Great cabinetry setups, however, can break the “clutter habit” much more easily. Being vain about your “vanity” and the look of your bathroom is something to be proud of, but for great results, an expert with years of experience is the best bet before any redo occurs!

Matching existing fixtures and cabinets is also important, so take advantage of any free evaluations by experts in your area before undertaking a bathroom remodel. Loving your bathroom again is possible and can usually be done within any budget!

B & B Contracting, with its 20-plus years of experience, can send in experts for a free evaluation and proceed within the budget and timeframe that individual homeowners are seeking. There is also a money-back guarantee, and any questions are welcome via phone or email. 

Contact us at [email protected], or 302-998-7907.  For more information visit our website at https://bb4contracting.com/.