Cook Remodeling Tips

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When should you get a Home Addition?

Moving is a PAIN and proven to be one of the most stressful things humans go through! So you’re bored with your current place? Need something new and refreshing? Then build a home addition!  

Maybe you need another bathroom, a quiet place, or a space for parents, family or friends to visit?  Sometimes a home addition is more convenient than doing an entire interior redesign! 

Cook Remodeling can help with your desires whether it be an additional room, extension or an outside addition! 

If you really need to increase the space in your single story home, it may be more practical to build a second story! A den or a loft is fun way to spice up the home!

 Some people want a second master bedroom with a walk in shower and tub, and a walk in closet, and maybe amenities to make it a suite with a wet bar! Great for when you have family and friends to stay! 

Perhaps a man cave or a library or an exercise room for all to enjoy. Whatever it may be make sure you contact Cook Remodeling!   

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Three Ways to Make your Kitchen Exciting Again!

Knowing you have an outdated kitchen but having no idea where to start with a remodel isn’t uncommon, but the good news is you don’t have to start big. Sometimes a little change here and there can make all the difference in the world. Today, we’re going to talk about three changes that aren’t earth shattering but can help you out in a big way.

Add Some Lighting – An Essential Component of Kitchen Remodeling in Scottsdale

There are typically two types of lighting in the modern kitchen, the first being overhead lighting for general areas. A great example would be track lighting over the kitchen island which can be directed at specific points throughout your kitchen with common focal points being the island, the sink, and stove. If you want to take it up a notch, under-cabinet lighting can be a great touch, making it easier to showcase your appliances. Under-cabinet lighting can be accomplished using standard lighting, but if you want to make an impact, use LED strips to save energy and cover more area.

Tip: If you’re up for a countertop remodel, try installing something with a lighter color or a reflective surface to increase the luminosity and visibility.

Rewiring for Modern Electronics

Typical appliances are one thing but today’s electronics require more hearty wiring, especially if you want to use them in the kitchen. We’ve been seeing more people using tablets and laptops in the kitchen to look up recipes on the fly or simply watch videos to entertain themselves while they’re cooking, so rewire your kitchen for high tech USB devices and to handle a greater load.

Tip: For maximum efficiency, use outlets that support both USB and standard AC power plugs. If you have any outlets that don’t support a grounding prong, they should be replaced.

Integrate your Kitchen Remodeling in Scottsdale with the Rest of the House

Though more complex than the previous renovations, this is one that can help to greatly improve the flow of your kitchen. If yours is isolated from the rest of the home, then it might be time to knock down a wall and make the kitchen more of an open concept. With this improvement, you’ll not only feel like you’re more a part of the rest of the house while you’re cooking, but it’ll be great to get some natural light in there.

Tip: If you want to add more functionality, replace the missing wall with a bar for company or family members.

Bringing a kitchen up to modern standards is easy whether you use just one or all three of these techniques. Your kitchen remodeling in Scottsdale, when handled by experts, can be both beautiful and practical!

Meta Description: Learn three tricks for kitchen remodeling in Scottsdale that will make your food prep areas more exciting and far more functional today!

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5 Cool Trends to Spice up Your Bathroom

Your bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home. It can be a sanctuary where you unwind after a stressful day. This is a special place where you can enjoy alone moments to just distress. As such, it should be maintained in tip-top condition and invoke a relaxed state of mind. There are many trending styles that can transform your bathroom into a luxurious space. 

As a homeowner, it is important to learn some of these styles in order to transform your ordinary bathroom into your dream bathroom. Here are just a few of these trending ideas your bathroom remodeling Phoenix designer should try:

1. Music In Your Bathroom

How much would you like to listen to your favorite music as you soak in the bathtub? It might seem like a far fetched idea, but you can now bring your bathroom to life using a surround music system. The sound system doesn’t have to be visible and in fact there are systems in the market, which fit snugly in your cabinet or tub walls. A built-in music system transforms your bathroom into a beauty.

2. Go Natural

Recent bathroom design trade shows indicate a move towards natural materials. Wood and natural stones are now trending as designers move away from artificial materials that are getting too sophisticated. There is also a concern about the safety of artificial materials being used. It is no wonder timber is becoming a great alternative for shower areas and sinks and it is time you started considering giving your home a makeover using wood.

3. Go Bold with Brass

Brass is in and it has been trending for a long time. It is trending in all bathroom trade shows. Brass gives your bathroom a trendy look and surprisingly you can use it all for all fixtures in the bathroom. From candle holders, faucets to shower heads you can bring your bathroom to life using brass.

4. Moroccan Styles

Moroccan-styled floor tiles will give your bathroom an elegant touch. This has been the trending style in 2016 and it is still going to be big in 2017. Moroccan Tadelakt in your bathroom is a great waterproof material for showers. With this material, you can create a luminous feel in your bathroom space.

5. Balanced Lighting 

Lighting is crucial for your bathroom both for functionality and ambience. Proper balancing of light creates a great atmosphere for its occupants. You can add a skylight above the shower to bring in natural light and the atmosphere created will be breathtaking.

Bathroom remodeling Phoenix is a great home improvement idea. Go ahead and try some of these ideas to spice up your bathroom space.

[cookremodelingtips]

5 Cool Trends to Spice up Your Bathroom

Your bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home. It can be a sanctuary where you unwind after a stressful day. This is a special place where you can enjoy alone moments to just distress. As such, it should be maintained in tip-top condition and invoke a relaxed state of mind. There are many trending styles that can transform your bathroom into a luxurious space. 

As a homeowner, it is important to learn some of these styles in order to transform your ordinary bathroom into your dream bathroom. Here are just a few of these trending ideas your bathroom remodeling Phoenix designer should try:

1. Music In Your Bathroom

How much would you like to listen to your favorite music as you soak in the bathtub? It might seem like a far fetched idea, but you can now bring your bathroom to life using a surround music system. The sound system doesn’t have to be visible and in fact there are systems in the market, which fit snugly in your cabinet or tub walls. A built-in music system transforms your bathroom into a beauty.

2. Go Natural

Recent bathroom design trade shows indicate a move towards natural materials. Wood and natural stones are now trending as designers move away from artificial materials that are getting too sophisticated. There is also a concern about the safety of artificial materials being used. It is no wonder timber is becoming a great alternative for shower areas and sinks and it is time you started considering giving your home a makeover using wood.

3. Go Bold with Brass

Brass is in and it has been trending for a long time. It is trending in all bathroom trade shows. Brass gives your bathroom a trendy look and surprisingly you can use it all for all fixtures in the bathroom. From candle holders, faucets to shower heads you can bring your bathroom to life using brass.

4. Moroccan Styles

Moroccan-styled floor tiles will give your bathroom an elegant touch. This has been the trending style in 2016 and it is still going to be big in 2017. Moroccan Tadelakt in your bathroom is a great waterproof material for showers. With this material, you can create a luminous feel in your bathroom space.

5. Balanced Lighting 

Lighting is crucial for your bathroom both for functionality and ambience. Proper balancing of light creates a great atmosphere for its occupants. You can add a skylight above the shower to bring in natural light and the atmosphere created will be breathtaking.

Bathroom remodeling Phoenix is a great home improvement idea. Go ahead and try some of these ideas to spice up your bathroom space.

[cookremodelingtips]

Three Ways to Make your Kitchen Exciting Again!

Knowing you have an outdated kitchen but having no idea where to start with a remodel isn’t uncommon, but the good news is you don’t have to start big. Sometimes a little change here and there can make all the difference in the world. Today, we're going to talk about three changes that aren't earth shattering but can help you out in a big way.

Add Some Lighting – An Essential Component of Kitchen Remodeling in Scottsdale

There are typically two types of lighting in the modern kitchen, the first being overhead lighting for general areas. A great example would be track lighting over the kitchen island which can be directed at specific points throughout your kitchen with common focal points being the island, the sink, and stove. If you want to take it up a notch, under-cabinet lighting can be a great touch, making it easier to showcase your appliances. Under-cabinet lighting can be accomplished using standard lighting, but if you want to make an impact, use LED strips to save energy and cover more area.

Tip: If you’re up for a countertop remodel, try installing something with a lighter color or a reflective surface to increase the luminosity and visibility.

Rewiring for Modern Electronics

Typical appliances are one thing but today’s electronics require more hearty wiring, especially if you want to use them in the kitchen. We’ve been seeing more people using tablets and laptops in the kitchen to look up recipes on the fly or simply watch videos to entertain themselves while they’re cooking, so rewire your kitchen for high tech USB devices and to handle a greater load.

Tip: For maximum efficiency, use outlets that support both USB and standard AC power plugs. If you have any outlets that don’t support a grounding prong, they should be replaced.

Integrate your Kitchen Remodeling in Scottsdale with the Rest of the House

Though more complex than the previous renovations, this is one that can help to greatly improve the flow of your kitchen. If yours is isolated from the rest of the home, then it might be time to knock down a wall and make the kitchen more of an open concept. With this improvement, you’ll not only feel like you’re more a part of the rest of the house while you’re cooking, but it’ll be great to get some natural light in there.

Tip: If you want to add more functionality, replace the missing wall with a bar for company or family members.

Bringing a kitchen up to modern standards is easy whether you use just one or all three of these techniques. Your kitchen remodeling in Scottsdale, when handled by experts, can be both beautiful and practical!

Meta Description: Learn three tricks for kitchen remodeling in Scottsdale that will make your food prep areas more exciting and far more functional today!

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What are YOUR reasons for a Home Remodel?

Here are the most popular reasons people choose to remodel their home! Do they sound familiar? Then call Cook Remodeling to help with your kitchen, bathroom or home remodel. 

Bathroom Remodeling Most want to upgrade the finishings or make the general size of the master bathroom larger! Usually there are flooring issues over time or one desires a more spa like experience at home. This could be making the bath tub and shower separate or by having an overall layout change! 

Kitchen Remodeling No one wants an outdated kitchen! The main reason for a kitchen remodel is to update finishes and replace old appliances. As your family gets larger then a more productive kitchen with more counter space is a big desire! 

Laundry Room Remodeling This is normally due to the need of more storage, updated design and finishes.  The laundry room is the most likely room to be relocated in the house, with 10% of homeowners in the survey reporting doing so. The average size of the laundry room is 130 square feet.so this would be a quick project!

Home Remodeling This can be the remodeling of either the family room, master bedroom, home office, dining room or foyer. This could be due to flooring issues, size, outdated furnishings and finishes!

[cookremodelingtips]

When should you get a Home Addition?

Moving is a PAIN and proven to be one of the most stressful things humans go through! So you’re bored with your current place? Need something new and refreshing? Then build a home addition!  

Maybe you need another bathroom, a quiet place, or a space for parents, family or friends to visit?  Sometimes a home addition is more convenient than doing an entire interior redesign! 

Cook Remodeling can help with your desires whether it be an additional room, extension or an outside addition! 

If you really need to increase the space in your single story home, it may be more practical to build a second story! A den or a loft is fun way to spice up the home!

 Some people want a second master bedroom with a walk in shower and tub, and a walk in closet, and maybe amenities to make it a suite with a wet bar! Great for when you have family and friends to stay! 

Perhaps a man cave or a library or an exercise room for all to enjoy. Whatever it may be make sure you contact Cook Remodeling!   

[cookremodelingtips]

Five Kitchen Remodeling Tips To Declutter Countertops

Consider adding a second dishwasher. Retrieve clean dishes as they are needed, and put dirty dishes in the other dishwasher. 

Put away appliances that aren’t used often. Such asa crock pot or mixer often are left on the countertop because they are heavy. Some people leave toasters, juicers, even coffee machines out but don’t use them every day! 

Have an upper cabinet go down to the counter. For appliances that get daily or frequent use, like a blender, food processor, and/or toaster, plan sufficient space to tuck them away with a side door that you can slide them out for use.

Select a dual combination oven to meet your needs. This can eliminate the need for a toaster oven, a microwave oven, or the effort of steaming veggies on the cooktop. There are dual wall oven combinations like: steam & convection, speed cook & convection, and more with preprogrammed cooking guides.

Have a walk in pantry or butler’s pantry. With the popularity of buying in bulk, it is easy to store in a pantry. It is also easier take inventory of needs before shopping.

For more ideas take a look at our blog on cook remodeling 

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How To Improve Your Home Remodeling Experience

• Use online resources and social media such as pinterest and houzz. Or remodeling website photo galleries! • Determine a budget Plan on needing an extra 10% of the cost of the project for additions to the Scope of Work or for unforeseen problems. •Pick 2 remodeling companies and interview, compare and contrast to make sure you pick the contractor for you • Remember to take good before pictures to contrast with the after the home remodeling project is finished. • Plan for breaks during the home remodeling process. Plan a mini vacation during that time. Have some homemade meals frozen and ready to cook to bring over and share with friends.

Most importantly though - Plan an after celebration!

Sometimes in the midst of the now, it is good to think of what will be, a reward doing the work for more enjoyment in your home for years to come!

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Top Three Reasons for Home Remodeling by Project Type

Bathroom Remodeling: The majority of those wanting an updated design in their home was for the master bathroom! The top reasons are to remodel and update the furnishings. Other reasons were that the space was just too small and cramped and the shower was cramped.  For those who did a kitchen remodeling project, most say because their current design was so outdated as well as the finishes.  Another popular reason is to update the appliances for more tech savvy options!70% of  kitchen remodeling projects include replacing counter tops, appliances and faucets.

Contact Cook Remodeling for help in both these areas! 

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2016 Survey Finds Home Remodeling Projects on the Rise

The majority of us want to stay in our homes rather than move - it is far too stressful moving anyway!  

Many people do a home remodel after they make a home purchase and most of us plan on staying in our homesat least 6-10 years. 

Homeowners are spending more on kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling, with living room remodeling coming in third in popularity to facilitate their lifestyle. Did you know that a third of people doing home remodeling projects had no set budget for their project, and one third didn’t even have a remodeling budget!

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Ten Ways to Safe Seniorize Your Home with Aging in Place Design

One of the fastest growing segments of the population are those reaching retirement. There are aging in place design needs to consider in creating a safe home environment. As we age, our visual acuity, strength, coordination, and reflex abilities diminish. We will not be able to quickly react to breaking a fall, nor will we recover from injury as well as when we were younger.  It is important to remove hazards and be strategic about preventing accidents. (These prioritized tips are for a single level home. There are risks with stairs as well.)

There is higher risk of injuries in the bathroom. The bathroom is a room of hard surfaces, than when wet can become slippery and a fall could cause serious injury. There are few, if any, soft places to land in a bathroom!

Install radiant floor heating under textured vinyl tile. Vinyl tile is a softer material to land on, and easy to clean. A warm floor will eliminate the need for mats which are trip hazards

Choose faucets with levered handles, and have lever handle on doors as well for ease of operation.

Use lit rocker or slide dimmer switch to help one locate it for nocturnal visits

Install a comfort height toilet with grab bars to aid in transition.

Specify countertops have round corners to eliminate sharp edges.

Install a no threshold walk in shower, with shower bench, grab bars, hand held shower option

Include a Tornado Body Dryer for easy of drying off after a shower, staying warm. It also helps remove excess moisture out of air.

In the kitchen you want to minimize the risk of a cook seriously cutting or burning themselves.

Supply ample task lighting for food prep

Install an induction cooktop with easily reached control knobs. It will automatically shut down if no pan is present, and it only heats the pan, so is cooler to the touch

Have wall ovens with side hinge door with a nearby landing space for easy removal and placement of hot items

More people will want and need Aging in Place Design elements in the home to improve safety and facilitate independent living.  Contact a local Certified Aging in Place Specialist, or hire a remodeling company that has professionals certified in Universal Design to help one live in a safer home as much as possible.

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Consider Showering Habits When Bathroom Remodeling

Delta faucets conduct surveys to better understand the needs of customers. Could these findings be an impetus to do a bathroom remodeling project? They interviewed 500 men and 500 women across the U.S. and discovered people use bathroom sinks in the same way, but showering has more of an emotional side and habits can vary greatly between males and females, between regions, and age groups. Overall they found that the majority shower in the morning, and more than 71% said showering is a very important part of their morning routine, 18% of them said it was more important that first cup of coffee! Ten percent of the mother’s reported, that if their shower routine was interrupted, the rest of their day was out of whack.

Who showers the most, and least? Climate, culture, and gender make amore of a difference than does areas effected by drought and water shortages. Adults in the South Atlantic (from the Carolinas down to Florida) take the most showers, averaging 8 or more a week. Those in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas shower the least, and tend to take their shower to wind down in the evening. Overall, men shower the most, and women shower the longest.

Who thinks the most in the shower? Forty seven percent of those in the East Central States (Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama) report that they do their best thinking in the shower.  Women report this as well.

How are Showers Used Differently? Females report using the shower to think, warm up, and relax. They will shave in the shower, and will follow shampooing with conditioning their hair more than men. Forty percent of the women report it is their opportunity for “me” time, whereas 28% of the men reported this.

Men are more likely to brush their teeth in the shower, and 22% of them will adjust the spray pattern and water flow when taking a shower, as compared to 15% of the women.

Those living in New England are more likely to also use the shower for other things, such as cleaning window screens or pets, or watering plants.

Adults under 35 want to step into a warm shower, men want room for their wives, and women want ambient music and lighting in the shower.

Water is a precious commodity, and Americans love their showers—something that continually drives Delta Faucet to improve water efficiency and experience in their products. Make sure you use a showerhead that conserves the use of water. Technology has improved in delivering large droplets so you need less to rinse, and that maintains temperature better. Consider getting a Tornado Body Dryer to pre-warm the space, and also keep you warm when you shut off the water to dry.

Check out Cook Remodeling for Bathroom Remodeling in Phoenix!

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How To Get A Kitchen For The Holidays

For most, the biggest use of the kitchen is for the Thanksgiving feast. It is a great test to see if it meets your needs for cooking and entertaining. How easy was it to prepare and deliver the courses? To gather and enjoy your loved ones? If one needs some kitchen remodeling, the optimal time to start the process to be done in time for the holidays is by September. Make a list of what more you would like your kitchen to be able to do. More room for multiple cooks? More storage to have clear counters? Do you want a walk in pantry? Would you like to have informal dining of the best views of your backyard? Warming drawers to keep food hot until it is time to serve? When you have a good idea of the functional needs of the kitchen, start gathering digital photos for the look you want for your kitchen. Internet sites such as Houzz and Pinterest makes it easier to define your personal style. Take a look at our projects as well. More people want professional looking appliances, and according to a market survey done by Frigidaire, 96% of those wanting to do a kitchen remodeling project, want the appliances to be scaled for typical use rather than the large gourmet chef size. Appliance manufacturers have heard, and are offering more professional grade appliance options for home cooks. There are more options in free standing ranges—including having an induction cooktop, better organized and more efficient refrigerators, and more powerful and shorter cycle dishwashers. Stainless steel now comes in smudge proof finishes requiring less maintenance effort. Contact a reputable design-build remodeler, that with their experience offer the added details for a great kitchen remodeling design, help with selections, and offers the experience to help with the details that you would not even think of that will make the difference you will enjoy for many years to come! Happy kitchen remodeling!

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Detox the Kitchen via Kitchen Remodeling

Is it possible to detox the kitchen by doing kitchen remodeling? You bet! Considering we live, laugh, and love in the kitchen, we want it to be a healthy room for hanging out.  If someone has Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) or asthma, air quality is more crucial. An outdated kitchen can be toxic. Kitchen remodeling can make the room more toxic, or kitchen remodeling can make it more eco-friendly depending on the design and products selected. Here are some considerations to make your kitchen remodeling transform your home into a healthier place to live.

 Why would having an eco-friendly kitchen be important? People are spending more time indoors in airtight buildings, exposing themselves to VOCs (toxic chemicals) in the air. VOCs can be odorless, but that doesn’t mean they are any less harmful. If you see smog, that is from VOCs and there is an Air Quality Index to warn people of the level of toxicity outdoors. It would be nice to know that you can create a healthier home environment to retreat to.

 If you have an older kitchen, you could have higher levels of VOCs (toxic chemicals) you’re breathing from manufactured wood products, adhesives, sealants, varnish and paint—even from gas stoves. The good news is that there are a lot of choices of products that have been made to have little to no VOCs.  A kitchen remodeling professional trained in “green building” practices can help design and specify products for an eco-friendly kitchen.

 One of the biggest air quality offenders can be wood cabinetry. There are cabinets with low VOCs that have earned the Environmental Stewardship Program Seal of approval. You may want to plan for a walk in pantry to provide more storage so fewer cabinets are needed, and substitute some upper cabinets with shelving instead. You may also want to specify having two dishwashers for storing your everyday use dishes—one for what is clean, and the other for the dirty ones. Top the cabinets with countertop materials that are low VOC and do not need harsh chemicals to clean or maintain. Ask for the cabinets to be delivered early so sit in your garage unwrapped for a few days to air out.

 The next offender can be fumes that come from having a gas stove. Consider replacing with an induction cooktop for rapid cooking, precise temperature control, and a cooler environment. Did you know the cooking of fat produces acrolein, a lung irritant? Adequate hood ventilation if very important to draw out fumes and oils out of the air. If you are using a cooktop, turn on the fan!

 Specify a no VOC paint. Formulas have improved, making this paint the same quality as the former kind.  There is even a commercial of a group of adults painting a baby’s nursery while the baby is sleeping to make that point!

 Here are some DIY projects for you to complete the transformation to having an eco-friendly kitchen:

 ·         Ban plastics that aren’t #2, #4, #5 and bpa/bph free. Serve and store in glass containers whenever possible. Plastics that are damaged, or heated, can leach carcinogenic compounds into the food.

·         An “antibacterial” cutting board or other product may sound good, but it is probably treated with a hormone disrupter that is harmful to humans too. Use a slab of wood or bamboo instead.

·         Ditch the “nonstick” pans, the Teflon coating is toxic. Invest in high quality stainless steel, or ceramic coated that are cadmium and lead-free, or cast iron skillets.

·         Do not use an oven cleaner—these chemicals remain in the oven and will taint food. Use warm soapy water and a scouring pad with baking soda to scrub baked on food.

·         Consider ditching the microwave and getting a steam oven instead to keep more nutrients in the food.

·         Support your efforts for a healthier kitchen, with serving healthier food. Here is a resource (http://butternutrition.com/healthy-kitchen-detox/) for what to avoid, and what to stock in your pantry.

 Happy, Healthy Kitchen Remodeling!

[cookremodelingtips]

Consider Showering Habits When Bathroom Remodeling

Delta faucets conduct surveys to better understand the needs of customers. Could these findings be an impetus to do a bathroom remodeling project? They interviewed 500 men and 500 women across the U.S. and discovered people use bathroom sinks in the same way, but showering has more of an emotional side and habits can vary greatly between males and females, between regions, and age groups. Overall they found that the majority shower in the morning, and more than 71% said showering is a very important part of their morning routine, 18% of them said it was more important that first cup of coffee! Ten percent of the mother’s reported, that if their shower routine was interrupted, the rest of their day was out of whack.

 Who showers the most, and least?

 Climate, culture, and gender make amore of a difference than does areas effected by drought and water shortages. Adults in the South Atlantic (from the Carolinas down to Florida) take the most showers, averaging 8 or more a week. Those in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas shower the least, and tend to take their shower to wind down in the evening. Overall, men shower the most, and women shower the longest.

 Who thinks the most in the shower?

 Forty seven percent of those in the East Central States (Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama) report that they do their best thinking in the shower.  Women report this as well.

 How are Showers Used Differently?

 Females report using the shower to think, warm up, and relax. They will shave in the shower, and will follow shampooing with conditioning their hair more than men. Forty percent of the women report it is their opportunity for “me” time, whereas 28% of the men reported this.

 Men are more likely to brush their teeth in the shower, and 22% of them will adjust the spray pattern and water flow when taking a shower, as compared to 15% of the women.

 Those living in New England are more likely to also use the shower for other things, such as cleaning window screens or pets, or watering plants.

 Adults under 35 want to step into a warm shower, men want room for their wives, and women want ambient music and lighting in the shower.

 Water is a precious commodity, and Americans love their showers—something that continually drives Delta Faucet to improve water efficiency and experience in their products. Make sure you use a showerhead that conserves the use of water. Technology has improved in delivering large droplets so you need less to rinse, and that maintains temperature better. Consider getting a Tornado Body Dryer to pre-warm the space, and also keep you warm when you shut off the water to dry.

 Happy Bathroom Remodeling!

   ;tUK��

[cookremodelingtips]

Top 21 Features Homeowners Want

Every year Professional Builder magazine conducts a national design innovation survey of its readers, asking on a scale of 1 to 5, with five being very important, what features homeowners want in their next home. These are the 2015 elements to consider including in your next home remodeling project, to keep your house current with market demand.

 Overall universal design is at the forefront of designer’s minds, as the population is aging, for both seniors themselves, and their adult children who may add their parents to their household. As one respondent reported, he puts in decorative grab bars to disguise their utility much like Mom’s would hide vegetables in a sauce so their kids wouldn’t realize they were there. Another new standard that one builder reported that all age groups want granite countertops in their homes.

 Here are the top 21 features that can be easily incorporated in a remodel that can be a good investment in making your home more marketable when it is time to sell. Others, like having 9 ft ceilings, or a 3 car garage are not easily added to an existing home, and are not included here.

 4.58    walk in closet in master bedroom

4.55    great room for kitchen, dining, and family rooms

4.44    dual vanities in the master bathroom

4.15    kitchen island

4.06    energy efficiency

3.92    additional storage in bathroom

3.78    pantry storage in kitchen

3.71    first floor master suite

3.67    master suite retreat

3.57    large laundry room/organization center, recycling

3.56    casual outdoor living space

3.52    breakfast bar

3.48    breakfast nook

3.48    kitchen island with a sink

3.32    butlers pantry

3.19    food prep area/service kitchen

3.16    walk in closet in second bedroom

3.15    informal office

3.13    separate bathtub from walk in shower in master bathroom

2.99    universal design

2.97    dual sink in kitchen

 Happy Home Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling, and Bath Remodeling!