Your house should be the oasis that you arrive at after a long day at the office, or after a mammoth shopping trip. You should feel that sense of relaxation as soon as you step inside your home.

This is precisely why your interior’s flooring is so important, and why choosing the right option for every room will truly transform the way you see your home.

Before you decide though, here are a few factors to take into consideration:

• Your budget.
• The moisture level in the room that you’re applying the new flooring.
• Are you looking for a DIY option?
• The level of care you’re willing to take in maintaining your floors.

Your kitchen

The heart of the home requires some extra thought as this is most likely a high foot-traffic room that could also be the site of many a spill.

While beautiful hardwood may be aesthetically pleasing in the kitchen, it may not be the most practical. A beautiful ceramic or porcelain tile would be more suitable. It’s much more forgiving and easier to clean.

If your heart is set on wood, there is a variety of wood-looking tile options on the market.

The bathroom

This is another hub of activity in the house and also the space with the highest moisture level.

However, and perhaps surprisingly, vinyl has become a popular option for this space. Because it comes in a sheet, there are no sneaky cracks for water to escape into. It also comes in a range of colors, ensuring the perfect match for the décor.

If you’re looking for something a bit more traditional, a porcelain tile is the way to go. Apart from adding a certain style to the space, it is also perfect to use if you’re considering installing underfloor heating.

Your living or family room

This space opens up a world of possibilities when it comes to flooring, most of it dependent on your personal preferences.

While hardwood is most likely the popular choice, it does come with a bit of a heavy price tag. It also requires a higher level of care and maintenance.

Laminate, on the other hand, is a cheaper option and has become increasingly popular thanks to its durability and color options.

Wall-to-wall carpets are also an option but they involve professional cleaning and more maintenance. Area rugs on hardwood or laminate flooring may be the perfect solution. 

Bedrooms

This is very similar to the living area in that hardwood, laminate, and carpets are all possible options.

However, carpets may be a bigger drawcard as they invoke a sense of soft comfort and elegance in the bedroom, which is probably what you’re looking for.

Laminate or wood flooring with area rugs could still be a great compromise with soft rugs being placed on each side of the bed so that early morning feet don’t touch the cold floor.

 

Contact us today if you need any more flooring advice for your home.

 

References

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/decorating-ideas/tips/a32172/best-flooring-for-each-room/

https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-choose-flooring-1821631

The Room-by-Room Guide to Flooring

 

Images courtesy of Pixabay.

While the alluring scent of pumpkin continues to permeate just about everywhere, we’d like you to take a minute to think about a couple of months from now. Specifically, is your home ready for winter?

We’re not talking about ensuring that you’re stocked up on cocoa and firewood, although these should be on the list. We’re thinking more about whether or not your pipes and plumbing will withstand the freeze, or if your house is properly insulated against below-freezing temperatures. Essentially, we want you to think about winterizing your home.

There are many solutions to make sure that your house is warm, cozy and above all, safe, during the winter months. Let’s look at a few ways to do just that. 

Keeping the cold out

While you may be planning on spending most of the upcoming chilly days warmly ensconced in your home, you need to make sure that your home’s interior is indeed warm.

You should start by having a look at your doors and windows and checking that there are no cracks or small gaps present. This would allow the cold air to filter into your home and have you reaching for that extra blanket in no time. Services like window caulking will have those gaps sealed up in no time. You may also want to invest in storm windows depending on where you live.

While you’re outside…

When it comes to your roof and gutters, prevention is definitely better than cure. There are few things worse than getting up on the roof while its snowing or raining to replace a roof shingle.

Rather do these replacements before winter strikes. In addition, you should ensure that your roof is strong enough to handle the weight of snow settling on it. You should also check and clean out your gutters of any lingering debris from the fall months.

Embrace insulation

In this case, let’s start with your pipes as the frozen variety is no joke when it comes to winter. Exposed pipes first need to be covered with electrical heating tape and can then be insulated.

Next, inspect the rest of the home to ensure that you have ample insulation throughout the house to keep that warm air inside and the cold air outside where it belongs. 

Check the fireplace

Depending on your location, you may need to do this just after the end of summer as those fall days can bring a definite chill in the air.

Check that the chimney hasn’t become a home to birds or other small creatures during the warmer months. It is also a good idea to have your chimney professionally cleaned. Thereafter, you can test if the smoke is indeed being directed straight up the chimney and not into your living room.

Perhaps most important is to make sure that there are no cracks in the mortar joints or the actual firebrick. A stray spark could cause untold damage if it spreads to the interior of the wall.

If you would like to find out how IncePector Handyman can help winterize your home, simply give us a call today!

References

https://www.thespruce.com/easy-home-winterizing-checklist-1824721

https://www.thebalance.com/tips-for-winterizing-your-home-1798327

 

Images courtesy of Pixabay.

Whether you’re living alone or find yourself cooking for a family of five, you’ve most likely become best friends with your kitchen. From making avo on toast to cooking up your toddler’s favorite meal, the kitchen is your go-to place.

This is why it is essential to ensure that your space is designed in a way that flows and makes sense to your needs. This is where ergonomics comes in. While you may have heard of this term when talking about improving efficiency in the workplace, this specific science can also be applied to your kitchen layout.

Let’s take a look at how you can make make your kitchen work for you.

Clever countertops

As we all know, everyone looks different and is built differently. If this is the case, why is the same countertop height used for people who are perhaps taller than average?

This average bench height is about 900 millimeters but should definitely be raised if you’ve got more length on you. On the other hand, if you find that this height is too high then drop it. There’s no hard and fast rule about this and it is totally dependant on your preference as you’re the one who will be making use of your workbenches.

Check your hood

This same principle can be applied to your range hood. How many times have you test tasted something cooking on the stove only to bump your head against the hood?

The simple solution is moving it higher up so that it’s not in the way while still doing its job.

Easily accessible cupboards

Storage is extremely important in any kitchen as we need a space to store everything from our baking paraphernalia to that terrible hand-painted casserole dish that your aunt gave you last Christmas.

However, are your cupboards so high that you can’t even reach them? If this is the case then you’re definitely not utilizing your cupboard space, which brings us to our next tip.

Embrace your kitchen drawers

Don’t get us wrong, cupboards are great. Except when the item you want is right at the back of said cupboard and you’re down on your hands and knees trying to reach it.

Why not use draws instead? You can make them as deep or shallow as you want depending on what you’re planning on storing. Goodbye backaches!

There are plenty of ways to introduce ergonomics into your kitchen and we’re the team to help you do just that. Simply contact us for an appointment and allow us to find the best solution for your kitchen.

Images courtesy of Pixabay.

 

References

https://mosbybuildingarts.com/ergonomically-designed-kitchen/

https://www.houzz.com.au/magazine/10-top-design-tips-for-an-ergonomic-kitchen-stsetivw-vs~87668573

As technology continues to move at a rapid pace, so do efforts to negate the harmful impact that this causes to the environment.

Living consciously is becoming a way of life and not just when it comes to choosing organic food. It is filtering into many aspects of our lives, including the way we design our homes and even renovate our kitchens.

Have a look at some of the ways that you can make the heart of your home eco-friendlier.

Take your time with your design

This means thinking about how your kitchen has the potential to evolve with your style and your needs.

Ideally, you should only be doing one major kitchen renovation in your home. It doesn’t make sense to build a green kitchen only to remodel it and use more power and energy in another couple of years.

Make sure that your design is timeless and has the potential to be transformed with non-permanent fixtures that you can add or change as time goes on.

Invest in long-lasting kitchen items

While obviously convenient and cheap, plastic is not long-lasting and is, of course, hazardous to our environment.

While perhaps more expensive, glass, cast iron and stainless steel are much better alternatives. Because they are long-lasting, you won’t have to replace them which will actually save you money in the long run.

Energy-efficient appliances

From dishwashers to refrigerators, manufacturers are creating more and more energy efficient products.

Determine what your needs are and don’t be tempted by the flashiest and most expensive model that you see. In addition, only use these appliances when they’re at full capacity. This advice is aimed more at your washer, dryer, and dishwasher.

Use no-VOC paints when redecorating

A coat of paint can make the world of difference to any space giving it an almost-instant makeover. However, it is important to only use paint with low or no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

Paints with VOCs are not only harmful to the environment but also to the health of you and your family.

Go for green

Having a kitchen garden is a great way to bring the lush outdoors inside. We’re not just talking about herbs, although these are great to have in the kitchen.

Depending on your space, you can grow vegetables like carrots and even bok choy. Have a look at our blog to find out more.

 

Incorporate a recycling station

You could either put recycling bins on the floor or dedicate a long cabinet to recycling with stackable bins.

However you choose to do it, just make sure that they’re easy to access.

If you’re ready to do your part for the environment, simply contact All About Bathrooms and More. Our team has many exciting ideas for making your kitchen as eco-friendly as possible.

 

Images courtesy of Pixabay.

References

https://www.hgtv.com/design-blog/design/make-your-kitchen-greener

https://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/kitchens/how-to-design-an-eco-friendly-kitchen

 

As much as we know that our kitchen is viewed as perhaps the most important room in our homes, it can also be a dumping ground for long-forgotten spatulas, lidless Tupperware dishes and empty mason jars that were once destined to hold our homemade strawberry jam.

The amount of clutter that we collect in our kitchen can make the space seem claustrophobic and impractical to work in. On top of that, you may have a small kitchen, which can make finding space even more difficult. We’re here to help you maximize the space in your kitchen with some helpful tips.

Clear the clutter

This may seem obvious but you’ll be surprised at how much previously essential items you can collect in your kitchen.

Take some time to determine what you actually need and what you’re holding onto even though you know you’re never going to use it.

Open shelves

This is not only aesthetically pleasing and contemporary, but it is also extremely functional. These shelves will allow you to store what you need without taking up valuable counter or cabinet space.

Just be sure not to put your lidless Tupperware dishes on display. That’s not a good look for any kitchen.

Hooked on coffee mugs

We know how all-important that first cup of java is every morning. Perhaps you need a soothing cup of tea to get your day started. Whatever your beverage of choice, you need a mug.

As essential as they are, they can take up quite a bit of cabinet space. After hanging up your new open shelves, why not add some hooks to the underside for your mugs? They’ll be out of the way while still being within easy reach in the morning.

Using your cabinets for storage

We don’t mean in an obvious way. We mean actually using the inside of the cabinet doors to store some smaller kitchen essentials.

Invest in some narrow racks for spices and condiments. You could even use it for your baking goods like food colorings or measuring cups and spoons.

Incorporate a multi-functional kitchen island

If you have a small kitchen, this may seem counter-intuitive to saving space. For this reason, it’s important to ensure that you have enough space to add an island while still have enough space to move around.

That being said, a multi-functional island could be just the answer you’ve been looking for. If you have a look at one of our previous blogs, you’ll see just how many ways you can use an island, all of which will increase space and efficiency in your kitchen.

 

All About Bathrooms and More are experts at maximizing spaces and utilizing them effectively. This is exactly why we’re the first choice for all of our clients here in Colorado.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our fantastic team.

 

Images courtesy of Pixabay.

 

References

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/kitchen-organization-ideas-to-maximize-storage-space

https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/create-extra-counter-space

https://www.thekitchn.com/9-ways-to-squeeze-more-storage-out-of-your-tiny-kitchen-223232