Remodeling Around The Holidays: Avoid Setting Your Remodel Schedule Close to Christmas

Remodeling around the holidays can be a risky endeavor when there's always a chance a room won't be ready in time for holiday entertaining. The last thing you ever want is to have your kitchen, family room, or bathroom torn up while having family and guests over. But that could easily happen if you don't leave the proper amount of time needed to get the job done.
Take a look at some scenarios where a remodel requiring a set number of weeks could end up colliding with arriving guests and Christmas Day.
Remodeling the Kitchen with New Cabinetry
Adding new cabinetry to a kitchen is a frequent wish by many to give new style to a home for holiday entertaining. Building and installing custom cabinets, however, requires a set number of weeks that should never be cut close to Christmastime. When a time estimate is given, it's best to think of the contractor's schedule and not expect the project to be done right on Christmas Eve or Day in the fourth week.
When you go that close to a deadline, you risk having your kitchen torn up on the day your family and friends arrive for the holidays. If you want cabinets done by Christmas, your better bet is to start in November or waiting until the new year.
A New Bathroom Vanity
The same thing can happen when designing a new vanity for a bathroom. While it can bring a real advantage to a bathroom in custom design and storage space, cutting the remodel too close to Christmas can bring worse problems than the kitchen. Even if the kitchen might be the most visited part of your home, the bathroom would have to be second if not tied.
You need to allow plenty of time to get your bathroom vanity done or face a bathroom torn up when family and guests arrive. Considering you have to use that bathroom to get ready each morning, you don't want it out of commission on Christmas Eve or Day.
Holiday Entertaining While the Remodel Takes Place
Another common occurrence is starting a four-week remodel, then throwing a large party one day after the work begins. Unless your guests are understanding about seeing things torn up in one part of your house, you don't want to be doing holiday parties in the middle of a remodel. This could be especially bad if you're in the middle of having shelves built for a family room or a new fireplace mantle. These are the rooms where you'll likely be spending the most quality time after dinner.
Here at Edgewood Cabinetry, we see the above scenarios all the time around the holidays. We recommend you allow some breathing room on the scheduling so you can enjoy your remodel at least a week or two before Christmas.
At this point, it's best you wait and contact us in the new year to get your new remodel done. Nonetheless, we'll make sure that it's the best decision you ever made for starting the new year off right.

A Real Kitchen Remodel Budget: Deciding What to Cut and What to Splurge On

A real kitchen remodel budget is one that entails knowing exactly what funds you have while spending money on the things you really need. It's easy to have a certain budget and end up adding an amenity at the last minute you didn't think you'd need. But it's important to stick to your budget and know exactly how it's going to be paid so you won't run into unexpected financial challenges later.
By carefully figuring what you really need, you may have enough in your budget to splurge on something you've always wanted in your kitchen.
Deciding What's the Most Important To You in the Remodel
Rather than thinking you have to have everything in a kitchen remodel, consider the most important items in the immediate term. You should place the top priorities first just in case your budget runs over and you can't afford to do anything else. Your focus might want to be on new cabinetry or appliances ahead of a luxurious sink or high-quality molding.
The good news is that the major things like cabinets and appliances are significant enough where they can change the look of your kitchen for the better. If you're lucky enough, the least priority items might still be found on a budget.
Figuring the Type of Remodel and the Cost
If you're going upscale on your remodel, expect to pay in the range of five figures, says HGTV. Even with a more modest remodel, remember that a quarter or more of your costs will in labor charges. New cabinets, in particular, will generally consume the most out of an entire budget with appliances being second. If those are your only focus, you could ultimately save money when paired up with labor costs.
Setting Aside What You Save for the Unexpected
If you're able to save up 20% in your intended budget, you'll have some emergency money for any cost overruns or last-minute adds. You should always have extra money available in remodels to plan for the unexpected. In some cases, that could involve discovering things that need repair as the work unfolds. These repairs can be hidden behind cabinetry and walls without being detected for years.
Keeping Track of Your Budget and Your Payment Method
Before hiring a contractor to start a kitchen remodel, make it clear where your money will come from. If doing a loan, wait until the loan is approved because you'll need to put money up front to contractors for materials. In many cases, using equity in your home can be an excellent way to put that money to use. By doing a kitchen remodel, you'll increase the equity again over time and build even more home value.
Here at Edgewood Cabinetry LLC, we can bring quality and affordrable kitchen remodels to you, especially if your focus is on installing new cabinets. Our wooden cabinets are extremely high quality, and we let you choose the wood you want through our website.
Contact us so we can get started on your new kitchen. We also provide numerous storage solutions, including vanities for your bathroom and cabinetry for any part of your home.

ROI and the Benefits of Remodeling: Kitchen and Bathroom Designs Help in Future Sales

The benefits of remodeling in your home as a return on investment is going to depend considerably on what kind of remodeling style you ultimately choose. When remodeling a kitchen or bathroom, particularly, your chances of a hefty return on investment are much more, says This Old House. But style is going to apply in both considering how important those parts of the house are. When you want to sell your home at a later date, think about a few things during your remodel and how it's going to apply later to a typical buyer.
Classic Styles in the Kitchen
Adding traditional kitchen cabinets during a kitchen remodel with neutral colors will ultimately help you gain a better sale on your house in the future. While many people want to customize their kitchens with offbeat colors and cabinetry designs, you can't necessarily assume you'll be staying in your home for life. Things can happen later that force you to sell, and you want to be at the best financial advantage.
The majority of people looking to buy will look at the quality of the cabinetry or shelving in a kitchen as a major selling part of the house. That's because the kitchen has become the true hub of a home where the most time is spent. And because most of that time is spent preparing food, remodeling kitchen counter tops should also be considered.
While kitchen counter tops can usually be easily upgradeable with a new buyer, you want them to look as attractive as possible later after your investment. Materials like granite hold up for many years. In fact, HGTV recommends you choose granite above any other counter top material. If you ultimately decide not to use granite, using a pattern that looks like granite is going to make a difference in impressing a home buyer.
While the kitchen is important, what about the bathroom? Many of the same design ideas should apply there as well.
The Importance of Storage in a Bathroom
Most buyers won't want to have to keep their bathroom supplies sitting around on open shelves. Designing traditional and neutral-colored vanities will make a huge impression on someone wanting to purchase your home. Many people spend as much time standing in front of a bathroom vanity as they do at a kitchen counter. In that regard, you need to make sure it looks attractive and with plenty of storage space to keep obstructive bathroom supplies hidden from view.
U.S. News reported in 2012 that you can gain a 62% return on investment when you remodel your bathroom. Because bathrooms can look outdated fast, they also recommend using neutral colors to keep it classic.
Here at Edgewood Cabinetry LLC, we don't want to limit you to just classic designs. While it might help you on a future sale, we're here to design whatever you want in the way of cabinetry throughout your home. We'll design beautiful cabinets for your kitchen, a classy vanity for your bathroom, a mantel for your fireplace, or shelving for a family room.
Contact us so we can begin customizing the cabinetry and storage spaces you need for your home. No matter the style you choose, a remodel is going to be a wise investment for the future to keep your home looking classic rather than run down.

Kitchen Counter Tops: The Best Option to Compliment Your Cabinetry and Your Lifestyle

When renovating a kitchen, it can be really difficult to make decisions. After all, the end product will be something you look at every day for years, so you want it to be perfect. So when you're choosing the best option for your kitchen counter tops, going with what is popular may not be the right choice for you. Consider all the choices and factors before making your decision.

One of the factors to decide on is color. If you're getting new cabinetry, you want to choose a counter that complements it. Some people like to show contrast, so if you're choosing white cabinets, installing a dark countertop will look striking. Others like a monochromatic look, making the counters uniform with the rest of the cabinetry. Dark cabinets with dark counters gives a rich, elegant feel, while light counters and cabinets makes things look clean and bright. There is no right or wrong, just consider what look you prefer most.
Secondly, consider countertop material. Granite is by far the most popular option these days, but it does require upkeep and is very costly. Some other options include:

• Soapstone, which naturally comes in shades of grey. It is heat and stain resistant and doesn't require special cleaners.
• Marble gives a unique look. It will stain, but some people enjoy the character that marble takes on as it ages, with stains and scratches part of the process.
• Wood counters are gaining in popularity again, because they can look so unique, especially when using woods such as bamboo or cherry. They need to be oiled frequently to prevent drying, but wood naturally resists bacteria and can be cleaned easily.
• Concrete counters, while extremely heavy, appeal to an artistic eye. They can be custom designed using different colors, and even include designs using stones and tiles. They hold up under heat and scratching, but acidic foods can damage them if not sealed well.
• Engineered quartz is a popular option because it combines the stone with a resin which produces a durable, beautiful product.
• Glass can be tempered, polished and finished to create a unique countertop. It is durable, and has a very high-end, contemporary look.

Choosing a counter top is a big decision, so the best advice is to work with someone experienced in custom kitchen designs. Edgewood Cabinetry has renovated many kitchens and has the experience to advise you on what looks good, and complements the rest of your decor. They can also provide you with pictures of past jobs to inspire ideas. If you need help in making kitchen renovation decisions, contact us.

Consider The 6 Most Popular Kitchen Layouts When Planning Yours

When it comes to building or remodeling your kitchen, don't forget that you will most likely be stuck with the layout for a very long time. The layout can have the biggest impact on how efficiently the kitchen functions, and now is your chance to get it right. Besidesfunctionality, you will want your kitchen to look great, especially if is to be a gathering area for the family. Since no two kitchens are exactly alike, it is a good idea to look at different layouts to find the best one for you, then adapt it to fit your space and needs.
The main consideration in a kitchen layout is functionality. It is important to keep the work triangle in mind. That is, the cook top, sink and refrigerator should all be easily accessible from one to the other. Other important considerations include counter space, aisle space and traffic flow.
Here are the 6 most popular kitchen layouts to give you some ideas and stimulate your imagination.
1. Open Kitchen
This is called open because it eliminates the wall separating the kitchen from the adjoining room, either facing or being incorporated into it. It allows for entertaining in the kitchen and better flow of traffic. This design can also incorporate the various shaped layouts listed here.
2. I-Shaped or One Wall Kitchen
Ideal for small kitchens or where multi-use of floor space is needed. Cabinet and counter space is optimized by placing appliances closely together along a single wall. When the kitchen is not in use, the space in front can be used for other purposes.
3. L-Shaped
Work stations for preparation, cooking and cleanup are set up along two adjoining walls. An island can be added for more countertop and storage space, and possibly a row of stools. Extra storage space can be added with carousel cabinets in the corner.
4. U-Shaped
This layout can be highly efficient with all corners of the work triangle placed within easy reach. In a smaller kitchen it may be possible to stand almost in one place and turn from the refrigerator to the stove and the sink. A large kitchen can include a center island or table, adding functional space at the expense of efficiency.
5. G-Shaped
Similar to the U-shaped kitchen, with extra storage and work space added with a peninsula or half-wall cabinet. For a serious cook, this has the added benefit of restricting unwanted traffic. It has the extra space of an island in a U-shaped kitchen without sacrificing efficiency.
6. Galley Kitchen
Cabinets, work surfaces and appliances are installed against walls on either side of an aisle. This design is most popular for small and narrow kitchens as it maximizes the use of space available. Planning the placement of the various elements is important if this design is to be efficient. Many galley kitchens are arranged so that the work can proceed from one end to the other.
Once you have chosen the layout of your kitchen, you'll want to make sure it looks spectacular with custom made cabinetry designed specifically for you. Edgewood Cabinetry has the expertise and experience to make your kitchen efficient and beautiful. If you would like to know what we can do for your kitchen, contact us.