Modern Kitchen and Bath Upgrades

, ,

Upgrades happen for all kinds of reasons, but one of the most common purposes of a home renovation is to make essential spaces like kitchens and bathrooms more modern.

Modernizing your spaces isn’t just about the aesthetic, although that is a major advantage, especially when it comes to resale value. Updating your kitchen and bath is also an opportunity to introduce new technology and enhancements that improve the function of these high-traffic rooms. Modern styles simplify everyday living and can make contemporary entertaining more enjoyable. The sleek lines of modern design lend themselves to a clean look, which is supported by hidden features that make organization easier.

Smart Technology

Although the idea of a connected home isn’t new, technology is steadily improving. This means smart features are now often more affordable, easily integrated into the rest of your home and available to help manage a wider range of household items.

In the kitchen, you can add smart technology in numerous ways, from appliances and climate control to lighting and window treatments. For example, touch-to-open and push-to-open doors and drawers create a sleek, modern design while opening and closing with either a push or touch of a button for convenience.

Similar diversity is available in the bathroom, where you can incorporate connected health and fitness monitors, touchless toilets, mirrors that double as information centres, towel warmers and even showers that automatically adjust to your preferred temperature.

Paint

Changing the colours in a space is one of the most effective ways to transform the decor, but the walls aren’t the only place where paint can make a big impact, especially in rooms like the kitchen or bathroom, where the cabinetry can make a bold statement.

Black is a hallmark of modern design and installing cabinetry with a black finish can instantly upgrade a room. To create visual interest, consider incorporating accent cabinets in a coordinating finish.

Decorative Range Hoods

An exposed range hood is a trendy look that can add sophistication to your kitchen. Treating this functional element as a statement piece gives you another place to showcase your style and create a sleek and modern look. If your hood is covered, consider making the cabinet door a focal point with a material such as back-painted glass.

Multi-Purpose Sinks

While your sink has some obvious functions, you can upgrade the space for even more practical use. Some of the latest sink design innovations include built-in features such as cutting boards, colanders, bowls, drying racks and compost areas. In addition, motion activated wastebaskets with separate compost or recycling containers provide hands-free access to reduce unwanted messes.

Touchless Faucets

Public restrooms aren’t the only places you can benefit from a touchless faucet. At home, the feature may come in handy when your hands are full or filthy. An automatic water

flow is convenient and can help keep germs and grime under control. For the most on-trend, modern look, coordinate your faucets with other bathroom elements finished in gold hues, such as a laminate veneer vanity in a high-gloss gold finish.

Free-Standing Tub

A luxurious soaking tub is a top demand for many homeowners, and trends are moving toward free-standing options that create a focal point in an oasis-like bathroom. You may be envisioning an old-fashioned clawfoot style, but there are numerous modern takes on the traditional version that can fit seamlessly into your modern design scheme.

Reprinted with permission from RISMedia. ©2021. All rights reserved.

/by

Got Kids? 5 Things to Look for in a Home

, , , , ,

Searching for a home on its own can be stressful enough. Throwing kids into the mix can leave you feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. To make the experience more enjoyable for all, consider this advice when house-hunting with a young family.

Location, Location, Location

It always comes back to location, and when you have kids, location is more important than ever. Depending on your children’s ages and interests, where you choose to raise your family can significantly impact how everyone settles in. Consider the type of community you want – rural, urban or suburban? A quiet life in the country sounds lovely, but if it’s a long way from schools, community centres or shopping, you could spend a considerable amount of time driving back and forth. Likewise, a city atmosphere may not be ideal if children have no place to play or the streets are busy.

Proximity to Schools

Considering the home’s proximity to schools may seem obvious, but it’s surprising how many people talk themselves into the “perfect” home only to discover it’s too far from a school or the walking route isn’t safe (think busy intersections or no sidewalks). Your employment situation and hours can also impact the ideal school location – will you be walking the kids or dropping them off on the way to work? The reputation of the school is also important and what it offers in addition to education. Does it have sports teams or an arts program? A home close to a good quality school will also keep reselling prices high, making selling easier if you choose to move again down the road.

Size and Layout of the Home

When considering the size of the home you need, take into account the sports or activities your children play. A hockey player may need a mudroom to store smelly equipment, whereas a musician may need instruments in a finished basement to keep noise levels down. Also, consider how long you plan to stay in the home. If this is a long-term move, will the space be large enough for teenagers or young adults? Students who go away to university or college usually move back home for a while as they search for employment and save for rent or a down payment. You may want to consider a basement with an apartment or a walk-out with a separate entrance.

It Takes a Village

It takes a village to raise a child – even in 2021. Finding a community where you can meet like-minded families is key to creating a happy home environment. Research the demographics for the area and determine if there are other families with children of similar ages. Check crime rates to determine if the neighbourhood will be safe for you and your family, then take a walk through the streets and get a good feel for the area. Can you see yourself there? Does it feel right? Your gut instincts can say a lot about a place, so take the time and check it out thoroughly.

Let Your Kids be Part of the Process

Depending on the age of your children, keeping them involved in house hunting as much as possible will make the prospect of moving more exciting. Ultimately, you will decide where to live, but involving them may go a long way to creating an easier transition. Consider leaving them at home for the initial visit and include them only when you have narrowed down your search. There’s a fine line between confusing them with too many options and keeping them involved, so try not to schedule more than two house visits in one outing. Kids who get bored will also become more disruptive and could cause tension during the visit.

/by

What to Look for in a Storage Facility

,

Many people store items (furniture, boxed clothes, decorative items) in their basement or garage, but this can prove problematic. Temperature and humidity fluctuations can wreak havoc on your possessions, causing furniture to warp and fabric items to become mouldy.

External storage facilities are popular year-round. Need a place to store your precious antique convertible? Or is there no room in the garage or the garden shed to store your beautiful garden furniture through the winter months? Do you own a boat? Have the kids left home but somehow their “stuff” hasn’t gone with them? The list is endless….

But it is during the process of moving home that storage facilities really come into their own. As you prepare the home for sale, every stager and realtor will advise you to declutter as much as possible. You are going to need a place to store items you do not wish to part with. Sometimes, realtors will advise you to “refresh” your home décor and use more modern furniture and accessories to make a positive first impression on buyers. You will need a secure place to store your own furniture during the sale process.

Of course, once the sale happens, your moving company may offer to store your furniture in the event that the move-out date does not correspond with the possession date of your new home. But what if your new home needs a fresh coat of paint or a more extensive renovation before you move in? It may be more convenient to store your possessions in a secure facility where you have access rather than at the moving company where you will not be able to access it.

Lastly, downsizing is not easy. There are many people at this stage of life who don’t quite succeed in parting with all their precious possessions before they move, and need a semi-permanent place to store items that they still “need” occasionally.

It is no surprise then that the storage facility business is booming. There is a wide range of facilities to choose from, with different rates and features.  How do you choose which one is right for you?

When choosing a storage facility, Babette Buck of UltraStor in Burlington recommends checking contracts for hidden administration fees and their minimum rental period (usually four weeks/one month). She also suggests that, before you sign a contract, be sure to take a tour of the facility with a checklist. Here are some key items to consider:

  • The facility is well lit and clean
  • Each unit has an individual alarm
  • There is a robust security system
  • The facility is gated and locked
  • Each unit is temperature-controlled if indoors
  • The facility has a comprehensive pest control plan
  • Hours of operation -A 24-hour facility allows access at any time
  • Ask about promotions or discounts
  • The facility provides insurance coverage (your items will
    not be covered under your homeowner insurance)
  • The facility has a retail store with packing and moving supplies
  • You are provided with a high-quality padlock and key
  • The facility has a policy to not store prohibited items such as propane tanks, toxic chemicals or food
  • Check online reviews for 4- and 5-star ratings

With answers to these questions, you will be in a better position to compare the options available to you, and select a storage facility that suits your needs and budget.

Written by: Julie Achtermeier 

/by