The bathroom is the new den, man cave, or mom cave! More and more, people are going to the bathroom to relax and even luxuriate after a day in the rush-rush world. Homeowners are upgrading the rooms, outfitting them with everything from soaking tubs to heated floors. But peace and quiet aren’t the only motivating factors. An upgraded bathroom helps sell a home and is a great investment.

One trend that is becoming big when remodeling a bathroom, is the shower. In small bathrooms, homeowners are tearing out the tub to expand the shower. Not only is the stall getting larger, it’s getting more airy, with much more glass. They want to feel like they’re going into a spa. Homeowners want to feel like they are on vacation all year round.

Noisy jacuzzi’s are also being replaced by soaking tubs. These jet-less tubs are often deep, insulated tubs. Notably missing: the huge amount of decking that typically surrounded many tubs installed in nicer homes in the ’80s and ’90s. Top designers say the master bathrooms are more than just bathrooms, they’re becoming sanctuaries. People want master bathrooms to be brighter and more sun-filled than before.

That means adding windows and even skylights to a bathroom. Another big trend in the bathroom scene is steam. People are discovering how wonderful it is to come home at the end of the day and de-stress.

If you are sick and tired of your kitchen or bathroom cabinets you are definitely not alone! Many homeowners “live” with their cabinets for years and years because they simply don’t know how to change them without having then ripped out and starting fresh. Well, I want you to know that you don’t have to “live” with ugly, old looking cabinets any longer. You also don’t have to spend thousands of dollars having them ripped out and having new ones installed. All you have to do is buy some paint and supplies, and roll up your sleeves. Exerting a little time, energy, elbow grease, and about $50 is really all your need to transform your cabinets into the focal point of your space.

The first thing that you need to do is de-gloss the cabinets or no paint is going to get good adhesion. Don’t skip this step, it is vital to getting a good result! Once the prep work is done (the most important part) then it’s up to the look you want. A brush is always going to result in a brush stroke look while a roller will give you a more even finish. If you have a raised panel door you would need a brush to get into the nooks and crannies and then you could finish with a roller. A sprayer will give you the most even finish.

Take the handles off the doors and string them up through the handle hole. Then spray. This will give you the best look (just be careful the spray paint doesn’t run). Purchase some new hardware and once everything is dry, start screwing them in. If you don’t skip any steps and take your time, you will love the final results. Plus, you can brag to your friends that you did it yourself!

If you are about to build your dream house, it’s important to make choices that you love, but that don’t break the budget! Let’s talk about a few ways to save money when deciding on those dream house features.

Let’s start with flooring. The most common flooring choices in the family room or great room are carpeting, laminate hardwood, engineered hardwood, or site-finished solid hardwood. Carpet is usually the least expensive option, but may need to be replaced in 5-10 years, due to wear. Hardwood is another popular option. It can be expensive, but with proper care and eventual refinishing, can last for the life of the home. High-quality engineered or laminate floors can cost as much as site-finished natural hardwoods, or even more. It’s important to determine what the best investment is for your budget, initially and long-term.

In today’s homes, fireplaces are chosen more often for their visual appeal and the lure of cozy, romantic winter evenings than for traditional heating imperatives. In 1991, 62% of new homes had a fireplace. By 2007, only 51% of new homes included fireplaces. And most fireplaces today are gas, rather than wood-burning. A full, floor-to-ceiling stone surround can be the most striking focal point in your home. But it can get expensive, so you may also want to consider a ceramic tile fireplace, which can also look beautiful as well. (This will also be a big money saver!)

Now let’s talk about built-ins. Beautiful yes, but their price can definitely add up. A beautiful, furniture grade built-in with lower cabinetry, upper bookshelves, and special places for electronics can really make a room sizzle. But this type of upgrade can cost several thousands of dollars. If you simply can’t afford this, talk to your builder about “framing“ in preparation for future additions.

A higher ceiling can make a home feel a lot larger than it actually is, but it does have its drawbacks. If lower heating and cooling costs and more efficient use of space are more important to you than open space overhead, you might agree with the most recent trends that are replacing wide-open ceilings with a full size bonus room occupying that space. This a good option that will definitely save you on your energy bills.

We all know that a kitchen is the heart of a home. Like any room in the house, more storage is better than a lack of storage. New kitchen design trends show that homeowners are putting their money, time, and effort into creating their perfect kitchen design, with a smooth integration of both form and function.

Among the more popular kitchen design trends is the addition of a Butler’s Pantry. A Butler’s Pantry can be added to a home of nearly any size and budget. The purpose of the Butler’s Pantry will help determine the size and cost of the space. Common uses for a Butler’s Pantry is storage space. Butler’s Pantries are really convenient because you can have them built with cabinets, shelves, and doors, perfect for easy reach of often-used items.

Butler’s Pantries provide additional serving area you may need to put the finishing touches on a meal, while keeping the main kitchen areas clear for conversation.
The Butlers Pantry can include decorative shelves or display areas, plate racks, wine racks, stem glass holders, and more. This would be a great place to show off your china, silver, and wine selections. Before you just have your Butler’s Pantry built anywhere, keep in mind that the location can often be determined by the intended use. Common locations for a Butler’s Pantry include between the kitchen and formal dining room. However, Butler’s Pantries make great use of small hallways, particularly around staircases.

Just remember that while your Butler’s Pantry is designed to give you more storage and help you while entertaining. It needs to not be a throwaway space. Treat it as another room that you would show off to your guests. This will look appealing to potential homebuyers who may not have a Butler’s Pantry in their homes right now. A definite selling feature!

In this economy, most homeowners are trying to fix things around the house, themselves. In my house, it seems like we can go about six months before something breaks and needs to be fixed. A common problem for many homeowners is simple plumbing.

If you have a leaky faucet, it could be an easy fix. But keep in mind, if you have a bigger, more complicated job, you need to be open-minded enough to call in the pros. I know, it’s going to cost you about $125, but if you’ve got a complicated job, it will definitely save your sanity!

Ok, here’s some simple plumbing 101. If you have an old-style faucet or outdoor hose bib, it may be as simple as replacing a washer or two. But if it’s something fancy, you’ll spend some time on this job. This seemingly simple job can get very frustrating, so decide if you want to risk blowing most of a day trying to fix it yourself, or simply pay a plumber to do it for you.

If you want to do it yourself, first turn off both supply lines to the faucet. Turn the handle to the “on” position to make sure the water is fully off. If you can’t get it to stop running, you may need to call in backup.

Depending on the style of faucet, you may need to remove the handle, then the “cartridge” (which is the brass mechanism full of washers, O-rings, etc.) that looks kind of like a spark plug. Then, take the whole thing into a good, fully stocked local plumber’s supply and get new parts. Don’t be shy to ask for advice if you’re not sure about what you’ve done to this point.

Lastly, assemble all your new parts being careful not to strip or cross-thread anything, then turn the water back on and check for leaks. Test the operation of the faucet at all settings and turn it off. Then keep an eye on it over the next day to make sure you don’t have to adjust anything. If after a day or two, you are drip-free, you not only just fixed your leak, you saved yourself about $125!