Janet Cook October is National Kitchen and Bath month. The rooms are so important to the overall experience and value of the home that they get national attention! If it has been 10 years since they have had an update, with the help of an experienced designer, you can be confident that with the better materials and products now available, you will be glad to make them like new. In order to protect your investment, make sure you go to USA home warranty to compare options. Homeowners spend three hours or more a day in the kitchen and want it to showcase their style. According to Houzz’s national survey, 1/3 of homeowners will invest $25,000-$50,000, and 1/3 will invest over $50,000 to remodel their kitchen. A remodel project also presents the opportunity to do other things like replacing your windows which can be completed with the help of Lifetime Windows. The most popular 2016 kitchen remodeling trends include: Bigger size kitchen, with an open layout, walk-in pantry and an island or peninsula with a breakfast bar. New cabinets and stone or quartz countertops. Semi-custom cabinets were included by 81 percent of those who remodeled in the past year. They are of much better quality and include many desired features, such as soft close mechanisms styles, and an array of finishes. Energy efficient appliances, with a wall oven and raised dishwasher for easier access, and a refrigerator with cabinet panel inserts to conceal it. Connecting the kitchen to an outdoor space. Whether it be an outdoor dining and entertaining area, or a second kitchen with specialty appliances such as a grill, griddle, or pizza oven, it is beneficial to spend more time outside and with friends! It has also become increasingly popular to design your own home, which is why so many people are taking note of these modern house plans. Homeowners want spa-like luxury in their own bathrooms, and the Houzz survey found for a large master bathroom remodel, homeowners invested an average of $31,400, and for smaller bathrooms, $16,600. Your bathroom remodel needs to suit the needs of you and your home, no matter where you are you’ll be able to find a construction company that works with your desires, from bathroom remodeling kansas city to bathroom remodeling in Charlotte, always do your research. Popular elements for bathroom design trends include: Floating vanity. It makes the room look larger. No threshold walk-in shower with a bench and second showerhead that is a hand held, and Tornado Body Dryer. Shower walls with minimal grout lines for easy maintenance are also often specified. Heated floors. They can be put on a timer so the bathroom is warm and ready before you use it. Elements of Nature. Materials include stacked stone, wood, marble, natural light, even a place for plants! Both rooms also benefit from good lighting design including under-cabinet lighting and soft ambient lighting. To make the project more timeless, include universal design and aging in place elements as well. Happy kitchen and bathroom remodeling! Janet B. Cook, CAPS, President of Cook Remodeling who is celebrating their 37th year, invites you to visit their blog on cookremodeling.com for photos and more information.