Author: Lenny

Open up the space with bathroom remodeling.
bathroom remodeling, home additions

Luxurious and Unique Weston, MA, Master Bathroom Additions You May Not Have Thought Of

Has your bathroom lost its luster? Not only will a fresh new bathroom make you feel pampered and at peace, but it will also be attractive to prospective buyers if you plan to sell your home in the coming years. Even before you contact home addition contractors in MA to begin taking measurements and working up an estimate to remodel your bathroom, you should at least have a general sense of what features you’d like your new bathroom to have. One way to come up with ideas is to view actual room additions before and after in Weston and the surrounding areas. Create an idea book so you can jot down things you’d like to consider. As you begin looking at before and after photos, magazines and websites, here are five amazing trends you might see.

Open, Walk-in Showers

A huge trend in bathroom remodeling in MA is shunning tub/shower combinations in favor of a bathroom with separate tub and shower or with only a tub or shower. In either case, if you are not a fan of mildewed shower curtains, you will love walk-in showers. They incorporate partial walls covered with tile or stone that are topped to the ceiling with glass or glass blocks. These spacious and light-filled showers envelope you in spa-like luxury.

A stand-alone tub can be ideal for custom built home plans.

Custom built home plans can include a stand-alone tub.

Stand-alone Tub

If you love relaxing in the tub, why not make it the centerpiece of your bathroom? Vintage cast-iron claw foot tubs and other freestanding tubs look like sculptures in a bathroom. Even better? They are ideal for creating an ambiance where you’ll feel pampered.

Add Warmth

You can add warmth to your bathroom through colors and accessories. You can also add warmth, literally, by incorporating heated floors, towel warmers and even fireplaces. That’s right! Small, vent-free fireplaces are becoming more common in bathrooms, especially in areas like Massachusetts where winters can be brutal. Why not incorporate a bathroom fireplace into your Weston, MA, custom built home plan?

Add Natural Light

A big complaint many people have about their bathrooms is they feel too small. One of the best ways to make a room appear larger is to add windows. When bathroom windows are placed strategically, such as in a location where neighbors can’t peer in, they bathe your space in natural light and bring in lovely scenery.

Incorporate a Washer and Dryer

Not everyone desires a spa-like bathroom. Some people value a bathroom that maximizes function and convenience. Adding a washer and dryer to your bathroom may be especially smart if you have children and are overloaded with laundry. Imagine the convenience of being able to strip off your clothing before you take a shower and deposit it directly into the washing machine? You’ll have fewer piles of dirty laundry to deal with!

Bathroom, bedroom, mudroom, bonus room … if you dream it, we can build it. If you need help finding inspiration, we can help. Contact us today at Colony Home Improvement to begin planning an amazing new bathroom!

Improve functionality with kitchen remodeling.
home additions

Kitchen Cabinet Remodeling Ideas in Demand This Year in Wellesley, MA

Are you looking for a home remodeling project that will increase the value and also enhance your enjoyment of your home? Kitchen remodeling in MA is the way to go. If you’re like most people, you spend plenty of time in your kitchen. If your kitchen is outdated, in disrepair or less functional than you’d like, remodeling it will result in a transformation you’ll love. As you plan your dream kitchen, one of your biggest choices will be your kitchen cabinetry. Here are six hot kitchen cabinet trends to inspire you.

Incorporate Glass Cabinet Doors

Do you want to make your kitchen appear larger? Create a distinction between your upper and lower cabinets? Easily see what you have so you can find it quickly? Display your beautiful stemware and dishes? Consider glass-front cabinets that will deliver all of these items on your wish list!

Incorporate Open Shelves

When seeing your dishes and cookware is not enough and you want to be able to quickly access what you need, consider adding a section of open shelves in your cabinetry. Skip the doors altogether for the ultimate in convenience and functionality.

Improve the function of your kitchen with help from home improvement contractors.

Home improvement contractors can help create a more functional kitchen.

Make Space for Your Gadgets

When you’re designing a new kitchen, you can truly tailor it to your needs. If you can’t stand being away from your phone or tablet, you can add built-in docking stations and even tablet holders. Just imagine how convenient it will be for you to search for and follow recipes! Don’t forget to carve out a niche for your television if you love to watch TV while you cook.

Don’t Limit Yourself to One Color

Torn between navy or cream cabinetry? You don’t have to choose if you incorporate a two-tone cabinet look in your kitchen. The key to pulling off this look is to ensure at least one of the colors is a neutral, such as white, beige, natural wood, black or gray. Choose one color for your upper cabinets and another for your lowers for a truly custom look.

Don’t Limit Yourself to Wood

When most people think of kitchen cabinets, they think of wooden cabinets. While wood is by far the most common kitchen cabinet material, it is not your only option. Home addition contractors in MA are receiving more requests for stainless-steel cabinets. If your style leans toward the modern and contemporary, this unique cabinetry option may be worth considering in your kitchen remodel.

Horizontal Cabinets

In most kitchens, cabinets are square or rectangular and installed vertically. In some of the most recent home additions in MA, owners have opted for horizontal, or stackable, cabinets. Especially in smaller kitchens, this approach to cabinetry makes maximum use of available wall space.

Cabinetry, counter tops, flooring, storage, island … when you remodel your kitchen, you have a vast array of options from which to choose. It can be overwhelming to say the least. Take a deep breath and contact us at Colony Home Improvement, one of the most respected home improvement contractors in Wellesley and the surrounding areas. Our skilled design team will help you design your dream kitchen at your own pace, and then we will bring your vision to life!

Increase storage space with kitchen remodeling.
home additions, kitchen remodeling

Kitchen Contractors in Ma Will Help You Increase Storage in Your Kitchen and Add Value to Your Home

If you’re tired of clutter in your kitchen and piles of stuff lining your countertops because there is no dedicated home for it, you will be amazed by the dramatic improvements you can enjoy from a project like kitchen remodeling in MA. Here are just a few of the benefits you can expect when you hire a kitchen specialist to help with your custom built home plans in Scituate,

Look Up for More Storage

If you are blessed with an abundance of accessories, dishes, barware, decorations, collectibles and more, you may struggle with where to put your bounty. Especially when your items are seldom used or solely decorative, you can get away with storing them in hard-to-reach places. Consider adding one or two shelves above your cabinets or refrigerator to store your salt-and-pepper shaker collections, cake stands, beer steins and other rarely used items. The shelves will draw the eye up and make your ceiling appear higher. If you’re meticulous about staging your belongings, the shelves will be as inviting to look at as they are functional. Another way to create storage near the ceiling is to hang a decorative pot rack. If you love to cook, you may find having a visual on all your pots and pans helpful and convenient.

Utilize your space with the help of kitchen addition contractors.

Kitchen addition contractors help you utilize your space.

Look Inward for Hidden Storage 

If you have a kitchen island, it is the ideal spot to add drawers, cubbies and shelves to hold table linens, silverware, crayons or whatever else needs a home. If your kitchen doesn’t have an island now and you’re planning to design your own home in Scituate, do yourself a huge favor and make sure the kitchen includes one! Also make sure your kitchen contractor knows you want to take advantage of the storage opportunities an island presents. Islands are great for adding storage, extra seating and prep space, and they also serve as a pretty focal point of your room.

Look Down for Storage and Seating Combined

If your kitchen has a bank of windows or, better yet, a bay window, consider having a storage bench or window seat built in. Not only will you be adding more seating, you’ll enjoy a considerable amount of storage. Simply lift up the seat’s lid and you can store anything and everything. Have you always puzzled where to store your nonperishable purchases from the bulk warehouse? A storage bench could be just the place!

Remodeling your kitchen is a win-win, in the short-term, while you are still living in your house, as well as when you choose to sell later. When your kitchen is functional and uncluttered, you’re more likely to spend more time cooking, entertaining and enjoying the heart of the home. If you are looking for skilled, responsible, courteous, affordable kitchen addition contractors in MA, contact us at Colony Home Improvement before you contact anyone else!

Change the look of the room with bathroom remodeling.
bathroom remodeling, home additions

Need a Bathroom Update But on a Budget? Colony Home Will Create the Perfect Remodel

When you embark on any remodeling project, you have options galore in terms of the construction materials you’ll use, the layout of the space, color scheme, accessories and more. If you want to pursue a project in bathroom remodeling in MA but are on a tight budget, you are fortunate most area bathrooms are small spaces. That in itself saves you money. Don’t make the mistake of deciding to do it yourself. More often than not, you will end up hiring a professional to correct your DIY fixes. You can afford to hire a pro when you heed some of these tips for remodeling your bathroom without breaking the bank.

Use Tiles Strategically

Most home addition contractors in MA will encourage you to use tile on your bathroom floors. Not only is it attractive, but it can withstand moisture and the frequent cleanings it will likely be subject to. Any home improvement store will offer a decent selection of affordable floor tiles. Unfortunately, unless you find them on sale or clearance, decorative tiles often used in bathroom showers and on bathroom backsplashes are usually expensive per square foot. Instead of tiling an entire wall in your shower, consider tiling a strip in the center so it will tie the room together, but save you money on materials.

Consider Repurposing Your Tub or Shower

If your bathtub and/or shower are structurally sound, consider having them re-glazed or relined instead of replacing them. You’ll save a significant amount of money and achieve the updated look you want.

Discuss tiles with your home improvement contractors.

Talk to your home improvement contractors about adding tiles.

Splurge on Plumbing Fixtures and Lighting

Even if you decide to go with stock rather than custom cabinets and a tile or Formica countertop rather than granite or marble, you can add elegance with strategically placed luxury finishes. Choose a statement piece, perhaps a small chandelier, as your main lighting source. Splurge on higher-quality sink and tub/shower faucets. Instead of boring contractor-pack cabinet knobs and pulls, look for unique options. You can find stunning, unique cabinet hardware that will transform the feel of your space for less than $10 each.

Paint Is Your New Best Friend

A fresh coat of paint (professionally applied, of course) is the least expensive way to change the look of any room. Ask Newton home improvement contractors for photos of bathroom remodels they have done and look at home improvement magazines and websites to get inspiration. Don’t overlook the ceiling! There is no reason your ceiling has to be painted white! A light color that complements your wall color can create a warm, inviting space. Make sure to splurge on high-quality, mold-resistant paint that is designated as bathroom-friendly.

For Small Bathrooms, Consider Pedestal Sink

Many custom built home plans in Newton include powder rooms or half bathrooms. If you want to remodel such a bathroom or any small bathroom, ask yourself if you really need a full countertop. Installing a compact pedestal sink instead of a traditional sink and countertop combination will make your bathroom feel significantly larger and roomier.

If you are underwhelmed by your current bathroom, dream of having it remodeled, but assume you can’t afford to do so, you may be pleasantly surprised! Contact us at Colony Home Improvement to discuss your project. If you’re on a tight budget, we’ll work with you to get the job done beautifully and affordably.

Consider adding an island with kitchen remodeling.
home additions, kitchen remodeling

A Kitchen Remodel Modernizes Your MA Home, and an Island Makes It Easy

People often say, “The kitchen is the heart of the home.” In many cases, that is entirely true. The kitchen is where amazing meals are prepared and friends and family gather to enjoy them. If your kitchen is cramped, dated or not as functional as you wish it was, you can benefit from a kitchen remodeling project. Here are five compelling reasons a Needham custom built floor plan that includes a kitchen island is the way to go.

1. Provides Extra Storage

A major reason so many MA kitchen remodeling projects include islands is because many homeowners covet additional storage space. You can design an island that includes drawers, shelves and cabinets to store things like kitchen accessories, table linens, kids toys, cookbooks or whatever you like to keep out of sight. Some islands also include slide-out trash cans and recycling bins!

2. Provides Extra Seating

If you’ve never lived in a home with a kitchen island, you may not realize how convenient it is to accommodate guests. Keep stools on-hand and you can quickly accommodate unexpected dinner guests or kids working on a class project. Many homeowners use their kitchen islands for a lot more reasons than just preparing food.

A custom built home plan should include an island.

Consider an island in your custom built home plan.

3. Can Be a Beautiful Focal Point for Your Kitchen

Undoubtedly, one of your main reasons for researching home addition floor plans in Needham is to make your home more attractive. In the kitchen, you can create an island that’s made out of granite, marble, wood, tile or metal. There are options galore for creating an island that will be not only functional, but truly beautiful. Consider it a work of art for the kitchen!

4. Ideal Gathering Place

A huge reason to pursue home additions in MA is to make your space more livable. When you’re comfortable and happy with your surroundings, you’re more likely to invite friends and family over to your home. In the kitchen, an island lets you visit with your guests while you are cooking or cleaning. They can simply pull up a stool and keep you company!

Additionally, an island is a convenient place for your kids to do their homework while you’re making dinner. You can get what you need to get done while still being able to help them when they need it.

5. A Movable Island Delivers Flexibility

Many people incorrectly assume they must have a large, open-format kitchen in order to have a kitchen island. That’s not necessarily the case. Movable islands are ideal for smaller or galley-style kitchens. You can park the island away in a corner when you don’t need it, then wheel it out to provide extra prep space or seating.

If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, make sure you choose a contractor you can trust. Our staff at Colony Home Improvement has decades of experience completing beautiful home additions and remodels for clients in Needham and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to see how we can help build the kitchen of your dreams!