Designing an Eco-Friendly and Energy-Efficient Kitchen

October 28, 20140

Learn how your kitchen remodeling can be eco-friendly and energy-efficient.

One of the most popular trends when it comes to kitchen remodeling is being eco-friendly and efficient. Creating a green kitchen offers many advantages, including eliminating waste, conserving natural resources, reducing landfill waste and helping you save money. There is no single design choice when it comes to making your kitchen eco-friendly; it’s all about your personal style and taste. Here are some tips for choosing materials, features, fixtures and other kitchen additions that best fit your kitchen remodeling plans.

Countertops

Your kitchen remodeling plans should include sturdy, easy-to-clean countertops. Green and eco-friendly options include IceStone, a combination of concrete and recycled quartz that comes in a variety of colors. You can also use quartz, hemp, recycled paper or other all-natural materials.

Stainless steel is another eco-friendly option for your countertops. It requires little maintenance, is ideal for cooking and lasts for years, making it a durable choice.

Lighting

Reduce your electric bill by adding more windows to your kitchen. This will fill the space with plenty of natural light, while conserving resources. Ensuring your new windows provide adequate ventilation will give your kitchen an improved indoor air quality.

When planning a kitchen remodeling project, you may want to consider investing in high performance replacement windows. This could help you save money on your heating bills by providing increased insulation. These windows can also make your kitchen feel warmer and more inviting, especially on those cold winter mornings.

Kitchen remodeling can help you save energy and the environment.

Your home improvement contractor can help you make the right choices for kitchen remodeling.

Cooktops and Ovens

Consider an electric-induction cooktop for your kitchen upgrade. This kind of stovetop helps heat your food quickly and evenly by transferring the electronic magnetic energy right onto your pans. While shopping for appliances, keep in mind purchasing an oven with the Energy Star label will help you save as much as 80 percent on your energy bills.

Refrigerators

Refrigerators are the second largest energy consumers in a household. If your kitchen additions include a new refrigerator, look for one with an Energy Star label. According to Energy Star, most refrigerators with the label use 10 to 50 percent less energy than regular models. Another tip for conserving energy with your refrigerator is to avoid anything larger than what you truly need.

Flooring

Though perhaps not the first upgrade you think of when it comes to the kitchen, flooring is an important part of kitchen remodeling. You want to choose materials that are safe for the environment and cohesive with the style of the home.

A good choice for eco-friendly flooring is linoleum made from all-natural materials. Wood flooring, or flooring from a renewable resource, such as bamboo, is another green flooring option. Cork and concrete floor tiles are great sources as well because both use natural pigments.

Sinks and Faucets

When upgrading fixtures in your kitchen, consider a sink that uses recycled material, such as stainless steel or copper. Browse salvage yards for used material, which can help you save money on kitchen remodeling plans.

Look for a faucet with an aerator, which will inject oxygen into the water stream. This helps produce less water than traditional faucets, decreasing wasteful overuse and saving you money on your water bills at the same time.

If you are looking for a Massachusetts home improvement contractor for a kitchen remodel or other project, contact us. Our experienced team can help you transform your vision into reality.

When It Comes to Kitchen Remodeling, Which Is Best…Open or Closed?

September 23, 20140

Do you want an open or closed kitchen remodeling project?

Open or closed….these are your options when it comes to kitchen remodeling.

If you are currently making kitchen remodeling plans, you may have spent some time researching the latest looks and trends in home renovation. Kitchens can have a variety of features, including the ability to be open or closed. If you are having a difficult time deciding whether to add more walls for a closed look or tear down a few for a more open space, there are some advantages and disadvantages to both types of kitchen additions.

Closed Kitchens

When it comes to kitchen remodeling, many homeowners are looking to convert their current kitchens into open living spaces. Creating an open kitchen could mean major construction and tearing down your existing walls, which could greatly increase the cost of your kitchen remodeling plans. If you would rather focus on upgrading other features, such as appliances and cabinets, a closed option could save money.

Other advantages of a closed kitchen include:

· More walls mean more room for cabinets and other storage options

· Messes are easily hidden because your kitchen isn’t so open

· Cooking odors are contained

While closed kitchen additions provide more storage, they do have some disadvantages. For example, if you have small children or pets, it can be more difficult to keep an eye on them if you need to stay in the kitchen. Adding or having more walls in your kitchen remodeling plans can also take up more of your current square footage than an open floor plan.

Your kitchen remodeling options include open and closed designs.

Which design do you prefer? Open or closed kitchen remodeling.

Open Kitchens

Open kitchens are currently one of the most popular home renovation trends. Many new homes already include these open spaces, but if you have an older home and are looking for the same design, kitchen remodeling can help you get the kitchen of your dreams. Along with tying all of your living spaces together, open kitchens:

· Provide a full view into other rooms, such as the family area

· Create a social hub for parties and entertaining

· Allow conversation while cooking

· Bring in more light from windows

Open kitchen remodeling plans can help your family stay connected throughout your home, even when you are busy cooking. Open plans let you keep an eye on small children and pets without leaving the room. Unfortunately, if you don’t currently have an open space and are looking to add one, wall demolition may be needed, which will add to your kitchen additions cost.

If you are looking to add a beautiful open or closed kitchen to your home, contact us. Our Massachusetts design and build contractors have the experience you need to make your dream home a reality.

Custom Cabinets Can Add Character to Your Kitchen

August 28, 20140

Custom cabinets are an easy way to change the look of your kitchen.

Add style with custom cabinets for your kitchen remodeling.

It’s true, the kitchen is the heart of your home. You might be thinking about remodeling so your kitchen better matches the warmth and love your family represents. If you can’t afford full kitchen remodeling, it’s amazing what change something like new kitchen cabinets can make to your space. Whether it’s the color, material or positioning, custom cabinets can be an easy way to improve your kitchen and the value of your home. There are a few things to think about if you’re debating between custom and semi-custom cabinets to add character to your kitchen.

Freedom of Choice

You may be wondering whether it’s worth the cost of custom cabinets over stock cabinets you could pick from a catalog. Included in the higher cost is the ability to customize cabinets to fit your ideal dimensions and storage purposes. With custom cabinets, you are able to select:

the finish
the crown molding
the colors
the trim

If you opt for lighter woods, your kitchen will appear brighter and more cheerful. If you prefer bolder colors, choose darker woods. For a particular color you want in your kitchen, you have the option to choose custom paints or stains for your cabinets. All of the unique characteristics you prefer can be included in made-to-order cabinets, crafted with your creative ideas in mind. You can also easily change a traditional kitchen into a modern one with the help of your custom cabinet choices or visa versa.

Change the look of your kitchen with kitchen remodeling.

Choose the right custom cabinets to suit your kitchen’s new style.

Quality Matters

The kitchen is a valuable part of your home, so why not update it with the best quality material? With custom cabinets, you can have the quality you desire because your options are limitless. The purpose of your cabinet upgrade is not only to change the atmosphere in your kitchen, but to create a user-friendly addition that allows for comfort and fits your family’s style. And don’t forget about the wear your cabinets experience from heat in the kitchen, water droplets from the dishes or the occasional food transfer from a spill or a dirty hand. Purchasing custom cabinets that withstand everyday wear can make the difference in the durability you wish to maintain with your customized cabinets.

Although there is a lot that goes into the kitchen remodeling process, planning for, purchasing and installing your custom cabinets doesn’t have to be a headache. When you finally decide to go with custom cabinets, bank on Colony Home Improvement in MA for the complicated installation process. With more than 40 years of experience under our belts, you can tell us what you want and rest assured your vision will come to fruition. Contact us when you’re ready to get started.

How Lighting Can Affect the Personality of Your Kitchen

July 17, 20140

Lighting is important for kitchen remodeling.

Improve your kitchen remodeling with the use of the right lighting.

Good lighting is a necessity when it comes to cooking. It helps you see your recipes and the food you are working with, as well as what you are eating. When it comes to kitchen remodeling, especially kitchen remodels on a budget, focusing on the lighting can help improve the look and feel of your kitchen. The extra lighting is also useful in small kitchen remodels, giving you the results you want.

An Inviting Atmosphere

Because your kitchen often becomes a gathering place to enjoy family meals or entertain, it is important to create an inviting atmosphere with your kitchen remodeling. Increasing the size of the windows in a kitchen or adding plenty of lighting, particularly above a table or island, can be useful in making your kitchen a place in which people want to gather. Natural light is the preferred option, but if you can’t increase natural light, your remodeling contractor can help you make the right lighting decisions.

Create a Focal Point

The eye is naturally drawn to lighter areas in a room. This means you should consider what you want people to see when they first enter your kitchen. With small kitchen remodels, you won’t have a lot of choices for your focal point. However, it should still be a priority. For instance, under cabinet lighting can attract attention to your kitchen counter decor or small appliances. Some people choose accent lighting in the ceiling to showcase a favorite piece of art. The options are endless. Talk to your kitchen remodeler to find out what he suggests for your focal point and how to draw attention to it.

Types of Lighting

The type of lighting you choose can play a significant role in the personality of your kitchen. Kitchen remodels on a budget may not have as many options, but lighting doesn’t have to be expensive. Natural light is often preferred in the kitchen, but even with the best windows, you will need lighting for evenings spent in this room of the home. Recessed cans can be a great option under cabinets or above counters. A chandelier can provide a touch of elegance when hung above your table. You can even add more casual pendant lighting over your kitchen island.

The lighting you choose for your kitchen can play a significant role in the personality of this room in the home. Because your kitchen is used often, you need plenty of light to function. However, it can also create a unique sense of style for your kitchen. Before you get started on your kitchen remodeling, work with your contractor to determine which lighting options will give you the exact look and functionality you want.

If you are ready to start your kitchen remodeling project, contact us. At Colony Home Improvement in MA, we can update your kitchen personality, including the right lighting options.

What’s Hot for Kitchen Remodeling in 2014

May 21, 20140

Kitchen remodeling can increase the value of your home.

The latest trends in kitchen remodeling require space, light and cool colors.

Are you thinking about remodeling your old kitchen to spruce it up? Maybe you bought your house years ago, and it needs some updating? Whatever the reason, you may need a few ideas to help kick-start your kitchen remodeling plans. During your kitchen remodeling research you will find amazing, creative ideas. Just remember, remodeling should fit you and your family’s style and make you feel comfortable with your decisions.

Here are just a few of the current trends to get you started:

Space, Space, Space

An ever-popular trend with kitchen remodeling is an open concept design. Since the kitchen is the room where most of the activities take place, having a larger open living space that leads out of the kitchen gives families the advantage of pursuing other interests and still being together. An open concept kitchen is also ideal for entertaining.

Loving Light

Most people want a lot of natural light. Research shows the use of natural light can greatly affect your mood and even your health. Natural light encourages your body to produce more Vitamin D and release those feel-good hormones.

Creating more outlets for natural light in your kitchen remodeling plans is a great way to utilize this scientific fact. How can you create more natural light in your kitchen? Large windows are the most common solution to this problem. However, you can also install skylights if you want even more natural light to flow through. Enhancing the natural light from outside can be done with counter lighting, under cabinet lighting and spotlights.

Cool Colors

When looking at current trends for color in kitchen remodeling, you’ll find this year’s color palette is all about creating a more relaxing space. It’s a softer take on past contemporary looks. You’ll want to create a kitchen area that’s more inviting and comfortable by using grays, blues and other softer colors. Use bold colors wisely and only as accents.

Floors as a Focal Point

The hottest trend for this year is patterned flooring, which means anything goes! Numerous patterned tile options are available. Parquet flooring is another example. If you don’t want to be tied down to a patterned floor in your kitchen remodeling, you can always find area rugs with interesting geometric patterns. If you decide to follow this trend when creating your kitchen remodeling plans, there are hundreds of flooring ideas for inspiration.

Figuring out what you expect from your new kitchen is a personal choice. These are just a few tips and trends that are hot this year. If you want to take your kitchen remodeling plans to the next level, contact us. With more than 40 years of experience in kitchen remodeling in MA, you can put your trust in Colony Home Improvement to get your job done right and make your home renovation dreams a reality.

Tag: kitchen remodeling