Tag: bathroom remodeling

Why Custom Blinds and Shades Are Smart Investments

Chanelle Huber

Custom Blinds and Shades KY are a smart investment in the comfort, privacy and functionality of your home. They’re typically higher quality than ready-made options and offer a better fit.

Blinds

They’re also designed to last longer than their ready-made counterparts. This guide will help you evaluate your lighting needs, decorative style, window shapes and room purposes to confidently select the ideal blinds for your space.

Choosing the color of your window blinds is a critical decision that can have a significant impact on how your Franklin home looks and feels. Whether you prefer a minimal and clean look or a cozy and warm atmosphere, the right colors can add the perfect finishing touch to your room.

Window blinds and shades are available in a wide array of colors to fit any aesthetic. However, it’s important to remember that the underlying tone of your colors is more important than their brightness or darkness. This is because the contrast between a cool or warm shade and a wall can create a jarring effect in your space.

If you want your blinds to blend seamlessly with your walls, you should match them in tone. This will help them to disappear when the blinds are lowered and will create a more cohesive look overall. You can also choose a shade that is a few shades darker or lighter than your paint color for a more interesting effect.

Lighter shades will allow more natural light to filter into your room, which can make it feel bigger and brighter. Additionally, light-colored window blinds hide dust and other marks more effectively than darker shades do.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more intimate atmosphere, dark-colored blinds may be the best option for you. Darker shades will create depth and warmth in your room, and they work especially well in larger rooms or longer walls that need a little extra engagement.

Customization

Whether you’re replacing blinds in your old home or picking them out for a new one, you can turn a room from drab to fab with the right window coverings. With custom blinds and shades, you have the ability to choose from a wide variety of colors, fabrics, and designs to create a stylish space that suits your personal tastes.

Unlike ready-made blinds that are mass-produced to cut costs, custom blinds are made by hand and tailored to fit your windows perfectly. This precision ensures that they look polished and professional and complement your home’s decor seamlessly.

With a wide range of colors, patterns, fabrics, and materials, there are endless possibilities to customize your window treatments. Whether you want to block out the sun, filter light, or add warmth and comfort with a woven wood shade, there’s a perfect option for every need.

You can also add the convenience of motorization to your custom shades, so they can be programmed to open and close at different times of day and night depending on your schedule. This means you can relax with a movie and keep your home’s interior cool while cutting energy costs at the same time.

If you’re interested in a high-end look, consider adding fabric tapes or tassels to your custom shades for an extra touch of style. You can even have your blinds personalized with images or quotes to create a fun design statement.

Energy Efficiency

Unlike the cookie-cutter blinds that you can purchase at the box store, custom window treatments are made to order, ensuring that your new window coverings will fit perfectly. This attention to detail not only creates a sleek, beautiful appearance for your home but also improves energy efficiency by minimizing drafts and helping to regulate indoor temperature throughout the year.

The best choice for energy efficiency is a cellular shade. These honeycomb shaped shades offer a layer of insulation that reduces heating and cooling loss for a substantial savings on your energy bills all year round. Plus, they come in a wide range of styles and colors for design aesthetics from classic to contemporary. You can even choose a double cell shade with two layers of cellular pockets to further maximize your energy efficiency and comfort.

Shades provide a more minimalist approach to window treatment and are a great option for homes that want to minimize visual clutter. They also feature many options for how you can raise and lower them, including motorization – another 2023 trend that allows you to control your window coverings with your preferred smart home system.

Drapes are a great option for homeowners who want to take advantage of the natural light in their home while providing maximum privacy and blocking out outside noise. They offer a wide variety of fabrics, designs, and colors, with opacities ranging from sheer to completely blackout. Plus, they’re a perfect solution for tall or difficult-to-reach windows.

When it comes to selecting a fabric for your drapes, look for low VOC (volatile organic compounds) materials that don’t release harmful chemicals into the air. Your design consultant can help you find the right fabric to complement your style and match the rest of your furniture and décor.

Privacy

If you’re concerned about privacy, custom blinds and shades are your best bet. Because they’re designed and crafted to fit your window exactly, they don’t have to be a compromise on either functionality or aesthetics. Customized window blinds and shades block the outside world while allowing in the soft light of the sun, providing a zen-like sense of privacy and obscurity.

In addition, customized blinds and shades are a great choice for families with young children, as they eliminate the risk of dangling cords that pose a strangulation hazard. Louisville Blinds and Drapery offers a range of options that include cordless designs and motorized systems for a sleek, stylish look with optimal safety.

Shades differ from blinds in that they don’t have slats, which means they’re a great choice for those looking to manipulate the amount of natural light entering their space. They can also enhance the look of large windows and sliding doors with their elegant simplicity. The fabric options for this type of window covering offer a wide array of visual textures, and many come lined with energy-efficient materials to help cut down on your home’s energy costs.

While it may be tempting to go with cheaper ready-made window treatments to save money, they’ll likely need to be replaced sooner than their high-quality, custom counterparts. Moreover, they often come in one standard size that’s not perfectly suited to your windows.

On the other hand, custom blinds and shades are designed to be a long-term investment. Because they’re made to order, they’re guaranteed to fit your windows perfectly and can be easily adjusted with a touch of a button or integrated into smart home systems for increased convenience.

Maintenance

Unlike ready-made options, custom blinds and shades are designed with superior quality. This means they’re more resilient to damage, fading and sun exposure, making them easier to clean and maintain over time. This helps them look and feel like new for longer, reducing their overall cost.

In addition to this, custom window treatments often come with a better warranty than their ready-made counterparts. This further demonstrates their commitment to quality, helping you get the most out of your investment over time.

The beauty of custom window treatments is that they’re crafted based on the exact dimensions of your windows. This guarantees a perfect fit, avoiding unsightly gaps and improving the functionality of your home’s lighting, privacy, and energy efficiency.

With a variety of styles, colors and materials to choose from, they’re also easy to match with any interior design style, blending seamlessly into both traditional and modern rooms. If you’re looking for a more sleek, architectural appearance, opt for roller shades or roman shades. They’re available in both hard and soft fabrics, and offer a clean finish that frames your windows flawlessly.

For a more dramatic impact, consider cellular shades or window quilts. These resemble traditional shades but boast a snugger fit and R-value increases, allowing them to block more light and improve energy efficiency. Plus, they can be automated, allowing you to set up a schedule to open and close them at predetermined times, helping reduce your heating and cooling bills.

If you’re interested in smart window treatments, consult with a specialist to learn more about the different options and features available. They’ll be able to advise you on what type of solution is best suited for your space, and help you create a comfortable, stylish and functional living environment that will stand the test of time.

How to Plan a Bathroom Remodeling Project

Sylvia Simmons

A bathroom remodel can increase your home’s resale value and elevate its overall aesthetic. But before you get started, it’s important to understand your goals and priorities for the space.

The first step is choosing a contractor to manage the project. This person will be your point person, troubleshooter, and expert. Click the https://jrcsi.com/ to learn more.

Layout changes should be carefully considered when planning your bathroom remodeling project. Adding or moving fixtures, changing the position of the toilet, and even knocking down a wall can dramatically increase your costs. Make sure your contractor can handle these types of layout changes, and always get a price quote before making any changes.

Unless you’re doing a full remodel, you can often save money by sticking with the existing floor plan and just replacing the fixtures. This type of remodel is sometimes referred to as a replacement or refresh remodel. These changes usually add value to your home, but they may not have as much impact on the overall appearance of the room as a whole.

If you’re going to change the layout of your bathroom, it’s a good idea to create a floor plan using software like RoomSketcher or another design tool. This will help you visualize your changes and make them more realistic before committing to them. Plus, it will give you a reference point if you need to work with contractors or plumbing inspectors.

You can find inspiration for your bathroom layout on platforms like Pinterest and home improvement websites, as well as in design magazines. Pay attention to the colors, fixtures, and layouts that catch your eye. It will help you shape your vision for the space and lay the foundation for the rest of your design decisions.

A common layout for a master bathroom includes a tub and shower on one wall and a vanity and toilet on the other. The vanity is often long and wide enough to accommodate two sinks, if desired. To save on cost, this bathroom layout uses a pocket door instead of a hinged door to maximize the use of available space.

Lighting

There are some design decisions that don’t require much thought—like selecting a new throw pillow or door mat. But other decisions like bathroom lighting fixtures must be carefully considered to ensure they fit your style and function well. Light fixtures are an important component of any bathroom remodeling project, as they help illuminating the space while comfortably facilitating day-to-day tasks. Luckily, there are many lighting fixture options that will suit your style and fit into your current bathroom décor.

First, you’ll need to determine how many light fixtures you need. Whether you’re looking to replace your existing fixtures or want to add more, you should also consider the overall size of the room. A fixture that’s too large can overpower the space, while a fixture that’s too small may look out of place or feel unfinished. Additionally, the color and wattage of your light bulbs will affect how the fixture appears in the room. Ideally, your bathroom light fixtures should all have a similar color temperature and wattage to create a consistent appearance throughout the space.

Ambient lighting is another great option to consider, as it fills the entire space with a soft glow that can create a calm mood. Usually, these types of lights can be put on a dimmer to allow you to customize how bright you want the room to be, depending on your needs.

Finally, skylights are a great way to add natural light to your bathroom, especially when it’s dark outside. However, they can be problematic if the sun sets early or when there’s a cloud in the sky. Installing dimmers to your skylights will give you the ability to lower the brightness of the light and create a more relaxing ambiance after work or during a night-in.

Fixtures

While faucets and toilet systems may seem like a small change in the overall picture, they can have a big impact on how your bathroom looks and feels. Typically, they’re relatively easy to install, though you will need to shut off the water before replacing them. The key to making the right fixture selection is to start with a list of priorities. For example, do you prefer a tub that’s sleek and modern in design or do you prefer the classic elegance of a claw-footed bathtub? Once you have your answer, you can narrow down the options.

Faucets come in a variety of styles and finishes as well, including oil-rubbed bronze, chrome, and brushed nickel. Choose a style that fits your aesthetic preferences, as well as your budget. Also, be sure to consider features such as touchless technology, low-flow showerheads and faucets, and dual-flush toilets to promote eco-friendly habits and save money.

The same goes for sinks and vanities, which are available in a wide range of sizes and materials. Aim for a look that is consistent with the rest of your bathroom.

If your goal is a complete redesign, you’ll need to take into account your electrical and ventilation requirements as well. Old bathrooms are often fed by 15-amp wiring, which is thin and has a limited power capacity. A professional can upgrade the electrical to a dedicated 20-amp circuit, as well as install code-mandated GFCI outlets for outlets that are frequently used, such as hairdryers and straightening irons. For ventilation, your contractor can add an exhaust fan that improves air circulation and keeps the space smelling fresh. Changing your window may also be a good idea, depending on the size of the existing one and how open you want your bathroom to feel.

Materials

The materials used in a bathroom remodel are an important factor that affects the final look and function of your new space. The best choice is one that combines style and durability and provides value for your money. For example, a natural stone tile will add a luxurious feel to your bathroom while also offering water resistance and easy maintenance. Other long-lasting materials to consider are vinyl and linoleum.

Cabinets are the face of your bathroom and can make a huge impact on its overall appearance. They can be made from a variety of material, but the most popular are solid wood, plywood, or medium density fiberboard. Plywood and MDF cabinets are more durable than particleboard, which can swell when exposed to moisture. Solid wood is more expensive but can stand up to years of use and exposure to humidity.

Countertops are another critical area that can have a huge impact on the final design of your bathroom. For maximum durability, quartz is a good choice. It is heat-resistant and comes in a variety of colors and textures to match your décor. Other alternatives to consider include granite and marble. Both offer a sleek and modern look but require regular sealing to keep them looking their best.

When selecting plumbing fixtures, it is important to keep in mind that there are a variety of different prices for the same product. It is possible to save by purchasing a lower-end model, but this may not be worth the added cost of higher installation fees. Be sure to shop around for the best prices on fixtures and contractors, and do your homework to find the right deal.

Accessories

There are many accessories available to help you create a luxurious bathroom. The key is to find items that balance practicality with design aesthetics. For example, you can buy a new showerhead in a finish that matches your cabinet hardware and tiles. Or, you can add a rug and towel racks that complement your home decor style. These are the finishing touches that make a bathroom truly your own.

If you’re looking to upgrade a basic bathroom without spending too much money, consider a few low-cost accessories like a new mirror or shelving unit. You can also save money by refinishing existing cabinets instead of replacing them entirely. Or, you can add a fresh coat of paint to the room to give it a quick and easy makeover.

Another simple way to transform a bathroom is to add heated floors. There are several different options for heating a room, including electric heat mats that have a wall-mounted thermostat. These are safe and energy-efficient. If you’d prefer a natural, cozy feel, then you can choose a wood-burning stove or hydronic heating systems.

Finally, you can also boost your bathroom’s value by adding a luxury bathtub. The best tub suppliers offer many styles, from traditional to modern, that can elevate your bathroom’s design. Depending on your budget, you can purchase a standard tub, whirlpool tub, or freestanding tub. They can even have additional features, such as built-in niches, air jets, and a heated surface. So, take the time to compare the options and pick the right tub for your remodeled bathroom.