Tips for an Easy-to-Clean Bathroom Design

MKBD has been remodeling homes in the Greater Philadelphia area since 1982, so we feel quite confident naming the most hated household chore: cleaning the bathroom! Yes, over thirty years of experience has proved this simple, unassailable truth: when faced with a dirty bathroom, most homeowners turn the blind eye.

When was the last time you cleaned your bathroom? If you're like most homeowners, this simple chore inspires your most steadfast bouts of procrastination. And really, we can't blame you. We've seen plenty of bathrooms designed without even the slightest notion of ease-of-cleaning. For many homeowners, this chore is really the chore.

The culprit here is not necessarily budget. We've seen plenty of expensive bathrooms that fail the ease-of-cleaning mandate. In pursuing luxury at all costs, many homeowners often sacrifice practicality. It doesn't have to be this way.

The common-sense tips below will help you design a bathroom that is beautiful and easy-to-clean.

Opt for a Shower Curtain

This is a no-brainer, yet some of the most popular bathroom materials are also some of the hardest-to-clean. Glass and fiberglass, for example, cloud easily, and need to be treated with special, non-abrasive cleaners.

Shower doors are often fitted with glass doors. The simplest (and most cost-efficient) alternative to a glass shower door is a shower curtain and liner, which can both be thrown in your washing machine for easy cleaning.

The appeal of a shower curtain is not simply ease-of-cleaning. Note how the shower curtain in this MKBD project provides warm textural variation to the cool marble shower.

Think Carefully About Tile Choice

Likes glass, tiles are a popular bathroom material choice that homeowners hate to clean. We're not suggesting you avoid tiles--of course not. But you would do well to think carefully about tile placement as well as the type of tiles you use. Larger tiles are best for floors and showers.

In this MKBD project, clean-up is a breeze thanks to large slate tiles.

Durable, beautiful, and easy to clean: large marble tiles int his MKBD project (also seen below) provide a seamless look and cleaning experience.

For ease-of-cleaning, tile mosaic--a notoriously hard-to-clean material--is best avoided in heavy traffic spots. If you love the look of mosaic, why not take it out of the shower or off the floor?

Lining your walls with a strip tile mosaic is a great way to include this desirable material in an easy-to-clean spot. This MKBD project is all about practicality and beauty.

In this inventive MKBD project, tile mosaic lines the outer wall of the tub, yet we're especially proud of the tile mosaic on the wall, which reflects light far away from the heavy-traffic areas. Ease-of-cleaning and beauty: a match made in remodeling heaven.

Eliminate Grout Lines

If cleaning the bathroom is the most hated household chore, dirty grout lines are likely the most hated of the most hated! Grout lines can seem like incubators for bacteria, dirt, and mold. Worse, they can be surprisingly hard to clean.

At MKBD, we try to avoid the hassle of grout altogether. Instead of the unseemly grout lines, install solid surfaces on your shower stalls and walls. And remember, the larger your pieces of material, the less need for grout!

In this MKBD project, large slabs of imported marble tile envelops the bathroom from floor to ceiling, reducing the grout lines. We have to say: this is one of the easiest-to-clean bathrooms in the world!

Mount Those Toilets

Toilets are notoriously hard to clean: all those nooks and hard-to-reach crannies. Why not eliminate the nooks and crannies all together by mounting your toilet on the wall?

In this European-inspired MKBD project, the wall-mounted toilet makes clean-up a breeze!

FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate

If you have any questions about your next remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. Let's talk bathroom design and more! Call now! 215-355-4747. Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!

The Wow-Factor: A Bathroom Remodeling Lookbook

A survey released last December by Angie's List verifies a trend that MKBD has noticed with our own clients: people are feeling more optimistic about the economy, and that optimism has inspired a home improvement bug.

As Angie herself says, "We asked contractors what their conversations with customers were showing, and 62 percent of them say their customers aren't just wanting to make improvements next year, they’re willing to spend more on them than customers spent in 2014."

How much more? MKBD's anecdotal evidence aligns closely with the contractors surveyed by Angie's List. As Angie notes, "More than half of the contractors said customers were planning to add $5,000 to what the average project cost last year."

Here's the specific breakdown, according to the survey:

• 17 percent to spend $15,000 more
• 9 percent to spend $10,000-$15,000 more
• 23 percent to spend $5,000-$10,000 more
• 51 percent to spend $1,000-$5,000 more

Are you planning a home remodeling project? If so, how much do you intend to spend? Let us know in the comments!

At MKBD, we've noticed a strong interest in bathroom remodeling projects--and not just any old remodeling project. As the Angie's List survey reveals: "Contractors told Angie’s List the average bathroom remodel now means customized luxury, and homeowners are willing to pay more for it."

With luxury in mind, we thought we'd follow last weeks post on luxury kitchen upgrades with a companionable post on luxury bathroom upgrades. So once again we're talking WOW factor--those bathroom upgrades that turn heads, that astonish, that illicit a genuine, "Wow!"

"When it comes to bathrooms, fiberglass around the tub and shower is out and tile is in." ~Angie Hicks, of Angie's List

Take a Look at Those Tiles!

The above quote is not entirely accurate to our experience at MKBD: we rarely, if ever, install fiberglass around the tub and shower. However, we certainly love tile for shower walls and the areas surrounding the tub.

Indeed, tiles need not be regulated to bathroom floors. As this MKBD project proves, tiles of varying shapes and textures can outfit the entire bathroom.

We're especially proud of the decorative tiles above the bathtub! Note (below) how these tiles reflect light from the nearby window.

For this old farmhouse the "wow" is all about the materials-- luxury tile from the famed Italian company, Tagina. But this tile isn't only about luxury. It's easy-to-clean and will rarely reveal water spots or soap scum. 

Natural light is reflected by the tile mosaic above the bathtub: Wow!

Wow--What a Vanity!

In larger remodeling projects, the vanity is often the centerpiece of the bathroom. Many homeowners choose the vanity first--then design the bathroom around this central element. Whatever your tastes (and price range), we suggest choosing a unique vanity to express your own personal style.

A luxury vanity can express elegance and sophistication or simplicity and charm--as in the French country vanity below.

In this MKBD project, we sourced a vintage vanity with a marble top for a timeless, yet charming appeal.

In the MKBD project above, the wow-factor is really about the design--how the French country theme feels, at once, homey and transportive, yet the vanity is the central element of the theme. In the project below, the vanity is more than a mere element: it is the element--a truly transcendent piece of furniture.

A double vanity with extra cabinets for storage: Wow! 

The vanity above is a good illustration of how a piece of furniture can be both beautiful and functional. If your bathroom is cluttered, a vanity can help you create a well-organized and resourceful space. And many vanities come equipped with deep drawers (or cabinets) for storing your toiletries.

The Simple Unique Element

There's no doubt that a beautifully-appointed bathroom can increase your home’s value. And there's definitely no doubt that the wow-factor of a dramatic bathroom element, like radiant floor heating or an entertainment center, can also entice potential buyers.

However, a unique element can be as simple as the blue marble sink below.

With this unique sink, the lovely shades of blue inspire lasting impression.

Or how about a stain-glassed window?

A stain-glassed window in the bathroom? Wow!

The bathroom above is lined, from floor to ceiling, in exquisite marble, yet it's the simple, unique element that really shines.

***

Many homeowners choose to call a remodeling company at the very beginning of the exploration process. We believe this is the best option--and not simply because we are a remodeling company!

A remodeling company can guide you in your exploration, saving you time. A home remodeling company can also help you set reasonable parameters for your project. How long might the project take to complete? What are the best materials for your lifestyle? And how about the cost?

At MKBD, we offer a FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate

If you have any questions about your next kitchen remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. Let's talk budget and more! Call now! 215-355-4747. Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!

The Wow-Factor: A Kitchen Remodeling Lookbook

Last week, in our first post of 2015, "A Kitchen Renewal Guide for the New Year," we asked, "What changes would you like to see?" You might want to exercise or eat more kale--but obviously these aren't the type of changes we're talking about!

What changes would you like to see in your kitchen? If you're thinking about a kitchen remodeling project, now is the time to begin exploring your options.

Many homeowners begin, simply, by looking for inspiration. You'll find plenty of gorgeous pictures (and practical advice) on sites like Pinterest, Houzz, or HGTV. Others begin by looking at kitchen showrooms. Some look at appliances.

Whatever your style, it's important to remember: a remodeling project is a major undertaking! Do not worry if you find yourself in the exploration stage for months. Some homeowners come to MKBD only after a year or more of exploration.

To facilitate your exploration, MKBD posts occasional "Kitchen Lookbooks" with photos and details from our prior projects. In November, we focused on wooden floors and cabinets. Today, with a nod to BIG changes, we're talking WOW factor--those kitchen upgrades that turn heads, that astonish, that illicit a genuine, "Wow!"

Wow! A fireplace in the kitchen? Why not?

The Single Luxurious Element

A kitchen upgrade is pointless unless it makes your life easier. At MKBD, we understand this simple fact: before luxury, a kitchen must be practical and functional. "Utility first" is the mantra of all good home remodeling companies.

But a kitchen does not have to be merely utilitarian. The addition of a single luxurious element (like the fireplace above) can transform your kitchen, elevating the feeling of the space from practical to magical.

And yet, we must say: a luxurious upgrade can be every bit as practical as, say, new cabinets. The fireplace in this MKBD project projects a warmth and vitality that invites relaxation--and we all need a little extra relaxation. In the winter, too, the fireplace provides a good source of warmth. Finally, a unique luxury upgrade can increase your home’s value. The wow-factor  can certainly entice potential buyers.

In this MKBD project the luxurious fireplace is seamlessly integrated into an otherwise elegant kitchen. This is important: you want to make sure your luxurious element complements your kitchen design.

Luxurious Cabinetry

At MKBD, we're big on cabinetry. In fact, we believe all of our custom cabinetry deserves a "wow!" In the Shaker-inspired MKBD project below, however, custom cabinetry is employed in a unique way. This simple yet elegant custom pantry presents two solid doors of sturdy cherry cabinetry that open to a practical walk-in pantry.

An MKBD custom-built pantry

The wow-factor here is the inventive cabinetry design that is seamlessly integrated across the kitchen to create a thematic feeling--in this case, a Shaker feeling. Following the spirit of the Shakers, the "wow" is subdued and elegant.

The timeless simplicity of the Shakers blended with a modern sensibility creates a space with natural materials, clean simple, lines, and a warm brown palette.

A Luxury Cook-Top

A luxury range is the quintessential combination of luxury meets utility. At MKBD, we advocate a wide variety of cook-tops with varying prices, but truly, the ranges that perform the best just happen to be those that look the best.

In this MKBD project, this workhorse Wolf range, replete with five burners, is the centerpiece of an otherwise elegant kitchen design

A luxury cook-top is a nod to the chef. In this MKBD project, the Wolf range provides a spot of "wow" in a sea of cherry cabinetry.

FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate

Many homeowners choose to call a remodeling company at the very beginning of the exploration process. We believe this is the best option--and not simply because we are a remodeling company!

A remodeling company can guide you in your exploration, saving you time. A home remodeling company can also help you set reasonable parameters for your project. How long might the project take to complete? What are the best materials for your lifestyle? And how about the cost?

At MKBD, we offer a FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate

If you have any questions about your next kitchen remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. Let's talk budget and more! Call now! 215-355-4747.

Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!

A Kitchen Renewal Guide for the New Year

Despite the cold, lifeless weather, the New Year often inspires homeowners with a sense of renewal. In the first weeks of January, as the frantic holiday hungover subsides, many homeowners find solace in cleaning and organizing.

At MKBD, we think the New Year is a perfect time to think about your next remodeling project. Once the Christmas tree and holiday decorations have been packed away, you can view your space anew, with fresh eyes. What changes would you like to see? Now is the time to start planning for a spring or summertime remodeling project.

Yet you don't have to wait until the weather warms to make improvements. Today, in the spirit of renewal, we're thinking about simple improvements that can improve the look and feel of any home--and we're starting with the busiest room in the house: the kitchen!

Beyond building an actual addition to your home, a kitchen remodeling project can be one of the more expensive of all remodeling projects. Yet the space itself is also amenable to minor projects that can make a major difference.

A simple coat of paint can transform the kitchen ambiance. Cabinets can be refinished, restoring the original luster. An oven refacing just might reinvigorate your passion for cooking.

So check out our Kitchen Renewal Guide (below) for some simple projects, from DIY to professional. 

Touch-Up Nicked Surfaces 

No matter how careful you might be, your cabinets (or walls) bound to suffer a few scratches or nicks. The damage might be minor, but seeing the same blemish day after day just might compromise your enjoyment of your kitchen. Instead of fretting about it for an entire season, why not perform a simple touch-up now? A good touch-up can make most scratches or nicks disappear.

A touch-up is a simple DIY project. Before you buy a touch-up kit or break out the paint, however, make an honest assessment of the damage. If you're not confident of your skills, or you feel that the damage is more than a scratch or nick, call a professional.

A Fresh Coat of Paint

A step up from a touch-up, a fresh coat of paint can work wonders for your kitchen, enlivening the space with clean color. You might choose to simply re-paint your walls or choose an entirely new color.

In this MKBD project, freshly painted creme cabinets are playfully offset by the muted yellow walls: an invigorating combination for the New Year.

A paint job can be a DIY project, but if you're pressed for time or simply not confident in your skills, a paint job can be capably and quickly performed by a professional home remodeling company like MKBD.

Refinish Your Cabinets

Of all kitchen elements, the cabinets often see the most abuse. Be honest, how gently do you open and close your cabinets? For most of us, the answer is: not so gently at all! Add to the wear and tear the greasy residue of kitchen smoke and it might not take too long for your cabinets to show their age.

Happily, kitchen cabinets can be easily restored with a little stain or paint.

Again, this work is relatively simple, and for many it's a perfect DIY project. You just want to make sure that you allot and appropriate amount of time. If you plan to stain your cabinets, make sure you remove the old finish with paint remover, sand the surface smooth, and use a wood filler to repair any nicks. If you plan to use paint, the process is essentially the same. Just make sure you choose an appropriate color that will match the rest of your kitchen's palette.

New wood cabinets, like these cherry cabinets, offer a dramatic presentation. After a few years of wear and tear, however, they might be in need of a simple refinishing.

If the work of staining or painting your cabinets sounds like too much, of course you can call the professionals. This is routine work for a home remodeling company like MKBD.

An Appliance Makeover

Many homeowners mistakenly assume that appliances that have lost their luster should be replaced with something new and shiny. This is not true at all! As long as your appliances are in good working order, they're perfect candidates for a refacing or simple paint job.

Many appliances come equipped with a stainless steel (or, sometimes, wood) face panel that can be easily restored. Your best bet is to contact the manufacturer. If you're appliance does not have a face panel that can be restored, you can install a custom-built panel or trim. Check out Kitchen Source for a few options. Refacing is a relatively straightforward DIY job.

Another option might require the help of a professional, but is still relatively simple and inexpensive. Some appliances can take a new coat of paint from an appliance refinisher. Just Google "Appliance Refinishing" for your local area.

A brand new stovetop gleams. Once it loses its luster, you might think about refinishing.

FREE In-Home Remodeling Estimate!

If you have any questions about your next kitchen remodeling project, please feel free to call MKBD for an individualized consultation. Let's talk budget and more! Call now! 215-355-4747.

Better yet, check out our Free In-Home Remodeling Estimate on this very blog!