Reverse Buyers Remorse

Many of you have heard about Buyers Remorse.  When you feel as though you spent too much money on something like a car, tv, etc. So what exactly is Reverse Buyers Remorse? Well, it is the opposite of Buyers Remorse, so regretting not spending more on something.

So what does this have to do with your new kitchen or bath? Everything! Many home owners are feeling Reverse Buyers Remorse after their remodel, saying they should have spent the extra money on the finish they wanted, the organization options, the glass, and other decorative accessories, counter tops, and even appliances, and the install.

Many home owners try to save money in every area of a kitchen remodel, but after the fact feel as though the extra investment would have been well worth it.  When budgeting, keep in mind these extra features.  Talk to designers and do homework before coming up with that investment amount.  Look at door styles, finishes, and do some preliminary shopping.

I will tell you a secret.  When you go to Home Depot or Lowe's to scope out cabinet options, or even that mom and pop cabinet shop, ignore the 10x10 kitchen price and look at the linear foot price.  Lets say you do really have a 10x10 kitchen, that's 20 linear feet. You may be thinking, lets deduct for the three foot window and our 30" refrigerator and range, so now so that's 12 linear feet right? No. When I help a client budget, I don't deduct for anything.  I take the full wall length and double it. Then I multiply by the cabinet linear foot price, say $100 x 20 feet = $2000 for cabinets. The ten by ten says only $1000 though, that's because the 10x10 is a 'stripped' kitchen.  No crown molding, no roll out trays and barely any drawers.  No one really wants that kitchen, unless its a rental.

Granted, the fewer interior options you want, the fewer the decorative enhancements you want, the lower you can budget. But nearly every kitchen I have budgeted has come out nearly spot on using this method. Also take the linear foot price you figured above along with the math from my Budget 101 post earlier, you can figure out what cabinets you can afford, and decide of you need to up your budget, do the install yourself, and save some surprises later.

Now, if you are in love with a specific door style and finish, but its way more expensive than what fits into the budget, then this is where Reverse Buyers Remorse comes into play. If you are spending $20,000 for your new kitchen, then why not spend $1,000 more for what you fell in love with in the first place, especially if you are going to regret it later.

Budget is important, don't get me wrong, but a kitchen remodel, for many, is once in a lifetime.

Steam, a guilty pleasure.

Today, you hear of many great steam products. So what's the big deal? What can stream do for you? Well here is the scoop on steam, a guilty pleasure.  Steam can be integrated into almost any room in the house, and is functional in many ways.  From cooking a meal, to cleaning the dishes it was cooked on.  It is also a great relaxation tool in the bathroom, as well as an exceptional laundry tool.  Steam can also be a great cleaning tool for all of that tile in the bathroom, and the stainless in the kitchen.  This article is all about steam, and what it can do for you, in all areas of the house.

In the kitchen:

Steam Ovens:
Why would any home owner want to put a steam oven on their kitchen? Especially if they don't steam their vegetables all the time. Well, have I got news for you. Steam isn't just for rice and veggies, you can steam an entire meal quickly and easily, from sea food, to the veggies and rice, of course.  If you do choose to get a steam oven, be sure to check out all of the amazing and easy recipes at Miele Steam Oven | Recipes.  Steam ovens are typically built into a cabinet much like a wall oven, or they can be placed on a counter top.

Dishwashers:
There are two types of steam dishwashers on the market today. So here is a breakdown so that when you go shopping, you get the one that's best for you. The differences are simple, steam before or after the wash cycle. Before the cycle helps to break up baked and caked on left overs, like that casserole dish. Steam after a cycle helps to avoid water spots.  Steam after the cycle generally runs in Whirlpool Corporation brand units like Maytag, KitchenAid, and of course Whirlpool. If your looking for steam before the wash cycle, stick with brands like GE or LG.  When selecting something used as often as a dishwasher, be sure to communicate with the sales professional that you want a specific effect.  This is also when good research on your part will come in handy.

Mr. Steam

In the bathroom:

Steam Showers:
Did you know you can bring the steam shower home from the spa? Well you can. Why not add that extra bit of luxury to your master retreat, along with body sprays and rain shower heads? Mr. Steam's line of remotely controlled, aroma and chroma (smell and colored lights) stream systems are more affordable than most people think, and easier to integrate as well.  These systems can be added to any retreat.  Especially if you are planning a bathroom remodel, it is the best time to incorporate the spa, right in your own home.  

In the laundry room:

Washers:
Ever wonder how to get those nasty stains out? Well, one feature of steam is its micro sized particles, that can get deep down into even the tightest of fabric weaves, thus getting it cleaner than hot water alone.  Another nice feature of steam in a washer, is the internal hot water heater, boosting the temperature of the water, hotter than what your whole house water heater is set to, which gets many allergens out of the clothes.  This is a great feature if you, or someone in your household, has really bad allergies.  If the water going into the machine isn't about 200 degrees, not all particles of dust, dander, etc are getting washed out. Next time you have a nasty stain, try steaming it out.  Typically steam washers start at about $999.  Steam washers are available from all major brands, including General Electric, LG, Maytag, Whirlpool, Kenmore, etc.

Dryers:
Why would you want steam in your dryer, since your washer already has it? Why would you use damp steam to dry your clothes anyway? That doesn't even make sense. Yes it does! Look at it from this angle. Remember when you got married, you didn't press that white ball gown, you steamed it. Now, think about that one shirt that has to be ironed every time it comes out of the closet. Well, now you can multi-task. Throw that blouse into the dryer on a quick steam cycle while you are doing your hair or make up. Steam in dryers also works great to get the stale out of couch cushions, stuffed animals, pillows, and sleeping bags, assuming the capacity is large enough.  Like the steam washers, dryers typically start at about $999 and are available from all major manufacturers.  Don't have a grand to shell out on a dryer?  One trick I have found works well, when you need to steam that blouse before work, throw it in any old dryer with a wet wash rag.

For the rest of the house:

Steam Mops:
Shark is a manufacturer of steam mops and cleaners. They work great on hardwood, natural stone, ceramics and porcelain tile, grout, and of course, stainless steel. Who wouldn't want a versatile cleaning product that cab clean all these surfaces with just water? That's right, no chemicals required!

Renew, Reface, Replace - Bang for your buck

Lets face it, the economy is down, and your kitchen still looks like a time warp into the 70s. You want to have an amazing updated kitchen, but you don't have the extra income to pay for it. You figure just refacing will be a great savings, but the bid you just got from the big box home improvement store suggests otherwise. Well, here is the truth on the three popular redo's for your kitchen cabinets.

Refinishing 

Renew: ($)
Renewing, or re-finishing, is essentially painting or staining your existing cabinets. Great if you have dated or aged maple or oak from the 80's or 90's. Its also a great Do-It-Yourself option. Typically, this is the least expansive way to go, especially when you do it yourself, however won't work on all cabinets, so beware. Also, if you are unhappy work the layout or structure  of your existing cabinets, or even the shape or design of the doors themselves, keep reading, this option isn't for you.

Refacing

Reface: ($$)
Refacing, or Resurfacing, is when you get all new doors and drawer fronts, but keep all the cabinet boxes. You can even replace those old drawer boxes and glides that keep breaking.  A great way to replace those 70's particle wood doors with a nice cherry or maple. Also, skins, or 1/8" thick wood veneers are provided to cover up any other exposed wood, such as face frames and cabinet sides. Refacing does take longer than refinishing to install, typically a week, and costs more, however you do have a lot more options. It is still a DIY project, but there are many companies that will do out for you, for a fee. Do note, refacing can cost as much as all new cabinets, so make sure you like your layout first, and the structural integrity of your cabinets.

Replace: ($$$)

Replace
(Kitchen by S. George)  

The most expensive option, but the most freedom. Many times we hate the layout, or the quality of our cabinets is awful, and just pain old. It's time to rip that kitchen out and start fresh. Now, keep in mind, when replacing, that counter top has got to go, so if you bought a granite top thinking that was enough to update (and are now realizing you were wrong) replacing is not for you. This is when you get to change things up. Rip out that peninsula and create that grand island you've been dreaming of. Add those furniture details, remove that soffit, and create a masterpiece. If replacing isn't in the budget, consider a home improvement loan, or start saving, because while the cost is generally more, the benefits are obvious as well. Why spend $10,000 on refacing when you can spend $15,000 replacing. Also, talk to a realtor in your area, get a feel for return, it may be worth your while. Also, consider doing some of the work yourself.

Whether your a Do-It-Yourself kind of person, or a Do-It For Me, get estimates on all the options. Most homeowners are shocked to find the price differences aren't that drastic when considering limitations, or freedoms of one vs. the other.  Be sure to read my previous post about Budget 101, and make an educated decision on which route is best for you, your budget, and your lifestyle.  

The Beauty Behind Barrier Free Design

Delta Universal Design
Zero Threshold Shower

I hear more and more kitchen and bath professionals talk about the importance in Barrier Free design, especially considering 40 million, or 12% of the American population is over 65 years old.  [read more here]  It is my opinion, and, the opinion of many other industry professionals, that every remodel should have some form of universal design incorporated.  Now this doesn't mean that every bathroom designed should have a zero threshold shower, but that it should at least include or incorporate bracing for the future placement of grab bars, easy to use faucets, comfort height toilets, etc.  According to the American Institute of Architects, demand for Universal design was down in 2010 from 2009, however is still a consideration for home owners when building their new home, 26% of kitchens and 44% of baths.  [read more here]  So while interest may be down, it is still something that home owners should be thinking about for the future.

Moen Home Care by Moen

Grab Bars to fit any bathroom

Some home owners I have talked to, feel that Barrier Free and Universal Design doesn't fit with the rest of their home, and that they don't want their bathroom looking institutional.  Many of them don't realize that Barrier Free isn't cold and institutional anymore.  With manufacturers creating grab bars and other accessories in more traditional and transitional designs and finishes other than chrome and white, it's easy to add them to any interior.  Even if you are in your thirties and don't have any need for a grab bar yet, they are still something great to add to your shower area, strictly because of the unexpected.  I have friends and clients in their twenties, thirties, or even forties, that have had an accident where grab bars would have been a great thing to have in the shower.  Imagine if you fell tomorrow and badly sprained your ankle.  A grab bar would be a great thing to just ease getting in and out of the tub or shower.  They are also useful to any female, for the sole purpose of added stability when shaving legs.  

Moen Single Hole Bath Faucets

How about a new Faucet?

When considering a new faucet, it is important to throw out that old faucet with the plastic round ball, and replace it with a lever.  Also, it is better if you take a single lever instead of one with separate hot and cold controls. There are thousands of options available, and in any design style and budget.  Another tip for picking out that great universal faucet, is how smooth and easy it is to control.  Imagine if you had Rheumatoid Arthritis, a great for you would be one that you could either control with one finger, or a wrist, something easy to use with out having to grab or hold.  Not only would one of these faucets be great for someone with arthritis, but if one were to sprain a wrist, break a finger, etc.  It's also much easier to control temperature with one lever instead of two.  

All of these are simple solutions that not only can be beautiful, but useful for anyone of all ages no mater what their limitations are, permanent or temporary.  It will not only help to enjoy the time spent in your new kitchen or bath, but also help with resale and value.