Consolidated Plumbing Blog

If your kitchen is anything like every other kitchen on the planet Earth, you could use more storage. From cooking gadgets to cups, plates, cutlery, spices or even your own in-home wine cooler, there’s never enough space for all that good stuff.

Here are 5 insanely clever storage concepts that you can either make or buy to clear up the clutter in your work area.

1. How about an extra set of shelves…

…on the counter.

It’s so brilliant and so simple yet most people never even consider amplifying their countertop space by heading up instead of spreading out.

This two-tier countertop shelf is perfect for those without extra kitchen floor space for a full free-standing shelving unit. The stainless steel finish matches any kitchen décor and is easy to clean and keep looking new. The unit provides ample clearance to prepare food on the countertop underneath the shelf.

And guess what? It’s under twenty bucks, to boot.

2. Peg boards aren’t just for the garage

With a little paint and an empty wall, you can transform the classic pegboard tool storage system into a nifty display rack for serving spoons, spatulas, colanders, whisks, frying pans and more. If it’s got a hole you can hang it from a pegboard.

One of the great advantages of this technique is that nothing is permanent. You can mix and match pegboard accessories and easily rearrange items until you find the perfect formula.

As an added bonus, consider hanging wall mount baskets or metal racks from the pegboard for additional storage.

3. All aboard the diy express: magnet spice rack

Part of the reason spices do such a number on our storage space is the fact that they come in so many different sizes and shapes of containers.

Build this magnet spice rack by Instructables and a jumbled spice collection will be a thing of the past. Finding the herbs and spices you need will be a breeze as you can easily organize by alphabetical order, food type or however you wish.

4. A simple wicker basket can work wonders

Ever wonder what to do with all those large, flat objects that just won’t stay upright in the cupboard?

Stack all your cutting boards, cookie sheets and cooling racks into a large rectangular wicker basket to be placed at the end of your countertop or in an unused corner or nook.

5. Good enough for the office—good enough for the kitchen

Some of the most innovative kitchen storage concepts revolve around repurposing items originally meant for organizing your office desk. Check out Office Depot’s accessories page and let your creativity run wild.

What’s better is that you’ll pay a lot less at an office supply store for the same exact racks and baskets than you would for those marketed to the family chef.

The same goes for industrial-styled metallic shelving units. There’s no reason a rack designed for the supplies’ closet can’t double as a pantry organizer!

Knowing the pitfalls to avoid is a vital part of any successful home renovation project. Understanding what “not” to do can often save the day before you get into a sticky situation.

Mapping out the kitchen of your dreams is stressful enough as it is. Don’t make an already challenging job more difficult by committing one of these common kitchen design no-nos.

1. Ignoring standard spacing protocol

From professional restaurants to Grandma’s comfy little galley, the three hotspots in any kitchen are the stove, the fridge and the sink. Both food and chef rotate around these locations in various stages of readiness.

Putting any of these primary locations in a spot that’s inconvenient to reach from one of the others is a huge design mistake. A few steps may not seem like a big deal when you’re planning it out, but after a long day cooking and banging your hip on the piece of the island that juts out between the stove and the sink, you’ll wish your kitchen was a little more accessible.

2. Being too safe

While no one can argue the fact that functionality is key in kitchen design, it’s possible to go a little overboard and ending up with a cold and uninviting kitchen space.

Go top of the range wherever you can, but don’t forget to inject your personality into your kitchen design, making it a warm and inviting place to kick back with family and friends.

3. Stopping halfway up the wall

The sky should be the limit when it comes to cabinetry. If you’re thinking of installing overhead cabinets, consider stretching the budget to include tailor made cabinets that extend up to the ceiling. That way you’ll leave no gap for dust and grime to gather between the cabinet top and the ceiling.

Glass doors on cabinets, particularly overhead, allow you to see what’s in them and helps you resist the temptation to fill them with unnecessary, unused items.

4. Skimping on countertop space…

Shorting yourself on countertop space will almost always lead to clutter. Make sure you’ve got more than enough area to cook, even if it means cutting out an extra luxury or two out of your plans.

Sufficient countertop space is the only way to ensure countertops remain clean and clear of clutter and always ready for your tasty creations.

5. …or electrical outlets…

Another common design flaw is to not include adequate outlets around the kitchen. Plan in advance what appliances you’ll be using, where they’ll go and how many outlets you’ll need. Then add a few more outlets for good measure.

You can rarely have too many outlets in a kitchen.

6. …or lighting

Cooking in the dark is not as much fun as dancing in the dark. Check your lighting, especially over your stovetop and countertops where you’ll be doing all your prep work. While low lighting is arguably more romantic, slicing off a digit because you can’t see what you’re doing properly is a big time fail.

7. Squeezing it in

Always leave enough space for the largest refrigerator on the market. Even if you go with a smaller, more affordable model today, you never know when you’ll be ready to upgrade down the line.

Imagine the disappointment of finally having the cash for the fridge of your dreams and not having adequate room to fit it into the kitchen.

8. Forgetting to add a back-splash

Kitchens can be messy places depending on what you’re preparing. You can’t always control what’s cooked in the kitchen, but you can have a say in how easy it is to clean up.

A big greasy fry up will wipe straight off a glass back-splash. Cleaning guck off a painted wall? Not so much.

9. Settling for bad airflow

Ideally your kitchen will have windows and a ventilator over the stove to extract stale air from the room. Without sufficient ventilation it won’t take long for kitchen smells to permeate your home.

While your Thai coconut curry may have smelled delicious at dinner time, you probably don’t want to be sniffing it in the bedroom when you turn in for the night.

10. Ignoring the flooring

A common mistake is to forego new flooring in order to save a few bucks in the budget. You really should think twice before taking this route, particularly in an older home.

A non-slip, easy to clean, attractive surface is paramount to both safety and comfort in your kitchen. Don’t neglect to update the floor when you redesign your kitchen.

Half the fun of planning a bathroom renovation is browsing interior design blogs to target popular trends that would look great in your home. However, not every trend is built for the “long haul” so choose carefully as to which hot new ideas you implement and which you leave for the magazines.

Here are 5 big time no-no’s you should work hard to avoid.

1. Assuming that bigger is always better

The belief that extra square footage is the all-encompassing key to luxury can leave you with a big empty space that looks and feels awkward. Only shoot for a king-sized master bath when you’ve got the budget to fill in all that extra room with royal goodies such as a free standing tub, oversized shower enclosure, his and hers sinks or a plush bathroom love seat.

A large bath is luxurious only when it’s filled with luxuries.

Instead of stretching your floor plan to the max as the first step, try mapping out the amenities you’d like (and can afford) and work backwards to determine the “right” size for your bathroom.

2. Overloading on accessories

There’s nothing wrong with adding a handful of trendy, top-of-the-line accessories when putting the finishing touches on your new bathroom. But the key word here is “handful.”

Choose accessories that actually accentuate the space instead of making it look like you backed a semi-truck up to Crate & Barrel. A neutral-toned room with clean lines and a few accent pieces will create a much better impression than a busy room packed with all the latest bathroom gadgets.

3. Taking DIY a smidge too far

Part of surviving as a homeowner is knowing when to DIY and when to call in the pros. Unless you’re a wizard with the tools, a bathroom renovation is probably a case of the latter.

Some folks just have a natural knack for the trades, but most DIY-ers are amateurs who’ve been watching too much HGTV.

Overdoing it on the DIY can leave you with a sub-par final product, and mistakes in plumbing could cost you thousands in water damage to floorboards and joists.

4. Loving what your neighbor did

So you’ve been admiring your neighbor’s bathroom upgrade for the past five years, and every visit leaves you green with envy.

Don’t copy their design.

Why?

Because following yesterday’s trend is a surefire way to make your brand new bathroom look like you, too, went through a major facelift half a decade ago.

It’s okay to get ideas from remodel jobs you admire, but be sure to keep up with tomorrow’s design trends if you want your style to last.

5. Letting your dreams sidestep reality

Before implementing any bathroom trend into your home, take a deep breath and make sure you can pull it off.

A single element can derail the entire design, looking incredible on paper but totally out of place if not implemented properly.

Modern software solutions make it easier than ever for homeowners to draw up their own kitchen remodel plans without the assistance of an architect. But knowing which design suite is right for you can be just as challenging as deciding between the granite or marble countertops.

In this post we’ll cover a few of the most popular kitchen design software packages available on the market today.

Home Designer Suite 2015 by Chief Architect

Known for impressively accurate three-dimensional virtual tours, Home Designer Suite 2015 allows you to design and decorate rooms down to precise details. With thousands of cabinet designs, name brand appliances, floor patterns, paint colors and more, it’s easy to see exactly what your new kitchen will look like.

The drag & drop interface is very easy to use.

Download from Amazon.com for $99 or Chief Architect’s Home Designer Interiors for $79

The “Interiors” version of the software offers an even more extensive object library and the ability to project how different lighting options will affect shadows in your space.

TurboFloorPlan 3D Home & Landscape Pro V15 by IMSI

TurboFloorPlan is for homeowners who plan on doing a great deal of the renovation work DIY. Plan wiring and plumbing schematics to print out diagrams that show infrastructure layout “behind the walls.”

Both 2D & 3D options are available for virtual tours.

The one downside of this software is the inability to import your existing blueprint from a file.

Download TurboFloorPlan 3D Home & Landscape Pro V15 Direct for $99

HGTV Ultimate Home Design with Landscaping & Decks

A wizard-driven user interface makes this product easy to use. While the object library is slightly smaller than competitors’, the software does allow for the importing of digital photos.

The primary advantage of this package is the information-packed HGTV how-to library, exclusive HGTV tips and cost-estimation calculator.

The biggest con is that a free trial is not permitted.

Buy HGTV Ultimate Home Design with Landscaping & Decks for $79

HGTV Home & Landscape Platinum Suite 5.0

At half the price of the Ultimate Home Design package, this is basically a watered down version for those only interested in renovating a room or two. While the learning curve may be slightly longer, the interface is still wizard-driven and includes drag and drop features.

For those on a budget, you won’t find more powerful software for 40 bucks.

Buy HGTV Home & Landscape Platinum Suite 5.0 for $39

Summary

Truth be told, design software capabilities are so far advanced compared to years past that any of the packages above will probably more than meet your needs. The power you can harness with a $100 program far surpasses what top designers paid top dollar for just 5 or 10 years ago.

Even if you’re only considering a home renovation, purchasing a kitchen design program to play around with is money well spent.

If you’ve ever heard that “You get what you pay for,” you’ll understand why homeowners in the know buy toilets, fixtures and other plumbing materials from a dedicated plumbing supplier and not at a chain store like Home Depot or Lowe’s.

It’s not that the big box stores are terrible. They’re simply limited in what they can do.

Let’s take a look at five reasons why a dedicated plumbing supplier beats the socks off the competition.

1. Proper plumbing specialists

Chain stores like to advertise access to a knowledgeable sales staff, but the reality is that most employees possess only a passing understanding of their department at best and get most of their training “on the job.”

This doesn’t mean that team members aren’t friendly and helpful, just that it’s highly unlikely they’re true specialists in their department.

You’ll find a much higher level of expertise from staff working at a warehouse focused on plumbing alone.

2. Access to cutting edge technologies and fresh product lines

The buying process for a large corporation is long and convoluted, making it more difficult to get the hottest new products from the factory to the shelf.

On the other hand, a dedicated supplier works in close contact with the manufacturers to make it easier for customers to request special orders and purchase the newest models available on the market.

3. A wider assortment of boutique and high-end products

Home Depot and Lowe’s primarily cater to the mid-range DIY market (and contractors catering to this same demographic). This means shelves are stocked with middle-of-the-road priced products to keep their target market happy.

In short, at the box stores you get access only to what everyone else already has. Consolidated Plumbing offers access to truly unique fixtures and designer-quality materials.

4. Selection, selection, selection

Chain stores sell everything under the sun, from gardening gear to electrical provisions, lumber, wallpaper, paint, flooring tools and more. While such all-in-one warehouses are absolutely convenient, selling “everything” in one place puts a real strain on shelf space. And less shelf space for each department translates into a more limited selection.

Shop the all-in-one warehouses for your weekend DIY projects but not when you’re staring down the barrel of a major home renovation.

5. True design inspiration

The job of workers at a big box store is to smile, answer simple questions and point you in the general direction of the aisle where you’ll find what you’re looking for. To compare, the business of employees at a dedicated plumbing designer is to help you piece together the kitchen or bath of your dreams.

This is where you’ll discover the true difference that extensive industry experience brings to the table.

Plumbing specialists boasts a deeper understanding of the product lines they sell and how each element works together to create a particular design aesthetic.

And face it, browsing several thousand square feet of showroom is far more likely to spark inspiration than an aisle or two at the chain store.

One of the biggest questions homeowners ask themselves when considering a major home improvement project is this: “How much of our investment will we recoup in terms of home value?”

And the answer, of course, isn’t always cut and dry.

But one thing is for certain: Kitchen renovations are at the top of the list in terms of consistently providing a 75-120% return.

Improving your kitchen is a much wiser investment than more extravagant additions like a swimming pool. Here are four reasons why.

1. It’s the heart of the home

The same reasons you are dying to upgrade your kitchen make your home more attractive to prospective buyers, too. It seems like everyone fancies themselves an amateur chef these days, and with all the time we spend in the kitchen, there’s a reason why it should be one of the most luxurious rooms in the house.

A top-of-the-line kitchen with stunning countertops, a flashy new sink and faucet and energy-efficient appliances provide all the wow factor you need to generate interest in buyers who visit your home.

2. It increases your market reach and helps you sell faster

While a small percentage of the market shops for fixer-uppers when looking for a new home, the vast majority of homebuyers are looking for move-in-ready properties. They don’t want to “get to work” as soon as they move in. They want to unpack their boxes and have their new home ready to go.

By appealing to a broader base of buyers you’ll shorten the time your house sits on the market. The more people with interest in your home, the more money you can get for it.

3. It gives a greater perception of overall value

When visiting a property, prospective buyers tend to make a beeline for the kitchen. After curb appeal, your kitchen is the second most important facet of your home for creating an awe-inspiring first impression.

Buyers will gauge the overall price range of your home based on their initial feelings during the first few minutes after walking through the door.

A luxury kitchen invokes impressions of a luxury home, ensuring that buyers see the rest of the house in a more favorable light as they continue their tour from room to room. On the contrary, an outdated kitchen will create the perception that your entire home is outdated, even if you’ve upgraded other portions of the property.

4. Upgrades are easy to recognize

While nothing screams “never been upgraded” like ratty old ‘70s-style shag carpet, an out-of-mode kitchen is a glaring cue that your property features all of its original gear.

Most homeowners have undertaken at least partial kitchen renovations before, making kitchen improvements very easy to spot.

While a new heating system or upgraded wiring are great selling points for your home, these just aren’t the things buyers notice right off the bat.

But a gorgeous Brizo SmartTouch® Technology kitchen faucet? Yeah, they’re gonna notice. Right away.

Investing in a home renovation is a major decision and not something you want to “dupe” your partner into going along with.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t arm yourself with enough ammunition to help your better half see the value in a bathroom upgrade.

Here are a few tips to make your pro-makeover argument a lot more persuasive:

1. Appeal to their love of greenback

Point out the fact that a bathroom renovation is not an expenditure, it’s an investment. In some markets bathroom renovations actually add more than 100% of the cost to the resale value of your home!

And if your new bathroom is an extension and not just a makeover you can increase the overall value of your home up to a whopping 9 percent.

With an ROI like this it’s not such a terrible idea to pull funds out of one investment to slide over into another.

2. A stitch in time saves nine

Often times a bathroom overhaul uncovers underlying issues you didn’t even know were there. In the long run, renovating now could save you thousands by nipping these problems in the bud before a leaky sink or broken wax toilet seal does extensive damage to your joists and sub-floor.

If you live in an older home upgrades aren’t just a luxury—they’re an eventual necessity. From cracked tiles to warped cabinets and more, let your partner know that maintaining now before concerns spiral out of control is a smart move.

3. Craft your own personal escape

Does your spouse ever feel stressed out or frazzled from work?

Everyone could use a little alone time and what better place to relax and unwind than in your new spa-styled bathroom. Perhaps a night in a luxury hotel to experience the difference could be just the trick?

4. Improve function as well as form

Sure, a new bathroom is as much about style and comfort as it is bathing and brushing your teeth but another advantage of renovating is reworking the design to better suit your needs.

Need a tub for bathing young children?

How about a second sink to eliminate squabbling over morning bathroom time?

5. An opportunity to increase storage

Draw attention to the mountain of clutter spread across the vanity. Gently suggest that optimizing the space would make more room for products, toiletries, towels and linens.

Whether your family has grown or you’ve just got more stuff, extra storage in the bathroom is a luxury worth having.

6. Upgrade to energy efficient fixtures

Point out the ecological and cost-cutting benefits.

Do your part for the environment and save cash on electricity and water bills by switching out those ancient faucets, showerheads and lighting fixtures for modern energy efficient models.

You can save an incredible amount of water each and every year with the installation of Watersense products. Don’t forget to pick out a Kohler Dual-Flush Water Saving Toilet.

Sometimes the most innovative and imaginative bathroom motifs are those that grab inspiration from outside the confines of your local design warehouse. Creativity and ingenuity often work together to create never-before-seen bathroom experiences.

In this post we’ll look at three unusual locations where homeowners can uncover unique ideas for their bathroom makeover. If you’re ready to break the mold, take a look.

1. Let’s get cavernous

The general consensus on bathroom colors and lighting is that bright and airy rule the day. But what if your commode is located in the basement and adding “plenty of sunshine” isn’t an option?

One course of action would be to introduce artificial sunlight. Another would be to roll with it.

A common trend these days is to use classic subway tilework as a wall-covering and this underground style most definitely works—but what if you took your sublevel bathroom a step further?

Using stone or faux-stone wall tile and floor covering to create a “cave-like” ambiance is a lot more soothing and relaxing than you might realize. Instead of feeling confined and claustrophobic, stoned in spaces tend to invoke sensations of secrecy and privacy, similar to the steam rooms at upscale Korean spas.

Consider investing in a Kohler Underscore® 48″ x 48″ cube drop-in VibrAcoustic® bath with chromatherapy to complete your underground sanctuary.

2. Lost in the woods

Few places on Earth trump the forest when it comes to peace and tranquility. Bringing the serenity and stillness of the woods into your bathroom is both easy and gratifying.

Natural green and brown tones go well together as do grays and porous stone. Live foliage such as ferns or even ivy help pull off the authenticity of your design as do treated branches or other wood accessories.

Consider having a custom built vanity constructed out of thick, bold reclaimed timber. An Artifacts® bathroom sink spout with Column design over a low, clear-glass vessel sink will perfectly blend the outdoorsy feel with modern comfort.

3. Back to the future

Forget about what’s hot in 2015. Jump the gun and design a bathroom fit for the future. A quick Google search for “futuristic bathrooms” unleashed a whirlwind of fabulous ideas.

While we’ve all got different ideas of what 2115 and beyond might look like, there seem to be a few common trends worth paying attention to:

1. Cool blue lighting—the future loves neon.
2. Simplicity an smooth lines—suave corners and unblemished white surfaces.
3. Square chrome faucets—think Ara™ Single Handle Lavatory Faucet with Channel Spout by Delta.
4. Translucent materials—it seems as though clear and frosted glass are all the rage a hundred years from now. Might as well be a trendsetter.