All posts by Leslie Stafford

Creating a Pet-friendly Kitchen

Creating a Pet-friendly Kitchen

We’ve all heard the saying that the kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s a place to gather while a delicious dinner is being cooked, or even just to relax in while brewing that much-needed cup of morning coffee.

It stands to reason then that your four-legged family members might also want to be a part of that cheery atmosphere that can only be created in a kitchen.

FoodBowls-300x199 Creating a Pet-friendly KitchenIf you renovate your kitchen in the right way, both you and your pet will be able to enjoy the space. Let’s look at some of the ways to do just that.

Their Own Feeding Area

By incorporating a built-in one-stop feeding station in your kitchen, you’ll be able to give your pet their own little spot in the kitchen while still ensuring that the space is neat and clear of food- and water bowls.

From the outside, it will look just like the rest of your kitchen cupboards but inside will house your dog’s pellets, treats, and even their leashes. The bottom drawer will hold their food and water bowls.FoodBowls2-300x208 Creating a Pet-friendly Kitchen

Tip: Using see-through or clear storage containers are a great way to never run out of your pet’s food or treats as you’ll always be able to see what’s left.

A Personal Water Dispenser

You could add a tap to the design of your pet’s feeding station. By having a faucet close by, you won’t run the risk of spilling water across the kitchen floor because you’ve filled the bowl to the brim.

Tip: While you’re covered against spillage, your enthusiastic pet’s excitement could still cause an accident. It might be a good idea to put a water-resistant mat on the floor.

dogcat-300x204 Creating a Pet-friendly KitchenA Space to Relax

Even your pet needs a break from being so cute all of the time. A custom built-in bed is a great space for them to unwind from their oh-so-tiring days of constant petting and hugs.

This way, they can rest up while you can carry on cooking.

Tip: It might be a good idea to have the bed as close to their doggy door as possible so that they can quickly take care of any outside business before getting back to the important business of snuggling.

doginslats-300x201 Creating a Pet-friendly KitchenSecret Pet Gate

As cute as they are, we sometimes just need our pets out of the kitchen, whether it be to clean or simply cook that roast beef in peace!

A sliding and retractable gate could be pushed into the wall when not in use and just pulled out again when your kitchen needs to be a no-pet zone. Functionality without sacrificing space.

Tip: There’s no reason why this gate cannot be used for curious toddlers either.

 

These are just some of the ways that you can make your new kitchen as pet-friendly as possible. However, we’re here to offer more than just ideas. Our experience and knowledge of the renovation industry have made us a trusted name all across Colorado.

If you’re ready to create your dream kitchen while keeping your pet happy, then contact All About Kitchens and Baths + More today and turn that dream into a beautiful reality.

 

 

References:

https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/5-pet-friendly-kitchen-ideas-youve-never-thought-of

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/pet-friendly-home-design-ideas.html

Images courtesy of Pixabay.

 

A Few Spring Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

A Few Spring Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

The old year has finished, and a new one is easing into spring. There’s nothing like the promise and anticipation of new beginnings that the fresh breezes of spring can bring, which is why so many people use the season to clean up and make changes to their home. The design experts at All About Kitchens and Baths have a number of bathroom remodeling ideas that are perfect for the season, and even better is that the results are almost immediate.

One idea that has an immediate and visual impact is to change the bathroom flooring. It’s no secret that floors can become tired and dull, so installing new flooring can quickly perk up a bathroom and make it feel new and fresh. Marble flooring is always elegant and quite aesthetically pleasing. Another great option is to install slip-resistant tiles to improve safety. This is a perfect spring idea to implement for older homeowners. A bathroom’s look can be dramatically altered by installing colorful, festive floor tiles. The experts at All About Kitchens and Baths can show you a wide variety of different colors, textures, and styles to choose from. Continue reading A Few Spring Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

A Few Bathroom Remodeling Ideas For the Holidays

A Few Bathroom Remodeling Ideas For the Holidays

The holiday season is in full swing, and many people are looking high and low for that perfect gift. While items such as clothes, jewelry, and electronics are often the main choices for a holiday purchase, the design experts at All About Kitchens and Baths would like to point out that there are quite a few bathroom remodeling ideas that are perfect for the holidays. Whether one is looking to give something to a loved one or just to pamper oneself, there are a number of holiday bathroom remodeling projects to choose from.

If one has parents or friends that are getting on in years and having difficulty moving around, there are some tremendous holiday bathroom remodeling ideas that can benefit them through the entire year. The experienced craftsmen at All About Kitchens and Baths can install grab bars around the sink, tub/shower, toilet, and even within the tub/shower itself. There are lots of interesting styles to choose from, which means that the new grab bars can easily be incorporated into a bathroom’s existing style. Grab bars help minimize the risk of falling, which is very important for seniors as 13,600 seniors of the age of 75 and over died last year after falling within their home. Another quick remodeling project for seniors is the installation of a seat in the shower or tub, which allows them to sit down while bathing.

Another easy holiday bathroom remodeling idea that is very useful is to make the bathroom sink wheelchair-friendly. This is great for both seniors and younger people with mobility issues. Pedal controls can be installed so an elder does not have to fight their arthritis in turning the water on or off. Anti-scald faucets can be installed as a holiday gift to ensure that young children or seniors are not burned by water that’s too hot. Another great holiday gift for seniors is a walk-in tub, which negates the hazard of having to step over a tub’s rim. A curb-less shower is also a nice holiday gift and is great for wheelchair users.

While it’s always best to think of others during the holiday season, it’s also nice to pamper oneself for being a good person throughout the year. Adding a bit of luxury to the bathroom is a great way to splurge during the holidays upon oneself. A shower with body jets is the perfect remedy for all those long, tiring hours of working. It’s like having a personal high-end spa at one’s fingertips. Just as relaxing is having an air tub with multiple water jets installed. Another quick holiday bathroom remodeling idea is to install a shower with a rainfall or waterfall outlet. To cap off this luxurious experience, a person can have a shower seat installed so they can sit and bathe in what feels like a gentle rain.

As the holiday season is also the coldest season, adding some warmth to the bathroom is another great holiday bathroom remodeling idea. A heated floor system can be installed by the experienced professionals at All About Kitchens and Baths so one can ensure that their little piggies stay warm and toasty in the morning while going from the bed into the shower/tub. Another wintery idea is the remote-controlled shower that is controlled by an app. This system allows a person to have their shower running and at the right temperature before they even step foot into the bathroom. No more fighting off the cold while one is waiting for the bathroom to heat up.

One last holiday bathroom remodeling idea can change the nature of this most necessary of rooms with just a minimal of fuss: replacing an older toilet with a new one that has a lot of innovative features. The humble commode has come a long way over the years, and there are lots of new styles to choose from. Those who have issues getting up can swap out their old toilet with one that has a higher pedestal base. The design experts at All About Kitchens and Baths can suggest toilets that feature some of the following: an electronic seat cover that will automatically open or close, automatic flushing, a seat warmer (which goes great with a floor warming system), a warm-water bidet, multiple cleansing settings, and temperature control. The sky is literally the limit when it comes to what today’s toilets can offer.

As one can see, there are plenty of holiday bathroom remodeling ideas to choose from. Some are great for seniors, such as grab bars, and others can be for everyone, such as a smart toilet. The project can be as simple as installing a new showerhead that has a speaker so that one can listen to some tunes while showering or putting in a new toilet. If one wishes to be more ambitious with their holiday bathroom remodeling project, the sinks and lighting can be replaced or a new shower/tub, such as a walk-in tub or curb-less shower, installed. The professionals at All About Kitchens and Baths can help make this holiday season a merry one indeed.

Some Bathroom Remodeling Ideas for Senior Citizens

 

There are specific times when a major bathroom remodeling project may be needed. One such instance is when a person or family decides to upgrade the bathroom in their first home now that they have saved up some money. Another such time is when the family expands with the addition of a few children, thus necessitating the need for more room. However, there is a situation that most people don’t consider when thinking about future bathroom remodeling projects: getting older and becoming a senior citizen. It’s an inescapable fact of life is that everyone gets older, but All About Kitchens and Baths has some useful bathroom remodeling ideas for seniors.

It’s a long lamented fact that as a person gains in wisdom; their physical abilities begin to fail. Arthritis creeps into the joints, vision becomes increasingly murky, canes or walkers are needed to move around, and other ailments wreak havoc on an individual’s body. Getting older makes it far more difficult to safely move around, which can be a detriment for those seniors who wish to remain at home and independent, and this difficulty is definitely carried over into the bathroom. Even if a family took in an older member of the family, some changes in the bathroom itself can make a world of difference. The design experts at All About Kitchens and Baths have some great ideas concerning bathroom remodeling for seniors.

One of the most important bathroom remodeling ideas for seniors is to minimize the risk of falling. Last year, 13,600 seniors of the age 75 and over died from falling within their home. This is why All About Kitchens and Baths always recommends installing grab bars in a bathroom to help seniors move around much more comfortably and safely. Grab bars can be installed next to the toilet, tub/shower, sink, and even in the tub/shower itself. Even better is that there can be some style and flair incorporated as there are many different styles and colors of grab bars to choose from. The days of being forced to use only the metallic hospital tube style of grab bars is long gone. Of course, All About Kitchens and Baths will make sure that the grab bars can handle the pressure by putting in the proper support in the walls. Another integral part of a bathroom remodeling for senior citizens project concerning falling is to install anti-skid tile, of which there is quite an array to choose from.

The centerpiece of any bathroom is the toilet, and there are some ideas that can be implemented to help seniors. One method is to adapt the toilet by installing a seat extender. Although, All About Kitchens and Baths typically recommends purchasing a senior-friendly toilet, which has the height of a normal chair and makes sitting down and getting up far more easier than a standard toilet. Of course, it is recommended to install grab bars as well to give seniors something to hold onto while raising or lowering their bodies.

The sink and vanity are areas that most people don’t think about when considering bathroom remodeling ideas for seniors, but All About Kitchens and Baths does. A wheelchair accessible sink, which has space for a senior’s wheelchair under it, is a tremendous idea. The faucet should be a lever handle model to make turning the water on and off easier for the senior. Grasping and turning a knob can become very difficult as one gets older and arthritis takes hold. There are even models that feature pedal controls to make using the faucet even easier. Another important consideration concerning faucets is to choose one that has anti-scald protection to help prevent burns. As for the vanity, it too should be wheelchair accessible and all the necessary items should be reachable from a sitting position. A mirror that can be tilted up or down can also be beneficial to seniors if they’re sitting down or have lost height due to stooping.

Probably the main focal point of any bathroom remodeling project for seniors concerns the shower and/or tub. The typical tub can be extremely hazardous for an older person to get into and out of, but All About Kitchens and Baths has some remedies. A walk-in tub can negate the dangers of trying to step over a tub’s rim. A shower seat can be used in a tub or shower to provide a safe spot for the senior to sit and bathe. An increasingly popular choice for showers is a curb-less shower that allows a wheelchair or walker full access, not to mention greater room to move about. Many curb-less showers have a seat that can be folded up to allow a wheelchair the necessary room to maneuver. Just like the sink faucet, the shower should feature levers and have anti-scald protection. An adjustable shower head is great for seniors, but a hand-held one is even better. That way, they can sit comfortably on the shower seat and use the shower head to comfortably clean themselves. As in other parts of the bathroom, grab bars should be installed to make moving around easier and safer.

As one can see, there are quite a few bathroom remodeling ideas that can be implemented to help senior citizens. The design experts at All About Kitchens and Baths can help the homeowner choose the right options to allow for the maximum level of ease, comfort, and safety of seniors in the bathroom. Some of these options include non-skid tile, senior-friendly toilets, wheelchair accessible sinks, walk-in tubs, grab bars, and curb-less showers. Another useful suggestion is to increase the level of lighting to help seniors see more clearly as they use the facilities. The right choices can transform a daunting bathroom for seniors into a welcoming one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bathroom Remodeling Tips for a Kid-Friendly Bathroom

 

Parents have a lot to contend with as they raise their family. While children are definitely a blessing, they can also try the patience of a saint.

This is especially true when it comes to bath time or getting the little tykes to brush their teeth. Few generals have marshaled a campaign like parents getting their children to do what needs to be done in the bathroom. The humble bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the home, but it’s even more so for children as they go from potty-training to adolescence. The design experts at All About Kitchens and Baths have some kid-friendly bathroom remodeling tips that will help entice the young ones to look forward to bath time as well as ensuring their safety.

It behooves parents to make the bathroom as inviting as possible for their children. That way, they’ll look forward to their evening bath or have less stress while learning the ins-and-outs of potty-training. One of the main kid-friendly bathroom remodeling tips is to choose a theme that your child loves. Perhaps your child loves SpongeBob SquarePants or is into a few of the mighty Marvel superheroes. There are plenty of themed bathroom furnishings, from shower curtains to towels that can make the bathroom a fun place to be. A mural can be painted on the bathroom walls that capitalize on the theme, from dinosaurs to superheroes. It’s important when making a bathroom over for your children to solicit their opinions. After all, you’re trying to get them comfortable spending time in there to begin with.

On a practical side, there are some kid-friendly bathroom remodeling ideas that All About Kitchens and Baths can suggest to make navigating the bathroom a great deal easier for the little ones. Most parents put a stool in the bathroom to allow the children to reach the faucet and countertop, but a nifty idea is to install a lift-out step in the bottom drawer of a vanity instead. Not only does this save on space, but the step can be removed when the children are older and is no longer needed. As for drawer handles, adults can replace the knobs with pulls and levers as small children tend to have difficulty grabbing round knobs, especially if their hands are soapy.

Parents know that getting young ones to properly hang their towels and washcloths back up can be a chore, so installing hooks and towel rings is a good solution as children are able to more easily manage such amenities. As children get older, hooks and rings can be swapped out with towel bars. One kid-friendly bathroom remodeling suggestion that has parents loving the design experts at All About Kitchens and Baths concerns the toilet. Most kids just can’t get enough of loudly slamming down the toilet lid. While such mayhem makes them giggle with glee, it can definitely create massive headaches for adults. To thwart this behavior and ensure the continued sanity of parents, a quiet-close toilet seat can be installed. No more loud banging from little Timmy!

While the above kid-friendly bathroom remodeling tips are designed to make the bathroom an easy place for children to use, All About Kitchens and Baths knows that keeping the little ones safe is the highest priority. There are some definite things that can be undertaken to make the bathroom as safe as possible for children to use. The toilet is a source of fascination for young children, so a toilet lock can be installed to make sure that they don’t get into the toilet water and make themselves sick. These locks also help ensure that toys or other items are not crammed into the toilet bowl, causing it to back up and overflow. Small children can have trouble reaching the light switch, so a motion sensor with an adjustable timer can be installed to automatically turn on the bathroom light for a specific time period whenever the child enters the room. Another helpful tip for the vertically challenged youngster is to install a hands-free faucet. This allows the child to not have to reach the faucet handles as they only have to place their hands under the spout. To prevent any potential scalding, water temperature can be pre-set. A hands-free faucet is not only easy for children to use; it’s also fun as kids usually get a kick out of waving their hands to get the water running.

All About Kitchens and Baths definitely has some kid-friendly bathroom remodeling tips for the tub and shower. A graduated step into the tub can allow the child to more easily enter and exit the tub. A working bar with a hand-held showerhead on it that they can reach allows for easier cleaning. For additional safety, grips and bars can be installed to give children something to hold onto. One of the best ways to help keep your little ones safe in the bathroom is to ensure that the tile does not become slippery when wet. We can suggest quite a few textured surfaces that are best for helping to avoid falls. To really jazz up the shower or tub, you could place decorative, non-slip treads or decals that provide traction and grip while also adding a festive touch. Such applications can be found in many diverse styles.

As you can see, there are quite a few kid-friendly bathroom remodeling tips that can help get your children actually looking forward to bath time. Making the bathroom over into a fun place for them to do their business can definitely take a strain off the shoulders of parents. The overall goal is to ensure that the bathroom is completely accessible to them as well as making sure that they’re safe as possible. There is one final note about remodeling your bathroom with a focus on it being kid-friendly. Remember that you’ll likely have to make changes eventually as your children get older, so don’t do anything completely drastic that will be hard to change in the future

 

Some Great Bathroom Remodeling Ideas to Spruce Up the Home

 

When the topic of a bathroom remodeling project is brought up, the usual assumption is the replacement of older fixtures and amenities with newer versions and perhaps the installation of some new tiles or coat of paint. Yet there are figuratively thousands of great bathroom remodeling ideas that are a little off the traditional path and of an upscale nature. The homeowner of today has an almost bewildering array of choices when it comes to refurbishing their “throne room” into a welcome retreat from the stresses of the everyday world. All About Kitchens and Baths offers some great bathroom remodeling ideas that can really spruce up one’s home.

Gone are the days when the hardest decision that the homeowner had to make when considering a bathroom remodel was how many white tiles should be used in conjunction with black tiles. The sky is now the limit when it comes to redoing one’s bathroom, and the tiles of today are one of the great bathroom remodeling ideas that the design experts at All About Kitchens and Baths can offer. Individuals can now go fully upscale when choosing tiles in lieu of the old white subway tiles of yesteryear. Tiles are now available in marble, granite, bamboo, slate, and many more styles. Hand-painted tiles from Mediterranean countries can be used to bring the sun-drenched atmosphere of that region to the mountainous heights of Colorado. Bamboo and other wood tiles can be used to evoke the jungle mood of the rain forest. Other interesting tile selections include embossed or three-dimensional tiles. For the ultimate in bathroom comfort on those cold winter mornings, a heated floor tile system can be installed to keep one’s toes toasty warm on the trip from the bed to the bathtub.

Another feature of the bathroom that can serve as a great bathroom remodeling idea to help spruce up one’s home is the shower. The remodeling experts at All About Kitchens and Baths can attest that the luxury showers of today are a far cry from the old household standard. Modern showers can feature multiple outlet options, such as a fixed overhead showerhead and a handheld one. The ultimate in pampering is to install a shower with body jets that will make the homeowner feel like that they’re in a high-end spa. Of course, if one truly wishes to feel like they’re bathing outdoors in the gentle rain, they can opt for a shower with a rainshower or waterfall outlet. A great feature found in upscale showers is the anti-scald feature that ensures that one does not accidentally burn oneself. Many new luxury showers can also feature a shower seat to sit upon while bathing and even a lighted alcove. A big trend in showers currently is the no-threshold shower, which allows an individual to walk directly into their shower without having to step up and over. Not only does a no-threshold shower make the bathroom look bigger, they also are great for homeowners who are getting older and where mobility is becoming an issue. If one really wishes to really splurge and take their bathroom remodel to the next level, they can purchase a shower that is controlled by an app. A person could start up the shower and get it up to the desired temperature while still staying warmly snuggled in their bed.

Warmth is a definite comfort feature for a great bathroom remodeling project. Besides a floor tile heating system and an app-controlled shower, there are other ways that the homeowner can stay nice and warm in their bathroom no matter how frigidly cold it is outside. Towel warmers can be installed to ensure that a person can dry off with a toasty warm towel. Radiators and bathroom heaters have been greatly upscaled over the last few years. There are radiators that are built to resemble Asian-style dividing screens to add a touch of elegance to the bathroom. Not to be outdone, there are flat panel bathroom heaters that also function as a beautiful piece of contemporary art. Quite a few of the upscale towel warmers also boast a self-closing timer setting after running at full power for a specific length of time. Overall, there are lots of options that not only keep one’s bathroom warm but can also double as a work of art.

The central feature of any bathroom is the toilet, which serves as another inspiration for some great bathroom remodeling ideas. The humble “throne” has now evolved into many different styles for the homeowner to choose from. A popular choice today is the elderly toilet, which is essentially a toilet that features a higher pedestal height for extra ease in sitting down and getting up. Such a design is only the tip of the iceberg as All About Kitchens and Baths can suggest quite a few smart toilets that take “taking care of business” to a whole new level. Such toilets can feature an electronic seat cover that can automatically open or close, not to mention a seat warmer to keep one’s backside nice and toasty. Other features that can be found on smart toilets include a warm-water bidet, automatic flushing, temperature control, and multiple cleansing settings. There are even toilets that have a separate siphon for male urination and multiple flush settings depending upon whether the user did number one or number two.

Another great bathroom remodeling idea that really raises the bar for the home is adding media and music to the bathroom. A homeowner can have wireless speakers, docking stations, and Bluetooth devices installed in many different areas of the bathroom, including the mirrors, vanities, and even the shower. There are now showerheads that actually feature a waterproof speaker so that an individual can sing along to their favorite tunes while bathing. Not to be outdone, TVs can be mounted on a bathroom wall or even in a shower. Women can enjoy a nice romantic comedy while soaking in the tub and sipping some wine.

The design experts at All About Kitchens and Baths know that there are a lot of great bathroom remodeling ideas that don’t follow the standard route. If one is willing to spend a bit more, the amount of luxury that can be incorporated into the bathroom is staggering. Heated floors, remote-controlled showers, imported exotic tiles, wireless electronics, and smart toilets are all possible amenities that can turn a boring bathroom into an amazing spot for rest and relaxation.