6 Benefits of Having a Great Kitchen Island

Most NJ kitchen remodeling homeowners request adding an island

In every kitchen remodel there is the potential for great storage, display, and functionality. The sad fact is all kitchens don’t have enough of any of these. A kitchen island solves these problems and looks beautiful doing it. From mobile islands to seating area kitchen islands, the amenity of having one or two in your kitchen is an added bonus. If you are fortunate to design or choose a home with a kitchen island you’re in for a treat. For those that are on the fence as to whether to have one, look at these 6 benefits of having a great kitchen island. The benefits of adding a kitchen island range from function, preparation, storage, seating, and of course beauty and style. In-fact they are the #1 requested feature to include in the “Wish List” in most of our designs.

White Kitchen Island NJ

1. An island adds storage area in addition to cabinetry: If your kitchen is lacking storage areas, a kitchen island may solve your problem. With the option of additional drawers, pull out shelves, and cabinets, the island is an extension to your existing casework. Ever thought you didn’t have enough room for recycling bins? Under a kitchen island makes a great accessible space because it doesn’t interfere with the main preparation area of the rest of the kitchen.

2. A kitchen island is perfect for kids: Whether it is homework time or they pitch in to help make dinner, a kitchen island is a great place for kids to feel part of the action and be in close eye view. Another option for kitchen islands is to place kid’s height amenities like a microwave and refrigerated drawer in reach. For after school snacks and Saturday morning early breakfasts, amenities that the kids can feel independent using are a good idea for some households.

Glass Doors on White Kitchen Island NJ

3. Extra seating is a major asset: A kitchen island can act as informal dining area for the kids or it can act as additional seating when entertaining. Having access to your family or guests is always an advantage while cooking and preparing meals. Even if your kitchen is small, a counter extension into the adjacent room can act as an island. Whether your space can seat 2 or 6, it’s always a plus to be able to seat more people.

Glass Counter Contemporary - White Kitchen Island NJ

4. Movable kitchen island adds versatility: Need extra counter space and at other times need more floor space? A movable kitchen island offers more room when you and your friends want to cook a huge meal and each person takes a section of the kitchen to prepare. Once your meal is complete, roll your kitchen island out of the way for added space. Movable kitchens are ideal for smaller kitchens that need the best of both worlds.

5. Place additional kitchen amenities at your island: For larger kitchens the ability to add preparation sinks, refrigerator drawers, and additional cooking area is a way to make your kitchen more functional and useful. Since larger kitchens have the ability to have plumbing and electrical services run to them the options are limitless. Add a range hood over your stove/grill and now your island becomes the main hub of cooking and entertaining.

6. The material options for an island are endless: Whether you are using your island for utilitarian purposes or you want the island to be the show stopper of the kitchen, there is a counter top surface for you. If cost is a concern, consider plastic laminate or solid surface man made finishes. For mid level spending consider higher grades of solid surfaces or stained concrete. At the high end of the cost spectrum are butcher block, granite, and custom exotic wood varieties. Visit a countertop retailer for inspiration or look through a kitchen and bath magazine to get dream kitchen island ideas.

If you think a kitchen island is just for show, you now have legitimate reasons why your kitchen can benefit from one. From storage to additional seating, any sized home will love the versatility a kitchen island offers.

Cooktop on Kitchen Island NJ

KraftMaster reader’s do you own a kitchen island in your home? Are you thinking about putting one in? Let us know, as we love to hear your comments.

www.kmrenovate.com

Bathroom remodeling that pays-back!

NJ Bathroom remodeling is on the rise, we have seen an increase in both bathroom and kitchen remodeling this year some of the leading areas of NJ are as follows; Union County, NJ Summit- Berkeley Heights-Mountainside-New Providence-Springfield-Essex County Short Hills-South Orange-Livingston-Montclair-Upper Montclair-Caldwell-Millburn-Northfield-Cedar grove Morristown-Chatham-Montville-Morris Plains-Parsippany-Troy Hills-Florham Park

Pedestal Sink with beadboard in white bathroom

Remodeling an outdated bathroom is a sound investment, adding a second bathroom is another project that will help make a property significantly easier to sell: On average, American homeowners recoup 90 percent of their renovation costs at resale, according to Remodeling Magazine’s “Cost vs. Value” report.

If you are considering selling anytime in the near-term, however, beware of bathroom renovations that some buyers might find more off-putting than appealing. “You can always add some fuchsia towels to the bathroom if that’s your color. From a marketability standpoint, however, the advice is against installing fuchsia tiles, stay neutral.

If pleasing prospective buyers and getting the greatest return on investment is a top priority, keep in mind the experts’ advice when renovating your bathroom:

Keep It Simple
“From a design perspective, clean and simple is always more marketable than anything that’s ornate or off the wall,” says, Bob Gockeler from KraftMaster Renovations.

Consider sticking with white fixtures and neutral color scheme if you really want to play it safe. For the floor, ceramic tile tends to bring the greatest return on investment.

Showers have surpassed whirlpool baths in popularity. But keep in mind that there are tub people and there are shower people. If you install only a shower, make it a roomy one-at least a 5-footer-so the next owners have the option of removing it and putting a tub in its place.

Shower Power
Handheld showerheads facilitate cleanup and are considered a “must have” by many remodeling professionals and homebuyers be sure to use quality products like Kohler

Handheld shower with rainfall shower, custom tiling.

Pause For Reflection
Anything you can do to make a bathroom feel bigger is a plus. A wall-to-wall, counter-to-ceiling mirror will make a small space seem much larger.

A wall-to-wall mirror works well with a double sink vanity because the reflective surface unifies the shared space. Clean, contemporary bathroom designs generally call for unframed or beveled mirrors.

Increasingly, however, bathroom designers seeking a more furnished look are mounting framed oval or rectangular mirrors above the sinks instead of flat, unframed mirror that extend from one end of the vanity to another.

Pedestal Sink with beadboard in white bathroom

Everything in its Place
Pedestal sinks look sharp but don’t offer storage or counter space. If you install one, don’t forget to add cabinetry or storage units.

Keep Style Consistent
Ideally, a bathroom should feel like an oasis. But that doesn’t mean you should forsake the style of the house to which it’s attached. Consistency is key: Don’t put a rustic timber mountain look in a 1950s-era brick ranch house.

Make A Wish List And Project Binder
Once you have determined your needs and identified any existing problems or issues you will want to correct with a new bath, start a “wish list” binder or project scrapbook. A great source of inspiration when it comes to designing your new bath, a project binder or scrapbook will also help keep you organized and focused.

Items to include:
# Design idea and trend articles clipped from magazines
# Information from consumer publications that rates products and building materials
# Pictures of attractive bathrooms from magazines and product literature
# Creative ideas for storing towels and toiletries, and for decorative items to personalize your new bath
# Product literature categorized by fixtures and faucets, cabinets and countertops, flooring, lighting and window treatments
# Paint samples and fabric swatches
# Business cards, newspaper ads, and the names and addresses of interior designers, builders, and retail suppliers
# A pad of paper for jotting down ideas, layout sketches, likes and dislikes

Use the Bathroom Planning Guide to identify those features your feel would add value or convenience to your new bath. Add it to your project binder for ready reference.

Creating a project binder-and visiting showrooms for further inspiration-will help you to better visualize what you want your new bathroom to look like. Ultimately, this will save a lot of time and guesswork as you move forward with your project.

Bathroom changes that pay-back | http://www.KmRenovate.com

Bathroom Trends – Changing A Tub Into A Shower

“Spacious, feature-loaded bathroom showers have become one of the most sought-after requests for today’s NJ homeowners,” says Bob Gockeler, Kitchen and Bathroom Designer owner of KraftMaster Renovations. “More and more people are recognizing the very real need to take time for themselves, to relax and reduce stress by pampering their bodies in a spacious, modern, convenient shower. Just one-half hour of total self-indulgence in a feature-laden shower can make up for any number of grueling hours in an unfriendly, competitive workplace.

“Though once considered luxury features, multiple shower heads, scald-free water controls, shower seats, skylights, grab bars, leg-shaving shelves, room for two, music and much more have become necessities for increasing numbers of homeowners who understand just how important it is to experience the relaxation and even sensuous experience of a well-planned shower.

Converted bathtub to shower stall

“A steam shower, for example, loosens the muscles, opens the pores and relaxes the mind, providing maximum effect for a relatively minor investment,” continues Gockeler, who has installed dozens in existing and new bathrooms. “The steam unit itself is small and can be hidden in a closet or vanity without compromising much storage space. About the only other requirement is a shower door, as opposed to a curtain, so the steam can be contained more effectively,” he explains.
Scald-free showers have become a reality now that pressure-balanced shower valves have been designed to compensate for changes in water pressure and temperature. The installer or homeowner simply sets a stop-a ring or adjustment screw-at the maximum desired temperature, usually about 110 degrees.

Showers today come in a variety of sizes and shapes: square, rectangular, corner, neo-angle, circular and even freeform, any of which can be custom-sized to fit the most irregular of bathrooms. A variety of accessories – a shower seat, his and hers toiletry shelves, multiple shower heads with sprays aimed at all the right places, and grab bars can all be added to your personal space.

Bathtub conversion to custom shower stall

Installation of grab bars is an especially good idea, adding to safety for young and old, the healthy, the handicapped and the in-between (which might include weekend tennis players, bikers or gardeners with strained elbows, knees or backs).

“Grab bars can be located vertically, horizontally or on a 45 degree angle, but should always be mounted on a 2″ x 6″ piece of plywood, recessed between studs in the wall. Improperly mounted, they will eventually pull away from the wall with the weight of use,” emphasized Gockeler. “Grab bars are not meant to be an afterthought, but should be carefully planned and located, then installed by a knowledgeable craftsman.”

Another welcome change for the homeowner is the variety of shower doors now available. Made of clear, opaque, striped and even etched glass, they can be trimmed in brass, chrome or colors. But the biggest single advancement is the trackless shower door which, together with the one-piece shower base, has eliminated the drudgery of cleaning showers forever. Heavy thick glass adds a feeling of jewelry to the shower.

Custom tile shower and sliding glass doors

Planning is the key. Visiting a professional, a specialist who has a strong background in bathroom design and installation, is an absolute must when redoing a room as complicated as a bathroom. Experienced – insured – professional craftsmen are a must to do your project.

“A professional Bathroom Designer knows all the details of electrical codes (such as ground fault interrupters), plumbing codes, and construction codes (such as waterproof sheetrock), so he or she can coordinate every aspect of the job. And based on experience, the professional can cite the advantages and disadvantages of any given product, such as ceramic tile, granite, marble, porcelain. Give yourself the advantage of a professional designer’s knowledge,” Gockeler advises. “It’s the best investment you can make!

“Redoing the bath in a well-designed, well-thought-out manner, as opposed to changing just the floor or the countertop,” he continues, “yields a far higher return to the homeowner, both personally and financially.”

With the hectic pace of modern technological American, people are in desperate need of stress management. To the list of aerobics, group therapy, yoga, massage therapy, Tai Chi, aroma therapy and free weights, add the newest stress reducer: extraordinary creature comfort. To help cope with their dizzying lifestyles, Americans today are finding their solace – both physical and emotional – in the bathroom!

Change Your Tub Into A Shower | www.KmRenovate.com

Home additions in Morris County, New Jersey

While the housing economy is slowly returning and you pause before jumping up the ladder to the next size house, why don’t you consider adding an addition? Not only will you be able to wisely invest into a more profitable future sale of your home but you’ll also be able to cut back on moving costs, packing headaches, and the hassle of trying to get the kids adjusted to yet another neighborhood or school district.

Weathering through the housing slump by adding on to your existing home provides the best current solution for your growing family & personal or business needs. Just imagine … with a two level addition, you could add a personal office for yourself (distanced from the constant wailing of the kids), an extra bedroom or two, an expanded kitchen – and don’t forget about the extra bathroom that should keep the teenage clawing to a minimum.

In fact, go all out with the personal office and pull your boss’s arm or leg or both and see if you can work 3 days out of 5 from home instead of just Friday. With the price of filling up that gas guzzler escalating faster than popcorn pops, you might just have the chance. You could even invite the boss over for a quick lunch sometime to show him the office set up you have (or will have, once you get that new addition in place). Surely he’ll fall for it. It’s the way of the green, right?

Morris County NJ

So now that you’re persuaded that holding off on adding yet another home to the overflowing housing market is the way to go and building a residential addition is more profitable (both in terms of keeping the psychologist bills down and investing that wad of cash your husband would be otherwise wasting on that boat), grab the phone and contact some top notch home addition builders in the Morris County, NJ area.

KraftMaster will do most any kind of residential construction in and around Summit, Short Hills, Madison, Berkley Heights, New Jersey. They prefer design build projects where, if you don’t already have an architect with your plans predone, they’ll refer you to a trustworthy architect or two who will walk you through the design process. If a kitchen is in your plans, they’ll refer you to a kitchen/cabinet showroom where you can design the kitchen of your wildest dreams. Once that is complete, the KraftMaster crew will take off. As contractors, they can then manage every remaining aspect of the process. And folks who’ve used them in the past know they stand squarely behind their name & their work.

Call KraftMaster Renovations, LLC. today or fill out their online contact form to begin the free initial quote process.

Kitchen Gadgets – You’ll Love

With all the kitchens I remodel I get to see some really interesting gadgets that people use and they love to tell me about them. Then there are those that they dont ever use and we find when demolishing the kitchen wedged behind a cabinet, or fallen behind the old Lazy Susan. Some I have to ask the home owner … What is heck is this ?

Kitchen gadgets seem to be one of the most abundant kinds of cool gadgets. There are just so many things you can do in the kitchen that a gadget will help you with. If you want a kitchen gadget set to aid you in your daily kitchen chores, stay tuned I’ll be finding some new and unique kitchen contraptions each month and sharing them.

Table Setting Placemat Creative template teaches children or adults how to set a table properly with tableware on this handy Placemat.

Can Crushing Frog Where else but from Japan comes a gigantic frog that likes to crush cans, just like Godzilla used to do to cars.

Crowbar Bottle Opener Perfect for taming all your monster sized insects and of course, opening your favorite beverages.

No Mess Bacon Cooker This compact and enclosed unit collects drippings for easy disposal while minimizing bacon smell inside the microwave and in the kitchen.

Oil Wand Heat-resistant brush allows you to apply cooking oil with no mess.

Hamburger Press Now you can press out perfect hamburger patties in an instant.

MugStir Spoon Cool spoon that hangs onto the side of a coffee mug or cup of tea

Onion Goggles They protect your sensitive eyes from that burning sensation you get when chopping onions. No more tears

Banana Slicer Place the cutter on the banana and cut perfect slices every time!

Egg Cracker TV Special allows you to crack open eggs without any shelling in your mixture.

Puzzle Cutting Board Each board can be used as a cutting board or a serving plate.

Teapot For Two This innovative set includes a double spout teapot, two tea cups with a corresponding pattern, and a single saucer tray for both cups.

Corn Grill Basket Cool grill basket makes it easy to grill four ears of corn at once

Spaghetti Measuring tool easily helps you measure perfectly each time from 1 to 4 servings.

Can Grip Reusable plastic handle that snaps onto any standard can.