It seems we can never get enough organization on the remodeling front. After you select a contractor and agree to the remodeling budget, you still have a lot to do before the contractor arrives. Details vary by room, but focus on clearing out and setting up a separate “camp” while one part of the house is under construction. The more organized you are, the easier it will be for the contractor to get in, get the work done, and finish.

Before remodeling a bathroom:

• Pack away towels and linens, so they’re out of the way of dust and debris
• Move toiletries to another bathroom
• Take down towel bars or other decorative accessories that might be in the contractor’s way

If you’re starting a breakfast room or kitchen remodeling project:

• Pack away dishes, glasses, bowls, etc. Keep one box with things you use every day
• Clean out your cookbooks, and give away the ones you don’t use
• Sort through drawers, and weed out broken spatulas and mismatched flatware
• Move the refrigerator into the dining room or laundry room, so you can use it when remodeling
• Move seldom used items (punch bowls, holiday plates) to the basement to free up cabinet space

Here are more organizational tips from HGTV.

For a bedroom remodeling project:

• Organize your closet–you may need to remove clothes, anyway. So, this is a good time to weed out clothes you no longer wear. Here are some storage makeover tips from unclutter.com
• Remove drapes to avoid the mess
• Think about lighting, as many bedrooms lack adequate light
• Plan for storage! Do you need a walk in closet? An armoire? Can you ever have enough storage?

Also, make sure zoning and permitting details are finalized. That way, your kitchen, bedroom addition, or bathroom remodeling project can start when the contractor arrives.

If your kitchen’s unorganized, make storage a priority when kitchen remodeling or doing a quick fix-up. You may be surprised how vertical cabinet dividers, well-placed spice racks, and roll-out drawers can transform your work space.

When planning a kitchen remodeling project, talk with your contractor about storage. Are you always fighting for cabinet space? (How can you add more cabinets?) Do you need better storage for pots and pans? (Think about deep drawers that roll out!)

Kitchen Remodeling: Spread it Out

Clutter is a major issue in many kitchens–many people use kitchen cabinets to store a wide range of items that aren’t really kitchen related. To avoid this, create a mudroom or closet near the kitchen for all those backpacks, paper supplies, computer cords, and cell phone accessories. Then, marvel at how much space you free-up in your kitchen cabinets.

Kitchen Remodeling in a Small Space

Storage is particularly important in a small kitchen, where you’re fighting for every inch. With this type of kitchen remodeling, make sure your contractor adds:

• As many cabinets as possible (42 inches tall, if you can)
• Lazy Susan’s in corner cabinets
• Vertical dividers in cabinets for glasses and dishes
• Cabinets grouped according to use (for example, baking supplies and pans in one area and grilling spices in another)
• Some open space to help with the room’s flow and function (try these kitchen remodeling tips)

Also consider storage type. For example, do you need extra shelving or deeper drawers? Do you prefer plastic, glass or metal? Each material has its pros and cons, as noted by Green Living Suite 101.

The key to kitchen organization is planning. Examine what you have, and think about how to improve it. Once you slice and dice the cabinet space, utilize vertical space, and find a use for every kitchen inch, you can say “good-bye” to clutter and “hello” to a more organized kitchen.

Tired of living with a flat kitchen design? Here are a few ways to add depth and dimension.

Many kitchen designs during the 1970s and 1980s were pretty boring. They mostly consisted of oak cabinets and white countertops, which lack variation and depth. If you’re living with one of those kitchens, consider adding some depth when you remodel. To do this, add contrast, texture, and accents in key places. Here are a few ideas:

• Two tone your kitchen cabinets: Use different cabinets on the island or different finishes on cabinet doors and drawer fronts–the room will pop. Do this with new kitchen cabinets or during a cabinet refacing project. You also can accent a key work station, such as the stove area, to make it stand out.
• Select a design that fits you: Sounds simple, but if you’re longing for more pizzazz, stick with what you like. Whether it’s fancy kitchen cabinet knobs or ornate glass doors, make your own style stand out. Confused by styles? Try this style quiz from Merillat Cabinetry.
• Spice up your kitchen appliances with colors: Try cobalt blue or burgundy. If you’re not bold enough to buy all blue kitchen appliances, try just the dishwasher. Here’s more from Kitchens.com on how to select a color that fits your cabinetry, countertop, and overall style.
• Add nice molding: Nothing adds depth like a three or four-inch crown molding around the top of your kitchen cabinets. Also, consider vertical molding to set off a large base cabinet on your island, furniture styled legs on a few base cabinets, and some accent lighting to set it all off.

As you pull all the pieces together, you’ll quickly see you’re moving away from that boring kitchen design. You’ll soon notice depth, texture–and a style that fits your personality.

Rain, rain…go away! If you’re singing that popular rhyme, it could be time for a water assessment. When left unattended, water can do lots of damage to your house. Before the summer gets into full swing, consider how well your home handles water seepage and drainage.

This is one home improvement project you can start yourself, but bring in a contractor if you detect bigger problems.

Water Seepage and Roofing

Your roofing is the best defense against water seepage and damage, so it pays to examine it twice a year. Many roofing contractors will examine your roof for a nominal fee. Here’s what they examine during a roofing inspection:

• Missing or loose shingles
• Improperly secured flashing
• Algae growth
• Other damage or gaps

For more, check out these roofing inspection tips.

Water Seepage Through Replacement Windows

Next stop: your windows. Glance inside and out for any signs of water seepage. Look for small to large openings that could allow your conditioned air to seep outside. Those gaps can also allow water to flow in. The following fixes include:

• Foam or caulk to fill the gaps
• Reframing the windows to create a tight seal
• Buying replacement windows–consider adding replacement windows at the same time as new doors for efficiency and energy benefits.
• Temporary measures, such as plastic over the windows

Then, check your landscaping to make sure your yard is graded to force water to flow away from the foundation. Many water seepage problems start with rain water funneling against the house. Depending on the severity of the problem, the fix could be as easy as regrading the lawn or extending your downspouts. If your problem requires drain tiles or basement wall repairs, call in a good contractor.

No more nursery rhymes for you–follow these tips, and you can welcome the rain with confidence.

Tired of walking into your dingy basement to do laundry? Why not design a new laundry room complete with a folding table, a nice tile floor, and a row of storage cabinets?

To create an efficient and attractive laundry room, you need enough room for, at least, a galley-style laundry room with appliances on one side. One option: have a contractor build cabinets around the washer and dryer so you can keep them out of view.

If your laundry room is in an open part of an unfinished basement, enclose the whole space. This type of remodeling gives you a better sense of accomplishment and add a little privacy. too.

Laundry Room Location

In other parts of the house, think carefully about location. A room next to the kitchen might be fine, but you don’t want the washer and dryer in a kitchen closet area. The noise and humidity from the dryer will get old quickly. Keidel Plumbing offers more tips, such as this: DON’T make the laundry room a multi-purpose room. The competition for space could be overwhelming.

The Laundry Room Design

As you plan your new laundry room design, consider how you use the space. All that washing, folding, ironing takes a certain layout, suggests Better Homes and Gardens. And, those activities require the right storage, such as:

• A container with handles for fabric softener, stain sprayers, and bleach sticks
• A sturdy container for laundry detergent, bleach jugs, and dryer sheets
• A bin for hangars
• A closet or pull down door for an ironing board

Next, try these ideas from Armstrong Cabinetry for pull outs and organizers.

After all this remodeling, you might even enjoy doing the laundry!

If you have $2,000 to $5,000 burning a hole in your pocket, here’s how to put it to good use. Take on a home improvement upgrade to make a big impact. Or, revamp a few areas of your home.

In the kitchen, the cabinetry and countertop are top contenders, as they get lots of use. Kitchen cabinet refacing costs much less than replacing the cabinets, and it can bring that 1980s kitchen up to date quickly. Here’s a look at how to estimate the cost of cabinet refacing.

Granite Countertops: Adding the Wow Factor

If your kitchen cabinets are in good shape, focus on the countertop. A new quartz or granite countertop can become a stunning focal point. Toss in some undercabinet lighting to highlight the new countertop, and you have a brand new space…well, almost.

Other options include:

• Wall tile: Replace those four inch white squares with 12-inch tiles in stone, metal, or glass. You might spend $800 to $1,500 in a kitchen, depending on how far you take the tile. On a budget? Ask your contractor to stick to the space behind the range. It will help with cleanup and revamp your kitchen design. Try on these wall tile ideas for size.
• Cabinet hardware: Most hardware costs between $4 and $12 per piece. So, buying some won’t break the bank. Many kitchens have ten to 20 cabinets, making this an inexpensive upgrade.
• The foyer floor: Try a nice stone entryway with a unique border, or a medallion insert below an ornate chandelier. Look for a contractor who’s a skilled tile layer.
• Dining room window treatments and lighting: If you like to entertain, make the dining room shine. Here’s advice from HGTV about selecting a chandelier based on your home’s architectural style. Plan to spend $800 to $2,000 on window treatments and a chandelier.

Home improvement doesn’t have to break the bank. By following these money-saving tips, improve the look of your home…for less.

Contractors come in many shapes, sizes, and skill levels. Once you’ve found a good contractor who knows how to handle any remodeling request without flinching, you’re set. But, if you’re looking for one, what exactly should you look for?

Contractors Must Be Dependable

Dependability is the key to any contractor relationship. You want someone who returns calls promptly and shows up as planned. The contractor should have plenty of good remodeling sources–tradespeople who can provide many of the day-to-day services such as tile, plumbing, and carpentry work.

Home Improvement Requires Insurance

You’ll also want to know if the contactor is up to date on insurance, says Washington State’s Department of Labor and Industries. Insurance would cover a roofing contractor who falls or a plumber who slips in the basement. If the coverage is not there, you might be exposing your home owner’s insurance to claims should injury or property damage arise.

Contractors and Business Savvy

A good home improvement contractor also would have the business sense to know how to handle employees, cash flow, and other home improvement issues. Ask your contractor about how business is going and how many employees the company has. Get him or her talking about business and you’ll find out if the business savvy is there. FMI Management Consulting has a good overview of the business side of a contracting business.

Also, Ask the Builder advises that you ask if the remodeling contractor belongs to any professional associations. By joining professional groups, contractors are showing their dedication to construction and best practices.

There are plenty of good home improvement contractors out there. Once you start interviewing, you’ll have a sense of which ones can do the work. Then ask all the questions you need to until you’re satisfied the contractor is the best one for you. When that happens, it’s usually quite a find!

As you plan your kitchen remodeling, start with a lifestyle assessment. If you’ve got a busy family, there are certain “must haves” that should rule your kitchen design.

On the top of the list should be an efficient floor plan that focuses on the age of your kids, their activities, and meal habits. Let your contractor be your guide.

Kitchen Cabinets Make a Difference

The backbone of the space is the kitchen cabinets, so look for style that is easy to maintain. If you’re debating between kitchen cabinet materials, consider these kitchen design guidelines. Wood is harder to maintain, but offers a great look. Laminate can be wiped clean easily, an ideal solution for those with small children.

Kitchen Remodeling Equals Open Floor Plan

When you plan the layout, look for an open cooking area so you can work in the kitchen while still watching kids do homework at an island or play in an adjacent family room. Ask your contractor how to open space or blend rooms together for maximum efficiency.

A Look at the Kitchen Island Design

The next stop is the island–a great addition for families who want a convenient spot for a casual breakfast or a homework station. Consider traffic flow and optimal space around the countertop, Ask the Builder advises. You also may want a center island with 3 or 4 seats and:

• A warming drawer for those soccer practice nights.
• A mini refrigerator for juice boxes and sandwich fixings.
• A prep sink with a tall ledge to hide dirty dishes.

Also think about your kitchen sink and faucet. According to Moen, you’ll want a durable sink and a faucet that can handle lots of action.

Let’s face it. A kitchen design comes down to how you use the kitchen. Look to your lifestyle for clues to what kitchen design trends will work.