Modern Shower Designs to Spruce Up Your Bathroom Remodel
A modern shower design can change a drab bathroom into a spa-like retreat. Homeowners who are preparing for a remodel this year should keep these contemporary styles in mind during the planning process to create a stunning new shower that will revamp a self-care routine.
Add an Accent Wall
Although the idea of an eye-catching focal wall isn’t exactly revolutionary in home design, savvy designers are bringing this trendy concept to the shower. Options are endless, but some of the most exciting looks include accent walls made from intricate mosaic tiles, gorgeous natural stone, and subtly backlit glass panels for futuristic appeal. A burst of vibrant color on one side of the shower also looks fresh and modern in the bathroom.
Have a Seat
Many smart homeowners are adding integrated seating to their showers. A built-in bench or shower seat adds both function and relaxation, especially when paired with shelving to accommodate personal care products. With this upgrade, the shower becomes more versatile for aging residents who may need the extra support of a seat—and can also double as one’s personal salon or spa.
Expose the Pipes
Homeowners who love the newly popular industrial aesthetic will appreciate this modern look, which has also been spotted in some of the latest kitchen remodels. For the best results, pair matte black fixtures or metallic brass or copper with sleek, cool white marble for an attractive contrast.
Integrate Technology
Smart appliances are nothing new, but many homeowners are taking the concept a step further by adding tech to shower remodels. Examples include Bluetooth screens that connect to other devices to stream podcasts and playlists and integrated LED lights that add both fashion and function.
Consider Unexpected Touches
The most jaw-dropping modern shower designs take the classic bathroom remodel to the next level. Some of the best ways to incorporate this trend include using unexpected materials like colored glass, concrete, corrugated aluminum, and teak. Tile is a classic option that can be easily upgraded by bold colors and patterns, contrasting stripes, vertical rather than horizontal installation, and mixed sizes and shapes. Kirkplan Kitchens can help homeowners in and around Sarasota bring their creative shower designs to life. Call (941) 341-0401 to chat with a designer on our team and request a free bathroom remodel quote, or go online to browse our gallery for even more inspiration.
Granite and Marble Countertops: What’s the Difference?
When installing new kitchen countertops, homeowners often have to decide between two natural stone materials: granite and marble. While both are popular options with various benefits, there are a few aesthetic and functional differences to consider before purchasing. Here’s a look at how granite and marble countertops differ.
Durability
As countertop materials, granite and marble are quite hard and durable. They’re both heat-resistant, which makes them great for use in the kitchen around heating elements and hot cookware. Granite, however, is generally more resistant to scratches, abrasions, and stains, making it comparatively more durable than marble. Granite will also keep its original appearance longer, as marble is more likely to irreversibly dull and fade in color over time.
Appearance
Granite and marble bring the beauty of natural stone into a home. While both are available in varying colors, styles, and textures, granite and marble each have unique physical characteristics and visual appeal. Granite contains a variety of minerals such as feldspar and amphibole that give the stone a freckled, colorful appearance. Marble, on the other hand, presents a softer, creamier appearance that’s lined with veins caused by natural impurities such as iron oxide. In regard to style trends, marble offers a more classic, timeless look, whereas the more exotic colors available for granite countertops can become outdated more quickly.
Maintenance Needs
As natural stones, granite and marble are both porous and can easily stain when exposed to dark, acidic substances such as wine or fruit juice. Marble is generally more susceptible to staining than granite, but regular sealing can adequately protect both materials. In general, marble countertops should be resealed as often as twice a year and granite countertops should be resealed every two or three years; maintenance requirements ultimately depend on how often and heavily a kitchen’s countertops are used.
Sarasota-area homeowners can rely on Kirkplan Kitchens to provide a full range of kitchen and bathroom remodeling services. Our savvy team of designers will help you choose from a variety of granite and marble countertops to find one that suits your custom kitchen remodel. See examples of our work by visiting our online gallery, or get a free quote today by contacting us online or calling (941) 341-0401.
Designing Your Kitchen With Kids in Mind
Kitchens are a place where families come together to cook and relax. But when children are involved, it’s important to consider safety, comfort, and cleanliness in addition to style. Here’s how to design a kitchen with kids in mind.
Choose Easy-to-Clean Surfaces
Where there are kids, there are accidents. From bright red fruit punch to bowls full of soup, food is bound to end up spilling and smearing across surfaces. To make cleaning easy, opt for surfaces that are easy to wipe. Quartz is a durable, man-made product that is less porous than stone, meaning it’s less likely to hold on to grease and grime during cleaning. Laminate is also a good option that can easily mimic more expensive granite.
Open It Up
Although it’s nice to have dinners in a dining room, the reality is that with a busy, kid-filled schedule, families are bound to spend a lot of time eating or snacking in the kitchen. Lean into this by choosing an open plan with a kitchen island or bar that children can snack at or sit and watch while parents cook. As children get older, this open plan will be beneficial while they learn how to cook family recipes with their parents.
Make Food Accessible
New parents may be inclined to keep food out of reach of prying children. But it’s not always a good idea to choose pantry locations with young children in mind, since kids will outgrow dependent stages quickly. Don’t worry about pantry accessibility while organizing new kitchen cabinets; instead, make sure that reachable pantries are filled with healthy options. This is particularly important because it can teach children self-sufficiency and healthy eating habits from a young age.
Round Out Edges
Sharp, rectangular edges may seem like the obvious choice for custom kitchen remodels, but they can be dangerous when growing children run through the house. Instead, opt for rounded-slab edge details, which can be much more forgiving if a child bumps into it. Keep this in mind while selecting chairs and tables that may also play into the floor plan. It’s true that kids won’t be small forever, but with these simple tactics in mind, it’s easy to keep them safe and comfortable while they’re growing. For more inspiration about optimizing your remodel for a Florida home full of children or for any type of living space, view our remodeling gallery online or call Kirkplan Kitchens at (941) 341-0401 today.
The Best Flooring Options for a Bathroom Remodel
Without a doubt, water is more prevalent in the bathroom than in any other room of the house. That’s why it’s important to choose bathroom flooring that can withstand excess moisture for the long haul. Here are some of the best and most water-resistant flooring options for a bathroom remodel.
Ceramic or Porcelain Tile
Ceramic and porcelain tile floors are very popular bathroom flooring options, and for good reason. Both materials are extremely resistant to water and moisture, so homeowners never have to worry about buckling, warping, or unsightly water stains. Additionally, ceramic and porcelain tiles are easy to clean and maintain, so the floor can stay spotless for years. Ceramic and porcelain tiles also come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, textures, and grains, so there’s bound to be a style available to complement the overall character of the bathroom.
Stone Tile
Stone tile flooring is just as tough, long-lasting, and water-resistant as ceramic and porcelain, but it also adds a little extra luxury to the room. There are many different styles of stone tile: it’s commonly available in marble, granite, and slate, and its textures include tumbled, etched, and sandblasted. Stone tile is a great bathroom flooring choice for homeowners who want a more high-end look and feel in the bathroom without the threat of water damage.
Engineered Hardwood
Since ceramic, porcelain, and stone tile are such common bathroom flooring options, having engineered hardwood floors can really give the room a unique character. Engineered hardwood is made from multiple layers of real wood with an attractive veneer on top, but it’s more versatile and water-resistant than solid hardwood flooring. Engineered hardwood also comes in a variety of colors, textures, styles, and species of wood, so it’s visually compatible with virtually any bathroom style. And, unlike ceramic, porcelain, and stone tile, engineered hardwood can often be installed over existing flooring during a bathroom remodel.
The team at Kirkplan Kitchens can help you find the perfect flooring for your bathroom or kitchen remodel. Our design team has more than 90 years of combined experience helping Sarasota-area homeowners create their perfect home. Explore our gallery to see some of our previous work.
Benefits of Cherry Cabinets
Remember bellbottom jeans? Trucker hats? Leg warmers? Yes, some things seem to be made just to go out of style so they can serve as a signpost for a particular era. Cherry cabinets, on the other hand, have sustained their popularity for centuries. Here are just a few reasons why homeowners have enjoyed cherry cabinets for so long, and why it continues to be an extremely popular choice.
Warm and Rich Color
Cherry wood is known in carpentry and woodworking circles for its warm, rich hues. It has a close wood grain that can feature beautiful variations like swirls, knots, and streaks that make it interesting and attractive. It also stains beautifully, providing a darker, weightier feel to the kitchen.
Durable Properties
Cherry cabinets stand the test of time because the wood is durable without being overly dense. It has excellent shock absorbency and bending properties, and this flexibility helps improve its long-lasting qualities. While it is susceptible to scratching, these can usually be colored out with the application of an additional layer of staining.
An Affordable Investment
Cherry is not the cheapest cabinet wood on the market, but neither is it the most expensive. It hits that sweet spot of being a great investment in a long-lasting product that will beautify the kitchen for years without being too flashy or making a homeowner feel like they have to take out a second mortgage to afford it. Cherry cabinets are a testament to the fact that a true classic never goes out of style. From the 1700s to today, cherry cabinets remain a go-to for people looking for beautiful, affordable cabinets that will stand the test of time. At Kirkplan Kitchens, we can provide a range of remodeling services including cabinet installation on its own or as part of a custom kitchen remodel. View our gallery for examples of cherry cabinets in our recent projects, then call us at (941) 341-0401 to get a free quote.