Last Updated on June 30, 2015
Picture this: You just had a brand new beautiful countertop installed in your kitchen, but you can’t really show it off because it’s covered from wall to wall in kitchen appliances. What should you keep and what should you toss? Or maybe you are getting married soon or just bought a house and are wondering what kitchen appliances to put on your registry so that you will receive gifts that you will actually use. To help you have a better understanding of which appliances are useful (and which are not), we surveyed over 500 consumers about their monthly usage of 16 different kitchen appliances. Over 80% of people surveyed use their coffee maker and knife block every day – so these should get prime real estate on your kitchen counter. Appliances like slow cookers and blenders are best stored in your cabinets for easy access because over 40% of people we surveyed use them once or twice a week. Finally, over 80% of people polled never use appliances like bread makers and deep fryers – so it’s probably safe to take these off your registries and consider tools that you’ll actually use! Below is an infographic that summarizes the findings from our survey. Thanks to everyone who participated!
Last Updated on January 6, 2020
Small spaces don’t always require big ideas. If you wish you had a bigger bathroom but simply don’t have the space for one, there are several ways that you can actually make your small bathroom feel larger than it actually is.
Whether you’re considering one or two changes or a total revamp, the ideas listed below are a great starting point to transform your small bathroom into a luxurious and modern retreat.
Vanities and Sinks
- Furniture-Style Vanities: Choosing a furniture-style vanity, rather than one with cabinet doors, will keep the space light and airy and also leave plenty of room below for storage. Consider using decorative woven baskets to hold bathroom items.
- Pedestal Sinks: Pedestal sinks are a great option when you’re tight on space or need to open up the space (but still need two sinks). Installing a pair of pedestal sinks is a modern way to create a space for two – without the closed in feeling of a double-sink vanity.
- Corner Sink: For small square bathrooms, the best option is to position your vanity in the corner of the room and place an oval mirror above it. Installing matching sconces on either side (along with decorative towel rings) is the perfect touch for opening up your space and adding a touch of elegance to your bathroom.
Decorative Glass Mosaic Tiles
- Glass Mosaic Tiles: Today’s homeowners are opting to invest in luxury by embellishing their small guest bathrooms with the elegance of glass mosaic tiles. Installing a dramatic feature wall of glass mosaic tiles creates a rich and elegant feel to your guest bathroom and will leave your guests feeling both welcome and impressed. Check out Granite Transformations’ broad selection of glass mosaic tiles.
- Mosaic Tile Feature: One of the quickest and cleverest ways to update your bathroom is to swap out a few of your plain existing tiles and replace them with beautiful decorative glass mosaic tiles. You can choose to either scatter these tiles to create a feeling of whimsy, or arrange them in a creative design for a more sophisticated look. Whatever your style, adding a touch of glass mosaic is always a great way to go from simple to sensational.
Lighting
- Skylights and Solatubes: Nothing opens up a room better than natural light. Skylights help to bring the warmth of the sky into your bathroom all year round. Another option is to install solatubes (tubular daylighting devices, or TDDs), which also allow natural light into your bathroom. The placement of solatubes is similar to that of high-hat lighting. Depending on your ceiling space, only one or two solatubes may be needed to make all the difference.
- Lighting Fixtures: A chandelier stamps a room with elegance. Swapping out a standard, traditional lighting fixture for a crystal or Tuscan-style chandelier is an easy way to add luxury and class to your small bathroom while bringing overhead lighting to your space.
Mirrors
- Wall Mirrors: Installing a mirror that reaches the ceiling or covers an entire wall is the best way to create an illusion of grandeur and make the room’s proportions appear wider.
- Strategic Placement: Since mirrors are made to reflect, it’s important to place your mirrors across from your bathroom’s best features (similar to a window with a scenic view or a beautiful wall hanging).
Shelving and Doors
- Recessed Shelving: Carving out a space for recessed shelving is a clever and resourceful use of the existing space in your bathroom. It not only gives character to the bathroom, but also allows for additional storage space!
- Glass Shelving: Glass shelves appear invisible when hung and offer a lighter feel than heavier wood shelving. Items placed on glass shelves tend to give the illusion that they are floating in the air, creating the perception of a more open space.
- Glass Shower Doors: Toss the traditional shower curtain and opt for glass shower doors. Small bathrooms need the illusion of space, and glass shower doors can extend the depth perception of the room.
Color
- Use Light Colors: Creating depth perception in a small bathroom is a key factor when it comes to making the space appear larger. Using light colors throughout and keeping everything in the same tone will keep the room looking streamlined, allowing for accent colors to take center stage.
We hope these tips have provided some insight on helping you make your small bathroom one of your favorite rooms in the house. Check out Granite Transformations’ bathroom remodeling services to see how we can help with your small bathroom makeover.
Schedule your free in-home consultation from Granite Transformations, where one of our design consultants will show you product samples, explain the process, and give you a free quote. We look forward to hearing from you!
Last Updated on June 22, 2015
Add a refreshing twist to your summer gatherings with these five cocktail recipes that are sure to get the party started!
Sparkling Strawberry Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 cups hulled strawberries
- 2 tablespoons water
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 1 bottle chilled Prosecco or other dry sparkling wine
- 1 orange, sliced in rounds
- Mint sprigs, for garnish
Directions
In a blender, puree 2 cups of hulled strawberries and 2 tablespoons of water until smooth. In a pitcher, combine strawberry puree, 1 bottle of chilled Prosecco and sliced oranges. Garnish with mint sprigs and serve.
Source: Martha Stewart
Rum Punch
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups light rum
- 3 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
- 3 cups fresh pineapple juice
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 tablespoons cranberry juice
- 2 tablespoons grenadine
- Ice cubes
- 1 lime, thinly sliced for garnish
Directions
In a large pitcher, combine rum, juices and grenadine. Stir until well blended. Fill glasses with ice and divide mixture among glasses. Garnish with lime and serve immediately.
Source: Martha Stewart
Red Sangria
Ingredients
- 1 bottle (750ml) dry red wine
- ¼ cup brandy
- ¼ cup orange liqueur
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 sliced oranges
- 1 sliced green apple
- 1 ½ cups seltzer
Directions
Mix the wine, liqueur and sugar in a pitcher, stirring to dissolve the sugar, and then add the fruit. Finally, add the seltzer just before serving.
Source: “Food Network Kitchen”
Mojito
Ingredients
- Ice
- 6 ounces light rum
- 12 mint sprigs, or spearmint, 8 roughly broken apart
- 6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- Club soda
- 4 slices lime
Directions
Place ice in beverage shaker. Then, add rum, broken mint sprigs, lime juice and sugar. Shake well and serve over ice in high ball glasses. Top off each glass with a splash of club soda. Garnish each with a slice of lime and a sprig of mint.
Source: “Food Network” (Recipe courtesy of Alex Garcia)
Limoncello
Ingredients
- 10 lemons
- 1 (750ml) bottle vodka
- 3 ½ cups water
- 2 ½ cups sugar
Directions
Using a vegetable peeler, remove the peel from the lemons in long strips. (Reserve the lemons for another use.) Using a small sharp knife, trim away the white pith from the lemon peels; discard the pith. Place the lemon peels in a two-quart pitcher. Pour the vodka over the peels and cover with plastic wrap. Steep the lemon peels in the vodka for four days at room temperature.
Stir the water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. (This should take about five minutes.) Cool completely. Pour the sugar syrup over the vodka mixture. Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight. Strain the limoncello through a mesh strainer. Discard the peels. Transfer the limoncello to bottles. Seal the bottles and refrigerate until cold, at least four hours and up to one month.
Source: “Food Network” (Recipe Courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis)
Last Updated on June 1, 2015
Watching our parents age brings a new set of challenges and concerns. According to a survey conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), nearly 90 percent of senior citizens prefer to reside in their own homes as they age for many reasons, mostly so they can live by their own rules. This raises the question, “How do we keep our parents safe in their homes while still allowing them to maintain their independence?” Their safety and well-being not only become a top priority, but we are faced with making decisions on how we can modify their homes to allow them to age in place safely.
Design experts and architects agree that mobility is one of the major challenges that senior citizens face (among a unique set of living standards) when it comes to making a home more accessible. They are creating spaces and designs that are stair-free, with larger hallways and floor plans that are more open. Wider doorways and designs with no-step entries are becoming more popular, and family members of aging parents are even opting for wireless video monitoring so that they can catch falls or any distress.
The bathroom of the home is where safety remodeling modifications are most frequently considered. It has been reported that falls are a leading cause of death in seniors ages 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This factor has prompted homeowners and family members to take simple steps and adaptations to increase safety and livability.
Here are some safety modification suggestions to help keep your loved ones safe in their homes, while giving you peace of mind along the way:
- Safety Railings: Adding grab bars to your shower stall, bath tub and toilet area is an easy way to help prevent bathroom stumbles and falls. Grab bars help to assist in climbing in or out of these respective areas. Another great and functional idea you may want to consider is adding a bench or fold-down seat to the shower stall. A bench can provide the solution you were looking for to aid those who need to sit in the shower or for those requiring a bit more stability.
- No-slip Flooring: Replacing smooth and polished floors with heavier textured flooring will provide additional traction and help prevent slipping and sliding.
- Raise it Up: Replacing a standard toilet which is lower to the floor with a taller model that adds height can make getting up and down much easier. Increasing the height of vanities can also help eliminate the need to stoop or lean over sinks.
- Lighting: Adding additional lighting can brighten anyone’s day, especially for the older population who may be struggling with weaker vision. Check to see if the brightening of existing lighting is possible by using brighter bulbs. Consider replacing traditional light switches with rocker switches to help make turning lights on and off easier for those who suffer from arthritis.
- Tub-to-Shower Conversions: Modifying a tub shower lowers the typical 16-inch high bathtub and replaces it with a lower 6-inch shower threshold. This not only allows for easier accessibility, but creates a much wider and spacious bathing space.
We hope these important bathroom safety modification suggestions were helpful to you. Granite Transformations can help with the bathroom upgrades you may need to support your elder relatives. Check out our bathroom remodeling services and see if there’s a Granite Transformations in your area.
