Mr. Jackson
@mrjackson

Maintain Your New Kitchen

The kitchen is where family and friends gather for food and fun so it’s always got to look its best. Stop endless dusting, scrubbing and wiping kitchen surfaces and remodel smart instead! Kitchens are both wet zones and high-traffic areas so proper flooring material is key. Ceramic and porcelain tile have moisture resistance that is superior to natural stone or wood. They also rarely scratch or stain. Quartz countertops are the most durable and you can clean them with common household products. A sturdy, lower cost countertop option is laminate. Flat-panel cabinets are easiest to clean, but if they look too modern for your taste, shaker-style cabinets are a good compromise. Dark stained cabinets show fingerprints and dust, and white cabinets show absolutely everything else, so a medium stained finish is the best choice for effortless style. Otherwise, consider satin-painted cabinetry, which is still very resilient. Opt for a rollout pantry to put groceries away quickly without fumbling around in deep cabinets. Its shelves are easier to reach for both organizing and cleaning. Brushed nickel or dark bronze hardware hides water spots and fingerprints well. Stainless steel sinks may develop a chalky residue around the drain due to hard water and they can also scratch, but overall, stainless steel appliances require the lowest maintenance. Use garage door cabinets to hide away appliances or to cover any area that may get cluttered. Consider a glass backsplash because although they are more likely to show grease and food splatters than ceramic and natural stone, they can be easily wiped down due to the smooth surface. Flat sheets of glass eliminate grout...

Laundry Room Ideas That Aren’t “All Wet”

The laundry room is often small and supposed to be entirely functional, but doing laundry doesn’t have to feel like a chore in a beautiful, organized space. Laundry rooms are now an extension of a home’s living area, so they often have windows, furniture, and pendant lighting to make them more appealing. Cabinetry is more thoughtful as well. Laundry sinks differ from other sinks due to their wide, deep basins that are perfect for hand-washing delicate clothing, bathing small pets, and cleaning large household tools. Around them, it’s best to have a combination of closed cabinets and open shelving… and maybe a few long bars for hanging wet items. Open shelving over the sink, with or without trendy storage baskets, are great for easy access to soaps, disinfectants, sponges, and containers. Closed overhead cabinets work well for keeping cleaning agents out of the reach of children. Long storage cabinets near the room’s corner can hold brooms, vacuums, and an ironing board. Open shelving underneath the sink can accommodate laundry baskets and buckets. Some laundry rooms also have built-in pet stations with a low pull out drawer for food and water bowls, higher cabinets for pet food storage, and shelving for pet toys (A countertop can even be extended to make room for a cozy pet bed or crate underneath). For all cabinetry, choose simple, functional hardware. Whether you prefer cups, knobs, or handles- larger, easy-to-grasp hardware makes tasks faster when your hands are wet or soapy. Any style of cabinetry can work well in the laundry room and be sure to consider bold colors for a fresh look. Cornerstone...

Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

Increase your home’s value and make your bathroom a stylish sanctuary with some easy updates. Bright, open spaces make your bathroom look larger so be sure to add windows for a natural glow. Add LED lighting to cabinets and vanity mirrors for task lighting. Choose white or neutral finishes on walls and cabinets that reflect the light. For a more fashion-forward option, metallic wall tiles or paint also give the illusion of more room thanks to their eye-catching and refractive qualities. The indoor/outdoor bathroom is the bravest trend to open up a bathroom. A large glass wall with privacy glass, the coverage of plants and trees outside or retractable shades can allow you to bathe at one with nature! Boxy angles are out while beautiful curvy shapes are becoming more popular. You don’t have to add curves to the entire bathroom — pick two or three elements for balance. Faucets and fixtures that are more rounded are on trend. Your main vanity can have a curved countertop or be half-moon style. Skip floor-to-ceiling cabinetry and opt for open shelving or a floating vanity to maximize the bathroom space. Integrated (the same material as the bathroom counter) or undermount sinks add minimalist clean lines. A free-standing tub and glass shower doors are both luxurious and contribute to the light, airy concept. Consider bringing your favorite music into your bathroom with waterproof built-in speakers and Bluetooth technology. An Amazon Echo Dot or other SmartSpeaker can allow you to control the music and lighting level with your voice for a true spa experience. Lastly, to keep your renovated bathroom looking great longer,...