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There’s a lot that goes into choosing a new floor, not just the design aspect, but the benefits each type offers. Depending on your home, your needs, or what rooms you have in mind, it’ll affect flooring choices. That being said, when it comes to the best flooring to keep in mind, there are four clear, timeless winners.

Paradigm Surfaces in Vancouver are a professional, high-end flooring and wall coverings company. They share why our tile, laminate, engineered wood and vinyl planks are the prime choice of floors for your custom projects:

Tile: luxury and eco-friendly

Tile is favoured for being a highly durable and low maintenance floor choice, but it’s also eco-friendly. Both ceramic and porcelain tiles are made from clay, which is highly sustainable. Quarried stone, such as marble, has become more sustainable, thanks to technological advances. Quarries are reclaimed fast and with less environmental damage as well, making them environmentally safe.

The luxury benefits and practicality of tile aside, it also offers benefits to everyday quality of life. Tile stones tend to remain cool even in direct sunlight, so even during the summer, rooms will stay cool. Unlike carpets, tile doesn’t retain dirt or allergens, making it a great choice for cleaner air quality! Best of all, radiant floor heating is compatible with tile floors. So, for a cool summer option and a warm winter, tile is a perfect choice.

Laminate: versatile mimicry 

Laminate remains a popular flooring choice as both a highly durable floor and a hardwood alternative. It is highly resistant to scratches or impacts, making it safe for children or pets. Unlike hardwood, it doesn’t stain or fade and it’s moisture resistant. As laminate technology has advanced, it is now able to imitate a greater range of different floors. From stone, slate, or exotic woods, such as Brazilian cherry, laminate can copy each one. Take a look at these interior designs using laminate flooring, for some inspiration and ideas. If you aren’t sure about choosing between laminate or tile, just base it on the room. Laminate is still prone to water damage, so bathrooms, for example, aren’t the best fit.

Vinyl tile and plank: versatility in any room

Vinyl is still popular as a budget-friendly floor, but its quickly becoming known for its versatility too. Unlike other flooring options, vinyl is completely waterproof, so it’s not limited to any rooms. It is just as easily installed in bathrooms, kitchens or basements without worry. Design-wise too, vinyl tile and plank are made to resemble the look of real wood or stone. So, if you like the idea of a budget-friendly marble floor for your bedroom, it’s possible!

Engineered hardwood: risk-free luxury

Real hardwood floors are undeniably beautiful and one of the most popular floor choices in many homes. Unfortunately, hardwood is susceptible to water damage, so it has its limits on what room you should install it in. Engineered hardwood, though, brings all the luxuries and benefits of real hardwood, but without the limits. It is resistant to moisture, meaning bathrooms, kitchens or laundry rooms can all have engineered flooring.

Engineered even looks just like real hardwood, making it just as attractive to buyers and just as home value-boosting. Plus, because engineered is easier and quicker to install, it’ll cost less than real hardwood. Any texture, colour, types of wood or finish can be used on engineered hardwood for a customized finish. As another bonus, radiant floor heating is compatible with any engineered hardwood floor.

Flooring Companies in Vancouver

Paradigm Surfaces prides themselves in offering the highest quality flooring and wall coverings for their customers. With years of experience, they have the skills and knowledge to help you choose the finest flooring for your residential and commercial projects. Paradigm Surfaces provides designer ceramic and porcelain tiles, natural stone mosaics, laminate, engineered wood and more. So, no matter your flooring needs, they have a solution for you!

Contact Paradigm Surfaces now for all your flooring needs!

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

If you’re tired of overflowing pantries and drawers and countertops (oh my!), then you may be considering adding new cabinets to improve your kitchen’s storage space. Cabinets can be a great investment, but depending on the space, they may not be the best option for your kitchen.

So should you add cabinets? And why or why not? Before you start your cabinet shopping, here are a few things to consider about your own kitchen first: 

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When to Add Cabinets to Your Kitchen

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If you have upper wall space

Adding upper cabinets is a great use of bare wall space above existing countertops or lower cabinets.

If you don’t mind moving a few pieces of wall art around, this is an easy way to increase your kitchen’s storage space without making too many major changes. 

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If you want to close off the area

Open-concept kitchens are great, but it is possible to over-do it.

If you want your kitchen to have a little more separation between, say, the nearest bathroom or kids’ play area, adding cabinets with an overhang countertop is a great way to do it.  

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If you want to add a permanent kitchen island

Tired of trying to slice veggies on your wheeled kitchen cart? Adding a permanent kitchen island with base cabinets is a great way to lock down your kitchen’s center workspace while increasing your kitchen’s storage and counter space totals at the same time. 

Note: Keep in mind that permanent kitchen islands are usually required to have electrical outlets installed for safety reasons. This is to prevent kitchen appliance cords from being run across walkways.

For help installing your base cabinet kitchen island, contact a remodeling professional and/or experienced electrician. 

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If you need more counter space

If you have lower wall space and also need more countertop to work with, adding cabinets might be a good option for your kitchen.

By adding floor cabinets with countertops, you’ll be able to knock out two birds with one stone, just like with your kitchen island. 

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If you can match your existing cabinets (or replace all of them)

Lastly, only add additional cabinets if you can match them to your existing ones, or if you’re replacing the existing ones anyway.

You may think the slight differences won’t matter, but they may detract from your home’s value if you plan on selling your home down the line (or they might drive you crazy for years to come). 

If your original cabinets were installed years ago and you can’t find a good match, consider scrapping all of them before adding new ones, or going with another storage option like accent shelving or a custom pantry build. 

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When Not to Add Cabinets (and What to Try Instead)

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If you have a small kitchen

Adding cabinets will make an already-small kitchen feel even smaller. If you need more storage but you’re low on space, try adding open kitchen shelving along the walls to keep the area open and airy. 

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If you can improve your kitchen’s organization

Believe it or not, a little decluttering can go a long way in terms of making your existing cabinetry work.

Before investing in new cabinets, see if you can scale down your kitchen inventory and make the most of your space. 

When decluttering, think about the things that you use on a regular and seasonal basis.

If there are things you never use – like that old vegetable dehydrator you got for your wedding 10 years ago  – consider donating or selling them, especially if you haven’t used them in the last year or two. 

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If you can install recessed custom shelving

Depending on the makeup of your kitchen, you may want to opt for recessed shelving instead of cabinets.

Cabinets tend to be large and bulky, taking up a lot of physical – and visual – space in your kitchen. 

Recessed shelving, or shelving that’s set into your walls, is a great option for small kitchens that have room within the walls to do it. Call a shelving professional to see if this is an option for your kitchen. 

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Need to improve your kitchen storage?
Call Handyman Connection

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Whether you want help hanging a few stylish floating shelves or need full-scale remodeling services to tear out and add new cabinets to your cooking space, call Handyman Connection. We’re your local connection to the top remodeling, carpentry, electrical and plumbing experts in your area. We offer a wide variety of handyman services to help you transform your kitchen exactly how you need, and we’ll help you implement the best solution for your needs. 

Find a location near you today.

The post Should You Add Cabinets to Your Kitchen? What You Need to Know appeared first on Handyman Connection.

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk

Are you looking out of the window, staring at the rain and wondering what you could do to give your home a bit of an upgrade? Or perhaps on a cold winter night, you’re binge-watching the Homebuilding & Renovating Show and are inspired to give your home a quick makeover? We’ve put together a few home improvement projects to cheer you up on a cold winter day.

1. Give your interiors a new lick of paint.

If you’re tired of the same white coloured walls in your living room or bedroom, maybe it’s time to choose a brighter and more exciting colour. In case you don’t want to paint the entire room, you can simply paint an accent wall. Trust us, a simple change of colour will transform the overall look and mood of your home.

Does this sound like too much hassle? Get the Handy Squad to do it. We’ll be able to paint your home interiors, paint an accent wall or if you don’t want something as permanent, we can hang up wallpaper too.

2. Change out your kitchen cabinet hardware. 

Replacing cabinet hardware couldn’t be any easier and you can even do it with a cuppa in one hand and a screwdriver in the other Changing these small details can have a huge impact on the overall look of the kitchen. Go a step further and paint your kitchen cabinets for a full kitchen makeover.

3. Look at your bathroom.

Are you happy with your bathroom or is there something missing? Maybe the silicone around your bath or grout in between the tiles is getting grubby – time for some changes. Replacing silicone and re-grouting tiles should be an easy task to complete during a weekend.

If you want to completely change your bathroom, we would recommend calling a professional. At the Handy Squad, we are able to replace bathroom tiles, change bathroom fixtures and much more.

4. Follow Maria Kondo’s footsteps.

And declutter, declutter and declutter a bit more. If you are waiting for Spring to come so you can do your annual home declutter and cleaning, don’t. Get some decluttering out of the way now, so then you can enjoy the warm(ish) Spring weather.

If you are not sure how to declutter, follow Marie Kondo’s method and ask yourself “Do I love it, do I need it?”. And don’t try to tackle your entire home at once, start small and go slowly.

5. Give your entrance an uplift.

If you feel brave and determined, put on your raincoat on and head outdoors to the entrance of your home. Is your door handle looking old and worn out? Is the paint on your front door starting to chip? If so, maybe it’s time to replace your door handle and maybe repaint your entrance door.

These home improvement projects are guaranteed to keep you active and to cure the winter blues. If you need a helping hand completing any of these projects, don’t hesitate to ring the Handy Squad – we’ve always got your back. Simply call 0800-0 12 12 12 and let us know how we can help. Alternatively, request a free quote by filling our online booking form.

The post Easy home improvement projects for the winter appeared first on Handy Squad Handyman London | Fast & Reliable London Handyman.

Looking for a big upgrade to your kitchen on a little budget? Though the average kitchen remodel costs a startling $25,033, there are ways to achieve the Pinterest-worthy kitchen you’re looking for, for a lot less. 

Here are a few simple tips and tricks to help your reinvent your cooking space on limited funds: 

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7 Smart Tips for Tackling a Kitchen Remodel on a Budget

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1. Pick one big, must-have update, and budget around it

Most everyone has at least one must-have item in their dream kitchen. But if yours is eating into your budgeting plans, try to recenter your kitchen remodeling strategy around it – many modern kitchen looks can be achieved for a lot less than you think. 

If you are dying for a new set of stainless steel appliances, but don’t have the budget to add a pretty subway tile backsplash behind it, invest in the appliances and try painting or using a tile-mimicking wallpaper to accomplish the sleek, modern look for the time being. Add a few green plants and natural wood decorative accents and you’ll be set. 

You can always revisit your updates down the line, while achieving the modern feel you’re looking for right now.

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2. Use peel-and-stick backsplashes or wallpaper

If you don’t want to shell out for new paint or real tile, opt for eye-catching peel-and-stick wall accents. There are plenty of options available online – some offer the 3D pop of colored or glass tile, while others convincingly mimic the ever-popular farmhouse shiplap look. 

These accents are usually extremely easy to install, and with many options available at less than $1.00 per square foot, you’ll be able to give your kitchen a fresh look for less with ease.

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3. Swap out light shades instead of entire fixtures

Switching up the shades on your kitchen lighting is a simple but powerful way to change the look of your cooking space. If you’re going for a warmer look, switch stark white shades for yellow or red ones. 

For a modern, open feel, ditch the lampshades altogether and opt simply for decorative Edison-style lightbulbs.

Pro-Tip: When it comes to kitchen island lights, it’s important to pick the right size pendants for your island and overall kitchen space. Once you’ve chosen your pendants, you’ll also want to make sure the wire is at the right height for your ceilings – if you need help adjusting this, call an electrical professional to have it done properly.

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4. Upgrade hardware instead of your entire cabinet

To breath life into your old cabinets, install new hardware with a modern finish instead of replacing them. To make sure you’re buying the right size hardware, unscrew a few of your existing knobs or drawer pulls and take them to the hardware store with you. 

Don’t want to buy all new hardware? Spray paint your existing hardware for an affordable yet stylish update (black-painted hardware looks stunning on white-painted cabinets). 

Pro-Tip: While you’ve got your hardware removed, add a coat of paint to your cabinets to freshen them up – this is much cheaper and easier than refinishing or replacing them. Need help? Call a painting professional for an expert’s touch. 

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5. Choose a floating floor to install over your existing one

If your existing floor is level and in good shape, but just doesn’t match your style anymore, opt for floating click-lock flooring to save money on flooring removal. 

Several kitchen flooring options can be installed over existing, level surfaces, including laminate or luxury vinyl planks (which are both incredibly budget-friendly flooring materials). These planks are designed to simply sit, or float, on top of the existing surface without the use of adhesives or finishing nails. 

Pro-Tip: Depending on the condition and material of your existing flooring, this may not be an option for all homes – consult a flooring professional to help gauge whether this can be done in your kitchen. 

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6. Opt for battery-powered under-cabinet lighting

Remember: no one will ever see your under-cabinet lighting. Ever. So if you want to shed some light on your working kitchen areas without shedding too much cash, opt for stick-on, battery-powered under-cupboard lights to save a little more on your kitchen remodel. 

The best part is that you can always remove the lights and install fancier, hardwired options down the line. 

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7. Don’t DIY major installations

Lastly, while it may be tempting to cut corners on flooring, cabinet or countertop installations, DIY-ing this type of work is an easy way to wind up in the red on your remodeling project. 

Improperly installing flooring or other kitchen features can result in a damaged subfloor and ruined materials.

The worst part? If you have not followed your installation instructions to the letter, you can void the manufacturer’s warranty, meaning you’ll have to pay for all of your flooring, cabinet or countertop materials all over again. 

Additionally, there are a number of important housing codes to pay attention to when updating your kitchen. 

For example, permanent kitchen islands are usually required to have electrical outlets installed within the island – this is to prevent cords on kitchen appliances from being run across walkways, which can be dangerous if pulled down by a pet or child.

If you violate these codes by DIY-ing an installation, it can make it difficult to sell your home down the line, or worse, put your family in danger. 

We cannot stress this enough: do not DIY major kitchen installations. You’ll save more money in the long run by hiring a remodeling services professional to do it right the first time. 

For help with your kitchen remodel, call the experts at Handyman Connection

While some things can be DIY-ed, being realistic about your handyman skills can be crucial to saving money in the long run. Whether you need help reaching and switching your light shades or want a full flooring installation for your new kitchen, Handyman Connection can help. 

With locations across the United States and Canada, we’re your local connection to the top home maintenance, repair and remodeling craftsmen in your area and we’ll help you get the job done right the first time. 

The post Tips for Remodeling a Kitchen on a Budget appeared first on Handyman Connection.

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk

Creating storage is the best way to improve any space, and that’s especially true for your kitchen. But if you’re not looking to spring for a new set of large, bulky cabinets, shelves are an affordable, space-saving alternative that – when installed correctly – can add style to any kitchen area. 

Not sure which shelves to choose for your space? Here are some kitchen shelving trends and ideas to look into:

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6 Shelving Trends to Bring Your Kitchen Into The New Decade

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1. Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are one of the most popular kitchen shelving trends as of late. These are shelves that aren’t attached to anything and instead are mounted to the wall. Floating shelves are also a great way to add a pop of shine or texture to your space, as they come in a variety of styles including traditional wood, brass and even copper. 

2. Convert Cabinets to Open Shelving

A cost-effective way to dip your toe into the open shelving movement is to turn your existing cabinets into open shelves. It can open up the space and make it easier for you to grab what you want and go, without drastically changing the space.

Important Note:
Converting cabinets to open shelves involves more than just taking the doors and hinges off. If done incorrectly, you can permanently damage your cabinets, ruining the look of your kitchen and reducing the value of your home. Make sure to do your homework ahead of time, and if you’re not up to the task, call an expert to handle your custom storage needs.

3. High-Perimeter Shelving

Looking for a stylish but functional way to store your most beautiful china? Opt for high shelving all around the perimeter of your kitchen. This kitchen shelving trend is popular in kitchens with tall ceilings, and makes for a great place to store (and show off) delicate glassware like champagne flutes, decorative plates and other unique kitchenware.

4. Above-Sink Storage

The area above the sink is oftentimes an overlooked space. Consider adding a small shelf above the sink – either directly above the sink or hanging over your head – to store soap or other cleaning supplies. If there’s a window in front of your sink, use the ledge to grow your favorite cooking herbs like basil, chives or mint. 

5. Hooks or Racks

If you don’t like the idea of adding multiple shelves to your kitchen, look into hooks or racks to hang dishes, pots, pans or other necessary items. This makes them easy to grab and gives the space a more three-dimensional look.

6. Shelf-Drawer Combination

Finally, the shelf-drawer is the perfect option for those who want the best of both open and closed storage. You can keep your bartender set or kitchen organizer on the surface, and store things like cocktail or recipe books, cooking spoons and other smaller kitchen items in the drawers. 

Need help with your kitchen remodeling ideas? Call Handyman Connection

Whether you need help hanging a few hooks and racks or need an expert’s touch to install those high-perimeter shelves, give us a call. Handyman Connection offers a variety of home remodeling services, including flooring services, electrical rewiring, shelf installation and more – find a location near you today. 

The post The Top 6 Kitchen Shelving Trends in 2020 appeared first on Handyman Connection.

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk