Finding the Right Rooms for Home Renovation in Iowa

If you feel like your home is outdated, or if you’ve outgrown your current living spaces, a complete home renovation could have you falling in love with your investment all over again.

For homeowners, simply giving each room a moderate renovation could add years of enjoyment and comfort. Unfortunately, many find it difficult to identify the rooms that will offer the biggest returns in value, comfort, and beauty.

If it’s time for a home renovation but you don’t know where to start, it helps to go room by room. Follow our simple guide throughout your home and you’ll be able to start planning improvements today.

Home Renovation in Your Bedrooms

A beautiful bedroom can become your own private retreat where you can relax and decompress. If you have kids at home, then bedrooms could also be play spaces or the perfect environments for study and learning.

If your bedrooms don’t inspire you, or if they feel dark and uninviting, then it’s time to make some changes. The best home renovations for bedrooms don’t need to be big or expensive. Some options that add long-term value and comfort include:

Painting or having walls refinished with designer wallpaper. This is low cost and the results are impressive.
Install new light fixtures to brighten the space and create ambience. Newer LED lighting can give you automated control with adjustable color and brightness.
Replace the flooring to drastically improve the aesthetic. Engineered wood flooring is a great option for your master bedroom. Kids rooms would be well suited to new carpet, especially for toddlers and young children.

If you aren’t completely in love with your bedroom, then it’s a sign that renovation is needed. The relatively low cost of bringing your bedrooms up to date makes this a great area of focus to begin with.

Updating Your Living Room and other Shared Living Spaces

Your living room, family room, or even your den could need modernization and renovation. Take a walk through your living spaces and see what kind of feel you get from each room. If you don’t feel relaxed or if you aren’t proud of the space, then a renovation project could be well overdue.

Improvements here are similar to what you can do in your bedrooms, with small projects having the ability to create comfort and increase the appeal of your home.

Start with a color theme in mind. Painting all walls won’t cost a lot, and you could create a feature wall with a bold color around your entertainment unit or wherever you want to draw attention to.
Lighting is critical in your living room and other shared spaces, and you should aim for a solution that provides flexibility. You’ll need bright light for entertaining, with the ability to dim or change the hue for relaxation or a family movie night. Again, modern LED lighting can have a big impact here. Automated home lighting with individually controlled fixtures will let you customize the mood on the fly.
Flooring in your living room needs to be both practical and beautiful. Many homeowners love the feel of carpet, but it might not be the best option if you entertain a lot. Hardwood, engineered wood, or even ceramic tiles could provide decades of durability.
Consider the smaller improvements like crown molding. Accents can tie living spaces together while creating a premium look and feel.

Des Moines contractors can help you to plan and execute all your living room improvements.

Bringing Style to Your Home with a Kitchen Remodeling Project

Whether you renovate or perform a whole kitchen remodel, this is one of the most important rooms for improvement. You’ll usually know when you’ve outgrown your current kitchen. Hardware, fixtures, and main features like cabinets and counters will feel outdated or worn. You might lack storage space or flexibility with your current layout.

There are options to create a better kitchen no matter the floor plan you are working with. Although homeowners typically spend most of their budget in the kitchen, you could still get by with minor changes if you simply need a refresh for the next few years.

If you’re on a tight budget, consider a kitchen home renovation with refaced cabinets and new countertops. This will make an immediate difference without having to spend a lot.
Wooden cabinets are still the favorite of homeowners in Des Moines, but you could create more depth and space by mixing solid cabinets with windowed cabinets.
For your countertop, quartz is a great option that can provide the luxury look and feel of stone at a lower cost.
Flooring is critical, and you’ll need to choose a solution that is hard wearing and waterproof. Hardwood might be beautiful but it’s difficult to maintain. Consider engineered wood or luxury vinyl planks instead. For a modern or transitional kitchen, tiles could work well, and they’ll last for decades.
Pay special attention to your kitchen hardware, including drawer pulls, cabinet handles, and basic fixtures like your sink and faucets. Spending a little more will give you a premium look and a great feel, without having a huge impact on your total budget.

However big or small you want your project to be, it’s important to work with a kitchen remodeling contractor that can provide 3D renderings before you sign-off on the plans. Computer aided design means you can get an accurate representation of the final project before you commit to a budget.

Creating Comfort with a Bathroom Remodeling Plan

The kitchen is often considered the most important room in any home, but your bathroom comes close. You start and end every day in the bathroom. It should be a space where you can get inspired and invigorated, or relaxed and refreshed, depending on the time of the day. There are special considerations to be made in the bathroom, especially when it comes to moisture-resistant surfaces and ventilation.

It’s easy to tell if your bathroom needs improvement. If you simply don’t like it, or if it doesn’t meet the needs of your family, then it’s time for remodeling or renovation.

If your bathroom isn’t practical for your growing family, consider installing a double sink vanity during home renovation.
Add storage to your bathroom in the form of bathroom cabinets or a moveable armoire.
Choose low maintenance materials. Tiles are ideal for bathroom flooring and walls because they are durable and impervious to moisture. You can even heat a tile floor with a cost-effective underlay.
Use glass as much as possible to improve the perception of size while creating a modern aesthetic. Glass shower and bath enclosures look great when they’re frameless.
Consider investing in efficient toilets, faucets, and showerheads. These use less water and can cut down your utility costs while protecting the environment.
Light and bright is the way to go with a bathroom remodel, but this doesn’t mean that white must be your shade of choice. Pastel colors work great, especially when combined with neutral tiles.
Just like in the kitchen, hardware can make a big difference. Stainless steel hardware is cost effective and long lasting. You’ll have options like highly polished, matte, or brushed for an understated look. If you want a bathroom that feels more luxurious, try gold or brass hardware on white cabinets and fixtures.

Don’t hesitate if you think your bathroom needs a refresh. Investing in a renovation or complete bathroom remodeling will make your home more practical and valuable.

Miscellaneous Areas of Your Home That Can Be Improved with Home Renovation and Remodeling

The perfect whole home renovation goes beyond your main rooms and living spaces. Hallways, closets, and even outdoor spaces all deserve some attention.

Consider how you use your home to give you an idea of where your budget should be spent. If you entertain often, then you could focus outdoors to create more space for dining and recreation. If you have a young family with kids (or if you are planning a family), then you could focus more on interior spaces.

Hallways and entryways are critically important yet are sometimes overlooked when planning home renovation. Your entryway is the first thing you see when you enter your home, and for guests this space will leave a lasting impression. If you love hardwood, you could use it in your halls and entryway because moisture won’t be a problem.
Use functional light fixtures for hallways, but don’t worry about extensive customization or automation. You can always add occasional tables and lamps if you want to switch up the look later.
Choose a color palette that blends well with the rest of your home. If your entryway leads right into your living room and kitchen, then colors should either match or make a natural transition.
Make better use of your hallway closet spaces by having custom shelves and hanging rods installed. You’ll be able to optimize your storage and keep your home more organized.
If you plan to improve your outdoor areas, it’s recommended you create an entertainment space with decking or a patio. Ideally, your living or dining areas should lead right to your outdoor cooking and entertainment. Improved indoor/outdoor flow will make your home feel larger.

Finding a Team of Des Moines Contractors to Bring it All Together

Keeping all this advice in mind, you’ll be able to look at your home and determine which areas need renovation or remodeling the most. Once you’ve decided what to improve, you’ll need a team of the best contractors in Des Moines.

HomeWorx Iowa can perform your whole home renovation, remodeling, and handyman jobs of all shapes and sizes. We’re in the business of making homes that matter and will work with you to create improvements that meet your needs and complement your sense of style.

Whether you want some affordable improvements to modernize and beautify, or if you’re ready to improve your whole home, it’s time to give us a call. From design to completion, we’ll leave you with a house that you will be proud to call home.

September 12, 2019

Frameless Glass Enclosures for Your Bathroom Remodel

Is the kitchen truly the heart of the home? While it’s definitely a place where the whole family comes together, some would argue that the bathroom is even more important.

When you wake up and begin your morning routine, it starts in the bathroom. When you come home from a long day, the first thing you will want to do is unwind and relax in a comfortable bathroom with a hot shower. You begin and end your day in this room, so you should make it a key area of focus any time that you begin a complete home remodeling project.

There are many unique ways to improve your bathroom, but your shower and bath enclosures deserve special attention when planning a bathroom remodel. While they probably aren’t the first things on your mind when planning improvements, they can have a big impact on the final look and feel of the room.

Here’s why you should consider frameless glass enclosures for your home.

What’s Wrong with Older Framed Enclosures?

Every improvement you make during a bathroom remodel should add beauty, while offering more practicality than before. Frameless glass shower and bath enclosures can do both.

Older style enclosures with metal frames were popular throughout the 90s and 00s, before making way for frameless versions in the last decade. While framed enclosures can look good, they come with some significant downsides.

The frames can corrode over time, due to high moisture levels in the average bathroom. This corrosion ruins the look of the enclosures and run-off from rust can stain your shower or bath.
Frames collect grime and debris over time. Eventually, they become breeding grounds for bacteria and other pathogens.
It’s incredibly difficult to clean around metal frames. Without regular scrubbing, framed enclosures won’t look their best for long.

Enclosures keep water within your shower and bath. While framed options can do this effectively, the downsides are simply too significant to overlook.

The Benefits of Choosing Frameless Glass Enclosures for a Bathroom Remodel

In 2019, frameless glass has become more common and more affordable. While you will still pay a slight premium over framed alternatives, the tradeoff is worth it when considering all the benefits.

With frameless enclosures you will enjoy:

Easy cleaning and maintenance. Without frames, there’s no crevices to catch soap scum, grime, and other debris.
Mold, bacteria, and pathogens won’t be able to accumulate around metal frames.
The look is much cleaner and more modern. You will be able to bring your bathroom up to date.
There are extensive customization options, whether you need a sliding door for a bath, or a pivoting door for a shower enclosure.
Clear glass can make your bathroom feel larger and more elegant. If you are performing a bathroom remodel in a smaller room, choosing frameless glass will give you a grander sense of space.
If you don’t want clear glass, you can have frameless shower doors and panels manufactured with frosted or textured glass.
Glass is an eco-friendly material that can last the lifetime of your home. Frameless enclosures are a great long-term investment for a greener home.
You can match hardware with your other bathroom fixtures, vanities, cabinets, and towel racks etc.

How Much Maintenance is Needed for Glass Enclosures?

While glass can easily last the lifetime of your home, it is not maintenance free. Mineral deposits in water and even soap buildup can leave a film on glass surfaces, eventually leaving scratches in the finish. Glass doors and panels that aren’t maintained often take on a cloudy appearance.

If you invest in glass enclosures during complete home remodeling, you will need to be sure to follow some simple cleaning advice.

Invest in an affordable handheld squeegee. The simple rubber or silicon blade can be pulled along the surface of your glass enclosures after showering. This will remove liquid and prevent mineral and soap deposits. You can also use a squeegee to clean fogged mirrors and windows.

Avoid using any abrasive sponges or cleaners on your glass shower enclosure. These contain materials that will scratch glass over time.

Daily cleaning takes less than a minute after you shower or use your bath. Once you get into the habit, you’ll find that it’s barely noticeable in your daily routine.

Are You Ready for a Bathroom Remodeling Makeover?

Glass enclosures can add beauty and practicality to your bathroom, and the minimal maintenance requirements will be appreciated by your whole family.

Of course, your shower enclosure is just one aspect of your remodel. There’s a lot more that you can do to create a relaxing retreat within your own home.

New vanities can add storage and practical countertop space.
Upgraded bathroom hardware will give you a fresh new aesthetic.
New bathroom flooring can completely transform the room, and you could even install underfloor heating with the help of Des Moines contractors.
Upgraded faucets and a waterfall showerhead will give you a resort-style experience every day.
Fresh paint or tiling for walls can complete the look of a new bathroom.

With so much to think about, it helps to bring some professionals on board.

If you want a modernized bathroom that is as beautiful as it is functional, it’s time to talk to the team at HomeWorx Iowa. We are home remodeling experts and will work with you to create a bathroom that meets your needs and your aesthetic vision.

Choosing frameless shower enclosures is just one step. Call us today to begin the rest of your remodeling journey.

July 12, 2019May 15, 2020

Secret Bathroom Remodeling Tips of the Professionals

Bathroom remodeling is a great place to start if you want to improve your home while getting a feel for the process. A bathroom remodel can typically be completed within a single month, or even just a couple of weeks if you are improving a smaller bathroom.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by a home remodeling project, especially when it’s your first one. There’s a lot to think about, from the materials that you will choose, to the size of your fixtures and other features.

You don’t have to go into your remodel blind, and with Des Moines contractors you won’t have to. Even before you talk to local experts, you can start to think about some of the best design tips from remodeling professionals.

The Toilet Should Never Be the Focal Point

Have you ever walked past the bathroom in somebody’s home, and glanced inside to realize that something looks just a little wrong? If the toilet was visible from the doorway, then it was probably the culprit.

One of the first things that designers and home remodeling professionals will tell you is that you should never have a toilet visible from the doorway. This creates an undesirable aesthetic and it can leave your bathroom feeling unplanned and unloved. Bring attention away from the toilet, and have your vanity or cabinets facing towards the door instead.

Classic Finishes Can Bring Out the Best in a New Bathroom

Demolition is the first step in any bathroom remodeling project, and it’s one of the most important. While you might be tempted to have Des Moines contractors tear out all the existing fixtures and finishes, there’s actually value in keeping some of the older materials in place.

Traditional materials can give your bathroom character. You can blend the old and the new for a transitional aesthetic that is highly desirable in modern homes. Wall tiles are popular finishing materials to leave in place, but you could also save other features like classic brass fixtures or even a standing bathtub that could be restored and refinished.

Talk to your designers in the planning stage to determine which existing elements are worth keeping in place.

Sink Heights are Important

The most comfortable height for countertops and sinks in your home is between 32 and 34 inches. If you are going to install a modern sink, such as a vessel sink on top of your counter, you’ll need to take this size range into account. A designer sink might require that you drop your cabinets down a few inches to keep things practical.

Small mistakes like mis-estimating sink height could completely derail your bathroom remodel. Working with professionals who can get things right in the design stage will ensure that you avoid any setbacks or disappointment at the end of your project.

It’s OK to Spend More on Premium Materials

Your bathroom isn’t likely to be the biggest room in your home, which means that your material selections will probably be relatively affordable. The smaller size means that you can probably splash out on some premium materials that elevate the aesthetic in your bathroom.

Professional designers typically lean towards spending more for fixtures and hardware. A luxury showerhead might seem like an unnecessary investment, but it’s actually something that you will use every day, so it’s worth getting a special piece.

Luxury hardware on cabinets, drawers, and faucets could give your bathroom an upmarket aesthetic. You’ll also feel the difference, because premium hardware typically feels heavier in hand, reflecting its inherent quality and exclusivity.

The Flooring Transition Needs to Be perfect

You’ve got an idea of the bathroom floor that you want, but, what about the transition? Many homeowners overlook this critical design element. Your bathroom will meet the floor in your hall or bedroom. In 90% of cases, the flooring materials will be completely different. You’ll need to plan carefully to achieve a smooth and aesthetically pleasing transition.

This is one area where the expertise of professional bathroom remodeling contractors really comes into play. Designers and contractors will be able to present various options, allowing you to choose the perfect transition that suits your sense of style.

Want to Build a Better Bathroom? Talk to the Remodelers at HomeWorx

Knowing some of the best bathroom tips is just the beginning. Soon you’ll need to think about designs, material choices, fixtures, colors, and even layouts. Being able to consult with a dedicated design team will ensure that you get a bathroom to love and enjoy for many years to come.

At HomeWorx Iowa, we can provide a complete bathroom remodeling service that meets all your functional and aesthetic requirements. We don’t just build bathrooms; we make homes that matter!

If you’re ready to get started on a bathroom remodeling project, or any other home improvement project, you can talk to a team that delivers results. We are a complete design-build service, so we’ll manage your project from end to end.

Don’t settle for a bathroom that doesn’t live up to your standards. Contact us today and start planning your best home yet.