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Top 5 Can’t Miss Elements of Your Home Theater Space

June 21, 2015January 17, 2023

If you’re lucky enough to have a Richmond home addition with a home theater, it’s important to go all the way, creating a space that truly lets you enjoy the experience. After all, home theaters can add thousands of dollars to your home’s value, often recouping most if not all of the cost it took to build them. And while there are a lot of ways you can design and lay out this type of room, there are a few essentials that you need to consider if you want to build the ultimate home theater.

1. The Right Screen

Obviously you need a screen, but it’s important to ensure that you get the right one for the room. For example, if your seating extends out to the sides of the room, letting viewers see it from an angle, you might not want to go with an LCD, which bleaches color out of the picture when viewed from the sides.

Projection screens are always a plus when you want to go big, but if your room has any natural light coming in, it can really wash out the image.

The ideal screen should be large enough to be seen from the back of the room, and viewable from all areas at all times. Take the time to research your screen based on your room – not on reviews that may not take your particular needs into consideration.

2. Acoustics

You’re probably planning on installing a sound system to help enhance the effects of watching things on your big screen, but if you don’t take the acoustics in the room into account at the same time, it may not have the effect you’re after.

Be sure to carpet the room to help deaden sound and echoes from surrounding rooms. You may also want to look into acoustic panels for your ceiling, and possibly the walls as well. Alternatively, covering the walls with heavy curtains you can close when the room is in use can also have the same effect, as can installing a resilient flooring like cork.

You’ll also want to pay attention to the shape of the room and where you install your sound system so that you don’t miss anything due to muffled or blocked noises issuing from the speakers.

3. Wireless Systems

Thanks to Bluetooth and other wireless systems, you can now have a fully set up and functional home theater without the wires and cables hooking everything together. A wireless set up gives you the opportunity to move your speakers into places you might not have been able to reach previously, and allows you to hook up various electronics to stream video games or movies from another source. And all of this can be very unobtrusive, taking up much less space than previous systems.

4. Surge Protector

If you don’t have a whole house surge protector, then you need to at least ensure that your home theater is covered and protected. Surge protectors help prevent surges of electricity, such as those that can occur during, before, or after an electrical storm from ruining all of your sensitivity equipment.

With the various DVD and Blu-Ray players, speakers, wireless systems, and internet connections that you’ll have set up in the room, it makes sense to put a protector on your panel for the entire space. This way if your home were to have a surge, you’re home theater wouldn’t be affected in the slightest.

HT seats

5. Seating

Every home theater needs someplace for you and your guests to sit. But what kind of seating is best? Ideally, any furniture you install in this room should be built for comfort; after all, anyone using it will probably be there for at least a couple of hours.

So take the time to look at furniture that includes things like built-in cup holders for drinks, overstuffed backs for lumbar support, and optional reclining features for the ultimate in comfort. Whether you choose to use stadium style seating or a sectional sofa is up to the size and configuration of the room; just be sure that whatever you choose is designed to hold someone in comfort for at least the length of a feature film.

Design Your Ultimate Home Theater

Having a home theater can raise your property value and increase your enjoyment in your home at the same time. Be sure that no matter what layout or shape our home theater takes that you include these essentials to truly maximize your experience.

For any other tips on how to make your home remodeling a breeze, Classic Construction is available for all your Richmond remodeling services. To learn more, give us a call at 804-776-5070 or fill out our online form for a free consultation.

Author: Classic Construction

Established in 2001, Classic Construction has since become one of the leading Richmond remodeling companies. With decades in the home improvement industry, Brian Holder, company president, is intimately involved with every project and works with our vendors and installation crews to ensure every job runs smoothly and meets our high standards of quality and customer satisfaction.

3 Reasons To Follow Your Contractor In Social Media

May 25, 2015January 17, 2023

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram; it seems like everyone you know is on social media these days, including your contractor. And while you may think you want to limit your social media contacts to just friends and family, there are some benefits to following your contractor as well.
Contractor In Social Media

Contractor Due Diligence

Everyone knows that you should be checking up on your new contractor before you sign anything and he gets to work, but too often this kind of thing gets overlooked. At the very least you ought to be checking with references and asking to see examples of previous work. This can help you get a feel for whether or not this contractor is right for the job; does his style match yours, what is his personality like, how does he run his business, etc.?

Following your contractor on social media is a great way to get to know him. You may see pictures of previous jobs that can help you get a sense of his competency and style, you may learn some of his philosophies, and just get a sense of how well you’ll be able to work together over the course of your project.

Depending on what social media platform your contractor is on (LinkedIn will have a lot more info than Pinterest will) you may also be able to review things like his license status and what kind of work he’s done in the past. All of this makes it a lot easier for you to determine if this is the right person for the job you’re able to undertake.

Tools Contractor Deals

If your contractor is having any kind of specials during a slow month to drum up business, or if he’s connected with a company or supplier that’s having a sale, you may hear about it on social media.

Sites like Twitter and Facebook are designed to help people make connections, particularly by businesses. By following your contractor, you’re letting him know you’re interested in what he may have to say. In return, he may point out things – both good and bad – about the suppliers or jobs he’s working on. For example, if he installs wood floors and learns of a big sale coming up, letting you about it not only helps you save money, it means that he’s more likely to get the work he’s after in the future.

Contractor Trade Tips

One thing that a lot of businesses tend to do on social media to interact with their customer base is to offer industry tips, information, or stories. Some contractors may offer tips on what you should look for before signing a contract to avoid getting scammed. Others may offer checklists of things you should be looking for around the house to help increase your energy efficiency.
By helping you out, your contractor may be hoping that you’ll remember him favorably when the time comes to do the job. In the meantime, though, you can be learning a lot about the industry and ways that you can maximize the success of your next home improvement project.

Start Following Now

You have a lot to gain and little to lose by following your contractor on social media. So look him up today and find out what you could be missing.

Author: Classic Construction

3 Super Cute Screen Porch Ideas You Will Love

May 1, 2015January 17, 2023

3 Super Cute Screen Porch Ideas You Will Love

There’s nothing quite like relaxing on a screened porch on a hot summer’s evening. Screened porches give you the fresh air and outdoor feeling you love at this time of year, without things like bugs or bad weather to ruin it. And while screen porches used to simply be an afterthought or addition to the house without a lot of character or interest, times have changed. Today’s screen porches are a lot more personalized and designed for more comfort than ever before. So if you’re considering the addition of a screened porch to your home, be sure to check out these three super cute screen porch ideas that you’re sure to love.

Complete Luxury and Year Round Comfort

The worst part of a screened porch is often having to say goodbye at the end of the summer when the weather turns cooler. But what if you had a few additions to the porch that made it more comfortable to use nearly all year long?

Enter the screen porch designed for modern luxury. Picture a fieldstone fireplace running up the center of the far wall between two sets of windows. A well designed fireplace can throw off enough heat to make your screened porch into an outdoor haven all year round.

To add to style and luxury of the room, an arched ceiling of exposed beams complements the fieldstone of the fireplace. Beams extend down from the ceiling between the windows to give you the opportunity to hang some shutters that can be pulled across the windows at night for privacy, or to help keep in a little more warmth in the cooler months.

With the rustic hunting cabin vibe of this screened porch, you can easily pair a number of different furniture styles including Adirondack, Mission, and log cabin. Best of all, the large expanse above the fireplace is the perfect setting for a flat screen TV, so you can gather around the fireplace in comfort at any time of year to relax and enjoy both your surroundings and a modern day evening.

Mediterranean Style

Who says that your screened porch needs to have a wooden frame, or that it needs to match the rest of the architecture of your home? Wrought iron makes a bold statement as the framing of a screened porch to make a decorative and innovative support for the room.

Frame out each one of the windows and walls with decorative and scrolling wrought iron. You can pair this with standard painted beadboard ceiling and either a rustic flooring such as stone or a painted hardwood for a subtle complement to the walls and railings.

Complete this type of screened porch with classic wicker furniture in muted colors to complement the colors of the ceiling and floor. To give the entire room a polished appearance, keep the rest of the metal accents in the room to the same iron finish, and consider using a Tuscan color scheme of muted olives, rich golds, and sky blues to bring it alive and pick up the colors of the outdoors.

Folding Screens

Typical screened porches can start to look pretty old pretty fast with nothing but giant walls of screen stretched between frames. Consider a new idea instead; walls made out of folding screen panels that can be opened up on nice days to have an unimpeded view of the outdoors. When night falls and the bugs come out, just fold the panels back into place again to seal up the room.

The best part is that many of these folding panels can be fit with additional shutters or panes of glass as well, giving you the option of turning your screened porch into a three or even four season room if you choose. Just select a sturdy hardwood frame for your panels to set the tone for the rest of the room’s style.

Because the frames on these windows are more decorative, you can easily incorporated them into any style of room. Lay out a decorative tile floor or match the wood on the frames for a luxurious look. Because the open windows can invoke a French Country feel, consider complementing the room with Country style furnishings for a homey and comfortable style overlaid with a Shabby Chic touch.

Consider a Screened Porch of Your Own

Screened porches come in so many different shapes and sizes that it’s impossible to consider them all. Today’s screened porches are often custom built to suit the needs of the homeowner – not something cookie cutter that can be tacked on to just anywhere.

So use these three super cute screen porch ideas as inspiration to help you achieve a new screened porch that you’ll love on your home.

Ready to learn more? Click here to check out how we can help you.

Author: Classic Construction

Replacement Windows Made Easy

March 24, 2015January 17, 2023

Replacement windows terminology can be made easy for you. Replacement windows can add a lot of value to your home. They can also help you lower your energy costs by making your home better insulated. Unfortunately for many homeowners, however, trying to find the right replacement windows can be a major challenge. Not only do you have to choose between brands and styles, you also have to conquer the terminology, which can seem a little like a foreign language. Learn the right terminology for replacement windows before you start your search to ensure you get the right Richmond replacement windows for your needs.

Replacement window terminology

Learn the following terminology for replacement windows, and you’ll be able to follow along with your contractor like a pro when he comes out to install them.

1. Windows U-Value

U-values measure how well the unit insulates against heat. Similar to the R-values you may have heard of to describe your home’s insulation, U-values describe how well your window is able to slow down heat transfer. Because your window is transparent, it can’t completely stop the transfer of heat – only delay it a little. Unlike R-values, however, higher numbers aren’t better. In fact, the lower your U-value, the better the insulating job it’s going to do. Now windows with lower U-values may cost more up front, but they also tend to save you more on energy costs down the road. So if you live in a climate that has you running the furnace or air conditioner a lot, it may make sense to invest in some windows with lower U-values.

2. Windows Argon Gas

The vast majority of windows that are sold today are double-paned, or have two panes of glass with a gap between them. This gap can be filled with plain air, or it can be filled with an insulating, colorless gas. Argon is the most frequently used insulating gas in the industry, and many window makers now use argon gas-filled windows as their standard. Typically, adding argon to your windows will increase the insulating power by about ½ of an R value, which can help offset some energy costs if all other things are equal.

3. Windows Low e

Another insulating term you’ll hear concerning replacement windows is a Low E coating. Low E stands for Low Emissivity or Low Emission, and refers to how well the sun is able to penetrate through your window to reach inside your home. Low E is a metallic coating that is applied to your windows at the factory – it is not a film that can be applied later, and it does not come off over time. Having Low E coated windows can lower the amount of UV rays and sun’s heat entering your home by about 25%. Areas where the sun shines directly into your home, and homes in hotter climates can definitely benefit from having Low E glass on the windows.

4. Windows Foam Filled

Window frames are by and large hollow, with many windows relying on the air inside to act as an insulator to help stop heat transfer through the window frame itself. Some manufacturers, however, take this a step further and fill their frames with insulating foam to help further cut down on energy loss.

5. Windows Wrapped with aluminum

Wrapping refers to the method of installing an aluminum window frame so that it wraps around the outside sills and casing. This is usually done with custom painted frames that are designed to match the home’s exterior. It can give you a better fit and a nicer looking window, but you need to ask for it; it isn’t always part of the standard installation package.

6. Windows Roll Form Aluminum

Most aluminum window frames can be made in one of two ways – roll form and extruded. Roll form aluminum is a little thinner than extruded aluminum, and it’s finished prior to bending and shaping. It can cost you a little less, but some people feel the extruded material may last longer and hold up better over time.

7. Windows Heat Gain

If your salesperson or contractor begins talking about heat gain, this refers to the amount of heat that is either absorbed from the outdoors or a result of direct sunlight. In hot climates, you want to reduce the amount of heat gain to keep your windows from heating up your home during the day.
Do Your Homework on your replacement windows

The more you know going into your replacement window purchase, the more informed a decision you can make regarding your home and your needs. Take the time to learn the terminology most frequently used when comparing your potential new windows, and know that you’re making the best decisions possible.

Author: Classic Construction

How to Create the Ultimate Home Office

March 10, 2015January 17, 2023

If you work from home then you’re probably aware of difficult it can be to stop your work life from spilling into the rest of your home. One of the best ways to help contain and separate work from personal life is to set up a home office you feel comfortable spending the day in. And while everyone’s home office is going to look a little bit different based on your needs and the type of work that you do, there are a few key components that go into creating it that just about everyone should follow.

Creating the Ultimate Home Office

No matter where in your home you’ve designated your work space, or how much space you have, there are a few things you can do to ensure you get the best office set up possible in your Richmond home addition.

Ample Space and an Empty Room

The first thing you need to do is start with a totally empty space. Clean everything out of there from your desk to anything that might be stored or displayed there. This is crucial, because you’re probably used to thinking of the room in a certain way. And that way might not be the best setup for your needs. By starting with a completely empty room, you get a fresh perspective on what it is you can do there.

Now take a look at what you need in terms of space. Do you need storage? Work tables? Extra seating? Do you use more than one computer during your day? Start to plan out the room according to your needs. For example, if you use multiple screens how can you best position them in the space – does it make sense to hang one the wall or do you need an L shaped desk set up that lets you swivel between them? With an empty room, you can see the many different possibilities for laying out your things so you can get the best configuration for your needs, rather than trying to cram everything into the existing layout of the space.

Use Your Walls

Desks, chairs, and filing cabinets are pretty much a given in the home office, but what are you doing with your walls? By tapping into this previously unused expanse of space, you can gain a lot more function and storage out of your home office.

Consider covering one board in cork to allow you to pin things right at eye level. Or get your computer up off the desk and hang the screen on the wall so you can see it better. Shelves, white boards, cubbies, and peg board racks are all great ways to help you organize your home office without taking up a lot of space. So even if your home office was once a walk-in closet, you can still fit in everything you need into the space as long as you look up rather than down.

Lots of Light

On average most people who work from home spend about 10 hours a day in their home office. That’s a lot of hours to be squinting in a poorly lit room. Every well lit room needs three types of lighting:

Ambient lighting that lights the whole space – overhead or recessed lighting fits into this category
Spot lighting that illuminates things on the walls, such as your bulletin board, or things you store on your shelves
Task lighting that illuminates your desk and work area, such as desk lamps, under cabinet lighting, and even under desk lighting

With all the time you spend in your home office, you need to make sure it’s well lit. Use a combination of all three types of lighting, and invest in some good full spectrum light bulbs to help you feel as though you’re working in natural light – even if you never get the time to go outside.

And while you’re working on the lighting, be sure to invest in some additional power strips or outlets as well, so you can keep everything in the room running at once.

Invest in Good Seating

The type of desk or work table you use in your home office should come second to your seating. Get a good office chair that supports your back and lets you adjust the height for optimum comfort no matter what height of table you’re working at. If you work at more than one desk, or at an L-shaped station, make sure the chair rolls easily, and adjusts height easily as well. Remember that no matter how great your office looks, if you aren’t comfortable working there, you more than likely won’t be in there for long.

Bring in Some Personal Touches

Finally, make sure you bring in plenty of things that make you happy in the space. From the color of the walls to what you display on your desk, you need to personalize your office. Remember that despite being in your house, your home office is where you go to work each day; if you aren’t happy there, you’ll just find excuses to be somewhere else. So take the items you need, from a coffee maker to some posters to ensure you get what you need out of the space.

Set Up Your Office

Your home office is more important than you may think it is. While technically all you may need is a work station and a chair, a well laid out home office can help increase your productivity, while enhancing your enjoyment of the work. Take the time to set up your home office using this guide and find yourself enjoying the freedom of working from home more than ever before.

For any other tips on how to make your home remodeling a breeze, Classic Construction
is available for all your Richmond remodeling services. To learn more, give us a call at 804-776-5070 or fill out our online form for a free consultation.

Author: Classic Construction

3 Reasons to Get Rid of Your Hardboard Siding

February 13, 2015January 17, 2023

Hardboard siding or Masonite, was a popular siding option for many years. An alternative to wood or Richmond vinyl siding, hardboard is a composite material made to look and feel like real wood. And while it has improved dramatically over the years, it’s often still plagued with problems, particularly after it’s been up for a while. The fact that it’s a low cost option drove many people to install it early on, before many of these issues came to light. So if you’ve had hardboard siding installed on your home, you may want to take a look at some of the newer products on the market, particularly if your hardboard is experiencing any of the following.

Rotting and Deteriorating

Masonite was supposed to be a low-maintenance, low cost version of real wood siding. It’s made of a mixture of wood and resin or wood and glue, and is usually formed in a mold made of actual wood to give it a natural looking texture. Unfortunately, it turned out to have many of the same problems that actual wood did, plus a few more.

While today’s hardboard is a little more forgiving, the early stuff usually begins to rot after a while, as well as deteriorate. You can sometimes find large chunks of it missing from each board, or a touch will find it crumbling beneath your hands. This is because once the glue or resin begins to wear out, the wood can now decay and fall to pieces. It can also become susceptible to things like insects, and if you don’t keep up with the priming and painting, moisture can get in there and cause a number of problems as well.
During a yearly inspection of your home’s exterior, look for boards that seem to be deteriorating, missing pieces, or falling apart. If you see these signs, it’s a good indication that you ought to yank it all and start over with something new.

Buckling and Blistering

Rotting and deteriorating boards are probably the most obvious problem, but there’s a couple of other issues that can crop up before these happen. Buckling and blistering are two conditions that affect a lot of older hardboard siding. These typically take place before the deterioration and rot set in, so if you find them, be prepared for your siding to begin falling apart in the near future. So while you have a little more time to get your siding replaced if you see these issues occurring, you’ll still need to schedule an appointment with a contractor fairly soon. Not to mention the fact that while you wait, your home is going to look unsightly.
Buckling is the warping of the boards due to moisture and expansion. What you’ll see is the boards no longer laying straight and flat against your home. So not only is your siding going to begin deteriorating soon, it’s going to look kind of funky in the meantime as well.
Blistering is the condition where the interior layers begin to fail and separate. This causes blisters to form inside the boards. If you feel your boards and they aren’t uniformly hard, it’s probably due to blistering and the beginnings of deterioration.

The High Maintenance

You were probably told that hardboard was a lower maintenance option than wood. Unfortunately, this just isn’t true. Hardboard siding needs to be primed and painted just like wood. Failure to do so can lead to moisture and insect infiltration that will in turn lead to rotting and deterioration of the boards.
You also need to stay on top of the caulking. The spaces between each piece of hardboard and along the edges need to be filled with caulk. Caulk has a tendency to crack over time, particularly if your house moves or settles a lot. So if the caulking is cracking or coming out, you need to take the time to dig it out and replace it. Failure to do so can lead to moisture and insects getting into your boards. Even newer types of hardboard still need to be coated and caulked, although they may last a little longer than the older varieties.
If you want a truly low maintenance option, you need to look to vinyl or to wood coated in a vinyl-based “paint”, rather than sticking with what you’ve got.
Out with the Old

If you have hardboard siding on your home that is showing signs of eventual rot or deterioration, or you’re having trouble keeping up with the maintenance, consider replacing it. There are a lot of great new siding options on the market today that don’t have the same problems, and can even last for as long as you own your home. So consider getting rid of your old hardboard siding today to find an option that truly works for your home.
Are you ready to get rid of your old hardboard siding?
Contact us today and get your free quote!
Click here to learn more about your options.

For any other tips on how to make your home remodeling a breeze, Classic Construction
is available for all your Richmond remodeling services. To learn more, give us a call at 804-776-5070 or fill out our online form for a free consultation.

Author: Classic Construction

Top 3 Reasons You Will Love Fiber Cement Siding For Your Home

January 23, 2015January 17, 2023

Top 3 Reasons You Will Love Fiber Cement Siding

When it’s time to choose new siding for your home, you have a lot of options. Wood is still a popular choice, and for those that want something a little more low maintenance, plenty of people are still opting for vinyl and aluminum. And while these are fine choices for some homes, if you haven’t considered fiber cement siding for your home yet, you may want to give it a look. It has many of the benefits of other siding types, plus a few more. So if you want a realistic looking, long lasting, and low maintenance siding option, look no further than fiber cement siding for your home.

With all the choices on the market today for siding, you probably have heard about older types like vinyl and aluminum before. Our Richmond fiber cement siding is different, and while it doesn’t get the kind of press that other types do, there’s actually a lot more to love here than there is at first sight.

1. Realistic Texture and Appearance

Have you ever seen a house cladded in aluminum or vinyl siding? Chances are you could tell what it was from the street. Aluminum has a smooth, flat appearance – except where it’s dented – and a color that tends to fade over time. Vinyl may have more a groove or grain look to it, with color that goes straight through, but that doesn’t change the fact this siding is plastic, and looks like it.

Fiber cement siding has a much more realistic look and texture to it than either vinyl or aluminum. In fact, you may have trouble figuring out that it isn’t wood. That’s because the boards are molded using actual wood planks to get a more realistic texture.

Fiber cement siding can also be painted in any color – just like wood – so you aren’t confined to what’s currently on the market like vinyl.

2. Durable and Low Maintenance

Wood siding is one of the best looking options available, but it also has a lot of drawbacks in terms of durability and maintenance. It peels, is susceptible to insects, and can also crack and warp over time. Aluminum is supposed to be lower in maintenance and more durable, but it still fades, leaving a chalky residue all over your foundations, while also denting at the slightest pressure. Then there’s vinyl, which can crack or break, as well as fall right off of your home.

Fiber cement siding gives you the look and texture of real wood without the maintenance issues. It doesn’t peel, fade, dent, crack, or warp and it isn’t susceptible to insects either. In fact, it’s so low maintenance that many homeowners find that it pays for itself over the years, simply because they don’t have to worry about scraping, painting, and repairing over time.

3. Environmentally Friendly

Green building has been the watch word of the industry for several years now, and more and more homeowners are beginning to join in. Fiber cement siding is considered a green product, meaning that it’s environmentally friendly, containing natural, renewable resources and no chemicals. In fact some manufacturers even include recycled material such as glass in the reinforcing mixture, to help further improve its green status.

That means no harmful VOCs are given off either during production or once it’s installed, so it’s not going to hurt your home or the environment. Add in the fact that fiber cement siding is also flame retardant without chemicals, and you can get some added protection for your home at the same time that you’re protecting the environment.

Make the Smart Choice

Fiber cement siding may not have been around as long as some other materials, but when you consider its looks, durability, and environmentally friendly legacy, it’s one of the best choices you can make for your home. So when it’s time to invest in some new siding for your house, consider fiber cement siding to do the job.

For any other tips on how to make your home remodeling a breeze, Classic Construction
is available for all your Richmond remodeling services. To learn more, give us a call at 804-776-5070 or fill out our online form for a free consultation.

Author: Classic Construction

4 New Trends in Kitchen Countertops

January 4, 2015January 17, 2023

The kitchen is arguably the most important room in your home. Your kitchen is where you cook, eat, and entertain. In many families, this is also the place where you gather for things like homework, chore planning, and just spending time together. So when it comes for your Richmond kitchen remodel, each decision that you make has equal importance, from the color of the cabinets to the type of countertop you use. Thankfully, you now have more choices in counters than ever before, so it’s easy to find the right countertop to suit your family’s needs and your personal design and style.

Natural Stone Trends

For a long time granite reigned supreme in the kitchen, then began to cool off a little as other, newer materials began to come out. With newer trends appearing in natural materials and finishes for the kitchen, however, natural stone has begun to make a comeback.
The difference is that while granite can still be found in new kitchens, the emphasis is on softer finishes, such as honed stone, rather than a hard polish. And for those that want something a little more out of the ordinary, but with the strength and easy maintenance of harder stones, consider quartzite. Quartzite is a metamorphic stone made primarily of quartz, and it’s nearly indestructible – even in lighter colors like white. Quartzite can have veins like marble, or it can be more mottled like granite. It has a sugary look to it that is very appealing, especially when the edge is left raw – another trend in natural stone counters just now.

Ceramic Counters

For those that want a low maintenance, durable, and man-made counter move away from the quartz counters that were vying with granite for popularity a few years ago, and look to new ceramic counters instead. These smooth, matte counters are heat resistant, scratch resistant, and stain resistant so you don’t need to worry about their use even in the busiest of kitchens. With their monotone colors, they also work particularly well in modern and transitional designs where a lot of color or movement on the countertop would be unwelcome.

Copper

Say goodbye to stainless steel as the answer to the need for a metal countertop and consider copper instead. Copper is hitting kitchen trends in a big way right now with copper bespoke appliances, cabinet hardware, and even countertops. This warm, rich metal will patina and age differently depending on how you use it, giving your kitchen an authentic look over time. Treated well, a copper countertop can even outlast your home. It also matches well with the other trends in kitchens now, such as natural materials and finishes, as well as warm colors.

Tile

Believe it or not, tile countertops are back and in a big way. Move over granite tiles that are meant to look like a slab, today’s tile countertops are a riot of color and interest. In addition to natural tones and colors in kitchens, one of the biggest trends just now is color – particularly the color blue. One way to bring some color to your kitchen, while still preserving the natural and authentic look that is so key right now is to use some tiles on your counter. Consider handmade ceramic tiles that have varying glaze tones and textures, as well as larger matte porcelain tiles. Treated well, a tile countertop is nearly indestructible, and with new pre-sealed grouts, you don’t have to worry about things like staining either.

Consider Your Counter

With all the new choices on the market today, you’ll have an easier time than ever deciding on your new counter. Trends are moving toward lower maintenance, durable, and less ostentatious counters than those that have been used for the last several years, giving you some new things to consider. So take a look at the style of your kitchen, and how you intend to your use your counter to get the perfect, on trend countertop for your home.

Author: Classic Construction

3 Secrets to Create the World’s Best Master Closet

December 24, 2014January 17, 2023

It’s something that nearly every homeowner dreams about at one point in time or another; a well-organized and spacious master bedroom closet. No matter how much or how little space you have, it is possible to achieve this dream. All you need to know are the three secrets that all great Richmond master bedroom closets have to get the closet you’ve always wanted.

You may think that you need to wait until you can renovate your existing space to get the closet you’re after, but there’s a lot you can do with the space you already have, provided that you’re using it wisely.

Compartments

No matter how much space you’re working with, dividing it up into compartments is one of the best ways to organize and maximize your space. Start with dividing up your belongings and making groups of everything that you need to store in the closet. For example, divide up your pants, your shirts, your sweaters, and your belts until you have a good grasp on how many different compartments you need, as well as the size and configuration of each one.

You can now start planning out the space. For example, you can purchase foldable pants racks that let you store numerous pairs of pants, all in perfect uncreased rows. These racks fold back out of the way when not in use to take up less space. You can also find belt racks, tie racks, shoe racks, as well as baskets and shelves for storing things like folded sweaters and accessories.

By carving your closet up into compartments each designed to hold a separate set of items, you can gain a lot of unexpected space in the closet. Remember that compartments can be built from floor to ceiling, as well as on the short walls of the closet, so you can get more things in there.

Shelving

A lot of people get hung up on creating the perfect closet by coming up with compartments for hanging clothes with lots of pull down bars and possibly some drawers for storing shirts and sweaters. The very best closets, however, may use these things, but also make very good use of shelves.

Shelves are far more versatile than rods or drawers. They allow you to see everything at a glance, and they give you a lot of different storage options. For example, you can put up a shoe rail, or place storage baskets on the shelves. You can also often place a shelf or two in areas that a rod or drawer just won’t go, such as at the very top of the closet or down toward the bottom beneath hanging clothes.

Good Lighting

It doesn’t matter how big or how well organized your closet is if you can’t see anything inside of it. Good lighting can make all the difference in a closet, enabling you to find things easily, and see the true color of items like socks, belts, and blouses, so you don’t need to remove them from the closet to find out if they’re going to match.

Start by investing in some good overhead lighting for the entire space. This is your overall or ambient lighting, and it will help brighten the space all together. Next, have some specific lighting to the larger cubbies, compartments or areas of the closet. For example, if you have a separate hanging area for pants, put a specific light above them to illuminate them better.

Finally, if you have small or out of the way areas of the closet, consider some small task lights. You can turn these on individually as you need them, so that you can better see things like ties or socks. You can also find some task lights that turn on automatically when you need them, such when you slide open a drawer or open a door.

Design the Closet of Your Dreams

With all the many different closet organization systems and components on the market today, it’s possible to create a closet that can suit your needs no matter what size you’re working with. Just be sure to include these 3 secrets to ensure your success.

1. The Right Screen

2. Acoustics

3. Wireless Systems

4. Surge Protector

5. Seating

Design Your Ultimate Home Theater

Author: Classic Construction

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