Thinking Green: 4 Great Phoenix Remodeling Ideas For Any City

Stevie Wonder — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:24:14 +0000

Phoenix homeowners are thinking green when it comes to home improvement. Rising energy costs have definitely taken their toll on this desert city. Water and energy consumption are significant issues in a city with sky high temperatures and limited water sources. In addition to this, homeowners are also beginning to use Eco-friendly materials for all sorts of remodeling projects.

Green home remodeling projects are not only good for the environment, they can also be extremely cost effective. Phoenix kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling contractors state that green renovation projects increase a home’s energy efficieny and save homeowners tons of money down the line. This means that green remodeling projects have an incredibly high recoup value. Green remodeling projects also significantly increase a home’s value. A study by McGraw Hill actually showed that home buyers are willing to pay about $18,000 more for an energy efficient home. With the third worst housing market in the nation this is extremely important for Phoenix homeowners to take advantage of.

Green and energy efficient home improvements are a good idea for homeowners in any city. They have many benefits. They can increase the value of your home, slash your energy costs, and make a positive impact on the environment. Energy efficient appliances are a great option, but there are also many other green home remodeling projects. These four green remodeling ideas are terrific options for homes.

Low-Flow Showerheads

This is a popular Phoenix bathroom remodel idea because it is incredibly inexpensive. It also instantly saves you money. A simple low-flow showerhead can cut back your shower water consumption by 50 to 70 percent. They come in many elegant styles and some even have convenient features like various adjusting dials and pause buttons.

Bamboo or Cork Flooring

These two flooring materials are becoming highly popular. They offer a unique look and Eco-friendly material option for conscientious homeowners. Cork is a 100 percent renewable material and homeowners love its texture and color variety. Bamboo is an environmentally friendly choice because it grows rapidly. This means there is no need to use pesticides. Along with this it never needs replanting.

Glass Countertops

Updating countertops is a popular Phoenix kitchen remodeling project, and now there are many green materials that homeowners can use for their countertops. Glass is not only an elegant solution, it is also a green solution. It has a really stunning appearance and can come in many, many different styles and colors. Glass is an Eco-friendly choice because it is available locally which means that less energy is used to ship and produce it.

Programmable Thermostat

This may not be the most glamorous product in the world of electronics, but it is an incredibly efficient one. Programmable thermostats are extremely cost effective. They typically pay themselves off in one season. They are a great product for Phoenix homeowners who need to keep an eye on the temperatures in their homes. They are also perfect for homeowners in any city. The thermostat will control the temperature in your home for you, never forgetting to adjust it at different times of the day.

Kitchen Remodeling with Retro Chairs and Furniture

Stevie Wonder — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:43:18 +0000

Recreating that nostaligic look from the 1950′s in your home can be extremely easy if you know where and how to look. We’ve all been in a retro diner before, enjoying the classic looks and feel it has to offer. But what if you could recreate that in your own kitchen with your own retro furniture? What if I told you that there are a ton of outlets who specialize specifically in this type of remodeling and home design?

Fortunately for all of us who have interests in retro furniture, just searching on the internet can reveal a whole wealth of information and products available to us. If you want to design or re-design your kitchen or dining area, there are retro swivel chairs and retro bar stools readily available. Or what about 50′s retro diner accessories like plates, napkin holders, old 45-records, and other memorabilia?

Sometimes if you are lucky you can visit a flea market, yard sale, or other outlet store and find a great “retro deal”. Lots of people find retro furniture and home accessories for very low prices at these places. But watch out! Other times getting that retro fashion for your home can come with a high price depending on whether your furniture is rare or is still readily available. Some vendors will actually upsell something that is “retro” with the hope of making a huge gain. When searching for retro furniture it’s best to use some good judgement and do price checking wherever possible to make sure you are redesigning your home on the best budget.

Are you on a tight budget for buying your retro furniture? There are companies out there that make “lookalikes” – they sell 50′s retro chairs and other retro furniture for an affordable price. Yes, you sacrifice some authenticity but it’s highly likely that nobody will even ask if something is real or not.