Thursday, September 25, 2014

Top 5 Things You Should Do Before Your Next Kitchen Remodel

Top 5 Things You Should Do Before Your Next Kitchen Remodel.

Remodeling your kitchen can be fun, exciting and frustrating. Luckily, you have the folks at Your Home Center to help you cut through the frustrating part so you can focus on the fun!

Below is a list of things you should do before starting your kitchen renovation or upgrade.


Start the Clock

Right off the bat, you should be aware that a kitchen renovation is not a quick process. A typical kitchen remodel will take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks. In some cases even longer if you are ordering custom cabinetry.  So make sure your expectations are set for a process that will take some time.


Design and Decide

A consultation with a qualified kitchen designer or contractor may seem intimidating but once you get out of the gate and start to ask questions you’ll see that designers and decorators are a valuable part of the entire process. It’s not just picking colors and products, it’s actually talking with someone who’s experienced this procedure before - they can usually tell you what has worked in the past and they’ll know what should work best for you in your particular space. Don’t be intimidated to ask questions and get other people’s opinions, you’ll be glad you did. Oh, and by the way, this is probably the only part in the entire process that’s FREE (at least here at Your Home Center it is), so take advantage of it!

Know what you want

This sounds simple right? But it isn't. It’s important to know what your needs in the kitchen are first, then you can design around those needs. For example; do you have a large family that would benefit from a double sink-or would a single sink do just fine? Do you want your appliances off your counters and placed within your design? Is a single oven enough? You get the idea. Sit with your partner and jot down the items that are important to you, it will help you significantly in the end.


Light it up!

Looking at your kitchen currently…does it have enough light? Did you always want the window above the sink moved? How about a window to see directly into the backyard, would you like one of those? What about electrical outlets? Are there enough outlets in your current space or would you like more? Recessed lighting under your cabinets is a growing trend these days and a great addition to any kitchen. All of these decisions should be thought of early in the process so that you are not overwhelmed when your designers or contractor suggests these upgrades. Being prepared always helps.


Stock up and Store

Again, this sounds like a simple thing (but this stage is always overlooked)! Remember, you will definitely be without a kitchen for a really long time, so what will you do when you can’t (conveniently) use your coffee maker or microwave. What about grabbing a simple glass of water, or finding a dish to eat a bagel? You didn't think of this, huh? Remember, eating out every night can get quite expensive so it’s best to plan a make-shift room (or portion of the home) that will serve as a pantry, cooking area and storage for glasses, dishes and silverware. In addition, until your new appliances arrive, plan on keeping your refrigerator or microwave plugged in so you can keep milk, juice and other items fresh for daily use.



Part of a successful kitchen remodel is proper planning. In addition to choosing products, colors and appliances, some of these steps are just as important to a great kitchen remodeling experience then the actual construction. Being prepared, using some of these tips above will definitely make a difference.

Have any ideas we may have forgotten? Let us know by leaving a comment below.


Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Seal Your Counter Tops in 3 Easy Steps!


You've just purchased a brand new kitchen with a beautiful granite, marble, quartz or other hard surface counter top. 

At the time of purchase you were so excited that you forgot to commit one small detail to your memory..."How to Clean and Seal your new Counter Top!"  Well, worry no more...we've got you covered! Remember, sealing your counter tops is an important maintenance project that should not be forgotten. Sealing provides an invisible, protective barrier that prevents water and oil-based soils from penetrating and staining the surface of your counters. It's a good idea to repeat this process every 6 to 9 months OR when water droplets no longer bead on the surface. OK, let's get started.
Your Home Center

Step 1: Before sealing your counter top, remove all appliances and obstructions from your counters. 

Using a professional cleaner, spray and wipe the surface completely. Use a clean soft cloth to remove any grease, soil, stains or watermarks. Let air dry for 15 to 20 minutes. Now, let's Seal Your Top! Note: If you have a large area to seal, just work on it in sections.

Step 2: After you are sure the area you cleaned is completely dry, grab your sealer and spray the entire work surface until it is evenly wet. Do not over saturate. If your sealer is absorbed immediately, just apply another layer of sealer to the surface. Allow your sealer to penetrate the surface for approximately 5 minutes but do not let the sealer dry completely.

Step 3: Using a clean cotton towel or cloth, gently wipe the sealer in to your counter top using a circular motion. In addition to removing excess sealer you'll also be buffing your counter to a high gloss shine. That's it, you're done! Allow the surface to dry for an additional 4 to 6 hours, replace your appliances and use as normal.

If you keep this up routinely, your counter top should continue to look great and remain durable year after year!

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Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Your Bathroom Is Calling!


10% off Cambria Countertops is given to customers who purchase a Cambria countertop and a bathroom vanity from Your Home Center between July 7th-July 31st. Cambria countertop offer is for countertops designed to fit a bathroom sized vanity and cannot be used to top kitchen islands or similar layouts or applications. Offer cannot be transferred or used on any other item, a previously placed Cambria countertop order or previously purchased vanity. Discount cannot be applied to items awaiting delivery or awaiting final payment. See store for additional details. Not to be combined with any other Your Home Center offers, discounts or specials. No coupon necessary. Offer ends July 31st 2014.

Monday, June 9, 2014

Your Home Center-Piera's Short Story


www.yourhomecenter.net/bathrooms
This is the short version of our latest customer review.

If you're looking for the extended version of her incredible story...click on the link at the end of the video or just click here to watch: http://youtu.be/zfGxpVDveAo

Piera just loved working with our Design Staff and was glad to become part of the Your Home Center family.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Your Home Center - Plan Your Next Renovation


http://www.yourhomecenter.net

This week Jill passes along some great tips for planning your next Interior renovation!

Are you planning to remodel your tired, old, kitchen or bath and don't know where to start? Well not to worry...here are some ideas to get you started.

Create a scrapbook or folder of ideas!
While looking through magazines-tear out photos of kitchens or bathrooms that appeal to you-then slip those pages into a binder to create what some people call a 'stylebook'. Or maybe a friend or someone in your family has a great kitchen you'd like to replicate...go ahead, take a photo and keep all of these items together in a special place for reference.

Define Your Remodeling Goals!
Write down the "reasons" you want to remodel your existing space. Maybe you'll be selling your home soon...or maybe your family has grown and you need more space- whatever it is...write it down, and use those words as a "theme" or overall "guide" to the end.

Decide on a Budget that works for you.
Be honest with yourself and decide exactly how much you can afford to spend ...then stick to the budget and make it happen! Even if you have to forfeit your favorite coffee drink for a few months to get that special faucet or fixture...it'll be worth it.

Set a Timeline.
Let's face it, no one wants to be remodeling during the holidays or in the middle of a hot summer, so choose the time to remodel wisely this way it doesn't interfere with your personal life or family schedule.

Lastly..., Remember to have Fun! This process should not be frustrating or stressful- it should be a pleasant experience so keep that in mind as you move forward in the process.

Watch Again:
http://youtu.be/TmpSGPyqbus

Friday, March 28, 2014

3 Easy Steps to Help You Renovate Your Bathroom



So You Want to renovate
your Bathroom and you don’t know where to start
I’m going to point out some of the things you should know
before you start this project…

First, Know Your Budget
Decide on the things you want and those things that you NEED. This will help you make smarter decisions and keep within your budget.

Second, Measure Your Space!
Measuring your space is crucial to figuring out what you
need. Know the square footage of your floor. For your walls, will you be tiling
just in the tub or shower area or will you bring it to the surrounding walls?  Also, measure the depth and width you have
for your vanity and shower or tub.

Lastly, what style and functions are you looking to incorporate into your bathroom. It’s important to know who’s using this room. Are their young
children in the home or are you creating a new Master Bath? All of these things are important to bring to your designer to help you choose stylish and durable products.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Your Home Center-Update Your Kitchen On a Budget

http://www.yourhomecenter.net

An entire kitchen renovation can sometimes break the bank. But, updating your kitchen on a budget...now that's more do-able! This week Katey will walk you through some simple steps you can take so you can update your kitchen while saving you some hard earned cash! Now that's more like it!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Your Home Center-Tips for Selling Your Home During the Winter!

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Are you selling Your Home this Winter? Some Folks say its even more difficult to sell your house during the winter months, but with a few simple tips from Katey, you'll find it isn't so hard after all!

Friday, January 10, 2014

(Video) Winter Safety Tips!

It seems, this year Winter has got a stranglehold on us all! From the North to the South-you can never be over-prepared for a blizzard or ice storm. So,Katey is here with some helpful winter safety tips for you and your family. Even if you think you've heard it all before, this a great reminder that'll help you remember the things you need to keep on hand before a storm or items you should pick up on the way home.