Neal's Home Remodeling and Design Blog

Original Post 11/10/2015 | Updated 11/14/2017

Time and again we see that the kitchen is the heart of the home. So as we near the holiday party season, you may be looking at your kitchen and wondering how it can work better when you're the host. Entertaining comes with its own set of challenges and needs, and if you have guests over often, it may be worth while to adjust the form and function of your kitchen to account for a crowd rather than simply for your immediate family. The seven ideas below are some great things to consider to make your kitchen holiday party ready.

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Updated 8/14/17 | Original Post 9/18/2012

Laundry is one of the essential chores we all do, and a well-designed laundry room is an asset in any home. In the past, the basements seemed to be the perfect spot to hook up a washer and dryer. The mechanical considerations were easily handled, but the inconvenience of dragging everything downstairs (and back up again) never quite made those considerations feel worth it. Today, homeowners are creating laundry spaces that better meet their needs on any floor of their home. Careful planning, prioritizing efficiency, and regular maintenance now allow for many more possibilities. Here are 6 tips for designing a functional laundry room.

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Functional kitchens are based on the relationship of the sink, cooktop and refrigerator- the three components that make the kitchen a useful space. Designers refer to this as the "working triangle". In order to create a working triangle it's important to think about the layout of the entire kitchen, and explore the possible locations for each of the three elements. What we find is that the majority of kitchens with a triangle that works out well for the space end up falling into one of four basic kitchen floor plan designs. Every home is different, so the details and exact arrangement will always be a bit unique, but starting with the basics is a great way to see the potential for your kitchen remodel. Here, we take a look at each. Read More

The newest and best design trends in kitchen products in 2017 were recently debuted at the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). For over 50 years, KBIS has showcased the latest industry products, trends and technologies. We've picked some of our favorite products from this year's show for you to consider for your kitchen.

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