Outdated Kitchen Cupboards? Modern Cabinet Styles That Are Both Beautiful and Functional

Many people consider the kitchen the heart of the home, and they want a kitchen with plenty of space, warmth, and style. When it's time for kitchen remodeling, your cabinets will become a topic of conversation. Replacing or altering the cabinets can create an updated look throughout the kitchen at a reasonable price. Here are some modern cabinet styles that are both beautiful and functional.

Stainless Steel

Many people want stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, and stainless steel cabinets can add to the unique aesthetic. Stainless steel provides a durable and easy-to-clean option for kitchen cabinets. They also hold up to heat and water well while maintaining their appearance for years. More and more people see the benefits of this material that was once overlooked for kitchen cabinets.

Stained Wood

Many people don't consider wood modern, but stained woods can better work in your modern design than you might have thought. Wood offers a gorgeous look, and the stain will increase the detail in the wood pattern. To help make the wood fit a modern look, consider going for a black and white motif. You can also add a pop of color, such as red or green, to make things more interesting. Just keep in mind that while wood is solid and strong, it requires a bit of upkeep, especially in the kitchen with a lot of moisture and heat.

Floating Shelves

Modern design lives and breathes with clean lines. You can incorporate clean lines into your design by getting rid of some of the cabinets completely and replacing them with floating shelves.

Floating shelves give you the opportunity to showcase some of your favorite kitchen items. They also cost significantly less than a full cabinet. When used strategically, it can make the space look tidy and more spacious.

Glass Front

Modern designs aspire for a sleek and simple appearance as opposed to bulky, ornate designs. One way to accomplish this is to opt for simple, glass-front cabinets. A black or white border with glass doors is understated and classy while also providing plenty of space for your dishes.

You have a lot of options when it comes to your kitchen remodeling. Many people start with changing the countertops, updating the flooring, or replacing the appliances. However, while these can make a big difference, they can also be expensive. If you want to start with a more affordable option that still makes a big impact, consider updating your outdated kitchen cabinets instead.

An updated, attractive kitchen will make you more comfortable in your home. It can even make your home more appealing to buyers when the time comes. Modern cabinets make a big difference in the kitchen without costing too much. Call your contractor to learn what options you have when it comes to your kitchen cabinets.

Common Signs You May Be a Pack Rat

Saying goodbye is never easy. If you’re a pack rat, then saying goodbye to personal items is even more difficult. The term pack rat describes someone who saves unnecessary objects. Not sure if you’re a pack rat? Explore some of the common signs you may be a pack rat below.  

You Never Donate or Throw Away Clothing

If you struggle to throw away older clothing that doesn’t fit or isn’t fashionable anymore, this is a common sign you may be a pack rat. Clothing is a tell-tale indicator of pack rat behavior because most pack rats hold onto clothing they no longer wear. Most pack rats associate positive memories with clothing and cannot depart with it as a result.

Common Clothing Pack Rats Hold Onto

• Childhood clothing

• High school team or club apparel

• Clothing that no longer fits

• Clothing with rips, tears, and stains

You Hold Onto Appliances That Do Not Work

Another common sign of a pack rat is holding onto electronics or appliances that no longer function. If you know someone with a collection of DVD players, VCRs, CD players, and other older devices, then they are most likely a classic pack rat.

Pack Rats vs. Collectors: What’s the Difference?

While many people collect retro appliances and items, the difference between a collector and a pack rat is that pack rats do not use or display these items. Instead, pack rats hold onto these items even though they’re broken and take up storage space.

You Need Extra Storage Space

Needing extra storage space isn’t always a sure sign that you may be a pack rat. Depending on the size of your residence, many people utilize storage lots as a functional solution to keep items they cannot fit inside their homes. However, if you are constantly searching for more storage space or need additional lots over time, there’s a higher likelihood that you are a pack rat.

You Refuse To Call a Junk Removal Service  

When you’re a pack rat, your items are treasures with personal memories attached to them. Even when these objects begin to take up too much space or affect your productivity, pack rats will often refuse to downsize on their artifacts.

Services such as on-demand junk removal companies are available to simplify this process, but most pack rats will struggle to donate or throw away their items.

When you associate a piece of clothing or appliance with a happy memory, it’s challenging to part with that item. Although it’s comfortable holding onto old treasures, your house can become cluttered with unusable items over time. If you think you have the qualities of a classic pack rat, consider calling a removal service to help downsize your storage.

4 Plumbing Tips Every Homeowner Should Remember

Plumbing issues are hectic and expensive. Resolve any problem by preventing it from happening in the first place. The way to do this is to follow a few, important tips. Here are four recommendations for every homeowner who operates a plumbing system.

Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing

Frozen pipes cause a lot of damage when they unfreeze or burst. The expanding and contracting of pipes may cause cracks to form, which cause leaks to appear throughout the house. Some leaks form behind walls and cannot be detected for a long time all while causing significant damage to the home. The most effective way to prevent pipes from freezing is to apply insulation. Right before freezing temperatures hit, place insulating materials over the pipes. Otherwise, place heaters near the pipes and keep them on overnight when the temperatures will hit freezing levels.

Avoid Using Liquid Drain Cleaners

Liquid drain cleaners contain harsh, acidic chemicals that could disintegrate weak pipes. The chemicals could easily end up in the wrong place and contaminate healthy soil or nearby water systems. Alternatives to use for unclogging drains are drain snakes, augers, and hydro jetting machines. In addition, a liquid drain cleaner is not guaranteed to remove the clog completely. It may dissolve part of the clog but leave the remaining parts lodged in the pipe. Hydro jetting is considered to be more effective.

Avoid Over Clogging the Drains

Avoid overfilling the drains in your bathroom and kitchen. The garbage disposal is designed to grind and dispose of food waste, but it has limitations like every other household appliance. It's possible to oversaturate this device, resulting in clogs that need to be cleared out manually. Over time, the disposal may break down and stop working altogether.

Locate the Main Water Shutoff Valve

Learn where your home's main water shutoff valve is located. A leaky pipe or gushing toilet could flood an entire room in minutes. Know how to turn off the main water supply to prevent a flood and ensuing water damage. If you don't turn off the valve immediately, by the time you call an emergency plumber, the bathroom will be several inches deep in water. The cleanup costs will exceed the plumbing repair.

Most homeowners are concerned with saving money, but they never consider the importance of maintaining their plumbing systems. In some homes, plumbing repairs add up to a few hundred dollars a year. There are certain steps that homeowners can take to prevent costly plumbing problems from occurring.

Senior Downsizing: The Complete Guide To Moving From A Home To A Retirement Community

Deciding to downsize to a retirement community can be an exciting time, but it can also be uncertain. You are used to living a certain way. How will you adjust? 

Retirement is a beautiful phase in a person’s life. You finally get to enjoy freedom, escape the 9-5 workday, and do whatever you want to do! If you’re in the process of downsizing, here is your complete guide to moving from home to a retirement community and everything you should expect during the process.

Know When It’s The Right Time

Moving out of the home you’re accustomed to living in can be intense; that’s why you should wait to move until the time is right.

Most seniors decide to move to a retirement community when they need a little extra assistance throughout the day. While it may seem like a better option to stay in your home until you cannot carry out daily functions on your own, moving to a retirement community can provide the activity and relationships you need to extend your quality of life.

Find the right place

If you know it’s time to make a move to a senior community; it’s time to find the right one. Senior communities do not have to be a drag. On the contrary, most of them come with a lot of exciting amenities!

Research senior community locations in your area and scout the one that looks like the best fit. Do you want a pool to swim in or a fitness center that offers classes? Spa rooms or golf greens? Most senior communities offer a wide range of amenities that can occupy your time and make it feel like you’re permanently living on vacation.

After you narrow down a few senior communities, make sure to visit the locations that interest you the most to become acquainted with the new area soon.

Think of the valuables

It may be confusing to know what to do with your valuables when you’re moving to a senior community, so we have some tips to help you clean out your home.

First, discuss with the community how much you are allowed to bring. Next, you need to go through your belongings and separate stuff into sentimental keepsakes and items you would like to give away. Finally, consider what you could sell for money and what you could donate with the things you are giving away.

Items you should consider keeping are valuables like pictures of family, gifts, clothes, and other items you will need to have with you in your community. Many of these communities will offer you your own space, including bedroom areas that are sequestered from others, keeping your private belongings safe and secure.

Look at the positives

Moving to a retirement community can be very exciting! When you are packing up to go to your new place, consider how the transformation will be brighter.

When you transition to a senior community, there is a lot of freedom you get to enjoy. There is no more housework and yard work for you to keep up with. You don’t have to worry about having so many responsibilities.

Senior communities offer a lot of assistance to retirees to help them enjoy this phase of their life. Seniors who transition to these communities can enjoy having their days planned out and establishing a vibrant social life with other community members.

When you get to your new home, it’s time to enjoy life! 

Explore Courtyard Gardens

Are you ready to make Courtyard Gardens your new home?

Courtyard Gardens is a perfect place for seniors to transition to! We promise to give our attendants a high-quality facility full of elegance relaxation with help from our courteous staff.

Our grounds have a lot to offer as we want to make each attendant feel at home. While our seniors are on our grounds, we have many classes to attend where residents can explore their interests and learn from professionals. A few classes we offer are art, literature, history, gardening, and more.

We bring life to our residents at Courtyard Gardens by including in-house theaters and other entertainment amenities to ensure many activities!