Month: January 2018

Soapstone is a material that is becoming more popular for kitchen countertops, and for good reason. It is a natural quarried rock that feels soft and soap like. The natural soapstone is mixed with quartz for countertops, so that it is more durable and stronger than it would be if it were left in its natural state.

Kitchen counters get used quite often, which is why you need to choose the material for yours very carefully. If you are considering purchasing soapstone for your next kitchen countertop, then you will want to look at the pros and cons and make the best decision that you can.

Pros of Soapstone:

• Warm and natural looking, plus is goes with almost any type of décor.
• Softer material, but since it is durable it will not get damaged as easily as other materials. If it does get scratched, it is easy to sand the scratches out.
• You only need warm water and soap to clean this type of counter. In fact, it is not recommended to use chemicals on soapstone countertops.
• Non-absorbent, so bacteria cannot penetrate the surface. This makes it perfect for food prep.
• Heat resistant, so you can set hot pots and pans directly on the counter.
• Very low maintenance, you only need to apply mineral oil on occasion to make it look more aesthetically appealing.
• Darkens over time, which creates a rustic look.

Cons of Soapstone:

• More expensive than other countertops.
• Limited selection of colors for soapstone countertops, which could be a problem if you have your heart set on a certain color countertop.
• Smaller slabs, so if you have a larger countertop, you will have more visible seams.
• May be more susceptible to scratches and scuffs over time. These can be sanded out, but that will take time and could be considered maintenance.

If the pros outweigh the cons for the soapstone countertops, then you may have found your next kitchen countertop. We know that soapstone isn’t for everyone, but the people who have it love it. We believe you’ll love soapstone countertops if they’ve already made your top three list, and they’re still a strong contender. Call us at 480-895-3442 to schedule a consultation for remodeling your kitchen. We’ll help you make the important decisions and guide you through the process.

While we would like to think that our bathrooms will continue to meet the needs of our growing families, we know that that is never going to happen easily. After all, our babies are going to grow into toddlers, and then rambunctious children, then teenagers, and then they will be back visiting with a whole new generation for the cycle to begin all over again. Or we hope that they will just be visiting!

Add More Space

There are numerous things that you can do to renovate your bathroom to grow with you and your family. First, you can go bigger if it all possible. Bumping out an external wall or shifting an internal wall can make a huge difference in how much space is in your bathroom.

Discuss Your Plans with a Bathroom Designer

Once you have determined how big your bathroom is going to be, whether you love the size or not, it is time to bring in an expert to plan the layout. You may be wondering why, especially since everything is already in place, but the layout that you have might not make the most sense. Our designers can help you decide whether there is a better location for every item that will streamline everything and make your bathroom a better space.

Redesign Your Bathroom

Next up is the ergonomics of your bathroom and how you and your family do everything in the bathroom. This could be as simple as adding a step stool for a toddler to adding lever door handles instead of door knobs for the future.

Consider Privacy

Privacy is key in any bathroom and if multiple people may be using this space at the same time, you may want to consider having numerous zones. The toilet can be in a separate space behind a closable door, while a shower is tucked away behind another wall. Of course, these options are only possible if you have the space for them.

Ensure Storage Needs are Exceeded

Storage is a must in any bathroom, so you will want to make sure that you have enough for every stage of your life. We always recommend installing at least twice as much as you think that you will need, but in this case, you may want to install even more since you want this room to grow with your family.

Bathroom Remodeling in Phoenix

Preparing your bathroom for the future is not going to be an easy task, which is why you are going to need the help of a professional. They will be able to ask you the questions that you probably never even considered and that will help you determine what you will and will not need in this space. Although, try as you might, you still may find yourself making changes to your bathroom as your family grows. After all, we all cannot truly guarantee what the future holds and what was important to us a decade ago may not be important to us a decade in the future. Call us at 480-895-3442 to start the bathroom remodeling process with us.