2013 Kitchen and Bath Remodel Design Trends from NKBA

By Matt Blank

What’s hot… and what’s not… in kitchen and bathroom design and remodeling for 2013?  

From National Kitchen & Bath Association: “As we settle into 2013 and a seemingly healthier national economy, some kitchen and bath design trends continue to flourish, while consumer budgets for these projects appear to have shrunk just a bit. To get specific —

* Gray color schemes in both kitchens and baths have witnessed a dramatic escalation since 2010, particularly over the past year. Used currently in 55% of kitchens and 56% of bathrooms, shades of gray are growing in appeal, creating chic, sophisticated spaces that many consumers desire.

* Also, continuing an important trend from last year, transitional-style kitchens and baths have clearly surpassed traditional styles, a longstanding favorite until 2012.

 * While the use of quartz finishes was in slight decline last year, it has surfaced as a clear trendsetter this year, coming a close second to granite.

 * Homeowner spending on their kitchen and bath remodels was trending upward a year ago, but the latest numbers tell a slightly less robust story. Heading into 2012, the total cost of the average kitchen and the average bath design was $51,050 and $18,575, respectively. As we move into 2013, the figures have dipped to $47,308 in kitchens, while staying steady at $18,538 in bathrooms.

Over 300 National Kitchen & Bath Association member-designers participated in the 2013 NKBA Design Trends Survey, reporting the materials, product types, and styles that they specified in their kitchen and bath designs over the final three months of 2012. While broad trends won’t be evident in every local market, the following are the top overall trends that emerged for kitchens and baths across the United States and Canada.”  

General Kitchen & Bathroom Trends for 2013

1. Shades of Grey
2. Quartz Counters
3. Trending “Transitional” Style (a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary)

2013 Kitchen Remodeling Trends

1. White Painted Cabinetry
2. Glass Backsplash
3. LED/Energy Efficient Lighting
4. Touch-activated faucets
5. Satin Nickel finish faucets on the rise

  2013 Bathroom Remodeling Trends

1. Ceramic/Porcelain tile flooring.
2. Undermounted sinks remain the most requested in bathrooms.

Average Total Costs: No Growth

NKBA members did not see any increase in the average costs of their bathrooms and kitchens. Kitchens actually fell by .08% (around $3700 less than 2012). Bathrooms sunk even less - .017% (about $300 less than 2012). While no growth sounds like a bad thing, these numbers are up thousands of dollars from the bottom of 2011.

You can view and download the complete 2013 report here.  

When you want to make your ideas a reality, call MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC in Lancaster County, PA for the Kitchen or Bathroom of your dreams!

Home Safety Tips for Seniors

*You should consider having a professional install/perform these Long Term Considerations.

Bathroom

Free/Low-Cost Home Improvements
1. Set the hot-water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce energy costs and prevent scalding.
2. Mark cold and hot faucets clearly.
3. Leave a light on in your bathroom at night.
4. Use a rubber-suction bath mat or anti-slip floor strips or decals in the tub or shower.
5. Increase contrast: Avoid low contrasting items. Adding contrast is as simple as a blue tub mat in a white bathtub or painting the edge of the steps a contrasting color from the rest of the step surface.
6. Install a handheld adjustable showerhead for easier bathing.
7. Install user-friendly lever handle faucets in your sinks and in tubs or showers. Some faucets even
8. Skid-proof the tub and make sure the bath mat has a non-slip bottom.

Long Term Considerations*
1. Install a raised height toilet or sink/vanity.
2. Place a sturdy bathtub or shower seat in the tub and/or shower.
3. Mount grab bars next to the toilet and bathtub and in the shower for help getting up or down.

Kitchen

Free/Low-Cost Home Improvements
1. Keep floors clean and uncluttered.
2. Illuminate work areas.
3. Mark "on" and "off" positions on appliances clearly and with bright colors.
4. Store heavier objects at waist level.
5. Place or mount an A-B-C rated, all-purpose fire extinguisher in an easily accessible location near the stove and oven so that you’re prepared for any type of kitchen fire.
6. Store sharp knives in a rack.

Long Term Considerations*
1. Replace knobs on cabinets and drawers with easy-to-grip, D-shaped handles.
2. Install offset hinges on all doors to add two inches of width for wheelchair access, if needed.
3. Install a security peephole on exterior doors at the correct height for you.
4. Install outdoor floodlights that switch on by motion sensors to light your way and to deter burglars.

General

Free/Low-Cost Home Improvements
1. Open blinds and curtains and raise shades during daylight hours to increase natural light inside the home.
2. Place exposed electrical, telephone and computer cords along a wall where people won’t trip over them.
3. Remove all cords from under furniture or carpeting to lessen the risk of fire.
4. Remove clutter from stairways and passageways to help prevent trips and falls.
5. Check the carpeting on your stairs to be sure it is firmly attached.
6. Arrange furniture to allow for easy passage.
7. Create an emergency exit plan in case of a fire.
8. Remove debris from outdoor walkways.
9. Trim shrubbery to provide a clear view from doors and windows.
10. Increase light and decrease glare by using the highest-watt light bulbs or compact-fluorescent bulbs appropriate for your light fixtures or lamps. Use only non-glare incandescent bulbs (or the fluorescent equivalents).
11. Put nightlights in the bathroom and in hallways leading from the bedroom to the bathroom.
12. Keep a smoke detector on every floor and in each bedroom.
13. Make sure that all staircases have good lighting with switches at top and bottom.
14. Replace traditional light switches with easy-to-use, rocker-style light switches.
15. Install smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors on all levels of the house, especially where the bedrooms are.

Long Term Considerations*
1. Install railings on stairs, including basement stairs, and consider railings on both sides of the steps for an extra stability option.
2. Have a professional home evaluation to match your individual needs and habits.
3. Install a shelf at the main entrance door to hold items when locking and unlocking the door and install bigger, lever handles.

Do you want a 4-season Sunroom or a 3-season Porch?

Sometimes while discussing a 4-season sunroom with our Lancaster County, PA clients, we get on the discussion of an alternative option: a 3-season room. Most of the time people were not aware of the term 3-season room or what it was, even though they usually have seen one after we explain it.

Here is a quick rundown of 4-season and 3-season rooms, their pros and cons and even an idea if you’re considering your own addition!

What is a 4-season room? A four-season room is a heated room addition. These are structures added to your home. The most common types are sunrooms and mudrooms. With a sunroom, you have large windows to let in the sun! A mudroom is usually a place of entry into the home, used for umbrellas, shoes and storage, or even a nice breakfast nook!



These usually allow the perfect place to relax with your family during the beautiful sunny days, but no matter what the weather outside is doing you can enjoy these rooms 365 days a year.

Pros:
• Air-conditioned and heated for year round enjoyment.
• Enjoy the natural light. Sunrooms with a lot of windows give you an “outdoor” feeling with out leaving the AC!

Cons:
• This is a structure like your home, meaning it needs a foundation dug and footers laid. This adds to the cost of building the new room.

Ideas:
• Cover your whole sunroom roof with windows for a complete outdoor experience!

What is a 3-season room? A 3-season room is a windowed room that is not heated, therefore it is (usually) unusable in the cold winter months. They are however perfect for those cool nights of Spring and Fall, as well as being outside on a hot Summer day without the sun beating down on you and your family. You can either enclose an existing deck or porch, or build a completely new one.

Tip: When adding or enclosing a porch, use four-track windows for the best performance of the room.

Pros:
• Less expensive.
• Can take as little as a few days to complete an enclosure of an existing porch.

Cons:
• This room is usually not in use during the Winter months.

Ideas:
• Consider Sunspace four-track vinyl windows. They are custom, durable and affordable, so replacing the screens on your existing porch is a breeze.

I hope that covers it! If you have any questions or are ready for a sunroom or enclosed porch in Lancaster County, PA, please contact Mike Blank, CGR CAPS and MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC in Millersville!

Not all Lancaster County, PA remodeling contractors are the same.

Not all Lancaster County, PA remodeling contractors are the same. We feel we are the best value in the area, and here is why.

MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC Customer Commitments:

1. You will NOT be sold. We are consulting with you on your family's project. We will discuss specific options and ideas with you, and not things that you don't need or want.

2. You will know EXACTLY what is included and will be performed in our proposal price, with no hidden fees or fluctuating estimates. This includes a payment plan, which will not require, as by PA law, more than 1/3 down payment.

3. You will know EXACTLY who will be here and what they will be doing. EVERYDAY.

4. We offer a 5-year Warranty (vs. the industry average of 1 year) so you know that no matter what may happen, we will ALWAYS be here to take care of it for you, promptly and professionally.

5. When we are on your project, we are here to work. No excessive breaks, no goofing around. From 7am to 3:30pm Monday through Friday we will be focused on creating your DREAM HOME.

6. Your family and your home will be treated as if it was our very own, with respect, care and courtesy.

When it's time for a new sunroom, a home addition, bathroom, kitchen, deck or basement renovation, give us a call!

Thank you!



Matt & Mike Blank
MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC
[717] 371.5136

MBC Whole House Remodel Award Winner!

This year brought us another award! Pictured here is our Building Industry Association Whole House Remodel award-winner done here in Lancaster County, PA. On this project, we added a kitchen room addition and moved a chimney out of their bedroom, plus completely resided the whole home when we were done!

This homeowner had quite a dilemma. They LOVED their location… but their house was getting cramped for their growing family. We opened up the back of the house by removing the existing mudroom and wall that was there separating it from the kitchen. Then, we expanded the kitchen space by putting on an addition, which also allowed room for a dining area. Along with that, we moved a chimney out of a bedroom to add square footage to that space as well.

Also, energy efficiency on this 1920’s house was becoming an issue. Over the years the roof, siding and insulation had worn down. We solved this by putting new high-quality siding around the whole house and by repairing and replacing the roof.

Check out these pictures to see exactly why it won. Now they have the home of their dreams!