Today’s designers know the importance of using several types of lighting to establish the kitchen as a warm, inviting place for both socializing and working. There are four types of light that are important to your kitchen, besides standard overhead lighting. These types of lighting are task lighting, ambient lighting, accent lighting and decorative lighting.

The first type of lighting to consider is task lighting. Task lighting is important because it illuminates the areas where you read recipes, cook, clean dishes and complete various other tasks around the kitchen. The best locations to install lights for these tasks are underneath overhead cabinets and above the island. If you use your kitchen as a multipurpose room such as a temporary office or homework spot consider where these spaces will be and install this type of lighting in that area.

Ambient lighting is the second type of lighting you should ask your contractor about. Ambient lighting is an indirect lighting that helps to soften shadows in a room, this creates a warm. Usually these lights are installed above your cupboards directly below where the wall and ceiling meet. When a room has a warm and cozy feel people are drawn to it and tend to spend the majority of their sitting time there.

The third form of lighting in a kitchen is accent lighting. This type is used to highlight certain areas in your kitchen. For example, you can install lighting inside a cupboard to highlight Grandma’s heirloom china. Or maybe you need a small light to illuminate your favorite piece of artwork or ceramic tile mural on the wall. Accent lighting will help show off the artistic elements or other special artifacts throughout your kitchen.

The last form of lighting is decorative lighting. Decorative lighting is lighting that functions as forms of artwork themselves. This lighting dresses up the space, at the same time brightening the area. This type of lighting, such as elaborate chandeliers and pendant lighting is usually the most expensive.

For lighting and other kitchen remodeling project ideas contact Janicki Construction. Janicki Construction is an expert at building sun room additions, basement finishing, deck building, window replacement, and siding installation. Call us today at 847-336-6665 (Illinois) or 262-764-2230 (Wisconsin).

An interesting trend that has emerged throughout Illinois and Wisconsin in the last few years of our economic downturn is the one industry that hasn’t been effected but has actually improved, the craft industry. Whether people are cutting back by making their own gifts or turning to crafts as a means of “creative therapy,” a crafting resurgence has hit the United States in a big way. If you are a crafty person, you probably already knew that.

It doesn’t matter which medium of craft you prefer whether it be knitting, scrapbooking, sewing, painting, your projects and supplies have probably started to take over the house. Having your own room for your projects will enable you to completely spread out your work without worrying about infringing on another loved one’s space. The best part is that when you are finished working for the day, you don’t have to pick up and put everything away. You can leave your project where it is—ready to go the next day without having to set anything up.

This is especially handy for crafts such as sewing, where yards of fabric can take up a lot of room. Not only can this be the perfect area for you to finish all of those projects left over from 2011, but also an ideal spot to inspire your children’s imagination. It can be the room where they make you homemade Christmas ornaments for years to come and also the perfect place to get school projects done!

This basement finishing project doesn’t have to involve serious construction, saving you time and money. You can either clean out an existing room, or designate a certain corner in the basement. The main fixtures you will need is a large work table and organized shelving unit, it is also a good idea to keep in mind the types of lighting and number of outlets you will be needing for sewing machines, hot glue guns and such.

This is the perfect basement remodeling project that will benefit your family for years to come. For more ideas for any number of basement finishing projects as well as kitchen and bathroom remodeling , call Janicki Construction Company Inc., your Illinois and Wisconsin home improvement contractor. We provide professional general contractor services for any type of home remodeling or commercial construction service!

1. Painting

Painting is the most cost effective way to renovate any area in your home. Painting your kitchen can brighten up the space in no time. Experiment with different color and painting techniques to find the right combination for you. If you’re afraid to commit, purchase the color you’re considering in a sample size (some manufacturers carry these for just a few dollars) and test them on sections of the wall to see which is right for you. This may take extra time but allows you to experiment and see all the possible options before committing.

 2. Refacing Your Cabinets

Replacing cabinets is a costly venture. This is why we suggest you reface it instead, refacing means to change a cabinet’s surface appearance. You can do this in two ways. One is simply repainting and refinishing current cabinets. For neutral colored cabinets we suggest painting them a black or other dark color.

Another option is replacing the old cabinet doors and drawer fronts with new ones. This method is more affordable than replacing the entire cabinet. Only removing and replacing one piece which allows you to save on supply and installation costs. You may however need to remove the finish from the remaining cabinetry in order for everything to match.

3. Trim Molding

Trim molding brings sophistication to any room as well as goes well with any kitchen’s style. Trim molding allows space for creativity because it is available in a variety of widths and styles, you can even customize more by painting or staining the molding to match better with the kitchen. Originally trim molding was applied where the ceiling meets the wall, however more and more homeowners now apply it to the edges of cabinets or on the front of the doors. Sometimes however trim molding can be tricky to install yourself so keep in mind the general contractors in your area are always available to answer questions or assist you.

A kitchen remodel doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor and can be done by changing anything from your wall color, to cabinet face to the molding. Little details are sure to brighten up the room and for a more current style. For more ideas for small renovations contact Janicki Construction Company Inc., your local home improvement contractor.

Redesigning your staircase could make a dramatic difference in the appearance of your home and add considerable value. Stairs are also one of the most dangerous parts of a home, blamed for a high number of emergency room visits. Remodeling or repair may now be a necessity, but where do you start?

Start by choosing new carpet. Stairs take more abuse than most other floor areas because of the traffic pattern concentrated in the middle of the step.

To make your stairs look better longer, choose carpeting that is durable and soil resistant. The denser the carpet and the higher the twist, the more durable a carpet is. Bend the carpet tufts back and see how much of the backing is visible; the less backing you see, the denser the carpet. Soil protection is especially important to protect stairs from dirt tracked in by shoes.

We suggest providing paint and stain chips of wall, banister, and steps to your home improvement specialist to make choosing colors easier.

Carpet grade stairs, which are often a builder standard, have plywood underneath. If the stairs are a straight run between walls, tread caps can be added after without too much customization. It’s when the treads are of varying widths or if there are bullnoses, curves and landings, homeowners may run into higher costs.

If you like the look of hardwood, but prefer a little cushion on your bare feet, leave the ends of the steps exposed, and choose an attractive carpet runner to go down the center of the stairs. Let your general contractor install it – they’ll make sure it’s properly secured for maximum safety.

Updating stair railings is another way to give your staircase a modern look. Thin, metal railings from the 1960’s may once have been all the rage in interior design, but now they’re often an eyesore in your home. Consider installing a wider, swirling rod design in a satin nickel or antique bronze finish for a more contemporary look if you still prefer metal, but want to update the look of your stairs.

Newel posts are found at the bottom of the stair rail, and at the landing corners if your stairs take a turn on the way down. Replacing a boring post, or adding one, can make a dramatic difference in the appearance of your stairway. You can also create more interest with a tall, decorative cap – plus, they’re just fun to grab onto when you’re spinning around into the room!

For more ideas on how to upgrade the stairways in your home, call Janicki Construction Company Inc., your local home improvement contractor. We provide professional general contractor services for any type of home remodeling or commercial construction service!