What is National Kitchen and Bath Month? We’re so glad you asked! National Kitchen and Bath Month has been observed in October since the National Kitchen & Bath Association created it in 1982. It’s a busy time for home remodeling and renovations, leading to the biggest holidays of the year. Whether you’re dedicated to DIY home improvement or have considered hiring a contractor or designer, National Kitchen and Bath Month could be the perfect time for that remodel or renovation you’ve been kicking down the calendar for a while. Depending on your budget, the amount of time you have available, and the limits of your imagination, you can celebrate National Kitchen and Bath Month with anything from a basic bathroom upgrade to a spectacular kitchen overhaul. Read on and learn more about some great ideas to observe this annual time for all things improvement.
How do home warranties fit in?
C’mon, it’s National Kitchen and Bath Month! Whether you’re considering a home warranty and kitchen remodel or a home warranty and bath remodel, home warranties and renovations go hand in hand. No matter what room you’re talking about, they’re perfectly suited for each other. Why? It’s simple. A good home warranty covers all the major systems and appliances in your home, including plumbing, electrical, HVAC and more. It helps keep your household on budget and running smoothly, with no expensive surprises. Anytime you’re planning for renovations, upgrades or remodeling, you’ll want to be sure that the systems and appliances you rely on daily for comfort and functionality are backed up with experienced, expert support.
Home warranty protection during remodels
What does a home warranty protect during a remodel? If you’re thinking about a remodel or have recently purchased a fixer-upper, here’s how our home warranty can protect your home’s appliances and systems during a remodel. For example, if your kitchen remodel focuses mostly on cabinets and countertops and you’re keeping your appliances, a home warranty can help. Also, if you’re planning a kitchen or bath remodel — two rooms we spend so much time in that we want them to be attractive, of course — don’t forget how important it is to cover your plumbing system, too. Excellent home warranty coverage includes plumbing.
Celebrating National Kitchen and Bath Month
October is always a great month for redecorating — and redecorating is an excellent way to get yourself into home improvement mode, which can easily lead to upgrades, renovations and remodeling. First of all, you should have some fun. Enjoy the season, and think about decorating parts of your home that have started to feel stagnant. If you’re like us, a little decorating can get ideas flowing. Before long, you’ll be thinking about bathrooms and kitchens, and how nice it would be to improve this, rearrange that or overhaul some other thing. Another way to get started is to check out the seasonal sales many retailers offer on kitchen and bath decorative items and supplies this month, making it a good time to save.
Upgrades, renos and remodels: Getting started
Changing any part of your home is up to you, but focusing on the kitchen and the bathroom makes sense because they’re popular rooms to upgrade, renovate and remodel, which is why they get so much attention. Before you jump in and start making changes, you might want to spend a little time thinking about your preferred design aesthetic. This can help you maintain a unified look, artfully combining utility and aesthetics in a way that looks great and functions as it should. Think about what design style you like most. Is it traditional, modern, classic or even ultramodern? Look up some design ideas online for inspiration.
Upgrades, renos and remodels: Appliances
When you’re on that mission to upgrade, you might want to evaluate your appliances to decide whether they’ll be along for the ride or it’s time to start thinking about replacement. Will they match the new look? How old are they? Are there any other appliances you might want to add to the room you’re planning to change? Are there other appliances you can potentially live without? Will whatever new appliances you add match with what you envision for the new look? All are worthy questions to consider as you embark upon a kitchen or bathroom upgrade, renovation or remodel.
Upgrades, renos and remodels: Space
If you’re worried about the size of your kitchen or bathroom in terms of how well it will accommodate your vision for its future, you might have more space than you think. Some furniture or fixtures that seem a permanent part of the room (and take up a lot of space) are not necessarily permanent. Some modern features also occupy much less room than those of decades past. Don’t limit your possibilities or assume you have certain limitations before doing your research or talking to a qualified, experienced contractor. There are ways to make smaller spaces feel bigger, and talented designers know how they work.
Upgrades, renos and remodels: Countertops
Why not celebrate National Kitchen and Bath Month with sleek new countertops in your kitchen? So many surfaces, colors, patterns and textures are available. The only limits are your budget and imagination. You could order the same surface to match your bathroom countertops, too. Or you don’t even have to replace your countertops; you could refinish them. Depending on what sort of surface you have, a refresh might be a practical solution.
Upgrades, renos and remodels: Basement
If you’re lucky enough to have a dry, spacious basement, your possibilities are almost endless. You could hang drywall and a drop ceiling, and put down new flooring or carpet for a more luxurious bedroom feel. If you prefer a minimalist look, you could expose the beams above and finish the concrete floor below, even staining and polishing it, then add woven rugs for a stylish accent. Or turn the basement into a game room for kids, a bar or cinema room for the adults, or maybe build the ultimate tinkerer’s workshop. Once you decide what to do with your basement, what sort of kitchen or bath addition or upgrade do you envision down there?
Parting thoughts
Just thinking about all the possibilities for transforming your home is exciting, don’t you think? National Kitchen and Bath Month is a great time to get serious about upgrades, renovations and remodels. Think about what matters most for your family and your needs, then crack open the internet to research the possibilities. Before knocking down walls, remember how important a home warranty can be. Adding protection to all your home’s major appliances and systems is always a worthy investment in the future and a great way to secure your budget and avoid costly surprises, especially when you’re already spending a lot on renovations.
The information in this article is intended to provide guidance on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.