Design Notes
Two rooms in any home have the most potential to affect the property’s appeal and value when it is put on sale: the kitchens and bathrooms. Kitchens are valued because they function as a hub where people socialize and meals are prepared. Bathrooms are important because they are where people go to relax and unwind with a hot shower. The condition of a home’s kitchen and bathroom influences its market value.
Most homeowners recognize this. That is why kitchens and bathrooms top the list of remodeling projects homeowners undertake. When remodeling their homes, most owners would do both the bathroom and kitchen simultaneously if they could. However, this is often not possible due to cost and time constraints. So, for homeowners forced to choose between a bathroom and a kitchen remodel, which one should they choose?
To find the best answer, homeowners should first answer some questions. What is the purpose of the remodel? Is it to enhance the home’s appearance and value in preparation for selling it? Or is it to improve its functionality and enhance the owner’s enjoyment of the property?
Homeowners who are not about to sell their property will have more freedom to choose what they want than those who want to sell.
Dawson Management shares some advice on what owners should consider when deciding whether to remodel the kitchen or bathrooms first.
Cost and Budget
The number one factor is the cost of the project and the owner’s willingness to spend on it. As a rule, kitchen remodels tend to cost more than bathroom remodels, with a minor remodel costing around $19,000 and a major one costing around $57,000.
That is in contrast to $17,000 for a minor bathroom remodel and $40,000 for a major one. But these costs are by no means final; it is very possible to complete a decent kitchen and bathroom remodel for a fraction of the above amounts. Kitchen remodels tend to have a bigger effect on the home’s resale value because kitchens are more visible than bathrooms.
How Easy and Disruptive The Project Will Be
While a bathroom or kitchen remodel is ongoing, bathing and eating cannot normally occur in the respective spaces. It is essential to consider which room the family could not live without for the project’s duration. Bathrooms are more challenging to live without, even with a portable toilet, unless the home has more than one bathroom. Here is more detailed information regarding a bathroom remodel.
On the other hand, installing a makeshift kitchen, having food delivered, or eating out during a kitchen remodel is fairly doable. The project’s ease will depend on the scope of the remodel.
Speed Of Completion
How many days or weeks will the project take? The longer it takes, the more disruptive it will be and the greater the likelihood that it will cost the owner in other ways. A medium-scale bathroom remodel will take three to four weeks to complete, depending on the number of components replaced.
If changing the bathroom’s flooring, tiles, and plumbing is included in the remodel, it could take more than two months. Generally, a bathroom will take less time to remodel than a kitchen, but this depends on the project’s complexity.
Where People Spend The Most Time
Homeowners differ significantly in how they utilize their home’s bathroom and kitchen. If a family loves making gourmet meals in their kitchen, then the space will be highly priced. But splurging on a kitchen remodel doesn’t make sense if they prefer to have food delivered to them every evening.
Similarly, do the home’s occupants like to soak in bubble baths, or will a quick shower suffice for them? The lifestyle habits of the people who live in the house play a significant role in determining which projects are most beneficial. But this factor depends on whether the home is about to be sold.
Granite, Quartz, Marble, or Quartzite?
These are the top contenders when it comes to selecting the perfect countertop material for your kitchen or bathroom. Each one brings its own strengths, aesthetic appeal, and practical considerations—making the decision both exciting and a bit overwhelming.
Granite is a natural stone known for its durability and unique, one-of-a-kind patterns. Quartz, on the other hand, is an engineered surface that offers a wide range of color options and is prized for its low-maintenance qualities. Marble stands out for its timeless elegance and heat resistance, though it requires more upkeep. Quartzite closely resembles marble in appearance but offers greater durability and easier maintenance.
When making your selection, it’s important to consider factors such as heat and stain resistance, ease of maintenance, and of course, budget. Below, we break down the key differences, pros, and cons of each material to help you determine which surface best suits your lifestyle, design vision, and practical needs.
The kitchen pantry is often one of the most underutilized yet high-potential spaces in the home. While it can easily become a catch-all for clutter, a well-designed pantry is a true hidden gem—capable of transforming the functionality of your kitchen. From storing oversized serving pieces to housing everyday essentials, a thoughtfully planned pantry helps keep countertops clear and mealtime prep more efficient.
Whether you have a compact pull-out pantry, a spacious walk-in, or a dedicated butler’s pantry, innovative organization is key. A well-designed pantry not only maximizes storage but also supports the flow of your kitchen. Below, we’re sharing a few of our favorite design ideas and practical tips to help you better utilize your pantry space—and maybe even inspire your next kitchen upgrade.
Our showroom’s grand opening was the culmination of two years filled with vision, planning, and hard work—a dream brought to life through dedication and passion. Now, as we prepare to celebrate our second anniversary, we find ourselves reflecting on how quickly time has passed. It feels like only yesterday that we opened our doors and welcomed our very first clients into the space we’ve come to love so much.
Join us as we take a walk down memory lane and revisit the milestones, challenges, and moments that brought us to Uptown Shelby. This anniversary isn’t just a celebration of time—it’s a celebration of growth, community, and the relationships we’ve built along the way.
Walker WoodworkingThere is more to color than simply a large selection of hues. Color sends a message and can represent thought and emotion, especially in the world of design. Each year, Pantone announces its choice for the color of the year, a tradition that started in 1999, and designers everywhere eagerly await the news. Classic Blue was this year’s choice of color, a color that represents the future.
As we prepare to close the door on one decade and begin anew, many are filled with anticipation of what the coming year will bring. Blue has always been associated with stability, relaxation, and tranquility, as is seen in nature with the ocean and sky. We understand that hectic schedules and stressful office days generate a need for a place to unwind and completely relax. Here are a few ways to incorporate the color of the year into your home and give it that welcoming environment that will last throughout the coming decade and beyond.
Walker WoodworkingLight is one of nature’s most captivating elements, and its presence has the power to transform a space. In the world of interior design, natural light plays a vital role—not only by enhancing aesthetics but also by elevating the overall atmosphere of a room. It can create dramatic contrasts that bring depth and interest to a space, while also highlighting architectural and design features.
Natural light, when thoughtfully incorporated, makes interiors feel larger, warmer, and more welcoming. At Greenbrook Design, we embrace a design approach known as daylighting—the intentional use of natural light to shape how a space looks and feels throughout the day. It’s one of our favorite tools in the design process.
Here are just a few reasons why we love incorporating natural light into our projects…
Greenbrook Design