​The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is the largest event of its kind in North America for kitchen and bath showrooms, designers, sales professionals and manufacturers.  Featuring more than 600 exhibitors and attracting some 70,000 attendees, KBIS serves as the event for manufacturers to introduce new products and showcase trends that are likely to dominate kitchen, bath and home renovation for the months and years to come.

Designing a dream kitchen or bath for homeowners in Erie requires balancing form with function. A recurring request among homeowners is to design spaces that make everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable to perform while making a space look and feel extraordinarily special. Many of the trends at KBIS are reflected in the desires of homeowners in our area who want innovative designs that maximize functionality, ease of use, and efficiency. 
 
Open floor plans remain a top trend with customers!  Almost three in four homeowners love the idea of opening up their kitchens to other rooms in their home.  Given the fact that many homeowners continue to work either full-time or part-time from their home, open floor plans increase the functionality of the home, providing dedicated spaces for working, studying, entertaining, relaxing and spending quality family time.

Demand for larger kitchens that feature either a walk-in or built in pantry, islands with seating and storage, and space for extra-large appliances are frequently requested by homeowners in Northwest PA and around the country. A recent national survey confirms this trend, finding that half of homeowners want to increase their kitchen space to accommodate an extra-large refrigerator.  Signature Kitchens responded to this trend at KBIS by showcasing an industry first 48-inch French door refrigerator. 
 
Appliance technology advancements were also front and center at KBIS.  Featured were counter-deep refrigerators that serve to maximize space without compromising performance.  Refrigerators have gotten much more efficient, helping to preserve food for longer periods of time and several newer models feature mirror-coated glass panels that allow you to peer inside the fridge without opening the door.

Sustainability was another dominant trend at KBIS. responding to the ever-increasing demand for environmentally efficient spaces.  A recent Houzz survey found 92% of homeowners are using sustainable products and strategies in their new kitchens.  We specialize in helping homeowners in Erie create more environmentally sustainable kitchens by specifying energy-star rated appliances, LED lighting, water-sense certified plumbing fixtures, and sustainable materials used for flooring, countertops, backsplashes and cabinetry.
​
What are the trends that will make your new kitchen easier and more enjoyable to use?  Contact us and let us show you how to turn your dreams and desires into a dream kitchen that meshes the best of form and function.

​A combination of increased interest rates and limited inventory of new homes and homes for sale is contributing to the strong demand among homeowners in Erie to undertake renovation projects in 2023.  This reflects a national survey that found many homeowners want to improve their existing home because the cost of moving into a house that fits their current needs has become too expensive.  Additionally, more than 50% of homeowners surveyed reported that they do not plan to sell or move in the next 20 years or ever.

Many homeowners in our community have realized that it is more cost-effective to renovate their existing home than to purchase a new one.  And one of the major projects that homeowners around us are undertaking is to improve the performance, capabilities, and enjoyment of their primary bath. 

Imagine washing away the stresses of the day while sitting in your blue-tooth controlled steam shower enjoying your favorite music and cleansing the impurities from your body – that’s priceless!

Almost every homeowner asks us: “how much does it cost to remodel a bathroom.”  The answer is  – it depends.  There are numerous factors that affect project cost. Moving walls, electrical, plumbing, and other infrastructure items behind walls will add to the price tag. 

Here’s how we create value and help assure that budgets are stretched to meet bathroom-remodeling goals. We start with the right layout. New baths not only have to be beautiful, but also, they need to be functional. 

Labor is the biggest cost of any bathroom renovation and the bottom line on labor is affected by size and shape of the bath and scope of the project.  Odd shapes and larger baths will generally be more costly than a conventional sized and shaped bath.  

We also know where the greatest returns on investments are in a remodel. One is to allocate more resources to the products that you will use every day such as the shower system.  Vanities allow you to make a personal and unique design statement. 

Little details matter a lot. Hardware for your cabinet doors and drawers is comparable to the jewelry you select when going out for a night on the town. It makes a huge difference but does not have to have a Tiffany price tag. You can make a striking statement with the right hardware.

Lighting provides another opportunity to obtain a lux look on a limited budget. Lighting is primarily responsible for how your new bath will look and feel. When you compromise the quality of light, you compromise the entire project. Today, lighting technology offers unlimited options to create different moods and feelings every time you use your bath or kitchen. Plus, pendants, chandeliers, under cabinet, in drawer, in cabinet, under cabinet, and well placed in-ceiling lighting offers another opportunity to express your individual style within a defined budget.

Flooring represents an opportunity to stretch budget dollars as well. Large ceramic tiles installed diagonally give a rich impression without a corresponding large price tag. 

​Are you unsure if you have the budget to renovate your bath and achieve your goals? Please give us a call at 814-833-7287 or make an appointment to visit our showroom located at 2630 W 12 St. We can provide you with a plan that meets your budget and your dreams.

Many homeowners in the Erie Area continue to invest in their homes to make them more functional, enjoyable and valuable.  Desire for a better home is particularly widespread among homeowners in Erie who are working part-time or full-time from home.  Our showroom has received increasing demand for more efficient, effective and beautiful kitchens, baths, entryways, mudrooms, and laundry rooms among other spaces in a home.

There are several keys to creating a dream laundry room space.  One is having sufficient space.  A minimum of 80 square feet is necessary if homeowners want a laundry space that features storage cabinets, a sink, washer and dryer and room to maneuver.  We can help homeowners in our community create the space they need to make a laundry area the envy of a neighborhood.  Including a deep countertop can be achieved by specifying front loading instead of top loading washers and dryers. A countertop, at least 24 inches in depth, is valued by homeowners because it provides adequate space for a laundry basket to sit on top and to sort and fold clothing. Another option to create space is to specify an appliance that both washes and dries or to opt for a stackable unit.
  
Many of the conveniences that make a kitchen more functional and enjoyable to use can be applied to laundry spaces. Pull out hampers provide a convenient and hidden space to deposit clothes that need to be washed. Drying racks in the laundry space are another welcomed feature of a well-designed laundry.  When possible, we specify drying racks above a heat vent. 
 
Many homeowners welcome the idea of including a closet in their laundry facility that they can use to store brooms, vacuums, ironing boards, mops and other cleaning supplies and equipment. We often recommend including a power outlet in storage closets that can be used to recharge vacuums and other equipment.

If you want to create a laundry space that will provide the performance and convenience that your family wants and needs and can greatly enhance the value of your home, call us at 814-833-7287 or make an appointment to visit our showroom at 2630 W 12 St and let us show you how to create a space that makes doing laundry a pleasure!