Bay and bow windows are a great addition to any home. They are a focal point of a room. The benefits of this addition to your home are numerous. Here are four benefits that everyone considering the addition of a bay or bow window should consider.

More natural light. Bay and Bow windows actually protrude out from the side of your house. They funnel in natural light. A bay window is generally comprised of 3 windows. The center window is usually a large picture window with two side windows called flankers. These flankers are generally double hung, or casement. Both double hung and casement can be opened for ventilation. Bow windows are comprised of three or more windows of the same size. Protruding out from the side of your home, these windows are placed upon a curve to get that dramatic three dimensional effect. Both bay and bow windows will let in more natural light, increasing your view of the outdoors immensely.

Added space inside your home. By design, a bay or bow window will make your room appear to be larger. A standard window is just a flat pane of glass that is on the same plane as your wall, but a bay or boy creates an illusion of the whole space being larger because of its protruding shape. Add space or at least the illusion of it by utilizing a bay or bow window.

Addition of a gorgeous window seat! These windows can have a seat board at the base. This is great place to sit, relax and enjoy the view. These bay seats are a very attractive part of the interior of your home. Many people recall memories of sitting there and reading, laughing and dreaming. This seat could also be storage space. There will be wall space under the unit. Some clever people have chosen to use this space to have a chest built in that has a flip top. This is a great place for toys to be stored in a bedroom, or blankets and pillows in a living room. Board games can be tucked away in here too!

Installing a bay or bow window will certainly increase your home's curb appeal and most often its value. As with any home repair or remodel, we need to think about its overall effect on our homes curb appeal and value. Adding a new bay or bow, or replacing an old one with a new vinyl replacement window will only increase both of these.

Is 2015 the year for you? Is this really the year that you are going to do that home improvement project that you have been talking about for years? If so, GREAT! You are not alone. Home improvements and remodeling are at an all-time high. More people are opting for remodeling and repair than for trading in their home for another. If you are wondering what everyone else is doing, here are a few of the more popular home remodeling trends for 2015.

Kitchen cabinet remodel. Kitchen cabinets can have a rough life. They are constantly being opened and closed and tend to be a sponge for all dirt and spilled and splattered liquids in the kitchen. Just like anything in our society, popular door cabinet styles change with the times. Simple shaker or mission style doors are the current choices of many homeowners. Many people are choosing cabinets that show the natural character of the wood, with cabinets made of such woods as Hickory or Knotty Pine. If purchasing new cabinets are not in your budget or you just want to freshen up your kitchen cabinets, refinishing them is always a possibility. Cleaning and re-staining them will give your kitchen a fresh new feel without the price tag of new cabinets.

Replacing kitchen countertop. The kitchen is usually the heartbeat and meeting place of a home. The countertops inadvertently become cutting boards (ouch), desks for homework, hot plates and much more. This kind of ?love? over the years can leave them tattered, sagging and worn. Replacing them with a new countertop will revive the life of your kitchen. Granite and stone countertops are now in demand with homeowners. There are also many composite type countertops that are available that have the look and feel of a true stone counter top but are not as pricey or heavy. Of course, you can still use a laminated countertop if stone, granite or a composite top are not in your budget and still improve your kitchen appeal.

2015 is the year. The year for home improvements. Rejuvenate the life in your home by replacing your windows with new, vinyl replacement windows or restore your kitchen by updating its cabinets and counter tops. There are few investments that we make in our lives as important as our homes. Let 2015 BE YOUR year to further that investment.

Starting off the New Year on the right path is important to a successful year. There are a lot of New Year?s resolutions about losing weight and living healthier. The New Year is also a great time to start a remodeling project for your home. Doing a home makeover can get your home out of a funk and into a new harmonious vibe. Take your time to look around your home and imagine any new improvements you might want or need. Plan out what you would like and start the New Year off with all the home improvements you desire.

Here is a list of six home improvement ideas that might help you get started dreaming:

The updates above are just a few suggestions to make your home more comfortable and functional for you and your family. Every home is different and needs updates in their own ways. No one knows your home the way you do and what works best for you. It can be fun to take time to look around your home and imagine what you would like to change. The new year is the perfect time to assess your home and begin improving those things you have dreamed of doing for so long!

Home improvement projects can be an exciting time for homeowners. The idea of changing your home to be as unique and personal as you is enjoyable. Take a moment to look around your home and imagine any changes you might want or need to do around your home. There are many different types of home improvement projects to do around your home. You can pick a room and do a total makeover by room. You can also pick an area like a section of flooring or maybe some windows and replace them. You can do an interior or exterior remodel. The options are really endless. You just have to decide what is most important for you to change and how much you can afford to change. Here are the top items people are looking to improve in their homes for 2015.

Let us start with everyone?s favorite room to remodel and customize. The kitchen! For most homeowners, it is typical to spend many hours in the kitchen cooking and entertaining. That is why it is such a common place to want customized to your personal style and needs. Here are three main items that people are updating often:

• Counter tops: Having custom counter tops can help you add style and durability to your kitchen. There are many different colors and materials to use for counter tops.

• Back splash: Changing the back splash in your kitchen is a fun place to add color, pattern and style. Your back splash can be as unique as you are.

• Cabinets: Custom cabinets are a great way to add storage and functionality to your kitchen. There are many different colors and styles to choose from. This is a great way to update your kitchen and really make it your own.

Now let us talk about a few items that you can replace and update throughout your home for an overall improvement to your home. These items are a great way to really update and refresh your whole home by picking one item to work on throughout.

• Efficient Lighting: Looking around your home at night, are there any places that you could use more lighting? This is a great way to add warmth and comfort to your home. This is also a great time to make your lighting more energy efficient.

• Flooring: Adding new flooring throughout your home is a great way to add style and color to the interior of your home. There are many options and types of texture to choose from. This is a great way to personalize your home.

• Painting: Painting a room can make a complete difference to your home. It can make a room cozy and warm or add a pop of color and interest. Painting is an easy way to change and update your home.

No matter what part of your home you choose to remodel or how you choose to remodel it, make sure you take your time and enjoy the process. This is your chance to make your home uniquely yours. Love it!

Does your home feel dark and dreary? Do you wish that you could let the joy of light in and feel the warmth that the sun can bring? Here are a few ideas that can help your home'seem brighter and feel that way!

If replacing your windows isn't an option, then there are a few other steps that you can'take to let more light into your home. Removing curtains that are constantly shadowing and blocking sunlight and replacing them with light window blinds will aid in your quest for more light. Having window blinds enables you to set aside the shade during the day and pull them down for when you desire privacy. Blinds come in many styles and light blocking capacities. This small change can make a big difference on the allowance of light coming in through your windows.

If replacing your windows and changing your window accessories still doesn't add enough light and warmth to your spaces, then you can repaint your walls to a light color and this will not only brighten your rooms on its own, it will reflect more of the light that is coming in. Utilizing lighter colors on your walls will also make each space seem bigger.

Strategic placement of a mirror or two will also move light around. Changing out your light bulbs for more energy efficient and bright bulbs, like a LED bulb, will brighten your home for less money for many years to come! There are many ways to increase the light in your home. Knowing which will work for your space, time and budget is up to you. Increase your warmth, love and joy this holiday season and for years to come by letting more light into your home.