There is nothing like getting the keys to your first, real apartment and finally moving in. The possibilities almost hang in the air, and it is incredibly exciting to have your own home. Many people select an abode so they can tackle renovation projects, namely in the kitchen or in the bathroom – spaces that are highly trafficked and utilized. So once the dust has settled and the boxes have been recycled, it is time to think about how best to redesign your first ever bathroom. Here are some tips to consider:

Start with the essentials
First, it can be extremely helpful to discuss your plans with a professional at a Kitchen & Baths Classics Showroom. He or she can point you in the right direction in terms of feasibility and budget; no one wants to discover that their dream room is unattainable. When you know what you would like to do, be sure that essential elements are covered. You may want to initially change the shower head to something more soothing or something stronger. Apartment Therapy writers added that you should then make a checklist of items, both functional and aesthetic to enhance your bathroom decor. On that list might be a shower curtain is a necessary evil in many bathroom spaces, so select one that is bold, bright and beautiful to match your look. Additionally, you will have to find a comfortable – and stable – bath mat, plus wall hooks and towel hangers. A good toilet seat is something you should invest in as well.

Your first apartment bathroom is full of renovation possibilities.

Choose your colours wisely
When you are ready to tackle the larger projects such as tiling or replacing the sink, think about the environment you hope to create. According to For Rent, it is a good idea to enhance the feeling of space, particularly if the room is a small one. Rather than installing a sink with cabinets below, look for a pedestal sink, preferably in a muted shade. If you have white tile, select a sink to match, otherwise look for something beige or off-white. You then have the opportunity to play with the background colour, but only if it makes sense: If the walls are darker, the room may feel smaller and more cramped, particularly if it does not have a window. The source noted to keep things airy and roomy, yellow is a good color to choose if white is not your thing.

No matter what, your new space will be uniquely yours, so have fun decorating. Let the bathroom be an expression of your personality; reflect it through the colours you choose, the decor you select and any quirky elements that speak to who you are.

More people today have flexible work schedules or choose to use their home as their office. And why not? With a myriad of options to get online and stay connected, working from home is a benefit of modern technology. The hard part, however, is deciding where in your house is the best place to set up shop when you don't have a dedicated room in which to toil away. Thanks to more homes being open concept, it can be entirely possible and thoroughly practical to establish your personal office right in the kitchen.

Think downtown chic
Enabling the flow of energy and light between several rooms in the home is reminiscent of large loft apartments in big cities like L.A. and New York. As old factory floors were renovated into apartment, some chose to keep the expanse of space for a minimalist, modern feel. Dwell featured the work of one architect whose kitchen renovation project involved using the space in a Soho loft to unify a kitchen fit for a chef and a multimedia office space. The space was divided by a sleek, black kitchen island in which the stove had been seamlessly incorporated.

An office in your kitchen can be practical and improve the flow of your home.

Divide with cabinetsSpace to stand up
When sitting at a desk, it can be all too tempting to slouch over a computer keyboard during the day. Some people find that working standing up is better for their body and posture. As a result, the kitchen could be the ideal place for a standing desk. If you don't have room for an actual desk, This Old House advised creating a stand-up message center in the corner of the room. In this example, its surface is of the same material as the rest of the kitchen countertop, yet the backsplash is made of cork board so messages and notes can be tacked up. Below the workspace, the homeowner added kitchen cabinets so storage room was not sacrificed. To give the area an office-like feel, bookshelves were added above the space to store cookbooks and also binders and other work-related items.

The kitchen island is not the only way to separate the kitchen from the office. Like the example outlined on Modspace, you can install additional kitchen cabinets to create a wall. The homeowner's desk is right in the kitchen, but thanks to two stacked cabinets that jut out slightly, the furniture can be placed in what essentially is a recessed nook. To conceal the work area, the surface matches the countertop and the desk drawers are the same material and style as the cabinetry. You can't really see the space unless you look for it, which can be an option for those who want a smooth aesthetic and seamless flow from kitchen to home office.

Creating a place to work in the kitchen provides the opportunity to multitask throughout the day, which can be helpful for those who have equally hectic personal and work lives. Some people also feel that the kitchen is the center of the home and it is helpful to be working right where everything is happening. However you choose to incorporate your office into your kitchen – and if you even make that decision! – talk to the professionals at a Kitchen & Bath showroom to discover your options and how to create the right kind of environment.

Entertaining this holiday season? Chances are, you might like to freshen up your kitchen space before everyone comes over. After all, you know that people will gather in the food preparation area, hang out, snack and generally socialise. If you would like to make some small changes to your kitchen before that holiday party, you should plan out your upgrades and start work sooner, rather than later. A large overhaul is not recommended so close to the celebratory season: You want everything to be finished and settled before it is time to play host. So, consider some small kitchen projects to tackle before it is time to deck the halls. Here are some realistic ways to give your kitchen a facelift, and to avoid cutting the transformation too close to the festivities:

Re-tile the kitchen backsplash
Naturally, if you are cooking dinner you are going to be using your stove, and any helpful friends and relatives will also be stirring up delicious dishes in this area. Why not choose some new kitchen tile to update the backsplash? The Heritage Builders blog suggested looking for inexpensive and understated tile to clean up the area without going overboard. It would take more time to plan out an intricate pattern, seek tile, cut the tile and then lay it. Instead, just pick white subway tile, which is always a classic design, or look  for imitation stone if it fits your aesthetic sensibilities.

Jazz up your cabinets
You do not have to rip out your kitchen cabinets to make them look more stylish. Consumer Reports suggested giving them a fresh coat of paint or looking into refacing the exterior. Essentially, this involves adding a skin to the cabinet doors, and this covers up whatever existing finish is already present. If you need advice on which design route will be easier and  better suited to your kitchen, check in with a professional at a kitchen and bath showroom. He or she can point you in the right direction and offer tips to maximise style.

Simple updates to your kitchen will keep you smiling through the holidays.

Switch out your faucet
Noticed that your faucet and fixtures are looking a little tired? Consider upgrading to a sleeker, more modern model in a brushed metal finish. If it fits in with your overall design, look for gold or brass for a more unique appearance.

Add a place to gather
Want to keep everyone away from the cooking space but still in your kitchen? Maybe it is time to add that kitchen island you have been eyeing. Consumer Reports said you first need to carefully measure your space and be sure that you can make it work. Then, to save time and money, the wisest option may be to select an island you can assemble at home with relatively little hassle. A custom-built island will be likely more expensive and take longer to make and install. Finding a kit will save time, plus give you the option to add your own touches to the material, should you so decide.

No matter how you choose to give your kitchen a facelift, be honest with yourself and what you can handle. The world will still rotate on its axis if you decide an island is too much work this year, and you would rather swap out hardware or your faucet instead. But adding a fresh, new element to your space before the holidays may help you feel more settled, prepared for guests and like you have done something nice for yourself before the big rush.

If you are lucky enough to have a master bathroom, it does not have to merely be an afterthought. Often seen more as a convenience than a symbol of decadence, the master bathroom can be seen as perfunctory and thus overlooked. You do your business in there, you know it is the one space where you can leave all your personal care items and know they will not be moved – especially if you happen to have children – and it can be nice to shower uninterrupted, not to mention convenient for middle-of-the-night necessities. But why just relegate the master bathroom to be a well-placed room, far from the eyes – and use – of guests and others? Your next bathroom remodeling project can turn this space into a spectacular private space, if you are ready.

Make the shower magnificent
Having a soaking tub can be wonderful, but many people prefer to have a high end shower. According to the 2017 Houzz Bathroom Trends Study, homeowners want that gorgeous shower – and they are making it the top master bathroom feature. Over half of those who participated in the Houzz survey are making their showers larger and 81 percent said that they are remodeling their bathroom to fit a more modern, luxurious shower. And people want fancy features in their showers. Of those surveyed, 12 percent of respondents indicated that they were going to install mood lighting or digital controls. If you want more inspiration, it can be helpful to know that alcove showers are homeowners' current top pick, as 55 percent indicated as such. So go ahead and add that great shower to your master bathroom: 42 percent of respondents chose to do the same.

It can be a great project planning a new master bath together

Choose a freestanding tub
Depending on the space, you may want to look for a free-standing bathtub and take inspiration from some of the homes featured by Architecture Art Design. These tubs not only look glamorous, but also can often have a unique shape, which elevates the master bathroom profile. A more curved, bowl-like bathtub as featured by the source can present a soothing, spa-inspired vibe, whereas something more square can give the room a modern feel.

Don't be intimidated
Renovating a bathroom can feel a little daunting at the best of times, TMS Architects noted, so take the space in portions. Adding more expensive but small elements to the room can also give it the level of luxury you desire. For example, if tiling an entire shower sounds scary, think about adding marble or quartz-topped counter spaces, chance the paint to softer, more muted colors, or upgrade the bathroom fixtures to more contemporary models. For more advice, you can speak a professional at a kitchen and bath showroom, who can help you decide where to start.

Making your master bathroom more special can be a fun project. While so many parts of the home are very public, your efforts can yield a special space where you can relax and know that it is truly yours.

Bringing your kitchen up-to-date may not require a major remodeling project. In fact, taking the renovations one step at a time can be better for both time and budget purposes. A slower approach allows you to focus on each element you aim to change in your kitchen, and you can also ensure that you are selecting exactly the materials, fixtures and faucets that will make your kitchen shine. In other words, you will feel less overwhelmed.

When it comes time to update your kitchen countertops you may find that you have an incredibly wide range of materials, styles and colors from which to choose. While there are merits to any and all of these materials, perhaps you can consider using quartz. It is modern, fashionable, and built to last.

Quartz is eye-catching
Some people choose to upgrade their kitchen with the hope of selling their home. According to an article on Inman.com, installing quartz countertops can be extremely appealing to potential buyers. Among its assets, quartz is thoroughly a beautiful material. It can often look extremely similar to granite, according to the source, which can elevate a kitchen's appearance. Simply put, quartz can make your kitchen look more expensive and professional, whatever the purpose for your upgrade.

Quartz is extremely durable
According to HGTV, more modern quartz kitchen countertops are made from around 95 percent ground, natural quartz combined with 5 percent polymer resins. This material is extremely hard, low-maintenance and often has the natural look of stone, but can be found in a wide range of colors. For inspiration, you should head over to a kitchen and bath showroom to see samples and get advice on whether quartz is ideal for your needs. And if you're worried about your quartz kitchen countertops withstanding eager home cooks or children's energy, the source added the perspective from an independent home improvement contractor who deemed the material to be essentially indestructible.

Consider quartz for new countertops

Quartz is great for a busy kitchen
Have a big family? Like to cook often? Today, the kitchen is not solely reserved for food preparation; it's a place where people gather for homework purposes, large baking projects and simply to hang out. It experiences more traffic. Quartz is antimicrobial in addition to being able to handle great forces, said This Old House, which makes it helpful for preventing bacteria from collecting, plus mold and mildew find it more difficult to grow on the surface. The source added that it is also extremely easy to clean and this can be great for intrepid home chefs or those with small children.

Quartz is very heavy, but it can be installed in slabs, said This Old House. This means it can be incorporated into the kitchen seamlessly in many cases, avoiding a less-elegant piecemeal feel to the countertops. However, because of the material's weight and foibles – until installed, it can crack if not handled properly, the source noted – it is best to hire a professional for assistance. However, if that is your greatest concern about using quartz for your kitchen countertops, it is honestly a minor thing when all its benefits are considered. Talk to your kitchen and bath showroom representatives for more help, but don't count out quartz as a classy, strong material to use for your new kitchen countertops.