Designing great kitchens and bathrooms can set your projects apart on the market, so be sure to carefully consider your finishes! With so many material options for countertops, it's well worth the time to do the research. Try the Countertops & Surfaces page of our Product Ideas section if you want an introduction to some of our favorites!

The maintenance requirements of natural stone can scare homeowners away, but they still love the aesthetic! Try gorgeous quartz countertops instead—they come in a wide color and style palette, many mimic granite and marble slabs, and their high flexural and compressive strength, as well as imperviousness to liquids, means they resist cracks, chips, stains, and other damage!

Need blueprints for a home that has a kitchen and master suite to impress? Check out House Plan 7519! At only 1,500 square feet and with a rectangular footprint, it makes an affordable build. The vaulted ceiling from the entry to the back deck provides dramatic living spaces. The master suite has a 5-piece bath, a large walk-in closet, and direct access to the screened porch. This design includes another sizable bedroom and a mudroom entrance, too—we think it would make an ideal getaway!