Updated Rooms Have New Roles

"Casual elegance" is the key to modern room remodeling, according to the International Housewares Association in Rosemont, Ill. People want an appealing home for entertaining, but they need a home that's easy to take care of.

Interior designers say rooms you can look at but not use are out. People are embracing comfort and want to use all of their space. They want openness. They don't want clutter. They don't want to move.

People in apartments and homes are updating their rooms with ideas like these:

	The kitchen is the heart of the house. Start here. More countertops are being redone in materials like granite and marble. New concrete countertops can be dyed to match any color. People are adding glass panels to some cabinet doors, and opting for floors that look like wood or really are wood.
	Bathrooms are becoming a retreat in the home. His and hers bathrooms have dual sinks. Showers have fancy accessories, one or more pulsating water jets, rain bars to wash you all over at the same time, and shower heads as big as a dinner plate.
	Laundry rooms are being decorated and used for purposes other than washing clothes. People are painting, decorating, and using the laundry room as a craft center or playroom. Some are adding organizational centers with garment racks, storage shelves, and cabinets. The clutter is organized there.
	The entertainment room is growing in popularity because of huge TVs and stereo systems. If the TV stays in the living room, it can be hidden in a cabinet. Stereo speakers can be built into the walls. Back To Education Center

___________________________________________________