You’re planning the home improvement project you’ve always dreamed of—congratulations! This will be an exciting time full of creativity and possibility. But before you get started, make sure to do your homework so that you can avoid common mistakes and make your home improvement dreams come true! Find a Trustworthy ContractorNot all contractors are created equal; make sure that you find a trustworthy, reliable contractor with experience doing the kind of project you want done. Interview several contractors and get quotes from each one before choosing one; don’t just hire the first contractor you see. While it may take you some extra time, putting in the necessary legwork before choosing a contractor will help you find someone who can do great work for a great price. Listing sites such as HomeAdvisor are used by 44 percent of homeowners. Source: https://www.podium.com/online-reviews/homeadvisor-reviews/ Look for Financing OptionsFinancing is huge when it comes to making your home renovation dreams come true. After you know your budget and the projected cost of your renovation, spend some time researching financing options. Some common home renovation financing options include payment plans, home equity loans, home equity lines of credit, and refinancing your home. Each of these options come with its pros and cons. As you research each option, you might be surprised to find that your renovating dreams are more possible than you thought. Source: https://sebringdesignbuild.com/how-to-finance-home-improvement-projects/ Make a PlanThe planning stage is arguably the most important part of any renovation project. Don’t skimp on this part—while planning will take some extra time, it will be worth it. There are many items which you should include in your renovation plan: budget, aesthetic, décor, scope, design, and contractors are only a few of these items. Don’t be afraid to make a sizable wish list at this stage! This is the time to think about all the home improvements you’ve always wanted, get creative, and make them happen. While you may not be able to accomplish every single bullet point on your list, dreaming big will help you accomplish more than you think. Source: https://collectivegen.com/2018/02/plan-home-renovation/ It’s true that renovating your home will be a lot of work. However, this work will turn out wonderfully well if you spend time choosing a trustworthy contractor, looking for financing options, and making a solid renovation plan. These three suggestions will empower you to become your own home improvement fairy godmother and finally complete the renovation you’ve always wanted. Read this next for more great tips: Starting a Home Remodeling Project Updating the bathroom with the latest trends is something many homeowners desire, but the thought of a complete remodel can be overwhelming. Fortunately, there are many easy and accessible upgrades that you can make that will transform your bathroom and add value to your home.
Here are some great, green energy-efficient ideas to upgrade your home and save you serious money on utility bills. See the full Medium article here.
When approaching your kitchen remodel, it’s important to keep your family’s lifestyle at the forefront of your planning to create a space that fits the way you like to live. Learn how to get the most livable space and enjoyment out of a kitchen remodel. Read the full Medium article here.
Do you dream of a new bathroom? If a bathroom addition or remodel is in your future, keep these ideas top of mind.
(BPT) - Adding or remodeling a bathroom is a popular home improvement project in 2020. Whether it's a simple powder room, a useful three-quarter or a grand master bath, it's worthwhile to research the top trends so you can create a space that is functional while also increasing your home's overall value. Sensational showers: When it comes to bathing options, showers are the focus. For instance, four in five homeowners upgrade the shower during a master bathroom renovation (83%) and over half increase the shower size (54%), found the most recent U.S. Houzz Bathrooms Trends Study. Some homeowners are eliminating the tub altogether, adding multiple showerheads and steam features for maximum relaxation. Unique locations: A homeowner's bathroom location desires are no longer limited to the property's existing plumbing and drainage systems. Saniflo technologies use above-floor plumbing with features such as a macerating toilet and drain pumps that can be hidden in closets or behind walls. This means previously impossible spaces — such as in garages, pool houses and attics — can now be transformed into stunning bathrooms. The Saniaccess3 is a smart choice for full baths, and the Saniaccess2 is ideal for powder rooms. Freestanding tubs: For those homeowners who still enjoy a good soak, say goodbye to jetted tubs with apron surrounds. Freestanding tubs are the ultimate in luxurious bathing, providing a focal point that draws the eye in any bathroom while also creating an airy feeling in the space. If a homeowner wants to install a freestanding tub where no drainage currently exists, a Saniflo system is an affordable way to complete the project in less time. Learn more at www.saniflo.com. Color and styles: After avoiding white color palettes for some time, white on white is back in 2020, offering a clean look with sleek appeal. Mixed materials are often used to add visual interest, such as a tasteful blend of wood and metallics in the vanity or hardware choices. Contemporary styles with clean lines and open spaces are key characteristics of the modern bathroom. When a splash of color is called for, blues dominate the cool tones and salmons often infuse warm hues. Vanities and tops: Vanities vary in size and shape depending on space. Designs tend to be modern or transitional, with elements of interest such as sliding doors that mimic the barn-door trend. Floating vanities are favored, adding an upscale feel that opens the space. Vanity tops are made from a host of materials: as granite loses steam, quartz, marble and concrete are increasing in popularity. Finally, when space allows in a master bath, double sinks are a must. Flooring: Ceramic and porcelain tile is often the choice for the modern homeowner who can customize tile with any design they want. Large tiles are less desired, with smaller mosaic options a common choice for personalization. For those who feel tile is too hard or cold, engineered vinyl is a leading choice. It can be made to mimic the look of wood surprisingly well, but can handle the moist environment that typically comes from a bathroom. Smart technologies: Technological enhancements have entered virtually all aspects of life, and the bathroom is no exception. This is more than just streaming music to water-resistant speakers. In 2020, more homeowners desire digital shower controls allowing temperature adjustment and flow of the water through voice commands. For those with the funds, smart toilets open and close by sensor and are self cleaning. Another growing tech trend is chromatherapy — the use of color to enhance and inspire mood — with technologies used to illuminate tubs and shower spaces. Every year brings with it trends in home design. For 2020, the bathroom is a standout space with customizable features that simplify and beautify life. If a bathroom addition or remodel is in your future, keep these ideas top of mind. KEYWORDS
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Whether you’re hoping to sell in the near future or simply looking to touch up outdated areas, there’s one aspect of home maintenance most homeowners agree is important: curb appeal. It’s a broad term that may reference any number of visible features, meaning there are plenty of ways to enhance the appearance of your house. Consider these ideas – some big, some small – for bringing new life to your home’s look.7 Ideas to Improve Curb Appeal![]() (Family Features) Whether you’re hoping to sell in the near future or simply looking to touch up outdated areas, there’s one aspect of home maintenance most homeowners agree is important: curb appeal. It’s a broad term that may reference any number of visible features, meaning there are plenty of ways to enhance the appearance of your house. Consider these ideas – some big, some small – for bringing new life to your home’s look from the experts at the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Swap Out Your Front Door Create Seating Areas Plant Shrubbery Rethink the Mailbox Add Stonework Paint (or Repaint) the Exterior Update Lighting To find more ideas to increase curb appeal, or to find a certified remodeler near you, visit RemodelingDoneRight.com. National Association of the Remodeling Industry
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Whether it’s extra guest rooms, a personal gym, a home theater, or a man cave, there are all kinds of ways you can transform that musty old basement of yours. Ready to get started? Here are some tips to get it done.
Is your basement drab and dirty? If that is the case, perhaps one of the best things you can do is remodel it. If you entertain often, remodeling your basement can be a great way to add some extra guest rooms to your home. Additionally, a basement remodel will also help add value to your house because of the extra usable space. Not to mention the fact that a fully finished basement will help bring out your creativity.
Whether it’s extra guest rooms, a personal gym, a home theater, or a man cave, there are all kinds of ways you can transform that musty old space. Ready to get started? Here are some ways to do it. Pay Attention to the Lighting Your first step is to replace the lighting. Indeed, one of the things that can make your basement appear old and decrepit is if there is a standard singular lightbulb just hanging down on an electrical line. Talk about an uninviting place! Instead of that, you should have myriad lighting options available throughout your basement space. Solid basement lighting examples include lights on the ceiling, lights at the floor level, recessed lighting, bulbs from lamps, and fairy lights. If possible, you also should consider installing new windows and take advantage of natural light too. Desert Empire Mirror & Glass explains that strategically placing mirrors to reflect natural light from windows can make your basement appear brighter, larger, and more open. Adding extra light also helps protect against basement bugs. Cockroaches and other pests are attracted to dark, damp spaces, so they are often found in basements. Additional light will make your basement feel bigger, brighter, and free of cockroaches. Consider the Flooring Naturally, many basement floors consist of solid gray cement. While this makes a good structural foundation for your home, it is definitely an uncomfortable eyesore. Laminate flooring, ceramic tile, vinyl tile, cork, linoleum, and carpet are all good choices. Footprints Floors suggests that engineered wood floors, floors made of layers of wood, expand and contract less than other wood floors, which makes them ideal for basement flooring. Either way, it all depends on the comfort levels of your home. Give Your Basement Space Some Paint Another way to prevent your basement from looking cold and drab is to incorporate the right paint on the walls. Shades of white, gray, and blue can go a long way toward making this a bright space. These colors can also help you to accentuate a focal point, which is the main centerpiece of your basement. For some, it is a big screen TV, while for others, it is a notable work of art. When it comes to decorating your basement, the best thing you can do is utilize your creativity. If you do not want your basement to be just a drab, boring space that is only used for storage, all it takes is a little bit of planning and determination. Not only that, but remodeling your home can increase its value! KEYWORDS
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Remodeling a house is often necessary once the property becomes outdated and has a lack of functionality. As a homeowner, it is necessary to plan for a remodel if you want to increase the value of the house and boost its appeal. You also want that process to be as easy and stress free as possible, without breaking the bank. Here are a few important tips to follow to take the headache out of an upcoming home remodel. Plan, Plan, Plan! Planning each step of the remodel is necessary to avoid mistakes or complications that can occur. Whether it is choosing the features that will be upgraded or the design of the rooms, you will need to have a detailed plan in place and write out a clear timetable. Fortunately there are a number of apps that can help plan out a room's look. Using apps can allow you to save images for inspiration, create a checklist, and even write out a budget to make everything easy to access on your smartphone or tablet wherever you are. Get the Proper Help One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is attempting to remodel their property without the help of trained and experienced contractors. Although hiring trained professionals may be an investment, it can allow you to avoid stress and costly mistakes throughout the process. For large projects, you will need more people than you realize. Although you may be able to break down a few walls or paint, you will need to hire professionals to perform the electrical wiring or plumbing, which are more complicated parts of the remodel that are best left to the pros. Get referrals from friends and research reviews online to ensure you can find contractors you trust while getting estimates. Budget for Issues Although you may know how much money you have to spend on your remodel, it can be easy to exceed your budget due to unexpected expenses that arise. You may find mold in the walls or electrical issues, which will require spending more. Make it a point to set aside a portion of your budget for potential issues to ensure that you can resolve the problems without having to stress. Knowing how to plan for an upcoming remodel can allow you to avoid unnecessary stress and headaches as you transform the look of your property. With the right tools and professionals used, you can have a smooth and successful process that yields beautiful results while improving the quality of your home.
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