Not all great things come in big packages, and home upgrades are an example of the truth in this wisdom. Unexpected, smaller spaces may not get the same attention as high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms and living areas, but their impact can be just as powerful.
Get inspired to make improvements to the lesser-used areas of your home with these tips from the home decorating experts at Wellborn Cabinet, Inc.:
Entryway
It’s the impression that welcomes guests into your home, so even if the space is small, your entryway warrants some TLC. Focus on making it open and inviting by removing any unnecessary furnishings. Some functional storage, like a bench with integrated coat hooks, can serve a practical purpose, and if you have the space, some built-in cabinetry with an eye-catching countertop can incorporate stylish storage.
Laundry Room
Getting motivated to do chores like laundry is easy when you have a beautiful setting for getting to work. Introducing pops of color in nontraditional places, like the cabinetry, adds a high-end elegance. Water-inspired and earthy hues like Midtown Matte Tidewater or Arcadia Chiffon Cypress are perfect for the laundry space. Both are options in Wellborn Cabinet, Inc.’s Aspire Series, which features concealed hinges with self-close functionality and matching interiors for a high-class look, even when the doors are open for business.
Closet
A cluttered closet may not be the first thing a guest notices, but it’s a space you visit daily. Improving the organizational features can streamline your morning routine and put you in a more positive frame of mind to start each day. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to closet design, but using cabinetry in place of open shelving and rods lends a more luxurious feel. Plan for adequate hanging and closed storage, and if space allows, be sure to plan for shoes and accessories since these items can easily contribute to a closet’s disarray.
Mini Bar
If you fear you don’t have room for a mini bar, you may be surprised. Reimagining a larder cabinet, like the ones Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. offers in 30-, 33-, 36- and 42-inch widths, can create an instant bar out of just about any wall space where you can fit a cabinet. Install it as a coffee bar or traditional bar, or add the optional Appliance Pullout shelf for more versatility.
Pantry
Guests may not find themselves in your pantry very often, but you likely use this space every day. Transform your pantry for heightened utility in simple ways like using clear plastic bins for small boxed foods or stylish wicker baskets to hide away snacks. For a more permanent solution, take advantage of unused space on the back of the pantry door with thin shelves for items like seasoning packets and smaller canned goods.
Guest Bathroom
Swapping out a tired vanity and countertop is a relatively affordable upgrade that can completely change the style of a secondary bathroom. Be sure to also update the fixtures for a more contemporary look and, if budget allows, replace the flooring. Finish the project with a fresh coat of paint in a light, airy shade and add new textiles and a few decorative touches to complete the job.
Find more ideas for updating unexpected spaces in your home at Wellborn.com.
Hideaway Storage Spaces
One feature that enhances virtually any space is more storage. Having convenient places to tuck away all your stuff makes rooms feel more open and inviting. Hidden storage solutions are often better because you can enjoy the functionality they add to the space without interrupting your design aesthetic.
Here are some clever ideas for keeping necessary items tucked out of sight but within easy reach:
Built-in Step Stool: If you love the look of tall cabinets but struggle to reach the top shelves, a practical addition is a hidden step ladder in a pullout caddy. Specially designed ladders that fold down extra narrow and feature nonslip rubber treads make this a handy addition you’ll reach for again and again.
Paper Towel Pullout: Keep paper towels hidden but close by hiding them in a pullout cabinet such as Wellborn Cabinet Inc.’s 12-inch-wide model, which features a built-in paper towel holder and bottom shelf ideal for organizing cleaning products. There’s also a space behind the paper towels that’s perfect for storing sponges and other kitchen supplies.
Drawer Dividers: While you can find many after-market options to organize the insides of your drawers and cabinets, choosing organizers designed to work seamlessly with your cabinetry creates a more polished look (and saves the headaches of measuring and guesstimating the fit). Tray dividers are useful for sorting cookie sheets and baking pans, while you can find dividers in a variety of heights to match drawers below the oven or where you store your cutlery. Another option that serves a similar purpose is pegs, which keep fragile items from shifting when drawers are opened or closed.
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It’s important for your creative financing strategy to be well planned, account for unforeseen expense, and include a solid exit strategy.
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(Family Features) Choosing the right materials is an essential step in planning a home remodel or renovation. Options like brick and stone can add style, comfort and beauty to homes. With a diverse array of colors, textures and sizes to choose from, there are options to suit practically any design aesthetic, whether it's traditional, contemporary or somewhere in between. Because brick and stone materials provide strength, permanence, sustainability and beauty, it's possible to balance function with appearance. Before choosing your brick or stone material, it's a good idea to explore the vast color options, varying textures and sizes. You might even consider combining different materials to create accents that add interest and support the design of your home. If you like the idea of incorporating brick or stone into your design but are not sure where it fits, consider these popular choices: Accent Walls: If you're concerned about overpowering a room, an accent wall is a simple way to add the appealing look of brick or stone in moderation. The wall can add character and dimension that either stands out or blends into the overall design, depending on the colors and textures you choose. Kitchens: From flooring to island accents, backsplashes and beyond, the options are plentiful for introducing brick or stone into kitchen design. Whether you're going for a modern look or something more traditional, quality is a top priority in high-use areas like the kitchen. Choose materials from a reliable source like Glen-Gery, which offers more than 600 brick and stone products in a vast variety of sizes, textures and colors. Bar Surrounds: This feature tends to be a focal point in its own right but adding brick or stone can make your bar area a real showstopper while capturing the color tones of the rest of the room. Archways: Defining the transition from one space to the next adds an architectural design element that can either carry your design theme from one room of the house to the next or signal a transition toward a new motif, depending on the material you choose. Find more ideas for a home upgrade using brick or stone at glengery.com. Unbeatable Benefits of Brick Resilience: Brick is incredibly resilient. It's weather and storm proof. As a result, it's better able to withstand the diverse weather conditions across North America from natural disasters to extreme heat in fire prone regions. Brick is also termite resistant. Low Maintenance: Brick does not require any painting, coating or varnishing in order to maintain its aesthetic and durability. Fireproof: Brick is non-combustible and doesn't assist the spread of fire, making it ideal for building in wildfire-prone areas. Clay bricks normally don't suffer any structural damage after a fire and can be re-used, even as load bearing walls. Design Flexibility: Brick comes in styles to suit any building project and is a popular material choice among architects and designers because of its design flexibility, strong structural capabilities and intricate detailing. Noise Cancelling: Whether between rooms within a home or from outside noise, brick provides sound insulation. Durable: Brick is long-lasting. Unlike other man-made materials, brick doesn't get tired, so your brick home remains weather- and age-proof over time. Energy Efficient: Brick is a high-density material, meaning it can effectively absorb and store heat energy to help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Its ability to average temperature extremes can make a noticeable difference in comfort while also reducing energy bills. Natural: Brick is manufactured from naturally occurring materials and does not emit volatile organic compounds as many lightweight products do. With virtually no emissions and high thermal mass, brick is also a good choice for health-conscious homeowners with acute allergies or sensitivities to weather. #15741 Source: Glen-Gery
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(Family Features) When planning a potential home remodeling project, the list of decisions to make may feel nearly endless. Ultimately, you may find the most important decision is choosing a trustworthy team of professionals to complete the job. For example, an organization like the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) provides homeowners with helpful ways to find qualified, professional remodelers and contractors. These seven tips can help guide you through the selection process and assist you in making an informed decision that best suits your needs.
1. Look Local
Local remodelers have a vested interest to perform quality work that satisfies their customers in order for their business to survive. That's why word-of-mouth referrals can be especially helpful in finding options near you. Ask relatives, friends, neighbors, and business colleagues who live nearby about projects they've completed and the professionals they've used. Other resources may include people you know in the local home industry, such as lenders, real estate agents, and material suppliers.
2. Follow Building Codes
Another advantage to hiring a local professional is he or she typically knows and understands the local building codes and permit requirements for your town or city. Building codes can vary considerably from each jurisdiction and are known to change from year to year. Most structural work or footprint expansions require permits.
3. Check for Licenses and Insurance
Many states, but not all, require contractors to be licensed, bonded, and insured. Contact your state or local licensing agencies to ensure the contractor you're considering meets all requirements. Most states require a contractor to carry worker's compensation, property damage, and personal liability insurance. Ask for copies of their licenses and insurance to make sure it is current.
4. Check for Violations and Complaints
Check with your Consumer Affairs Office and your local chapter of the Better Business Bureau to ensure there are no complaints on record for the contractors you're considering. You can also search for reviews online and verify they are members of reputable trade organizations that promote professional excellence, such as NARI.
5. Compare Apples with Apples
If you solicit estimates from more than one contractor, be sure they are working off the same scope and quality of work. Discuss variations in prices and beware of any estimate that is substantially lower than the others.
6. Be Informed
A good remodeling professional educates clients on green remodeling, universal design, lead safety, new products, building techniques, and trends. Make sure you're hiring someone who has knowledge and expertise relevant to the remodeling industry, as well as the appropriate certifications and experience to complete the job.
7. Check References
Don't rely on a contractor's personality or demeanor. If a professional does not offer references, ask for them and follow up with a site visit or phone call.
Find a qualified and reputable remodeler in your area at RemodelingDoneRight.com.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
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Source: National Association of the Remodeling Industry
DIY Ideas to Increase Your Home’s Value
(Family Features) Now as much as ever, your home may be a sanctuary for all kinds of expression, from thinking and dreaming to working and playing. Over the past year, homeowners began to consider the intersection of function and design in new ways.
Weekend warriors are dedicating themselves to creating more organized living spaces and making their homes better places for learning, working, and living. If you’re considering upgrades to your home, consider these DIY ideas from the experts at Royal Building Products that can increase beauty and resale value.
Home Office: Spending more time at home may mean storage space
is at a premium, especially if you’re relying on a makeshift home office. You can add a high-impact and functional element to your office with a built-in bookcase or workstation. Consider your materials carefully since they have a big impact on your final results. For example, a versatile alternative to wood is synthetic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) trim, which you don’t need to sand or prime before painting, ultimately saving time, energy and money. While PVC is slightly more expensive than some wood options, it also requires less maintenance long-term.
Bathroom: By updating worn-out items, modernizing fixtures and creating a more functional space, you can expect to recoup up to 50% of a bathroom’s remodel cost, according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. If you’re considering an on-trend look like shiplap, a practical solution like Royal prefinished PVC Shiplap can help create a clean, comfortable space. It’s waterproof, mold resistant, flexible and works well in spaces with many slants and angles. Plus, it’s lightweight and easy to install.
Entryway: A home’s foyer offers the first impression of its interior, teasing the personality of architecture and decor found with each step deeper inside. Whether bold and dramatic, tranquil and serene, or something in-between, the entryway often sets the tone for a home’s ambiance. Details like decorative molding and lattice trim can create a striking entryway for almost any home style.
Exterior: Whether you’re sprucing up an outdoor living space or simply want to boost curb appeal, subtle enhancements can make a big impact. For example, board and batten shutters offer an attractive, low-fuss way to highlight your home’s windows. Painting the front door is another low-cost way to freshen up your exterior. Or invite a touch of nature by adding flower boxes to your front porch or windows.
Find more creative inspiration, tools, tips and practical steps for every level of DIY-er at buildroyaldiy.com.
Select a Trim Style to Match Your Home Style
The right style of trim can transform a room into a whole new space. A good rule of thumb is to keep the style of trim consistent with your home style and from room to room.
Craftsman: The craftsman home style pairs well with simple, tailored, and purposeful doors and minimally ornamented window casings, while white, light beige, and cream-colored crown molding can create roomier spaces.
Colonial: This home style’s rustic simplicity and rich detail call for interior trim that lends a touch of stately courtliness. Choose multi-piece trim and wider baseboards, wainscoting and crown molding to adorn family room floors, walls and ceilings.
Cape Cod: This practical and quaintly unassuming design can be accented by subtle interior trim such as transom windows and sidelights that surround multi-paneled entry doors, casings for double-hung windows, picture rails and frame walls.
Modern: The clean expansiveness of this home style lends itself to unadorned window and door casings as well as baseboards. You can go minimalist and use trim merely to protect walls and floors. Alternatively, you could rely on trim to create an appealing contrast with the wall colors.
Ranch: Open, informal and inviting, this style needs trim work that flows from room to room. Many styles work, from simple baseboards to more formal trimmed windows and cabinetry in the kitchen, fireplace mantels in the family room and passageway casings.
Photos courtesy of Honey Built Home
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Spruce Up for Spring Fresh ideas for home upgrades (Family Features) Spring means it's time to start sprucing up your home and garden with a little TLC inside and out. If you're unsure where to begin, consider these tips: Make function a priority. While aesthetic changes may boost value and please the eye, be sure to consider upgrades that make living easier, like organization units that create additional living space. Keep budget in mind. Make a list of the projects you'd like to complete and estimate how much each will cost. Use the list to determine what you can afford to complete now.
vacuum and mop robot like the Deebot N8
spring cleaning. It features high suction power (but low noise), TrueMapping technology to create an efficient cleaning path
and the OZMO Mopping System to remove 99.26% of bacteria with dual vacuuming and mopping. Controllable with a smartphone app, it
5 Tips to Spring Clean Your Home Inside and Out (Family Features) Spring cleaning isn't just about purging dirt and grime. It's also the perfect opportunity to take inventory of items around your home. As you tackle this season's cleaning, look for ways to improve your overall living space, from getting rid of things you no longer need to adding items that can work harder for you. Consider these five ways to tackle your home inside and out this spring. Make organizing easier. As you clean each space, look for easy ways to reduce unsightly messes and improve organization. If your entryway always becomes a jumbled pile of shoes and coats, consider adding a storage bench and hooks to bring some order to the area. If the kids' toys always accumulate in the living room, add a storage chest or large baskets to store them when not in use. If tools and equipment make the garage unusable, install shelving units to keep everything in place.