As you walk around your house, one of the spaces that might seem a bit lonely is the attic. It’s often an area that is used for storage, especially if you don’t have a lot of closet space in the home. There are a few remodeling ideas that you might want to consider so that you’ll have some kind of living space for the family instead of a wasted room.
Design an Extra Bedroom
If you plan on expanding your family in the future or if you want to invite parents or other family members to move in when they are older, then consider transforming the attic into a bedroom. Wire mesh—think of the type that you would have it you were to use SKS overscreens—can be added before dry-walling and painting so that there is a bit more insulation as well as support for the walls. Add a bed, dresser, television and other comforts that your guests would have at their own home so that it’s a relaxing environment.
Play With the Kids
Transform the attic into a playroom for the kids. With bright paint, fun wall stickers and decorations and a hardwood floor that’s fun for playing on, your attic can be a mecca for children to enjoy. Carpeting is an idea for young children, but if you have hardwood or at least laminate that looks like wood, then children can ride a tricycle or play with cars and other toys that have wheels on them easier than they could if there’s carpet in the room.
Relax the Day Away
Since the attic is often a quiet space away from the rest of the home, turn it into a reading area. Install plush carpet and oak walls that make space look like a library. Put bookcases along one wall and a comfortable couch or chair along another wall so that you can read a book in peace when you want some time to yourself. You could also create a space where children can do their homework without worrying about the noises from the rest of the home.
Take a Soothing Bath
There’s nothing like having an extra bathroom in the home, which is a design option for the attic. You’re going to need to make sure the plumbing is installed correctly before decorating so that you have a tub, shower or combination. This bathroom can be one where you escape from the stress of everyday life or just an extra bathroom for when it seems like a line is forming at the other one in the home.
There are numerous ideas for your attic space. Think about what you could use in the home, and get to work designing a space that can be enjoyed by the family. It might take some work since it’s at a higher level than the rest of the home, but the effort will be worth the investment.
There are lots of reasons to remodel, renovate, or update your home. You might do so in order to eventually put your residence up for sale or you might do so in order to create a more livable place for you and yours. But one common motivation these days is the desire to be more energy efficient to reduce the end-of-month energy bill. If this strikes a chord with you, getting aboard the green movement bandwagon can bring about tangible results. So read on for effective home improvements that will allow you to live green, save money, and improve home value.
ATTIC INSULATION
While it’s not exactly the most exciting home improvement measure, adequate attic insulation will help you to keep down your heating costs during the cold weather months. If you live in an older residence, chances are that your attic does not have enough insulation…and it’s possible that it actually has no insulation at all. Have it checked and get enough insulation in your attic. This could potentially save you hundreds of bucks during the cold weather season. While you’re at it, ensure that your walls also have enough insulation.
KITCHEN
When it comes to your kitchen, there are lots of things you can do to make this popular space more energy efficient as well as eco-friendly. Depending on how extensive the remodeling, you can swap your cabinets for options that have the stamp of approval from the Forest Stewardship Council. Wood and wood products with such certification are obtained employing responsible forest management efforts, and they’re made with glues that don’t have formaldehyde. You can also get green countertops that are made from recycled or sustainable products and that are manufactured courtesy of eco-friendly methods. Among other options, you can also upgrade your kitchen with energy efficient equipment like a new fridge, freezer, or dishwasher. And don’t forget to get fluorescent lighting, which employs much less energy versus incandescent lighting.
GARDEN
While a garden might not seem to fit the theme, what better demonstrates that you’re really committed to the green movement than would developing and maintaining a wonderful garden? A garden will give your home more curb appeal in the event that you put it up for sale, make your residence a more inviting place for your family and guests to congregate, and reflect on the outside of your home what you’re hoping to accomplish on the inside of your home. Gardening is, as some put it, a lifestyle. So it’s best to do it right to get the best results.
WINDOWS
According to one source, the average cost to install over 10 windows is $14,504; the average cost to replace between five and 10 windows is $4,917; and the average cost to replace under five windows is $2,219. Of course, there are various factors that come into play to determine how much it will cost. Another source notes that a typical home that opts for windows with the Energy Star rating can save between $126 and $465 annually when changing their single-pane windows. How can you tell if you need new windows? If you live in an older house, you might notice that your windows are drafty. It’s not difficult to determine if this is the case. All you’ll need to do is hold your hand up around the windows to determine if you can feel air. Should you feel air, you can save money by replacing your windows. Over time, the savings on your heating and cooling bills will exceed what you paid to buy and install your windows.
These are just a few effective home improvements you can make if you want to be part of the green movement. So live green, save money, and increase the valuation of your residence.
Remodeling your home can help you to improve its appeal and functionality, and you may eagerly be looking forward to enjoying the finished project. However, some homeowners struggle to complete this type of project in a reasonable period of time, and this can be a frustrating, stressful experience. Put these thoughtful tips to use to help you improve your overall remodeling efforts through all stages of the project.
Outline Your Project in Detail
One thing that can delay a home remodeling project is if you discover that your design plans are not well-thought out. For example, you may not think through how the color of the backsplash tile you selected would correspond with your cabinets, and this can cause you to order new tile at the last minute. Carefully plan out each aspect of your project in detail and in writing before you begin any work on the home. It is better to spend a few weeks planning than to spend a few additional weeks with your home in a state of chaos because of the remodeling efforts.
Create a Functional Budget
Another factor that can delay a project involves money. Remodeling often requires more funds than you might think, and the last thing you want to happen is to have your project delayed while you wait for more funds to become available. Create a budget up-front, and ensure that it has ample wiggle room for unplanned expenses. In addition, fund your project fully before you begin working on your home.
Order Your Materials Up-Front
Materials shortages can also throw you for a loop. Some materials that you need may be back-ordered by several weeks or more. In the case of siding and other exterior materials, this problem could leave your home vulnerable until you complete the work. Order all materials, such as those from Unique Home Solutions, up-front, and avoid starting on the project until they are on hand.
Schedule Contractors as Needed
There may be some aspects of your project that you need professional assistance with, such as plumbing or electrical work. Contractors can be booked up several weeks in advance. Therefore, plan ahead by booking services in advance, and only work with reputable contractors who you can count on to show up as scheduled.
Many factors could cause delays to your home remodeling project, and this can be a stressful experience. If you want to enjoy the best overall process and results from your remodeling efforts, employ these tips to keep the project flowing smoothly from start to finish.
Whether you’re building an outdoor deck or just replacing some old tiles in the bathroom, home remodeling projects can be a great way to bring the family together. All it takes is a little creativity and a willingness to let your kids get their hands dirty. Here are four ways to make your renovation a fun one.
Get Everyone Involved
Instead of banishing your kids from the remodeling site, invite them to participate with age-appropriate tasks and helper duties. For example, young children might be put in charge of clean-up activities like sweeping, wiping down surfaces and throwing away garbage in a garbage bin, like those from Kingston Skips. Older children might be allowed to assist with caulking, painting or weather-stripping. Teens can be taught the ways of the sander.
Go Shopping Together
Shopping for materials is half of the fun of a remodel, so bring the kids along when it’s time to hit the hardware store. Let them help with the list-checking and price-calculating, and make it a group effort to hunt down the right screwdriver or perfectly match the wallpaper samples. Not only will it be a unique family bonding experience, but it will also teach everyone a thing or two about being smart, thrifty and self-reliant.
Get Them Their Own Tools
It’s no secret that building things is good for child development. For example, the benefits of block play include everything from better spatial recognition to improved fine motor skills. If you aren’t quite ready to give your five-year-old a hammer and nails, however, consider investing in a child-friendly toolkit that will allow them to work side-by-side with mom and dad without the dangers of grown-up power tools.
Honor Their Contributions
This is especially important if you’re remodeling a communal space that will be used by the entire family. By allowing your children to choose the wall color or decide where the furniture goes, you’re sending the message that their thoughts, ideas and preferences are just as important as ones from their parents and siblings. It can be a big boost to their self-esteem as well as a fun way to engage their imagination. Better yet, they’ll be reminded of their pride every time that they use the remodeled room.
These are just a few ways to bring the family together with a home remodeling project. Everyone will reap the benefits of a bigger, better living space, but if you play your cards right, renovating your home can be just as fun and family-focused as occupying it.
If we have been living in the same space for a long time, it can get pretty dull and leave us wanting a change. More than that, our needs change over time, and our space should adapt with us to accommodate those needs. But how do we know what changes will make our lives better, and how do we make our place new and shiny without emptying our savings accounts? There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and the situation differs from one person to the next, but there are some guidelines that everyone can follow to make sure they’re on the right path.
Differentiate between needs and wants
A lot of us want to live in a different home, whether it be bigger, brighter or cozier. But unfortunately, we can’t always get exactly what we want to have, which is why it is important to realize what you need first. You might want an extra guest room, because you don’t want your in-laws to be sleeping on the couch when they come for a visit, but in reality what you need for a better functioning everyday life is an extra bathroom. Making this separation between the wants and the needs is crucial to handling your budget – and your space – the right way. For example, quality granny flats in Australia are gaining more and more popularity, and the extra space might simply need to take precedence over an in-ground pool. Your needs should be the priorities, and your wishes should be given whatever is left over once the needs are taken care of.
Learn some new skills
For many things, you might need expert help, but not all things have to be done professionally and many of the basic renovation jobs can be learned pretty fast. The first thing you can always do alone is paint your own walls. Watch several tutorials online or ask a friend who has done it before and just go for it. It’s not nearly as hard as it looks, and with just a few tricks up your sleeves, you will be done in no time. You can do other things too like installing shelves, doors and appliances, and with today’s tools, resources and just a little bit of knowledge; you can lay down your own floors as well. Doing things on your own might take some precious time off your hands, but it will be greatly cheaper and you will be able to do it exactly how you’d like.
Know when to call the professionals
Doing some – or even most – of the work yourself can be very cost efficient as well as fulfilling, but sometimes there are just things that you can’t handle on your own. When the moment comes when the result is not only a matter of aesthetics and comfort, but actual functionality and safety, you should leave it up to someone who is an expert in the field. Basically, for anything that has to do with electricity, plumbing or the structure of the house, you will want to hire someone to do it. Messing with it on your own can have consequences, either instant or further down the line, and that is the risk you are not willing to take. It might burn your wallet to pay someone to do some “basic” roof repairs, but if you went up there and did it yourself, the damage that would come from the leaks if you got it wrong would be a lot greater than the cost right now. Very often, if you offer one team to do your entire home, they will offer you some discounts, so it might be worth searching for someone who has a team with a wide range of capabilities.
In the end, our homes are some of the most important things we have, and we should do everything in our power to make them safe and comfortable. Remember to always check which repairs and renovations you could do on your own, but be ready to take a step back and let the professionals take over if anything goes wrong. If you are hiring someone to do the job for you, make sure you are constantly checking on what is being done so that you are sure your home will be exactly how you dreamed.
A dirty and disorganized house is more than just an eyesore: It can also be a legitimate health hazard to you and your kids. The good news is that it’s possible to beat back these perils if you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and take action, so here are just four ways to remodel and revamp your home into something a little more livable.
Tend To Your Chimney
Many people don’t even think about their chimneys unless they hear birds chirping in there, but animals are only one of the concerns that you should have about a disused fireplace and flue. If your chimney cap is falling apart, you might be exposing your roof to dangerous sparks. If your interior chimney walls haven’t been cleaned in a while, you could be breathing in hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) or volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Raise Your Cupboards and Cabinets
According to Poison Control, 99 percent of child poisonings are unintentional. This means that kids are getting under the sink and into the medicine cabinet to ingest things that they shouldn’t be ingesting. One option is locking your cupboards from curious fingers, but if you already know that you’ll be terrible about remembering that kind of thing, consider raising your cupboards off the ground entirely. This will protect your pets from an accident poisoning, too.
Get Smart
Smart technology is controlled by wireless signals that send information from one device to another. It’s available in everything from baby monitors to home security alarms, and it can be a real help in making your home a safer place to live. You’ll no longer have to worry about locking your doors, turning off your appliances or shutting the dog gates. Your smartphone can do it all for you even if you’ve already left the premises.
Repair Your Roof
You’ve been meaning to fix those shingles for years, but little did you know that water damage is creeping into your entire attic space and compromising the structural integrity of the ceiling. It’s quite common for small roofing problems to become big disasters over time, so do yourself a favor and call some roofing contractors, like those at Select Exteriors, when you first notice that something is amiss. Your future self will thank you.
These are just a few ways to remodel your home with safety in mind. While you shouldn’t live in fear of things like dirty chimneys and unlocked cupboards, you shouldn’t brush them off, either. An important part of protecting your family is dealing with household issues even when they’re annoying.
Many homeowners set aside money every year to reinvest back into their property. Your home will most likely be one of the biggest purchases you ever make, and you want to be sure that every remodeling project you carry out is going to increase its value. Here is a quick look at four popular home additions that often have an excellent return on investment.
Turn Your Attic into a Bedroom
The National Association of Realtors says that an attic conversion has an average ROI of around 61 percent. Adding an extra bedroom is one of the easiest ways to boost the value of your property without actually changing the structure of your home. When you are converting your attic, you should make sure that it is both accessible and comfortable.
Add an Outdoor Living Space
Those who live in a relatively moderate climate might be able to substantially increase the value of their home by adding an outdoor living space. Unlike many indoor renovations, creating an outdoor living space can often be completed by the homeowner. You will only need to call in a professional contractor if you want to install underground gas, water, or electrical lines.
Install a Utility Carport
A utility carport will maximize your outdoor space without breaking the bank. In addition to the covered area, a utility carport from places like Coast to Coast Carports Inc. also includes a small indoor area for storage. These structures can be installed within just a few days, and they are the perfect option for those who have boats, motorcycles, extra cars, or ATVs. You can even run power to the storage area to turn it into a workshop.
Remodel the Basement
While converting a basement into a bedroom can have an excellent ROI, you might also want to think about turning it into a family room, entertainment room, or bar. Many real estate agents and buyers love to see unique additions that will make a home stand out from all other nearby pieces of property. Updating the lighting, adding some neutral carpet, and painting the walls can be carried out in just a few hours, and those upgrades will drastically increase your home’s living space.
Even if you have quite a bit of experience as a DIY enthusiast, most of these major additions should be left to the professionals. Not only will a reputable contractor be insured, but they will also guarantee that your project adheres to all local and state regulations. If those contractors make a mistake, then you won’t have to worry about stiff fines and fees.
There are a number of ways to add elegance to your home. Focusing on a few key visual features can completely transform the ambiance of your home without major remodeling or spending a fortune on new furniture. With a good idea of the look you’re after, you can start shopping and find some great, affordable products that you incorporate into your home with basic handyman skills. Depending on where you feel you need the upgrade most, one or two projects can give your home that classic, affluent look. Here are some ideas to start with.
Reinvent Your Style
Ditch the boring, generic fixtures and find some upscale alternatives. A thrift shop can do as well as a department store. Look for fancy lighting fixtures, wall sconces, frosted glass, large mirrors, and ornate wood molding. Think about finishes like brass or mahogany. A few nice paintings or sculptures should be placed where they’ll catch the eye. Your home doesn’t have to be a mansion if it can look like one on the inside.
Upgrade Your Fireplace
A classic fireplace is one of the most elegant touches you can provide. If you have a fireplace in your home, make it a statement. You can buy pre-fabricated mantels or kits in a variety of materials and styles. If you don’t have the funds for marble or ornate hardwoods, you can buy cast stone mantels that look nearly as good. With modern ventilation systems, you don’t even necessarily need a chimney.
Remodel Your Stairs
For multi-story homes, a staircase can become the focal point of the interior. There are a wide range of parts like ornamental newel posts or balusters in both wood and metal. You can even transform the stair itself into a new style, such as a curved or floating stairwell. Of course, this should be done with the help of a professional, such as those at Tarosa Stairs, who can help you find the design that is right for your home.
Add Fabrics
The look and color of the fabrics you use can also create a more elegant appearance in any room. You can start with some new carpet or a distinctive area rug. Drapes, tapestries, canopies, furniture covers, and more are easily added or replaced. Imagine walking into your living room or bedroom and seeing floor-to-ceiling satins, silks, fine linens, or custom weaves.
Do some browsing to find some stunning ideas for that new molding or stairwell that adds elegance to your home. Ultimately, it’s your opinion that matters most.
Homes tend to appreciate over time, as long as you take care of them and keep them in good shape. However, there are some things you can do to your home that can increase their value, and you don’t necessarily have to spend a ton of money on them. Here are four simple ways homeowners can increase their home’s value.
Do a Kitchen or Bath Update
Kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most-used rooms in a house, and they also are the rooms that buyers focus on the most. That’s why it’s important to make periodic improvements to these rooms. You don’t have to break the bank and spend thousands and thousands of dollars. In fact, minor remodels are the ones that tend to add the most value. Some simple things you can do include replacing appliances, replacing a vanity, switching out water and light fixtures and updating your tile and counter tops.
Concentrate on the Exterior
Most people focus on making interior improvements when remodeling their home, but you can actually get the most bang for your buck focusing on the outside. Many of the improvements that have the most return on investment are exterior ones. These include replacing your entry door or garage door, adding or repairing a deck, and sprucing up your landscaping. All of these improvements will be investments that pay back more than they cost to complete, when done correctly.
Structural Improvements
Doing things to the bones of your house aren’t cheap but they are necessary. Take your roof, for example. People do not want to buy a roof that leaks or has broken shingles. Some companies, such as Select Exteriors, know that if this is the case with your roof, you might consider investing to improve it. The same goes for your home’s foundation. Structural improvements can be expensive, but not doing them when necessary can greatly reduce the value of your home.
Make Energy Improvements
Many of today’s home buyers want an energy-efficient home, so you can boost your home’s value by making some simple energy changes. This can include installing a programmable thermostat and changing to compact fluorescent lights. If you want to make a bigger investment, replacing windows or installing solar panels can be good choices.
Making these and other improvements to your home can greatly increase your home’s value. Some improvements require a big investment, but others do not. Either way, you are likely to recoup most of what you spend on these improvements.
Spring is the sign of new life and new beginnings, and even your homes can reflect that change! And while you may be looking into heavy renovations such as gutter cleanup or roof repairs, even your smaller furnishings can also use a little updating to make your home more spring-like. Spring into action this Spring with these home renovation tips that can take your home to a breezier, lighter atmosphere befitting the season!
Experiment with character
Wall textures such as exposed brick or grunge walls and accent walls are all the range these days. They are great accents that can bring life to a space, can make for a great background (especially for pictures!) and can add character to otherwise plain walls. Peel-and-stick wall panels (for textures) and peel-and-stick paper (for accents) are great for this job as they won’t need you to take down a wall and have it rebuilt with your chosen texture – just peel and stick to your existing walls, and they’re up!
This can also be done with floors. Peel-and-stick tiles or wood plank flooring can give your house a different kind of edge and personality depending on what character you’re going for, and they can make the whole room look refreshed and new as well.
Update your fixtures
Sometimes, a little difference between your fixtures can mean the difference between a suffocating, drab home to an airy, comfortable one. The style, color, and the way you group together fixtures can drastically affect the way any room looks with them. A big player in this are light fixtures: even changing the tint of light that you get can make your room look more open and bright as opposed to dimmer lights that would probably work more with colder seasons.
If you’re not ready to invest in new couches or cabinets, consider replacing some accent fixtures such as lights and other small decorations for ones that fit the season. Changing sofa covers or having cabinets, chairs, and tables repainted can also be inexpensive ways to add a new image to your home!
If you’re not sure that the pieces you pic go well together or if you can find them all in one place, don’t worry. As it is one of the most commonly-bought items online, home furnishing and decors that you need can be found with a few clicks. The internet can also help you find what you’re looking for based on your past searches, interest, and preferences.
Lighten up your windows
A key characteristic of changing your home atmosphere lies with your windows. When they are closed or accentuated with heavy drapery, it can look heavy, cold or drab. Heavy curtains are perfect for colder seasons, but for a season such as Spring, lightweight curtains are the way to go. Curtains made of lace or other thin cloths (often in light shades as well) can let more light to flow into the room, as well as added ventilation from outside. For an added touch of nature, you can also go with bamboo shades, or even bold and graphic with geometric panels.
Update even small details
Even the simplest details in your home can make enough of a difference. Vases, statuettes, frames and even mirrors can change the way the entire room looks and feels depending on how well they accentuate a certain theme or mood. In fact, even a simple space such as a living room have certain points that need to be taken into consideration when redesigning it.
And even if you’ve never really thought about it, handle pulls and knobs can also affect the way the overall room looks. Old-fashioned, worn, and dirty handles can spoil an otherwise freshly-updated cabinet or door. And contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to use eccentric, out-of-this-world styles for them to stand out. As long as they complement the rest of their surroundings, you’re well on your way to having a visually-appealing room!
Don’t neglect your backyard (or your small outdoor space)!
Spring is all about enjoying the great outdoors, and that goes without saying that your outdoors should reflect that, too! Plant flowers and shrubs, have some outdoor seating or lounge, and even decorate it with outdoor lights and garden knick-knacks such as bunny or fairy statuettes! For those who don’t have rolling lawns, project the image of nature with a few potted plants – the more colorful, the better! If you are worried that you have very little time for maintaining plants with your lifestyle, don’t worry – there are plenty of low-maintenance plants that you can cultivate!
Spring is definitely the best time to update your house. From the warm, cozy, but heavy setup from last winter to the airy, bright and cheery vibes of spring, it’s like being one with the change! So go ahead and give new life to your homes for the turn of the season!
Guest Post By:
I am Carlton Coleman and I am the owner of SIGN WITHIN superstore, which is an e-commerce business under the umbrella of the The Sign Within Academy, LLC. This company seeks to not only provide an online shopping experience with great deals, discounts, and rebates but to partner and support non-profit organizations that speak to hearts, stretch minds and serve the whole of humanity to further their causes. I am a strong believer that you make a living by what you get but you make a life by what you give.
