remodeling tips Archives - Page 18 of 22 - Bruzzese Home Improvements

Modern styling, technology help homeowners refresh their nests

September 11, 2013adminhome improvementbathroom remodeling, DIY projects, home improvement, kitchen remodeling, remodeling tips2 Comments

Flipping through the television channels, it’s hard not to find a home improvement show about remodeling and do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. From “Property Brothers” to “Design Star,” these popular programs give homeowners ideas on how to modernize their spaces. If you’re planning your own DIY projects, here are three areas of the home that will give you the most bang for your buck when it comes to a makeover.

First stop: the bathroom

Bathroom remodels are the most popular remodeling projects because they have a high return on investment, according to the National Association of Home Builders. When you’re ready to sell your house, renovating the bathroom typically has a return of 62 percent. A low-cost way to modernize the bathroom is installing new faucets. With signature styling featuring cylindrical, geometric shapes and distinct 90-degree angles, the new Moen Arris collection is an ideal choice for an iconic, modern update. Sleek, contemporary pieces like the new Arris faucet can add instant luxury.

Another idea for modernizing the bathroom is to add additional light sources. Bringing in more light will open up the space and make your bathroom come to life. The bathroom is often a place to unwind, and adding the right lighting can set the tone for a spa-like atmosphere. One way to do this, without breaking your budget, is by simply replacing the light fixtures. Add a modern touch to your bath with dramatic choices like chandeliers and sconces.

Second stop: the living room

Modern design doesn’t have to mean uncomfortable. Homeowners love modern interiors for the sleek and streamlined look, which leads to less clutter and visual stress. Expand the modern theme throughout the home by updating furniture with unfussy and relaxed pieces. You don’t need to buy everything new. Fabric covers, in an array of prints and colors, can instantly bring new life to old furniture. For pieces that need to be replaced, consider purchasing solid and neutral furniture. As trends change, you can switch out pillows and blankets to stay up-to-date.

Keep neutrals in mind when selecting paint colors, as well. White, black, brown and gray will go with just about anything. For a pop of color, paint an accent wall with a bold color, or add extra personality with drapery or area rugs. Use lamps, paintings and accessories to give a personal touch throughout the rest of your living space.

Final stop: the kitchen

Opening up shelving is a way to put a fresh, modern spin on your existing kitchen layout. You can order new cabinets with glass panels or simply remove the doors from your existing ones. Just make sure the exposed areas are not cluttered. Open shelving is a perfect place to display dishes. For a crisp look, try stacks of white plates and bowls. If you’re looking for an edgy feel, try patterned or bright-colored ones. Adding new hardware to cabinets is also an inexpensive way to improve the look of your kitchen.

Since faucets are the most-used item in the kitchen, a new model can make a big impression. Swap out your old one for a new one. To complement your new faucet, look to update your counters as well. Granite remains a popular choice because of its high style and durability.

Integrating technology into home design

It’s not just about making your life easier, technology can also aesthetically enhance your living space with modern touches. Mirror technology allows homeowners to disguise the TV when it isn’t in use. Available for all TV models, it will look like a mirror is in the room until the unit is turned on. The iCon Bed from Hollandia features a headboard equipped with speakers, an amplifier and docking stations for two iPads. The NestLearning Thermostat shares the same designer as the iPod, and automatically creates a temperature-control schedule personalized around your lifestyle; while also saving energy.

How to Choose a Suitable Material for New Home Floors

September 10, 2013adminDIY Projects, home improvementDIY projects, home improvement, home trends, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

We’ve all seen and heard it before: finding a suitable material for new home floors can be really daunting with all the products and materials you can choose from. Most homeowners are often wondering what exactly is the best choice and what are the things one should consider when deciding which material would go well with his or her new home.

There are several things you need to know to be able to choose a suitable material for your new home floors. First of these things to know to make an informed choice is to know what are the flooring materials to choose from.

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First are the wood-based products:

● Laminate Flooring. Laminate is one of the more popular flooring choices available. Some key characteristics like affordability, durability and variety make it a suitable material for new home floors. It’s a few layers of wood veneer with a highly detailed image of the material it tries to mimic – it can either be stone or wood and its also more resistant to moisture compared to typical woods.

● Engineered Hardwood. As the name implies, it is still hardwood, at least in part. While engineered hardwood is still mostly hardwood, the boards or planks are reinforced to make it more stable – less prone to cupping, expansion and contraction and more resistant to water and moisture.

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● Solid Hardwood. As the name implies this is pure hardwood flooring that adds value to the home. While it may cost more and may have a few changes from one season to another, solid hardwood is exceptionally warm and beautiful. They come in a great variety from the traditional oak and pine to the more exotic materials like tiger wood and teak. Given proper care however, solid hardwood flooring will more than likely outlast our lifetime.

● Bamboo Flooring. Bamboo is a wood-based flooring material, however, bamboo is not a plant nor a tree but a grass that grows in most temperate parts of the world. It has various uses and while it may look fragile, it actually ranks high in the Janka Hardness Scale, above more common hardwoods.

● Cork. Known for its versatility and durability, cork is also a wood-based flooring material though it is not sourced from timber but the bark of a live cork-oak tree. Like bamboo, it is hypoallergenic. It has a naturally occurring substance known as suberin that resists insects and decay.

Then, there are the natural stones like marble, granite, travertine and slate.

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● Granite. Granite is said to be one of the hardest materials around and is ranked second to diamonds. It comes in beautiful shades like blacks, greys, reds and even purples.

● Marble. Smooth and versatile, marble has been used in sculptures and buildings even in the olden times because of its luxury and beauty. It may be used with a smoothened, glossy surface like most common marble flooring or with rough pores, naturally occurring in travertine tiles, which is closely related to marble.

● Slate. While it may not have the equally regal appearance of both granite and marble, slate is also a popular favorite among natural stones because of its strong traction and non-slip surface properties.

Other versatile flooring choices are ceramic and porcelain tiles, carpets and carpet tiles. Vinyl comes in different forms like sheet, tiles and planks. If you want to be a little kinder to the environment then you might want to try linoleum flooring. Genuine linoleums are made from linseed oil and other natural materials.

Now that you’ve been acquainted with your choices, its time to think about the things you need to consider:

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1. The property. If you’re renting, starting out or just plan to stay in that home for a certain number of years, then consider the material for your new home. Since floors can be costly, be sure to choose your materials well and where you can reap the benefits for the long-term. While natural stone and solid hardwood would add a significant amount to the property, also consider the location and size of the property as they help determine property values. If you are in a home where you intend only to stay for a certain period of time, then consider cheaper alternatives like vinyl or laminate.

2. The location. Consider the room in your new home where you plan to install a specific flooring material. Hardwoods or natural stone might work well in the living room, kitchen or dining area but they are not exactly the top choice for bedrooms or bathrooms (at least for hardwood). Cork is well suited for bedrooms, home offices and studies. On-, above-, or below-ground installation will determine which material is most suitable for your new home.

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3. Style and lifestyle. There are a variety of flooring materials and, keep in mind that, each variety offers even more variety. Be sure to check out all the possible options you have as well as all the resources you can get your hands on. Also be mindful of the activities you intend to have in each area of your new home as traffic is a great factor for choosing how much wear and tear the floors in your new home can take.

4. Numbers. By this we mean calculating the area as well as the installation costs for each supplier and contractor who can offer a quote so you can be assured that you are getting the best value for your money. Speaking of best value, also check out forums and product reviews for the products that have made it in your shortlist.

Your floors will play a great part in having lots of good times at home either with friends and family or by yourself. The most suitable material has to be something that meets your budget, reflects your style and something that will keep up with your lifestyle so make sure you look at all the possible places for best ideas and deals.

About the Author

Bryan Vu is a home improvement blogger and community outreach associate for BuildDirect, a leading flooring and building materials provider online.

4 Clever Tricks That Can Make Your Small House Seem Larger

August 29, 2013adminHome Improvement Tipsdecorating, DIY projects, home decor, home improvement, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

small room — Image is credited to the user WelcometoAlville through Flickr’s Creative Commons

Nothing is worse than moving all of your stuff into a new home only to discover that it’s a lot smaller than you remembered on the walkthrough. As many homeowners have learned the hard way, a small room stuffed with a lot of clutter can make it feel as if the walls are closing in on you.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to open up a small home to make it feel more spacious than it really is. With a little bit of redecorating, you can use light and color to create the illusion of depth and space in even the tiniest of rooms. For example, here are a few tricks that will make even the stuffiest rooms in your house feel large and comfortable.

1) Put Your Sofa on Stilts. When it comes to purchasing furniture for a small home, it’s not the size that matters – it’s the elevation. Both smaller and larger pieces of furniture can work in a compact room so long as they sit on raised legs. By raising your sofa, bed and/or chairs up on stilts, you allow more light to penetrate the room, which creates a convincing illusion of depth and space. This is especially effective in rooms with large windows.

2) Clear Up Your Cabinets. Traditional solid-panel kitchen cabinets can easily overpower a tiny kitchen. To make your cooking area appear larger, replace those wooden cabinet doors with glass panes. By allowing you to see all the way through to the back of the wall, glass-paneled cabinets will make your kitchen seem more expansive. To enhance this effect, try to clear out the clutter in your cabinets before you have company over. Unstack your bowls and plates and store some of your lesser-used dishes out-of-sight under your counter or in a closet. You’d be surprised at how well a few empty shelves can make a room seem larger.

3) Let the Light Shine In. The more windows a small home has, the better. Seriously. Natural light makes any room feel larger, so you should try to let in as much of it as possible. If you don’t have space to install windows, then consider adding glass-paneled doors or skylights to open up your living room or bedrooms. Even a few frosted glass panels can make a huge difference in how large your room appears.

4) Open Up Your Doorways. When renovating a small home, try to open up your doorways to make them as tall and as wide as possible. Remove whatever doors aren’t necessary – or invest in pocket doors – to create distance around the house. You can add to this effect by placing a piece of art on a wall directly opposite an open doorway. The art will catch a guest’s eye, causing them to look down the hallway, which will give them the impression that the room they’re in is larger than it really is.

Don’t let a small home stifle your family. The next time you decide to renovate or redecorate, use these tricks to make your living space seem large and luxurious.

Bio: Lucy Clark is a featured writer for DIYMother.org. Last month, she installed a new set of kitchen cabinets using only her tool kit and an unbreakable iron will. She currently lives in North Dakota with her husband and two daughters.

Exterior Aesthetics: What to Consider

August 21, 2013adminexterior painting, home improvement, home remodelinghome improvement, painting, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Although aesthetic appearance isn’t the only thing that you should be thinking about when remodeling your home, it’s still very important. Homeowners should have a house they can be proud of and that includes having an aesthetically pleasing exterior. That can mean different things to different people. After all, appearance always comes down to personal taste. Still, there is definitely a lot to consider when you are deciding on the outward appearance of your home. Here are some things you should keep in mind.

Your Neighborhood

While there are certainly some homeowners who want a house that sticks out and is unique among the other houses in the neighborhood, sometimes it’s best to consider the appearance of the other houses on the block. It’s okay to be unique and go with something that makes your neighborhood look a little more eclectic, but you probably shouldn’t go too extreme. If you’re repainting or re-siding your house, consider a neutral color that fits the other homes on your street in a tasteful way. Of course, “neutral” doesn’t have to mean “boring.” You can have an off-white or earth tone paint job while providing a few touches of your preferred accent color. Just remember not to go overboard with it; accent colors are meant for visual appeal.

Your Choice of Paint

Painting is probably the most cost effective way to change the outward appearance of a house. There are a few things you should consider. Do you want your house to be one solid color, or do you want different colors around your door and window frames? Do you want to create a focal point that is a different color than the rest of your house, or would you prefer something more nondescript? Painting the exterior of your home is a big job and not as easy as you might think. Consider hiring a professional painting contractor who has experience in house painting.

A Choice of Building Materials

A factor that determines your home’s aesthetic appearance even more than paint is the building materials you plan to use when remodeling. If you want a modern-looking home that would fit in well in any suburban neighborhood, you should opt for siding. Wood siding is about as basic as siding can get and it can be repainted, but it can also be damaged by storms and accidents fairly easily. Vinyl siding has become a very popular option for its durability, ease of installation, and clean, aesthetic look. Aluminum siding also has similar properties.

If you want your home to have a more unique look, opt for materials such as stone, adobe brick, or stucco. These materials have a textural surface and can provide a more old-fashioned look to your home. They tend to give homes a more expensive look making them popular with those who really want their homes to stand out in the best way. Be sure to hire a professional for the job. Adding stucco or stone to the exterior of your home requires someone with experience and the proper equipment to complete the job.

In the end, aesthetic appearance is a matter of personal taste. Your happiness is the ultimate appraisal and only you know what can make you and your family happy.

This article was contributed by Chase Roberts, home & garden expert with a large imagination for dreaming up the most unique of home remodels, inside and out. If you are looking for affordable new and surplus steel and piping for your own unique home remodel, Chase recommends visiting www.texasironandmetal.com/steel-supply-houston.

For the month of September, Bruzzese Home Improvements is offering 10% off all interior and exterior painting projects. Call today to take advantage of this great savings! – Gary B.

5 Ways To Make Your Home A Wonderland!

August 2, 2013adminHome Improvement Tipshome decor, home improvement, remodeling tips2 Comments

Every home, small or large, can become a wonderland through simple changes. No need for huge investments in exotic interior designing or luxurious furniture. Space management, proper lighting and some creativity can do the magic. Here are a few tips that can transform your boring old house into that wonderful wonderland you desire:

1. The magic of lighting

Frequently, people invest in bulky furniture, curtains and expensive wall decorations. But what exactly your home environment needs should be determined first, then the inputs should go in. Usually the same furnishings look great with a little modification in lighting. Try these to bring brightness and shine into your homes:

· Switch to light color curtains that do not absorb sun light.

· Open those windows and clean those glass panels that will allow ample natural light inside.

· Introduce new lighting into dark areas.

2. Wall embellishments

· Artistic pieces look great when hung alone on a plain wall especially in the hall or common area.

· Bedroom walls could be dark or patterned and the wall decoration here should be more serene and peaceful.

· Clocks themselves can be used as decorative pieces on walls.

· A small space would look large if the wallpaper is light in color or the wall hanging is small. Emptiness on a wall would itself make the space look less cramped.

3. Interior designs

Interiors include everything in the home and it is more about one’s taste and creativity. The following tips could help you better design your interiors.

· Things at eye level need more attention since everybody notices these once they enter your home. So the flower vase, statue in the corner or the wall hanging is more important than the false ceiling, overhead lighting or floor carpet.

· Diffused lighting in corners and walkways literally give the wonderland effect.

· Properly maintained plants give the natural freshness, however “Bonsai” does not suit all areas and creepers could make a space look messy. Choose judiciously!

4. Should wonderland be timberland?

Furniture is one important thing that can empty your pockets before you spot the right one. Wooden furniture with elaborate carving and intricate design need not suit every environment. Today various options are available such as leather, plastic, cane, natural fiber, choir, fabric etc. Also, light ones can be easy to maintain and can be moved to different locations if needed.

· Natural fiber or cane furniture.

· Furniture color need not match the painting on the wall and in most cases contrasts look great.

· Partitions need not be placed in the exact center of the room and sometimes asymmetry is beautiful.

5. Less is more

Finally, people who tend to accumulate more and more stuff usually get disappointed with their homes. Gathering and storing usually leads to more stress since more time needs to be spent on cleaning. Periodic disposal of unused items is an essential part in making your home a wonderland.

Conclusion

Try these simple techniques and watch your home transform before your eyes into that fascinating wonderland you always dreamed about.

Author Bio : Kate Lynch is online blogger who writes about various home designing and decorating .

Fun Focal Points For Your Home

July 3, 2013adminDIY Projects, Home Improvement Tipsdecorating, DIY projects, home decor, home improvement, home remodeling, home trends, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Whether you are moving into a new apartment or home or redecorating your current living space, creating fun focal points will make each room feel unique. Focal points are a great way to express your sense of style, reflect your personality, and are a way to take a regular old room and make it an amazing room. Just one small change can take a space from ordinary to extraordinary!

How about a new painting in a bare room? A couple of pieces of upscale furniture? Modern LED light fixtures? Perhaps a new entertainment system? You can even create fun focal points outside. How about a new play-set? A gazebo? A zen garden? A lot can be considered a ‘focal point,’ as long as it attracts people’s attention and is fun.

Here are some fun focal points you can consider for your home or yard.

Fireplace

Sometimes creating a focal point is just a matter of reworking something that is preexisting. If you already have a fireplace but it doesn’t attract much attention, consider sprucing it up. A few fun ideas are:

• Paint the brick

• Add a mantle or header – this can even be done for plain gas fireplaces

• Change the mantel or header

• Redecorate the mantel with statement artwork or vases

Decorative Walls

Creating a statement wall is another way to take a preexisting room and drastically change its appearance. You can create one wall that pops, or do the entire room in a bold wall covering. A few fun ideas are:

• Add decorative wall paper: Wallpaper has really come a long way with a vast variety of colors, textures, and patterns.

• Add a wall sticker: This is an enlarged piece of art that can be ordered in a variety of shapes and sizes.

• Paint a wall so it pops: This could be done by creating one wall in a standout color, or painting a unique pattern, texture, or finish.

• Add panels: There are a variety of textures of wood, stone, or fabric panels that can be added to your wall to create fun focal points. These panels can even be custom built to incorporate your entertainment system or to include custom-lighted walls.

A Statement Piece

Finding a statement piece that calls attention when you enter the room is a great way to create a focal point. Consider a unique piece of art, a standout couch and chairs, or a beautiful antique piece that can be used as the inspiration for how you design your entire room. A few fun ideas are:

• A unique piece of art: This could be a sculpture, wall art, or a series of strategically placed vases.

• Distinctive furniture: This could have a standout pattern or color, a unique shape or texture, or be accented by one-of-a-kind pillows.

• An antique piece: An intricately crafted armoire, a table you just can’t take your eyes off of, or an antique piece reupholstered in a modern fabric.

The Great Outdoors

There are several strategies you can take with your landscaping that will not only create a focal point, but will make it the ideal place to entertain. A few fun ideas are:

• Build something: This could be a beautiful patio, deck, archway in the yard, or a gazebo.

• Plant an eye-catching tree: The type of tree will need to be determined by the climate in your area, but consider standout tress like a flame maple, a Japanese cherry blossom, a weeping willow, or a twisted or sprawling tree.

• Build a secret garden: Create an enclosed flower garden with a small pathway that leads to a man-made pond.

• Other elements: This could include a rock garden, a fountain, a bonfire pit, or a gaming area.

Creating fun focal points both inside and outside of your home allows you to express your signature style, makes your home uniquely yours, and gives you a place you enjoy sharing with your friends and family.

Guest Post By:

This article was contributed by Chase Roberts, home & garden connoisseur, personal decorator, and all-around handyman. If a gorgeous new patio or driveway is your idea of a unique outdoor focal point, Chase recommends Houston Pavers, highly-skilled pavers in Houston TX

24 Blogs Showcasing DIY Methods for Adding Crown Molding to Your Home

June 25, 2013adminDIY Projects, Home Improvement TipsDIY projects, home decor, home improvement, remodeling tips1 Comment

If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to improve your home, crown molding adds an elegant touch without breaking the bank. The addition of crown molding gives any room an automatic upgrade, making it appear more refined than those without it. Bookcases, kitchen cabinets and doorways can also get a makeover by adding some crown molding. To learn how to add crown molding around your home, read these 24 blog entries.

Walls

Many older homes have crown molding, but newer homes rarely come equipped with it. While a lack of crown molding gives a room a more contemporary feel, if you want to add an elegant, polished touch then crown molding is the way to go. To learn how to add crown molding to the walls in your room, take a look at these six blog articles.

Bookcases

You can buy crown molding fairly inexpensively at home improvement stores, and adding it to a bookcase instantly transforms a plain piece of furniture to something with a little more character. Adding crown molding is simple enough for a do-it-yourselfer to do, and the most important thing to do is measure, measure, measure! For tips on how to successfully figure out how to cut and measure crown molding, look at these six blog posts.

Kitchen Cabinets

Many kitchens are equipped with cabinets that end flush against the ceiling; by adding crown molding to the top of the cabinets you can give the kitchen a higher end, more finished appearance. The process for adding crown molding to kitchen cabinets is very similar to adding crown molding to a bookcase. You have to have a surface to nail the crown molding to, so it’s often necessary to install a scrap piece of wood to the top of the cabinets. This scrap can be as small as a one by one inch piece of trim. Take a look at these six blog entries to learn more about how to install crown molding to your kitchen cabinets and to see what a difference it can make in the appearance of your kitchen.

Doors

By adding crown molding above a doorway you can make an outside entrance look grander or an inside doorway look richer. You can even add a piece of plywood above the door first and install the crown molding above that to give the room more architectural detail. If you would like to try adding molding to your doorways, check out these six blog articles.

Author Bio:

Jeralyn Nelson is the content editor for “housesittingjobs.com“. She loves writing article on interior decorations. You can check out her recently published article at “http://www.housesittingjobs.com/blog/24-blogs-showcasing-diy-methods-for-adding-crown-molding-to-your-home/“.

Focusing on Interior Design with a Home Remodel

June 19, 2013adminhome remodelingDIY projects, home decor, home improvement, home remodeling, remodeling tips3 Comments

Photo Courtesy of: (http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2191/2270050591_04dae84ed5_z.jpg?zz=1)

Maybe you are looking to redo the kitchen and get rid of those gaudy cabinets – or perhaps you are appalled by the color of the walls in your living room – or you hate that carpet in your dining room…maybe you want to remodel your whole house! Remodeling is common these days as styles and trends constantly change. What may have been appealing in the 90s may not look so great anymore and that is why homeowners across the country are looking into complete home remodels. When one goes on such a venture, it is crucial to keep interior design in mind.

What does interior design cover? It is a very wide field that extends from the pattern of the kitchen tiles to the placement of the television in the living room to the types of lights in the bathroom. Essentially, you are trying to lay out and decorate your whole home to the fullest extent.

Here are some key things to keep in mind as you go about designing your home:

· Space– You will need space to move around, so any congested areas of a room should be cleared up.

· Color– The color of each room should be taken into consideration. Many psychologists believe that the wall colors affect moods. For example, green fits a bedroom because it is calming, red is best for a dining room because it encourages an appetite, and blue for an office because it encourages productivity, et cetera. Colors within rooms must be paid attention to as well. No homeowner would want the couches to severely contrast the walls; colors are meant to complement or match one another.

· Furniture– Looking at how tables match the room matter too. What type of wooden table or table material would best match the floor and walls?

· Flooring– Certain rooms, such as those that have a lot of moisture, need tile and others need laminate flooring. Since each room is different in color and settings, flooring needs to be viewed uniquely for each of them.

There are so many things to consider when enduring an interior design project that many homeowners decide to call in an interior design specialist, someone who has specifically trained to format rooms well and match colors properly. The expertise of an interior designer can take a lot of weight off the shoulders of the homeowner and it can lead to some great results! Remodeling a home is no easy project, but it can be rewarding in the end as long as you take the proper considerations beforehand. It takes work to make your house beautiful!

Guest Post By:
About Emily Porter:

I am an interior designer based out of Houston, Texas. I love to provide and share knowledge on home interior design and improvement. I own my own interior design-focused blog, “Floors by Emily” and also do some freelance blogging for Floor & Decor, a factory direct flooring company.

Budget Home Improvements: Seeing Home Repair as an Investment

June 14, 2013adminhome improvement, Home Improvement Tips, home remodelingbasement renovation, bathroom remodeling, home addition, home improvement, home remodeling, kitchen remodeling, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

It may be that your house hasn’t seen any home improvement for quite some time: the bathroom is covered with wallpaper, the kitchen appliances are avocado green, and the shag carpet in your living room keeps asking you to a Gloria Gaynor concert. It just may be time for renovation.

Renovating your home not only makes it a more enjoyable and comfortable place to live, but it is a wise investment. However, not all renovations are worth the time, the effort, and the cost of improvement. According to a report by US News, there are certain renovations that offer larger returns than others.

Kitchens and Bathrooms

Most realtors will tell you that bathrooms (specifically the master bathroom) and the kitchen are typically the most important rooms of the house. The kitchen, in particular, is the first area potential home buyers notice. This is where people tend to congregate, thus it needs to be both welcoming and modern.

Bathrooms, on the other hand, aren’t really known for crowds. Instead, they are known as places where people can relax and pamper themselves. When a bathroom remodel is done correctly – with a custom shower, dual sinks, stellar lighting, or granite countertops – they can yield an average investment return of 62 percent.

Additional Notable Areas

Other renovations that are worth the investment include adding more livable square footage and new windows. When it comes to the former, more is definitely better. Turning an attic into a bedroom or finishing a basement can have a positive effect on the selling price of your home. People are drawn to homes that offer larger areas in which to play, rest, or simply hang out.

Adding windows can also be quite profitable. New windows may be expensive, but they add value to your home in several ways. They are aesthetically appealing, but they are also practical. Old windows tend to leak, letting in cold air in the winter and warm air in the summer. This leakage can sky rocket the cost of heating and air conditioning.

Home Offices and Sunrooms

On the flip side, home offices and sunrooms aren’t typically the best investments. While working from home has become commonplace in the job force, most people don’t require a full office to do it. Usually a computer and some storage cabinets can suffice. Home buyers often find that there are other things they would rather do with this space.

A sunroom renovation may be equally futile. This is particularly true in areas where the weather is extreme. In states with winter weather, sunrooms are usually too cold; in states with hot summer weather, sunrooms can get way too stuffy to be comfortable. Thus, they are really only good investments in areas where the weather is mild for most of the year. There’s no point to a sunroom if you can’t use it.

To Build or Not to Build

Making the choice to remodel, modernize, or build an addition is a big decision. It takes a significant amount of commitment and money. However, as demonstrated above, certain updates may well be worth it. Renovating may also be necessary.

According to CNN, remodeling is surging among homeowners, who are hopeful with the surge in home values. In fact, spending on home improvements reached $131 billion in 2012. This was the highest mark since 2006. With so many improvements, homeowners might have to renovate merely to keep up with the Joneses.

This article was contributed by Chase Roberts, home & garden connoisseur, personal decorator, and all-around handyman. Chase recommends Remedy Roofing for homeowners in Dallas looking to make a great long-term investment in their home.

Bruzzese Home Improvements specializes in kitchen and bathroom renovations, additions, window replacement and pretty much all your home improvement needs. Give us a call or shoot us an email to schedule your free in home estimate! ~Gary B.

Feng Shui At Home

June 5, 2013adminDIY Projects, Home Improvement TipsDIY projects, home decor, home improvement, home trends, remodeling tipsLeave a comment

Creating a lovely and truly comfortable home environment is a dream we all want to achieve and accomplish. However, it is very difficult to combine the modern and elegant with the convenient and cozy. Sometimes that balance is missing in a premise or even in the entire house which actually leads to a serious problem and lapse in a home’s flow. There is one ancient and old,but still interesting and attractive, eastern art that symbolizes the beauty, comfort and harmony we need to maintain our personal snugness and calmness at home.

Feng Shui is an old but still modern and contemporary flow that drives balance, peace, love and harmony into your home. The only thing you have to do is to learn some basic information about this ancient Eastern flow. Then, you can easily perform some Feng Shui home decoration in your home with no difficulties. Feng Shui is the symbol of balance, peace, love and harmony inside a home because ancient Eastern people used to believe that the home is the protective stronghold of a person and the home is where people`s problems and spiritual life starts.

In a Feng Shui-decorated and organized home, there must be placed five particular elements which are balanced and arranged in harmony. Wood, fire, metal, earth, and water are the powers of the Feng Shui Art. As soon as you start placing the furniture and the decor in each of these premises in your personal home, consider the elements that will symbolize these forces. Wooden furniture such as elegant coffee tables or a massive dining table in a Gothic style could perform the wood present, while the fire may be expressed by a lovely fireplace in the corner. The Eastern wise men believed that in each of the corners of the premise should be placed one single symbol from the Feng Shui doctrine.

Water may be either a decorative fountain in the living room, if you have enough free space, or a vase with fresh flowers. In order to bring in something that will symbolize the earth, you may either put a super cool globe or a décor in earth nuance – brown or green. Finally – the metal – is the easiest element from the Feng Shui tendency. Metal pieces of furniture or metal shelves on the walls are the perfect solution for your interior design. However, Feng Shui is also about the balance of the colors at home. According to the Eastern flow, they should be perfectly combined if you want to achieve a healthy and harmonious atmosphere at your home . The positive energy should be coming from one single bright nuance – green, red or yellow – and the surrounding area should be colored in a neutral palette – white, beige or light blue.

Guest Post By:

Bio: Ella Andrews is writer and blogger with great flair for home decoration and home maintenance themes. Ella is constantly searching for new sources of inspiration. Therefore she is presently focused mainly on stylish and sophisticated home decoration thematic. For further helpful tips, visit: http://www.movingservicesremovals.co.uk/removals/NW6-movers-kilburn.html

Do you use Feng Shui in your home? We’d love to hear your comments!

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