Remodeling Archives - Page 2 of 7

Home Building Regrets

Building your own home is the ultimate way to have it completely customized to your wants and needs. When buying or building a home, most people have a list of their requirements. How else will you know what to look for or add? But, sometimes you don’t know what you need until it’s, well, not there. If you’re shelling out the kind of money you need to build a new home, don’t be afraid to splurge on the things that you know you’ll want. Why spend that kind of money if it’s not perfect? Check out this post by Erin at How To Nest For Less for things she wishes she had included when building her home:

-More windows- the more natural light, the better.

-More outlets in the basement. More outlets everywhere- in today’s digital age, you simply cannot have too many outlets.

-Extra cabinets on empty walls in kitchen- it’s difficult to add cabinets later.

Photo Credit: Allen McGregor

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Ready for a New Dishwasher?

by Kathy T.

If you’re remodeling your kitchen, either for home value or just personal taste, chances are that you’ll totally want to revamp the appliances. Personally, I’m not a huge snob in this area- if a machine cleans my dishes for me and gets the job done, I’m satisfied. However, for those of you looking to sell your home, having new and updated appliances gives your home a different kind of shiny, futuristic allure. If you’re in the market, check out this post by Janet Hall at Remodelista for some great tips on how to pick the best dishwasher:

-Figure out your kitchen’s size constraints

-What are your cleaning habits? What features do you need in a washer?

-What interior features do you need?

-Is quietness essential?

-How do you want it to look?

-What is your budget?

Photo Credit: Goedeker’s

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Home Features We Don’t Use Anymore…But Should

by Kathy T.

I love old homes- I feel like they just have more character than newer ones built in the last 30 years or so. Part of it is in the history- you wonder who lived there before, and what their lives were like. Part of it is the craftsmanship- while homes today are built faster, there’s nothing like an older home made of brick or stone. Another part of the character of older homes is the features that modern homes have deemed obsolete. You know what I mean- laundry chutes, mail slots, dumbwaiters, etc. But why? I’d much rather toss my laundry into a chute in my room instead of lugging it all the way downstairs and across the entire house. For more old home features that are due for a comeback, check out this post at Bobvila.com:

-Sleeping porches- for sleeping in the fresh air

-Transom windows- They admitted natural light to front hallways and interior rooms before the advent of electricity

-Intercoms- If you’d prefer to avoid any hardwiring, opt instead for a phone system with built-in intercom functionality.

Check out the full slide show here!

Photo Credit: Henderer Design + Build

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Don’t (Over)Do It! Home Improvements That Will Cost You

by Kathy T.

First of all, if you are doing home improvements just because they make you happy and you want them, go right ahead. Living in your home and don’t plan to ever move? Install a water slide from your top floor to your swimming pool. Drill holes all over the walls. Cut out trap doors between rooms. Paint every room a different neon color. Spend millions on intricate landscaping and fountains. If you have the money, go crazy! But, if you are doing home improvements simply to add value to your home…some of those options might not pay off. Ok, all of them are terrible ideas. Most of the time, bigger (more expensive) is not always better. For the home improvements that will actually cost you in the long run, check out this post by Lindsey Schroeder at House Hunt:

-Swimming pools- Experts across the real estate industry agree that pools almost never add to a home’s value, and sometimes they actually decrease home prices.

-Go with minor improvements over upscale remodels every time- It’s always a good idea to remodel a room that hasn’t seen attention in decades-add some new carpet and fresh paint. Research suggests, however, that you’ll lose big on additions and high-end remodels.

-Don’t overdo the landscaping- A minor amount of landscaping is one of the best ways to increase your home’s value, especially if it adds a touch of much-needed curb appeal.

Photo Credit: Prayitno

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Friday Fun Video: Planning A Kitchen Remodel? Watch This

by Kathy T.

Some great tips if you are thinking of remodeling your kitchen!

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Should You Install A Barn Door?

by Kathy T.

I love the look of barn doors inside the home! They have a great rustic appeal, and instead of opening on a hinge, they slide. They can be great statement pieces, or used as a simple way to hide a closet or other unsightly areas. However, if you don’t plan the room design out ahead of time, they can stick out like a sore thumb. If you’re considering putting in a sliding barn door, read this post by Melisa Bleasdale at Houzz first:

-Always know the structural stability of the area before putting in/ taking out anything.

-Keep in mind what you’re covering up: barn doors essentially hover over the space, not lying flush like a regular door. Therefore, they may not be ideal for bathrooms.

-What look are you going for? Make sure that the door adds to the rest of the room, rather than detracting from it.

Photo Credit: Paul J. Everett

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Common Bathroom Mistakes

by Kathy T.

Renovating the bathroom is a common step for people trying to boost their resale value. While it can certainly add some serious oomph to your home, if you’re not careful, you could end up losing money. Most are just overlooked– and they’re easy fixes. Check out this article by Marie Proeller Hueston at Zillow for help:

-Don’t ignore the bathroom fan- replace old fans, keep them clean.

-Always have a clear plan before demolishing

-Be realistic about budget

-Always fix even the smallest mistakes

Photo Credit: EvelynnGiggles

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Painting Over Paneling

by Kathy T.

Growing up, my grandfather’s house was COVERED, wall-to-wall, with wood paneling. Personally, I liked it. He had a cabin in the country, and it always felt very cozy there, and it brings back some great memories just thinking about it. But, if you are not someone’s grandpa with a country cottage, wood paneling is probably not the look you’re going for. It’s honestly a bit dated (although I’m sure there are ways to make it work). One way to “get rid” of it without completely gutting it is to simply paint over the paneling. Check out this guide by Angie at Postcards From The Ridge for an extremely in depth tutorial:

–The first thing to do is evaluate the type of paneling that you have. Is it textured or smooth? Glossy or flat/matte? This will be important in determining the right primer to purchase.

–Before you prime it, clean it.

–Once you’ve cleaned, caulked, and allowed the caulk to dry, then you’re ready to prime.

–After the primer dries, you’re ready to paint the paneling.

Photo Credit: Texture X

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The Best Bang For Your Buck: Remodels That Pay Off

by Kathy T.

Some people remodel their homes because they love their house, but hate old appliances and dated designs. Some people remodel strictly for higher home values. Most people are a combination of both. Of course you want to live in a beautiful, updated home! And if you ever decide to sell, most remodels translate into serious dollars for you. If you want to focus more on growing your home’s value, check out this post by Judy Martel at the Bankrate blog. Hint: it’s all about appearances and adding curb appeal. Surprisingly, less expensive quick fixes pay off more than big budget constructions:

Highest resale improvements: Replacing entryway with a steel door, new deck additions, new siding, new garage doors.

Medium resale: Bathroom, kitchen remodels, replace windows, room addition.

Photo Credit: Armchair Builder

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The Power of Passageways

by Kathy T.

A passageway doesn’t need to be secret to add intrigue to a house! By including bookshelves, alcoves, or molding in a normal walkway, you can add big impact with limited square footage. Check out this gallery by Elizabeth Miller at Houzz for some awesome passageway inspiration! It has some gorgeous ideas for unexpected shelving, tiny libraries, creating borders between spaces, arches, and other passageway ideas. Here are some benefits:

-Improve circulation through high traffic areas

-Adds architectural interest

-Adds transition areas between rooms

-Creates nooks and other cubbies

-Improves living space and makes it more eyecatching.

Photo Credit: Houzz

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