Top 7 Winter DIY Projects

Top 7 Winter DIY Projects

Winter months bring cold days and long nights. While you wait for the weather to warm up so you can get out into the garden, there are still plenty of great DIY projects to tackle, even in the winter. Here are 7 terrific ideas for the Do it Yourselfer in you.

1.     Paint Your Walls – Paint an accent wall or an entire room with a fresh color.

2.     Declutter – Sure this sounds like a fancy name for house cleaning, but decluttering is more than that. Remove excess furnishings to make your rooms seem larger and more inviting.

3.     Update Your Kitchen –A new backsplash or cabinet pulls can quickly change the look and feel of your kitchen.

4.     Add Insulation – This will provide instant satisfaction as those cold, drafty rooms feel warm and cozy. If you have some real skill, you can include changing out old windows or doors as well.

5.     Smarten Up – This is a great time to automate your home with Smart devices. Add security cameras, a smart thermostat or smart lights and plugs.

6.     Build Something – For the handy, winter months are a great time to add cabinets, a TV hutch or bookshelves to your home.

7.     Re-Grout Your Tile – From kitchen counters to floors, re-grouting can freshen up the room.

Home Improvements with High ROIs

Home Improvements with High ROI

Is your house a little dated? Do you want to make some improvements or upgrades but also want to make sure that you get the best bang for your buck if you decide to sell? Not all home improvements bring a good return on investment when selling, so unless the improvement is simply for your own style and enjoyment, choosing projects with higher ROI just make sense.

Home Improvements with High ROI

• Add square footage – The best return on investment is adding space. Converting an attic or basement into a family room, adding a room or bathroom or even installing a garden room or outside kitchen will bring solid returns when selling.

• Bathroom and Kitchens – Remodeling a bathroom or kitchen will always bring more than their cost when selling. Create simple and soothing environments where a future owner can imagine themselves. Avoid heavy period-style cabinetry and surfaces.

• Doors and Windows – Upgraded doors and windows can really add impact to a room. Not only do current options save energy, they come in a wide variety of styles and finishes to accentuate the space.

• Garage Doors – If you have an old or weathered garage door, this is a relatively inexpensive way to dress up your home.

• Paint – Fresh paint is inexpensive and makes the home appear new and modern. Choose calm tones which compliment any décor.

Regardless of whether you’re considering a weekend project or a major remodel, understanding the return on your investment can help you make the best choice for your project. Home improvements can be costly and if you’re considering listing your home for sale in the future, make sure you can recapture your cost.

Seek A Consultation with me prior to doing any major renovations for selling your home,

Latest Backsplash Kitchen Trends

Latest Kitchen Backsplash Trends

This year, kitchen design shows are filled with new materials, patterns and colors as enthusiasts look for the latest trends and styles.

As we leave the dark granite countertops behind, kitchens are getting lighter, brighter and more streamlined looks. These new backsplashes are design statement pieces in their own right, creating a uniquely modern feel to the space. With a focus on sleek surfaces and natural elements, here are the latest trends for kitchen backsplashes.

• Mixed materials – layers of stone mix with sleek metal trims or soft wood to create layer upon layer of design.

• Higher Profiles – the backsplash is no longer a 6” continuation of the countertop. Taller profiles and accent-wall styling are new trends.

• Bold Patterns – geometric tone-on-tone designs create visual interest.

• Subway Tiles – after so many of us removed the old white tile of our kitchens, designers are bringing them back in interesting shapes and patterns.

• Veins – larger granite, quartz or natural stone pieces are used as focal points, adding drama and depth.

• Backsplash Shelves – one of the latest design trends is to create a ledge or shelf along the top of a high-profile backsplash.

• Solid Wall – this last trend is eliminating a backsplash entirely and adding a stone “wall” in the kitchen, removing any visual distinction and creating a sleek, clean line.

2020 design trends are contemporary and exciting. After years of cozy kitchens and dark woods, these kitchens are light and bright; mixing soft natural stone and wood with hard, urban features for a modern, functional kitchen that suits any home style.

Top 3 Inexpensive Hardwoods

Top 3 Inexpensive Hardwoods

 Most people have thought about installing hardwood floors at one time or another. The natural beauty of wood brings a soft, elegance to any home. Today, hardwoods are not just for floors. Modern homes feature hardwoods for counters, back splashes and even entire walls.

Traditionally an expensive material to work with, there are inexpensive hardwoods that will bring that ambiance you crave with a price tag that won’t shock your wallet.

Top 3 Inexpensive Hardwoods

1.     Bamboo – Our first inexpensive hardwood isn’t really wood at all. Bamboo is actually a grass yet it’s harder than most hardwoods. Bamboo comes in only two shades – light and dark (boiled) – yet because of the variety in the plant itself, there are many color options available.

2.     Hickory – Hickory is most often used in rustic or country style homes. A very strong wood, it’s perfect for homes with high traffic and provides great durability and value for the price. With proper stain, hickory can take on a light, pine, tone or a darker, richer look.

3.     Lyptus – Never heard of lyptus? You’re not alone. Lyptus is commonly mistaken for mahogany. Beautiful and durable, lyptus costs a fraction of the cost of actual mahogany and provides the same lustrous look.

Hardwoods come in a large variety of tones, hardness and finishes. With so many to choose from and nice options starting at prices comparable to quality carpet, many homeowners and designers are incorporating hardwoods in their homes than ever before.