Remodel Your Kitchen: Here Are 10 Reasons Why

Remodel Your Kitchen: Here are 10 Reasons Why

Remodel your kitchen to your liking. The kitchen is where you prepare delicious meals for your family. A hearty meal shared in the dining table is one way to create a stronger bond with each family member. That's why it pays to have a kitchen that is functional enough to serve this purpose. 

Take a walk through your kitchen and assess whether it's time for some remodeling. It can entail some cost, but it wouldn't match the convenience you'll have once make the most out of this change. 

To guide you through your decision making, we have put together 10 reasons why it's already time to remodel your kitchen.

1. Energy Savings

A lot of equipment has upgraded to have an energy savings feature. Now that the cost of electricity is getting high, it's time to invest and upgrade your kitchen equipment because it will pay off in the long run. 

2. Lifestyle

Food preparation depends on your lifestyle. What worked for you before might not be working for you now. Your preferences can change and expand. It's time to look around your kitchen and check whether you will need some addition or removal. 

3. Deterioration

A lot of action is happening in your kitchen, so it's inevitable that some spots would run down. Tiles can break from food preparations; cabinets might be too old already, some appliances might no longer be useful, and so on. Check your kitchen for any signs of deterioration and address it to prevent more significant problems to happen. 

4. A Fresh Look

Cooking also needs some motivation. If you feel like you need to move some things around to rechannel positive energies, then do so. A fresh look can reinvigorate your love for your kitchen. 

5. Modernity

Technological developments are sprouting left and right. Don't let your kitchen be left behind. These developments mean to cut short your preparation time. Give your kitchen a touch of modernity by upgrading your kitchen equipment or by changing your kitchen environment. 

6. Special Needs

Needs can change over time. If you have a differently-abled family member, then it's time to remodel your kitchen in a way that would cater to their needs. 

7. Gourmet Kitchen

If you're someone who spends a lot of time in the kitchen, then we're sure that you're gradually remodeling your kitchen to achieve your dream kitchen. It can take time, especially that kitchen equipment can be pricey, but you'll eventually get there. 

8. Home Improvement TV

You might have bumped into a home improvement show on TV, and this gave you some kitchen remodeling ideas. Act on this inspiration if you think it will be for the best. 

9. Financial Incentives

Upgrading your kitchen equipment into energy-saving ones can give you a consistent financial incentive. Some governments offer rebates if you exchange your current material to energy savings one. 

10. Value

If you are planning to sell your property, remodeling your kitchen can increase your property's value. It would be best if you renovate your kitchen in a way that will be appealing to potential buyers.

There you have it! You have many reasons you can go to on why the need to remodel your kitchen. So, look around, and start to remodel your kitchen.

Guest Contributor, Dana Laksman

Interior Paint Colors: A Comprehensive Selection Guide

Interior Paint Colors: A Comprehensive Selection Guide

When trying to decide on the perfect color or color scheme for your interior, do know that you absolutely don’t have to rely solely on the traditional color choice for a particular decorating style you have going on. Instead, it’s always better to start off with your favorite colors and work your way around.

If you make your favorite color the base of your design, you’ll be able to create a color scheme around it that will work perfectly for your interior. Besides, this way, you’ll be able to create a completely unique color palette with your favorite color working as the base, which will allow you to reflect your personality in your interior design with ease. So, let’s see what are some of the main points you should pay attention to when choosing the perfect colors for your interior.

Find your inspiration

To start off, you will first need to get inspired. While we once used to draw inspiration from décor magazines and catalogs, nowadays, the Internet is the place where it’s at. With websites, such as Pinterest, allowing you to browse through different shades and hues and even create your own inspiration boards, choosing the right color for your interior has never been easier. So, allow yourself to get inspired and learn how you can decorate your home with your favourite colour, without making it too overwhelming.

Determine your favorite color

One of the easiest ways you can determine your favorite color is to inspect your wardrobe. All of us have wardrobes filled with items in various colors and hues, but in every single one, there is bound to be one color that sticks out the most. We usually tend to gravitate more towards certain hues without ever realizing it every time, so chances are that the most dominant color in your wardrobe is your favorite one. Alternatively, you can even find a color wheel on the internet – the more detailed, the better – and spend some time looking at it. Chances are that one color, or even shade, will speak to you more than the rest – it’s safe to assume that that’s your favorite one.

Get creative

When trying to implement your favorite color in your interior design, you need to be somewhat careful. If, for instance, your favorite color is red, simply painting the entire room in this shade would turn out to be a bad idea. However, these interior painting experts from Sydney, for example, suggest that if your favorite shade is such a vibrant one, you can choose to implement it in your design through details, rather than wall paint. This means that you should stick to neutrals – most commonly whites – for your walls, and introduce your favorite color through throw pillows, area rugs, wall art and even painted bookshelves.

Pay attention to lighting

If the room you’re about to paint is exposed to a lot of natural light throughout the day, do know that it can significantly affect the final outcome of the paint job. Let’s say, as an example, that you’ve chosen a light grey shade as your wall color. If the wall you’ve decided to apply it to is well-illuminated during the day, the shade will appear to be much lighter than it actually is. However, versed painting experts will warn you about this potential issue and will even advise you on how to avoid it altogether – usually by going with a deeper shade on the sunniest walls and treating the rest of them with the shade you’ve originally chosen.

When choosing the perfect color scheme for your interior, make sure you take some time and really think things through. And if you want to go with a color your other housemates really strongly dislike, consider making a compromise and choosing some different shade together.

Guest Contributor, Lillian Connors

How To Clean Up After A Home Remodel

How To Clean Up After A Home Remodel

A successful remodel can leave you with an incredible sense of satisfaction. It can also leave you with an unbelievable amount of dust and debris. Cleanup is a natural part of the renovation process, of course, but it's often frustrating if you haven't prepared for all the tiny details involved in tidying up.

Many homeowners tend to underestimate the work they have to do post-project. They're more concerned with the project itself — the granite they want for their kitchen counter tops or the wood for their flooring. While these are critical considerations of a renovation, they are only a partial view of the bigger picture.

More specifically, you'll need to keep things neat and orderly once you've finished your work. It isn't always as simple as it seems, so we'll walk you through everything you need to know about cleaning up your home after a remodel. Follow these five suggestions to manage waste and maintain cleanliness.

1. Vacuum and Mop the Floors

Your vacuum is one of your most valuable assets when cleaning up. If you have carpeting, pass over it several times to ensure you've removed all the dust and particles you possibly can. Wood, tile or linoleum floors will need a quick mopping as well, so make sure to wash them after you've vacuumed.

As for your upholstered furniture, you might have kept it under wraps while you were working — but dust always finds a way. It's essential to vacuum these areas as well, so use the upholstery attachment to get in those hard-to-reach places. Also, attend to any accessories or fabric window treatments.

2. Recycle the Correct Materials

Misplaced items in recycling bins are a frequent problem, with an average contamination rate of approximately 25% for communities and businesses. Far too often, non-recyclables taint recycling batches. Fortunately, a little selectivity with your recycling can help manage the issue.

Recycling practices are distinct in different areas, so you should do a bit of research before you move forward. In general, you're free to recycle cardboard and paper, glass, metal and rigid plastic. But again, look into the details of what you can and can't recycle, as it's somewhat complicated.

3. Clean the Walls of Any Residue

Your walls and molding will also need a good cleaning, but you shouldn't just scrub them down with a damp towel. That method is effective if you're working with old paint, but new paint is far more sensitive. You'll need to dry dust the walls if you've applied a fresh coat during your project.

It's best to use the brush attachment on your vacuum if you're dealing with textured wallpaper or natural materials like grass cloth. Other wallpapers are OK to wipe down with a damp cloth, but spot-check them first. And if you have trouble reaching high places, wrap the towel around an extension duster or broom.

4. Check and Replace Your Air Filters

Painters will sometimes remove filters as they work, and they'll occasionally forget to put them back in. This small oversight can damage your HVAC system, so it's critical to check your filters after the job is complete. You can save yourself a substantial sum of money by taking just a few minutes.

Of course, your air filters deserve attention whether or not your project involves painting. If your filters remained in place during construction, it's advisable to replace them with a new one. With all the dust, particles and residue the average remodel produces, your system may need a new filter to maintain its efficiency.

5. Take a Proactive Approach If Possible

A proactive approach is always preferable to more work. If you haven't started your project yet, you can take steps to streamline the cleanup process. One of the top methods for keeping clean during a renovation is engaging in daily cleanup, managing the mess little by little to reduce your overall workload.

To that end, you should talk to your contractor about their daily cleanups. When you prompt them to tidy up the area after they've finished for the day, it'll eliminate much of the dust and debris that would otherwise circulate through your house. It's a small but effective measure to consider.

Cleaning up After a Home Remodel

As you move forward, follow the five suggestions above. You'll see it's easy to clean up after a remodel, and immensely rewarding when the project is finally over.

Guest Contributor, Holly Welles

Holly Welles is a home improvement writer who believes anyone can make the most of their space. You can find more of her work on her blog, The Estate Update.

Simple Ways to Make Your Home More Secure

Simple Ways to Make Your Home More Secure

No matter where you live and how safe you think you are, the chances are you probably aren’t as safe as you feel. There are lots of threats that could put your family and your home in danger, and fighting these is the only way to stay protected. From burglars to weather disasters, making your home more secure is a must, so here are a couple of simple ways to do that.

Focus on the front doors

This is the main point of entry for potential burglars, which is why your front doors need to be as protected and safe as possible. Securing them is a must, and some of the ways to do that include installing a deadbolt, adding a strike plate, or, if you’re a fan of smart technology, upgrading to smart locks that perform better than your traditional locks. Hire someone to inspect your front doors and determine how secure they really are, and, if necessary, replace them as soon as you can.

Check the windows

The windows are another easy way for burglars to enter your home, and this is quite a big problem for people living in old houses with outdated windows. These do basically nothing for your safety, which is why installing new windows is needed. Alternatively, you can reinforce the glass with some security film, add window bars, and install sensors that alert you if something bad is happening.

Change the locks

This is another amazing way to make sure nobody enters your home without you knowing it. Changing the locks on all your doors – from the front doors to the garage doors – and giving the key only to the members of your family is crucial. If you have kids, teach them how to be responsible and never lose their key, but don’t worry if that happens anyway. You just need to figure out a way how to solve the situation, which is why you might want to find reliable locksmiths in your area and call them if you get locked out. Changing the locks is a simple solution that goes a long way, so take it into consideration straight away.

Invest in a security system

While this may not be your favorite way to spend money, investing in a home security system is one of the best ideas when it comes to taking the safety of your family and property to a whole new level. These systems are easy to install and maintain, but the level of safety and a sense of security they bring with them is amazing. You can even install them on your own and customize your security system so that it fits your specific needs, which is why this is a project you should definitely look into.

Purchase a safe

No matter how much money you make, having a safe in your home is a must. However, not every safe is good enough, and you should make sure it’s waterproof, fire-resistant, and protected enough to keep your valuable items safe against burglars. Find a place to hide it – your attic, your walls, your stairs, and even your floor are among the most popular hiding places – and you can be sure your safe will never be found, even if burglars somehow manage to enter your home.

Some of the other ways to stay safe in this day and age include installing some motion-activated lights in your backyard, using a smart garage door opener, purchasing smoke alarms and installing them in every room of your home, and making sure you always lock all your doors and windows whenever you’re leaving home or going to bed.

 Guest Contributor, Lillian Connors

5 Effective Home Improvement Tips To Grab The Attention of Your Guests or Buyers

5 Effective Home Improvements Tips To Grab The Attention of Your Guests or Buyers

Almost every person cares about interior design. Even those who say they don’t would much rather spend time in a pleasantly decorated space, than in a home that looks drab and boring. Of course, having a beautiful home isn’t a must, but it can definitely help, especially if you ever decide to sell it. First impressions are important, so here are some decor tips on how to increase the attention and awe of your prospective buyers and visitors alike:

Make your home well-lit

If you want to attract attention to your home, the first step would be to make your home well-lit, as it’ll seem bigger and more beautiful. You can do it by installing bigger windows, or simply removing window blinds, and instead, you can add breezy and light curtains, that will let enough light in, but also maintain your privacy. Another option would be strategically placing one or two mirrors, as they reflect the light, and make the home look brighter. This one is especially useful if you don’t have enough windows or access to natural sunlight. Also, it would be helpful to paint the walls in a bright, yet still neutral colour, and get furniture that isn’t heavy or too dark.

Get rid of the unnecessary junk

Maybe you have a lot of stuff that means to you on a deep, personal level. Old teenage magazines, your old stamp collection, books that you may want to reread once more...it’s all fine, but remember that guests nor buyers want to wade through your old things while trying to get in. Therefore, it’s crucial to clean and declutter everything that seems unneeded. If you don’t want to throw everything out, at least try to put things into separate storage boxes and place them somewhere where they won’t catch anyone’s attention. Also, you can donate them to your local church, school or charity, or give them to friends and relatives to keep them for you. Additionally, renting a special storage room locker is also a great choice, as your belongings will be safely stored without causing unnecessary clutter.

Keep it clean

Once you’ve gotten rid of all the junk, it’s time to clean your home. First, it’s necessary to clean the windows, kitchen counters and floors. Also, it’s important to keep the furniture clean, and if you can’t do that, at least use a sofa cover so you’ll be able to hide all the spots and stains that couldn’t be taken off. Next, you should definitely make sure that your floors, carpets and rugs are all clean and without a grain of dust. And finally, if you really don’t have time to clean by yourself, feel free to ask someone to help you, or hire a professional cleaning team who’ll do it for you.

Make your home look appealing

Having a home that is clean is the first step, it helps sell it faster, but if you really want your guests or prospective buyers to fall in love with your home, you need to beautify it as well. Now, the issue is that sometimes your taste and the taste of the overall buyers might be different and if you want to be certain that everything will be attractive you can opt for a property styling service, where an expert will make sure that everything in your home, from furniture to potted plants, is aesthetically balanced and eye-pleasing. Hiring a property stylist isn’t too expensive, and it has multiple benefits such as saving you time and giving your home the makeover it deserves.

Take care of the exterior, too

Once your interior looks all dolled up, it’s time to move on to the exterior. Taking care of your curb is a must, as this is literally the first thing everyone sees when they come for a visit. You can change the front door, or if you like it, just repaint it and change the doorknob. Make sure that your front lawn is always mowed and plant more various flowers for a more interesting appeal. Also, it’s recommended to repaint the facade, so your house will look fresh and welcoming to the guests.

Making your home look attractive doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive task, but with a bit of effort, you can definitely make it come to life and look fabulous. If you follow these tips, you’ll be amazed by the difference, just remember to be friendly and welcoming to your buyers/guests, so they’ll want to come back.

Guest Contributor, Mike Johnston

About the author: Mike Johnston is a lifestyle blogger and DIY enthusiast from Sydney. He is a regular writer at Smooth Decorator, but his articles can also be found on numerous other interior design, family-friendly, real estate and green living blogs as well. Mike’s goal is to create insightful and compelling content that will help readers navigate through these vast and ever-changing fields..

How to Stage a Home for Selling

How to Stage a Home for Selling

Should you bother with staging your home before potential buyers see it?

Think about items posted for sale on Craigslist. That “gently used” rug appears to be in great shape, but the cats or filthy highchair in the background make you think twice. 

It’s the same with houses. Good staging hides flaws and puts a home in its best light. 

It gets even better. In a recent study by the National Association of Realtors, around half of agents reported that staged homes usually sell faster and fetch higher prices. 

Set Aside Your Feelings

Don’t take this personally, but home buyers don’t especially care what you’ve done with the place. They just want to envision themselves living in it. They want a blank canvas that sparks the imagination, and your fondness for industrial chic or the color orange might stand in their way. 

You probably have exquisite taste, but the point of staging is to minimize distractions and let your house speak for itself. There’s room for a little personality, but it can’t be yours.

First Things First

It’s tempting to bust out the scented candles and arrange fresh flowers, but there’s much to be done first:

Repair and upgrade

There are easy fixes for leaky faucets, dinged walls and nasty-looking caulk. Start with cosmetic touch-ups.

Painting is one of the cheapest ways to give your house a fresh, modern look. Choose warm, mostly neutral colors that appeal to everybody. If you introduce small doses of accent color, stick to one per room.

Ask your real estate agent if major upgrades, such as wood floors or modern appliances, are worth the investment to increase your home’s value.

Thoroughly clean

What makes the strongest impression: the aroma of fresh-baked cookies or unsightly grime behind the toilet? Unsightly grime wins every time. 

Roll up your sleeves, and boldly go where no one has gone before. Don’t forget to spruce up the exterior.

Declutter

Clutter obscures your home’s best features and raises doubts about your storage space. As you reorganize and eliminate, shoot for a modern, minimalist look.

Pack up the vintage TV lunchbox collection. Run the paper shredder. Increase your closet space by storing bulky items and seasonal clothing in under-the-bed containers.

Depersonalize

You’d hate to lose a buyer just because someone in your wedding photos reminds him of his mother-in-law.

People have all sorts of prejudices, unfortunately, so don’t give potential buyers a chance to discriminate. Hide anything that indicates your race, religious beliefs, political views, sexual orientation or other personal details.

The Storage Dilemma

Now that everything’s boxed up, where do you put the boxes? What do you do with the plethora of end tables, paintings and tub toys that are taking up space?

With any luck, you can impose on a friend who has room to spare in the garage. A number of charities might love to have your stuff.

The next-best solution is to lease a storage unit short term. The expense is well worth it if your home looks cleaner and roomier.

No matter how well you arrange it, shabby or outdated furniture can spoil the effect you’re trying to achieve, which is that of a brand-new house with endless possibilities.

Consider renting more stylish pieces until your house sells. Alternatively, hire a professional stager with a storehouse full of goodies. We’ll talk more about that later, so keep reading.

Room-specific Tips

Kitchen

Stowing the coffeepot may be impractical, but nix the toaster, cereal boxes and 2-liter soda bottles. 

An attractive set of wooden spoons or cookbooks should be fine if they’re neatly displayed. A bowl of lemons or apples adds a homey touch provided the fruit is real, and the same goes for houseplants. According to realtor.com, fakery will get you nowhere.

Set the breakfast bar and dining table to suggest livability.

Living Room

Stage to scale. A cavernous space with scattered doll furniture, so to speak, looks stark and uninviting. If there’s plenty of space to walk freely, the proportions are probably right.

Master bedroom

Lose the TV. Create a serene, romantic atmosphere with fluffy pillows, a plush comforter and fresh flowers.

Put away toothbrushes and grooming products in the bathrooms. Visitors know they’re there; they just don’t want to see them.

Display only clean, fragrant towels and unused soap. Think day spa.

In every room, move anything that’s even partially blocking the windows. Open the drapes and blinds and add ambient lighting in dark spaces.

Is This a Job for the Pros?

In 2004, Meridith Baer’s rental house sold out from under her. She called a buddy who had already moved to another city. His completely empty house had been on the market for some time.

Baer got permission to arrange all her furniture — and 250 plants — in the vacant house. A bidding war ensued, and the home sold for half a million more than the asking price.

Baer subsequently launched a successful staging company.

Realtor.com estimates that a 2,000-square-foot home costs around $7,200 to stage professionally for three months. That may sound like a fortune, but it could be significantly less than your first price reduction. 

Do the math before you decide.

The Payoff

Whether you do it yourself or hire an expert, the benefits of staging can’t be denied.

In the NAR study, 83% of sellers’ agents said that staging makes it easier for buyers to visualize a property as a future home. Almost half said it boosts selling price anywhere from 1 to 20%.

If nothing else, your house will show well online, especially if you hide the cats and power wash the high chair.

Did this blog inspire you to stage before you list? Don’t hesitate to leave comments and share it with friends.

Guest Contributor, Russell Jones

Household Chemical Storage Guide

Keeping your family healthy and safe relies in part on maintaining a clean home. Unfortunately, many cleaning products used to kill germs can be harmful if used improperly. This is especially true in homes with small children and pets who might unknowingly access or be exposed to hazardous chemicals. This is why it is every homeowner’s duty to use and store household cleaning products in the safest manner.

One of the most important steps you can take in safeguarding household chemicals is to make sure all containers are clearly labeled. Labels can fade or fall off over time, so it may be necessary to write the name and contents of the cleanser onto the bottle with a permanent marker or find another way to identify what is in it. This also makes it easier for you to keep all cleaning supplies out of the reach of children, which is another key to preventing accidental usage and exposure. And when the time comes to dispose of old chemicals, you should know where your town’s disposal facility is located and what household chemicals it will accept.

Keeping your family safe and healthy requires more than regularly cleaning your home. It also means knowing what to do with those cleansers once you’re done with them. For some important tips you can use to safely store and dispose of household chemicals, see the accompanying guide.

Author bio: Lynn Place is Vice President of Marketing for SolvChem Custom Packaging Division. She has 30 years of professional experience in the manufacturing industry and specializes in consumer packaged goods, new product development and strategic planning. 

Household Chemical Storage Guide from SolvChem Custom Packaging Division

5 Safety Tips for Summer Home Maintenance Tasks

5 Safety Tips for Summer Home Maintenance Tasks

Home maintenance is a high priority in the hottest season of the year. With rising temperatures and sudden storms, you want to secure your property against the perils of summer weather. Beyond a broken HVAC system, a small leak in the roof could cause untold amounts of water damage to your ceiling and walls.

This is the perfect time to schedule inspections and make the necessary repairs. Fortunately, you can handle most maintenance tasks on your own with the right tools and a positive mindset. It's easy enough to clean your gutters, wash your deck and attend to similar duties — as long as you remain cautious.

Though most maintenance tasks seem pretty benign, no one plans for an accident. They happen without warning, when you least expect it, and you can potentially harm yourself if you don't take precautions. What should you do to mitigate the risk of injury when working around your home?

Here are five indispensable safety tips for summer home maintenance.

1. Only Work With Chemicals in Well-Ventilated Areas

Even a common task like cleaning a bathroom with chemical solutions is potentially harmful without proper ventilation. Other jobs, like repainting your interior or refinishing your floors, can also cause respiratory issues.

When you're working with chemicals in an enclosed space, open the windows to release any trapped fumes. Wear a respirator, safety goggles, gloves and sturdy footwear to avoid any chemical burns or eye injuries. Protective equipment will vary from project to project, so use your discretion.

2. Follow the Standard Protocol When Using Ladders

Your gutters play an important role in protecting the siding, doors, windows and foundation of your home from water. Naturally, you have to keep them clear of debris, but it isn't as simple as climbing the general-use ladder you store in your garage.

It's best to avoid orchard or wooden ladders, as they tend to wobble. Opt for an aluminum ladder instead. Examine it beforehand, checking for dents, defects, and loose bolts or screws, and ask someone to spot you if possible.

Remember these tips for ladder safety as well:

·     A stepladder will suffice for a one-story house, but if it has two or more stories, you'll need an extension ladder.

·     If you lean an extension ladder against your gutters, protect it by placing a short 2x4 inside.

·     Fiberglass ladders are also adequate for this type of job, but they're heavier and only good for shorter periods of work.

·     The ladder should have a shelf sturdy enough to hold a 5-gallon bucket secured with a lanyard.

·     Make sure to extend the ladder fully until the arms lock in place.

·     Keep your hips squarely between the two rails and try not to lean over the sides.

·     Stay off the top two rungs.

3. Choose the Correct Protective Equipment for the Job

You should also give thought to your gloves. You might own a cotton or leather pair, but these can cause problems. Cotton has a tendency to soak up dirty water and bacteria, and leather ones are often inflexible and shrink when they dry.

Thick, suede gloves are your best option. They'll ensure your safety and improve efficiency while cleaning, perfect for gutters.

4. Clean the Work Area After You're Finished

After you've finished a task, you'll need to clean up your work area. This may seem like an obvious suggestion, but it's all too easy to rush as you're storing tools, equipment and various items.

·     Seal containers of sensitive liquids and materials.

·     Remove power tool leads from any wall sockets.

·     Place power tools in an area inaccessible to kids.

·     Roll up extension cords, ropes and lines.

·     Fold and stow ladders in a safe location.

·     Collect and discard remaining debris.

Whether you're completing a maintenance task or working on a DIY project, these steps are essential.

5. Acknowledge Your Limitations and Ask for Help

As mentioned earlier, you can handle most tasks on your own without the help of a professional. However, it's critical to acknowledge when you need to contact someone with more experience. Many projects fall outside the category of a DIY project, and recognizing that will reduce the risk of accidents or injuries.

For example, you should leave major jobs involving gas lines, electricity and roof work to professionals. They have an informed understanding of these areas, and though you may want to save money, your safety comes first.

Choose Safety This Summer

Home maintenance is a high priority in the hottest season of the year, and now you can manage it safely. As long as you follow the five suggestions above, you can feel confident as you complete tasks around your property, secure in the knowledge you've taken the necessary precautions.

Guest Contributor, Holly Welles 

Holly Welles is a home improvement writer who believes anyone can make the most of their space. You can find more of her work on her blog, The Estate Update.

How To Renovate A House

How To Renovate A House

If you are one of those who have decided to buy an old house, inherit a property or need to renovate your home for many years, do not worry: no matter how bad some spaces look, everything can be improved.

The best thing we can do when planning a reform is to evaluate in advance what we want to do, ask for estimates and ask what type of work is required and how many weeks or months of work each replacement involves. There are three key issues that, when analyzed, prevent mistakes and unnecessary expenses. You can get more ideas about home renovation on 10ion.com.

If we are thinking about economic and simple reforms, the budgets are more limited and, the times of work, more reduced. But more than once, especially in the case of the kitchen reforms , we underestimated the deadlines and the costs and then we found ourselves with a difficult problem to travel.

You must assume from the outset that a "radical change" in your home will not be economic, because a major remodeling is often expensive. You should Product Reviews, Buyer's Guide, Why Reviews are important, What Things Needs to consider before online shopping before renovation. There are ways to spend less if you plan things well and learn which arrangements are more expensive and which require less investment . From there, according to your desires and possibilities, order your priorities and move forward.

House reforms: what you should know

Reforming a house is not something you can face from one day to the next. There are several issues to evaluate in detail:

The fundamental thing when planning a remodeling is to have clear your priorities: think about what you want to achieve. It is not the same to reform only one bathroom that to make an integral reform. Nor is it the same to make a traditional reform (raising walls, etc) that opting for dry work and cut execution times and budget. If we are going to modify the distribution of the house we must consult with an architect and also define what materials and coatings we want to put in each place

If the renovation is a simple change of face, without throwing walls, lifting floors or making structural changes, the thing is simpler. But, even so, bear in mind that, inevitably, a reform -especially if it is in bathrooms, kitchens or laundries usually demands changes in water inlets and drains, in pipes, in plugs and points of light and in coatings. You may be interested:  Water heater or hot water tank: the ideal option for each house.

One of the main excuses or factors that discourage us when starting work at home is time. As fast as it may be, a remodeling always alters the routine and order of the home , which makes it difficult to find the ideal moment. But doing a "refresh" at home renews the energy and totally changes a space.

If your house is small and you want to enlarge it, there are small tricks that help us create much wider spaces: take advantage of the outside space (like a small patio or terrace to enjoy with the family) or I grew up, adding a second level . You may be interested:  different types of stairs for indoor and outdoor .

Keep in mind that the extensions are not all external. If the house has many environments and partitions, it is advisable to eliminate some to have large spaces , which will make the sense of spaciousness inside the house multiply considerably, creating a much more welcoming and social.

If the height allows it, it is important to raise the ceilings to expand the space, but having analyzed well where the facilities will be passed.

The small environments can be reset with good decorating tricks, which give the feeling of a much wider space. We share some keys to decorate a small kitchen or a small bathroom.

Painting and renovating the curtains you can renovate quite an environment: you can see ideas of paint colors for interiors and  models of curtains for windows.

How to reform an old house

Remodeling environments has its complexity, but when we want to find out how to renovate an old house the thing gets even more difficult, because more than once we have to touch structures and rethink measures. In general, it involves changes in the facade, interior and domestic equipment. A refresh is not enough. The ideal in these cases is for an architect or builder to see the plans and advise us.

A good idea is to renovate the exterior with modern color combinations , which completely reinterpret the appearance of the house.

Kitchen renovations

Making changes in the kitchen is resetting the heart of the home . Some keys to keep in mind:

The first thing you must evaluate is the structure: if you want to make deeper changes it is essential that an architect see the plans to avoid problems. Pipes and wiring design is fundamental.

Do not rush the coatings. Today there are many options and different types of floors for each environment and it is worth seeing pros and cons of each one. Something important you should know if you want to remodel the kitchen is that, if the floor is in good condition and you just do not like it, you can stick on it another covering: you do not need to break.

Changing the kitchen furniture is a way to give a completely new air to this environment and generate a sense of absolute renewal. Keep in mind that cabinets are what you see most when you enter the kitchen, because they occupy much of the available space and are at eye level. Also, it is something that you use daily and the investment is worth it.

Bathroom renovations

The bathroom is one of the environments that most need a periodic renovation, both for pipes and for the wear of coatings, paint and artifacts. In addition, fashions change and new possibilities arise that add comfort and we can take advantage of it. Changes you can make:

Initial step is to check the pipes: the first thing to renovate in a bathroom is usually the pipe.

Change coatings and colors of the paint. Venecitas and colored walls are widely used. In general, they look very good on a single wall, combining with wood or smoothed cement. You can see:  Colors for double bedrooms: all options.

Replace the bathtub with a shower. It is one of the most classic reforms in bathrooms, saves space, gain practicality and accessibility when you get older or suffer some type of reduced mobility. You can read:  how to decorate a small bathroom.

You can also think about adding a whirlpool and make some changes to build a spa at home.  Also, if you have space and budget, do not forget the benefits of the sauna.

 Guest Contributor, Jacklin J

Preparing Your Buy-To-Let Property for a New Tenant

Preparing Your Buy-To-Let Property for a New Tenant

When a tenant moves out of a rental property, that’s your chance as the landlord to make improvements and changes to the property without having to work around those living there. If you do it right, you can even ask a higher price out of the next tenant. However, there are right and wrong ways to do it. You want to clean the property up and bring it up to date with current trends, all without breaking the bank.

Cleaning Up

It’s common sense (and common courtesy) to clean up your property when a tenant moves out. Good tenants will likely try to clean up as much of their mess as they can, but there are many things that residents overlook, such as unclogging drains and scrubbing down appliances. If the previous tenants damaged anything on the property, you’ll have to go about fixing those things, as well.

Besides what we mentioned above, there are a few more things you’ll want to look out for when cleaning up the property:

●      Change the locks

●      Ensure all the plumbing is functioning correctly with no leaks, clogs, or strange noises

●      Verify that all appliances, utilities, and lights work

●      Remove any stains, if possible

●      Clean underneath counters, appliances, and other objects

●      Get rid of any lingering unpleasant odors

●      Look for any forgotten belongings or things left behind

●      Make sure windows and doors are in good working order

Optimizing Your Property

Once your tenants have moved out, you’ll have as much time as you want to make improvements to the property. This can be anything from repainting the walls and replacing any old, stained carpet to installing modern fixtures and finishes. If you have the time and the money, it can sometimes be a good investment to renovate any old styles in the property at this point, too.

Newer buildings can almost always demand higher rent, so if you’re smart about your spending, you might be able to make a return on the investment right away. As a landlord, you’re allowed to pass on the costs of your renovations to your tenants, too, so if you play your cards right (i.e., don’t make your rent costs egregious, or no one will move in), there’s really no reason not to renovate.

As a landlord, getting as much return on your property investments as you can is probably one of your priorities. Besides the necessity of cleaning up between tenants, adding a few modern technological features here or there like smart appliances and electronics, in addition to updating finishes, colors, and décor can go a long way towards boosting the value of your property.

Guest Contributor, Cindy Trillo