Tag / model homes

by Ted

Home Improvement: What To Know Before You Begin

Home improvements can give you a way to personalize your home. It’s crucial that you do proper research so you don’t end up wasting money or hurting yourself and other members of your home. This article contains tips that can help.

Real Wood

Keep your air conditioner’s filter clean. When a filter is clogged, the air conditioner necessarily has to work much harder, requiring more energy. Additionally, it may cause the AC to run for extended and unnecessary periods of time. Really look towards changing out the filter once every month.

TIP! Make sure you keep the filter for your air conditioning unit clean. If the filter gets clogged up, the air conditioning unit will have to work harder to cool your house, using up more energy.

Genuine wood floors are a better choice for your money instead of laminate flooring. Real wood can be refinished, but laminate cannot. In the coming years a real wood floor can be refinished, whereas a laminate floor must be completely replaced.

When inspecting a home you want to buy, look for signs of water damage such as rotting decks or chipped paint. Poor ventilation or electrical issues will only be located by a trained eye. These repairs can prevent future issues from occurring.

Add visual interest to your home by using drywall mud to texture walls. Adding texture is simple. Trowel drywall mud and use a stiff brush or sponge to dab at it and add texture.

TIP! You can generate visual detail and disguise imperfections by using textured drywall mud techniques. Adding texture to your walls can be so simple.

When hiring contractors to perform any work in your home, always keep accurate and detailed records. Avoid thinking the contractor will do that for you. Save any contracts and invoices related to your project. Saving them will allow everyone to concentrate on the work that needs to be done.

Proper planning ensures that your home improvement project will go more smoothly. Not planning ahead can make decisions more difficult and could cause you to make poor decisions as you are rushed to make them. If you plan the job properly before it starts, you will find the work gets done quicker and with less problems.

Try insulating your home for your next project. You can install weather-stripping on each of your windows and doors. Your energy bill will be more affordable as you weatherize your home. These small measures will add up to big savings in the long run.

TIP! After moving to your next location, consider taking the first few weeks for insulating the interior and encapsulating the warmer air. Put in weather stripping around your windows and doors.

Model Homes

Visit open houses or model homes to get some ideas about your home improvement projects. At an open house, you’ll get a much better idea of current styles and how they might look in your home than you could get by taking a trip to the hardware store. Model homes are decorated professionally with coordinated window treatments and furnishings, so you can get good ideas without a lot of experimentation in your own home.

Get plenty of help from family and friends before tackling your next home project. If you wait until you have already started, it may be difficult to find the help you need. It may also take you longer to finish your project than you initially expected.

TIP! Get plenty of help from family and friends before tackling your next home project. By waiting until the project is started, you may have difficulty finding the extra help you need.

You can use 3-D tile instead of buying art for your walls. Use 3-D tiles in a couple of colors, like blue and white, and rotate them in a unique pattern on your wall to create something artsy and original.

It can cost a lot to replace the whole floor with tile, carpet or wood. One alternative that might be appealing to you is to remove the flooring and stain the existing sub-floor. This is especially effective with concrete. It will create an industrial look that is versatile can can be changed with the decor.

Always ensure that the power to any circuit you are working on is turned off before you start. If you don’t disconnect the electricity, someone can get electrocuted and die.

TIP! Before beginning your renovation project, turn the power circuit off for your safety. This is such a simple thing, and it can be the difference between life or death.

Before you start to paint your house’s interior, make use of a wet cloth to take away dirt and dust from the baseboards and walls. This allows the paint to adhere to the wall and might even spare you the hassle of applying an additional coat of paint or frequent touch-ups.

Install a pergola to give your house some character. Originally designed for garden installation, pergolas add visual interest and help to shade a front door with too much exposure to the sun. You can install this in a few days with the help of others.

A home’s basement typically has very little natural light, if any at all. Therefore, you should ensure you are properly planning for artificial lighting in your basement so that it appears more attractive to others. Does your basement have walls that come up from ground level? If this is the case, you should be able to place professional windows that allow a natural light to flood the room.

TIP! Basements rarely have any natural light available. Be sure to install enough lighting that your basement is usable.

If your home has low ceilings, use window treatments to add the illusion of higher ceilings. You can make your ceilings seem higher by raising your drapes and curtains higher.

Color Scheme

Brighten your kitchen by using new handles and knobs! Changing the hardware on your kitchen cabinets is an inexpensive way to spruce up the room. You can easily give your cabinets and drawers a good Spring cleaning while you have the knobs and handles removed. Simply screw the new knobs on and presto, you’re done!

TIP! Add new knobs for your cabinets and drawer pulls in your kitchen for a great new look. Cabinet knobs can be easily installed and they actually add quite a bit of help in improving the decor of your kitchen.

Find a color scheme you like for your room. Formal areas of the house are best served by coloring in complementary colors. Using colors that complement the home well, such as green and red, purple and orange, or blue and yellow, oppose each other on the spokes of a color wheel. The method of choosing a color scheme is an effective way to present an appealing visual challenge.

If you replace windows with ones which are more efficient, you can save money and get a better looking window. This can be a very rewarding home improvement project to undertake.

When the budget is flexible, use natural materials when doing home improvement interior projects. Choosing genuine materials such as fine wood, stone and ceramic are usually much preferable to the man-made counterparts. They are also much better looking, and also longer lasting. The initial expense up-front for these materials may pay off over time because they will last longer.

TIP! Natural building materials are strongly preferred for interior home renovation projects. Materials such as stone, ceramic and wood are much better than their synthetic equivalents.

Choose a color scheme that already exists in a room. It could be upholstery fabric, drapery or carpeting. For instance, if your sofa has a pattern that is made up of mauve, green and taupe shades, then select one dominant color from those options to feature in at least half of the room. You should use three colors, one bold and then a secondary color, then some accents.

Home improvement projects are rewarding, but can take a lot of time and energy to complete. If you are aware of what needs to be done and how you should go about it, you could create your dream home. Apply the tips and techniques in the above article for your next home improvement project.

A good thing to do when you are wanting to keep up with home improvements is to put aside some money for repairs. Anyone who sets aside a good-sized amount every year for home maintenance is going to have a house that stays in better shape. If you have extra money, keep saving for a bigger project.

TIP! Maintaining a home improvement budgets goes a long way toward maintaining or increasing the value of your home, so aim for setting money aside as a budget for handing any repairs or upgrades. Anyone who sets aside a good-sized amount every year for home maintenance is going to have a house that stays in better shape.

by Ted

Home Improvement Guidelines That Are Easy To Understand

Ah, home improvement! The tasks may seem to multiply like rabbits, but the truth is that they help to make your residence into a beautiful home. You also get some exercise in the process. What follows here is a lot of great advice to help you achieve your home improvement dreams. Read them before you start a project so you are as successful as possible.

It is very important to change air filters. It is healthy for the inside of your home and will get more life from your furnace and AC unit. Most service calls that get repairmen out to homes are thanks to dirty filters building up crud in the machines.

Weather stripping installed around doors and windows can make your home energy efficient. Weather stripping can be purchased cheaply at your local hardware store, and is easy to apply. It’ll keep hot and cold air sealed out, meaning that the systems you use to heat and cool your home will be more effective. You are certain to notice the decrease in drafts on cold evenings.

TIP! Thoroughly dust your home at least one time every week. Dust and debris can build up with shocking rapidity; this not only makes your home less attractive but also introduces allergens into your air.

Increase your home’s energy efficiency by adding weather stripping to your doors and windows. Weatherstripping is very cheap and easy to do, it will stop cold air from coming in your home and you will save money on energy. You may also notice that you don’t feel as many drafts in your home.

Before installing new panels, you should paint vertical stripes on your walls. You might have some old parts of the wall sticking through if you are putting up paneling. Be sure to measure the paneling before you install it. The wall can be painted with strips that go well with the paneling of the room.

Before beginning any home improvement project, find the locations of your gas shut-off. You should also be extremely vigilant when working near the gas supply. Unexpected accidents can occur if you do not plan accordingly.

TIP! If an older person lives with you, you should plan your house in a way so that it’s safe for them to live in. Adding some railing to the home is an example of how you can improve safety in a home.

You can make your own window screen if you are having a hard time finding the right size. You can cut a frame kit to any size of window. After that, it is a simple matter of screen attachment with cording and a cheap tool. Some windows require special screens, but you could add external screens to a window with the use of adapters.

Model Homes

Stain basement floors for a better look. Staining concrete flooring is much more inexpensive than replacing it, and it looks great. Adding a stain also makes your floors more durable and keeps them easy to clean. Choose stains that add luster and shine to the floor. People will think that your floors cost much more than they really did.

TIP! Electrical and plumbing problems are your priority. These types of repairs usually require access inside your walls, so it makes sense to do them before you have other work done.

If you are thinking about remodeling your home but want some updated ideas, visit new subdivisions to see their model homes. You can look at the latest colors and styles and get some great ideas. Lots of model homes hire professional decorators to completely furnish them so they are a great place to get good ideas.

Putting in the right type of lighting for a room makes a tremendous difference. An adequately bright room will be warm and inviting. Think about getting an additional light fixture. Adding more light to a dark room can have a big impact on your house.

Refinish your hardwood floors to increase the value of your home. While a large project, refinishing isn’t hard. Instructional classes can often be found at your local hardware store, as can the equipment you will need to rent. The cost will be cheaper when you do it yourself.

TIP! You can significantly improve the look of any room with new window treatments. Curtains are inexpensive, and you can change the character of your room by choosing fabrics in various patterns.

Outdoor space should be utilized when looking to improve your home. Extend your living space by designating a section of your backyard. You will love having a new outdoor living area for entertaining or just relaxing.

Clean the gutters to make sure rain water drains correctly. Rainwater may be leaking into your basement due to clogged gutters. You can prevent this from happening by regularly clearing debris from your gutters.

It is not necessary to get new cabinets to have a new kitchen feel. Just a coat of paint can make things look a lot different. There are a number of attractive finishes that can be applied to cabinets. Research ideas on the Internet, choose one that you like best, and do the work yourself to modernize your kitchen without spending too much money.

TIP! If you are living in a place that has a lot of hurricanes or wetness, hurricane socks are good things to buy. These pieces of fabric are highly absorbent, and can trap around a gallon of liquid.

Are you tired of waking up to the same old dresser every morning? Try sanding and refinishing your bedroom set. When you refinish furniture yourself, you end up with a nice piece that looks like new for almost no money. There are many colors of stain available.

A great time to approach home improvement projects is during a slumping real estate market. During this time, professional contractors may have difficulty finding consistent work. As a result, many are willing to offer competitive pricing and discounts. Home improvements never get old and expire. However, when you make improvements during downturns in the housing market, the following upswings enhance the value.

There are certain things to watch for when you own a deck so you can tell if there are repairs that need to be made. See how the wood is holding up and that there are no cracks. See if there is any sign of rot. Check to see if there are any nails sticking up.

TIP! Any wood-burning stove you use inside your home should be EPA certified. All new stoves meet this certification; however, older models may not so they should be tested.

If you will be hiring a professional contractor to work on your home, it is important to ask for proof that they are insured. This insurance will cover any damages they may do. Simply ask the contractor for insurance proof.

Get windows that have a secondary glazing. Although more expensive, these windows help reduce the amount of energy lost through windows. When you renovate, consider changing to these in order to save money and time. Such windows make cooling and heating the home much easier, and help keep things peaceful.

If you are working on a lot of projects in one space, prioritize. For instance, if the floor and cabinets are being replaced, the cabinets should be first. Starting with the cabinets won’t ruin your new floor. Before starting the job, make a list of the tasks you must accomplish. You’ll be glad of this as the job progresses.

TIP! Use more neutral colors in your home. Neutrals create the illusion of more space.

If you hate cleaning gutters or your home is surrounded by trees, consider installing a protective screen or guard over your gutters. They will keep the debris out of your gutters, keeping the water flowing freely. You will only need to check the top of the guard from time to time to make sure that the guard is not covered with any leaves.

When your house has built-in alcoves, paint them with a contrasting or accenting color to make them more defined. You could also consider a fun wallpaper to make the area stand out. If the area is very small, a single pint of paint may be sufficient.

A strong relationship with your contractor can be established if you have a clear contract that lays out your budget and the expenditures expected. Do not hesitate to ask for guarantees in the contract that pertain to time tables and payment plans.

TIP! If a contractor offers you a cash discount, you need to choose a different one. Because there is no paper trail associated with paying in cash, you will have little recourse if the contractor takes off with your money without completing the improvements.

Everyone knows the importance of planting trees for the future. In fact, planting some trees could make the value of your home go up. If you plant trees and they are full grown, by the time you sell, it will increase the property value by a grand for every tree.

This article may overwhelm you with suggestons on how you can plan a successful home improvement project. Be sure to take things slowly. Take your time and you can turn the problems plaguing your home into things you can be proud of. You, yourself, made something better. You will be able to sit back and enjoy your creation once you are done.

Any time you hire a professional, make sure that the contract includes a guarantee. Without a guarantee outlined in the contract, you may be taking on responsibility for the cost of any additional work that develops over the course of the job or after it’s complete. This way you know you have work guaranteed for a certain amount of time.

TIP! Decorate in a cheap manner by using paint. If you can’t pay for a huge renovation, you can still make your home look better with some paint.

by Ted

Successful Ideas For Improving The Look Of Your Home

Home improvement can be done by nearly anyone for nearly any reason. Some are just tired of how their home looks. Others do it in hopes of financial reward due to increased home value. A love of this type of project is motivation for some. Whatever your motivation is, these tips will put you on the right path.

Often, small improvements can add up to a big increase in the value of your home. If you want to sell the home, think about making a few small changes. You could just give the interior and exterior of your home a new paint job. This is simple, inexpensive and can greatly add to your home’s value.

If your plans for your home involve significant renovations or remodeling, it is typically best to hire an architect or professional designer. Unless you or someone you know has been professionally trained at design, whatever plan you create is unlikely to be functional. A professional can help you develop workable plans that meet local regulations.

TIP! If you cannot afford to hire a designer, start researching. Check out books, websites, magazines and books for inspiration and information.

As you take steps to improve your home, you can do things that not only improve your house but make it reflect your tastes. Choose home improvement projects that really reflect your own personality and sense of style.

During the summer, use all the fans that you can. Using a ceiling fan to circulate air in a whole room is a smart way to keep cool. Fans help decrease the energy that is spent on the air conditioner. As a result, your electric bill can be decreased.

A floor lamp can be a great addition to the room and free up valuable space on a nightstand or dresser. Floor lamps add versatility to room lighting by being easy to move. Table lamps are limited available surface space. Pick lamps with unique designs that you will enjoy.

TIP! Many building supplies for use in home improvement jobs are targets for theft. You should keep those supplies secure and locked up when you are not working.

Shoe Boxes

Use old shoe boxes for storage. Cover the shoe boxes in fabric, paint or wallpaper to give them a pleasing design. In addition to providing extra storage space, doing this can add some dramatic touches to your rooms.

A good thing to do when you are wanting to keep up with home improvements is to put aside some money for repairs. By setting a reasonable amount of money aside each year, a homeowner is more likely to make the repairs and improvements that are necessary. Whenever money is leftover after the end of one year, it is easily set aside to use toward a more extensive project in the following year.

TIP! It can be very expensive to replace your flooring, no matter what material you use. It’s easy to stain existing flooring instead of getting fancy hardwood.

Purchase new metal fixtures for your bathroom. You can find items such as toilet paper holders, towel racks and cabinet knobs in many shapes and finishes. A lot of places will put these together in a package so you can put them in quickly and efficently.

One tool every homeowner should own is a drill. It lets you make the holes you need for driving screws and other fasteners. Choose a battery powered, cordless drill with a variety of attachments and drill bits capable of handling both Phillips and flat-head screws.

Before you begin to paint the interior of your house, use a damp cloth to remove excess dirt, dust, and oils from the walls and baseboards. You’ll find that paint goes on smoother and more evenly when the surface is properly cleaned and prepared; your painting job will go faster and the results will last longer.

TIP! In order to free up floor or tabletop space, it’s a great idea to hang a television from a wall-mounted bracket instead of using a ordinary stand. With attention to the manufacturer’s instructions, this job can be completed in just 30 minutes.

A roof replacement is one of the more expensive home improvement projects. Get estimates from three different roofing companies and check references as well. There are lots of different options when it comes to new roofs. Have your contractor help you make a decision.

Model Homes

Pull your furniture away from your walls in order to give the room a bigger appearance. It’s a more contemporary design, and it makes the room seem more spacious.

TIP! Have a qualified electrician do work such as installing the electrical outlet for microwaves that are above stoves if you want to get the best results. This will give you a place to plug your microwave in that is not visible.

If you are thinking about remodeling your home but want some updated ideas, visit new subdivisions to see their model homes. Seeing the actual styles and colors will give you an idea of how these options would change the look of your home. Lots of model homes are decorated by professionals and include window treatments and custom furniture that can serve as useful examples for your house.

If you want to inject tranquility into your home, use light, calming colors in shades of green and blue. Try to stick to cotton and linen fabrics rather than heavier materials. Potpourri or scented candles can add an inviting warmth to a home.

If you find some leaks in your home, you should consider replacing your roof. If you ignore it, it can lead to a bigger disaster. Get a reputable roofing company to make an inspection. You need to ensure you have hired a skilled professional.

TIP! Select the colors you want in your room. Complementary colors are especially great in formal rooms of the home, like dining rooms.

One quick way to change the look of your kitchen is with new knobs and handles on your cabinets. Few projects are as simple and effective as replacing the knobs and pulls on kitchen cabinets and drawers. When you take off the old knobs you should clean the inside of your cabinets and also wipe the outside down. Then add your new knobs, your home should look great after this.

An ugly outdoor air conditioner can be an eyesore, but it is necessary in certain regions. It can easily be disguised with latticework or a trellis. Decorative grasses, including pampas grass, also do a good job at concealing air conditioners, but don’t let the grass get too close to the unit.

Look at everything in your room, and choose one item to base your color scheme on. Look at existing colors from drapes, upholstery fabrics, or rug, then base the color scheme on that. Look for a dominant color that creates the effect you want and create some patterns with secondary colors that go well with the primary color. Use the remaining two shades to paint trim and accent.

TIP! Add motion-detecting lights to your home’s exterior to save money and increase security. You can save money on your electric bill.

Home improvement is something we all have on our hands, at least once in our lifetime. Home improvements might be done for various reasons, but it is always a reality. It can be to improve the value of your home or simply because you want to give it an updated look, no matter what there is something you can do that will give you lots of joy.