Home Improvement Ideas

The real estate market is not what it used to be – it doesn’t take a genius to figure that one out. But if you have a home you enjoy that’s in need of some tender loving care for a bathroom, kitchen or basement space how should you improve it with today’s real estate values in mind? In 5 simple words – think smaller, smarter and nicer.

The late ’90′s and early to mid 2000′s (when real estate was good and money was flowing) were all about big – big homes, big bathrooms, big kitchens and big vehicles. Today the average new home is being built with less square footage and more efficient floor plans. Car manufacturers are hitting the showrooms with an unprecedented number of compact, subcompact and the smallest minivans seen to date. What’s this got to do with your home remodeling project? Everything. If you want to improve rooms in your house (and maximize the long term market valuation of your home) you can’t spend like a drunken sailor or like a pauper. Follow these 7 kitchen bathroom remodeling ideas to create cool rooms on a market-driven budget.

Idea 1 – Remodel in, not out – Don’t blow out the back or side of your home with a big fancy addition (unless you want to live there a very long time). Look for ways to reconfigure your existing space to make it work better. Consider a new kitchen layout. Remove a seldom used tub and convert it to a stand up glass shower. Eliminate a formal dining room you use once a year with a larger kitchen or family room.

Idea 2 – Combine small with snazzy – One of the nice things about not creating large spaces is you’ll be able to splurge on features that you (and your friends, family and neighbors) can really enjoy. Don’t remodel if you’re not excited about what the finished product will look like. Look for elements that will make the room pop – maybe it’s granite countertops, a walk in shower, a glass tile backsplash etc. Build in key focal elements that show your style, tastes and make you excited to go into your new room.

Idea 3 – Remodel with the end in mind – Steven Covey (a motivational speaker/author) made famous the line “begin with the end in mind” to help people set goals and improve their lives. The question is why shouldn’t you use the same thought process when it comes to your home? More extensive pre-planning and thinking can lead to a home that is both functional and enjoyable over a longer span of time. If you plan to get old in this house why not design it so it can be used by people of all abilities over a long period of time. Using universal design principles (or a contractor familiar with these concepts) consider adding features like wall backer behind shower walls if grab bars might be needed in the future, a zero step entry (to help someone with a temporary or permanent mobility challenge), and equip your renovation with a good number of light sources (to help anyone whose eyesight might be a problem down the road).

Idea 4 – Go Green Save Money – Energy efficiency is not just buzz in the market – it makes dollar and cents for the short and long run. Energy efficient windows, doors, appliances, insulation are not only smart decisions for the planet they’re smart investments for your pocketbook (and can add resale value to a home). Continue Reading

Are you considering putting your house on the market, or are you just looking to improve the appearance of your home on a budget? That’s the story for a lot of people in these tough economic times. While only you know whether you are in a financial position to do home improvements, there are some ways to do so on a relatively small budget.

Plants

Yes, just about the easiest, and for some, most enjoyable ways to improve your home is the curbside appeal. This usually comes in keeping a well-manicured yard and planting some colorful and attractive flowers and shrubbery in front of your home. While it’s still the cold days of winter as we speak, before you know it spring will be blooming with beautiful colors. Don’t miss out by not adding some of that color to your home.

Paint

What wonders a couple gallons of paint can do! If you are looking to see your home, conventional wisdom says you should stick to neutral colors, maybe even white. But don’t be afraid to use some color – you’d be surprise what bold statements you can make with a new look to your walls. Don’t forget to consider painting your front door. It’s one of the first things people see, so make sure it looks its best.

Damaged Goods

This may come as a surprise, but scratch and dent products aren’t always a lost cause. If you need new appliance or furniture, check your local home goods store for what may be on clearance due to some modest dings. If the damage isn’t too noticeable you can often save a significant amount of money. Continue Reading

Whether you’ve just purchased a new home or are looking to upgrade your long-time family home, home improvements and renovations can be daunting. Because any remodeling project takes up so much time and money, it’s important to have a clear plan before you start.

Keep reading for great ideas on simple-to-major home renovations. First up are the simple fix-its. These are easy solutions with a big “wow” factor that can be done in under a week, but can go a long way toward improving your home.

1. Tile and Bathtub Resurfacing

Getting your bathroom tiles and showers resurfaced or redone can make a huge difference and really update your bathroom, giving it a contemporary and modern look.

2. Upgrade Your Fixtures

Upgrading your sink faucets, light fixtures, door knobs and cabinet handles is a quick and easy way to spruce up a home. Start this simple home improvement project by taking down those decades-old frosted glass light fixtures and throwing up some hip and modern spotlights. Next, update your shower heads and sink faucets to make the bathroom shine.

Upgrading fixtures is also a great way to add value to a home that you’re planning to sell. Not only do they modernize the look of a house, but they also give buyers a sense of value.

3. Paint

Painting can be done in a day. It may not be fun – although some people enjoy it – but this quick and easy fix will brighten a room right away, taking it from dull and lackluster to shiny and new. For a professional looking finish, be sure to spackle over and sand any holes in the walls.

4. New Carpet

Sometimes replacing that dingy, old carpet can be all you need to make a house feel new again. For a clean and modern finish, try wood laminate or hardwood floors.

Next are two major home improvement ideas that will take a few weeks to a few months for completion. These are significant undertakings that you’ll want to seriously plan and budget for, but can have a major impact on the value and appeal of your home.

1. Make Your Home Energy Efficient

Give your home a complete energy overhaul by upgrading the windows, redoing the insulation (especially in the attic), revamping your venting and heating systems, installing water recycling systems and putting solar panels on your roof. Though these home upgrades can cost a lot up front, they’ll save you tens of thousands in the long run. Continue Reading