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13 Alternatives to Plain Wood Floors in the Kitchen

December 28, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Graphic patterns, surprising transitions and unexpected materials make these kitchen floors stand out

Wood flooring laid in a straight pattern can be a beautiful option for a kitchen and continues to be popular in photos we see uploaded to Houzz. But what if you want a kitchen floor that’s a bit more distinctive? The pros who created the following 13 kitchens demonstrate creative use of materials — including wood — to give these spaces a unique flavor. Which kitchen flooring would you like to see in your own home?

Filed Under: Blog, Decor, Home Remodel

Not Ready to Remodel Your Bathroom? Try a Mini Makeover

December 17, 2019 By Leave a Comment

You can make your room a more pleasing space with a simple spruce-up or a moderate refresh

When walking through staged or model homes, I love to see a clean, beautifully styled bathroom — it makes me feel relaxed, as if I were at the spa. But as a professional organizer, I see a lot of real homes, making me well aware that most of us don’t have bathrooms that look like those in the model homes. And that’s just fine.

For many people, a bathroom remodel may not be in the works just yet. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to improve upon a space that feels unattractive or even chaotic. Whether your budget is big or pretty tiny, there are simple ways to make your space more beautiful and restful. Here are ideas for two mini bathroom makeovers — no remodel required.

Filed Under: Blog, Home Care, Home Remodel

Home Improvement Projects That Make Homeowners Happier

December 5, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Certain home remodeling projects are making homeowners happier and proving to be well worth the cost and time when they sell their properties, according to a new survey from the National Association of REALTORS®, which includes insights from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

After completing a home remodeling project, 74% of more than 2,100 consumers surveyed reported having a greater desire to be in their home, 65% say they experienced increased enjoyment, and 77% felt a major source of accomplishment, the 2019 Remodeling Impact Report shows. Researchers examined 20 projects and surveyed REALTORS® and consumers on home renovation projects.

“REALTORS® and homeowners alike recognize the value of taking on a major home remodeling project,” says NAR President John Smaby. “While these tasks can be time-consuming and costly, the projects are well worth the temporary inconveniences, as this report shows, and the final products ultimately reward us with feelings of accomplishment, satisfaction, and higher home values.”

NAR calculated a “joy score” for each home remodeling project studied. The score, a scale from one to 10, is based on homeowners’ overall perceived happiness with their renovations. The higher the joy score for the project, the more homeowners felt satisfaction from it.

Some of the highest joy scores for interior projects centered on complete kitchen renovations, closet renovations, full interior and interior room paint jobs, kitchen upgrades, and basement conversions to living areas.

The exterior jobs with the highest joy scores were new fiberglass or steel front doors, new vinyl and wood windows, and new roofing.

Filed Under: Blog, Decor, Home Remodel, Real Estate

15 Essentials for the Baker’s Kitchen

November 29, 2019 By Leave a Comment

You can turn out delicious treats with ease when you own these utensils, tools and pans

Whether you’re a beginning baker setting up your kitchen for the first time or an avid baker attempting to downsize — or you just hope to tame those overstuffed cupboards and drawers — this guide is a good place to start. If you own only the 15 items on this list (we’ll assume you’re starting with oven mitts and a wooden spoon), you’ll be in good shape to tackle most baking recipes with ease. What you won’t find here: piping bags, doughnut pans, individual-size ramekins or any other highly specialized items. If and when you want to bake with those, you’ll know.

Filed Under: Blog, Home Remodel

A Professional Organizer on What to Consider Before You Remodel

November 26, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Changing your home isn’t just about how it looks. Ask these 4 questions to make sure your home functions well too

Remodeling is an opportunity to create a space that reflects your personal style — but just as important, it’s an opportunity to incorporate better functionality for your everyday living. As a professional organizer, I’ve seen homes that were aesthetically gorgeous but just didn’t flow well for my clients’ needs. This can happen when family needs change or when a home’s layout simply isn’t maximized for productivity and efficiency.

For the most successful remodel, you’ll want to consider how you live now and how you’d like to live ideally. After all, remodeling is a chance to set new, more organized habits. Why not create a home that will make implementing your new habits easier? Here are four questions I recommend that you consider before you remodel.

Filed Under: Blog, Home Remodel

Elegant High-Tech Master Bath Designed for a Wheelchair User

November 14, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Wide-open spaces, durable porcelain tile and integrated gadgetry help a disabled woman feel independent again

After an accident left Mary Kay Michelis in a wheelchair full time and forced her to retire from her work as an ophthalmologist surgeon, her master bathroom became entirely unusable — for 10 years. Her electric wheelchair wouldn’t fit through the door frame. An awkward built-in corner tub was a no-go. And the small, curbed shower wasn’t even up for discussion.

So Michelis and her wife, Sharon Dame, mostly ignored the space, opting for a guest bathroom elsewhere in the home that was easier for Michelis and her licensed caregiver to use. For a while, though, Michelis was staying mostly in an assisted long-term care facility. Recently, as her health improved and she was transitioning back to living at home, she and Dame decided it was finally time to overhaul the master bathroom and make it functional.

They enlisted the help of designer Heather Poulliot to take the bathroom down to the studs, create an open floor plan with a large, curbless shower, lots of grab bars and automated features that allow Michelis to do everything she needs to with minimum, independent effort.

Filed Under: Blog, Home Remodel, Technology

11 Ways to Age-Proof Your Bathroom

October 25, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Learn how to create a safe and accessible bathroom without sacrificing style

If you’re planning to stay in your house for the rest of your life, it might be wise to renovate your bathroom with accessible design in mind. Along with kitchens, bathrooms are one of the spaces homeowners use the most. They also happen to be wet zones, which increases the likelihood of slips and falls. That said, reducing slip hazards and ensuring adequate lighting and maximum comfort are vital when creating an age-proof bathing space. These 11 ideas will ensure that your bathroom is safe and easy to use for decades to come.

Filed Under: Blog, Decor, Home Remodel

5 Ways With a 5-by-8-Foot Bathroom

October 7, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Look to these bathroom makeovers to learn about budgets, special features, splurges, bargains and more

The most common bathroom size measures 5 by 8 feet — enough room for a single sink, a toilet and a shower or shower-bathtub combination. You may think there isn’t much you can do with an area of this size. But you’d be wrong. Here, five projects within these dimensions showcase clever ways to create virtual and literal space, and how to make big style statements on budgets small and large.

Filed Under: Blog, Home Remodel

Is A Fixer-Upper Really a Good Deal?

September 6, 2019 By Leave a Comment

A new study from the remodelling site Porch.com, based on a survey of more than 1,000 homeowners, shows that the majority of fixer-upper homeowners who thought they could save money actually ended up spending about the same or more than a move-in ready home.

Filed Under: Blog, Home Remodel
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