Garage Remodeling Ideas and Tips

Redefining your space according to your own needs, and sometimes ignoring what  you're presented with to do so, is the mark of the 21st century homeowner.  One aspect of your space for many a homeowner is the garage, a place traditionally reserved for cars and clutter - sometimes, just clutter.  What if you could take that space and re-purpose it, and extend your life at home in the process?  How would you go about it?  Here are some tips on transforming your garage...

Home improvement and remodels can take place in the interior parts of a home. However, indoor rooms are not the only places for improvements. Sometimes an outdoor space needs to receive an upgrade, such as when selling a home. Homeowners who plan to continue living in a home may have different reasons for remodeling their garages.

The idea of additional living space provides one reason. Some homeowners convert their garages into work rooms, play areas for children, and laundry areas. In some locations, a converted garage space may act as a selling point when the homeowner decides to move.

                                           Garage converted into an additional living space. Source: thatkindofwoman.tumblr.com via Cassandra on Pinterest

Garage remodeling and lighting

Garages require good lighting like other parts of a home. Homeowners should spend time on garage light planning to maximize better results.  A single, 4-foot shop light represents a common light in garages. These lights attach to the ceiling and offer a great amount of brightness. The light works well for homeowners who just want to park their cars and leave. However, some homeowners will spend a lot of time in the garage. For example, a work-at-home professional will need a different type of lighting for specific activities. Task lighting allows the professional to perform job duties without a hot, overhead light.

Garage floors

Homeowners should remember their garage floors. Most garage floors use a concrete foundation. The foundation feels cold, shows dullness and looks unappealing. Over time, garage floors experience spilled paint stains and natural discolorations.

Homeowners do not have to invest large sums of money into their garage flooring. If the room does not act a living space, garage paint works wonders. The floor should receive at least two coats of paint. For homeowners who will convert to a living space, garage floor tile offers a better solution.The tile gives more durability for walking across the floor and holding heavy furniture pieces.  Yet any type of flooring that you’d install over a flat concrete surface, using a vapor barrier, is suitable.

                              A garage remodeling project that makes a garage into a home theatre. Source: homedesign.marthastewart.com via julie on Pinterest

Garage doors

Garage doors represent another remodeling area for a home. These doors range in style and budget. Most garage door styles match the main home’s architectural design. Homeowners should analyze how the garage is used before investing in a specific door.

For example, the up-and-over design swings outward, facing the driveway. Once opened, the doors remain in an up motion. This door type can be heavy. Homeowners who spend time playing the guitars or working on projects may prefer this door. They can keep the door open for long periods and allow a natural breeze to flow into the garage.

                                              Garage remodeling to create an office space with vertical folding doors. Source: guest.themls.com via Chanee on Pinterest

Garage remodeling for better use of space

Some homeowners just want extra storage space. They may not have an attic, basement or shed for storage. Another reason involves having too many items in their current storage areas. Garages offer the perfect solution. Some home have attached garages, while other homes have separate garages.
Unfortunately, without a well-planned garage remodel, the space becomes cluttered and makes it harder to locate items. The exterior wall space can have shelves to minimize clutter. The shelves can have labels, such as paint. All boxes should go against the walls, too. If stacked, the boxes need a label to identify its contents.

As you can see if you just think outside the box that is your garage, there are plenty ideas you could come up with for remodeling your garage should you choose to do so!

To order your copy of Remodeling Hell, CLICK HERE!

*article from builddirect.com

Romantic Bedroom Decorating Ideas

I thought I would bring you a different article on home remodeling today.  Here are a few ideas on how to make your bedroom more romantic.  We all desire a romantic getaway where we can leave behind the busy life and indulge ourselves in a romantic place where all our senses are sharpened to the beauty of our surroundings and to the love and romance of our company. The good news is that you don’t have to book an expensive flight to a far off tropical destination nor does the excitement have to last for just a short few days or weeks.  Not at all! We will discuss romantic bedroom decorating ideas that you can use to lose yourself in the comfort of your own home.  

Your own private bedroom can be your lasting romantic getaway! 

When creating a romantic mood, visual stimulus is without a doubt the most critical point.  Therefore, one great romantic bedroom decorating idea is to bring the color of love to your bedroom by splashing some vibrant colors such as various shades of red, purple, pink and orange in your bedroom. It is important to note that colors play an important role in setting the right mood and creating excitement. Try to minimize the use of lackluster colors such as white and beige.

The best way to bring these fiery colors to your bedroom is by selecting the appropriate colors for your drapes, bed sheets, pillow cases and comforter.  For instance selecting a darker shade of red for your drapes and powerful designs that includes the same shade of red color in your comforter is an excellent way of bringing the right mood to your bedroom.

Next, selecting bed linens that are smooth and soft along with soft accent pillows and blankets are a great way of setting the right mood.

This feeling is not limited to touching your bed elements but also the floor.  Although you may have a great looking floor, don't hesitate to decorate with a rug.  A great decorating idea here is to select a simple design without too much color for the floor rug so that the attention stays on the more romantic features in the room.

Finally, a crucial element in creating a perfect romantic setting that most people forget, is our sense of smell.  Various scented candles and aromas such as vanilla and fragrant oils are a great way of creating the perfect scent.  You can also arouse the sense using a floral spray that has a touch of jasmine or lavender, just remember to do it sparingly to avoid creating discomfort.

To order your copy of Remodeling Hell, CLICK HERE!  Please follow this blog for other home decorating ideas!  

Add Light and Great Style with Chandeliers

A chandelier is defined as “a branched, ceiling-mounted light fixture with two or more arms bearing lights.” During the medieval times, they were made of wooden beams usually shaped as a cross with metal spikes on top to hold candles. It was hoisted towards the ceiling using a rope or chain, and was depended upon as a useful light source. They evolved into more delicate designs involving crystals and stones, and became more apparent in palaces, places of royalty and the wealthy. Today, the chandelier is used in a more decorative way, adding a luxurious presence to the home.

Nonetheless, chandeliers can add wonderful ambiance to just about any room. They are designed to float in a room as an element of the design. It can serve as a room’s centerpiece without taking over the entire space. Chandeliers can be a great conversation piece, as well as a part of the home that really makes you feel as though you are living in luxury. They are elegant and unparalleled additions and command attention like no other furnishing.  There are many points to consider when choosing a chandelier. Size, materials and light emission are crucial when determining the perfect chandelier for a room.

Vertical and horizontal sizes are important decisions to make when selecting a chandelier. A fixture that is too large may overwhelm the space, however, one too small will appear out of place or insignificant. The design and size of the chandelier will also affect the hanging height. For an elaborate chandelier that takes up a lot of space, it should be hung a couple of inches higher than the standard height. Be sure to hold it up before committing to a height to make sure it works. Here are some general size dimension rules that will help when choosing a chandelier:

              - If the room is smaller than 10' by 10', choose a 17" to 20" diameter chandelier.

              - If the room is about 12' x 12', a 24" to 27" chandelier would be an accurate size.

              - If the room is about 14' x 14', try a 24" to 36" diameter chandelier.

Another way to help determine the proper size chandelier for a room is to add the dimensions together. For example, if your room is 12' by 17', add the 12 plus 17 to get 29. Therefore, a proper size chandelier would be around 29" diameter for that room.

The length at which the chandelier should hang depends on the ceiling height of that particular room. The bottom of the fixture should not hang more than 7' from the floor. If windows are present, center the chandelier in the window so it can be seen from the outside.

 

Since a chandelier will be a focus piece in the room, it is vital to choose materials that will enhance the decor of the area. Lavish and visually dazzling light fittings can create the most beautiful kind of lighting. The combination of crystals and candles conjures up all kinds of nostalgic feelings about chandeliers. Crystal and glass fixtures are very popular and represent a romantic sense of wealth. Chandeliers can also come in different metals such as brass, wrought iron, silver and steel. A wrought iron chandelier produces a magnificent appearance. Stone, beads, shell and capiz chandeliers aren’t quite as fancy, but definitely provide a more edgy or whimsical look. Antler chandeliers from elk or deer embody a rustic style and are perfect for log cabins and rustic lodges. For a room with a traditional style, a fixture with more ornamentation and intricate designs will fit best. Alternatively, a simple chandelier would match a modern style space that is usually less ornamented. A formal and elegant room is best equipped with a very impressive chandelier. A space that features antiqued furniture would be complete with a more detail-enriched chandelier, perhaps with hanging pendants.

Another appropriate method to help choose the materials is to begin with a color or element that is influential in the decoration scheme of the room. You want your chandelier color to compliment your existing finishes. Brushed bronze, black, silver or even gold can be neutral tones that will match most decorating schemes. If you already have a warm, rich, wood and earth-toned theme, a bronze or gold finished chandelier may work best. If the room has cool tones, like blues and whites, a silver one would be appropriate. For that sleek, modern style space with black furniture, a silver or black fixture will complement that polished design.

Chandeliers have multiple bulbs and tend to shed a lot of light.  The amount of illumination that you will need can be calculated upon this formula:  

Length x Width x 1.5 = wattage

For example, a room that is 12 x 15 feet will need bulbs that produce a combined total of 270 watts.  A chandelier with 6 bulbs that are 40 watts will most likely provide adequate illumination, especially if complemented by sconces, lamps, or other light fixtures. A more general rule to provide sufficient light with the total wattage of all bulbs is 100 watts to 400 watts. Since chandeliers of recent times are not used as a light source but more as a decorative piece, placing your chandelier on a dimmer is a great option. A dimmer allows adjustment to the light level in order to set the perfect mood.

A very common spot for a chandelier is often found in the dining room. It is important to make sure that the chandelier is low enough to light up the eating area without interfering with the sight line of the people seated at the table. The general rule is to measure 30" to 36" from the surface of the table to the bottom of the fixture to insure good illumination. Additionally, it should be about 12" narrower than the width of the table so it will not interfere with people’s heads. Often, the best thing to do is hold the fixture over the table and move it up and down

until it looks right.

The perfect chandelier in the foyer will create a welcoming atmosphere for all who enter the home. It should provide the general light needed to greet guests and assure a safe passage into your home. When determining whether to hang a flush, semi-flush, or multi-tiered chandelier in your foyer, consider the ceiling height of the foyer and remember to keep it around 7 feet above the floor. For two-story foyers with a window above the front door, center the chandelier so it can be seen from outside. If your foyer is extra-large, you may also want to add matching sconces. They should be installed about 5 feet from the floor and around 6' to 8' apart.

A chandelier hanging at the top of a stairway can be a great focus point. Staircases are often overlooked when it comes to home decor, so the simple addition of a chandelier can integrate this space into the rest of your living area.

The kitchen is a unique, but elegant location for a chandelier. Many homeowners will match the dining area chandelier with the lighting used in the kitchen to keep a cohesive look throughout the home.

If you are placing your chandelier in a room with a relatively low ceiling like some bedrooms, consider purchasing a mini chandelier. In recent years, mini chandeliers have been gaining popularity for their ability to fit nicely into small spaces without sacrificing the character that a high-quality chandelier exhibits.

For countless years, chandeliers have long provided a majestic form of lighting that makes the space look grand and stately like no other lighting fixture. It can be a decorative accent or lovely centerpiece to just about any room in the home. Since matching the style of the room is of utmost importance, do not be afraid to experiment with different sizes, tastes and designs of chandeliers to see which one works best for your home.

To order your copy of Remodeling Hell, please CLICK HERE!  

*article from houseplansandmore.com

When is the Best Time for Home Buying?

There are times in a year when it is particularly ideal to go into home buying. Aside from the actual time though, the situation of the buyer should also be considered. Timing in terms of what period of the year it is and timing in terms of the financial condition of the buyer are both important.

If you are on a fence as to whether it is the right time for you to purchase a house, you may have to consider some or all of the factors enumerated here. Below are some guidelines that may help you decide.

1. Market condition. This is quite obvious, particularly to those who are aware of what is going on in the housing market most of the time. The best time to buy, of course, is when it is a buyer's market. This is a point in time in housing when there are more sellers than buyers. As expected, this favors the buyer since the prices will be lower, more choices are available and their power to negotiate is stronger. Sellers will be forced to compete against their fellow sellers for a limited number of potential buyers, so they will be more willing to lower their prices.

2. Unusual time of the year. Most home buyers get into the market during spring. The weather is ideal for house hunting and this is the time when most sellers unveil their best offerings. However, this is also a time when competition among home buyers is tightest since almost all of them have the same goal in mind. If you have the patience for it, it may be best for you to buy during times when most of your fellow buyers prefer to stay inside their homes. Winter months and the weeks leading to Christmas season are examples of such times. If you shop during these periods, you will have fewer competitors and you may just luck out, especially since sellers who have their properties listed at these times are the most motivated to unload their houses.

3. You have resolved your debt issues. If you are at a period in your life where you have multiple debts to pay for, then you may have to reconsider your plan to purchase a residential property. Paying for a mortgage is a big responsibility, so you need to make sure that you do not have other heavy financial obligations when you decide to buy a house. Pay off 75% or all of your debts first before you go into home buying to avoid being weighed down by too many financial obligations.

4. You are ready to settle down. This does not necessarily mean that you are ready to have a family or to get married, although it could also cover these situations. What this means is that you have really decided that you can stay in one place for long. This is important because you need to live at least five years in a home for it to build a decent equity. So, before going into home buying, make sure that you have really decided that it is the right time for you.

To order your copy of Remodeling Hell, CLICK HERE!  

*article from e-foreclosuresearch.com

3 Musts in External Home Improvement

As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to keep your home looking as great as the day you first moved into it. Regular home improvement and maintenance will not only make living in it more comfortable, but it could also improve its market value and make it easier for you when the time comes to sell it.

Most homeowners fail to pay attention to the home’s exterior, spending time and money on interior home renovation and improvement projects. You should realize there is no way potential buyers will be motivated to look inside if they do not like what is outside. For this simple reason, you need to make an effort to change the way your home looks outside.

Here are some must dos:
Tackle your home garden
There is nothing which says comfortable and relaxing than a lawn full of well-maintained plants. You need to make sure your garden does not look like a jungle by taming the growth of the grass and other foliage. You should also have some sort of organization to make your garden a backdrop of your home and not the other way around. If gardening is not your thing, you can always hire a professional landscape artist to design your garden and after, you can handle the maintenance yourself.

Spruce up pathways walkways
Many homeowners tend to neglect the paths leading from the road to the house. You need to check whether or not you need to fix it up or simply clean it up. If you do decide to renovate them, make sure your choice of material is both affordable and easy to maintain as well as appropriate for the area. You can choose stones, concrete, bricks or tiles.

Give your home a facelift with fresh coat of paint
You will be surprised at how painting your home’s wall can make such a huge difference. This is perhaps the easiest home improvement project you can tackle and it will not even cost you much. But if you think all your walls need is a good scrubbing to get rid of the moss and other stains, be sure to use a high pressure water hose.

To order your copy of Remodeling Hell, CLICK HERE!

*article from e-forclosuresearch.com

Home Remodeling Tips for the Bedroom

A home remodeling project can change the way you see your house and the way you feel when you are inside it. Some people feel the need for a change after a few years of living in the same place. If you are one of them, a change in decoration or an altered appearance of your surroundings may help.

You can start in your bedroom since this is a place where you spend nearly half of the 24 hours of each day. Various remodeling options are discussed here to give your bedroom a new look and a new feel.

1. Mix and match. Playing with colors and designs can be a fun way to spend your days and also a great way to change the look of your bedroom. If its current look leans more towards a traditional style, like everything in their proper places and every color complementing each other, a bolder, more adventurous look may be in order. If the dominant shades are neutral or safe colors, pick out some bold furniture, like a hot pink foot stool or couch and combine it with the neutral-colored sheets. Add velvet accents instead of the traditional linen and cotton to provide a bolder look. The key is to throw in bold colors and accents amid neutral and safe materials.

2. Romantic look. If you feel that there is too much going on in your bedroom, tone it down a little and go for the romantic look. Choose just three soft shades that you will use for the sheets, curtains, cabinets, lamps and accents. A combination of white or cream, light blue or green and skin-tone color looks peaceful and quiet. Add romance by putting bed posts and draperies around the bed and soft light to complete the theme.

3. Modern look. This may require a higher budget since you need sleek and modern furniture to give your bedroom a more sophisticated look. Solid colors combined with pricier furniture can give it a contemporary appearance. Put in a huge headboard in solid color and add a shiny, black bedside table. Light browns and blue shades provide a modern look to any room.

4. Play with shapes. Combining rounded lamps with solid, square and rectangle furniture will produce a creative atmosphere. Accessorize with different figurines and table top decors that vary in sizes and shapes to give your room a more adventurous look. You can also use screens or shades instead of curtains to change the look of the room. Warm colors usually go well with this type of design.

5. Stripped-down design. If you have a tendency to feel crowded in when there is too much color and too much furnishings around, remove them and go for a more stripped-down look. Do without the many-colored pillows and sheets and choose a neutral color all throughout. White or cream all throughout – from sheets, to curtains to carpets – is enough to give it a simple look. Break the monotony by adding a single bold-colored lamp. Home remodeling can be as simple as changing colors or removing excess furniture and you can always start the change in your bedroom.

For your copy of Remodeling Hell, CLICK HERE!  

*article from e-forclosuresearch.com

12 Most Refreshing Remodeling Tips

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During the holiday season, homeowners are confronting aspects of their property more closely, as a result of entertaining friends and family. Being guests themselves, at open houses and small gatherings, those same homeowners are taking mental notes about what improvements or changes they might choose for their own homes.

Here is a listing of a dozen recent remodeling tips for upcoming projects:

1. Continuity

Start from your main entry and see your home as do guests. If you own an older home, previous owners may have added their own “touch” with a different floor, a new color scheme in one room and over time, the continuity was lost. Just be sure to take into account how your home looks from different eyes.

2. Put in some color

There have been many periods where minimalism was very appealing. If you happen to have a home with an abundance of contrasting black and white walls, flooring and ceiling patterns, spend some time imagining warmer colors and the effect, aesthetically and emotionally, such a change might offer.

3. Storage

Whether you’re updating your home for your own pleasure or investing as a means of boosting value, increasing and improving your storage capacity, especially in the kitchen, bedrooms and garage, may add practical utility that will be appreciated.

4. Combine wants with needs

Like any project, you have constraints of financing, time and scope. To prevent your remodeling plans from growing in unhelpful directions, control the scope of your project by first listing those needs your house might have and then build the want list around those needs.

5. Bathroom

There’s a consensus among real estate professionals that remodeling the kitchen and any bathroom will yield the best returns; there’s also an agreement that, of the two, bathrooms are less expensive. Bathrooms get plenty of wear and tear, so remodeling and old one or adding another may combine both wants and needs.

6. Refinish Bathtub

If you have an older home and it contains an iron bathtub, even one in rough shape, don’t replace it – refinish it. Reputable companies that provide this service can take an old tub and resurface it until it looks like new.

7. Countertops

Think of replacing a countertop as a simple, relatively inexpensive way of updating a kitchen or bathroom. For serious cooks who plan on sticking around in the same house for some years, marble countertops with slate tiled (not stainless steel) backsplashes are a classic looks with a modern touch, though more costly.

8. Patio

Don’t think of increasing your living space as an exclusively indoor affair. If you entertain, or if you simply enjoy the outdoors, adding a patio can provide that extra living space that will get plenty of use. Adding to the functionality of homes are outdoor kitchens of various scopes and styles to accommodate climates and lifestyles.

9. Patio doors

Your parent’s generation had patio doors that added to the openness of a room, but also added to heating costs. With leaps in thermal properties, widening your access area to the patio with glass doors no longer mean inefficiencies in maintaining your indoor climate.

10. Radiant Heat

Radiant heat is one way to control the amount of energy you use based upon real-time needs. From accommodating individual preferences to keeping patios floors comfortable and snow free, radiant heat has advantages worth considering.

11. Retirement 

If you see yourself remaining in a home into retirement, consider both the convenience and financial savings of building in easy access/easy mobility features into your remodeling plans.

12. Consult an architect

If your plans involve additions of rooms, removal walls or major changes to the outline of your home, invest the money to consult with an architect. Together, you can head off potential problems that can lead to an unsatisfying result or expensive rework. Like any profession, not all architects are alike, so engage in some thorough due diligence in researching architects far beyond the helpful recommendations of friends and colleagues.

No remodeling project has ever come and gone without periods of trepidation and frustration. Your project will be no different, either. When those inevitable moments come, picture yourself as the host of next holiday season’s open house and imagine the compliments you’ll hear, including your own.

To order your copy of Remodeling Hell, please CLICK HERE! 

*article found on 12most.com