Renovation Ideas Blog

Transform Your Basement into a Haven

It seems as if more and more people are searching for a means to remodel their basements.  Many homeowners are far too worried about the value of their home to let a large amount of space sit without going to use.  You can consider the possibilities in transforming your basements into a study, game room, library and much more.  Consider positioning nice comfortable chairs around the room, bookshelves to hold all of your books and trophies.  Implement a desk to keep track of all your expenditures. 

Game Room for the Family to Enjoy

Perhaps a game room may be in order for your space downstairs.  When you have a game room in the basement, you will be able to corral the teenagers down there and away from the upstairs.  You can put in an air hockey table, pool table or a foosball table to help entice teens into the space.  Add in board games and darts to help create a space that any teen will love hanging out in for hours on end.  Try incorporating a game night for the whole family to enjoy. 

Play Place for the Children

Transforming the basement into a game room for the children is perfect for eliminating a number of toys from your upstairs.  You can add in a child-sized table for homework and arts and crafts time.  Try incorporating carton storage to help keep all of the toys organized and out of the way.  Shelving helps to store all of their special treasures and keep the floor clean.  Position a piece of corkboard for hanging their art projects on the wall.  Anyone who visits will be able to admire your child’s achievements.  For an added personal touch, you can let the children choose the colors for the basement, wall hangings and more.  After all, the space is meant to be for them.

Make the Space into a Man Cave

Repeatedly, people have heard the term ‘man cave’.  Why not transform your basement into the perfect getaway for that special man in your life?  Start by placing wood paneling around the area.  Recessed lighting helps to add the ambience needed for watching their favorite sports game on television.  A fully stocked bar will help to provide them with the refreshments they need while relaxing downstairs.  It is imperative that you have a television and refrigerator in this space.  If your man is a smoker, you can have a smoke eater installed to provide them the ability to enjoy a cigar while watching the game.

Women Need Their Own Space Too

For many women, they want their own havens to head out to and enjoy time away from it all.  You can make the room into a Hollywood type movie theater setting complete with a projector, popcorn cart and wet bar to make some fancy drinks and feel like a movie star. 

You can turn the basement into a large room for family gatherings.  Spread out a dinner feast that everyone will be able to enjoy without having to crowd around the table upstairs.  Your dining room upstairs can be used for cocktail hour.  The party can then proceed downstairs for the dinner feast seated around tables large enough to accommodate everyone.  Regardless of what the décor is downstairs, a bar will help bring the feeling of outside into the comfort of your own home. 

It doesn’t matter what type of style you plan to use in your basement remodel, you will want to follow a few simple standards in the remodeling process.  Ensure your basement is free from condensation or water issues before you begin laying any new flooring down.  When you purchase a couch, make sure to get one that is convertible for guests who stay the night.  If you can spring it, install a bathroom downstairs for guests to use.  You can transform a space that was not used very much into something that everyone is going to enjoy using as a family.

Ideas for the Bonus Rooms

Most people tend to use their bonus rooms as their leftover rooms.  If they have anything that does not seem to fit into the rest of their home, they will dump it into that leftover room.  Why not take the extra space and turn it into a place that the whole family will be able to spend time together?   A great bonus room is when you are able to enjoy it with the whole family, and have it bring functionality to your home. 

Game Room

Depending on the size of your room, you could place a pool table or ping-pong table in there and add some tables and chairs around the periphery for people to be able to sit, watch the game, and relax.  You can add a bar and another touch of personalization; you could paint the walls with chalkboard paint and allow your guests to draw on the walls and keep score of the games.  And of course, should you need the extra storage space, you could always incorporate some built-in storage units to keep the room tidy. 

Media Room

Another room that can bring the whole family together, a media room can be enjoyed by all.  If the room can accommodate, the use of large sofas can provide plenty of seating to watch a blockbuster movie or a big sporting event together.  For rooms with windows, blackout shades can help to keep the room dark, enabling a true movie experience.  You can even contract a technology company that specializes in installing movie theater equipment and fixtures (movie screens, movie projectors, specialty sound-systems) if you choose to get that elaborate.  These additions can make what you watch in this room a true viewing experience.

Playroom

This would be the ideal option to keep young children entertained and have all of their toys in one location.  By incorporating built-in storage units, you can keep the room tidy and clutter-free.  You could give them their own seating and tables to offer the perfect place for them to do crafts, play with clay and color, or read a book.  You designate a corner for a train table or a spot for building blocks.  A pretend kitchen or a palace for pretend royalty can be included in another corner.  Any sort of whimsical play can be encouraged in this room, and lifetime memories can be had here.

Remodeling Ideas to Transform Your Master Bath

You can help change the look of your current master bathroom through remodeling.  If you decide to remodel your bathroom, you will want to use your imagination.  Choose some of your favorite colors and then determine just how far you want to go.  Just by changing the paint or tiles in the bathroom will help create an entirely new ambience in the room.  Creativity and imagination are key to tackling any remodeling job, regardless of the size of your bathroom.n help change the look of your current master bathroom through remodeling.  If you decide to remodel your bathroom, you will want to use your imagination.  Choose some of your favorite colors and then determine just how far you want to go.  Just by changing the paint or tiles in the bathroom will help create an entirely new ambience in the room.  Creativity and imagination are key to tackling any remodeling job, regardless of the size of your bathroom.

If you decide that you want a dramatic makeover, try gutting the room and starting with an entirely new set of fixtures.  Just remember: before you begin the project, you will want to have specific goals in mind with regard to what you are replacing and what you are repairing.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

 

 

 

 

Themes for Your Bathroom

It is imperative that you choose a theme for your bathroom to help guide you through the process of choosing the fixtures, colors and window dressings for the room.   For example, if you decide you want a Victorian bathroom, you could end up replacing your fixtures with period-inspired pieces. 

Drama was part of the effect in the Victorian era, and by using different rich deep colors, each room felt important.  Many Victorian bathrooms featured traditional earth tones, in deeper hues of red, amber, emerald, and dark brown.  Some other Victorian-inspired choices may include using replicated wallpaper from the era, such as large floral prints or walls covered in Venetian plaster, a technique popular during that era. 

Claw-foot tubs were another essential feature to any Victorian bathroom.  These tubs can be refurbished or bought with modern amenities, including a detachable, handheld showerhead.  Sinks were sometimes framed in carved mahogany cabinetry, adding to the rich style, and floors were either finished in hardwood or featured imported marble tiles. 

A Splash of Color in Your Bathroom

Choosing a color can depend on the type of design you want for your bathroom.  Carefully contemplate paint, wallpaper, trim, and tiles that reflect your desired theme.  If you have a desire for a beachy theme, choosing blues, greens and browns will help bring the look together.  Accents and tiles in similarly colored glass can offer the feel of weathered sea glass and water. 

For those desiring a rustic look, earth tones may be the answer you seek.  One thing to remember, no matter what color and theme you go with: to make your walls look larger than they really are, use lighter colors.  Choose the darker colors as accents, in your rugs, shower curtain, and towels.

Size

Before you order any new enclosures, cabinets, bathtubs or toilets, you will want to take a measurement of your space.  Get the measurements of the items you want to purchase to make sure they are going to fit in the space you have available.  Even for just a new coat of paint or adding wallpaper to the walls, making sure you have calculated the accurate square footage of the room carefully is imperative.

Lighting

By improving the lighting in your space, you will be able to make the bathroom appear much larger than it really is.  Lighting helps to create a sense of uniqueness, and may increase the value of the home in the process.  When you make the decision to replace your fixtures, make sure you choose the type that accentuates your style and theme.  For example, bulbs that provide you with diffused lighting will help create a cozy and comfortable feeling in the room. 

If you are able to afford it, adding a skylight in your bathroom will help add light and style.  Not only will it help transform the feel of your bathroom, but also your electric bills may be reduced as a result.  By simply changing the lighting fixtures in your master bathroom, you can help accentuate the theme.  

Adding Value with a Sunroom

Sunrooms help add to the value of your home because you are essentially increasing the amount of square footage to your living space.  Since they are normally more economical and easier to build than a traditional addition, many homeowners opt for a sunroom as an inexpensive enhancement to their home.  This is one of the most cost-effective ways to be able to add the extra square-footage.

An additional bonus with a sunroom is their traditionally larger windows, which can provide you with extra lighting for your home.  Your existing rooms may appear spacious and more open.  Plus, if you make the decision to connect your sunroom to your central heating and cooling system, the value is only going to increase much more.  You can use a sunroom for various purposes, be it a guestroom or a home office or a child’s playroom.

Sunrooms also help to give you an increase in curbside appeal.  When you are ready to sell your home, this can help give it that extra boost in property value, and help to draw in potential buyers.  Your home will have a more attractive appearance, with the sunroom being one of the main points that draw people to your home.  A sunroom will help differentiate your home from all of the others on the street, as they help to give your home the extra touch of elegance, for which you have been looking.

Top Trends in Remodeling Your Bathroom Today

Even though your bathroom serves a number of purposes, you want to ensure the space is functional and practical.  When you add in a bunch of extra indulgences that you truly don’t need, it will waste your time and money.  Opt for those extras that can help transform your simple room into more than somewhere you can go to shower and get ready for the day.  Your bathroom should also be a place where you can unwind and relax after a stressful day.

Many homeowners want roomier showers.  Most of the time, these showers will have multiple heads providing more than one user to shower at the same time.  When you have a roomier shower, it helps to provide you with something luxurious and stylish for cleaning up.

For a lot of remodeling jobs, a relaxing soaking tub comes into play for bathrooms of today.  Long gone are all of the Jacuzzi tubs that once drew people in.  Now it's all about those large, soaking tubs, where you will be able to sit back, relax and enjoying reading a book or watching television at the end of the day.  Relaxation and soothing your muscles are easy when you have a soaking tub at your disposal.

Another idea for many modern bathrooms: creating an ensuite.  This added room enables homeowners the ability to maintain their sense of modesty by separating the toilet from the rest of the room.  Multiple people can use the bathroom at the same time without compromising any of the user’s sense of privacy.  

And if you have ever argued over the bathroom sink in the morning with your mate, you understand the importance of double sinks in your space.  Both parties will be able to prepare for the morning without tripping each other up competing to complete their morning routine. 

More homeowners are installing a television set in their bathrooms as a way to watch the morning news, while still being able to prepare for work at the same time.  You can also use the television as a way to relax after work while soaking in the tub.  Using a flat-screen television set in your bathroom will take up a minimal amount of space and provide you with the extra comforts you need in your space.

A practical improvement would be to upgrade your ventilation system.  By nature, your bathroom is a moist environment.  Whenever moisture builds up, smaller rooms can become stuffy, and mold begins to form.  By upgrading your system, you can prevent any of this from happening.  Adding additional vents to your room and installing a system that is more powerful will help to eliminate moisture from your bathroom and prevent humidity from developing.

These are just a few suggestions for updating and remodeling your bathroom.  If you research, you may find other ideas that strike your fancy.  Don’t limit yourself.  Just be sure you identify your priorities and budget wisely.

Lighting is Imperative in Your Kitchen

Millions of homeowners make the decision to remodel their kitchen.  If you are looking to make some changes to your kitchen, lighting is a great place to start.  Your lighting plays a big part in the manner your kitchen is impacted.  Due to this reason alone, many homeowners make the decision to remodel their lighting along with other kitchen items.

Heading into your local home improvement store will provide you with an abundance of options from which you can choose for your lighting.  Lighting is available in a variety of shapes, styles and sizes.  Even though it may seem overwhelming to choose from amongst hundreds of options, you will need to choose what is going to work the best for your needs.  The lighting inside of your kitchen plays an important role in the atmosphere of your space, as well as the ambience.  Do some research and make sure you choose lights that will accentuate your space and make your kitchen somewhere family and friends want to gather.

Ceiling lights prove to be one of the more popular alternatives for remodeling homes  today.  They are affixed to the ceiling.  If you check with any number of home improvement stores, you will find plenty of options for your choosing.  Choose from a single or multi-bulb configuration to match your décor.  For those working on a budget, ceiling lights are the most affordable in a kitchen.

Many homeowners are implementing a ceiling fan into their kitchens today.  Not only will it help to circulate the air throughout your space, but it will also prevent the space from being overheated. Hanging lamps are another option.  Chandeliers and pendant lights are great options for your space.  Pendant lights will use traditional bulbs, while chandeliers use a smaller bulb.

Beyond traditional lighting in your kitchen, you will also want to affix some small lights underneath of your cabinetry.  Underneath of your cabinets is often a dark and dismal location, but you can help to light the space up while working inside of your kitchen.  If you have to go into the kitchen for a snack, this type of lighting helps provide you the lighting you need without having to turn on all of the lights.  Under cabinet lighting is becoming more and more popular in homes today, especially if you are going to replace the cabinets at the same time.

Regardless of the type of lighting you decide to use in your home, you will want to choose something that looks amazing for your kitchen.  Choose one that accentuates your current décor.  From modern kitchens to retro ones, you can find a type of lighting that will work perfectly for your wants and needs.  Once you know what you want, it is simply a matter of browsing through the options in the store to figure out the exact light for your budget.

Remodeling Your Cabinetry to Enhance Your Kitchen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have ever been asked what room in your home is used the most, you probably have answered your kitchen.  Since it is the most visited room inside of your home, it will probably need to be renovated quicker than any other areas will.  When in the kitchen, the most notable feature is that of your cabinets.  They will instantly grab your attention upon entering the room. 

In today’s world, there are numerous cabinets on the market in a variety of different sizes and shapes.  Home improvement stores and showrooms are flooded with cabinets for you to browse through.  Choose your style based on what is going to fit into your kitchen.  Modular cabinets and wooden cabinets are amongst the popular trends today.  Based upon your individual style and wants, talk over your needs with a professional who can help guide you along the way.

While making the decision on your kitchen cabinets, make sure you consider the size of your kitchen.  Even though cabinets are extremely fascinating, that doesn’t mean they will fit into your space accordingly.  Crowding your kitchen with too many cabinets can make it unappealing.  Choose carefully without going overboard to help maximize your space. 

Many of those who remodel their cabinets enjoy those made of glass with a firm base to highlight their china.  Oak, cherry and maple are excellent choices for wood cabinetry in your kitchen.  If you want to add a little depth and texture to the room, you can always mix and match the wood finish on your new cabinets.  Not only will it look amazing, but also you will have something truly unique to your style and taste. 

For a complete transformation of your kitchen without having to redo everything, remodeling your cabinets can be a great way to start.  Since you use them on a regular basis already, it is important that you have something that will work perfectly for your needs and wants.  If you are unsure what will fit into your space nicely, we can help you determine what options you have available to you.  

Transforming the Look of Your Kitchen

For those who are bored with the look of their kitchen, it may be time for a makeover.  As time progresses, many realize their old kitchens cannot accommodate their changing lifestyles and growing families.  Even though it may seem like a challenge to remodel your kitchen, you have to think about the functionality of it all upon project completion. 

Develop a plan of action.  One of the critical components to a remodel is to develop a plan.  You need to detailed and workable plan, so that way you can let the contractor know what you would like done.  Not only will you be able to pinpoint specific areas you want addressed, but it will also keep you on track of any changes being completed once the project is underway.

Look for ideas concerning the remodel.  It can be hard to come up with ideas of how you want your kitchen arranged and decorated.  Hunt for remodeling ideas that will keep you current on all the trends in the remodeling world today.  You will be able to find ideas in a number of locations online and in magazines.

Search through various kitchen items and accessories before you make the final purchase decision.  Finding out what’s available on the market is important.  It will also help you determine what the final cost will be, so you can see if it fits into your budget or not.  Comparing prices and items from one store to the next is critical.  You never know what store is going to have a better price on the items you want.

If you are unsure of what exactly you are searching for, take the time to visit some home stores.  You will find displays to help give you an idea what a particular kitchen looks like.  Once you have an idea what you want, it is simple enough to start incorporating your ideas into your home.  Understanding the functionality and benefits of a specific layout is important for ensuring you maximize your space.  Visiting home stores allows you to see some of the trendy designs in kitchens today.

Since your kitchen is one of the most important areas of your home, you want to make sure you get exactly what you desire.  Remodel your kitchen to make it your haven for cooking up fabulous meals.  The whole purpose of a remodel is not only to make the area gorgeous, but also to make it more functional.  For any questions about remodeling your kitchen, we are happy to address them and get you on the path to a new kitchen in no time.

Kitchen Transformation: Where to Begin?

Kitchens are the place where families come together in the home.  At the beginning of the day, everyone gathers in the kitchen before dispersing and going his or her separate ways. And by the end of the day, dinner is one of the main times where everyone unites and spends quality time together.  Your home should have a space that is worthy of sharing in all of those precious moments.

Not only is it about creating a fabulous meal in the kitchen, but it is also about being able to sit down and enjoy everything you have worked for as a family.  When you have a larger space in the kitchen, it will generate additional helpers who want to assist in stirring the food simmering on the stove, chopping the vegetables or just entertaining the cook with all of the news in the world today.  For the most part, food brings people together and allows them to bond as a family.

Since you will be working with your hands on the counters a lot, there is nothing better than upgrading to countertops that look amazing and deliver what you need.  Kitchens have become one of the most interactive locations in your home.  Everything in the kitchen starts with the countertops, so make sure you have counters that are able to withstand the daily grind and look beautiful in the process.

Visitors who enter into your kitchen will often notice your cabinets before anything else.  If you have old cabinetry with an awkward design or color, it will degrade the look of your kitchen.  Consider how important your cabinets are, and choose a design and color that work well for your needs.  Your cabinets should not only be functional and reliable, but also stylish.

Years ago, kitchen islands were everywhere in homes.  For decades, it seemed as if this handy feature was omitted from the design of homes.  More and more homeowners are realizing the importance of this feature and implementing them into their own homes.  The added space for storage, countertops, additional sinks and a centralized location make this one of the best additions you can make in your kitchen.

Upgrading your appliances can help eliminate those that are costing you a fortune in energy usage.  Beyond the convenience in new technology, the appliances of today will save you significantly after completing your kitchen remodeling project.  Energy Star appliances are becoming more and more popular today when it comes to saving money and looking amazing in your new kitchen.

Peace of Mind Comes in Raising Your Home

For many homeowners, you probably never think a storm is going to hit your home with such a magnitude that it will leave you without all of the necessities you have grown accustomed to.  In the wake of Sandy, many homeowners ended up with flooding that caused them to lose a number of their possessions.  Items that cannot be replaced are now gone because of the water that filled their homes.  When it comes to preventing as much damage as possible, raising your home may be just the answer you are looking for. 

As its name would suggests, a raised foundation is a foundation where the main floor of a home or business is raised above the plane of the surrounding earth.   Along with a concrete slab foundation, the raised foundation accounts for most of the foundation options used for homes in the industrialized world.  And indeed, raised foundations do offer some benefits.

While there are many things can be used to raise the foundation above the ground, concrete blocks or poured concrete forms are often the most used methods.  Usually around the outside area of the home, the edges of the support are either made of concrete, brick, or some other solid material.  After the underpinnings are put into place, the next step is to bridge them with another material, usually wood.

It is the opinion of many who say that the aesthetics of a raised home are far superior to that of slab homes.  In a neighborhood of simple slab homes, a home with a raised foundation may stands out because it may be a little taller than the homes around it.  Still, when it comes down to aesthetics, this is more of a personal preference than an absolute.

There are some true advantages to homes with a raised foundation. For example, there is less of a need for grading and leveling if a home has such a foundation.  Also, in a flood-prone area, there is some additional protection against flooding.

Regardless of whether your home lies along the shoreline or in town, you will reap the benefits that come from raising your home.  Not only will you have the peace of mind you need in knowing that your belongings are safe, but you won’t have to live in fear that your home could flood at any moment. 

If your home is raised, it can help provide a level of clearance that you would not otherwise have.  Your raised home will be more safe and secure than a home built on a slab.  Even though you may not be able to prevent a storm from making landfall, you can feel a bit more assured and protected when the event does occur.