Most people have great decorating ideas which they have picked up from books, magazines, looking at model homes, or as they see places in their daily routine. There are so many decorating choices to make, and each choice affects the other. You need to choose paint, think about whether to use wallpaper, decide on furniture, pick out the right accents, choose flooring, decide on window treatment styles, consider lighting, and so on. Therefore, you need to plan on all the best way you can so that you can enjoy the process of pulling the project together and not see it as a horrible experience.
The most important thing to remember when getting ready to tackle a home design project is not to get ahead of yourself. You need to create a plan that puts things in order. This will help you save money and time, and you will actualize your goal much quicker and easier. If you want to decorate your room or home with success, you need to avoid the following things that are sure-fire methods leading to disaster:
* Do not plan - simply buy furniture, window treatments, and accessories and figure them out as you go along.
* Do not really think about how the room will be used or what the needs are for the space.
* Choose a paint color before you think things through not having decided whether it will really work with the color scheme.
* Paint your walls white or light beige thinking that it is a “safe” color to decorate around and then wonder why the room looks bland.
* Don’t take the time to measure the room - after all you have a great eye for detail and you know that your estimate will work just fine.
* Forget about swatches and figure that you can remember the pattern or color you are trying to match.
* Forget about color schemes altogether and just figure all will work.
* Don’t even consider if all the patterns you are looking at are really a good mix or work with one another.
* Don’t even think about how the furniture will be need to be arranged...after all it should all fit in there somehow and you can certainly use it!
*Choose lamps you find on sale and figure you will make them work...no matter if they may be the wrong size or proportion. They are a great deal!
* Use the wrong type of lighting that makes the room too dark or too bright.
* Match everything too much and the room feels too contrived.
* Hang pictures on the wall – anywhere and everywhere to fill up the space.
* Don’t replace dead or half dead plants.
* Try to cram all of your furniture and accents into the room so it will feel full.
* Decorate around items that you don’t love, but feel that you must keep them..for some reason.
*Forget about following the principles of good design and just “go with the flow”.
If you want a room that looks planned and professional, you need to organize your thoughts. You need to understand how the furniture will relate to one another, what the right fabrics are for the style that you choose, and whether it is the correct fabric for that particular room. Also, you need to understand color palettes, how fabrics work with or against each other, and how the scale of fabric patterns work together. Displaying collectibles, balancing artwork, and the scale of accessories and furniture, etc, are crucial as to whether the room looks pulled together or not. Take your time to plan your decorating project, research for answers to questions you may have, you will enjoy it while not feeling overwhelmed, and the results will be stunning.
For information about GG Design Inspirations and Gina’s design services please visit: http://www.ggdesigninspirations.com, or call: 410-672-7224.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gina_Garunkstis
Do's And Don'ts Of Home Decorating
In order to get a better deal, the sellers generally try to decorate their houses before presenting it to the buyers. It is important to present your product in the best possible manner so that it sells easily.
Mark Nash, a Chicago based realtor, states that the buyer would like the house if it were decorated according to the latest trends. Nash, who constantly surveys the real estate market and gets himself updated with the latest changes occurring in home designs, has prepared a list of do’s and don’ts that can be used as guidelines before presenting the house to buyers.
He feels that buyers are making changes in their home designs to suit their changing life styles. For instance, adding a luggage room will be an advantage for those who are frequent travelers or providing an extra laundry room just besides the master suite as an extra comfort. Apart from this many new trends have come into the market such as use of chandeliers, fireplaces, use of natural colored decorative pieces like a terracotta style wall hanging, wooden floors and glossy finish that gives a grandeur look to the home.
Apart from these do’s, there are certain don’ts, which have to be considered. These include use of less glass cabinets in the kitchen, avoiding installation of bowl-type bathroom sinks, proper decoration of window moldings and avoiding concrete in the construction of exterior walls. However, most of the times people tend to forget certain vital points such as proper ventilation and illumination, ensuring that all the electrical wires and sockets are properly sealed and functioning well and that all the taps in the bathrooms and kitchen are not leaking. These are also very important in decreasing or increasing the value of a house.
About the writer: Nigel Kerry is an American free lance writer born in Los Angeles, California. Kerry writes about Apply Credit Online and Online Credit Card Applications, as well as refinance mortgage loan.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nigel_Kerry
Mark Nash, a Chicago based realtor, states that the buyer would like the house if it were decorated according to the latest trends. Nash, who constantly surveys the real estate market and gets himself updated with the latest changes occurring in home designs, has prepared a list of do’s and don’ts that can be used as guidelines before presenting the house to buyers.
He feels that buyers are making changes in their home designs to suit their changing life styles. For instance, adding a luggage room will be an advantage for those who are frequent travelers or providing an extra laundry room just besides the master suite as an extra comfort. Apart from this many new trends have come into the market such as use of chandeliers, fireplaces, use of natural colored decorative pieces like a terracotta style wall hanging, wooden floors and glossy finish that gives a grandeur look to the home.
Apart from these do’s, there are certain don’ts, which have to be considered. These include use of less glass cabinets in the kitchen, avoiding installation of bowl-type bathroom sinks, proper decoration of window moldings and avoiding concrete in the construction of exterior walls. However, most of the times people tend to forget certain vital points such as proper ventilation and illumination, ensuring that all the electrical wires and sockets are properly sealed and functioning well and that all the taps in the bathrooms and kitchen are not leaking. These are also very important in decreasing or increasing the value of a house.
About the writer: Nigel Kerry is an American free lance writer born in Los Angeles, California. Kerry writes about Apply Credit Online and Online Credit Card Applications, as well as refinance mortgage loan.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nigel_Kerry
Home Decorating Tips - How to Change a Rooms Dimension Using Wall Pictures
The Basic Role of Pictures
Wall art plays an important role in interior design as it helps create the ambience of a room. By cleverly placing wall pictures in certain ways, you can change and create a new look and feel in a room.
The role wall pictures play in interior design are:-
pictures, mirrors or other ornamental accessories on walls help make the room look 'lived in' and they also inject your personality into the room;
color pictures and prints help connect with the rooms accent;
pictures help absorb noise in a room, otherwise a room with totally bare walls will sound empty and will have an echo;
pictures and prints can help enhance or change a room's 'look and feel'.
How to Lengthen a Room
If you have a small room in your house, you can easily achieve the illusion of length. This can be done in two ways. If you like bold statements then simply paint a couple of horizontal lines in a bold color across the middle of the wall in which you want to lengthen. These lines then naturally create the illusion of increased length in the room. An alternative way to do this, and a more subtle way, is to use pictures.
By strategically placing art pictures or photographs with any kind of strong horizontal line in the print, can accomplish the illusion of length. For example, if you chose two or three long rectangular pictures with horizontal panoramic prints such as ocean & beach pictures, fields, or scenic mountain pictures, then this will help extend the length of the room naturally.
Two, three or more of these horizontal landscape pictures will give the maximum impact you are looking for to help lengthen a small room. Also bear in mind not to overdo the room with furniture. Too much clutter makes a room appear smaller.
How to Broaden a Narrow Room
If you have a room which is a bit on the narrow side, there is a simple strategy to make the room appear broader. All you need is a tin of paint, a wall mirror and a large colorful wall picture.
Get your tin of paint, which should preferably be a darker contrasting color to your other walls, and paint one of the walls with this darker paint. Find a colorful and lively large painting and hang it on the wall you have just painted - colorful flower pictures are ideal for this.
On the wall adjacent to your picture, hang a decorative large mirror. What has happened here is that the mirror reflects on the large picture, and the additional darker color on the wall has immediately given the room some much-needed depth. This combination will then make the room appear wider.
By adding these simple additions to your narrow room, you have instantly created a balance in the room's dimensions giving the sensation of additional space.
How to Heighten a Low Ceiling
Rooms with low ceilings give an oppressive feeling, whereas rooms with a high ceiling give a light and airy feel with a large amount of space. To overcome the problem of a low ceiling, there are a couple of interior design strategies to use.
First of all put down a darker floor covering, whether it be a wooden floor, carpet or lino. Paint the walls with a lighter color than the floor, or use light colored wallpaper. If you can, use white paint for the ceiling as this always gives the room maximum light and instantly draws the eyes upwards.
Hang up wall pictures with strong vertical lines as this then gives the impression of height. Use portrait prints such as vertical landscapes, i.e. lighthouses, trees, cityscapes, or floral prints such as flowers in a vertical vase or tall long stem roses. Therefore, by combining the dark floor, light walls and ceiling and portraits prints, all adds to the sense of height in a room.
Summary
Art pictures and prints play an important role in home decorating for several reasons. They do not only reflect and put your own personality into the room, but they can also help as a solution to change the look and feel of a room by giving the illusion of height, width and length. This can easily be achieved by combining wall pictures, contrasting colors and decorative mirrors.
Claire Bowes is a successful freelance writer and owner of Online Home Improvement Ideas.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Claire_Bowes
Wall art plays an important role in interior design as it helps create the ambience of a room. By cleverly placing wall pictures in certain ways, you can change and create a new look and feel in a room.
The role wall pictures play in interior design are:-
pictures, mirrors or other ornamental accessories on walls help make the room look 'lived in' and they also inject your personality into the room;
color pictures and prints help connect with the rooms accent;
pictures help absorb noise in a room, otherwise a room with totally bare walls will sound empty and will have an echo;
pictures and prints can help enhance or change a room's 'look and feel'.
How to Lengthen a Room
If you have a small room in your house, you can easily achieve the illusion of length. This can be done in two ways. If you like bold statements then simply paint a couple of horizontal lines in a bold color across the middle of the wall in which you want to lengthen. These lines then naturally create the illusion of increased length in the room. An alternative way to do this, and a more subtle way, is to use pictures.
By strategically placing art pictures or photographs with any kind of strong horizontal line in the print, can accomplish the illusion of length. For example, if you chose two or three long rectangular pictures with horizontal panoramic prints such as ocean & beach pictures, fields, or scenic mountain pictures, then this will help extend the length of the room naturally.
Two, three or more of these horizontal landscape pictures will give the maximum impact you are looking for to help lengthen a small room. Also bear in mind not to overdo the room with furniture. Too much clutter makes a room appear smaller.
How to Broaden a Narrow Room
If you have a room which is a bit on the narrow side, there is a simple strategy to make the room appear broader. All you need is a tin of paint, a wall mirror and a large colorful wall picture.
Get your tin of paint, which should preferably be a darker contrasting color to your other walls, and paint one of the walls with this darker paint. Find a colorful and lively large painting and hang it on the wall you have just painted - colorful flower pictures are ideal for this.
On the wall adjacent to your picture, hang a decorative large mirror. What has happened here is that the mirror reflects on the large picture, and the additional darker color on the wall has immediately given the room some much-needed depth. This combination will then make the room appear wider.
By adding these simple additions to your narrow room, you have instantly created a balance in the room's dimensions giving the sensation of additional space.
How to Heighten a Low Ceiling
Rooms with low ceilings give an oppressive feeling, whereas rooms with a high ceiling give a light and airy feel with a large amount of space. To overcome the problem of a low ceiling, there are a couple of interior design strategies to use.
First of all put down a darker floor covering, whether it be a wooden floor, carpet or lino. Paint the walls with a lighter color than the floor, or use light colored wallpaper. If you can, use white paint for the ceiling as this always gives the room maximum light and instantly draws the eyes upwards.
Hang up wall pictures with strong vertical lines as this then gives the impression of height. Use portrait prints such as vertical landscapes, i.e. lighthouses, trees, cityscapes, or floral prints such as flowers in a vertical vase or tall long stem roses. Therefore, by combining the dark floor, light walls and ceiling and portraits prints, all adds to the sense of height in a room.
Summary
Art pictures and prints play an important role in home decorating for several reasons. They do not only reflect and put your own personality into the room, but they can also help as a solution to change the look and feel of a room by giving the illusion of height, width and length. This can easily be achieved by combining wall pictures, contrasting colors and decorative mirrors.
Claire Bowes is a successful freelance writer and owner of Online Home Improvement Ideas.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Claire_Bowes
Furnace Buying Tips
Choosing a furnace for your home is not difficult. The following list are features that you may want to look for when buying your furnace.
1. What type of furnace do you want? Will it be Gas or Electric?
The Gas Furnace
The gas furnace is always more affordable to use than the electric furnace where gas is readily available. On the downside, burning fuel generates fumes. In well-maintained gas furnaces, the fumes generated are enclosed in the exchanger and then exit the house through an exhaust vent.
Remember, a gas furnace must be checked by a qualified professional at least once a year. The professional would check the furnace for holes, leaks or cracks. A break or crack in the furnace lets carbon monoxide seep into your house or place of business.
The Electric Furnace
The electric furnace has a higher cost than a gas furnace. On the upside, since electric furnaces do not use flames, it does not generate any carbon monoxide. The electric furnace is cleaner and safer than a gas furnace.
2. The Quality of the Furnace
The quality of the furnace determines how long and how well it will perform. Choosing a brand of furnace that has a history of quality and reliability can be less costly in the long run. Ask your contractor about which brand will be optimal for your needs. A free estimate for the purchase and installation are available in some companies.
3. The Efficiency of the Furnace
The efficiency of gas furnaces are determined by the AFUE or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratings. The AFUE ratings identifies how efficiently is the fuel being consumed. In most cases, a higher AFUE rating means it takes less fuel to heat your home.
Gas furnaces with higher ratings cost more than those with lower ratings but may save you more money down the road. A minimum rating of 78% is established by the government in 1992. Many furnaces have an efficiency rating of about 60% prior to 1992.
a. The Mid-Efficiency Furnaces
The mid-efficiency furnaces are also called ‘induces draft furnaces’ or ‘non-condensing furnaces’. The mid-efficiency furnace offers the bare minimum of 78% efficiency up to about 80%.
b. The High-Efficiency Furnaces
The high-efficiency furnaces are also known as ‘condensing furnaces’ or ‘sealed combustion furnaces’. The high-efficiency furnaces has an AFUE rating as high as 96%. Some furnaces use a two-stage valve and an efficient variable-speed motor to raise comfort and effectiveness.
4. The Comfort features of furnaces
Several furnaces provide features that increases comfort and efficiency.
a. The features of the two-speed furnace
The furnace can function at low speed for most of the time. It allows for a more quieter operation for a longer amount of time compared to a ‘single-speed furnace’. The longer run periods allow for fewer start/stop cycles, less drafts, and very little temperature variance.
The temperature swing is limited to about two degrees compared to the four degree variance of the single-speed units. The two-speed unit gives better circulation which prevents warmer air from rising and the cooler air from settling down. The two-speed unit gives a more consistent temperature in the house.
b. The features of variable-capacity furnaces
Furnaces with variable capacity provide a combination of efficiency and comfort. The variable-capacity has a motor that regulates your needs by automatically adjusting air volume and speed. The var-cap furnace provides the most efficient heating and cooling.
A fan comes with the var-cap furnace. The fan will reduce your cost during summer. If the fan is used throughout summer, the central air conditioning unit increases in efficiency.
5. The furnace noise level
Unfortunately, all furnaces do not come with a standard rating system for sound unlike heat pumps and air conditioners. Although, two-speed units and var-cap units generally operate at a low noise levels.
The two-speed and var-cap furnaces run for longer periods and lower sounds than the standard unit. Certain var-cap units has features that prevent ‘creaking’ of the ducts due to expansion and contraction caused by changing temperature. The temperature differential is reduced so that the creaking noise is also almost eliminated.
For more great furnace information and resources check out: http://www.furnaceadvisor.info
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Morris
1. What type of furnace do you want? Will it be Gas or Electric?
The Gas Furnace
The gas furnace is always more affordable to use than the electric furnace where gas is readily available. On the downside, burning fuel generates fumes. In well-maintained gas furnaces, the fumes generated are enclosed in the exchanger and then exit the house through an exhaust vent.
Remember, a gas furnace must be checked by a qualified professional at least once a year. The professional would check the furnace for holes, leaks or cracks. A break or crack in the furnace lets carbon monoxide seep into your house or place of business.
The Electric Furnace
The electric furnace has a higher cost than a gas furnace. On the upside, since electric furnaces do not use flames, it does not generate any carbon monoxide. The electric furnace is cleaner and safer than a gas furnace.
2. The Quality of the Furnace
The quality of the furnace determines how long and how well it will perform. Choosing a brand of furnace that has a history of quality and reliability can be less costly in the long run. Ask your contractor about which brand will be optimal for your needs. A free estimate for the purchase and installation are available in some companies.
3. The Efficiency of the Furnace
The efficiency of gas furnaces are determined by the AFUE or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency ratings. The AFUE ratings identifies how efficiently is the fuel being consumed. In most cases, a higher AFUE rating means it takes less fuel to heat your home.
Gas furnaces with higher ratings cost more than those with lower ratings but may save you more money down the road. A minimum rating of 78% is established by the government in 1992. Many furnaces have an efficiency rating of about 60% prior to 1992.
a. The Mid-Efficiency Furnaces
The mid-efficiency furnaces are also called ‘induces draft furnaces’ or ‘non-condensing furnaces’. The mid-efficiency furnace offers the bare minimum of 78% efficiency up to about 80%.
b. The High-Efficiency Furnaces
The high-efficiency furnaces are also known as ‘condensing furnaces’ or ‘sealed combustion furnaces’. The high-efficiency furnaces has an AFUE rating as high as 96%. Some furnaces use a two-stage valve and an efficient variable-speed motor to raise comfort and effectiveness.
4. The Comfort features of furnaces
Several furnaces provide features that increases comfort and efficiency.
a. The features of the two-speed furnace
The furnace can function at low speed for most of the time. It allows for a more quieter operation for a longer amount of time compared to a ‘single-speed furnace’. The longer run periods allow for fewer start/stop cycles, less drafts, and very little temperature variance.
The temperature swing is limited to about two degrees compared to the four degree variance of the single-speed units. The two-speed unit gives better circulation which prevents warmer air from rising and the cooler air from settling down. The two-speed unit gives a more consistent temperature in the house.
b. The features of variable-capacity furnaces
Furnaces with variable capacity provide a combination of efficiency and comfort. The variable-capacity has a motor that regulates your needs by automatically adjusting air volume and speed. The var-cap furnace provides the most efficient heating and cooling.
A fan comes with the var-cap furnace. The fan will reduce your cost during summer. If the fan is used throughout summer, the central air conditioning unit increases in efficiency.
5. The furnace noise level
Unfortunately, all furnaces do not come with a standard rating system for sound unlike heat pumps and air conditioners. Although, two-speed units and var-cap units generally operate at a low noise levels.
The two-speed and var-cap furnaces run for longer periods and lower sounds than the standard unit. Certain var-cap units has features that prevent ‘creaking’ of the ducts due to expansion and contraction caused by changing temperature. The temperature differential is reduced so that the creaking noise is also almost eliminated.
For more great furnace information and resources check out: http://www.furnaceadvisor.info
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Morris
Home Improvement Projects That Really Pay Off
Many of us watch TV shows and see the miraculous transformation of homes and gardens by professionals and amateur do-it-yourselfers. Is it really that easy, we ask ourselves. Could I do it? Where do I begin? What home improvement projects will generate the biggest increase in the value of my home?
What Do You Want and What Can You Afford?
There are several good reasons for wanting to redecorate or remodel your home. If your residence no longer reflects your changing tastes and lifestyle but you don’t want to leave a desirable neighborhood, maybe all you need to do is make one or two basic changes. Altering a color scheme, converting a bedroom into a home office, or upgrading the kitchen and bathroom are practical improvements that add esthetic appeal and financial value. If a move is in the future, you want home improvement projects that will give you the biggest bang for your buck when it’s time to sell.
Whatever your motives for improving your home, make a wish list with three categories:
* Must have
* Would like to have
* Dreams can come true
When your list is complete, consider the amount of money you have available or are prepared to borrow. Unless you have unlimited funds, make a realistic estimate of what you can afford. Are you planning major renovations that will require the services of an architect or a contractor? Will you need an electrician, a plumber, a carpenter, a painter, or all four? How much work can you do yourself? All these factors must be taken into account as you pare down your list into affordable home improvement projects.
How Do You Begin?
Every project starts with a plan. Itemize everything you want and think you can afford, and include a design of rooms to be remodeled. If you are going to require professional help, now is the time to talk to contractors, plumbers, and other tradesmen, and to ask for estimates. Comparison-shopping is a must. If you are an accomplished do-it-yourselfer, price materials and tools needed. If you can’t afford to do everything on your list, reassess your prime needs and make a new plan.
What Projects Are Key?
The best projects for improving the value of your home are, happily, the most affordable and the easiest to do yourself, even if you are a super klutz. Ask any real estate agent for tips on how to prepare a home for resale and you will be told that the house and yard should be cleaned and all clutter removed. Creating suitable home storage facilities and cleaning and painting the interior and exterior of your house, therefore, are the jobs that top the list of desirable improvements. The premium projects that usually require professional help are kitchen remodeling first and bathroom remodeling second. These particular upgrades will provide the best return for your money, and the real estate industry has statistics to prove it.
Clean Everything in Sight
Cleaning your home and yard is a great improvement project, and if you are remodeling, it will be the final step after the dust has settled. You will need something heavy-duty like tri-sodium phosphate or its equivalent to wash most surfaces inside and outside the house. There are also special cleaners for glass, tile, porcelain, stainless steel, and wood, and for getting rid of unpleasant molds and mildew. Visit your friendly hardware store and read labels. There are cleaners for almost every material and for solving almost every cleaning problem. Make sure rooms are well ventilated whenever you are cleaning, carefully follow directions, and wear gloves and a mask.
Removing clutter is another worthwhile project and requires adequate home storage with a combination of cabinets, shelves and bins, and sufficient strength of mind to discard all junk, no matter how much you love it. You can buy easy-to-assemble shelving and cabinets in a great variety of sizes and materials at affordable prices. Small, decorative containers can be used to organize and conceal the ongoing accumulations of such items as incoming mail. In the yard, removing clutter means getting rid of dead trees, dead branches, broken slabs and stones in patios and walkways, and tidying up the garden and lawn. When faced with clutter, ruthlessly throw it out, recycle it, hold a garage sale, donate it to the charity of your choice – get rid of it.
Interior painting and exterior painting should be next on your list of preferred home improvement projects. Fresh paint helps make your home look clean, bright, and spacious. When selecting colors for the exterior, don’t forget to do something about that bland front door. Have fun! Fresh, harmonious colors add beauty and personality to your home both inside and out.
Put Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling High on the List
Although remodeling a kitchen seems like a daunting task, a complete overhaul pays great dividends if and when you sell your home. Purchasing new cabinets and appliances are worthy goals, but you can also make minor changes that will create impact. If you can’t replace the kitchen cabinets, replace the cabinet doors at least. If that is also beyond your means, add molding to the cabinet doors, paint them, and replace the hardware. It’s not that difficult or expensive to replace an outdated sink, and if you can’t afford a new stove, fridge and dishwasher, don’t hang on to those gold or avocado monstrosities – buy attractive reconditioned replacements.
Bathroom remodeling is the next most important improvement and the biggest dividends come from installing a new sink, bathtub, toilet, and shower stall, as well as attractive tiles and custom cabinets. Again, if you can’t manage a complete makeover, replace the tired old taps, faucets and showerhead; add shelves; and paint and redecorate the cabinets.
Other Projects to Consider
After you have decided on and planned for the most important home improvement projects, new window covering and upgraded flooring should receive your attention. You can choose from a large array of window dressings and styles, or simply buy fabric, turn hems with iron-on tape, and dramatically drape the material over attractive curtain rods. Shutters are another possibility and lend themselves to many different decorating styles.
Your choice of flooring is limited only by your taste and budget. Rip up the old carpet and replace it with contemporary hardwood flooring or laminate flooring. If you already have hardwood, simply sanding and re-staining it or giving it a clear finish may give your rooms the lift they need. Other flooring replacements that can transform a room include tile, vinyl, linoleum, or textured rubber.
Finally, save a little energy and money to improve the appearance of your yard. Maybe all you have to do to improve the garden is trim, mow, weed, and then plant a few flowers. Adding or upgrading an existing patio, deck, or walkway can also be very worthwhile.
Choosing the best modeling and redecorating projects will not only increase the long-term value of your home, they will also provide satisfaction and pleasure for you, the smart homeowner.
Scott Gray is a successful freelance writer who has written many articles for http://www.all-about-home-improvement.com your one stop source for finding the best deals on the internet for home improvement projects , home products, garden supplies, bathroom accessories and more!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Gray
What Do You Want and What Can You Afford?
There are several good reasons for wanting to redecorate or remodel your home. If your residence no longer reflects your changing tastes and lifestyle but you don’t want to leave a desirable neighborhood, maybe all you need to do is make one or two basic changes. Altering a color scheme, converting a bedroom into a home office, or upgrading the kitchen and bathroom are practical improvements that add esthetic appeal and financial value. If a move is in the future, you want home improvement projects that will give you the biggest bang for your buck when it’s time to sell.
Whatever your motives for improving your home, make a wish list with three categories:
* Must have
* Would like to have
* Dreams can come true
When your list is complete, consider the amount of money you have available or are prepared to borrow. Unless you have unlimited funds, make a realistic estimate of what you can afford. Are you planning major renovations that will require the services of an architect or a contractor? Will you need an electrician, a plumber, a carpenter, a painter, or all four? How much work can you do yourself? All these factors must be taken into account as you pare down your list into affordable home improvement projects.
How Do You Begin?
Every project starts with a plan. Itemize everything you want and think you can afford, and include a design of rooms to be remodeled. If you are going to require professional help, now is the time to talk to contractors, plumbers, and other tradesmen, and to ask for estimates. Comparison-shopping is a must. If you are an accomplished do-it-yourselfer, price materials and tools needed. If you can’t afford to do everything on your list, reassess your prime needs and make a new plan.
What Projects Are Key?
The best projects for improving the value of your home are, happily, the most affordable and the easiest to do yourself, even if you are a super klutz. Ask any real estate agent for tips on how to prepare a home for resale and you will be told that the house and yard should be cleaned and all clutter removed. Creating suitable home storage facilities and cleaning and painting the interior and exterior of your house, therefore, are the jobs that top the list of desirable improvements. The premium projects that usually require professional help are kitchen remodeling first and bathroom remodeling second. These particular upgrades will provide the best return for your money, and the real estate industry has statistics to prove it.
Clean Everything in Sight
Cleaning your home and yard is a great improvement project, and if you are remodeling, it will be the final step after the dust has settled. You will need something heavy-duty like tri-sodium phosphate or its equivalent to wash most surfaces inside and outside the house. There are also special cleaners for glass, tile, porcelain, stainless steel, and wood, and for getting rid of unpleasant molds and mildew. Visit your friendly hardware store and read labels. There are cleaners for almost every material and for solving almost every cleaning problem. Make sure rooms are well ventilated whenever you are cleaning, carefully follow directions, and wear gloves and a mask.
Removing clutter is another worthwhile project and requires adequate home storage with a combination of cabinets, shelves and bins, and sufficient strength of mind to discard all junk, no matter how much you love it. You can buy easy-to-assemble shelving and cabinets in a great variety of sizes and materials at affordable prices. Small, decorative containers can be used to organize and conceal the ongoing accumulations of such items as incoming mail. In the yard, removing clutter means getting rid of dead trees, dead branches, broken slabs and stones in patios and walkways, and tidying up the garden and lawn. When faced with clutter, ruthlessly throw it out, recycle it, hold a garage sale, donate it to the charity of your choice – get rid of it.
Interior painting and exterior painting should be next on your list of preferred home improvement projects. Fresh paint helps make your home look clean, bright, and spacious. When selecting colors for the exterior, don’t forget to do something about that bland front door. Have fun! Fresh, harmonious colors add beauty and personality to your home both inside and out.
Put Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling High on the List
Although remodeling a kitchen seems like a daunting task, a complete overhaul pays great dividends if and when you sell your home. Purchasing new cabinets and appliances are worthy goals, but you can also make minor changes that will create impact. If you can’t replace the kitchen cabinets, replace the cabinet doors at least. If that is also beyond your means, add molding to the cabinet doors, paint them, and replace the hardware. It’s not that difficult or expensive to replace an outdated sink, and if you can’t afford a new stove, fridge and dishwasher, don’t hang on to those gold or avocado monstrosities – buy attractive reconditioned replacements.
Bathroom remodeling is the next most important improvement and the biggest dividends come from installing a new sink, bathtub, toilet, and shower stall, as well as attractive tiles and custom cabinets. Again, if you can’t manage a complete makeover, replace the tired old taps, faucets and showerhead; add shelves; and paint and redecorate the cabinets.
Other Projects to Consider
After you have decided on and planned for the most important home improvement projects, new window covering and upgraded flooring should receive your attention. You can choose from a large array of window dressings and styles, or simply buy fabric, turn hems with iron-on tape, and dramatically drape the material over attractive curtain rods. Shutters are another possibility and lend themselves to many different decorating styles.
Your choice of flooring is limited only by your taste and budget. Rip up the old carpet and replace it with contemporary hardwood flooring or laminate flooring. If you already have hardwood, simply sanding and re-staining it or giving it a clear finish may give your rooms the lift they need. Other flooring replacements that can transform a room include tile, vinyl, linoleum, or textured rubber.
Finally, save a little energy and money to improve the appearance of your yard. Maybe all you have to do to improve the garden is trim, mow, weed, and then plant a few flowers. Adding or upgrading an existing patio, deck, or walkway can also be very worthwhile.
Choosing the best modeling and redecorating projects will not only increase the long-term value of your home, they will also provide satisfaction and pleasure for you, the smart homeowner.
Scott Gray is a successful freelance writer who has written many articles for http://www.all-about-home-improvement.com your one stop source for finding the best deals on the internet for home improvement projects , home products, garden supplies, bathroom accessories and more!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Gray
Save Money When Hiring a Home Improvement Company
If you are considering a new home improvement project you may need to hire a home improvement company to help you complete the job. There are usually a couple good companies in each town that you can consider, but you may be able to save some money if you follow a couple of easy suggestions. This article will show you some tips to apply next time you hire a home improvement company.
When you are out and about you will often find many new homes under construction. One of the best ways to find a good home improvement company is to see what others are doing with their homes. Each company will have certain things that they are better at than others.
Plan Before You Start You Project
If you know for sure what types of home improvements you will be needing before you start your search for a contractor to do the job you will save yourself some money. Time is money so you want to make sure that you develop a clear strategy of what you want so that your home improvement company specialist does not need to charge you to develop ideas.
Save Money on Materials
The next way you might be able save some hard earned cash when hiring a home improvement company is to make sure you understand the materials they will be using for the job. You may be able to find some close out carpet or other flooring if you have a project planned that will include this type of home improvement. You may also find some nice fixtures on close out and have them on hand for you’re your home improvement company to install when they are working on your cabinets.
Know the Going Rate for Your Home Improvement Project
You can find good services online that will give you free home improvement company quotes and then you will have a good idea of the cost and some bargaining power when you are ready to hire someone. The forms online are very simple to fill out. They can often give you a quote from someone in your local area and often times the rate will be much cheaper than if they were dealing with you based on a phone call or referral since they realize you are shopping online.
Find more helpful home improvement tips by visiting http://best-home-improvement-projects.com where you will find helpful home improvement tips, advice and resources including information on easy home improvement projects, kitchen repair and Home Improvement Company.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Turner
When you are out and about you will often find many new homes under construction. One of the best ways to find a good home improvement company is to see what others are doing with their homes. Each company will have certain things that they are better at than others.
Plan Before You Start You Project
If you know for sure what types of home improvements you will be needing before you start your search for a contractor to do the job you will save yourself some money. Time is money so you want to make sure that you develop a clear strategy of what you want so that your home improvement company specialist does not need to charge you to develop ideas.
Save Money on Materials
The next way you might be able save some hard earned cash when hiring a home improvement company is to make sure you understand the materials they will be using for the job. You may be able to find some close out carpet or other flooring if you have a project planned that will include this type of home improvement. You may also find some nice fixtures on close out and have them on hand for you’re your home improvement company to install when they are working on your cabinets.
Know the Going Rate for Your Home Improvement Project
You can find good services online that will give you free home improvement company quotes and then you will have a good idea of the cost and some bargaining power when you are ready to hire someone. The forms online are very simple to fill out. They can often give you a quote from someone in your local area and often times the rate will be much cheaper than if they were dealing with you based on a phone call or referral since they realize you are shopping online.
Find more helpful home improvement tips by visiting http://best-home-improvement-projects.com where you will find helpful home improvement tips, advice and resources including information on easy home improvement projects, kitchen repair and Home Improvement Company.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Turner
How To Change The Look Of Your Interiors
Bored of that same look every time you enter your home after work? Sick of the regularity of finding the furniture exactly how it was years ago? Maybe it is time to change some of the settings of your household furniture to give it that essential freshness you desire.
While some of us like to change the décor of the home regularly, others may not be so enterprising – the friendliness of your layout and the fact that you and your family are so used to the being just where it has been for the past ten years, is too much to shake you out of your lethargy. Yet, I will still advocate – Move yourself and that piece of furniture, and you will have a freshness about your home, a new look that will make the effort well worth ‘wasting’ a lazy Sunday morning.
So how do you go about revamping that antique look of your rooms that has been around for as long as you can remember? Let’s start with the place of all daily family get-togethers – the Dining Room. Just as half the taste of a good dish lies in it’s layout and garnishing, the fun and pleasure of doing up your dining room is equally well rewarded by the increased quality time spent in ambivient surroundings.
The first thing to do is to make a plan. Don’t over extend your mental faculties and put it on paper – draw it out, preferably to scale. It will give you a holistic view of your plan, and make it easier to discuss with an expert or your spouse.
Looking at the space available will give you a broad idea of arranging your dining room furniture. Also see the furniture pieces you have available – Dining table, , dining table pad etc.
The size of the table should be adequate to allow seating your entire family at one go, and if that is not possible (large family), at least the elders. Generally most family come in sizes with even seating capacity – two, four, six, eight or more. Assuming you have the right size, plan to leave enough space around to allow free movement. A couple of feet is the bare minimum for comfortable passage, and more may be left if you have a larger sized room.
Shake things up with the placement of the chairs. The typical dining room table has four or six side chairs pushed up to it and two armchairs at the ends, but you can break the mold by moving the armchairs elsewhere, perhaps flanking a window or sideboard.
Place a drop-leaf table near the window sill for those extra guests or for the kids to have their own little corner meal once in a while.
Use cloth covers to cover the dining chairs for that touch of elegance. And don’t worry about them getting dirty – after all, when is your washing machine going to work out for its living? Wash and re-use, or buy new ones when the old ones get worn out. They come pretty cheap for the ambience they provide, and are widely available at all upholstery stores.
Add some interesting lighting. Instead of using the plain vanilla glass lampshade, dig out that exotic paper or traditional cloth one you picked up during your last holiday. Combine it with a low wattage diffused light, and it will add a dash of color and romance to your setting.
A potted plant or two never fails to add to the sophisticated look. Take care, however, to keep tall plants in the corners, and short ones at other places.
So don’t just sit there reading this article. Get up and get cracking to surprise yourself and your family!
The author loves her exquisite Oak Amish Furniture set. You should buy a suitable dining furniture set to make everyday mealtime a wonderful family experience. Dining room furniture is available in all kinds of materials and sizes for you to choose from.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarika_Kabra
While some of us like to change the décor of the home regularly, others may not be so enterprising – the friendliness of your layout and the fact that you and your family are so used to the being just where it has been for the past ten years, is too much to shake you out of your lethargy. Yet, I will still advocate – Move yourself and that piece of furniture, and you will have a freshness about your home, a new look that will make the effort well worth ‘wasting’ a lazy Sunday morning.
So how do you go about revamping that antique look of your rooms that has been around for as long as you can remember? Let’s start with the place of all daily family get-togethers – the Dining Room. Just as half the taste of a good dish lies in it’s layout and garnishing, the fun and pleasure of doing up your dining room is equally well rewarded by the increased quality time spent in ambivient surroundings.
The first thing to do is to make a plan. Don’t over extend your mental faculties and put it on paper – draw it out, preferably to scale. It will give you a holistic view of your plan, and make it easier to discuss with an expert or your spouse.
Looking at the space available will give you a broad idea of arranging your dining room furniture. Also see the furniture pieces you have available – Dining table, , dining table pad etc.
The size of the table should be adequate to allow seating your entire family at one go, and if that is not possible (large family), at least the elders. Generally most family come in sizes with even seating capacity – two, four, six, eight or more. Assuming you have the right size, plan to leave enough space around to allow free movement. A couple of feet is the bare minimum for comfortable passage, and more may be left if you have a larger sized room.
Shake things up with the placement of the chairs. The typical dining room table has four or six side chairs pushed up to it and two armchairs at the ends, but you can break the mold by moving the armchairs elsewhere, perhaps flanking a window or sideboard.
Place a drop-leaf table near the window sill for those extra guests or for the kids to have their own little corner meal once in a while.
Use cloth covers to cover the dining chairs for that touch of elegance. And don’t worry about them getting dirty – after all, when is your washing machine going to work out for its living? Wash and re-use, or buy new ones when the old ones get worn out. They come pretty cheap for the ambience they provide, and are widely available at all upholstery stores.
Add some interesting lighting. Instead of using the plain vanilla glass lampshade, dig out that exotic paper or traditional cloth one you picked up during your last holiday. Combine it with a low wattage diffused light, and it will add a dash of color and romance to your setting.
A potted plant or two never fails to add to the sophisticated look. Take care, however, to keep tall plants in the corners, and short ones at other places.
So don’t just sit there reading this article. Get up and get cracking to surprise yourself and your family!
The author loves her exquisite Oak Amish Furniture set. You should buy a suitable dining furniture set to make everyday mealtime a wonderful family experience. Dining room furniture is available in all kinds of materials and sizes for you to choose from.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarika_Kabra
Many Home Owners Borrow This Loan For Home Improvements
Many home owners borrow this loan for home improvements. The improvements will augment the value of your home and for most people this is their biggest asset.
Before you take a loan first consider the financial implication of a monthly payment and decide if this is affordable. Always weigh up the cost of the loan and decide if the project you have in mind is worth the expense of the loan.
Many borrowers take this loan for the purpose of consolidating their debts and paying them off. It is a good idea to inform the bank if you are taking the loan for this purpose. They will assist you by giving you checks for your creditors instead of giving you the cash. This will take away any temptation of spending the money on anything else.
Many people take this loan to pay for the deposit on a car or to pay for a small car. It makes economic sense as you will be paying less interest on the loan than you would pay for a car instalment at a car dealership.
Very often borrowers use the proceeds of this loan to pay for college or university tuition fees and books for their children. This will be money well spent to help them get a good education.
When you purchased your home you probably did not realise that you could raise money on it if you needed cash for any reason. The home equity loan is available to all home owners for this reason. This loan is secured against the home so is not without any risks. You could lose your home to the bank or lender if you could not pay the monthly payments regularly.
You should shop around at banks and money lenders before you apply for this loan in order to acquaint yourself with the current interest rates and loan charges. You can check this online too if this is easier for you. This loan does not necessarily have to be taken at the same bank as where you got your mortgage loan to purchase your home. As soon as a loan has been paid off successfully another one can be applied for if the home owner needs cash again.
This author writes informative articles on various subjects.
http://www.homeequityloanssites.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mabel_Van_Niekerk
Before you take a loan first consider the financial implication of a monthly payment and decide if this is affordable. Always weigh up the cost of the loan and decide if the project you have in mind is worth the expense of the loan.
Many borrowers take this loan for the purpose of consolidating their debts and paying them off. It is a good idea to inform the bank if you are taking the loan for this purpose. They will assist you by giving you checks for your creditors instead of giving you the cash. This will take away any temptation of spending the money on anything else.
Many people take this loan to pay for the deposit on a car or to pay for a small car. It makes economic sense as you will be paying less interest on the loan than you would pay for a car instalment at a car dealership.
Very often borrowers use the proceeds of this loan to pay for college or university tuition fees and books for their children. This will be money well spent to help them get a good education.
When you purchased your home you probably did not realise that you could raise money on it if you needed cash for any reason. The home equity loan is available to all home owners for this reason. This loan is secured against the home so is not without any risks. You could lose your home to the bank or lender if you could not pay the monthly payments regularly.
You should shop around at banks and money lenders before you apply for this loan in order to acquaint yourself with the current interest rates and loan charges. You can check this online too if this is easier for you. This loan does not necessarily have to be taken at the same bank as where you got your mortgage loan to purchase your home. As soon as a loan has been paid off successfully another one can be applied for if the home owner needs cash again.
This author writes informative articles on various subjects.
http://www.homeequityloanssites.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mabel_Van_Niekerk
Minor Home Improvements Will Get You A Higher Price For Your Home!
There are many home improvements that are quite economical, especially if you use sweat equity, which will increase the value of your home exponentially.
In order to get the most money for your home when you sell you must look at it from the point of view of a potential buyer. There are two types of homebuyers. Those that are looking for a fixer upper, possibly to flip and those that are looking for a new home for their family. This article is based on the later, those who are looking for a new home for their family.
The most important thing to remember is that it is the first impression that remains in a person’s mind when they see your home.
The first thing to do is to drive up to your home, as a potential buyer would do (if your home can be reached from two directions, then approach the home from both). It is also important that you do this during the day and in the evening when it is dark outside. What is your first impression of your home as it compares to the homes around yours?
Are the lawn, gardens, bushes, and trees well manicured?
Is the yard cluttered?
How does the chimney look?
Does the paint look fresh?
Does the roof look worn?
Are there leaves and branches in the eve’s trough?
Are there any broken windows?
Look at the position of drapes, blinds and shutters.
Do all the outdoor lights work?
The overall impression that you want to convey is that the home has been very well maintained. It should also look inviting. You want people to feel that they would be proud to show their friends and relatives the home they just purchased.
Once you have arrived at your home. Park and enter the home as a potential buyer would. Do not use garage or side doors, a potential buyer will enter through your front door.
Do the doorbells work?
Are door handles tight and working?
Is weather stripping in good condition?
Can you see light from inside the home through the edges or bottom of the door?
Small things can imply that you have not taken proper care of the property.
Now that you are in the foyer of your home, what do you see? Remove clutter, such as a boots and shoes on mats as you enter. People like a bright home and you might want to consider increasing bulb wattage in all light fixtures. This is especially important in the kitchen.
Now as a prospective buyer, you will inspect the home. Studies have proven that women are sold on kitchens and bathrooms, while men are sold on family or entertainment rooms, and workshop areas.
All rooms should be painted with a neutral color, such as bone (this includes any children’s rooms that maybe currently painted with deep colors). A neutral color makes rooms look bigger. Wallpaper should be removed and the walls painted. Replace any light bulbs that don’t come on. Carpets that are stained should be replaced or removed (especially if they are pet stains).
Every room should be clutter free (clutter implies a lack of storage space and makes rooms look smaller than they are). This is of prime importance in the kitchen. Countertops in the kitchen should not be inundated with small appliances and other cooking aids.
Bathrooms must appear to be clean. Mold and mildew around tubs and showers is a massive negative to a homebuyer and it can be corrected with a few dollars in cleaners and some elbow grease. Bathroom fans that are excessively noisy, will also lower the value of a home much more than the cost of a new fan motor.
It is amazing how we can ignore the obvious and not see what others do. One way to avoid this problem is to take pictures of your home from different angles using a digital camera. Then put the pictures on your computer and look at them as a full size picture on your screen – pictures don’t lie, and you will most likely see things that you have never noticed before.
In most cases, you can dramatically increase the selling price of your home with a small investment in material and a large investment in sweat equity.
For additional information on economical home improvement projects, visit Renovation Headquarters.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Prudehome
In order to get the most money for your home when you sell you must look at it from the point of view of a potential buyer. There are two types of homebuyers. Those that are looking for a fixer upper, possibly to flip and those that are looking for a new home for their family. This article is based on the later, those who are looking for a new home for their family.
The most important thing to remember is that it is the first impression that remains in a person’s mind when they see your home.
The first thing to do is to drive up to your home, as a potential buyer would do (if your home can be reached from two directions, then approach the home from both). It is also important that you do this during the day and in the evening when it is dark outside. What is your first impression of your home as it compares to the homes around yours?
Are the lawn, gardens, bushes, and trees well manicured?
Is the yard cluttered?
How does the chimney look?
Does the paint look fresh?
Does the roof look worn?
Are there leaves and branches in the eve’s trough?
Are there any broken windows?
Look at the position of drapes, blinds and shutters.
Do all the outdoor lights work?
The overall impression that you want to convey is that the home has been very well maintained. It should also look inviting. You want people to feel that they would be proud to show their friends and relatives the home they just purchased.
Once you have arrived at your home. Park and enter the home as a potential buyer would. Do not use garage or side doors, a potential buyer will enter through your front door.
Do the doorbells work?
Are door handles tight and working?
Is weather stripping in good condition?
Can you see light from inside the home through the edges or bottom of the door?
Small things can imply that you have not taken proper care of the property.
Now that you are in the foyer of your home, what do you see? Remove clutter, such as a boots and shoes on mats as you enter. People like a bright home and you might want to consider increasing bulb wattage in all light fixtures. This is especially important in the kitchen.
Now as a prospective buyer, you will inspect the home. Studies have proven that women are sold on kitchens and bathrooms, while men are sold on family or entertainment rooms, and workshop areas.
All rooms should be painted with a neutral color, such as bone (this includes any children’s rooms that maybe currently painted with deep colors). A neutral color makes rooms look bigger. Wallpaper should be removed and the walls painted. Replace any light bulbs that don’t come on. Carpets that are stained should be replaced or removed (especially if they are pet stains).
Every room should be clutter free (clutter implies a lack of storage space and makes rooms look smaller than they are). This is of prime importance in the kitchen. Countertops in the kitchen should not be inundated with small appliances and other cooking aids.
Bathrooms must appear to be clean. Mold and mildew around tubs and showers is a massive negative to a homebuyer and it can be corrected with a few dollars in cleaners and some elbow grease. Bathroom fans that are excessively noisy, will also lower the value of a home much more than the cost of a new fan motor.
It is amazing how we can ignore the obvious and not see what others do. One way to avoid this problem is to take pictures of your home from different angles using a digital camera. Then put the pictures on your computer and look at them as a full size picture on your screen – pictures don’t lie, and you will most likely see things that you have never noticed before.
In most cases, you can dramatically increase the selling price of your home with a small investment in material and a large investment in sweat equity.
For additional information on economical home improvement projects, visit Renovation Headquarters.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Prudehome
Improving Your Home - What are The Best Improvements You Can Make to Add Value to Your Property?
With the price of UK houses continuing to soar, many homeowners are choosing to stay put for the moment rather than move. Instead, many people are deciding to invest time and money in their existing property to improve and modernise their living space. It is generally assumed that you will recoup the cost of your improvements when you sell the property, but it all depends on what you choose to do to your home. Certain 'improvements can take thousands off the price of your home rather than adding value.
Double glazingOne of the most popular improvements that many homeowners choose is double glazing. Old windows and doors in bad repair can let the appearance down on a home and lose valuable energy. So, replacing old units with draught-proof, energy-saving, security enhanced and low maintenance double glazing units can be a real improvement. In a street where most of the houses have double glazing such an improvement becomes a selling advantage. A conservatory is a popular way to extend your living space and improve your property.
However, if you own an older, period house then shiny white uPVC frames can be an unpopular choice to a prospective buyer, so you need to consider other options, such as wooden replacement windows or whatever suits the property's style.
Exterior finishThe outside of your house is the first impression that a prospective buyer gets, so it is important to keep it in good repair.The brickwork or masonery, or any damaged pointing should be repaired. One of the worst 'improvements' cited in the survey was stone-cladding or pebble-dashing the outside of the property - a lot of people don't like the look and it tends to put them off purchasing.
InteriorRedecorating your home is a low cost way to give it a face-lift and should be considered an investment. However, if you are planning on selling shortly consider decorating with neutral colours, as most people who move into a new home prefer a 'blank canvas' to work with, rather than difficult to cover more vibrant decor.
The same applies with carpets - if you have worn or stained carpets then it is advantageous to replace them with basic neutral-coloured carpet, but fitting your home throughout with new carpet is not considered a good investment any more. A lot of people now prefer laminated flooring or like to select their own carpets to fit in with their personal colour scheme. Textured walls and ceilings are another no no!
Expected basicsA good central heating system is now almost essential to most people's requirements in their home. Also, a modern bathroom and fitted kitchen is generally expected. So, any money spent on these is generally looked on as an investment. However, if you are shortly putting your house on the market, it is not wise to invest too much in say the latest top kitchen equipment, and if you have to replace the bathroom fittings then white is the popular choice!
ExtensionsIf an extension is done well, then it can add value to your home and provide extra living space. Attic and loft conversions are most popular, because they don't take away any precious garden area.
Adding a garage, if you don't have one, can bring an advantage to your property. If you don't want the expense of building a garage then even a parking space, such as a driveway, is preferable to properties with only street parking to prospective buyers, if they are car-owners.
Loans are readily available for financing home improvements but make sure they are the right kind of 'improvements'.
Top value home improvements
Replacing old windows and doors
A Conservatory
Redecorating
Central Heating
A Loft/Attic Conversion
A Garage
Worst 'home improvements' to avoid
Stone-cladding or pebble-dashing the exterior
Textured ceilings or walls
Double-glazing on a period property
A third bathroom
Swimming pool
Andy Bond writes for Loan-Loans-Mortgage.co.uk one of the leading UK online sites for finding a fast personal Loan. He specializes in practical advice for homeowners and offers tips on improving their property, the latest house prices and finding the best home improvement loan.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Bond
Double glazingOne of the most popular improvements that many homeowners choose is double glazing. Old windows and doors in bad repair can let the appearance down on a home and lose valuable energy. So, replacing old units with draught-proof, energy-saving, security enhanced and low maintenance double glazing units can be a real improvement. In a street where most of the houses have double glazing such an improvement becomes a selling advantage. A conservatory is a popular way to extend your living space and improve your property.
However, if you own an older, period house then shiny white uPVC frames can be an unpopular choice to a prospective buyer, so you need to consider other options, such as wooden replacement windows or whatever suits the property's style.
Exterior finishThe outside of your house is the first impression that a prospective buyer gets, so it is important to keep it in good repair.The brickwork or masonery, or any damaged pointing should be repaired. One of the worst 'improvements' cited in the survey was stone-cladding or pebble-dashing the outside of the property - a lot of people don't like the look and it tends to put them off purchasing.
InteriorRedecorating your home is a low cost way to give it a face-lift and should be considered an investment. However, if you are planning on selling shortly consider decorating with neutral colours, as most people who move into a new home prefer a 'blank canvas' to work with, rather than difficult to cover more vibrant decor.
The same applies with carpets - if you have worn or stained carpets then it is advantageous to replace them with basic neutral-coloured carpet, but fitting your home throughout with new carpet is not considered a good investment any more. A lot of people now prefer laminated flooring or like to select their own carpets to fit in with their personal colour scheme. Textured walls and ceilings are another no no!
Expected basicsA good central heating system is now almost essential to most people's requirements in their home. Also, a modern bathroom and fitted kitchen is generally expected. So, any money spent on these is generally looked on as an investment. However, if you are shortly putting your house on the market, it is not wise to invest too much in say the latest top kitchen equipment, and if you have to replace the bathroom fittings then white is the popular choice!
ExtensionsIf an extension is done well, then it can add value to your home and provide extra living space. Attic and loft conversions are most popular, because they don't take away any precious garden area.
Adding a garage, if you don't have one, can bring an advantage to your property. If you don't want the expense of building a garage then even a parking space, such as a driveway, is preferable to properties with only street parking to prospective buyers, if they are car-owners.
Loans are readily available for financing home improvements but make sure they are the right kind of 'improvements'.
Top value home improvements
Replacing old windows and doors
A Conservatory
Redecorating
Central Heating
A Loft/Attic Conversion
A Garage
Worst 'home improvements' to avoid
Stone-cladding or pebble-dashing the exterior
Textured ceilings or walls
Double-glazing on a period property
A third bathroom
Swimming pool
Andy Bond writes for Loan-Loans-Mortgage.co.uk one of the leading UK online sites for finding a fast personal Loan. He specializes in practical advice for homeowners and offers tips on improving their property, the latest house prices and finding the best home improvement loan.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Bond
Simple Home Improvement Tips and Advice
Everyone could use some home improvement tips and advice for their next remodel or repair project. Whether you are looking to fix a sink, spruce up a bathroom, remodel the kitchen or maybe even add an entirely new room to your current home. This article will help you discover many home improvement tips and advice resources available online and at your local building supply stores that you may not have thought of.
Can you say Google?
By visiting the search engine giant, Google - simply type in the words Home Improvement Tips and Advice and you will find a few thousand results. You could even narrow your search down a little and find several thousands more results, but this should give you a great start to begin with. Now let’s see what there is available for your next project.
Holiday or seasonal themes
Perhaps you have never considered making home improvements that are theme based. I know of many people who have specifically used home improvement tips and advice to redo an entire room in an outdoor theme, or antiques only themed room. This is more common than you may think. Perhaps you do not want to do anything too radical at this time.
Some home improvement tips and advice are specially designed for those not so glamorous projects; like unplugging drains, sewer lines or gutters. As we all know, these types of home improvements must be completed as well to preserve the value of our homes, but once you have a few items fixed around the house, you will want to seek some home improvement tips and advice that will add even more value to your home.
There are several simple projects that you could consider for increasing your homes value greatly, however; it is very important that you first set a budget and then create a basic idea and layout of what type of style you like best, based on the available funds you have set for your next home improvement project.
You might add a door to the spare bathroom and then some paint to make a substantial value increase to the over all homes value. Think of it like adding new tires to a car. You might be surprised how a few little home improvement tips and advice projects can make a huge difference in your home value.
Visiting your local building supply store may be one of the easiest ways to get some good home improvement tips and advice. I personally like to visit my local building supply stores, and simply explain to them what I need or maybe I should say what I want to do. They usually offer some very valuable tips on how to repair or fix up something that I had not even considered.
Last but certainly not least you need to consider the tools to do the job right. By doing a few searches on line using the terms home improvement tips and advice you will find many pages to see the various tools and ideas used. Now you have some basic knowledge when visiting your building supply or hardware store. Between the two sources you should have a winning project next time you need to do some work around home.
Find more helpful home improvement tips by visiting http://www.best-home-improvement-projects.com where you will find helpful home improvement tips, advice and resources including information on easy home improvement projects, kitchen repair and other valuable Home Improvement Tips and Advice
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Turner
Can you say Google?
By visiting the search engine giant, Google - simply type in the words Home Improvement Tips and Advice and you will find a few thousand results. You could even narrow your search down a little and find several thousands more results, but this should give you a great start to begin with. Now let’s see what there is available for your next project.
Holiday or seasonal themes
Perhaps you have never considered making home improvements that are theme based. I know of many people who have specifically used home improvement tips and advice to redo an entire room in an outdoor theme, or antiques only themed room. This is more common than you may think. Perhaps you do not want to do anything too radical at this time.
Some home improvement tips and advice are specially designed for those not so glamorous projects; like unplugging drains, sewer lines or gutters. As we all know, these types of home improvements must be completed as well to preserve the value of our homes, but once you have a few items fixed around the house, you will want to seek some home improvement tips and advice that will add even more value to your home.
There are several simple projects that you could consider for increasing your homes value greatly, however; it is very important that you first set a budget and then create a basic idea and layout of what type of style you like best, based on the available funds you have set for your next home improvement project.
You might add a door to the spare bathroom and then some paint to make a substantial value increase to the over all homes value. Think of it like adding new tires to a car. You might be surprised how a few little home improvement tips and advice projects can make a huge difference in your home value.
Visiting your local building supply store may be one of the easiest ways to get some good home improvement tips and advice. I personally like to visit my local building supply stores, and simply explain to them what I need or maybe I should say what I want to do. They usually offer some very valuable tips on how to repair or fix up something that I had not even considered.
Last but certainly not least you need to consider the tools to do the job right. By doing a few searches on line using the terms home improvement tips and advice you will find many pages to see the various tools and ideas used. Now you have some basic knowledge when visiting your building supply or hardware store. Between the two sources you should have a winning project next time you need to do some work around home.
Find more helpful home improvement tips by visiting http://www.best-home-improvement-projects.com where you will find helpful home improvement tips, advice and resources including information on easy home improvement projects, kitchen repair and other valuable Home Improvement Tips and Advice
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Turner
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