Category Archives: Home improvement

Factors to Consider When Remodeling Your New Home

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If you just bought a new house, you might be thinking about making some renovations to make it more comfortable or suitable for you and your family. Improvements may seem like a straightforward process, but there are several details tied in with home remodeling and renovations. Many of the changes made during renovations are expensive and sometimes irreversible, so you should make some serious considerations before you start renovating. 

Who Will Be Living in the House?

Ask yourself who will be living in the house and for how long. If the house is for your family, evaluate their needs critically, and also think about their future living in the house. If you have toddlers, pets, and elderly family members, you should renovate the home to match their current and future needs. For instance, if you have kids, you might want to think about making the house safer for them. Click here to learn about renovating a home for the elderly. 

Does Your Homeowners Insurance Policy Permit Renovations?

After deciding on what kind of renovations you want to do based on the house’s occupants, you then have to find out whether your home insurer allows the upgrades. Some homeowners insurance policies have stringent guidelines when it comes to home renovations. Once you get the go-ahead from your insurer, you may also have to seek legal permits depending on the renovations you want to make. From there, you can get your contractor to begin the work.

The Budget

How much money have you set aside for the renovations? You’ll get a work valuation from your contactor to determine how much the proposed remodeling should cost. Even if you have the money, you shouldn’t spend too much on renovations that the cost fails to justifies the initial value of the house. On the other hand, if you’re working on a strict budget, be prepared to make some compromises on some of the proposed changes.

Remodeling is a great way to convert a new house into a cozy home. Remember to prioritize some of the critical renovations, such as those involving the health and safety of your family.

4 Easy Home Decorating Tips For Any Budget

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Your house should be your happy place, but if you have moved into a new space, or simply feel uninspired and bored by your current decor, a change may be in order. Here are some things that you can do to spruce your home up that won’t break the bank.

Photo by Vecislavas Popa from Pexels

Add Some New Accessories

Simply adding a few new home accessories, like new lamps or even some area rugs Atlanta GA is all you need to create a new ambiance in your home. Choose fun colors to add some excitement, or more muted tones that complement existing decor. 

Paint an Accent Wall

Pick out your favorite paint color and create an accent wall in your home. Studies show that certain colors have different effects on your mood, so think about what mood you want to create in your space. Bright colors, like red and pink, raise a room’s energy level, while blue creates a more calming vibe.

Repurpose Old Furniture

If you have old furniture that is no longer useful, or simply doesn’t fit the flow of your home, repaint it and use it elsewhere in the home. The possibilities are endless, and you will be amazed at just how creative you can be. Use an old dresser as shelving, or turn an unused bookcase into a unique storage area for your bar items.  

Move Existing Furniture Around

It is shocking just how much something as simple as rearranging the furniture in your home can change it’s entire look and feel. If you don’t have the budget for new projects or accessories, “shopping” inside your home can really get creative juices flowing and add new focal points.

Making your house feel like a home doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With just a little bit of open-mindedness, you can create a place you are proud of, no matter your budget.

That Extra Something Special to Make your House a Home

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There is a subtle difference between a house and a home. One is a place where you happen to live, and the other is your place. One of the things that sets homes apart from houses are the extra personal touches, the little details that give people a glimpse of who you are and what you love. Here are a few ideas of ways to add that personal touch.

Image by Laura Shaw from Pixabay

Paint

It may seem obvious, but perhaps the quickest way to make your house stand out is with a custom paint job. The color of your house can even affect your home’s value. Consider whether you want the same color on your siding and your trim, or whether a splash of color might bring pop and personality. Obviously this and all the other items on this list will have to be cleared with your HOA, but they’re well worth it. 

Architectural Details

Tiny touches in the detailing on your home can also add a personal touch. Corten steel gates, or antique hinges and knobs on the door, a specially detailed railing: these all may seem like small things but they can make a big impression. Pay attention to the architectural detailing on houses that you like, and take note of what style suits you. If the frills of Victoriana don’t appeal, the sleek touches on a Midcentury Modern home might. 

Unusual Plantings

Whether it’s an heirloom rose or a particularly spectacular blooming rhododendron, a special planting in your landscape design can really make your home stand out. It doesn’t have to be a particularly expensive or fancy plant. An explosion of sunflowers by your front porch is going to say something about you without breaking the bank. Whatever touch of personality you’re thinking of adding to your house, it should be one that speaks to you and makes you feel at home.