Have you spent too many cold, rainy weekends indoors, staring at all the things in your home that could use updating? You’re ready to make some changes and you’ll be glad to hear that May is National Home Improvement Month. Because we love anything related to home improvement, we’re celebrating!
Pick the area to update that would make you fall in love with your home again. If there isn’t just one space that immediately comes to mind, ask yourself this question, “What space MOST needs to work better for our lifestyle or needs a fresh look?” We have some ideas of where you might want to start!
What’s in your basement? If it’s unused exercise equipment and lots of boxes stacked on a cold concrete floor, we have some great ideas for making that space useful and fun. Finishing the basement can give you practical storage space and a cozy family room, or maybe a media room, workout room, wine cellar, or home office.
We’ve helped lots of homeowners visualize the possibilities of their basements, and solved dampness, temperature and lighting problems. Plus, a finished basement is almost always the lowest cost living space you can add to your home.
What would wake up the master bedroom and make it look new again? Our first suggestion would be to eliminate wall-to-wall carpeting. A fresh hardwood floor looks more modern and is a better choice to cut down on dust and allergens.
Is your nightstand crowded with books, an iPhone charging, and more? Free up some space and update the style by installing pendant lights suspended over the nightstands or a pair of sconces on the wall. Some master bedroom trends probably weren’t even considerations when your home was built. Like custom cabinetry with a beverage station featuring a bar sink, mini-fridge, and a single-serve coffee maker to jump-start your mornings. Another luxurious touch is an electric fireplace that adds coziness but doesn’t require venting.
Outdoor living spaces often focus on a deck or patio, but is there anything more iconic to American residential architecture than a porch? Just the thought of sitting in a porch swing or rocker with a cool drink on a warm summer night makes you feel relaxed, doesn’t it? If you follow us on Instagram or Facebook, you know how much we love porches.
A front porch immediately enhances a home’s curb appeal and can fit almost any architectural style. The deep porches of colonial homes, originally designed to protect front rooms from the scorching summer sun, evoke Southern hospitality with their refined, symmetrical design and classic columns. Casual farmhouse porches are unpretentious and often wrap around the home, providing maximum room for family and friends to kick back comfortably. Arts and Crafts bungalow porches feature a natural, handcrafted look, with stone or brick trim on thick, square columns.
Back porches provide a cool respite – a place to relax with more privacy, and a view of your backyard landscape and the family at play. You get more mileage when they are screened-in, giving the extra advantage of keeping bugs at bay. (So, you can feel free to turn on a light and read while sipping that iced tea in the evening.)
“Home improvement” can mean so much more than buying a new refrigerator or replacing the roof. Updates in any part of your home can make a big difference in how it looks, works and feels for your family. We can help with all kinds of home improvement projects. Let’s talk today!