Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Category: Interior Design

  • 10 Tips for Staging Your Home to Appeal to Buyers

    If you want or need to sell your home fast, staging furniture can make all the difference in attracting a buyer. Successful staging is a contributing factor to many of the quickest sales and to getting the best price for a home.

    Ready to stage?

    These 10 tips for staging furniture can help you easily transform your house into an inviting environment that homebuyers can’t pass up.

    1. Consider curb appeal

    The exterior of your home makes the first in-person impression on buyers. Many people drive by a home with no intention to see the inside unless they’re impressed with the outside. Stage your outdoor areas for buyers by power washing walkways and siding, hanging house numbers that are easy to read, mowing the lawn every weekend, planting colorful flowers, cleaning windows and re-staining decks.

     

     

    2. Create a welcoming entrance

    Whether you have a large porch or a simple stoop, create a welcoming entrance for potential buyers. Place a clean and inviting doormat, put potted plants around and make sure any outdoor furniture is in perfect condition. Illuminate your front walkway and door. Motion sensor lighting is a nice touch.

     

     

     

    3. Make the inside sparkle

    If cleaning the inside of your house to model home standards will take too much time or effort, hire someone to take care of this task. Making sure your interior sparkles and will be comfortable for guests (your potential buyers) is critical. Imagine that the person you’d most like to make a good impression on is coming into your home. Clean beyond that expectation.

     

     

     

    4. Focus on your floors

    Flooring is an expensive home remodel project. Help a buyer see that there won’t be much energy or money spent to enjoy nice floors in your home. At the minimum, steam clean carpets and give all flooring a deep clean. Wood floors should be either refinished, treated or waxed.

     

     

     

    5. Clear away clutter

    Model homes are attractive for a reason. They’re minimally decorated and don’t contain a lot of clutter. The house stands out, not the stuff. This is what you should aim for when you clean away clutter to attract a buyer. Staging your home to sell means that you should remove anything you haven’t used in three months (ideally clear away more than that). Put it into storage or in a family member’s garage. Clear floors, cupboards, closets, pantries, drawers and any other spaces where buyers will look. Get rid of anything even remotely unsightly. Try to keep only items that are neutral or classic in style lying or set out.

  • Unique Kitchen and Bath Design Trends for 2018

    Style changes over time. For example, in the 1970s, laminate countertops and dark wooden cabinets prevailed in the kitchen, while in the 1980s and well into the 1990s, super-saturated primary colors were found even in the bathroom. Are you up for a home improvement project? Let us tell you about some of the unique kitchen and bath design trends for 2018.

    Smart technology

    Move over, George Jetson! Over the last few years, home technology has quickly advanced. A smart kitchen doesn’t necessarily need to be expensive. Kitchen faucets can be equipped with motion sensors that allow them to come on automatically. Lighting can be controlled by your smartphone. And coffee makers can be programmed to brew a cup of coffee without you ever pressing a button.

    Meanwhile, in the bathroom, fans can be installed that run when they sense a certain level of humidity. For the ultimate in relaxation, waterproof televisions can be installed so you can catch your favorite show while taking a bath. It’s even possible to install a toilet that cleans itself, albeit with a high price tag. These toilets come equipped with a toilet-cleaning robot.

    Hardwood and alternative flooring

    Over the last few years, do-it-yourself aficionados popularized the look of reclaimed hardwood flooring,.a trend that isn’t going out of style in 2018. In fact, it’s more popular than ever. Look for wooden flooring in old homes and barns, and work with a flooring expert to install it in your home.

    Other flooring options that are becoming popular are bamboo and cork. Both materials are eco-friendly, work well in either a kitchen or bathroom and, if properly cared for, can last for decades.

     

    Dark colors make a comeback

    If 2017 was the year of white-on-white, 2018 is the year of variety. White is still a popular option, but greys are also a great choice. Surprisingly, adding bursts of color have returned full-circle from the 1980s. Rather than primary colors, the ones that have made their way back are now softly muted. Look for dark ruby red, emerald green and deep peacock blue. If you decide to redesign with color, make sure it won’t take over the room. In small rooms, color should be used as an accent. In large kitchens or bathrooms, feel free to experiment.

  • Kitchen remodel: 8 must-know tips before you get started

    There are a number of reasons why a kitchen remodel is trickier than most other rooms in a house: furniture arrangement is less flexible, high expenditures are required on appliances, and a number of functions have to be accommodated by the layout. However, remodeling a kitchen is also a solid investment as it can drastically increase the value of your property. So, before you get started, check out a few tips that will help you make the process more time- and cost-efficient.

    1. Identify the purpose
    Before you select a color scheme or even get a contractor, make a list of the different functions of this space. Is the kitchen going to be used solely for cooking or will it also serve as a dining area? Do you have children who will hang out in this area with their friends after school? There are numerous ways in which you will use the space outside of the primary purpose of making meals, so think through each and every one of them and evaluate whether they all can be incorporated in the design or if you have to prioritize.

    2. Prioritize your investment

    There are items that are worth investing and those that you can try to save on. Of course, if you have your dream budget then there is no reason not to go with top-of-the-line products for everything. However, for the most part it is a puzzle game as we try to put together more expensive pieces with more affordable ones in a nice cohesive image.

    Here are a few things that are worth the investment:

    • Countertops: quality materials, such as marble, will both last you a very long time as well as increase the value of your home should you decide to sell at one point.
    • Proper drainage: there is a lot of waste that we dispose of in the kitchen, often times using a sink – cooking oil, for example. Make sure that you invest in a proper disposal system as well as install quality pipes.
    • Energy efficient and smart appliances: if you have to pay more for an energy-efficient appliance – be it a refrigerator or a microwave – do it. You will get this money back in reduced energy bills and, once again, if you ever decide to sell your house together with the appliances, you will be happy that you invested in energy efficiency. When it comes to smart technology, we are not talking about a fancy coffee maker, but rather a smart fire alarm system.

    There are also a few items where you can cut corners:

    • Hardware finishes: knobs and handles are not worth the investment. When selecting kitchen cabinets, pay attention to the quality of the cabinets, not the design of the knobs on them. You can purchase a different knob or a handle for as little as $4-$5 and it is easy to replace these elements.
    • Tiles: porcelain tiles are often recommended for kitchen floors as they resist chipping and cracking, while also being affordable.

    READ: HIGH VALUE ROOMS: IMPROVING YOUR KITCHEN TO BOOST HOME VALUE

    3. Design based on your habits
    How often do you cook? What is your cooking routine? For example, do you tend to cook 3-4 meals at the same time or in portions? How much counter space do you need? How often do you bake? How much food do you freeze? Do you usually cook alone or with another person? These are all the questions you should ask yourself before you remodel your space. No detail is too small. For example, does it make sense for you to create a sub-cooking space where other family members can microwave their food or wash dishes without interfering with your cooking process? How many items do you need to be easily accessible – from pots and pans to a spice rack? Do you purchase in bulks? That will determine the design of your storage space.

    4. Pay for the design
    Once you have identified what you want and what you want it for, allocate some of your budget for a professional design. Even if you think that you have thought through every possible detail, you will be surprised by how many items you couldn’t even envision that come up when you consult a professional. You may be able to create a pleasant color scheme. A designer will create a stunning one. You may be able to create a detailed storage plane. A designer will figure out how to use dead spaces in the kitchen for storage. You may be able to select quality materials. A designer will explain which materials work best for your maintenance needs. A designer will be able to take your idea and perfect it. This is something worth investing in. The best part is that it can be affordable as well. For example, you can use Arcbazar to crowdsource a dozen of designs from the network of thousands of architects for a fraction of the cost.

  • How to Create a Perfect Reading Nook in 5 Easy Steps

    If you are a book lover, you know that there are very few pleasures in life that compare to curling up with a book and a glass of wine or hot chocolate (whatever your preference is) and spending some quality time with your true love – a good book. There are two types of book lovers: those who have switched to reading books on a Kindle and the “traditionalists” – these people love the smell of books, love the feeling of turning actual pages, can’t walk past a bookstore without walking in and spend countless hours online searching and ordering books by favorite authors. If you belong to the second category, you can probably skip a couple of steps outlined below. In either case, read up! Our today’s priority is to create the perfect space for you and your books.

    Step 1: Allocate the space
    There is nothing better than reading a book by the window on a rainy day or a sunny lazy Sunday morning. Therefore, we recommend selecting a spot closer to the window. Plus, it gives you the advantage of natural light. If you have space to take over the entire area, even better. If not, a corner will do.

    Step 2: Create a home for your books
    A book nook will not feel right if you are not surrounded by books when you’re in it! Luckily, there are plenty of ways to go. Here are a few fun options if you can afford to or prefer to buy bookshelves or can build a more elaborate set of shelves yourself:

    However, if you can’t invest (or don’t want to) in a major transformation or want to create something yourself but don’t happen to be too handy, don’t worry because there are numerous options for incredibly easy DIY bookshelves. Here are a few tutorials:

    Here’s one made entirely out of IKEA boxes and binder clips (instructions here)

  • 10 Easy Low-Cost Upgrades for Your Home

    You don’t need to remodel your entire house to make it look fresh. A few upgrades here and there, completed on your own schedule and budget, can do wonders for your space. Check out some of the easiest and cost-efficient upgrades.

    Whether you don’t have the budget or the time to go through a complete home renovation process, there are still plenty of smaller things you can that are budget-friendly and are not as time-consuming. Some of them will further increase the value of your home. All of them give a fresh new look to your space.

    Repaint the walls

    Repainting is one of the easiest ways to completely reinvent your space. It is an opportunity to shine a new light on old furniture and items of decor. You can re-program the mood of a room by understanding the psychology of colors and picking accordingly. Even if you decide to stick to the same color, a fresh coat of paint will make your home look more polished. Before getting started, check out the 6 things you should know before repainting.

    Upgrade kitchen cabinets

    Start by repainting your old kitchen cabinets. A fresh coat of paint has the potential of making your kitchen unrecognizable! The next step is to replace old handles with something more elegant and trendy. Et voilà! A small kitchen upgrade like this one can also significantly improve the value of your home by making it look more expensive.

    Add crown molding

    Crown moldings visually unify a room, add more elegance and a smoother transition between dimensions. From classic to colonial, you have a range of choices in terms of style and budget. You also don’t need “the guy” to install crown moldings. Check out this guide and you can do it yourself.

    Swap out the faucets

    Replace the old faucets in your kitchen and bathroom with new ones. This is something that will uplift the style of the space surrounding the sinks. An easy home upgrade like this one may seem insignificant, but you will be surprised by how much small things can transform the overall feel of a room.

    Replace the backsplash

    Your options of tile materials are diverse and can accommodate any budget. Ceramic is the cheapest. Other options include glass, stainless steel and stone. Select something that’s easy to clean and adds personality to your kitchen.

  • A Few Festive Fall Decorating Ideas for the Home

    Fall is the perfect season to bring colorful elements from the great outdoors into your home. From quick do-it-yourself projects to seasonal home improvements, we’ve got you covered with a few of our favorite fall decorating ideas.

    Colorful autumnal crafts

    Arts and crafts don’t need to be time and labor intensive. It’s easy to transform a plain pillow into an autumn masterpiece. Collect a handful of fallen leaves from outside and trace their shapes over pieces of felt. Cut out the shapes and use fabric glue or another adhesive to attach them to the pillow.

    Another simple craft idea is a fall wreath. Pick up an inexpensive grapevine wreath from your local craft store and then decorate it with foliage, berries, mums and other fall flowers from your garden. When you’re done, hang the wreath over the mantle, on your front door or in another central space in your home.

     

    Prepare your home for fall decorations

    Just as spring cleaning is a must, so is preparing your home for fall and winter. Before decorating, hire people to clean the chimney and check the heating and furnace systems. Doing these things before cold weather comes means you can prevent any problems down the road. Making sure to prepare your home means that it will not only be prepped to keep you warm, but the fireplace and other areas will be ready to decorate. Hang the wreath you made above the mantle and artfully scatter a handful of leaves and small pumpkins.

    Paint your home

    Painting is a great way to update your home for fall. Although summer might seem like the best time to paint the exterior of your home, it’s better to do it in fall when temperatures are moderate. Painting exteriors when it’s too hot causes the paint to dry too fast, leaving marks. Painting when it’s too cold results in cracking.

    Of course, painting indoors can happen any time of the year. Fall is a great season for many reasons. First, it lets you apply a fresh new coat of paint right before you redecorate your home for fall. Second, the walls in your home are probably the perfect temperature for painting. They should be above 60 degrees, but under 85 degrees. Choose a soft, neutral color such as driftwood grey or creamy latte as the perfect backdrop for fall decorations.

  • Fun and Fresh Ideas to Spruce Up your Workspace

    Your workspace holds an abundance of power. It’s a place where you perfect your expertise; produce work of excellence; channel inner creativity and ultimately, complete a task of passion. However, if you feel this doesn’t apply to you and your workspace consists of nothing more than a desk and chair, then there’s no better time to sit down and take a read. Your workspace should inspire you to put forth your best effort to complete a masterpiece of your craft. Whether it’s an area to perfect some Pinterest-worthy DIY projects, write an important paper or finish up on work you didn’t complete during the day, your workspace should always be more than just a desk and a chair. Here are some office ideas that will inspire you well throughout the day.

    Liven Up the Space with Succulents

    It can be hard to feel alive in a workspace that isn’t lively. However, too much action can quickly cause distractions. Instead, liven up the space with green succulents that make you feel like you’re working in the outdoors. Any plants will do, but succulents are ideal plants for office ideas because they don’t require much maintenance. Plus, there’s nothing more distracting than a dying plant and the worry of how much water and sunlight it needs to come back to life. So, add in some succulents to liven up the space without having to put forth a ton of extra effort.

    Add in Some Words of Inspiration

    You can never have too much inspiration within your workspace. Add style and wisdom into your office with words that speak to you on a different level. Wall stickers are an awesome and affordable way to add in a grand display of inspiration. You can also create your own and frame them to let the positivity fill your office space in a unique and personalized way.

    Keep it Stimulating with Splashes of Color

    It’s important to choose decorating tips that are stimulating, yet not distracting. Too much color can quickly take away from the productivity you want to achieve in the space, yet not enough color can quickly be dull and tiring. Choose some splashes of color and strategically place them in your office. Some unique decorating tips for a stimulating splash of color include painting the interior of your bookcase, adding inspiration décor items that contrast with the room, or swapping out plain furniture for a vibrant version. A little splash of color will keep your brain and office space alive.

    Make it Feel like Home with a Personal Touch

    Your workspace should be a place you like to be in. Even if you have implemented the most stunning office ideas, it can feel dull if you haven’t made it your own. Add in your own personal touch to add comfort into the space. Some photos of your loved ones are always a beautiful addition to any space.

    Create an Oasis with Relaxing Accents

    It may seem odd to want a stimulating office space that is equally relaxing. However, adding in some relaxing accents can help you channel your energy towards being productive. You just have to stay away from the relaxing elements that will make you drowsy, and stick with the office ideas that will make you comfortable in the space. Candles are a nice addition that will recreate a spa-like feeling, and if your office is at home, consider adding in a fluffy rug underneath your feet.

    With these office ideas, you’re bound to create a space that you love working in. If you love being in your workspace, that’ll certain reflect into the masterpieces you create day in and day out.

  • Setting Up an Effective, Beautiful Entryway

    The entryway of your home holds a lot of power. Although it’s a small portion of your house, it’s the first thing people see when they walk through the door. If your guests are greeted with a pile of shoes and a heap of clutter, it can make the entire atmosphere seem chaotic. Instead, you want your entryway to be welcoming and beautiful. However, with so many essentials needing to be near the front door and with such a little space to work with, it can be hard to find a way to make the entryway effective as well as stunning. Fortunately, with these entryway ideas, you’ll see just how easy it is to turn your entryway into a practical masterpiece.

    Open the Space with a Large Mirror

    Entryways are small. The area is often crowded, and even more so when you have a plethora of guests arriving. However, hanging a large mirror on the wall will open up the space, making it seem significantly larger. It can also distract people from a small entryway. In addition, natural lighting from your front door will reflect in the mirror, making the space appear lighter and more inviting.

    Separate the Entry from the Entryway

    When people enter your home, they stop just after the front door. They take off their shoes, remove their jackets, set down their keys and handbags. This can quickly make your entryway crowded, especially if it’s a small space.  Designate a portion of the entryway for practicality. Move the shoe racks away from the front door so people can enter without tripping. Also, trade in the floor coat rack for one mounted on the wall to free up more floor space. It’ll make coming and going within your home easy.

    Prioritize and Organize

    Decide what actually needs to be in the entryway. If it doesn’t serve a purpose, consider moving it elsewhere, even if it’s just down the hall from the front door. Look beyond the large furniture pieces. The smallest items can sometimes be the biggest culprits, taking away from the aesthetics of your entryway. Hats, mitts, scarves, magazines, newspapers, flyers, and anything else that is currently being collected in a heaping pile of stuff should be moved.  Install more hooks in the hallway. Additionally, place decorative baskets to hide the clutter.

    Add in a Multi-Purpose Storage Bench

    Multi-purpose furniture pieces are excellent, especially in smaller areas of the home. A storage bench is the perfect piece of furniture for entryways. It allows your guests to sit down to remove or put on their shoes, while you get the added benefit of hidden storage compartments. Storage benches also come in various shapes and styles. Some look like actual benches whereas others look like vintage trunks. Either way, they’re perfect for your entryway.

    Display Personality

    Don’t put everything away. Your entryway should still showcase the things that make your house a home. Hang photos on the wall and little mementos with sentimental value. The best decorating tip is to make your home perfect for you.

    Your entryway doesn’t have to resemble that of a schoolyard when the recess bell rings and all the kids are trying to squeeze through the door at once. Gone are the days of tripping over shoes. With a little TLC and these decorating ideas, your entryway can be just as practical as it is beautiful.

  • Charming Guest Bedroom Ideas

    As soon as you have a guest confirm their stay at your home, the rat race begins. You start washing linens so they’re fresh on arrival, you begin to tidy up and depersonalize the room while also scrambling around to ensure your loved one or friend will feel at home within the guest bedroom. However, the stress of the stay doesn’t have to be inevitable. With some unique guest bedroom ideas, you can decorate the room to ensure that whenever guests decide to stay, they’ll feel comfortable and right at home.

    Embrace the More the Merrier with Unique Beds

    There may be times where more than one guest is staying in your guest bedroom. It could be a couple that sleeps in separate beds, or friends and family who don’t want to share. So, you may need more than one place for your loved ones to get some shut eye. However, bunk beds aren’t always ideal for all generations and building a home addition to have more than one guest bedroom isn’t realistic.

    Instead, opt for smart bedding solutions to ensure all guests will have a place to catch up on their well-needed rest and relaxation. Interior hammocks take up minimal space and will make your guests feel as if they’ve slipped away on a secret vacation. You can also have a main bed, with the addition of comfortable cots, or a bed that has a pullout for more sleeping arrangement options.

    Let Your Guests Recharge their Batteries, and their Gadgets

    Guests are going to need to do more than simply recharge their own batteries at the end of the day. We live in a digital age where technology has literally become our lifeline, and with that comes plenty of cords, devices and batteries to be charged. Decrease the clutter and increase organization with a stylish charging station for your guests. They’ll appreciate having everything they need to keep their gadgets alive throughout their stay.

    Provide Privacy with Simple Details

    No matter how well you know your guests, they still deserve their own privacy. Curtains and a bedroom door are an obvious, but it’s the small details that will really make your guests feel comfortable and welcome in your home. Install a lock on the guest bedroom door, and have stylish room dividers readily available if more than one person is staying in your guest bedroom. These simple details will make a powerful impact on their stay.

    Keep the Guest Bedroom Decorating Ideas Neutral

    To ensure every guest feels comfortable in your guest bedroom, keep the bedroom neutral. You don’t want the room to be too feminine, nor do you want it to be too masculine, too immature or too fancy. Stick with neutrals and let the small accents of the room offer personality and style. After all, it’s much easier to swap out floral print pillows for matte black ones than it is to completely redecorate with new guest bedroom ideas.

    With that said, you may also want to have a couple of guest bedroom ideas for décor readily available at any given time. Whether it’s a different bedspread, unique throw pillows or décor items, having the option to personalize your guests’ stay will certainly increase their comfort.

    A Storage Option is an Absolute Must

    No one likes living out of a suitcase. Even if your guests only stay for a day or two, they should still have the option to empty their suitcase and store them accordingly. If the guest bedroom is large enough, a dresser is certainly a must. If not, the closet should be emptied out for your guests’ arrival. Now, if you don’t have any additional floor space or a closet in the room, you will have to implement some creative decorating ideas that make use of valuable wall space. Install shelving units, and hang hooks on the back of the door to ensure your guests don’t have to live uncomfortably out of their suitcase during their stay.

    Making your guests feel at home doesn’t have to be a stressful task. With these creative guest bedroom ideas, your spare bedroom will be ready for their arrival even if it’s last minute!

  • How to Decorate Using Winter Whites to Brighten Up Your Home

    Although the weather outside may be frightful, your interior doesn’t have to be. While the days certainly get darker as the winter season rolls in, there is plenty of beauty and light to be found; one of the best things about the winter season for some areas is being able to watch the flakes of snow turn your town into a winter wonderland—and the same appeal can be implemented in your home. So, take advantage of those winter whites, because they’re one surefire way to fight off the winter blues this season. Here are some excellent decorating ideas you can use to take advantage of the beauty that only comes around once a year.

    bhgrelife.com - How to Decorate Using Winter Whites to Brighten Up Your HomeLight Up Your Life

    Good use of ample light is one of the most important decorating tips. Now, with the winter season bringing more dark than usual, it’s never been more crucial. Having light within your home can be the perfect way to brighten your spirits when the winter blues begin to settle in. Grab some candles and line your mantel, purchase the new chandelier you always wanted, and install light dimmers to set the mood. You’ll be amazed at how chic your interior will look with a combination of winter white and light.