Tag: Interior Design

7 DIY Bathroom Update Ideas

Updating a bathroom includes installing shelf space and painting cabinets

Don’t let your rundown or outdated bathroom cause you shame and embarrassment. Knowing how to make simple updates and improvements to your bathroom can turn a source of disappointment into a place of tranquility and warmth.

domestic-construction.com gathered the following DIY information, ideas, and tips on how to easily update your stale or outdated bathroom.

Bathroom Updates

With frequent, sustained exposure to water, moisture, and humidity, even the best-quality bathroom fixtures eventually give in to such problems as mold, mildew, rot, decay, and rust. Over time, colors, patterns, and designs can also fall out of fashion or fade. One of the best areas, second to your kitchen, to update in your home are your bathrooms. Consider the following DIY updates to repair and modernize your bathroom.

1. DIY Vanity Upgrade

Replacing your vanity instantly changes a bathroom’s look. Shop for vanity combos with an installed countertop and sink for a less-costly update. Carefully repainting your existing vanity in a bold shade or pattern is another way to save considerable money.

2. Hang Wallpaper

Transform your bathroom with bold floral wallpaper. This is an efficient way to create a chic, upscale appearance at an affordable price tag. Select peel-and-stick wallpaper to put up a fast and dramatic change while saving even more on your DIY bathroom update. Add detail to the finished look by installing gold fixtures, hardware, accessories, and trim.

Tip: Use Deep colored wallpaper with brightcolored, large floral designs. The idea is to make a beautiful impact otherwise lost in solid colors and smaller patterns.

3. Replace Light Fixtures

Updating a bathroom includes changing the lighting

Spruce up your bathroom by changing your dated light fixture for a new and dramatic one. Glass or mirrored accents give bathroom light fixtures alluring sparkle (especially in smaller spaces). For a more romantic or subdued look, consider changing incandescent lighting for soft LED bulbs, strip lights, and backlighting.

Tip: Consider installing multiple light sources, including direct and indirect lighting.

4. Paint Bathroom Cabinetry

Paint or refinish cabinets for a quick, easy, and affordable bathroom update. Another inexpensive way to update your bathroom includes installing new cabinetry or shelving that matches your existing cabinets, creating a unified and organized appearance.

Tip: When painting bathroom cabinets or fixtures, use acrylic (water-based) or alkyd (oil-based) paints. Either option holds up well in a bathroom environment while providing years of vibrant color (when painting with oil-based paint, ensure the space is well-ventilated and the paint has 24 to 48 hours to completely dry).

5. Replace Plumbing Fixtures and Accessories

Updating a bathroom includes changing fixtures

Faucets, spouts, handles, diverters, and handheld shower heads can all be swapped out with more modern, up-to-date models in silver, brass, copper, gold, glass, or acrylic models. Consider getting matching hardware for your cabinet/vanity knobs and hinges when making this fixture update.

Tip: Cleaning and maintaining your tub or shower stall is significantly more convenient with a handheld sprayer. It makes rinsing debris, hair, and cleaning products more manageable.

6. Add a Medicine Cabinet

A medicine cabinet will fit nicely between wall studs above your bathroom sink, adding significant storage space and style to your bathroom. Include a mirror behind the shelving to brighten the interior and make your belongings easier to see.

Tip: You can use vintage glassware to keep items like cotton swabs, toothbrushes, and makeup brushes neatly arranged.

7. Hang a New Shower Curtain

Updating a bathroom includes adding new shower curtains

Patterned or brightly colored fabric curtain panels can substitute typical shower curtains to give your bathroom a sleek touch that’s easy and budget-friendly (use two panels so your shower curtain can open from the middle). Pair your fabric panels with a clear plastic shower liner to protect your panels from water, soap, and shampoo splatters.

Tip: If your bathtub has become worn or stained, consider having it professionally refinished (the process is quite simple and relatively inexpensive).

BONUS Idea – Replace Towel Racks

You can replace your standard towel racks and toilet paper holders with more modern and sturdier pieces. You can make them yourself if you are handy with a saw, drill, and screwdriver.

Note: If you make your own fixtures, you can determine the length of the rack (to hold more or fewer towels) and even create shelf space above the rack as part of the same fixture.

Bathroom Update Ideas

In this article, you discovered do-it-yourself ideas, notes, and tips to help you easily update your bathroom without spending a lot of money.

Updating your bathroom’s fixtures, furniture, and decor will transform it into a welcoming, practical, and comfortable space in your home.

Ignoring the need to update your bathroom can lead to plumbing malfunctions and embarassment, as your decor falls out of fashion.

Sources:
scf.usc.edu/~mcright/itp104/finalproject/bath.html
fcs-hes.ca.uky.edu/sites/fcs-hes.ca.uky.edu/files/hf-lra.154.pdf

11 Ideas that Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal

There are many ways to increase a propertys curb appeal like planting trees and painting

Don’t leave money on the table and settle for lower offers when selling because your curb appeal is lacking. Knowing how your home’s curb appeal can negatively influence its value will help motivate you to make it cleaner, sleeker, cozier, and more inviting to prospective buyers.

domestic-construction.com gathered the following information and tips on how to raise your home’s value by increasing its curb appeal.

What is Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is your residential or commercial property’s exterior attractiveness, as viewed from the street. The term was introduced and exhaustively used in the United States during the housing boom and persists as an indicator of the initial allure or appeal of a property to prospective buyers.

An elevated curb appeal helps sell a home more quickly, and for significantly more money because of the initial positive impact it has on buyers. Consider the following home upgrades and modifications that can substantially elevate your home’s curb appeal:

1. Plant Ornamental Trees

Trees add dimensional levels and splashes of color to your yard’s design with little maintenance required. Small trees are straightforward to trim and you could choose a boxwood shrub or Juniper tree to sculpt into a head-turning topiary.

2. Flourishing Greenery

There are many ways to increase a propertys curb appeal like planting grass bushes and trees

Beautiful front yards don’t necessarily need meticulously designed flower gardens. Shrubs, grasses, trees, and ornamentals can create a welcoming space like walking into a forest. Occasional watering and seasonal pruning are what these landscapes need to thrive.

Tip: Seasonally refresh any mulch or gravel you use around your trees and garden

3. Flower Appeal

Flower beds add splashes of color and flowing texture to your landscaping. Plant companion flower beds around trees and other features for a simple and striking finish. Extensive flower beds with flowing edges and shapes create depth.

Tip: Start a container garden on your porch for a beautiful and mobile garden feature.

4. Install Landscape Lighting

There are many ways to increase a propertys curb appeal like landscape lighting

Landscape lighting can illuminate the best features of your yard while adding shape, depth, and dimension. Line your walkways for decor and safety, and hang string lights on your patio for late-night entertaining and dining.

Installing walkway, perimeter, and garden lighting highlights your front yard’s features and makes your home more welcoming or inviting. Light up a specimen tree, your front porch, or a nicely pruned row of shrubs. Angle a spotlight toward the canopy of a sprawling tree to add depth to your lighting design.

Tip: Choose solar lights to eliminate any electrical wiring and significantly save on your utility bills.

5. Replace Gutters and Downspouts

Dented or peeling gutters and downspouts make a horrible impression on would-be buyers. Perk up the appearance of your home while guaranteeing the diversion of rainwater from your roofing system with updated gutters and downspouts.

6. Repair or Replace Your Roofing System

The home’s roof is typically one of the deciding factors when closing its sale. Buyers tend to shy away from homes in need of significant or expensive roof repairs. A leaking roofing system is often responsible for causing costly structural damages requiring extensive repairs. A new or repaired roof looks good and increases the home’s curb appeal, and adds a firm sense of security to your home.

Note: Your roofing system’s integrity carries considerable weight when your home is evaluated for its true market value.

Tip: The value of an existing or new roofing system is considered “hard equity” and can be added to the home’s overall value.

7. Repaint Your Home

One of the fastest and easiest ways to clean up a home’s appearance is to give it a fresh, vibrant coat of paint. Painting affords you the opportunity to:

  • Change the home’s color scheme
  • Highlight interesting exterior features
  • Clean up its exterior
  • Find and fix exterior damages or irregularities
  • Modernize the home’s appearance

Note: Small structural defects are often only found when preparing to repaint.

Tip: Repainting your home can have one of the most significant impacts on its curb appeal.

8. Install a Fence

There are many ways to increase a propertys curb appeal like installing a picket fence

The classic picket fence always makes a house feel like a home. Install partial or complete fencing to outline your yard and add some “old-school” charm to your home. A smaller fence is excellent for defining flower beds or the lawn’s edges.

9. Porch and Patio Cleanliness

Power-wash your porch and patio, and don’t forget to remove debris from between wood boards. Add a protective weather sealant if your deck is due for a new coating and retouch as necessary or repaint the whole patio for a refreshed appearance.

10. Refresh or Replace Your Outdoor Furniture

There are many ways to increase a propertys curb appeal like replacing outdoor furniture

Any outdoor furniture that’s old, faded, and in need of repair should be thrown out or updated. A coat of spray paint on porch benches or outdoor seating can quickly give it new life.

11. Replace Your Mailbox

If you have a mailbox bordering the street, replace it when it starts looking old. A new mailbox and a post price are insignificant when leveraged against the potential gains. When you install a new mailbox, make sure you follow regulations set forth by the United States Post Office.

Curb Appeal

In this article, you discovered information and tips on increasing your home’s curb appeal sub sequentially raising its overall market value.

Knowing how a cleaner, sharper, and brighter curb appeal can influence your home’s value should motivate you to constantly seek landscape and home improvements.

Ignoring your home’s visual appearance will lead to a shabby, unattractive look with low curb appeal and a significant decrease in its market value.

Sources:
gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/outdoor-living/curb-appeal.html
newswire.caes.uga.edu/story/5761/curb-appeal.html
sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/media/sfylifasufledu/pinellas/lawn-and-garden/Curb-Appeal.pdf

How To Build a Sunroom – What You Need to Know

Steps for building a sunroom include floor wall roof and window installation

Avoid letting valuable space on your property go unused. Knowing the value and advantages of building a sunroom will help you create a versatile space that can increase your home’s value.

domestic-construction.com gathered the following information on how to build a sunroom and answered some frequently asked questions.

Steps for Building a Sunroom

Before leveling the ground or setting the first post, verify the proper building or land disturbance permits required to legally build your new sunroom. Avoiding this step may result in costly fines and the forced removal of your work. The following will help you build a sunroom:

Steps for building a sunroom begin with obtaining a permit

Step 1 – Remove any obstructions and clean the area. Also, make sure that the grade slopes away from the house.

Note: Your city will likely have regulations on the required grade angle, so you should check with them.

Tip: Your floorplans should already include your sunroom’s power source, electrical wiring, and any water fixtures or plumbing to be installed.

Step 2 – Set your support posts or lay the framework for your concrete foundation.

Step 3 – Calculate joist heights and flooring and adjust the height of the support beams so your flooring will end up even with the existing home’s flooring. Bolt the brackets to the support beams.

Step 4 – Frame the floor. Your municipality will stipulate what size of lumber is required for the framing.

Step 5 – Attach screening to the bottom of the joists (if building an elevated flooring structure) to keep mice from getting into the insulation from underneath.

Step 6 – Install floor insulation and vapor barrier.

Step 7 – Attach your sub-flooring to the joists with flooring screws.

Step 8 – Build the walls. When building the walls, remember that The windows’ rough openings should be one inch larger than the windows, so you are left with a half inch on every side to adjust the windows later.

Steps for building a sunroom include putting in walls with window openings

After the walls are framed, fasten the sheeting to the outside. Put a foam gasket between the external wall of the existing house and the stud that is touching it. Put bolts through that stud to attach it to the studs of the existing home.

Tip: Spray insulation foam between the exterior wall and the stud to completely seal the gap.

Step 9 – Install your ridge board or roof support. Calculate the roof’s slope and mark the outline of the roof on the existing house. Cut away the siding, paneling, or whatever material is on the outside of the house down to the sheeting.

Step 10 – Use your municipality’s building code guidelines to determine rafter size, spacing, and attachment requirements. Attach the rafters.

Step 11 – Lay the roof deck, insulation, moisture barrier, shingles, and flashing. Pay particular attention to the flashing installed where the sunroom’s roofing system meets the home. This should be 90-degree flashing installed above the sunroom’s shingles and behind the home’s siding.

Step 12 – Use house wrap around the sunroom’s exterior for wind and moisture protection.

Step 13 – Install your windows, door, and steps (if elevated).

Step 14 – Install interior drywall and mudding. Measure, cut, and put up the drywall and mud the joints, cracks, and screw holes.

Step 15 – Add the sunroom’s exterior siding, facia, and soffit.

Step 16 – Paint or finish the interior walls and install any plugs, switches, and lights.

Step 17 – Install, seal, and paint the trim around your windows and door.

Step 18 – Install the flooring, move your furniture in, and start enjoying your brand new sunroom.

Steps for building a sunroom include wall window and floor installations

How Much Does it Cost to Build a Sunroom?

Building a sunroom addition to your home can cost as little as $10,000 and reach as much as $81,000+. This may not account for price increases due to supply chain shortages and material availability.

Note: Sunroom building costs may fluctuate depending on which features and add-ons you want to be included.

Can a Sunroom be Used as a Bedroom?

Technically, yes. You can turn your sunroom into a bedroom, but you’ll need to have proper heating and cooling systems installed if you want optimal temperature year-round.

Can a Sunroom be Built on a Concrete Patio?

The quick answer is yes. However, it must meet any requirements established in your municipality’s building codes.

Note: Most concrete patios are only about 4″ thick (the same as a regular sidewalk).

Building a Sunroom

Even if you have experience in the construction/building field, hire a contractor to help you navigate permit requirements, oversee your blueprints/designs, and attain the best quality building material for your investment.

Sunroom Construction

In this article, you discovered information and tips on how to build a sunroom and answers to some frequently asked questions.

Building a sunroom extension to your home can increase its usable space, create more curb appeal, and significantly increase the home’s value.

Ignoring the opportunity to build a sunroom will leave valuable space on your property unused and leave your home lagging behind in value and modernism.

Sources:
crownroundtable.org/build-a-sunroom/
homequestionsanswered.com/what-is-a-sunroom.htm
remodelingcalculator.org/sunroom-addition-cost/
homestead.org/homesteading-construction/building-a-sunroom-using-recycled-materials/

What Happens During a Home Inspection

Home inspections give a general oversight of a homes condition

Avoid being left with excessive repair costs after purchasing a new property, or not knowing what happens during a home inspection. Understanding the purpose of a home inspection will help you follow it along and fully understand the resulting report.

domestic-construction.com gathered the following information about home inspections, why they are so crucial, and what to expect from them.

What is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive, but thorough examination of a home’s condition. Such an inspection typically occurs in connection with the sale of the house or after a renovation. Home inspections are generally conducted by a trained, certified, and often licensed home inspector.

What do Home Inspectors Look for?

Home inspections include floor wall roof and gutter conditions

According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), here’s a list of what a certified home inspector will examine:

  • Heating system
  • Central air conditioning system (temperature permitting)
  • Interior plumbing and electrical systems
  • Walls
  • Ceilings
  • Floors
  • Roof and rain gutters
  • Attic, including visible insulation
  • Windows and doors
  • Foundation
  • Basement
  • Structural components

Note: There may be some exceptions to a home inspection. If the home has inaccessible areas or displays unsafe conditions, the inspector will document and explain the situation, noting that they were unable to assess that specific area, item, or system.

How Much do Home Inspections Cost?

When purchasing a home, the last thing you want is another expense. However, this expense can save you a lot of money and may dissuade you from purchasing the home.

Professional home inspections typically start at $400 from a reputable company (average 2,000-square-foot home). The price can easily increase to $500 or $600 (or more) if you have a larger home or will require additional inspections like structural water damage, mold, or termite, which are not commonly included.

Note: Who pays for the inspection is an item for negotiation. Usually, the buyer will foot the bill for a professional home inspection. However, some buyers will insist that the seller pays for it upon making an offer.

How Long do Home Inspections Last?

Multiple factors can influence a home inspection’s duration, including its size, age, and general property condition. Typically, a home inspection will take between 2 and 4 hours. Smaller homes may take less time to complete, and older or larger homes may take longer.

The home inspection is relatively fast in comparison to the emission of the resulting report. This is why it is highly recommended to schedule an appointment with a home inspector soon after signing a purchase contract so you’ll receive the report before expiring the termination option period.

Should a Homebuyer be Present During an Inspection?

It is not required for the homebuyer to be present for a home inspection. However, it is highly recommended that the homebuyer attend the inspection so they can absorb the most information and value from it.

This allows homebuyers to observe the inspector in action and ask real-time questions throughout the process. Homebuyers, in general, find that talking with their inspector gives them a better understanding of the home’s condition.

What Fixes are Mandatory after a Home Inspection?

Home inspections typically result in repair and replacement work

None. Legally, there are no mandatory repairs after a home inspection. That doesn’t mean that sellers can simply dismiss a home inspection or refuse to pay for requested repairs and damages and still expect the home’s sale to proceed.

In short, a home inspection allows a homeowner to polish their presentation and gives a potential buyer the opportunity to make an informed decision on whether or not to proceed with the purchase.

Tip: After the home inspection is complete, work with your real estate agent to understand what items you could assume responsibility for and on what items you will want the homeowner to correct.

Can a Home Fail an Inspection?

No. However, it may dissuade a potential buyer from committing to its purchase. A home inspection is a professional examination and objective assessment of a house’s current condition.

A home inspector is not charged with giving the house a pass or fail grade. They will, however, detail its overall physical condition and point out what components and systems may require immediate or impending repair or replacement.

Note: A home inspection is not an appraisal and will not determine the home’s market value. It is also not to be confused with a municipal inspection and does not verify any local code violations or compliances.

Home Inspection

In this article, you discovered essential information about home inspections, how much they cost, what they look for, and how they can influence the purchase of a home.

Knowing how home inspections are conducted and what they look for will help you come to educated decisions on whether or not to purchase a home.

Ignoring the findings of a home inspection may result in your purchasing a home with costly and severe system or structural issues.

Sources:
homeinspector.org
consumerfinance.gov/owning-a-home/close/schedule-home-inspection/
hud.gov/sites/documents/92564-CN.PDF
ncrec.gov/Brochures/Print/HomeInspectionsPrint.pdf

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén