2016Spring Home Improvementshop.yankton.net/media/pubs/517/3832/35099-59246.pdf3. Use outdoor...
Transcript of 2016Spring Home Improvementshop.yankton.net/media/pubs/517/3832/35099-59246.pdf3. Use outdoor...
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Homeowners who want their homes to make strong
first impressions must prioritize curb appeal. Homes with
strong curb appeal sell well and can impart a welcoming
feel to all visitors. Improving curb appeal need not be ex-
pensive, and the following are a handful of ways to improve
the appearance of your home.
1. Install a bold-looking door in a vibrant color or one
with a custom design. This helps the home stand out from
other properties in the neighborhood.
2. Edge the driveway to create a distinct border between
the driveway and the lawn or other landscaping features.
This helps homes appear neat and well kept.
3. Use outdoor lighting to make a home more inviting.
Outdoor lighting also makes properties safer to traverse at
night.
4. Clean a home’s exterior to remove mildew or discolor-
ations from the siding, driveway, patio, and other outdoor
elements.
5. Improve landscapes with fresh plants and seasonal
color. Homeowners without the time to plant can consider
container gardens, which don’t take much time to assemble
but still add appeal to a home’s exterior.
6. Prune planting beds and add new mulch to restore
color.
7. Add shutters and accent trim to a home’s exterior to
improve on the beauty of the house.
8. Install new fencing or give a fresh coat of paint or
stain to an existing fence.
9. Replace concrete paths with tile or stone walkways to
make entryways more impressive and inviting.
According to Remodeling magazine’s 2014 Cost vs. Value Report,a major kitchen remodeling project should enable homeowners to recoup 74.2 percent of their initial investments. Kitchen renovations have long been a safe way to improve the functionality and value of a
home. But not every kitchen project is a guaranteed winner. Homeowners may inadvertently make changes that end up sticking out like a sore thumb rather than improving the space. Take a look at these kitchen remodeling dos and don’ts to guide your next undertaking.
DO consider the way your kitchen will look with the rest of the home. Keep architectural integrity in mind when designing the space. A farmhouse sink and country cabinets can look out of place in an ultra-modern home.
DON’T overlook the importance of a seasoned designer or architect. These pros will know the tricks to maximizing space and achieving the ideal layout of appliances and may be able to recommend local contractors and vendors.
DO look beyond surface details to the structural integrity of the design. The kitchen should be functional, long-lasting and beautiful.
DON’T design just for today, but look to the future as well. Unless you are willing to spend $50,000 every five years, look for styles and materials that will last for the long haul. Older homeowners may want to make adjustments now that address potential mobility issues down the road.
DO work with what you
have. A complete demolition and renovation is not always necessary to achieve the desired results. Only invest in major changes if something is not working (such as having to walk across the entire kitchen to access the stove) or is unsafe. Otherwise, minor upgrades may do the trick.
DON’T over-improve the space. A fully equipped commercial kitchen may be handy for a professional chef, but the average person may not need an industrial hood and indoor pizza oven. When you make excessive improvements, you may not be able to recoup as much of the money spent because your home will not be on par with the values of homes in the neighborhood.
DO make sure you can afford the project. Plan for some unexpected purchases and plan out the renovation according to your budget. Skimping on materials or design because of lack of money may leave you feeling dissatisfied afterward.
Dos and Don’ts Of Kitchen Remodels
After a few months of
chilly temperatures, come
spring, many homeowners
are eager to throw open
their windows and doors
and breathe new life into
their homes. Simple changes
made now, even before the
weather begins to warm up
can improve interior spaces
and brighten the atmosphere
of a home.
Go plant shopping. Re-
search from NASA suggests
adding at least one plant in
your home per 100 square
feet is efficient enough to
clean air. Fresh foliage also
makes a home feel warm and
inviting. Watering and mist-
ing plants introduces mois-
ture into indoor air, which
can make rooms overcome
with dry air from heating
systems feel comfortable.
Just be sure to avoid overwa-
tering plants, which can lead
to mold growth.
Swap out throw pillows.
Accent pillows on beds and
sofas are quick and inex-
pensive ways to add new
bursts of color to rooms. You
may be able to make over a
room’s entire color scheme
with new pillows. Invest in
pillows that you can switch
with each season so your
decor will never look tired
or dull.
Clean existing light
fixtures. Another way to
brighten the mood in a home
is to periodically clean light
fixtures to make sure they
are working effectively.
Spend time dusting them and
cleaning off any accumulated
debris. If need be, switch out
old lamp shades for newer
ones that let more light shine
through. If inadequate light-
ing is a problem no matter
how many lamps you have,
consult with an electrician
about installing more over-
head and accent lighting.
Give rugs and floors a
deep cleaning. Recirculated
air may be full of dust and
other microscopic par-
ticles that end up blowing
throughout your home. Also,
it’s easy to track in dirt and
other materials on your
shoes that become imbed-
ded in carpeting. At least
once a year, rent or enlist
the surfaces of carpet and
upholstery cleaners to give
floors a thorough clean-
ing. You may be surprised
at how clean and fresh a
home looks and smells once
rugs and carpets are deep-
cleaned. You also can make
a dry carpet cleaner using
baking soda, corn starch
and desired fresh herbs for
fragrance. Sprinkle and then
vacuum up after a few hours.
Color-coordinate book-
shelves. Group all books
with similarly colored covers
together for an instant and
eye-appealing look.
Simmer some homemade
home deodorizer. In a large
pot, boil water and some
scented herbs, such as rose-
mary, citrus rinds, vanilla,
or lavender. The aroma will
waft through the home, cre-
ating a pleasing scent.
Invest in new window
treatments. Lightweight
draperies or new blinds or
shades can transform the
look of a room. Be sure to
keep curtains and blinds
open during the day to maxi-
mize the hours of sunlight.
Homeowners can make
some simple changes while
they’re stuck indoors and
reap the benefits when the
weather warms up again.
Freshen Up Your Home For The Spring Season
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605.689.2220
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2016Home Improvement
Spring
9 Ways To Improve Curb Appeal
PRESS & DAKOTAN TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2016 PAGE 5B