Office/Gym/Pantry – Is It Time to Add Space to Your Home?

 

Does your home feel too small? Well, from time to time, one needs change. You probably need a bigger office, a different home care room, work from a home office, a kitchen, and you feel the need to have a bigger home. Moving can be hectic, and also, besides that, you may not want to relocate from your current home based on other factors. If there is room for expansion, then with a building permit, you can remodel your space and make the necessary additions. Here are some tips on how to do it:

1.  Get The Necessary Permits

Major structural modifications will need a permit before you can begin working. Different states have different rules. Therefore, it is your responsibility to have a home building inspector give the go-ahead on the work.

An approval protects you from being on the wrong side of the law, and it also enhances the safety of the occupants. However, if the inspector pointed out some red flags concerning the addition, you can correct those problems and call them in for a second inspection. If they are satisfied with the corrections, you will get your permit and proceed with the work.

2.  Consider A Loft

Conducting a loft conversion is one of the most manageable and trendy ways of extending your home and taking advantage of unused space. If you have been yearning for an extra living room, lounge, office space, or attic bedroom, this might be it. A loft can be a great addition to homes with high ceilings. You can add an extra storage area or even a functional living space. Additionally, the occupants may also enjoy the view from up there. You will have to add ventilation or windows, insulate the walls, reinforce the floor, and furnish as desired.

3.  Finish Your Basement

A finished basement is another popular option to add extra living space, a gym, a game room, a library, a pantry, a home bar, etc. If you already have an existing basement, the renovation costs will not be too high.

Depending on the choice of room addition that you need, each may require different levels of plumbing or electrical work done on them. For example, adding a kitchen may need more of those than adding a library. Therefore, it is necessary to consider your budget before doing so. Again, if you do not have a basement, digging out is the other option to set up that extra space which is also a very expensive investment. Essentially, this is why you will need a building permit to ensure that it is done safely.

4.  Get Rid of The Fireplace

The fireplace has almost lost its glory in most modern homes. Most modern contractors do not consider it a fancy addition, especially with the many options of modern heating equipment available. Furthermore, all you want is to maximize your living room floor space. Therefore, if you live in one of those traditional homes, it is possible to easily knock out the chimney, especially if it is not load-bearing. A proficient building contractor should be able to point this out and advise accordingly on how to phase it out without damaging your home.

5.  Consider A Garage Conversion

Doing a garage conversion adequately means getting rid of parking and storage. However, a garage conversion can add adequate living space, kitchen, or home gym without diminishing your equally essential yard space.

The fact that a car fits in also means that you might not need to enlarge the room, making it a perfect room for conversion. A garage conversion will mostly need a new interior fit-out and a few modifications depending on the space you want to convert it to.

6.  Under-Stairs Area Conversion

The area under the staircase can often make a good storage addition, especially for extra shelves or cabinets, or office space. It is possible to reclaim that space and free space in other areas as long as you have adequate floor space. If you need extra lighting, especially office space, hire an electrician to fix that seamlessly.

Before making additions to your existing home, ensure that you have all the facts in mind depending on your expansion. Each conversion needs a different modification, and you should ensure that it works within your budget.

 

Top Furniture Brands for Luxury Bedroom Sets

Top Furniture Brands for Luxury Bedroom Sets

 

A luxurious home deserves luxurious furniture, and there’s no need to pay more than you must. Even older homes not of a modern or ornate splendor can benefit from luxury furniture, as it transforms your space from humble to impressive.

Even if you have a higher budget for your bedroom furniture and decor, there’s no need to spend more than necessary. Buying your bedroom set online will allow you to get the comfort and opulence of luxury furniture at a much cheaper price. People who want to appoint a more humble home with grandiose furniture have stricter budgets, but they still have a lot of options.

When you shop for bedroom furniture online you will come across many furniture brands and collections. The best brands for luxury furniture are outlined below, and you can find more information via 1StopBedrooms.com.

Liberty bedroom sets

The Liberty brand carries several bedroom collections that fall under the luxe umbrella. These furniture sets are of modern and contemporary styles, providing you with ultimate comfort and the feeling of a movie star.

Some of the best bedroom sets from Liberty for your luxury apartment or home are:

  • Abby Park Antique White Panel Bedroom Set with wood or upholstered headboard options
  • Thornwood Hills Rock Beaten Gray Panel Bedroom Set
  • Magnolia Manor Antique White Sleigh or Pane Bedroom Sets
  • Harbor View Poster Bed Sets

Caracole Bedroom Sets

Caracole offers many bedroom sets to choose from that are most suitable for mid-modern and contemporary homes that need a more elegant touch. The Caracole Classic line of bedroom furniture sets is the most popular, as well as their Modern Expressions bed set collection.

Magnussen

Magnussen offers a wide variety of bedroom sets in several styles suitable for a luxurious bedroom in a modern, contemporary, or mid-modern style. Tinley Park and Bellamy Peppercorn offer the most options for matched bedroom furniture.

Universal bedroom furniture sets

Universal offers bedroom sets featuring designs, textures, and colors popular for coastal-themed bedrooms. They feature collections named after mid-modern stars including Modern Brando and Modern Connery, while their Coastal Living bed sets are perfect for waterfront properties.

A.R.T. bedroom sets

This brand features 36 different bedroom sets within their featured bedroom collections. These bedroom sets are grandly appointed with upholstered headboards and footboards, ornately carved dressers and nightstands, and tall stately beds sturdy enough to stand the tests of time. The Artiste and Prossimo bedroom furniture collections are perfect for modern bedrooms, while they also offer vintage bed sets…

Hooker luxury bedroom sets

Hooker is one of the most popular brands in luxury bedroom furniture. They offer a wide variety of modern and contemporary bed sets with soft upholstered or ornately carved headboards. These bed sets are best suited to modern or mid-modern homes and bedroom styles.

Legacy Kids Bedroom Sets

Although this is a kid’s specific brand, it is worth mentioning in this article. Kids like to feel special too, and filling their room with luxury bedroom furniture is a great way to make them comfortable and self-entertaining. The Legacy Kids bed sets offer modern and contemporary luxury in kid-sized pieces like smaller dressers and mirrors, chests of drawers, vanities and benches, jewelry armoires, and twin or full-size beds.

 

5 Simple Tricks for Boosting Your Home’s Curb Appeal

 

Whether you’re planning to move to a new house in the near future, or it’s time for a long-needed makeover, the exterior of your property can say a lot on what is on the inside. To impress potential homebuyers, friends, and family, maintaining the outside of your home is important. If you aren’t sure where to begin, here are 5 simple tricks on how to boost your home’s curb appeal.

5 Simple Tricks for Boosting Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Take Care of Your Lawn

One of the biggest parts of maintaining your home’s curb appeal is by taking care of the lawn. Whether you do this by raking off leaves, mowing the grass, or pulling weeds, doing everything you can to keep your lawn looking pristine is key. To prevent brown spots, it’s important that you keep your lawn well-watered. No one wants to tackle a huge project, so as long as you keep a close eye on your lawn, you shouldn’t have too many problems.

Look After Your Driveway

When homebuyers and guests pull up to your property, having a well-cared for driveway can make all the difference. If you have a concrete driveway, there are lots of top tips that you can take on board to keep it looking as good as new. Regular cleaning, sealing the surface, avoiding chemicals, and repairing small cracks can help keep your concrete drive in pristine condition for a longer period of time. There is also the option to contact a professional like Richfield Blacktop who specializes in concrete driveways.

Lose the Junk

Whether it’s lawn furniture, unruly garden hoses, old vehicles, or dead bushes, getting rid of anything that is seen as an eyesore can help boost your home’s curb appeal. If it isn’t necessary or attractive to your lifestyle, it’s best to get rid of clutter immediately. To reduce your carbon footprint and do your bit for the environment, recycling any junk can give it a new purpose.

Focus on the Front Door

When visitors arrive at your property, they will immediately notice your front door. Making it look great and appealing should be your top priority, so whether it’s by washing it, refinishing or painting it, giving your front door a new lease of life can only be a good thing when it comes to boosting your property’s curb appeal. If it’s time for a change, replacing it with a brand new one may be the best option.

Add Interesting Details

There are lots of quirky items that you can add to the front of your property to make it stand out. Shiny new house numbers, a new doorknocker, or a stylish front porch light can set the scene for what is on the inside. If you have plenty of space, you may want to consider investing in a water feature or purchasing a garden sculpture for your front lawn.

A house that looks nurtured, well loved, and designed with integrity can help make your property stand out for all the right reasons. First impressions count, so taking all the advice above into account can help you on your way to boosting your home’s curb appeal.

Temperature & Humidity vs. Paint

 

Rain and wind are not the only environmental factors that affect ideal painting conditions. Homeowners, contractors and handymen must contend with different humidity and temperature levels, too, during exterior projects. Painting under the right conditions can make the difference between a job well done and a redo. Read on to learn about the ideal circumstances for painting to avoid any unwanted issues.

 How Temperature Affects Drying

Why does temperature matter? When it comes to painting a house, temperature is a huge factor in the way a fresh coat of paint will dry. Drying paint in temperatures that are too low or high could result in cracking and peeling. For example, extremely low temperatures can prevent fresh coats of paint from correctly drying because moisture within the formulation can actually freeze solid before it dries completely. On the other end of the spectrum, extremely hot temperatures can evaporate the moisture from within the paint faster than normal. This can cause the top layer to skin over before the layers underneath dry, which can produce cracking, blisters and other imperfections.

There are some rules of thumb to follow when it comes to different types of paint. Temperatures above 45 degrees Fahrenheit are recommended when using solvent or oil-based paints. Latex and acrylic paints dry much better in temperatures that exceed 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If temperatures dip, dew can form on surfaces and cause the water in the paint to evaporate too slowly. Some paints are now formulated to dry at lower temperatures, such as 35 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s vital to follow the instructions on paint containers, since each paint formula is designed to be used within specific temperature and humidity parameters.

How Humidity Affects Drying

When high-humidity conditions are combined with low temperatures, the protective qualities of paint may be compromised. Condensation can occur on the paint’s surface, which creates issues with the paint’s drying and adhesion. In some cases, high humidity can cause unsightly streaks or surfactant leaching, which is a brown or white discoloration on the top layer of the paint. Additionally, excess moisture in the air can be absorbed into wood surfaces and affect paint adhesion. This can result in bubbling or peeling paint.

Avoiding Problems

 Be sure to check the weather forecast before starting any outdoor painting project. It’s also a good idea to monitor the temperature and humidity levels during painting projects. The best time to paint, depending on geography, would likely be early summer or fall. These seasons usually offer the best weather conditions, with minimal rain and fluctuations in temperature from day to night. This can ensure that the paint adheres smoothly and has a chance to dry and cure properly. Summer also tends to be the perfect time for painting since it is typically dry and warm. Aim to paint when you have a clear, low humidity day with the ideal temperatures falling around 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sticking to these guidelines can help you end up with a flawless finish. Before you get started on your next painting project, take a look at the accompanying infographic to review how temperature and humidity can affect a fresh coat of paint.