By no means am I an interior decorator nor do I have much interest in that subject. But, I am a homeowner who understands that people need space to live and, in some cases, they need more of it. For millions of Americans making a move to larger quarters or expanding the current home may be something they’d like to do, but given the current economic climate, beyond their ability to carry out.

So, how do people make do under such circumstances? They go minimal, of course.

As I mentioned, home décor isn’t my forte but I have friends who recently made some small but significant changes to their home, steps which have made all of the difference for them. You may still need more space, but sometimes small changes can yield big results and delay the inevitable move or upgrade. Let’s take a look at what my friends did and did not do:

Remove Furniture – The family room was getting crowded with one sofa, two love seats and a pair of recliners. Although quite a large room to start with, the extra seating capacity, coffee table and floor lamps were getting in the way. One love seat and one of the recliners was removed as were the coffee table and all three floor lamps. Track lighting now supplies the bulk of the lighting — getting around a once crowded room can now be done with ease.

Toss Drapes – Both the family room and the living room had the biggest, darkest drapes you’ve ever seen. I like heavy drapes in the bedroom which is perfect for privacy and conducive to a good night’s sleep, but cotton curtains look better elsewhere in the house, allowing the light to flow in and giving the impression that the room is larger than what it really is.

Lose Doors – Open floor plans create a more seamless living environment while helping homeowners maximize their space. Short of removing entire walls, taking down a door between rooms can make a big difference. Also, widening the entrance way to a room where a door once stood can give the appearance of a home being larger than it is.

Choose Built-ins – If you have a large amount of wall space, why not consider getting rid of the bulky bookcase and create built in shelving instead? One of the easiest ways to do that is to remove an extra window, enclose it and replace it with shelving. The cut out is already there and you’ve just freed up a significant amount of needed floor space by transferring your books from the floor to the wall.

Some of the changes mentioned only give the illusion of more space including using lighter colors on the wall and ceiling or buying smaller furniture, steps which cost you extra money. You may not be able to upgrade your living quarters right now, but making interim changes now can allow you to get even more out of your dwindling living space.

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Tags: doors, furniture, home décor, Home Improvement, home renovation, interior decoration, lighting

If you are planning to sell your home, then you know that you only have one chance to make a good first impression. If the people pulling up to your home don’t like what they see on the outside, then they won’t be bothered with stepping inside to see what the interior looks like — you’ve already lost a potential buyer.

When real estate agents talk about staging a home, they are referring to arranging the inside of the home in a certain way to maximize its appeal. On the outside, “street presence” or “curb appeal” are two terms commonly used and that is what I’ll cover with you here.

Please read on for some valuable tips that can make a difference for you, especially in a  slow-selling housing market:

Luscious Landscaping — You may enjoy the gardens in front of your home, but a potential buyer may not, especially if what you are growing could mean a lot of work for them. Trim back all unnecessary shrubbery and if that maple tree in the front yard looks sickly, cut it back or remove it.

Paint or Replace Siding — Peeling paint or loose siding can be a drag on any possible sale — you need to make sure that your home doesn’t scream immediate repairs needed when offered for sale.

Update the Garage Doors — If your garage is behind your home, then how it looks isn’t too much of a concern. However, if it is attached to your home and facing the street, what sort of impression do the doors make? Replace that drab, windowless garage door with a contemporary or classic design that includes windows.

Make a Grand Entrance — Your home’s front door and surrounding railings and trim could possibly use some updating. If a door is peeling, then paint it, if lighting is dated, then update it, and if molding is lacking, consider adding it. Thinkflair when redesigning your homes exterior.

Fix Those Fixtures — Broken or drab light fixtures should be replaced. Installing one outdoor post light can have a profound affect on the way your home looks; consider replacing older doorway lights and security lights if they have not aged gracefully.

Replace Gutters and Downspouts — They may not leak and they could still do a decent job of directing water away from the house, but rusty gutters and downspouts can detract from a home’s appearance. If paint won’t do the job, then replace.

Update the Roof, Replace as Needed — Your current roof may pass home inspection, but will it pass the scrutiny of a buyer? The shingles may be fine, but updating the entrance way to incorporate a gabled roof could be a wise move on your part.

Of course, these recommended changes could cost you several thousands of dollars to carry out, but it could be the investment needed to move your home. In a slow-selling market, you need every advantage you can get. Don’t scare off potential home buyers with a home that isn’t attractive to them.

Resources

Home Management Guide

Home Remodeling Center

Tags: curb appeal, doors, driveway, garage doors, gardens, gutters, home exterior, home interior, home staging, landscaping, roof, shrubs, trees, windows

It is true that we Americans have an awful lot of stuff. We are true consumers, buying so many of the things that catch our eyes. Truly, do we need everything that can be found in our homes?

Garage, yard, and other types of sales are a great way to get rid of unneeded possessions. That is, if we have a mind to get rid of all of our clutter.

For some households, having too much stuff isn’t the issue — having the room to store what isn’t needed for the season is. Not all homes are 2500 square feet or larger — many people live in smaller homes or have larger families and they simply need the space.

Outdoor storage sheds are an important way to handle the overflow. Bicycles, lawn equipment and tools, sporting equipment, and outdoor furniture can easily be placed inside, freeing up needed space in the garage, under the deck, or on the porch. If you select a unit that is large enough, you can put up shelving and store files, boxes and other items you don’t want sitting on the ground.

When choosing a storage shed consider the following:

• Estimate the space you will need for storage. Plan for the future and allow for additional room as your family grows or your needs change.

• If ventilation and natural lighting is needed, choose a shed with windows.

• Select a unit with double hinged doors to move heavier equipment in and out.

• Plywood flooring should be sufficient, but do you need walling?

• Is your shed tall enough to walk around inside of without bending over?

• Is a shed made of galvanized steel sufficient or do you prefer wood? How about plastic?

There are many different accessories you can choose from for your storage shed including cedar siding, storm windows, electrical hook up, flower boxes, shingles, cupolas, and more.

Of course, when choosing a shed you need a flat surface and good drainage to ensure that water moves away from the shed.  Building up the ground around the shed may be necessary in order to provide the right pitch away from the unit.

Now can be a great time to buy a shed as builders and retailers seek to move inventory. By shopping around, you can get the perfect storage unit for a price that cannot be beat.

Resources

Home Improvement Showcase

Remodeling Your Home

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Tags: cedar shed, doors, galvanized steel, shingles, storage building, storage shed, windows, wood shed