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More Home Improvement Ideas Part 2

22/3/2022

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Photo by M&W Studios from Pexels
As we have seen from our articles over the last 3 months there are numerous ideas that can quickly transform your home into the home of your dreams - or certainly make your current house more liveable and appealing while adding more value. Most of the ideas can be created at a modest cost and with little time. They also don't disrupt the household as a major renovation would. Our articles and tips included: Simple home improvement tips, How to make your home feel bigger, creating more storage Simple Ways to Improve Your House Part 1 - Creating More Space and 7 Creative Storage Ideas for Your Home and ​Creating more space in your home with extra storage. We also discussed Improving your garden adds value and enjoyment to your home. Then our previous article More home improvement ideas
In this article we discuss a few more ideas which could easily transform your home.

Change carpets and refresh your home

Changing carpets can create a new refreshed look. Always ensure the old underlay is removed, all dirt is cleaned and that any mould is treated before the new carpet is installed. Use a good quality underlay which will help protect the new carpet, assist with insulation and provide the carpet with a more luxurious feel.
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Photo by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels
"Select colours that are light, but not too light that they’ll show all the dirt"
​Select colours that are light, but not too light that they’ll show all the dirt. Look for carpets that can be easily cleaned and that are hard wearing. Avoid heavily patterned carpets.

Even just purchasing a new large mat can transform a dull or damaged floor. It might not be necessary to take out those floor tiles you don't like, just hide most of them beneath a large rug.
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In cooler areas you could consider installing underfloor heating beneath the carpet. Always get a professional installer.

​Curtains, blinds and shutters

New curtains, blinds or shutters can change a room. Lighter colours can brighten rooms. New window treatments can help insulate the room from temperatures outside and even reduce noise. Choosing Window Coverings for Your Home
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Tired of hearing the neighbours or traffic why not do some soundproofing 

Some houses can be noisy which could be because of:
  • Noise from the outside, such as traffic, aeroplanes or the neighbours. Noise can be reduced by fitting double glazing to windows. Placing insulation in the ceiling void. Installing window treatments such as heavy curtains. Planting shrubs and trees in the garden to absorb noise. Even grass instead of paving helps absorb some noise and prevents noise reverberating. Constructing perimeter walls and wooden fences, or even installing glass panels to deflect noise.
  • Noise from other rooms in the house. This could be through walls and/or the ceiling. This can be reduced by installing additional insulation in the ceiling. (Always take care that downlights in ceilings are adequately protected so that they don’t set the insulation on fire.) Investigating whether insulation can be pumped into wall cavities. Adding an extra skin onto the dividing walls with insulation between it and the existing wall. Building in baffle walls in the ceiling between the rooms. Introducing carpets in the rooms to deaden sound.
  • Noise from the activities on the floor above. These can be reduced by installing carpets to the floor above to deaden footsteps. Installing a suspended insulated ceiling to the rooms impacted by noise from above

Maintenance – fixing what’s broken

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"A lack of maintenance leads to further problems and spoils our enjoyment of the home"
​Regular maintenance is essential in every home. Unfortunately the lack of maintenance leads to further problems and spoils our enjoyment of the home. Often people look to move from their homes for silly reasons that can easily be fixed. So maintenance could include:
  • Fixing doors and windows that jam.
  • Repainting the house.
  • Cleaning and servicing air-conditioning units so that they’re more effective.
  • Repairing leaks.
  • Repairing broken lights and appliances.
  • Replacing cracked and broken tiles.
  • Repairing damaged insect screens.

Conclusion

Hopefully we have inspired you to make changes to your home that will make your house more enjoyable for you and your family.

Happy home improvement. We look forward to hearing your stories of successful changes and seeing before and after pictures.

​Take care and work safely.
​#homeimprovementtips #homeimprovement #homereno #homeremodel 
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​This is an extract from the author's book  'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 2 - Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home' 
​© 2022 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

"Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com

​Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses?

Picture
​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

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More home improvement ideas

16/3/2022

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"You don't have to spend a fortune on your home to make it look like a million dollar home"
Tired of your current home? Do you know what's bugging you? What would you like to change and improve? Over the last few article we have discussed numerous simple ideas to improve your home Simple home improvement tips. These ideas included How to make your home feel bigger, creating more storage Simple Ways to Improve Your House Part 1 - Creating More Space and 7 Creative Storage Ideas for Your Home and ​Creating more space in your home with extra storage. We also discussed Improving your garden adds value and enjoyment to your home. 
In this article we delve into more simple and inexpensive ways that you can improve the enjoyment of your home and the value of your house. Indeed you do not have to spend a fortune on your home to make it look like a million dollar home with some of these tricks.
​#homeimprovement #homeimprovementtips #homerenovation #homereno

Change lights and brighten up your house and even save money

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"New lights can make a room lighter and brighter"
​New lights can make a room lighter and brighter, change the look of the room (often making it more modern and newer) and reduce your power bill. Older lights are often less efficient than new lights. In addition, getting rid of dark coverings and shades on lights makes lights brighter, possibly meaning that fewer lights are required.

New lights don’t have to cost a fortune. Sure, they need a licensed electrician to install. An outlay of a couple of thousand dollars can give all the rooms in your house a new look. Choosing lights for your new home
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If you add lights which are combined with a ceiling fan you can add additional cooling at a nominal extra cost. Ceiling fans come in a multitude of designs and colours which can add to the style of the house at a modest additional cost. Fitting fans with a remote control doesn’t require additional electrical wiring, only maybe a few extra timber supports in the ceiling.

Repaint and give your home a new look

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"Repainting walls can instantly give your house a new look"
Repainting walls can instantly give your house a new look, especially if you select colours which are light and bright. Stay away from dark colours and stick to shades of white or pastel colours – you can always add splashes of vivid or dark accent colours to trims like window and door frames, doors, gutters, metalwork, etc, for impact. Always choose a good quality paint that will wear well and is easily cleanable. You probably don’t want to be repainting walls in your house every couple of years because they’re looking dirty or blotchy. Make sure that the paint you use is suitable for where it will be applied. Some paints are only suitable for internal use, some paint can be more easily wiped clean and other paints shouldn’t be used in wet areas. Surfaces should be properly cleaned and prepared before they’re painted.

Even some old roofs can be reinvigorated with a new coat of paint. But always check that the paint is suitable for the roof covering material, that the roof is sound and it is cleaned and dried properly before the paint is applied, and preferably get an expert to apply it – you don’t want to be falling off the roof!
For more painting ideas read 20 Front Door Colors to Improve your Home and Add Value. 

Skirtings finishing your house

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"Selecting a skirting that matches your home's style and décor can give an added luxurious feel at a small cost."
Older houses usually had skirtings to neaten the edge where the walls meet the floors. Skirtings also protect walls from bumps and bashes when brooms and vacuum cleaners are used. Nowadays, many builders leave skirtings off in an attempt to save money, or they use a cheap small skirting. There’re numerous shapes and size of skirtings and selecting one that adds to the architectural design and décor of the room can immediately give the room a more luxurious feel at a small additional cost. The skirtings are available in different types of wood and even PVC.
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Just a note, it’s good practice to give the back and underside of timber skirtings a coat of paint or varnish before installing to protect the skirting from water ingress.
Normally in bathrooms use a tile skirting, or if the walls are tiled then no skirting should be necessary. Wood skirtings are never a good idea in wet areas, especially skirtings of composite wood that will swell and deform when wet.

Install new cornices – a small trim makes a difference

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"Adding a new cornice can make your rooms feel more luxurious for a relatively small cost and they are easy to install."
​Where the ceiling meets the walls it’s good practice to install a cornice (moulding) which provides a neat edge and hides any difference of movement between the ceiling and the walls. The convention is to use a cove cornice, but there’s a variety of different shapes and sizes of cornice which could match the architectural style of your house. Adding a new cornice can make your rooms feel more luxurious for a relatively small cost and they are easy to install. 

Coordinate your home improvement ideas and colours

Improving your home does not have to come at an enormous expense. These ideas are all simple and economical, yet they can add value to your home. Importantly they don't have to be done all at once. However, it is important to understand what you are trying to achieve. Then ensure you coordinate your ideas and colours so that you have a coordinated finished style - a style that matches the house's architecture and your furniture choices. Equally important is to get the order of the activities right. You might want to leave painting to be one of the last tasks, so that any patches created by moving and installing new lights are painted over.

Remember sometimes less is more - so you might avoid intricate and detailed colour schemes, lights, or cornices and ceiling features.

​In our next article we consider a few more renovation ideas which shouldn't break the bank.
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​This is an extract from the author's book  'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses: Volume 2 - Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home' 
​© 2022 This article is not to be reproduced for commercial purposes without written permission from the author.

"Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com

Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses?

Picture
​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​("Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!" said a Reader on Amazon.com 5*****)
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.

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7 Creative Storage Ideas for Your Home

10/3/2022

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Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels
"Unlimited home storage space is the dream of many"
​Unlimited storage space is the dream of many. As your family gets bigger, you need more and more space, which can become an issue very soon. And as more people live in cities now, their homes are getting smaller. This doesn't need to be a problem – you just need to be more creative. Sometimes, we need to come up with unusual solutions to make our homes tidy and organized – and this guide will help you with that. Here are the top 7 creative storage ideas for your home. Use them and make your living space as practical as possible!
​#homestorage #homeimprovementtips

How much home storage space do you really need

​Before creating additional storage ……make sure your home contains only the items you use or need and items with actual value. This means you should revise your household and do a serious decluttering session. Get rid of things that eat up space in your home, old or damaged items, outgrown or worn-out clothes, expired food, cosmetics, and more. These items tend to pile up over time, and most households have them. Declutter all the rooms first, so you can see how much space is at your disposal. Then, you can continue to look for creative storage ideas for your home. 
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"Declutter all the rooms first, so you can see how much space is at your disposal."

Store items more efficiently with creative storage ideas for your home

​People often don't see the full potential of their living space until they take on a different perspective. You’re used to having your home a certain way, so it’s difficult to imagine certain areas or items differently. But, it takes some creativity and a different point of view to achieve outstanding results. Let's see some storage ideas you can use to efficiently organize and transform your home.
  • Multi-purpose furniture
Each piece of furniture in your home can have more than one purpose. Many furniture makers offer innovative solutions making their pieces 'multi-talented.' Sofas, coffee tables, ottomans, and other items come with built-in storage. This way, you can have a stylish piece of furniture in your home and get more storage space for your items. Modern homes are all about practical, multi-purpose details, so you probably won't have any troubles finding the ones that suit your home. 
  • ​Under-the-stairs area
It's prevalent for the space under the stairs to be wasted. You now have a chance to use it very wisely – by creating some additional storage space. There are many creative solutions for a built-in wardrobe, bookshelf, space for your kids’ toys, a wine rack, and more. You can even turn this space into a mini laundry room and fit your washer and dryer here. There are many possibilities, so be sure to think about it carefully and use this space wisely, depending on your needs and lifestyle. 
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Photo by Max Vakhtbovych from Pexels
  • ​Stairs as drawers
If you’re in the process of building and remodeling your home, consider if you can turn a couple of bottom stairs into drawers. This way, they can serve as steps and fit items such as seasonal clothes, shoes, and more. This kind of storage is hidden and won't take any more space in your home, so it's great for smaller areas, narrow hallways, etc.
  • Doors
Doors are often underrated in terms of storage and organization. Sometimes, people hang jackets on a door rack, but doors can be used for much more. The inside of your pantry door can be used for spices organization – an appropriate rack will help you achieve that. An organized kitchen and pantry are much simpler to maintain and clean, and you won't have any problems if you decide to move. If you have a tidy and decluttered pantry, you will prepare it for transfer much faster.
Also, door racks can be used to organize cleaning supplies, create a gift-wrapping station, hang fashion accessories, and more. Using closet doors in this way can prevent these smaller items from making a mess around your house. 
  • ​Space dividers instead of shelves
This idea is great for those with an open floor plan in their homes. Dividing two spaces with a bookshelf is one of the creative storage ideas for your home. For example, you can use a shelf to separate the dining room and living room, and also use it to store wines, books, décor items, and more. These shelves are great for displaying art and showing off your plant collection. 
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Photo by Max Vakhtbovych from Pexels
"Dividing two spaces with a bookshelf is one of the creative storage ideas for your home"
  • ​An entryway console or table
The space right behind your entry door is often forgotten, but it can be a valuable storage space. One of the creative storage ideas in your home is adding an entryway console or table. It can store everyday items such as keys, chargers, etc., and provide valuable storage for shoes, umbrellas, and similar pieces.
  • Kitchen island
If your home is blessed with a spacious kitchen, consider renovating a bit and adding a kitchen island is an idea to consider. Kitchen islands are convenient for preparing meals and eating, having a drink, etc. Furthermore, a kitchen island can potentially provide massive storage space for kitchen utensils, pots, smaller gadgets, plates, food, and more. Research some creative designs and make the kitchen island that will be the center of your household and additional hidden storage. 
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Photo by Cleyder Duque from Pexels

Creatively solving your home storage problems

​Storage is a common issue in all households. You can avoid the problem by implementing creative storage ideas and regular decluttering sessions. If there is no excess of items you don't need, you will be able to have an organized and tidy home at all times. 

Author

Dena Courtney is a blogger and a stay-at-home mom. Due to numerous DIY projects, she has experience with home remodeling and organization. She also writes about moving advice at mybrooksmoving.com blog, sharing her moving experiences and lessons learned along the way. 

Do you want to learn more home improvement and renovation tips

​Other Useful Articles
Thinking of Renovating Your Home - Consider A Dream Loft Conversion
Simple home improvement tips
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"Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!"  (Reader on Amazon.com)
​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.
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4 Bonus Room Renovation Ideas for Your Home

2/3/2022

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Many spaces in your home have a designated purpose. For example, your kitchen is for cooking and your living room is for spending time with family and friends. However, sometimes your home has some extra square footage or an area that doesn't have a designated purpose. This space is generally referred to as a bonus room.
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A finished bonus room can offer immense real estate value to your home, but bringing this room to life sometimes takes a little inspiration. Whether you’re looking for the perfect nook to read your books or a space to rock out on your guitar, we have some unique bonus room ideas that will help you transform this part of your home into a place that adds value and functionality to your life.

Important Tips For Finishing a Bonus Room

Before you jump in and start renovating, there are a few things that you should know about fixing up a bonus room. First, check with your local permit office to see if your renovation plans meet building code requirements. By contacting the permit office, this will ensure that you’re able to do construction without breaking any rules. 

After this step, assess your room to see if you need to invest in plumbing, gas, and HVAC. Some bonus rooms like an attic may lack these amenities and you may want to add them to make the space livable. Finally, be aware that if your renovated room has significant remodeling done to it, it may also increase your property tax. Once you check these things off your list, you can get started!

Design Ideas for Your Bonus Space

  • Library
Who wouldn’t love a cozy seating area to indulge in all of your favorite books? By installing a few custom shelves, looking for a comfortable seating arrangement, and organizing your favorite books, you’ll have your own personal library in no time. A library not only gives you somewhere to store all of your favorite novels, but it also gives your house a vintage, timeless feel. 
  • Workshop
If you’re handy or are into DIY home organization projects, an in-house workshop might be the perfect space for you. Design your ideal workbench indoors so you can move your equipment and materials in from the shed or garage. Another renovation tip is to install overhead lighting for late nights in the workshop or a mounted storage rack for tools. 
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  • Home gym
Instead of paying for a pricy gym membership, you can work out from home and pursue your fitness goals with a home gym. To design an optimal gym, add rubber tiles to the floor for a soft surface to exercise on and install a mirrored section of wall to watch your form. 

You can also invest in equipment like exercise machines, foam rollers, and hand weights to stock your gym for your favorite workouts. With a gym at home, you’ll never want to take an “off-day.”
  • Music room
If you’re a big music lover or are looking to take up an instrument, a music room will be the perfect place to practice some melodies. One big priority for renovating this type of room is soundproofing. This will limit neighbors and family members from being bothered by loud noise as you jam out. You can also get creative by installing mounts on the walls to hang up records or display your instruments. 
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Adding value to your home

A bonus room is basically a blank slate that makes your home feel bigger, so why not create an enjoyable space? With so many options to choose from that cater to you and your family’s at-home needs, the possibilities are endless. Whether it's your first home or forever home, anyone will be impressed when you give them a tour and you’ll gain both intrinsic and financial value from this new space in your home.

Author

Lauren McDermott has written for the lifestyle, home, and insurance industries and inspires her readers to pursue their personal goals. She enjoys writing about home decorating, renovation, and the real estate industry.

​Want to learn more about designing, renovating and building houses?

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"Great for those that DIY. Very helpful in home renovations!"  (Reader on Amazon.com)
​Paul Netscher has written 2 easy to read books 'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volumes 1 and 2'. An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses Volume 1 deals with Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home.  and Designing your ideal home Volume 2 deals with Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home. 
​
These books are available from Amazon and other online bookstores in paper and ebook.
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    Author

    I’m a construction professional, author of several successful construction management books, and a home owner. I’ve made mistakes in construction management, I’ve seen others make mistakes, but importantly I’ve had multiple successful construction projects and I’ve learned from the mistakes. I want to share these lessons and my knowledge with you.
    'An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses - Volume 1 Hiring Contractors, Managing Construction and Finishing Your Home' are my latest books. packed with tips and information to ensure your home construction project is a success. Get your copy today from Amazon and other online stores.

    Also available from:
    ​​Amazon Au, 
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    Amazon IT, 
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    and 'An Introduction to Building Houses - Volume 2 Finding Your Ideal Property and Designing Your Dream Home' ​
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

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Developing Successful Construction Project Managers.

Building Successful Construction Companies.
30 years of construction project management experience
  • Construction Home
  • About Paul Netscher
  • +Construction Books
    • Successful Construction Project Management
    • Building a Successful Construction Company
    • Construction Claims
    • Construction Project Management: Tips and Insights
    • Construction Management: From Project Concept to Completion
    • An Introduction to Building and Renovating Houses
    • The Successful Construction Supervisor and Foreman
    • Designing your ideal home
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