Lone Star Remodeling And Renovations

Home Remodeling… Time-intensive. Frustrating. Sometimes confusing. All those aspects can feel unavoidable but with proper planning, and a clear goal in mind, you can have the home of your dreams.  We have put together a list of 50 ways you can improve your home now.

First Impressions

1. First impressions count, and nowhere more so than with the front door. Often the first thing noticed by visitors and passers-by, it sets the tone for your home’s overall appearance.  Replace, paint, or re-stain your front door for a fresh inviting entrance to your home.

2. You can never judge a book by its cover. Even though this is said, it is better for the exterior to look just as nice as the interior. Scrape away old chipping paint and make sure you use a quality paint because you don’t want to have to repaint any time soon. Generally you get the quality you pay for – and price is a good indication.

3. Doors and windows can add design to any home. Installing new windows to lighten the house can add the look of grandeur and warmth from the outside-in. With so many tax rebates and local incentives, it has never been a better time to replace your windows and doors.

4. The roofing system is the most important part of a home. From functionality to aesthetics, a roofing system protects your property and loved ones, and makes a lasting impression about how you value your residence. Consider replacing your current roof with advanced green roofing systems.

5. James Hardie also offers a pre-finished siding product with ColorPlus technology that is unlike anything available on the market today. The ColorPlus technology offers the beauty and durability of James Hardie siding products factory finished in a wide range of designer colors. The paint is baked on at the factory for ultimate durability.

6. A well-designed landscape not only can add beauty to your home but it also can reduce your heating and cooling costs.  Plant large trees and shrubs for shading and windbreaks to help keep your home cool.

7. Your driveway sure does take a beating. Road dirt, sand, mud, oil grease and more can be brought onto your driveway from your set of wheels. Pressure wash driveways and sidewalks for a fresh clean look to the front of your home.

Flooring, Walls, and Ceiling

8. Concrete floors often stained and scored are popular. These go well with the modern look, and rustic European styles very well.

9. Bamboo floors are popular, especially in modern style homes where light colored floors are desired.

10. Laminate floors that look like wood are out. Parquet floors are out, unless they are hand crafted.

11. Radiant floor heating systems saves energy because you don’t have your main heat running, while providing the ultimate in comfort.

12. One of the cheapest ways to transform your house is with a bucket of paint and some high quality paint brushes and rollers.

13. When choosing ceiling colors, avoid bright whites, as they are too harsh.

14. Generous trim is a much appreciated upgrade. Wide, baseboards, and door and window trim are key features along with crown molding.

Lighting

15. Lighting can make your house appear bigger, fresher and decidedly more chic, as well as add value. Light up your best features, such as a good fireplace, painting, accent wall, or any good focal point.

16. Often a small room, narrow corridor or hallway can be made to feel larger by incorporating the mirror on one of the walls. Mirrors used in conjunction with lighting will of course help with reflectivity and add more lighting in a room.

17. Clear your window panes. If you can live without window dressing, do. For decorative relief, consider mounting lightweight glossy white exterior shutters on the inside walls around your windows. If you need daytime privacy, use a panel of lace or sheers.

18. Install solatubes that use advanced optics to harness daylight and provide your room with free, natural light.

Kitchen

19. Paint, stain, or reface, as well as install new door hardware to give your kitchen cabinets a brand new look and feel.

20. There are lots of options on the market for kitchen countertops. Granite and stone counters are popular. However, granite tops added to old dated cabinets does not go over well.  Concrete countertops are perfect if you want that ultra modern look.

21. A kitchen backsplash will keep walls dry and make them look dramatic. Replace or install a tile backsplash to add beauty to your kitchen.

22. Wall cabinets create a dark shadow area in kitchens and other places where ceiling lights are placed close to the face of the wall cabinets. Under cabinet lights eliminate these shadows, and create abundant light to help you see what you are working on.

23. Built in refrigerators are desired. Wide, cabinet depth refrigerators have a built-in look, and are not as expensive as the true built-in type.

24. Replace your kitchen faucet with a water saving and stylish fixture from kohler, moen, or delta.

Bathroom

25. Bathroom vanities do more than house your sink and offer storage, they set the tone of the room. Consider replacing yours with a furniture-style vanity.

26. A dual-flush toilet can save an average household approximately 2,000 gallons of water each year.  The dual-flush allows users to select either a 1.0-gallon or 1.4-gallon flush, depending on their individual needs.

27. Style, durability, and resistance to moisture are three main considerations when looking for flooring in your bathroom.  Tile, stone, and concrete are the best options for bathroom flooring.

28. When it comes to lighting in your bathroom, you should go with a wide variety of light sources.  Recess, sconce, and indirect lighting offers the most variety of choices to set the mood in the bathroom.

29. Replacing dull finished, old plumbing fixtures is a very inexpensive upgrade you can do to your bathroom.

Closets and Storage Spaces

30. Install some custom shelving storage systems from California Closets, they have bedroom organizers for all kinds of bedroom closets.  Their shelving systems will make your closet seem bigger and organize your clothes and shoes.

31. Get creative with your visible storage options. Use wicker, jute, bamboo or similarly interesting containers to store your dry goods, fruit, bathroom accessories, kitchen accessories, and coffee table items.

The Fun Stuff

32. If your home office design is drab and uninspiring, consider these tips for a beautiful, functional space.  Bring the outdoors in with plants, larger windows, and skylights for natural light. Install organizers, and file cabinets to keep your space organized.  Paint the walls a soothing, relaxing color to help keep your stress levels to a minimum.

33. Make your home gym a place you enjoy spending time in, a place that makes you feel energized and good about yourself.  Install mirrors, televisions, and music systems to keep you in the zone.

34. A small wine cellar for a collection of your favorites, is both a joy to have and a huge selling point.

35. Build a home theater in your home. You can sit back, relax into these comfortable chairs while you are enjoying your favorite movies on a large screen. Install low lights to create the perfect ambiance for a night in.

Go Green

36. An ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) will save about $30 over its lifetime and pay for itself in about 6 months. It uses 75 percent less energy and lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb.

37. Making your home more energy efficient with ENERGY STAR can help to reduce high energy bills, improve comfort and help to protect the environment. Improving energy efficiency is also an important first step for homeowners interested in green remodeling.

38. Install a radiant barrier in your home. Radiant barriers are installed in homes—most commonly in attics—to reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss, which helps lower heating and cooling costs. The barriers consist of a highly reflective material that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbing it.

39. There’s money literally falling from the skies every time it rains. You can harvest your share by installing a rainwater harvesting system.

40. You should consider greywater recycling (from baths, showers and washing machines) to water your garden and lawn.

Backyard

41. Composite decking and railing offers the beauty of wood without the drawbacks of corroding, splintering, termite damage, or fungal decay.  It comes in a variety of colors, textures, and styles.

42. Enjoy your patio or deck year round without worrying about rain, snow, or sunburn. Patio covers give you a protected outdoor area while letting you enjoy the outdoors.

43. Screened-in Porches are back. They create a fun, multi-purpose space that is both indoors and outdoors.

44. The hot tub area, often located in a private spot in the house or in a secluded backyard or deck, frequently becomes the social gathering place for families.

45. Aluminum fences offer the beauty and protection of traditional wrought iron fencing without the maintenance. They are available in a wide variety of styles, colors and heights that add prestige and value to any property.

46. Since its inception, the outdoor kitchen has evolved from simple grill cabinet enclosures to stylish designs with a vast array of accessories to create an extraordinary outdoor kitchen design that accentuates your unique backyard theme.

Garage

47. Turn your garage into a art or music studio.  It’s the perfect place at home to make music or paint. It’s easy to convert a garage into a music studio by soundproofing the walls.  An art studio is also very easy to setup.  Store your art supplies in bins, pegboards, and shelves.

48. Modern flooring, such as an epoxy, not only looks better than cement but are built to withstand spills and stains. They are built to last and shouldn’t chip, blister or peel.

49. Get rid of the single, exposed bulb to create a more welcoming space. Replace it or supplement with track lighting. A simple, inexpensive three-light track can make a difference.

50. Wall racks and hangers are valuable for keeping frequently used tools and sporting equipment visible and accessible. Overhead storage maximizes space and is a great way to store seasonal decorations and other infrequently accessed belongings.