home sectionhome sectionAdding a finished basement to the lower level of your home can vastly increase your living space and enhance the enjoyment of your house. With so many people spending more time at home these days, there has never been a better time to set those plans for a finished basement in motion. However, before you start buying lumber and bringing in furniture, there are a number of factors you need to consider.
Garages have one primary function, which is to enclose your vehicle and keep it safe. However, many families use garage space for storage as well. Little has changed with garage design since motor vehicles became commonplace. Some are attached to the house, and some are detached. Attached garages are usually an extension of the house, which encourages matching design. Detached garage enclosures offer a wider range of possibilities.
A home's basement can add significant square footage to the property. Your investment costs should pay off, especially over time. Many families prefer a home with a fully remodeled basement so that play rooms and guest bedrooms remain private from main living areas. Creating a quality basement living space will require detailed planning, however, as you want to create space that will look upscale several years from now. Collect ideas from home remodeling magazines for the project. Be sure to obtain a building permit before actually starting construction.
Improving both levels of a home will require that each level harmonize with the other in some fashion. You do not want a disjointed look, whereby two styles of design or decorating come into play. Colors, wood trim and flooring, for example, can unite the spaces. Doing the remodeling work will require moving furniture, but having two levels may provide better options for storing the furniture while the remodeling is under way. Plan the two areas in your design work, but address each level separately in doing the remodeling.
Improving the second floor of a home will make bedrooms and other spaces on this level more inviting. Simply changing colors and freshening up the space will help. Tearing down walls, re-building rooms, and redesigning bathrooms can make a more permanent difference. Adding well-organized closets, bookshelves and cabinetry will help you keep the space neater, too. Home remodeling books and magazines offer plenty of ideas for inspiration. If possible, visit homes of friends and associates to borrow additional ideas, and to see what really works in practice.
Building rooms or storage in a basement can increase a home's market appeal. Money invested in this type of project can usually be recouped quite easily. Ask a real-estate agent to help assess the price per square foot of homes in your neighborhood. This can be done relatively quickly via a "homes sold" database shared by all real estate companies in your area. This way, you can ascertain whether such a project will be a good investment if you place your home on the market within a few years.
A nice basement conversion adds great resale value to most homes. Families looking for a new home envision basement space as bonus room space. They want to use a basement for storage, socializing space with family and friends, and a quiet getaway space to watch television. A basement remodel can be reasonable in cost because much of the structure is in place. A walkout basement provides an exit door and one or two windows to the lawn area in most cases. Take advantage of the open side to gain natural light for some of the rooms.
Garage interiors are notoriously messy. The space becomes a storage repository for your gardening supplies and tools, other belongings that don't fit in your interior closets, and of course, provides a place to park your cars. However, your garage doesn't have to be a messy, after-thought of a room. Take the time to remodel the interior of your garage so it looks more finished, and ultimately, more organized.
Learn about styles of beach homes for vacations, retirement, second homes and rental properties. Houses built on shorelines offer the advantages of outdoor living and typical features include large porches, sun decks extending out over the water, outside rooms and piers for tethering your boat. Types of beach houses, also described as coastal and waterfront homes, range from simple one-story cottages to modern multistory homes.
Property is one of the smartest investments you can make. Property values increase regularly; even decreases seen during economic downturns are usually short term, with values rising again as the economy improves. One of the biggest reasons property owners choose to buy empty lots in Florida rather than existing homes is the freedom of building exactly what you want from the ground up. If you're a Florida property owner looking to build on the lot you own, there are several steps you must take before you can begin any type of construction on your property.
Many families are looking for a way to add living space without making major modifications to their existing homes. Garage enclosures are a great way to do this while avoiding costly home additions. However, once the garage is enclosed, the work isn't over. In order for it to look like a livable room, you will need to do some remodeling. In many instances you can remodel a garage enclosure yourself without having to enlist the help of a professional.
Beach homes are typically designed to have a lot of room and feel comfortable, clean and breezy. They capture scenery and, with a little work, you can completely redecorate your house. By opening up living spaces, bringing out your home's natural look and adding splashes of color, your beach house will adopt an entirely new look. By remodeling your own home, you can save money and brush up on your home remodeling and decorating skills.
Women and men often share in weekend home renovation and beautification projects. From installing cabinetry to mounting simple curtain rod hooks, specialized Craftsman tools make these tasks easier for women to complete. Craftsman's line of Comfort Fit tools and battery-operated hammer makes home do-it-yourself remodeling projects more appealing for their female audience.
Although a walkout basement apartment is subterranean, it doesn't have to be sub-par. Lower levels of buildings are often diamonds in the rough, just waiting for someone with a vision to bring them to their full potential. The key to remodeling a below-grade apartment is to stop thinking of it as a basement and start looking at it as another building level capable of offering living space equal to that of the main floor of a home.
A basement is one of the most commonly remodeled spaces in a home. It can increase the amount of livable space dramatically and provide a place to enjoy movies, entertain or take up a new hobby. You can hire a professional to remodel your basement--or you can do it yourself.
The garage can be a great addition to your home, but sometimes it is neglected. Unfortunately, it becomes just a place to park the car and store the lawnmower. However, with the right amount of storage and a few simple tricks you can really turn your garage into a dynamic room.
