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Moving a wall between rooms requires careful assessment to determine whether the wall is a load-bearing wall. Replacing the wall or moving the wall’s foot print calls for detailed planning. You want the wall to appear to be part of the house's original design. There are interesting ways to install creative materials, such as glass blocks and molding, to enhance a wall as well.
A raised ranch home is a specific design of split-level home. Raised ranches commonly feature an interior staircase within 5 or 10 feet of the front door and the majority of the living space -- including bedrooms, the living room and kitchen -- on the second level. Raised ranches often contain an attached garage. Many strategies can be used to fix up and beautify a raised ranch home both in the interior and on the exterior.
A good time to remodel your floors could be the summer when the weather is pleasant. Keep in mind that you should consult the manufacturer's guidelines for allowing hardwood materials to adjust to the moisture level inside your home, especially if your local humidity rises in the summer.
The Colonial style of interior design developed during simple times, which is evident in the rustic and charming homes. Early American settlers built and created the homes in a practical and simple style based on their need. The decorative elements used in the earliest days were simple and primitive, but as families became more prosperous, they began to pay more attention to style and décor.
Often found in older homes, walls done in knotty pine work well to create a warm, cozy-feeling room because of the color and tone it has. If you are looking to renovate a den with knotty pine, you can create countless different looks. You can embrace the knotty pine, work with its character and choose items for the room that enhance the walls. Covering the knotty pine, whether in paint or drywall, gives you what looks and feels like a completely new den.
Although the Rat Pack may have enjoyed a 1960s den, there is little doubt you want to give it new style. After all, it has been more than 50 years since 1960, and styles change. As the den is the hub of the home, where you watch television or gather with the family, you would want to keep the updates family friendly.
A knotty pine den can create a warm and nostalgic atmosphere, but homeowners often want to give these rooms a face-lift. Knotty pine is still used in upscale mountain homes and cabins, and certain design techniques will make the wood visually appealing for what buyers desire. One option, for example, is to use other natural materials to add to the look or provide contrast. The rustic nature of knotty pine provides many options for homeowners who wish to update the look.
If your ranch house is looking outdated, you can give the place a new look in a variety of ways. Although a simple coat of paint or change in flooring can give a ranch a fresh look, the key to updating a ranch is in fixing the structure and changing the materials used. Many ranch houses feature closed, boxy floor plans, dark, heavy paneling, and other elements that will need to be changed before a true update is complete.
Wood wall paneling was extremely popular in the 1970s. The paneling was a simple covering that could be placed over existing stucco or lathe and plaster walls. If you have some of this paneling in your home and you're wondering how to remodel it, you have more than one DIY option. Drywall, paint or wallpaper are the three most common options. You don't have to remove the paneling when you choose one of these. If you have the kind of paneling with vertical lines, fill them in for a smooth surface and then paint or wallpaper over the paneling. If…
You might want to expand your home for any number of reasons. Perhaps your family is growing, and you need more room. Or maybe you're welcoming an aging parent who needs an in-law suite. Just about any house is a candidate for an addition. If you can't add to the front or side of your ranch home, consider adding a second story. If you own a bungalow, consider bumping out the attic to create more bedrooms.
Remodeling and adding onto a home can improve the quality and value of the property overall. However, certain aspects should be considered when planning for a major project such as a remodel or room addition. Consider the type of contractors you need, the cost of their services and the length of time the project will take.
When you're remodeling a knotty pine kitchen, showcase the wood instead of trying to get rid of it. Painting over the knotty pine will remove the old world rustic feel of your kitchen. Staining the knotty pine a different color and adding a high-gloss sheen can give you the fresh look that you want. At the same time, update your lighting. You need basic painting, carpentry and electrical skills to remodel a knotty pine kitchen. Give yourself ample time to complete the sanding and staining of the wood for an expertly done remodel.
Remodeling your urban home is a great way to add value and beauty. Remodeling is different from renovation. Renovation is a full-house project, while remodeling tackles one room or area at a time. The options for remodeling a room are unlimited. Carefully plan your remodeling project to gain the greatest impact to real estate value while increasing your enjoyment of your home.
The reasons for building an addition to your home can range from creating a simple home office that gets you away from rambunctious kids to building a cottage to house an ailing parent. Lifestyle changes and necessity are two elements that come into play in the decision to add on to your current house. It's easy to get carried away when you're still in the planning stage, so plan with reality in mind.
Remodeling your home will not only save more money over purchasing a new home, it will also allow you to decide what the new design will look like. Remodeling also offers the opportunity to make the room and entire house more energy efficient. Depending on how extensive your remodeling plans are, you could be seeing workers tramping through your yard for several months or even more than a year.
Ranch homes are one of the most common residential styles in the United States. Most were built between the mid-1940s and the 1970s, so if you own one, it's likely that your ranch home is due for an update. Whether you are planning a few small tweaks or a full-scale renovation, consider a few ideas for remodeling the interior and exterior of your ranch home.
Rounded columns, a pointed portico and a spacious foyer meet the guest to a Colonial home. Homeowners looking to remodel enjoy spacious rectangular floor plans which allow for creative and diverse remodeling projects. Colonial-style rooms are also slightly larger than other New England-era designs. Whether your home is in the American, Dutch, Federal or Spanish Colonial style, remodel using a mix of contemporary and era-centric motifs.
When remodeling the exterior of a ranch home, adding something new can help update the style. Whether the home has been standing for decades or is fairly new, additions small or large can make a big difference in the home's appearance. According to Remodeling Center's article on ranch-style homes, the style is sometimes criticized for being too simple. Additions during renovation can help add some complexity to the exterior.
According to the New York Times, knotty pine is the ultra-modern wall finish of choice for the new century. In the article "Designers Say Knotty Pine is Nice," experts "credit the knotty pine revival to Scandinavian designers and Swiss architects" who incorporate natural wood as an element of their minimalist modern designs. Those who think of knotty pine as suitable only for a rustic cabin are ignoring the many opportunities for redecorating a room or a whole house with knotty pine.
When remodeling an older home, note any permanent architectural obstacles inside or out. The room sizes may also be slightly irregular as compared to newer homes. Old chimneys, window seat warmers, or a small living room that leads into a parlor may need to come out but consider staying within the style of the original structure with creative ideas.
A home office can be a great way to reconnect with your family. More and more, many of the tasks in the modern workplace can be done over an electronic connection. When staying in communication with your work team is all that is needed, try staying at home and still contributing on those off-hour projects. Making the space your own is essential to effective use of a home office. Create a space that makes you more productive and relaxed at the same time.
Your home's value can be improved by remodeling its exterior and adding to its curb appeal. Move.com's website explains that a house with great curb appeal "should create an emotional desire to own the home and to live the lifestyle and status it represents, which hopefully continues inside." Whether or not you're currently planning to sell your home, it's great to drive up to your home at the end of the day and love what you see.
While small homes can have a cozy, cottage-like feel they can also present homeowners with challenges when it comes to space and design. Making small spaces seem larger can feel like a daunting task, but with a few innovative approaches to storage and home staging they can be dramatically transformed to feel much larger than they actually are.
A home is a big investment, and whether you plan to live in it or are planning to renovate and then sell, remodeling projects that address exterior features, interior replacements and enhancements and energy efficient upgrades are all benefits that will not only add to the beauty and efficiency of the home but can also significantly increase its value.
