home sectionhome sectionSplit-level house design dates to at least the 1930s but zoomed into popularity in the housing boom after World War II. Nearly every subdivision or tract development in that era included at least one split-level design, which always included a garage. Many split styles offered two-car garages, placed beside one house level and under a second. Other split versions had a ground-level garage with a double-story house beside it and entries from the garage to both levels. The garage offers a handy area to add living space by remodeling it into a room.
Family rooms are casual living spaces where loved ones gather to spend time together. Whether they're watching a movie, playing a game or engaging in conversation, a family can enjoy each other's company in this room. Converting an enclosed sun porch into a family room can transform a seldom-used space into a room filled with family fun. Develop a floor plan and layout your furniture prior to remodeling your sun porch to create an organized, functional and aesthetically pleasing family room.
If you are looking for a greener way to remodel your home, reclaimed wood offers a chance to use an existing material and add charm to your home at the same time. Barn wood is a popular choice for rustic interiors, but before you put it up on your wall as paneling or use it to create a rustic mantle, there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to ensure you're not bringing an insect or mold problem into your home.
Your remodeling expenses depend not only on the quality of materials you select but also on the prevailing price of labor in your region. You can reduce your costs by doing some of the labor yourself, buying products on sale and keeping the plumbing in the same place. Room additions cost more and belong in a separate category than remodeling jobs because you're changing the footprint of your home.
If you have a growing family, you may appreciate the value of a family room. It may be the place where grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles celebrate special occasions with you, the spot where your daughter has her sleepovers or the getaway for your teen and his friends. Whether your home already has a family room and you simply want to update it, or you want to create a family room in your home, it's a project that demands careful planning. You must evaluate your family's needs, establish a budget, lay out the space and choose materials that are both…
Remodeling can be one of the most frustrating experiences of your life, but the end result will be worth it. When choosing to remodel your home, you should always keep in mind how that particular project may impact a future decision to sell. Some additions can increase the value of your home while others may actually cause the value of your home to go down.
A family room is typically separate from the living room and more casual in nature. The family room is a place for your family to relax and watch television or play games. The cost of remodeling your family room depends on the amount of work needed.
Your kitchen and family room are the heart of your home. And by using remodeling techniques specifically tailored to open floor plans, you can create a welcoming environment between the two spaces, separating them on the one hand, yet establishing harmony on the other. In this way, your remodeled kitchen and family room will feel larger and more comfortable, a great place for family and friends to relax together.
Basements can be scary. The furnace room gurgling in the shadows, the sounds of heavy footsteps on the ceiling and the unlit corners beneath the stairs don't exactly invite family bonding. Renovate the basement by first getting rid of the chill. Insulate the walls if they're not already insulated, and seal all doors and windows from potential water leaks and cool air drafts. Then add color and communal home furnishings, such as overstuffed couches and armchairs, to tie the room together and welcome your family to the new space.
Whether you're building a new solarium or have had one for ages, changing the design or remodeling the room can help you create a more useful space the whole family will love. Solariums, also called sunrooms or four-season porches, are typically attached directly to the home and are known for their large windows.
There comes a time when a homeowner begins to consider how his space is being utilized. Changes are usually in order when he determines that he has wasted or under utilized space. For many a garage is just a place to store holiday decorations. With a few modifications, the garage can serve as just about anything including as a family room.
Stoves are an important appliance in any kitchen. There are many different types of stoves in appearance and price range. If you are in the market for a stove, buying a used one can be significantly cheaper than purchasing a new stove. By following a few simple steps, you can easily find a great used stove for a reasonable price.
A family room makeover or full-scale remodeling can involve the whole family. Even if your family doesn't do any of the work, the planning stages can be a lot of fun and a bonding experience.
Remodeling a basement family room can be a simple matter of ripping out tired carpet and freshening the wall color or it can be a major re-do that requires the services of plumbers and electricians. Unless you're a skilled do-it-yourselfer, count on having to call in professionals for some tasks, such as solving problems with moisture in the basement. Create a realistic budget for what you want to do before you start. Figure in about 10 percent more for overruns.
