Make YOUR master bedroom the ultimate retreat

There are so many beautiful master bedroom remodels that we can’t help but envy.  Having a dream master retreat of your own is not an idea to far-fetched.  Making smart design and decorating choices can help you achieve a great master bedroom to enjoy. You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to get the perfect master bedroom; we can give you smart décor tricks that any budget can handle.

Think of these questions to ask before you start designing:

• Do you want your bedroom to be a private restful sanctuary? Or multi-functioning space? Besides sleeping, are there other activities you wish to do like reading, watching TV, working on your computer, talking on the telephone, resting near a warm fireplace or exercising? Do you need a nursery within this space? – Considering what you want the room to be able to do will help you decide how to design it. A great place for a reading nook is near a large window where ample light is available. A fireplace is one way to add glamour and romance to the master suite. Go with an electric or wall mounted fireplace if you can’t find it in your budget for a full fireplace to be installed. Tip: add a faux fireplace with an array of candles rather than logs!

• What kind of lighting will you need to perform daily tasks like dressing, make-up or reading? Do you want to be able to control the brightness or prefer simple on and off functions?- Having overhead lighting is a must, but the option of tableside lamps is perfect for those who like to read in bed or want to dim the lights before getting shut eye. If there is not enough natural light in your room use sheer curtains to play up as much light as you can. Also positioning mirrors to reflect light can give you a larger brighter room.

• Is your storage and closet space large enough for your clothing? Do you need extra space for makeup or accessories?  – If you have the luxury designing a closet, you can never go wrong with His and Her closets. Having enough storage and separate closest can increase function and help hinder arguments over space. Keep in mind that contractors do have the capability to design you or your lady the perfect vanity built custom into your master retreat! What women wouldn’t love having a personal make-up vanity?

• Do you want to have extra seating for relaxing and reading? Your own designated space to be a book work? – A popular trend these days is having a comfy chair near a fireplace and bookcase to create your own reading sanctuary. You can design your room to have a sectioned off area for reading or you can create a divider with a bookcase or room screen. Why not even throw custom accordion walls by Nana Walls into your space to divide it when you want and connect it when you want the open space?

• What kind of color scheme will you need to achieve your own level of comfort and relaxation? Do you want bold and bright or calm and peaceful? – Choosing a bright color scheme may cause problems relaxing at night, think of soothing tones that will create a peaceful look. If you have a large room to decorate art work and hanging pictures is a great idea. Extra Large art work is great for a large wall! It makes the room elegant and creates a show piece.  If you can’t fit a large piece of art into your budget you can achieve a bold look by hanging multiple, uniform sized picture frames that have simple artwork up on that wall. Soft fabrics and faux fur throws and rugs can instantly create a restful retreat. Don’t shy away from mismatched nightstands, having two different nightstands can give partners their own bedside style. You don’t always have to match everything.

If you are tight on budget – update your bedding set. It’s a great way to change the feel of any room and give your room new life.

Remodel your home before selling

Remodeling a home takes time, energy and most of all, money.  This would make the idea of remodeling prior to selling your home seem illogical. However, the other side to look at this from is the point that the home will sell faster as well as increase the property value.  Not all remodel projects are created equal nor will they give you the return you are hoping for, unless planned out properly. Always speak with your real estate agent before starting remodels if you are in the market to sell.

            What projects make the most sense prior to selling?

Adding a Bathroom

Installing an additional bathroom, particularly if your home only has one, is a cost-conscious investment. Many homeowners are particularly picky when it comes to the number of bathrooms. After all, no one wants to fight over a bathroom or be rushed to get ready for work.  Find the space for a second bathroom by scrutinizing under-used spaces in your home, such as guest rooms or large closets. Half-baths require at least 18 square feet of space, according to MoneyCrashers.com, while a full bath with a stand-up shower needs at least 30 square feet. Adding a full bathroom with a tub requires at least 35 square feet. You’ll recoup nearly 55 percent of the cost of adding a mid-range bathroom and add more than $20,000 to the value of the home.

Adding a Steel Entry Door

Installing a steel front-entry door is the number one project in the Cost vs. Value report, with homeowners recouping more than 85 percent of the cost. A steel door adds security to the home and increases energy efficiency. It’s also more cost-efficient than adding a fiberglass door. The fiberglass variety adds approximately $1,800 to the home value, while steel doors add around $1,000. A new door also boosts curb appeal, especially a large custom door.

Adding an Outdoor Deck

Installing a deck adds square footage to your home, which increases the value. A wooden deck is more budget-friendly than using composite materials; however, a composite deck adds more value to the home. You’ll regain 77 percent of the cost of a wooden deck and 67 percent of a composite deck, but the latter adds $10,000 of value while the former adds just over $7,000. This not only adds value, but makes better use of your outdoor space. Here is a prime example of functionality adding more value to your property than monetary value. As the times turn families are spending more time at home, so we may as well create more space to enjoy and entertain in.

Adding a Second Story

Building another story on your home is undoubtedly one of the most-expensive additions you can undertake -- an average of $152,000, BUT it also adds nearly $100,000 of value to the home. Before beginning construction, contact the local zoning office to ensure you’re legally allowed to add another story. Some codes have height restrictions. If you can’t build it outward, build it upward!

Adding New Windows

Adding new windows to your home does more than update its appearance. New windows make your home more comfortable by eliminating drafts and save you money on energy bills by reducing heating and cooling expenses because of better insulation properties. Ecofriendly Buyers recognize this value and will, on average, increase what they pay for your home by more than 81 percent of the cost of vinyl windows and 79.5 percent of the cost of more expensive wood windows.

Adding To Your Kitchen

Adding more counter space, cabinetry, and appliances to your existing kitchen pays off, but keep in mind that even moderate changes can recoup a majority of your initial expense. While a major remodel pays back almost 76 percent of what you spent, a minor remodeling pays back 91.5 percent of its cost. Adding a center island, upgraded cabinetry and a dishwasher -- when your kitchen never had one -- can make using your kitchen much more enjoyable. Adding only a pantry will create desirable storage. There is much to change when a full kitchen remodel isn’t possible.

Top 10 Reasons to Remodel Your Kitchen Remodeling the kitchen can be a major undertaking if you don’t hire the correct design company or if you try the DIY approach.

It is not just the expense, but also the inconvenience to the household that gives many homeowners pause when considering such an undertaking. In spite of this, homeowners continue to find good reasons to proceed with a kitchen remodel. Here are the top 10 reasons homeowners gave us when asked why they wanted a new kitchen remodel.

Deterioration

The kitchen might simply be falling apart, or slowly breaking down to the point of no return. Cracked tiles, peeling countertops, broken or missing cabinet doors and outdated appliances don’t inspire gourmet cooking or family gatherings, and rather make you less inclined to have people over. The deteriorated kitchen has simply outlived its usefulness and needs a remodel. According to an article on Personal Finance, your home appliances should be replaced every 10 years and updated before that if they are not energy efficient.

Value

Many kitchen remodels begin from the need or idea to increase the property value. Most home buyers will avoid purchasing a home that will need a remodel in the near future; this is not something you may have the finances to do after such a purchase. Not only due to finances, but a newly renovated kitchen may sell before a home with an outdated one for the same selling price.

Energy Savings

Energy savings might be the prime motivation for a kitchen remodel. Outdated appliances and dinosaur water heaters could be killing your utility bills. Green remodels are easily financed through the HERO Program and save you money.  Adding skylights brings in more sunshine, reducing the need for artificial light. Energy-efficient appliances and solar water heaters cut the utility bill and place less stress on the environment.

Modernity

The kitchen can be pristine yet outdated. The kitchen is usually the last room in the home to get remodeled and the room that needs it the most. Homeowners noted the reason for the kitchen remodel was that the rest of their house was updated, yet the kitchen was stuck in the 50’s.

Lifestyle

The kitchen layout may have worked great for the previous homeowner, but not for you. Perhaps it lacks a breakfast bar, and your family wants to gather informally in the kitchen to enjoy coffee or grab a quick meal without going to the dining room table. Whatever the reason, one motivation for a kitchen remodel is to arrange the room to best suit the family’s needs.

Special Circumstances

It is sometimes necessary to remodel the kitchen to better accommodate the needs of disabled or aging family members. Or your family could be growing in size and the need for a kitchen remodel to accommodate them.

Financial Incentives

The prime motivation behind a remodel might simply be financial incentives, such as energy-saving rebates offered by government entities or vendors. Financial incentives include sales at home improvement centers, cash rebates for trading in outdated appliances, remodeling grants and low- or no-interest loans.

Change

Some homeowners simply want change. The current kitchen might be functional, updated and attractive, yet no longer appeal to the homeowner.

Home Improvement TV

Watching home improvement shows on cable television inspires many homeowners to remodel their kitchens. They may never have considered such a project until a home improvement program showed them the possibilities for their kitchen.

Gourmet Kitchen

For a homeowner who enjoys preparing fancy meals and considers himself a gourmet cook, the prime reason for a remodel is the desire to create a dream kitchen. A gourmet kitchen with fancier amenities than most accommodates the cook’s needs.

7 Remodel Must Haves You Shouldn’t Live Without 1. Satin brass.

Say the word Brass and you instantly think of an old musty house with out of date fixtures. Say the word Satin Brass and you think of 2017! Satin Brass is more muted or warm than its brother polished Brass. You can pair any color of the rainbow with Satin or Brushed Brass, and this is one key that interior designers are loving.

2. Voice-activated assistants.

As the world is more driven to the technology side of life, there is a wave of voice-activated assistants to help out in the house. Amazon launched a device that allows you to ask “Alexa” what the weather is or to play a song from Spotify. The devices, placed throughout your home, are always listening in somewhat of a dormant state. Say the activation phrase, and the device fires up and awaits your command. Almost like having your very own personal assistant for a fraction of the cost.

3. Vanity conversions.

 The hunt is over for a premade vanity that fits your budget and space needed. Vanity conversions and upcycles are taking over. Many homeowners are finding vintage dressers or filing cabinets and remaking them into a custom vanity. This in turn saves money, the environment and creates a one of a kind piece that will never be seen in another home.

4. Greenery.

Pantone’s Color of the Year will be a must have color this new year. Use this bright green as an accent or as a focal point, to refresh or reconnect a space in your remodel. See our blog for Greenery tips.

5. Splurging on laundry rooms.

No longer are we seeing washers and dryers stuck in the garage. Machines that work as hard and as much deserve a luxury space to call their own. Home owners are creating elegant and chic laundry rooms in convenient places. Good Bye are the days of dragging laundry half way through the house. Opt for a custom laundry room to make this chore seem more like a hobby.

6. Outdoor-feeling indoor showers.

Outdoor showers give you the feeling of being at one with nature, but in most places around the country this isn’t doable based on the seasons. Interior designers are changing this, and giving you the same feeling as an outdoor shower, inside your bathroom. To achieve this outdoor feeling, showers are being laid out in front of a large window that looks into a private garden or hillside. You can get special tint for your window if this still freaks you out on the privacy scale.

7. Counter-depth fridges.

Designers are leaning toward a more space saving look by utilizing counter depth refrigerators. This means home owners can now enjoy a kitchen without a fridge intruding on walkway space. Not only do these newer counter-depth fridges take less space, they also give your kitchen a more sleek style.