(Courtesy of Home Storage Solutions)
(Courtesy of Home Storage Solutions)
(Courtesy of Home Storage Solutions)
(Courtesy of Home Storage Solutions)
We were all taught when we were younger that you “don’t judge a book by it’s cover”. but let’s be honest, if your home doesn’t have good curb appeal, it will be judged!!
Boosting your homes curb appeal can be done in a few simple steps (courtesy of Lowes):
1. Add lighting. Exterior lights illuminate house numbers and focus the eye on the entry. Having exterior lights on also makes your home safer & deters would be robbers. (I was told this last tip by the KCPD a few years ago and since they I always have my lights on at night!)
2. Upgrade the door. Consider the front door as an introduction to your home. By using an install-ready prehung door, you can make this upgrade in a day. (another safety tip: make sure you buy a solid wood or steel door)
3. Call-out with color. Brush on a fresh coat of paint to make your entry pop. Make sure the color works well with the rest of the house color & landscaping.
4. Re-face the steps. Turn a dull concrete stoop into a showpiece by capping it with stone.
5. Plant a couple of containers. Large potted plants visually anchor an entry and provide a burst of color. Just make sure the containers you put them in are weatherproof.
The bathroom, after the kitchen, is one of the top rooms buyers look at when deciding on which home to buy. Bathroom remodels can be very expensive, but there are a few things you can do to freshen up your existing bathroom.
Here are a few tips from ShopSmart Magazine.
– Tranquil tones. The quickest and easiest way to make over a bathroom is to give it a fresh coat of paint. Designers favor palettes that create a soothing, spa-like feel. Deep, dark hues such as burgundy and eggplant work particularly well in small baths and powder rooms.
– Layered lighting. New fixtures can brighten a gloomy bath in more ways than one, by adding a stylish detail and upgrading task lighting for grooming. Use dimmer switches. Put fixtures on dimmer switches so that light levels can be adjusted.
– Discrete toilets. The newest bathroom designs keep the toilet as discrete as possible. If you can’t hide the toilet, consider a sleeker one-piece model, which eliminates that dirt-trapping seam between the tank and the bowl. Consider an energy efficiency toilet which uses less water.
– Sleek sinks. The sink is the centerpiece of the bathroom. Porcelain is the most popular, but glass and even stainless steel are quickly gaining in popularity. Update the faucet. A new design and finish can give an old sink a fresh look and feel.
– Streamlined vanities. Two-sink vanities are great if you have the room, but if space is tight, a single bowl makes more sense. Shop for remnants if you are looking for a new countertop. These leftover pieces from other jobs are available at many stone yards and are often sold at deep discount. In the Kansas City area, you can check out Habitat Restore.
– Power Showers. Sumptuous soaking tubs might sound great in real-estate ads, but the trend today is for spacious showers with pulsating shower heads and multiple body body sprays. Make a change. Adding a stylish new shower head is fairly easy and a quick update.
Maintenance Tips to get your Freezer ready for Popsicle Season (courtesy of Real Simple Magazine)
– Clean the Interior twice a year: No need to unplug the refrigerator – that will waste energy. But do move the food to a cooler. Wipe the walls and the shelves using a cloth and a mix of dish soap & water. Rinse & dry thoroughly. To clean the door seal, wrap a credit card in a cloth, dip it in soapy water, and glide it into the groovers. Nix odors with a box of baking soda.
– Vacuum the condenser coils once a year: Dust keeps the engine from running smoothly. Move the unit to get to coils in the back, or if the coils are located in front, snap off the lower grill. Then unplug and vacuum using the brush attachment. There should be three inches of space between the wall and the unit on the sides one inch in the rear.
– Maintain the proper temperature: Ideally that is 0 degrees Fahrenheit. To see how cold your freezer is, leave a thermometer in a cup of vegetable oil in the freezer overnight. Still too warm after lowering the setting? Check that cold air isn’t escaping. Stick a dollar bill in the door-jam, close, and try to slide out the bill. For optimum efficiency, keep the freezer stocked and away from direct sunlight, a stove, or a dishwasher.
(Courtesy of Home Storage Solutions)
(Courtesy of Home Storage Solutions)
