Blog

Good interior design incorporates multiple layers of visual interest. The final layer is the finishing touches and this is where you add flourishes of color, texture, and pattern. Ceramic pieces, figurines and collectibles, baseboard radiator covers, and decorative pillows are all examples of finishing touches—the smaller accessories that give your room that completed look. A good area rug can also function as a finishing touch as well as a focal point in your room. Area rugs can be quite expensive costing hundreds or even thousands depending on how and where it’s made so it’s important to put careful thought into selecting one so you don’t have buyer’s remorse. Here are a few tips.

Think of the rug as the foundation

Though we often talk about rugs as accessories, a larger one can function as a foundation for the entire room. Often they’re used to define rooms within rooms in homes with a more open layout. The placement of the rug will determine the arrangement for everything else in the space.

Get a size bigger than you think you need

Almost everyone buys a rug that’s too small for the space. Even though it may seem like it’s bigger than you need, it’s probably just right so force yourself to buy a little bigger than you think you need. In the dining area, the rug should be large enough to contain the table and all of the chairs with an extra two feet to spare on every side. You want the legs of every chair to still be on the rug even when pulled out from the table. In the living room, the rug needs to be large enough so that any coffee or end tables and ottomans are fully on top of the rug. Additionally, the front legs of sofas, loveseats, and recliners should be on the rug.

Weigh the pros and cons of a bold color or patter n

Think about how you want your rug to function in the space where you will be using it. If your interior design for the space is somewhat subdued and you want the rug to function as a focal point for the space, then you are probably going to want a rug with a color and design that attracts the eyes. The downside to bold colors and patterns is that they’re harder to match things to it and you get tired of seeing it sooner than you would with a very neutral rug. Another advantage of a simpler pattern and more subdued color is that you can move it to a different room or redecorate the rest of the room around it quite easily.

Choose the appropriate material

Silk is an elegant material that lends a certain look you can’t achieve with other materials. Unfortunately, it indents easily so you don’t want it under a dining table where chairs are constantly dragged across it nor do you want it in high traffic areas such as an entry way or hallway. Wool is the most durable and the softest. They’re also hypo-allergenic. Unfortunately, they’re costlier and are difficult to maintain. Synthetic rugs are usually the most affordable option but they don’t last as long and aren’t as soft underfoot. There are many other materials to research as well each with their own pros and cons.

Interior Decorating and Remodeling News Brought to You by ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers .com

Source: thewest .com.au/lifestyle/home-decorating/buyers-guide-to-rugs-ng-b88469397z

Many homeowners mistakenly assume that any money you put into home improvement is a pretty safe investment but that isn’t the case at all. In fact, the average home renovation project only recoups about 65% of its cost at resale. If there’s even a chance that you will be selling your home sometime down the road then return on investment (ROI) is an important consideration when deciding how to allocate your remodeling budget. Here’s a look at the safest investments when it comes to home remodeling.

Fiberglass insulation

The most cost efficient home improvement project you could do is to replace the insulation in your attic. On average, this will cost somewhere from $1,200 to $2,000 but your ROI will be around 107%. It’s probably the only project that can actually turn a profit for you. Not only does it add to the resale value of your home but you also benefit from energy savings from the time you replace the insulation to the time you do sell your home.

A new front door

Since the front door is one of the first things people (including prospective buyers) see when they visit your home, it makes sense that it would be a wise place to invest some money. A new steel front door can cost anywhere from $1,500 to $2,500 to purchase and install but you can expect to get about 90% of that back when you sell and you may also find that you have an easier time selling your home as a result.

Vinyl siding

Depending on the state of your current siding, you may or may not wish to tackle this particular project since the ROI is a bit lower at 80 to 84% and the initial cost is higher since it costs about $12,000 on average. If your siding is a bit of an eyesore however then it’s probably a good idea. It’s certainly better to spend the money on your home’s exterior then to spend a fortune remodeling the kitchen which will only recoup about 65% of the cost.

Garage door replacement

A wooden garage door is another exterior home improvement project that’s a safe bet. Though the ROI for this project is less than vinyl siding at around 80%, it’s also less expensive that siding costing on average $2,300 to $3,000. Keep in mind that garage doors with windows are likely to get a slightly higher ROI.

Hardwood floors

Prospective buyers love hardwood flooring so while it’s a bit pricy at $5,000 to $6,000, it’s still a good project to consider. Just make sure you go with a finish that’s universally appealing and keep in mind that oak is an especially durable option that makes it a favorite among prospective buyers.

Other considerations

Despite the fact that kitchen and bathroom remodels are among the worst for ROI, they remain the most popular because many assume it’s what buyers want. When deciding what to upgrade and what to leave as is, you should focus on upgrades that improve the functionality of the space or upgrades that are relatively inexpensive. The small, inexpensive touches like new cabinet hardware, light fixtures, or baseboard heater covers are easy DIY projects and they tend to get a better ROI than many of the major projects.

Interior Decorating and Remodeling News Brought to You by ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com

Source: investopedia.com/personal-finance/top-home-renovations/

One of the most used rooms in your home is probably your kitchen. Even people who don’t like to cook spend plenty of time in their kitchens. That is just one of the reasons why having a beautifully decorated kitchen is a good idea. It also adds home value if you are trying to sell your home. Plus, you will feel more comfortable having friends over if you have a nice kitchen. Here are five ways you can improve your kitchen.

Add hardware

Surprisingly, the hardware on your kitchen cabinets can completely transform the overall look of your kitchen. Updating your cabinets entirely is ideal, but if you can’t do that, you can update the hardware instead and still get a really big improvement.

Just go to your local hardware store and pick out some hardware you think looks nice. You can easily drill and install your hardware on your cabinets on your own. It definitely will give your kitchen a complete, modern look even with old cabinets.

Update flooring

The flooring in your entire home could stand to be updated every 10 years or so. With so many different materials available, you can get pretty much any type of overall look you want. Decide first what you want the look to be, and then you can start researching the materials needed to create that look. For example, if you want it to look like hardwood, you can do that with actual hardwood flooring, laminate, or even tile. So at that point, you would determine which material you prefer to use to get your look.

The material that you want to choose for your flooring will depend on your purposes. If you are looking to have an extremely sturdy floor for kids and pets to be on, then you’d want to choose tile. But if you want something a little softer in case kids fall and hit their heads, a laminate might be a better option. With hardwood being much more difficult to take care of and manage, it is not great for homes with children or pets. But it is a very beautiful choice.

Add baseboard heater covers

Baseboard radiator heaters are ugly and outdated, but unfortunately they are necessary for heating your home. This is an especially common problem in larger homes. Even painting them doesn’t really change the appearance of the heaters. You can instead get baseboard heater covers to cover up the heaters. It is design-friendly and functional.

Create storage solutions

Every kitchen needs good storage solutions. It seems like no matter how many cupboards or pantries you have, all that space gets used up pretty quickly. That is why you should consider getting really good storage in your kitchen. There are many different ways you can create storage in your kitchen. Do so by adding in racks for storing more easily in the cabinets or even putting in knife blocks to hold your knives or spice rack holders on the inside of your cabinets.

Decorate above cabinets

Above the cabinets there is typically empty space. And while you can use it for storage, that really doesn’t bode well for a beautifully decorated kitchen. If you are looking to improve your kitchen, it is much better to decorate up there. Add a collection of pottery up there or even some plants. The important thing is that you don’t stack storage up there which is not aesthetically pleasing, and you also need to avoid leaving it bare.

Interior decorating and remodeling news brought to you by ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com

Source: realtybiznews.com/remodeling-ideas-to-improve-your-house-in-2017/98738555/

With love in the air, it is time to plan something special for the person in your life that you love. You need more than just a bouquet of roses and dinner to show that special person you love them. We know you already use baseboard heater covers in your space to complete your overall look, but do you do anything that makes your loved ones feel extra special? Here are some ideas of ways you can decorate for the romantic holiday.

Balloons with memories

One way you can decorate to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your loved one is by putting up pink, white, and red balloons with pictures from your relationship tied to the strings on the bottom. Not only will the balloons give a romantic feel, but you will be able to have a wonderful end to your romantic date by showing off some of your favorite moments from your relationship.

Rose petals and a bottle of champagne

Another way to really emphasize romance on Cupid’s holiday is by putting preparing your room for a night in together. Make your bed up with rose petals and a bottle of champagne. You can even add some chocolate covered strawberries or a cheese plate to snack on while spending time alone together. The decor of the room will make your partner feel extra special when they find it.

Candles

One really great way to set the mood in your decor is through candles. Nothing is more romantic than the two of you sitting in a room with only the light of some well-placed candles. It screams romance.

If you get extra creative, you can even line the path to your room with candles and rose petals or shape the words “I love you” on the floor with candles.

Make up a bath

Another way to romanticize your night with decorations is to get your bathtub ready and decorated. Put some candles around the tub, and add some flowers on the sides as well. Get some rose petals and put them in the water.

Table decorations

Since the kitchen and the bedroom are your two main focuses for romantic Valentine’s Day decor, you should focus on putting together a romantic table. Get a centerpiece that says “I love you” and decorate with flowers. It is amazing how much flowers can add to a romantic feeling in a room. You can get some glass jars with Valentine’s Day candy in them to add to the centerpiece as well. Even some balloons on the table can help add to your holiday theme.

Pictures in a heart

If you have a big wall you’d like to decorate, you can do more than just put on a baseboard heater cover. You can also get a bunch of pictures of you guys and put them on the wall in a collage that shapes like a heart. It makes for a cute way of remembering your relationship and showing how much you love your partner.

Interior decorating and remodeling news brought to you by ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com

Source: earnthenecklace.com/unique-and-unforgettable-valentines-day-date-ideas/

It’s almost past the point of no return. Perhaps that’s a little over dramatic but the truth is that there aren’t many nice weather days left before winter hits and you don’t want to be out in the yard preparing it and your home for the cold season ahead. So before it’s too late, here are a few home improvement projects to get out of the way.

Weatherproof the entire house

It’s expensive enough to keep your home warm all winter long when you don’t have gaps in the roof, doors, and windows. Make life easier on yourself by making sure your entire home is weatherproofed. Start with the doors and windows since they’re easier. For all entry doors, check the weather stripping around the doorway and replace them if necessary. For windows, re-caulk them or have them replaced entirely if they’re just old and not very energy efficient. If your roof is getting up there in age, have a roofer inspect it for gaps in the flashing, cracked or missing shingles, or inadequate insulation. Not only does this result in lost energy dollars, it could lead to costly ice dams in the winter.

Get your HVAC system checked out

Winter is long and miserable enough as it is and you don’t want to add a poorly functioning HVAC system to it. Have your furnace inspected, check your carbon monoxide alarm batteries, clean any HVAC grilles and replace any filters. While  you’re at it, outfit your baseboard radiators with baseboard radiator covers.

Get rid of the last of the dead leaves

You weren’t procrastinating, you were just waiting until all the leaves had finished falling, right? Well once they have, clean them all up. If your lawn is to survive winter, they can’t be buried under a pile of wet leaves and possibly snow for three or four months. Don’t forget the leaves that are hiding up in the rain gutters as well since this can clog your system and cause rain and snowmelt to pool up on your roof.

Clean patio furniture, then store it inside

It’s time to bring in patio furniture to store it for the winter. It will last a lot longer if you do that every winter. Make sure to clean it off first however or you’ll regret it when dirt and grime has been allowed to get caked on and you have to try and clean them up in the spring.

Protect against pests

Your family isn’t the only ones trying to stay warm in your home this winter you can bet that all manner of pests will be trying to get in as well. A roof inspection as recommended above will take care of one entry point but you should also seal up any other holes you can find such as the areas around cables or plumbing pipes.

Interior Decorating and Remodeling News Brought to You by ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com

Source: realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/monthly-home-maintenance-checklist-november/

When planning to remodel your home, you have to prioritize which projects are most important to you and plan how you’ll allocate your remodeling budget to the different projects. When doing this, it’s important to keep in mind ROI. Unless there’s zero chance you’re going to sell your home down the road, you have to consider those projects that will make it easier to sell your home and will help add value to your home. Here’s a look at some of the more common remodeling projects, and some advice as to whether you should save or splurge on them.

Bathroom upgrade: save

The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the home for prospective buyers. Bathroom remodels can be quite expensive; the average cost is around $9,000. When upgrading the bathroom, you have to be careful not to overdo it. A too-luxurious bathroom remodel won’t recoup very much of the cost when you sell your home and it can actually make it difficult to sell your home if you’re trying to price your home what it’s worth and it’s more than every other home in the neighborhood. Fortunately, there are many inexpensive updates you can do in the bathroom that will give it a new look without breaking the bank.

Kitchen remodel: splurge

While the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the home, the kitchen is the most important for prospective buyers. It’s also the most expensive room to remodel since so much goes into it. There’s simply no way to remodel the kitchen without spending considerable money. That said, the same advice for bathrooms applies to kitchens: don’t overdo it.

Entry doors: save

Replacing or repainting your front door is one of the safest investments you can make into your home. This tends to be an inexpensive project anyways though you can spend quite a lot on a door that makes use of premium materials. That’s probably overdoing it though. A fresh coat of paint or a new door is an inexpensive way to add value to your home and help it sell easier.

Wood flooring: splurge

Prospective buyers aren’t as wild about floor-to-floor carpeting as they used to be. Now most prefer wood flooring throughout the home except perhaps in the bedrooms. Solid wood flooring for your home will cost about $5,500 on average which is quite an investment. However, wood floors will add significant value to your home and you can recoup about 90% of that investment. Don’t cut corners and do it yourself. Hire a professional installer so the finished product is perfectly aligned.

Interior Decorating and Remodeling News Brought to You by ezsnapbaseboardheatercovers.com

Source:huffingtonpost.com/entry/save-or-splurge-make-the-most-of-your-money-with-home- improvement_us_5762ea68e4b05e4be861240e