We love to renovate our homes to bring back their old glory. Homeowners concentrate mainly on the master bedroom, living room, bathroom and dining room, so it’s not unusual for some rooms to get neglected. However, every part of the house should be given proper attention. You’ll be surprised how many unexpected (and low cost) room renovations can add value to your home.
The Laundry Room: This utility area is always stereotyped as a drab place and a dumping ground for all the family’s soiled and sullied clothes. But just as garages and attics are getting much needed facelifts, the home of the washing machine, detergent, and softener is getting its very own pick-me-up. Bright glossy colors are lighting things up and black granite counter tops are replacing traditional tile surfaces. Cream colored apron sinks with long-necked faucets are another popular addition for their beauty and functionality. Tiles will continue their floor dominance, but vivid colors are replacing the usual white. Installing a window or an exhaust fan will do wonders to the room’s air circulation. Some overhead and floor covered wooden cabinets will take care of maintaining the rooms order and cleanliness. In addition, an LED light fixture will keep the room as bright as daylight without extra heat or wasted energy.
The Walk-In Closet: Walk-in closets are like garage doors. They tremendously increase your home’s value with a paltry sum compared to improving your bathroom or kitchen. Walk-in closets are seldom part of many abodes, yet it’s not difficult to build one. Some homeowners would say it eats up a large chunk of much needed space when a cabinet will do a much better job. Nonetheless, these luxury closets serve as an all-in-one dressing room, make up room, and wardrobe storage area. Adding a walk-in closet will allow the rest of the master bedroom to remain neat and tidy. There are many ways you can make arrangements inside this clothing cave. Exclusive divisions will help compartmentalize the clothes from formal jackets, evening gowns, casuals, and denims. Floor cabinets are great for shoes and sandals, and overhead storage and shelving will accommodate travel bags and other luggage. Between the upper and lower cabinets, different size drawers are great for undergarments, jewelry, bedding, and other accouterments. A roomy vanity with a huge mirror will complete the cast. Sufficient lighting will keep everything easy to find. Cedar shelving is a great choice to keep the closet fresh. Furthermore, instead of paints, opt for stains for a classier look. Keep in mind that the scope of the job is more complex than even the best DIY-er can handle. Find a reputable contractor to get the job done. And yes, wood floors are a must!
The Guest Room: Should the guest room need to be elaborate? Keeping it simple but elegant will have your guests most grateful to you. Do you think guests really expect a hotel room replica in your home? Metals should be avoided. They appear sterile and instill commercial grade to the room. Glass and mirrors should be restricted to the dressers and windows. If you’re particularly fond of the expression, “home away from home”, you should take your cue from it, as the guest room is a lesser version of the master bedroom. The bed should be large with a varied arrangement of pillows. If your room has an air conditioning unit, the guest room should have one also. If your room doesn’t have a TV, it won’t hurt to put one in the guest room. Window curtains are a must and doors should have locks for privacy reasons. Swap out the wall paint for toned down hues, which are more relaxing to the eyes. A pastel color combination of orange, yellow, and pink with a touch of green will bring the room alive, but maintain a calm atmosphere. A large foot rug on wood floors will make the room cozier, providing insulation against cold drafts. Keep in mind that there are many ways to make the ceiling very attractive. False ceiling designs with hidden lights are becoming very popular. Eye level and floor covered stained wooden cabinets will help guests keep their belongings in proper order.
The Pantry: My aunt always got her canned and dry goods from the cabinet. The same thing goes for her cooking utensils. She never used the pantry. When I asked her why, she said that they’re only found in big houses and ships. Pantries can change the ambiance of the kitchen. Regardless of wealth, a pantry will greatly improve the kitchen’s overall look (especially if they’re built with high quality materials). You can opt for an open, semi-circular pantry in beige and white, with several neatly arranged shelves. Cubicles in the lower part are great for kitchen utensils, coffee makers, food processors and mixers. A circular covered pantry with an easy susan is another option, providing both organization and style. Pantry styles and designs are plentiful and impressive. Metal, plastic and wood are available, but use materials that best match your kitchen. The pantry size should be in proportion to your overall kitchen size – neither too big nor too small. Moreover, the color should blend with the entire kitchen.
The Sewing Room: If sewing is your passion, you must already have a designated sewing room in your home. Medium in size, it should be well-ventilated, bright, and cherry. And to save on electricity, glass covered French windows are ideal when clothed in delicate white silken curtains tied back to provide a sense of beauty without interfering with the light flow. A flat white paint will increase the room’s illumination and will emphasize the immaculate ambiance of the room. The room should be dainty and well arranged. Remember that the sewing machine is the most important piece of equipment and task lighting is a must. Your drawing board should also be well lit. Install strategically placed ceiling lights for evening use. There are many small and minute things like buttons, pins and needles that sewing requires, and these should be kept well organized. If pantries are for kitchen goods, a library card drawer is perfect for sewing rooms. If you’re a frequent book borrower, then you have an idea of what they look like. Styles are available with or without legs. However, choose a card holder with enough drawers for all your sewing materials and kits. You can use one drawer for pins, another for needles, one for thimbles, and so forth. Plus, you should label each drawer for easy identification. (Misplaced pins, scissors, blades and needles are dangerous!)
A glass cabinet with shelves and a tall compartment are an ideal place where to safely display your finished items. The shelves will serve also a good place to keep unused cloth and unfinished clothes. There are many designs available, but opt for one without a wooden frame as these are outdated.
The Office: The home office is mostly taken for granted. You can place it inside your guest bedroom, converted garage, attic, or basement. If you don’t expect to receive clients, why the need for an elaborate set up? With the advent of home businesses, home offices should be given proper attention. There’s no need to destroy walls and floors. A nice built-in hutch will certainly make the office impressive and business like. If your house is short of elbow room, under the staircase is a great location. Keep the appliances to a minimum and neatly tuck cords away. A single office table big enough for a computer with a side table will suffice. The table should have at least five drawers. A kitchen island can be used for informal conversation while snacks are being served. Furthermore, a file cabinet will keep important papers safe and in order. You can also install wall cabinets in your office area for added storage.
The Foyer: In most houses, the foyer is the room that welcomes visitors. These entrance halls often give the first impression of what is to be expected inside the house. Foyers need to be bright. An overhead light, a window or glass block wall inserts can provide sufficient lighting to the area. A combination of small and large white LEDs in recessed lighting fixtures is a magnificent idea. A track lighting fixture is another excellent design. False ceilings will take your renovation several steps higher. Your foyer will look its best. Easy to clean tiles, parquet or heavy duty improved vinyl floor are wonderful choices. The walls should be left alone, but they should be well painted and clean, emulating the color of the house in general. A single circular picture frame or a round wall clock is a positive distraction while visitors are removing their jackets, hanging their umbrellas, and waiting to be called in. Metal wall hooks of different materials and styles can be used for hanging raincoats and umbrellas. Floor standing hangers are another great addition. They come in different sizes, designs, and materials as well.
Get your “lesser” rooms in top shape, today! CLICK HERE for free estimates!
Please Share This Article on These Sites:
Hire A Contractor