Have you often thought of sprucing up your property, but don’t know where to start? Decorating doesn’t have to take a long time or cost a fortune. There are plenty of items in your local DIY store that don’t cost much, but will help improve the look of your house and add to its value.

Painting a room is the easiest way to give it a makeover.  You can get a set of paintbrushes, or a tray and roller, for £10 or less. And you don’t have to spend a fortune on paint either – use tins left over from the last time you decorated or buy pre-mixed colours at a knock-down price.

If tiles in the kitchen or bathroom are looking a bit grubby, buy some grout cleaner to freshen them up. This costs from as little as £5, and there’s no need to spend extra on a special brush – an old scrubbing brush will work just as well. After a bit of scrubbing, the tiles will look good as new.

If your kitchen is looking dated but you can’t afford to replace it, just buy new handles for the cupboard doors and drawers. This is a great way to give your kitchen a subtle makeover. If you have a bit more money, and time, to spare you could paint the doors with cupboard paint first.

Houses with a lot of storage space are invariably worth more. And the rooms where extra storage is most sought after are bedrooms and living rooms. Make the most of a dead corner by putting up some shelves (from just £3 each) to hold books, paperwork or trinkets.

If your little ones are enthusiastic artists, and have drawn on the walls in their bedroom, snap up some sugar soap to clean up their scribbles. This costs from around £4 and, diluted, works wonders on dirty walls. And if the kids made the mess then they can help clean it up!

Lighting is one of the most important elements in any house, and good lighting can make a small, dark room look cosier. But there’s no need to buy expensive chandeliers or chrome fittings. Instead, buy some cheap globe bulbs and paper shades as these will give the brightest glow.

Once you’ve sorted the house out, turn your attention to the garden. For around £4, a small trowel is a useful tool to help keep weeds at bay. If you’ve got a patio rather than flower beds, buy some weedkiller for around £9, or a pressure washer (about £40), to keep the slabs clear of weeds and moss.

None of these items costs more than £50, and it won’t take you long to put them to use. These are improvements you could easily make in a weekend. So if you’re prepared to spend a little money at the DIY store, you could add quite a lot to the value of your house.

The Writer James McHeggins works at JustRemortgages.com Britains website for up to the minute remortgage rates and the best remortgage deals.

The Best Cheap DIY Buys to Help You Add Value to Your House is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling

The kitchen is the hub of the home in most cases. It is also the one room that seems to collect things and soon you will have way too much stuff.  The idea of ever having enough space to store all the things you have may seem hopeless. So, you gave some of it to charity and to a friend or family member just starting out, only to find that the storage you now have is still inadequate. Well there is hope; we have put together five radical ideas that will double the storage capacity of any kitchen.

1. In times of old no kitchen was without a Hutch and with good reason. This lovely piece not only provides lots of shelving space to display beautiful plates, glassware and crockery but it also has a space below with doors to conceal the less attractive pots and pans.
2. Use glass doors on cabinets this will literally demand neatness from the entire family anything put in in disarray will be visible to all. Use the glass display cabinets above the work station and regular cabinet space below the work station. Now you have a place for everything.
3. Build a simple shelving unit that spans from floor to ceiling. This is the perfect place to store dishes and other kitchen items. Use baskets for loose items and to also add texture and style to the display.
4. If cupboard space is minimal try adding storage space with the simple installation of overhead racks. You can put spice racks on the backs of cabinet doors or even inside if there is room enough. Utilize the “dead space” on walls and ceiling by installing wall rails and using hooks to hang a variety of kitchen necessities.
5. Use stackable storage containers for dry goods like cereal, flour and sugar. This will eliminate the problem of where to fit awkward shaped boxes and bags. It also makes it easier to condense several boxes into one container and this will free up even more space.

These are not great secrets. Homemakers have been using these ideas for centuries. Shelving, hanging and stacking are the best ways to add storage in a small space and reduce clutter.  Even in the most modern of kitchens you may find that you are at a loss for storage.  The simple wooden shelving unit can be stained or painted to match any décor.

Amy C. is a interior decoration aficionado.  She enjoys testing and trying new themes of decorating and organizing home and office.  In addition to being an interior decoration hobbyist, she enjoys designing calming indoor fountains and glass art.  Amy invites you to browse her delightful collection of glass vases and water fountains to decorate your indoors.

 

Top 5 Storage Ideas For Kitchen is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling

If money’s no object, the custom built kitchen could be the missing link to your perfect home. No one wants to see a mirror image of their own living space when going to visit friends or family, and designing your own interior is of course, the best way to guarantee this doesn’t happen.

Hire A Bespoke Kitchen Designer

There are a number of companies who are able to assist you in designing and building your dream kitchen. They should be able to provide you with ideas, inspiration and guidance, but should also, help you transfer your ideas from head to paper and ultimately, build you a kitchen that perfectly embodies your dreams and desires.

The ultimate kitchen isn’t only about looks – it’s also about functionality. If you’ve got money to burn, an American style fridge freezer (with a filtered water system and ice machine of course) can not only help a kitchen look ultra modern and stylish, but also offers the convenience of masses of storage along with cold water and ice on tap.

Don’t Scrimp On The Small Things

Investing in quality fittings, such as high quality taps by Franke taps, can make a huge difference to not only the attractiveness but also again, the practicality of your kitchen. Gone are the days of mixing together a hot and cold tap until the right temperature is found, mixer taps are all the rage and are here to stay. Franke taps are one of the world’s top producers of kitchen fittings including taps, sinks and cooker hoods and are renowned for their commitment to style and quality.

Think Quality Countertops

When splashing out on the perfect kitchen you can afford to put money into buying the best materials for your countertops. Both marble and granite are quite pricey and for good reason; they both look fantastic and are incredibly hard wearing. Granite for example, is as close to indestructible as you can get. It’s completely heat resistant and very difficult to scratch also.

Get Creative

You could even consider hiring the talents of a local artist to give your kitchen that final special touch. Artists with a talent for mosaic can transform a plain set of tiling into something that is out of this world, or take glass cabinets into a new dimension with a regal stain-glass design.

Whatever you choose for your new, custom designed kitchen just remember to think quality, quality and more quality. You want this kitchen to last and by investing in quality products such as Franke taps and other well-known brands that are renowned for their flair for design and high quality, you can ensure that your kitchen not only never goes out of style, but also stands the test of time in terms of condition and durability.

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of the Kitchen Appliance Centre, experts in fixtures and fittings including Franke taps and sinks.

The No Expense Spared Kitchen – Five Tips For Designing Your Luxury Kitchen is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling

You’ve probably walked into your kitchen one day and realized that the kitchen shelves that you installed in your home as part of the renovation project looks a little bent. You may have shrugged it off assuming your eyes are playing tricks on you until one day you walk into your kitchen and those shelves are unmistakably not straight anymore. To the point where you can’t put anything on them without it sliding off the end. So how do shelves bend like that?

There can be many reasons why shelves bend and most of them or due to some kind of human error. Here are some of the reasons why:

1. Wood not dry enough at installation. If you installed wooden shelves, one of the things you need to check is to make sure the wood being used is dry enough. Wood that’s not dry during installation will tend to shrink or expand according to changing climate conditions. It can also shrink when it dries to contort to the shape it’s built into. Ensure the contractor is only using dry wood and avoid the hassle or redoing your cabinets or shelves in 6 months.
2. Too much weight for it to handle. Let’s face it. No matter how sturdy those cabinets look or how much confidence you have in your handywork, any surface can only take so much. Your shelves are the same way. Most people overload shelf space, eventually causing it to cave in and bend. Once this happens there’s no way to fix the shelving and your only other alternative will be to replace them. Avoid this by planning out your shelf space and ensure that your shelves are not overloaded.
3. Low Quality Supports. Kitchen Shelves could bend if the supports that hold them in place are defective. Many contractors will use low quality or defective supports to save money, however this doesn’t help you in the long run. Require the contractor to use high quality metal braces even if it costs a little bit more. This way you can ensure that your shelves don’t get dragged down in quality as well.
4. Damaged Shelves. You may assume that the product that you purchased is in excellent quality the minute you take it out of the box, but this may not be the case. Damage can already be there when you buy the shelves so make sure to check for any issues immediately after your purchase. If you notice a sag within a few weeks of installation, take them down and inspect them thoroughly for any defective spots or issues. In some cases you may even be able to take it back to the store.

There are only a few tips on how to deal with bent or sagging cabinets in your kitchen. Make sure you do your research because many problems can be solved by simple solutions or by just calling the manufacturer.

S. Thomas recently moved from Atlanta to Philadelphia in a house he kindly describes as a “fixer upper.” His helpful advice on affordable home remodeling has been used by blogs and mentioned in articles written by Atlanta home remodeling companies.

When Good Shelves Go Bad is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling

Why does a homeowner have to use granite sealer after installing new countertops? Natural stone is not completely solid. It contains microscopic holes in it that can absorb a large amount of liquids. Before using any granite surface, it is important to put a sealer in place. This protects the surface from damage and staining. While a sealer doesn’t stop damage caused by falling objects or hot pots, the sealer will keep the surface looking new and shiny under normal use. It resists scratches and etching from moving objects across the surface.

The installer will apply a granite sealer right after installation. However, the homeowner will need to seal the countertops again every 12 to 18 months. It is a relatively simple process though. You have to clear off anything sitting on the countertops. It is important to clean the surface with granite cleaner before applying a new layer of sealer. Once the cleaner dries, the first step is to apply the sealer to the surface. Right after application, you take a dry rag and wipe the countertops until they are dry to the touch. Then you need to wait a half hour and check to see if you need to apply more sealant.

How do you know when to apply another layer of granite sealer? Drop some water drops on the surface of the granite. If it beads up, you have enough sealer. If it doesn’t bead up, you need to apply another layer of sealer. This same test is a good way to determine when you need to apply sealer at the twelve or eighteen month mark. After you get a good layer of sealer in place, it doesn’t hurt to apply a layer of granite polish to bring out the color of the stone.

Granite sealer is not optional if you want to keep your countertops looking good. If you let the sealer wear off and do not apply a new layer, you will see the problems start showing up. The shine on the surface will start to dull as scratches mar the surface. You may even see stains from liquids that have penetrated the stone. Once this happens, it is difficult to reverse the damage. While you might get a nice shine back, those scratches, and stains are there unless you have them honed by a professional. Don’t take a chance. Keep the stone sealed to keep it looking good.

Author Byline:

Polishing Granite Countertops enhances the vibrant colors of your rock, while protecting your granite from environmental hazards.

Keeping Granite Countertops Protected and Looking Good is Easy is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling

Choosing your replacement kitchen floor material is a process that requires a great deal of forethought. You should take in to account a variety of factors that might be unique for your particular situation. There are many flooring materials that are available when it comes to kitchen floor selection, the most common of which are tile, wood and linoleum. Beyond the look of your floor, you need to address the issue of long term durability while selecting your kitchen floor material. Of course you also need to take into account the cost and practicality of the floor material you choose. So ultimately it comes down to affordability, look, feel, and durability, especially given that your kitchen floor will have to deal with moisture and stain possibilities from kitchen spills.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tiles are a great choice when it comes to kitchen flooring. An important fact to bear in mind is that there are several tile types. Those which are unglazed may be more difficult to maintain than glazed tiles. You can also decide on your floor tiles depending on how much or how often you will be using the kitchen in your house. In a kitchen which will have potential for more spills and the resulting stains, glazed tiles almost always make a better choice. Ceramic tiles will also hold up quite well to the wear and tear of a high traffic kitchen.

When selecting and installing ceramic tiles in your kitchen make sure you are looking at and choosing floor tiles. In case you did not realize it, there is a big difference. Floor tiles are almost always thicker and therefore more durable. Ensure that your tile flooring is adequately sealed, as a failure to do so will almost assuredly results in stained grout and/or tiles.

Wood Flooring

Linoleum

The old fallback is a linoleum (aka vinyl flooring). You can go with a full sheet type linoleum flooring or linoleum tiles, and either is very likely to be a cheaper solution than either tile or wood based flooring. An drawing point of linoleum is the virtually endless choice of patterns and designs. You can even select from vinyl flooring having wood or tile finish. Additionally, linoleum withstands wear and tear quite well. Of course repairing a tear in full sheet linoleum is just a flat out pain.

Other Flooring Choices

A few other alternatives include slate, terracotta and stone. Each comes with their own advantages and drawbacks but can really accentuate a kitchen quite well. Just be aware that there are many options and don’t fall in to choosing a basic flooring because you were not aware of the wide variety or alternative. Your kitchen floor can be as dynamic as your imagination.

The beautiful tile kitchen floor in the image at the top of the post comes from Hodger’s photo stream.

Choosing Your Replacement Kitchen Flooring is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling

Remodeling a kitchen on your own can seem like a very challenging job. For some, it may be necessary, however. Since many people spend so much time in the kitchen, they want it to be a warm and comforting area of the home. Having a lovely kitchen can also increase the value of your home, which is important for anyone who is thinking about listing their house in the real estate market soon. When you put the right amount of thought and consideration into the remodeling that you will do, it’s likely that the end result will be exactly what you’re hoping for.

Decide What Needs to Be Done
Before beginning your kitchen remodeling project, it’s important to consider what exactly needs to be done. Do the floors need to be redone? What about cabinets and countertops? Are you going to need a dishwasher installed, or a new refrigerator? All of these factors are very important to take into consideration before beginning your kitchen remodeling project. Keep in mind that this will help you set a budget for the project.

Choose the Right Products
The products that you use to remodel a kitchen can make all the difference. Many people think that in order for their countertops to look nice, they need to remodel with granite. There are other high quality products which can look just as lovely in your remodeled kitchen, however. Quartz, for example, is a great alternative. Since it is much more affordable than granite, it’s a great option for anyone who is on a tight budget for their remodeling project.

Decide on Flooring Materials
One of the most important things that you will want to take into consideration when remodeling a kitchen is what type of flooring is the best option. Although most people turn to tile because it is considered to be a very popular choice for kitchen flooring, it’s important to remember that there are some downfalls associated with tile. It can become very slippery and cause falls, for example. It also chips very easily when things get dropped, which may be a reason to keep it out of the kitchen. Consider all of the different flooring options before deciding what is right for your own kitchen.

Choose Cabinet Colors
If you are planning to remodel the cabinets in your kitchen, it’s important to consider the color of the cabinets that you wish to install. Light wood tends to be a popular choice because it keeps the kitchen warm and cheerful. Dark is a good choice if the surroundings are lighter, such as the walls. White cabinets are very popular because like light wood, they also add a warm touch to the kitchen.
Remodeling a kitchen can be very easy, when you put the right amount of effort and thought into it. Before you begin your kitchen remodeling project, it’s a good idea to keep all of the above mentioned factors in mind!

Tips For Remodeling a Kitchen is a post from: Cape Cod House Remodeling