Uncategorized

Theres no doubt that curb appeal can significantly boost your homes overall value and saleability. And while painting your home is necessary to protect it from weather damage and dry rot, your homes paint color can also do a lot more. A great exterior paint color can do a lot to ensure that your investment looks its best and, when the time comes, will appeal to homebuyers. Thankfully, choosing the perfect house color doesnt need to be overwhelming. A few unique but effective tips will guarantee that you make the best color choice for your home.

Get Local Inspiration
Home websites and Pinterest boards may have their place, but nothing can give you insight into your local areas home style more than taking a tour of your town. The perfect color will blend seamlessly into your neighborhood while still remaining stylish. If a color you picked clashes with the general surroundings and is not a usual home color, it can be jarring to passersby and scare off future potential homebuyers. Find inspiration by looking around your town and bringing that to your neighborhood.

Become All About That Base
When you are overwhelmed by choices, it can be easy to get stuck on the minor details rather than focusing on the big picture. Narrow down your options by focusing on the base color of your home. Once you have found a color that you love, you can find complementing accent colors for your trim and shutters.

Make It Mini
Its not uncommon to make a decision on your colors and be struck with a moment of indecision. If you need to truly visualize your color selection, get creative! Paint an inexpensive wooden playhouse with your desired base and trim colors to get a unique perspective on your chosen aesthetic before investing in painting your home. If you have children, they will love having a mini version of your home (down to the paint colors), and if you dont have children, a playhouse can serve as an excellent donation to a local childrens charity.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

A damaged or worn-out bathtub can be an eyesore. It may be the first thing you and your guests notice every time you enter the bathroom. You dont necessarily have to replace your old tub, as you may be able to reglaze it to make it look like new.

What is Bathtub Reglazing?
Reglazing is a process that involves applying a new chemical coating to restore the appearance of an old tub. You should hire a professional if you do not have experience with this type of work. A technician will sand the bathtub to remove the old finish, repair any chips or cracks and spray on a new coating. The reglazing process is completed in several phases.

Reglazing a bathtub can be much less expensive than replacing it. A reglazed tub may last as long as a new bathtub, or possibly even longer. You will need to use appropriate products to clean the tub to avoid damaging the new finish.

Pros and Cons of Replacing Your Old Tub
If you decide to replace the bathtub, it will need to be removed from the house. Depending on the weight of the tub, you and some friends may be able to do the job yourselves, or you may have to hire contractors. You will also have to figure out how to dispose of it.

Replacing a bathtub can be costly, even if you choose an inexpensive replacement. You might encounter additional costs that could add hundreds or thousands of dollars to the price tag. For example, some of the existing flooring may be damaged and may have to be replaced. In addition, the plumbing fixtures for bathtubs are not uniform. If your new tub does not match the existing plumbing, you may have to hire a plumber to adjust or replace fixtures.

Which Option is Right for You?
Whether you decide to reglaze or replace the bathtub, you can expect the process to take a few days. If you have your tub reglazed, you will still be able to use the rest of the bathroom while the work is in progress. If you have the tub replaced, you wont be able to use the bathroom until the work has been completed.

If you only want to improve the appearance of the bathtub and cost is a top priority, reglazing is probably the way to go. If you are planning to completely remodel the bathroom, installing a new tub may be a better choice, but you should consider the quality of your existing tub. Older bathtubs are often of much better quality than newer ones. If your current tub is well made and in good condition, you might get better results from reglazing than you could if you installed a new tub of inferior quality.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre considering a safe room in your next home, these are the latest features you should know about…

These arent simply steel-lined closets behind trap doors, but rather, fully fortified luxury accommodations that can seamlessly blend in with the rest of a residence.

Safe rooms deliver peace of mind. Cutting-edge safe rooms can protect you from natural or manmade disasters while using alternative energy sources to keep your power on.

At the very least, a safe room will provide you with an ultra-secure space to store your valuables, like jewelry or artwork.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Everyone knows that updated bathrooms are key to fetching top dollar for your home. Even if you dont plan on listing your house in the near future, it may be time to make some upgrades. If your bathrooms are feeling a little dated or worse for wear, here are several tile ideas to give them an elevated look.

Herringbone Marble Tile
For elegant bathroom floors, you cant beat the combination of luxurious marble tiles arranged in a classic herringbone pattern. If youre not the type who buys into trends, you can rest assured that this timeless design will look just as stylish twenty years from now as it does today.

Patterned Encaustic Tile
Encaustic tiles have become increasingly popular in recent years and are an ideal choice for those who love vibrant patterns. Made from cement, the designs are inlaid into the tile and will last much longer than if they were painted on top. This trendy technique comes in a variety of styles, from geometric to exotic patterns, and can completely transform the feel of your bathroom.

Glass Mosaic Tile
If you want to make a splash in your bathroom, glass mosaic tiles are worth considering. They come in a stunning array of shimmering colors and are surprisingly durable. The best part is they can be a very eco-friendly option if you choose to go with recycled glass. These small, shiny tiles are usually either translucent or opaque, but no matter which one you opt for, youre guaranteed to have a breathtaking bathroom.

Matte Black Subway Tile
If youre going for a modern or minimalist style, then try using matte black subway tiles for a sleek design. You can get this low-luster look using stone, ceramic or even porcelain tiles. If youre worried about it feeling too dark or cold, you can easily warm it up by introducing wood finishes and a few plants to bring your bathroom to life.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Every parent dreads the toy monster. Between birthdays, holidays and being spoiled by grandma, theres no doubt that kids can accumulate a lot of toys. And every parent knows that too many toys can lead to clutter. These tips can help parents and children alike manage toys without a tearful struggle.

Limit Incoming Toys When Possible
Toys make great gifts for kids, but theyre not the only option. If you have relatives and family friends who are open to changing their gift-giving habits, it can be helpful to ask for books, clothing items or activity-based gifts instead of a toy. After all, its far easier to keep tears at bay if you dont have to continually declutter your childrens toy collection.

Get Kids Involved in Decluttering
If your children are old enough, get them involved in the decluttering process. Giving your children autonomy when decluttering will allow them to feel accomplished once finished, giving them the incentive to do it again. Getting kids involved gives them the ability to choose what happens rather than seeing decluttering as a process that happens to them.

Declutter In Reverse
Asking your child what they dont like and want to donate can make them feel overwhelmed. After all, your child probably likes everything. However, they surely have a few favorites. Give children a container to fill with their favorite items; anything that doesnt fit is donated. This creates a definitive structure to the decluttering process, favorite items are put away first, then well-liked items, then a few semi-enjoyed items as room allows.

Rotate, Dont Just Donate
You dont always have to rely on donating toys to mitigate toy messes. At times like birthdays or holidays, an influx of new toys may cause clutter simply because too many are present and available at once. Set aside half of your childs toys and rotate them out every few months. They will feel like new and your child will enjoy the added space, and easier clean up, with partial access to all the toys they own.

Every child needs space to play, and too many toys can hinder their fun. With these simple tips, you can watch your children enjoy their toys like never before.

Published with permission from RISMedia.