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Some things just get better with age, and thats certainly the case when it comes to reclaimed wood. Brand-new wood floors and ceiling beams have plenty of appeal, but if you want to give your home a distinguished look, you may want to consider salvaging timber from an old barn or factory. Here are just a few reasons why reclaimed wood might be the right choice for you!

Eco-Friendly
There are many popular types of wood that are difficult to find sustainably sourced, like ipe and teak. If you have your heart set on using one of these, the best way to do it just might be by repurposing it from elsewhere. Furthermore, youre helping to preserve natural resources and can feel good about using timber that would otherwise go to waste.

Already Weathered
Each piece of reclaimed wood is unique and has often already developed a patina. This makes it a great choice if you have kids or pets who are prone to scuffing up the floors, because the beauty is in the flaws that come from being used over time.

Versatility
For a long time, reclaimed wood was only used in traditional or rustic design; however, these days, it can be found in almost any setting. In a modern residence, the juxtaposition of old and new creates a stunning aesthetic while also adding warmth.

History
Unlike new materials, theres a story behind reclaimed wood that gives character to your home. Whether its antique French oak floors in the kitchen or hand-hewn beams from an old farmhouse in your living room, these are far from run-of-the-mill details.

Transcend the Trends
While certain styles come and go, salvaged wood has timeless appeal that continues to improve with age. After all, there arent too many other finishes in a home that still look good after being used for decades or sometimes even centuries!

Published with permission from RISMedia.

With rent rising and family sizes decreasing, millennials have started to opt for smaller alternatives when it comes to real estate. Maybe the trend came from IKEA showrooms, the micro-housing wave, or simply from growing accustomed to sharing apartments with one too many people. The fact remains: people may want to pay for smaller, but they still want to live as large as possible.

The goal is to avoid creating a highly congested space. Thankfully, experts like author and real estate professional Matt Parker have done the homework for us. Learn to make the most of your small space by following these tips from Parker:

1. Rooms with high ceilings, 9 ft. or taller, help make small square-footage spaces feel large. In many cases, liking or disliking a home has to do with ceiling height.
2. Add custom bookshelves high on one wall in a room. This creates a spacer for your eye, drawing your glance up and making the room appear larger.
3. Use large paintings in small rooms, one wall only, and you will be amazed how much bigger they feel, says Parker.
4. Follow this rule: If you havent used it in a year, sell or donate it. Parker recently did this, and removed about 25% of his familys clutter.
5. When it comes to clothes, consider quality over quantity. According to Parker, folks in Los Angeles often hire a wardrobe assistant who helps them pick four perfect outfits per quarter. Buy really nice clothes, that are really trendy, in small batches, then immediately get rid of them, he explains. What a win/win from a fashion/lifestyle standpoint!
6. Use a stand-up desk instead of a sit-down desk. Sit-down desks occupy about 100 square feet, explains Parker.
7. In small rooms, install a very large custom mantle. This lends a sense of grandeur to a small space.
8. To make small rooms feel more spacious, decorate with light colors: gray, white, light blues, light yellow, light green, and stick to the same color palette throughout the room.
9. Large floor rugs make rooms feel much bigger.
10. Parker also advises against buying huge wholesale quantities of food. Instead, buy one weeks worth of healthy, fresh food each week. You will feel better, and look better, like your home!

I am recommending people buy nicer things, enjoy them more, and live better lives. I am not indicating to stop consuming or become a hermit. Simply be decisive about what you love and eliminate the rest! You will not believe the sense of peace, and style, adds Parker.

As you can see, the trick to living large in a small space is to not be afraid to let go. Freeing up space usually taken up by clutter allows you to enjoy things you actually like. Thats what makes the transition worth it. Well, that and all the extra cash youll be saving!

Matt Parker is the author of Real Estate Smart: The New Home Buying Guide and Real Estate Agent Talks. Parker works entirely paperless and happily lives in a 560 square-foot home with his wife, where he prioritizes living, not clutter.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Whether weve decided to go to grad school, have moved to a different country or state for a job, or have simply left our family home for the first thing we could afford, us millennials are usually not living somewhere we expect to stay forever. And while this might sound exciting, the truth is, that lingering sense of instability often causes us to basically live out of a suitcase (something to do with always being prepared to jump ship).

Living in small, shared spaces make us feel like were not allowed to unpack. Yet, unpacking and making yourself at home is of the utmost importance. This room, which is at the moment legitimately yours, is the only space youve got to recharge and refocus. At the end of the day, your 20s are a time of high stress levels thanks to anxiety-ridden life decisions. It is imperative to put your best foot forward every day.

In my personal experience, I have cozy dorm rooms to thank for helping me feel like I was ready to take on the world. Now that Ive graduated and live off-campus, Ive found that moving from one residence hall to the next helped me develop transferable skills that I am now using to set up my new closet room. These are some of the things Im glad I learned beforehand:

1. Consider the space: The biggest mistake most college students made was leaving the furniture arrangement as they found it. Dont trip over the same stone in your post-grad life. Setting up your bed horizontally and against the wall will automatically free up usable space in your room. In what could only be described as a wide hallway, I managed to fit a futon, a desk and chair, a bed, and a dresser without obstructing the walk-in closet, the bedroom or the bathroom doors. Most likely, there is really only one way to fit everything. You just have to keep going until you find it.
2. Decorate but dont suffocate: To make a small space a home, follow two cardinal rules when decorating. First, dont accessorize to the point of feeling overwhelmed (you dont want your own bedroom to make you feel stressed). Second, add items that you have an emotional connection with”pictures of family and friends, posters of shows you like, scents that transport you, twinkly lights, etc. If it makes you want to curl up in your bed and stare at it, put it up.
3. Prioritize comfort: Sure, when youre living in a temporary space its hard to invest in maximum comfort furniture. But that doesnt mean you have to sleep on a rigid mattress. Instead of splurging on memory foam, get an egg crate. Buy basic silverware and dinnerware, but invest in a couple of special mugs. Pick and choose which things you use the most and allow yourself to enjoy them.
4. Avoid clutter: This last one hurts, but you might need to put the wallet away when temptation knocks on your door. Sometimes we see furniture or dcor that we think would look fabulous in our ideal home, we forget we dont live in said home, we buy them anyways, and are left with an extra yellow armchair that doesnt fit anywhere. Be mindful of what actually belongs in your current space and what is meant to continue dwelling in dreams.

Your temporary home can be broken in like new shoes, and they will help you walk the walk youre on at the moment. By the time you move out, youll realize that a little extra spending and organizing really went a long way in keeping you saneand maybe even happy. So give it a try, go and really unpack in your little millennial hutch!

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When youre buying a home, one of the worst possible scenarios is a dream house that turns out to be a lemon. While the term usually refers to a home that looks great but is hiding some internal, serious flaws, there are actually red flags you can watch out for”that will show up way before you even get to an inspection.

Signs of Mold or Water Damage
Use your eyes and nose to check for these environmental issues. Water damage may reveal itself in stains, in damaged wood or flooring and walls that are collapsing. Obvious mold can also be seen by a simple visual inspection, but your nose can detect it even if its hidden. Mold isnt just unsightly”it can cause health issues like asthma, especially in kids.

Faulty Foundation
This is a classic, surefire deal breaker. Check the basement for large cracks (but small cracks shouldnt pose a problem and can be due to normal settling of the house).

Outdated Electric Systems
Turn lights on and off”are they flickering, buzzing, or generally seem off? In an older house, this could be a sign of needed (and often expensive) electrical work.

A Freshly Painted Wall or Ceiling
Particularly if only one wall or part of a wall has been painted, the owner could be trying to cover something up”like toxic mold (see above).

Of course, any home youre buying will go through a thorough inspection by a professionally qualified inspector. However, unless you really love the home or the neighborhood, you may prefer not to waste your time (and money, through inspection costs) if the home is a potential lemon. If you see any of the four red flags above, weigh the pros and cons with your real estate agent. It may be better to move on to a home that will be less of a headache!

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Redoing your kitchen floor on your own is an ambitious undertaking that can be accomplished with the right supplies, tools and know-how. Whether you want to redo your floor by yourself to save money or simply for a sense of accomplishment, there are various ways to get the job done.

Here are several things that youll need in order to complete your DIY kitchen floor project:

Correct Floor Measurements
Your entire project could wind up in chaos if your floor measurements arent correct. The floor measurements will determine the sizes and shapes of the tiles youll need, along with where theyll be placed. If the shape of your floor is square or rectangular, you can calculate its square footage by measuring the floors length and width in feet and multiplying them together. For a floor with a more unusual shape, youll need to divide each section into rectangular units with string or other markers, and then add the square footage of each unit to get the correct total. You should also buy a bit more tile than what would cover your floors square footage, just in case some tiles break or you make mistakes.

The Right Tiles and Caulk
Next, choose the tiles thatll go best in your kitchen. Tiles are available in different shapes, sizes colors and materials, and making the right choice will depend on your specific requirements and personal taste. To set the tiles into place and hold them together, youll need caulk thats formulated to prevent cracks and loose pieces. Be sure to lay tiles down together before you add the caulk so you can ensure they’ll fit in the given space.

Proper Installation Equipment
Some of the tools youll need to complete your project include a notched trowel and a grout float made of rubber along with grout nippers. Masonry saws also work well when sawing tiles that dont fit exactly into a particular space. When using a tile nipper or masonry saw, its always advisable to wear safety glasses and a mask to filter out the particles in the air. Make sure stone or ceramic tiles are wet when cutting them in order to prevent sending dust everywhere that can get into your lungs and eyes. If youre uncomfortable cutting the tiles yourself, many hardware stores offer that service for you.

Cleanup Supplies
Youll likely have a big mess on your hands after youve completed your project, and youll want to have cleanup supplies handy. Sweeping with a broom or using a vacuum to clean up dirt, dust and other debris can eliminate a lot of the clutter. Having trash bags handy for removing spare pieces and supplies that arent needed will also be helpful. Going over your new tiles with a mop and coat of wax will make them look especially attractive. Also, disinfectant spray can be used for a more thorough sanitizing.

Going the DIY route to install a new kitchen floor can be both a challenging and rewarding experience. Getting everything thats needed to complete the project beforehand can save you a lot of time and additional hassle.

Source: Meghan Belnap/RISMedias Housecall

Published with permission from RISMedia.