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Here are a few tips to style a foyer to make a warm first impression…

Keep It Organized

Designate a space for everything: A tray for keys, cubbies for shoes and a stylish armoire for extra storage.

Dramatic Floors

Incorporate elaborate tile-work or stone to create a grand entryway that demonstrates attention to detail.

Add Some Plants

Plants liven up the space by providing visual appeal, making your home feel more calming.

Oversized Mirror

A large mirror near the entryway will make the space feel bigger while reflecting natural light.

Practical Seating

Consider a bench or chairs where guests can sit while getting their shoes on and off.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

There are more materials, colors, and patterns available in kitchen countertops than ever before”and since many are close in price, the decision may be even harder.

The product testers at Consumer Reports scratched, stained and scorched seven of the leading contenders. What they found may help potential remodelers narrow their choice of materials:

• No two slabs of granite are alike, but they all survive abuse with ease and maintain beauty and luster. But edges and corners can chip, and counters will need periodic sealing. Estimated cost: $100 – $200 per square foot.
• Also known as engineered stone, quartz is a blend of stone chips, resins, and pigments, which can take plenty of use and abuse, although edges and corners can chip. While quartz comes in an array of vibrant colors and styles, they can appear unnaturally uniform, although manufacturers are trying for a more random look. Estimated cost: $100 – $185 per square foot.
• Ceramic tile. Tile comes in a wide selection of colors and patterns, mixes nicely with other materials and works well on a backsplash or island top. Not only is it inexpensive, but it also offers excellent heat resistance. While the grout is likely to stain even when it’s sealed, darker grout can help. Edges and corners can chip, so buying a few extra tiles will allow you to repair localized damage easily. Estimated cost: $20 – $75 per square foot.
• Butcher block. Handy for a lot of chopping and dicing, these mostly maple countertops are lovely, but they do sustain damage from heat, cuts, scrapes and impact. They should also be varnished and treated regularly with mineral oil or beeswax. Estimated cost: $35 – $200 per square foot.
• Beautiful and classic, marble takes on a patina over the years that some may see as marred. While it chips and scratches relatively easily, small nicks and scratches can be polished out. Estimated cost: $125 – $250 per square foot.
• Stainless steel. Very resistant to heat and stains, this material gives kitchens a sleek, commercial look. While stainless steel does show dents and scratches, the material can be welded, ground or buffed. Estimated cost: $75 – $140 per square foot.
• Generally custom-formed, concrete can be tinted and textured. Not only does it chip and scratch easily, but it can also develop hairline cracks. Topical sealers can protect against stains but not heat; penetrating sealers can handle heat, but not stains. Estimated cost: $70 – $140 per square foot.

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Published with permission from RISMedia.

Eco-friendly features are all the rage today as homeowners commit to living greener lives. But for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint, where do you begin?

For many, the answer is the kitchen. The central hub of the home, the kitchen offers a perfect foundation for incorporating green features and appliances.

Getting started, you may want to consider adding an induction stove, a stove that utilizes magnetic energy to induce a current that heats the food. Not only do pans heat up quickly on this type of stove, but the amount of time needed to cook meals is greatly reduced. In addition to the energy savings and coolness factor, induction stoves tend to be much safer than traditional stoves since theres no open flame or hot electric element involved.

Its also important to add energy-efficient appliances. If youre trying to sell your home and an old dishwasher and refrigerator unit serve as the focal point of the room, it could be a major deterrent to a sale.

Changing up the lighting is another easy way to up the eco-friendly factor and make the kitchen appear fresh and new. Installing ceiling fans is another simple, inexpensive way toward making the space more eco-friendly. Ceiling fans will circulate warm air in the winter and will help keep the kitchen cool in the summer, keeping heating and cooling costs lower throughout the year.

When it comes to greening your home, remember that you dont need to drain your bank account to find success. For example, adding a water filter to your sink (and saying goodbye to bottled water) is an inexpensive way to promote green living. Take this one step further by highlighting the fact that the water filter removes harmful contaminants, providing a fresh drink that can easily be enjoyed when relaxing at home or while out and about.

While not every change will yield a payoff, data shows that kitchen improvements will reap the highest rewards in home value, offering the fastest way to get someone interested in buying your home.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Living in a small space?

Try these tips to make more room in your tiny home or studio.

– Take advantage of vertical real estate by using wall space to install shelving for books, off-season clothes, and more.

– Hanging storage is king in small spaces, and again, can maximize height. Think hooks to hang your bike or a rack for hanging pots and pans.

– Choose functional furniture that double as storage, like ottomans that open and couches with stash space in the arm rests.

– Create stackable storage on any surface or shelf with a wire rack that lets you stack glasses above your plates, mugs above your glasses, and so on.

Use your space wisely, and youll be living large in your small home!

Published with permission from RISMedia.