Mar
10
3 tips to make your bathroom remodel a breeze
March 10, 2017 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – If you’re thinking about remodeling your bathroom, you’re not alone. Bathrooms are the most common remodeling project people will undertake in 2017, according to the National Association of Home Builders. So what’s the best way to begin? Here are three expert tips to help you get started:
1. Identify the “pain points” of your current bathroom. Even if you’ve been dreaming about a new bathroom for years, the exercise of writing out goals for your remodel is an important first step in taking the dream to reality. Start with the pain points of your current bathroom, whether it’s the fixtures, the tile, the vanity, the lighting or other functional and style issues, and then move on to your wish list. Determining your “must-haves” in advance is key to prioritizing your action list and budget.
2. Budget like a pro. Accurate budgeting can help take the emotion out of the financial aspects of your project and put it where it belongs – in the excitement of seeing your new room come to life. The average bathroom remodel was approximately $18,000 in 2016 for a mid-range bathroom remodel, according to Remodeling Magazine. When budgeting your own project, be sure to factor in labor costs as well as material costs, and set aside contingency dollars for the unexpected. If you only look at costs on an item-by-item basis, you won’t get an accurate picture. Working with a designer or contractor can also help you to best choose where and how to invest your budget within your space.
3. Explore the new world of affordable, professional design services. The internet has changed everything, and bathroom remodeling is no exception. Professional design experts are now available to the public in an affordable way, thanks to the advent of “virtual” personal design services. For instance, the Online Design Service from Kohler Co. offers homeowners up to three hours of collaboration with a Kohler Professional Bathroom Designer over interactive online meetings (such as Face-Time or Webex), email or phone. After an in-depth consultation with a Kohler Designer, each homeowner receives a personalized design package containing photo-realistic 3-D image of their new design concept, as well as mood boards, a sample box of finishes and color swatches, and a shopping list of product selections. Priced at an affordable $399, Kohler also gives rebates on the company’s products for online design customers purchases. More details can be found at www.kohler.com/designservice. For those who may desire a more traditional customized in-home design process, working with a National Kitchen & Bath designer is also a great option.
A nation of remodelers, the U.S. boasts a home improvement industry valued at more than $192 billion today, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. With new resources like online design services, it becomes easier for people to move from merely thinking about remodeling a bathroom to doing it.
Mar
8
3 backyard projects you can tackle in a weekend
March 8, 2017 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Now that warmer weather has finally arrived, you want to be outside to enjoy it. Your backyard could be the perfect place to bask in the sun, entertain friends or indulge in your hobbies. It just needs a little sprucing up, and the right projec…
Mar
8
(BPT) – We all know that one person who just adores cleaning. But for the rest of us, it’s a necessary evil that gets old very quickly!
Before you tackle that long list of spring cleaning tasks, try some of these cleaning hacks designed to make these chores faster and easier. When cleaning is fun and even effortless, you’ll feel more energized and gain the momentum you need to knock out your list of chores. Afterward, your house will sparkle from top to bottom, which is its own reward!
1. Find smarter tools
Throw out the messy bucket and mop and reach for a smarter floor solution that’s efficient and fun to use. For example, the O-Cedar EasyWring Spin Mop & Bucket System has a built-in wringer that offers superior moisture control of the mop, which makes it safe and easy to use on all hard floor surfaces – even hardwood! The hands-free wringer requires a simple press of the foot pedal to easily spin out the water and help finish the job with less mess and faster drying times.
2. Try natural solutions
Commercial cleaning solutions can add extra costs to your deep cleaning session, not to mention the harsh chemicals can leave behind unpleasant odors. Why not experiment with everyday pantry items? These often cost less and are just as effective in their cleaning power.
A simple solution of warm water and vinegar removes built-up grime from your floors, while leaving a clean, rinse-free finish. Just add a half cup of distilled white vinegar to a gallon of warm water and start mopping.
If you dislike the smell of vinegar, add a couple drops of your favorite essential oil – the fresh scent will be like a small reward!
3. Shortcut to shining windows
If you want streak-free mirrors and clean windows without the hassle, Cas Aarssen, author of “Real Life Organizing: Cleaning and Clutter-Free in 15 Minutes a Day” and the YouTube channel ClutterBug, has this expert tip: Add a teaspoon of cornstarch to your favorite glass cleaner and shake until dissolved. Cornstarch improves the cleaning power of the solution and makes streaks a thing of the past, so you’ll get the job done more quickly.
4. Use a cleaning method that also protects
Aarssen has an easy tip that will not only shine up your kitchen appliances, it will repel fingerprints and food splatters often left behind. Just spritz on a little wood furniture polish and rub in with a soft cloth until the surface shines like new.
5. Clean up top
Dust can collect on those high, hard-to-reach places, such as decorative molding and ceiling fans, making cleaning day more difficult. To clean your ceiling fan without showering dust bunnies everywhere, an old pillowcase is your best tool. Spritz the inside of the pillowcase with a vinegar and water solution and slip it over the blades of the fan, pulling it back to trap the dust.
For those tough to reach moldings and corners, use a sturdy rubber band to wrap a microfiber cloth around the end a broom, and give those hard-to-reach areas a clean sweep!
Mar
7
(BPT) – Spring is a time of renewal and home improvement. More and more, homeowners are looking for maximum practicality and durability from everything in their home. They won’t, however, sacrifice style and aesthetic to achieve it. Fortunately, …
Mar
7
(BPT) – Americans love luxury and technology, so it’s no surprise that the two are meeting and thriving in one of our favorite places – the bathroom. Just as technology is transforming every other area of the house, inside and out, it’s recreating our …
Mar
7
(BPT) – Spring is a time of renewal and home improvement. More and more, homeowners are looking for maximum practicality and durability from everything in their home. They won’t, however, sacrifice style and aesthetic to achieve it. Fortunately, …