KCR_Spring Home Improvement_032626

Cost-effective curb appeal boosters

(Metro)

One shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. However, that often is hard to do, particularly when it comes to homes. Curb appeal bears significant influence regarding how a property is perceived. A property that is neat and aesthetically appealing probably will be preferable to one that looks like the homeowners did not maintain it.

Boosting curb appeal is a common focus of sellers before listing a property. But what can those who don’t have big budgets for major overhauls do to improve their curb appeal? Plenty of projects can offer maximum output with minimal investment.

Refresh the front door

Painting the front door can add brightness and improve the look of a home’s entryway. Most exterior paint costs between $30 and $40 per gallon, so this is undeniably a budget-friendly improvement. If money allows, replacing the door altogether will generate bang for your buck.

Improve or add landscaping elements

Landscaping should be designed to highlight the home’s best features. It should look symmetrical and feel manicured. If it’s not possible to plant new flowers or bushes, simply cleaning up debris and weeds, and trimming existing greenery can make it feel neater and more polished.

Clean up

Power-washing the siding, cement walkways and garage door can create instant impact. It’s amazing how much dirt and mildew can reduce the luster of a home. Cleaning off years of grime can be a fast and inexpensive refresh.

Reseal the driveway

Make sure the driveway is clean and tidy. If it has

cracks or discoloration, filling in cracks and applying a new coat of sealer will make a big difference. Homeowners can hire someone to reseal the driveway or do the work on their own.

Add more lighting

Updating front porch lights and accent lights around the property will cast a more positive glow on a home, both literally and figuratively.

Add a seating area

If space by the front door allows, add a bench or some chairs to create a welcoming seating area. A potted plant or two nearby will help the area seem intentional.

Improving curb appeal doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. A few easy touches can boost the look of any property.

(Metro)

Traditional formal dining rooms are not as necessary as they were a generation or two ago. A recent study by Realtor.com found formal dining rooms are often the most underutilized square footage in homes, and a significant percentage of Millennial and Gen Z homeowners prefer flexible “lifestyle rooms” over dining spaces.

So what can homeowners whose dining room tables are covered in mail or the kids’ homework do to repurpose the space into something they will actually use? The following are five ideas to repurpose a formal dining room into a more usable space.

1. Lounge: Those who enjoy hosting friends or family without sitting down to formal dinners might appreciate transforming the dining space into a cocktail lounge. Swapping the dining room table and chairs for low swivel chairs around a coffee table or high-backed bar stools around bar tables easily converts the seating space. A built-in wet bar or a bar cart helps complete this social hub for intimate conversation. Paint the room in darker colors or use textured wallpaper to simulate an after-hours feel that separates the space from the rest of the house.

2. Library: Homeowners can create a digital detox zone by way of a cozy library. A timeless choice, a library can feature floor-to-ceiling bookshelves or built-ins and comfortable reading chairs stationed by a window.

3. Music space: Homeowners who play an instrument may appreciate a designated space

for jam sessions. Dining rooms with high ceilings and bare floors often provide excellent acoustics for music. Complement the space with a high-tech audio system and sound baffling panels for those who plan to record.

4. Home office: Hybrid work is a permanent fixture in today’s career landscape. A dining room located near the front of the home presents a prime location for a professional workspace. Replace a table with a sleek executive desk. An existing buffet or sideboard can be repurposed as printer storage or for filing. Consider adding French doors or partitions to provide privacy without compromising on light flow.

5. Homework zone: Active families may need to transform the dining room into a homework lab that offers a quiet space for educational pursuits. Organized cabinetry can house school materials, craft supplies, and much more, confining it all to one room. Locating the computer in the space creates a centralized “safe” spot for internet browsing and monitoring young children in the process.

Dining spaces may be going the way of the dinosaur, reflecting modern homeowners’ preferences for more flexible and useful spaces.

A New Spring Look Is A Breeze

How to make a laundry room a more functional space

(Metro)

Functionality is important when designing the interior spaces in a home. Homeowners who redesign their interior spaces can emphasize functionality to help reduce clutter and create a more efficient and even calming space.

Laundry rooms may not be the most glamorous rooms in a home, but they do get lots of usage, particularly in homes with children. Because laundry rooms tend to be well trafficked areas, it makes sense for homeowners to make them as functional and user-friendly as possible. With that in mind, homeowners can consider these tips to make laundry rooms more functional spaces.

• Purchase laundry pedestals with storage capacity. Laundry pedestals make useful additions to a laundry room. Many homeowners place their washing machines and dryers on top of pedestals with storage drawers, which can be used to store everything from dryer sheets to clothes irons to stain removal kits. Pedestals can be particularly useful in cramped laundry rooms where the only means to adding storage is to go up and not out.

• Install a freestanding laundry sink. A laundry sink also adds function to a laundry room by enabling homeowners to hand wash certain clothes

and apply stain removal products in the same space where the rest of their clothes are being cleaned. Installing a laundry sink is a relatively inexpensive job, but the cost may go up if new plumbing, venting or electrical work is necessary.

• Add a countertop work space. If you already have ample storage and won’t be placing the washer or dryer atop a laundry pedestal, then installing some countertop above the appliances can add function and aesthetic appeal. A countertop workspace above a dryer provides an accessible space to fold laundry the moment it dries, reducing the likelihood that clothes will become wrinkled and ensuring you won’t put off folding.

• Install floating shelves. Floating shelves won’t cost a lot of money, but they can be ideal in cramped laundry rooms. Shelves provide a space to store detergent and other items that may not fit inside laundry pedestals, including baskets.

A Well Thought Out Kitchen

• Add hanging storage. Some articles of clothing should not be dried in a dryer for fear of shrinking the fabric or destroying the item. In such instances, some readily accessible hanging storage capacity can make the laundry room more functional. Items can be hung on hangers or over a hanging rack suspended from the ceiling if space is minimal. Laundry rooms are heavily used spaces in a home, so it makes sense to take steps to make these areas as functional as possible.