Creating A Budget A Home Improvement Project
Home renovations can be stressful, take more time to complete than you anticipate, and wind up costing you a fortune if you aren’t careful. To ensure that your home improvement project doesn’t become a money pit, it’s essential to create a plan before the remodeling begins. More importantly, you should come up with a budget. Not sure where to start? Here are tips on creating a budget for your next home improvement project.
- Come up with an estimated figure. Imagine your dream renovation and how much it would cost. Now, come down to reality and decide where you’re going to begin. Will it be a single room? An entire floor? Just a paint job? If you can’t determine how big or small the renovation is going to be, work backward. Think of a dollar amount that makes sense for you to spend at this time – that will help you figure out what your priorities are.
- Consider taking money from your savings or financing. Once you have a number you’re comfortable with, you must decide if you can afford to pay for the renovations out of pocket or if you need to finance the project. If you have the money saved and can pay with cash up front, that’s great- no interest! If you don’t have the money, talk to a financial advisor and decide what the best option is for you. The three most common borrowing options are: a cash-out refinance, a home equity loan, or a home equity line of credit (HELOC). Choose a plan that has a low-interest rate and one that you will be able to keep up with month-to-month.
- Find a contractor that fits the scope of the project (and your budget). Now that you’re getting to closer to the number you are going to spend, it’s time to start getting quotes from contractors. When interviewing potential contractors, make sure they’re licensed, have reviews and references, and a portfolio of their work. With a contractor, the work will get done quickly and efficiently, but it will cost more than if you were to go the DIY-route. If the estimate prices you’re receiving seem outrageous, it may be smarter to do the work on your own.
- Itemize what you need. Start from the beginning. What’s it going to take to complete this home improvement project? Create a spreadsheet and include everything from inspection costs to a roll of duct tape. When you have everything written down and in one place, it’s easier to see where your money is going. Whether you’ve hired a contractor or are doing it yourself, you should still create this list to keep your budget on track.
Is the home improvement you imagined bigger than what you can afford? Consider tackling a smaller portion of the project first like simply painting a room. You should also leave room for mistakes. You never know when an unexpected problem is going to occur or if something winds up costing you more than you had hoped. Leave room in the budget for these mistakes and you won’t be surprised along the way.
This post brought to you by Bohnne Jones, an interior decorator in Brentwood, TN.
Keeping Your Bathroom Organized In 2018
Picture your bathroom – the place where you clean and prepare yourself for everyday life – a place many homeowners tend to ignore on the list of “places to clean.” Many people’s bathrooms quickly become cluttered with hair product, makeup, razors, and bath toys in the blink of an eye. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get organized, take a look at these ideas to help remove and prevent clutter in your bathroom.
- Under Sink Storage: Many disregard the area right under the sink, considering it as a space that won’t quickly become cluttered due to the lack of space from plumbing.Many homeowners forget that there is still plenty of space there that can quickly fill up with cleaning, personal care products, and other bathroom accessories. To avoid clutter, install a shelf or pull-out bins for storing items. When you need something, you’ll be able to find it!
- Wall Storage: Never underestimate the power of wall space in your bathroom! Try adding a narrow cabinet above your sink to store washcloths, hand towels, and everyday toiletries. Medicine cabinets are a popular choice, as they often double as a mirror and serve as discreet bathroom storage. If you’re still in need of extra space, add shelving to your walls. Sleek, minimal and functional floating shelves provide the right amount of space without looking bulky. Storing your toiletries on exposed shelving has become a very popular trend, as long as you keep them organized! Use decorative baskets to disguise items usually left out in the open on shelves and a hamper for placing dirty towels or laundry clothes. Don’t forget about the space above your toilet – take advantage of it by adding shelves or a small cabinet.
- Tiered Storage: Layering has become a popular trend within interior design. Try incorporating this trend into your bathroom with tiered towel rods or bath caddies. Instead of using a single towel rod, try using a tiered one that allows for variously sized towels to be stored in one place. For added storage, keep all of your shampoo bottles and soaps under control in one area of the shower with a tiered bath caddy. If you’ve utilized all of your wall space for storage, consider your bathroom door! Mount a towel rack over the door to hang robes and towels, or hang a shoe organizer to store various toiletries.
Whether you are a new homeowner or have lived at your residence for years, be aware of your bathroom and how quickly it can become cluttered. Maintain organization in your bathroom this year with these awesome tips!
Trending In Home Design: Barn Decor
The rustic barn look has become increasingly popular in home design. Homeowners in the city and beyond crave the welcoming country vibes this style gives off. Here’s how you can achieve this style in your home, no matter where you reside.
- Play around with natural elements. The key to any rustic decor are the natural accents and features you incorporate into the room. Elements found in nature like stone, wood, leather, and linen, are utilized to give that comfortable, natural feel. Wood accents are a major component to any rustic home. Whether it’s wooden wall panels, hardwood floors, or exposed ceiling beams, the appearance of wood amplifies all that is warm and welcoming in modern farmhouse design.
- Add a focal point. Barn doors are an extremely popular accent that homeowners want to feature in their farmhouse design. Install them as sliding doors to create room dividers or on larger walls to create the look of more depth. Barn doors can also be repurposed into coffee or end tables, chairs, or window shutters. Using this element as your focal point will tie the entire barn look together!
- Accessorize with rural fundamentals. Accents are a homeowner’s best friend, particularly when it comes to barn décor. Compliment hardwood or stone floors with a woven rug. Dress your walls up with photos in frames made of reclaimed wood. Treat your windows with natural layered fabrics like canvas or cotton. Other accessories in fabrics like burlap and striped or checkered patterns make for great accessories that will give your home the feel of an old farmhouse.
- Create harmony with color. Loud, vibrant colors aren’t used throughout barn house design. According to the color experts at Glenview painters, light neutrals like white, linen, cream, and beige create a backdrop that pairs well with the accessories and country-style elements incorporated into barn décor. Play around with variants of these colors, like caramel and cream, to bring even more warmth to your decor. Adding pops of color in shades of rust red or navy blue can tie the look together and add personality to the space.
Try something new in your home with these rustic barn looks. For all the best in home décor and design, stay tuned to Jaron’s Furniture blog.
Home Decor Ideas: Shelving
Looking to add depth to your home decor? Have an idea for a wall display but not quite sure how it should be organized? One of the most versatile ways to improve any room in your home is shelving. Whether you add floating shelves to a wall or incorporate a standing bookcase, there are many ways to dress up these displays in order to achieve your desired look. Here are some shelf styling tips that will help you organize and create a noteworthy layout.
- Vary shelf heights. If you are adding shelves to a wall, make sure to vary their heights and locations. Having your shelves in a perfectly straight line is both boring and inefficient. When you place your shelves at differing heights, you are opening up the space for larger and more intricate pieces to be put on display; in comparison, having your shelves too close together limits your decorating options. There is no ‘set’ pattern for how shelves are supposed to look, but asymmetric arrangements offer a greater sense of balance than a calculated, equal visual.
- Take pride in your display. It can be difficult to find the perfect object or item to put on display in your home, but creativity is key! Factor in your passions and interests when determining what to place on a shelf. If there is something you’ve been collecting for a while, a shelving arrangement is a perfect way to show it off. This is an opportunity to personalize your space and customize a display that allows others to enjoy the wonderful memories and experiences you and your family have created together.
- Incorporate books. Regardless of the type of shelving you’re working with, books are a great way to add depth and layers to your design. A bookshelf is the simplest type of book display, as you can easily line them up in an organized manner. If you’re looking to mix it up, try organizing books by color instead of traditional methods, which makes for a visually pleasing array. With regards to other shelving styles, such as wall shelves or standalone options, adding books will create a sense of organization. Stack books on top of each other, or display them up and down, similar to a bookshelf style, for a unique display.
Shelves are a fun way to add variance throughout your house, and the styling methods you use should reflect your personal interests. Don’t be afraid to try something new and break away from familiar ideas! These tips are just a few ways you can put together a stunning shelf display, but always be open to new decorating suggestions.
For more shelving tips, contact C&J Interiors, Montgomery, TX interior decorators.
How To Use Oceanside In Your Home
Using Sherwin-Williams 2018 Color of the Year
Recently, Sherwin-Williams announced the 2018 Color of the Year is Oceanside (SW 6496). Their decision was inspired by wanderlust, or the urge to travel and experience all of the beauty the world has to offer. Oceanside is a beautiful, opulent greenish-blue that will work well in a variety of mediums throughout your home. Discover how to incorporate 2018’s Color of the Year into your home design!
- Mix and match. Oceanside is a versatile color, which means it plays well with a plethora of other colors, from bright neon pinks to natural sandy beiges and desert taupes. Whether you’re looking to do a total room renovation or you’re simply looking to upgrade the color of your walls, it’s easy to pair Oceanside with your existing decor or whichever colors and textures you have laid out in your plans.
- Bring in the calm. Oceanside was chosen for the sense of wonder and adventure it evokes, but the cool undertones the color is based on, making it the perfect shade for living and bedrooms. The hue evokes a tranquil sense of peace, making you feel as though you’re relaxing in a watery oasis.
- Incorporate accents. If you’re not sold on Oceanside as a wall color, you can still utilize it throughout your decor. Find Oceanside chevron print curtains to pair with the neutral walls and dark furniture in your living room. Dress up a neutral couch with an Oceanside throw pillow or blanket. Incorporate the shade into your dining room tablescape with Oceanside flowers or a printed tablecloth. The possibilities are endless!
Use Oceanside in your home to remind yourself that adventure is out there. For more tips on using the Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year in your decor, contact Mary Paul, a Leander interior decorator.