How to Prepare Your Home and Family for a Remodel
If your family is about to venture into a home improvement project, it can be an exciting time. The idea of an updated decor, improved efficiency in the kitchen and baths, can be invigorating and unnerving at the same time. Knowing how to plan a renovation is key to surviving the inconveniences and stresses of living in a construction zone.
According to the National Association of Realtors, 75% of homeowners have a greater desire to be in their homes after remodeling, but getting through a remodel doesn't have to be chaotic or stressful. To prepare for a remodel, there are home improvement tips and tricks that can make this time easier for your family. It all begins with a plan. For each section of the home undergoing renovations, provide alternate living areas with a clear plan for your family will reduce the confusion, noise, and disruptions to your everyday lives. Here are some renovation tips and tricks to get you through your home remodeling project:
How to plan an exterior remodeling project
The top 3 exterior home improvements continue to be vinyl replacement windows, new roofing, and a new garage door. With new doors and windows, plan to remove all artwork from walls and any breakable decorations away from the windows. Professional window replacement companies usually take note of any adverse weather conditions and will guide you on any special preparations or delays due to the inclement weather. New windows and doors can usually be installed the same day as removal.
Preparing for the initial demo phase
This is the noisiest and dirtiest part of any renovation project and it will demand patience from everyone in the family. Talk with all family members to discuss if staying at a family or friend's home during this time is the right decision. If you have young children, it may be best for them to stay with a relative during this phase. When you consider the drywall dust, airborne wood chips, and strong odors - a few days away can be the best idea. You may also consider making arrangements for the family pets to live off-site for awhile, as the loud noise and unknown visitors will cause stress. If not, coordinate with the contractors to completely seal off demolition areas from the rest of the home. RWC’s, professional team cleans the job site each day; meaning no dust or debris is left behind.
Plan for Unforeseen Problems
Knowing how to plan a remodeling project includes preparing for problems that may arise. Once walls come down, issues may pop up; this could mean altering your construction plans. Make sure you plan for extra expenses and follow the advice of HGTV experts:
Make a list of the rooms you wish to remodel. Beside each project, determine who will be impacted, how the space should function and when the remodel needs to be completed.
Prior to tackling your renovation, do your own research. Make a list of your projects and research the construction methods, the material options, and local service providers. You will find that having more knowledge beforehand, makes the entire process go smoothly. It’s important to mention, the best home improvement tips and tricks come from those who have been through many renovations! Talk to your contractor ahead of time to outline a timeline for your project, budget, materials and more. This way, expectations can be set early on.
Takeaways Home Improvement Tips and Tricks
- Talk with your family about the inconvenience, noise and confusion that may be part of a renovation.
- Move all artwork, breakable decorations, and photos to a safe area until after the remodel
- Consider leaving the home during the demolition phase for large renovation projects
- Talk to your contractor about possible delays from weather, manpower shortage, or slow material supply
- Reduce surprises by viewing home remodeling videos and read about the methods your contractor will be using
Before you plan your next home renovation project, contact RWC Windows, Doors, and More for expert kitchen and bath remodels since 1959. Our design consultants know how to plan a renovation and will help you select the right products for your home's style and budget.
Spring Outdoor Maintenance Tips For Your Windows and Doors
It’s that time of the year again; spring, when you have to give your home a tune-up to return it to its former glory. The winter season can leave your home exterior in bad shape, and therefore it’s important to undertake some spring home maintenance to avert costly repairs or replacements in the future.
Two of the crucial areas of your home to inspect thoroughly during spring are windows and doors. Well-kept windows and doors are vital for the home’s security, air conditioning, and even aesthetics. Winter can be tough on these structures, causing them to operate inefficiently or lose their aesthetic value. The experts at RWC windows and doors recommend the following spring home maintenance tips to ensure your home’s guard stays up!
1. Inspect your windows and doors thoroughly
A lot can happen to your windows and doors during the past winter or summer seasons. An annual check-up is necessary during spring. Check for both minor and major problems so that you can know what needs fixing or replacement. Some of the common issues you may find with your structures include loose nuts and bolts, rotten wood, loose weatherstripping, chipped paint, squeaking hinges, clogged door tracks, and more.
2. Clean your windows and doors
You can clean dirty window glass surfaces with water and a cloth or soft sponge to remove dirt particles or other foreign materials that may have accumulated over time. You may add some glass cleaner to the water but make sure it does not have scouring agents. When cleaning your exterior doors, consider their stain or paint finish. It is advisable that you request advice from a professional on the best cleaning products to use on the doors.
Also, clean sliding door tracks and window casings to ensure that the doors and windows close without making noises or jamming on the tracks.
3. Repair or replace worn out hardware
Inspect all hardware parts of your windows and doors for tight-fitting or wear and tear. If bolts and nuts are loose, try to tighten them with a screwdriver. If they are worn out or damaged and need replacements, contact a professional to handle it for you. In addition, check all the moving parts on windows and doors to see if they are well lubricated. All gliding parts should be well lubricated at least once per year to reduce friction and prolong the life of hinges and bearings among others.
Test the door and window locks to see if they are operating seamlessly. Your main exterior door should remain sturdy at all times for security reasons.
4. Repair or replace the weatherstripping
The sealant or caulking on your windows or exterior doors is imperative in keeping these structures watertight and ensuring energy efficiency. Check the weatherstripping to see if it’s broken, loose, damaged or has gaps. If it’s destroyed and requires minor repairs, you can do buy a sealant and handle the repair on your own by following the manufacturer’s instructions or calling the experts at RWC for expert advice. But if it’s extensively damaged, have a professional look at it and possibly replace the whole weatherstripping.
5. Install window treatments and coverings
Consider installing window coverings such as blinds, shutters or draperies. They will not only help improve your home’s aesthetics but also boost your energy savings. They help reduce heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter.
Tuning up your home’s windows and doors this summer will go a long way in helping you identify and resolve issues early before they become expensive problems in the future. Contact the professionals at RWC windows and doors today for timely, affordable, and reliable inspections and repair for spring home care!
Takeaways:
The spring maintenance checklist for your windows and doors include:
- Inspecting windows and doors thoroughly
- Cleaning them and their components
- Lubricating, repairing or replacing their hardware
- Fixing or replacing weatherstripping
- Installing window blinds, shutters or drapes
The RWC Guide to Replacing Your Windows [INFOGRAPHIC]
While your home may not be able to talk, it can say quite a bit without words. Your home’s windows are particularly expressive, and they’ll let you know when something’s not right. Although well-maintained, high quality windows can last up to 20 years or more, there are many factors that can reduce that. Are your windows drafty or fog up? Do they refuse to stay open, and balk when you try to open or close them? If your windows are more than a couple of decades old, listen carefully -- they’re telling you it’s time to replace them.
Step 1: Your Free In-Home Window Evaluation
Once you’ve decided it’s time to replace your windows and upgrade your home’s appearance with beautiful new windows, what’s next? It can be a confusing process without guidance. RWC Windows, Doors & More can help. Call us today for your free in-home window evaluation. Here’s how the process works:
- The owner of RWC will personally visit your home to consult with you and help you determine the best style and type of windows for your home’s style and your family’s needs.
- You’ll be provided with an overview of the process and given a thorough explanation of the window replacement cost and the installation method that will best suit your needs.
- Don't get stressed trying to figure out how to measure for replacement windows -- we’ll take accurate measurements of your windows to ensure a perfect fit and take photos of the windows you want replaced.
- Best of all, we don’t have high-pressure sales people; so you will never feel pressured at any point.
Step 2: Visit Our Showroom
After your in home evaluation, take a drive to our state of the art showroom in West Caldwell to see your options. During your visit, you’ll receive a personal window education. This will help you better understand all your window options! Next, you’ll select the best replacement windows to meet your family’s unique needs and express your home’s personality. Can’t choose between vinyl replacement windows, aluminum or wood? Compare available window products side-by-side. Once you’ve made your selection, we will sign contracts and order your windows and set up your installation date. Upon arrival at our facility, your windows are carefully inspected to ensure all parts are in working condition.
Step 3: Window Installation
Now that you’ve chosen your favorite new windows, the installation process starts. Rest assured it will go smoothly; we don’t use subcontractors -- your windows will be installed by one of our Certified Installation Technicians. RWC Premium Window Installation includes the following:
- We deliver your custom-made windows directly to your home
- We care about your home, so we protect your interior flooring with drop cloths
- Our experienced technicians will remove all your existing windows and storm windows and prepare the openings for your new energy efficient windows
- Your windows will be installed plumb, level and square into the prepared openings
- If needed, and gaps or voids between the window and master frame will be insulated
- We will encapsulate any exterior wood trim to provide you with a maintenance free application
- Your windows interior and exterior is sealed with a high-grade, non-drying caulk
- We leave your home spotless by removing all job-related debris and broom-sweeping your premises clean
Step 4: Tell your Friends!
We want you to be so happy with our installation service and new windows that you’ll become an official RWC Raving Fan for life! Tell all your friends and visit our Facebook, Google and Houzz pages to leave us a 5-Star reviews. Remember, when your windows tell you it’s time to say your goodbyes, work with a window installation professional who cares about your home and your satisfaction.
Call Us Today
If you’re looking for new windows for your West Caldwell, NJ or surrounding area home, contact RWC Windows, Doors & More or call us today for more information at 973-227-7123. RWC Windows, Doors and More is a family-owned and operated business. Since 1959, we have been a trusted remodeling service provider in New Jersey. We also specialize in kitchen and bathroom renovations and have completed many award-winning projects, making RWC your one-stop custom home remodeling provider.
The Top Bathroom Remodeling Myths: Debunked
Bathroom remodeling contractors understand that many of the myths around bathroom remodels simply aren't true. Myths around bathroom remodel cost, and reasons behind updating a bathroom discourage homeowners from making this beneficial change to their home.
Myth #1: A Bathroom Remodel Doesn't Increase the Value of Your Home
If you have heard that remodeling your bathroom isn't going to add any value, you have heard one of the top myths about a bathroom remodel out there. If you are trying to sell your home, one of the first things that will decrease the value of your home is an outdated bathroom. You may not get all of your money back from a bathroom remodel right away, but it becomes much easier to sell your home for the price you deserve with a new bathroom.
When you focus the bathroom remodel on changing out hardware, doors, and windows without making big structural changes, you can get the most for your money out of a newly remodeled bathroom. Your bathroom changes will be worth the money you spend.
Myth #2: Bathrooms Upgrades Are for Luxury
When you look for bathroom remodeling contractors, you might hear that bathroom changes don't offer you any additional functionality. Bathrooms are not just upgraded to make your bathroom more luxurious. A good bathroom upgrade can make your bathroom more comfortable, but can also help prevent damage to the room and make it easier to organize. With new shelving or cabinets, changes to lighting, and repairs made to old or leaking tubs and sinks, you are going to make changes to your bathroom that go far beyond luxury changes.
Myth #3: You Can't Save Money From Remodeling Your Bathroom
You would be surprised at how much a bathroom remodel can actually save you money on utility bills. You can make your home more earth-friendly and save yourself money over time. From the light fixtures to low flow toilets and showers, you will save money on your electric and water bills when you remodel your bathroom to be more energy efficient. Your bathroom uses roughly half the water in your home. Even a small leak is going to raise your water bill significantly. New faucets and low flow toilets will reduce water consumption in your home. One leaky toilet can waste hundreds of gallons of water every day if you ignore it.
Myth #4: Your Bathroom Gets Bigger After a Bathroom Remodel
While a bathroom remodel will make your space more organized and more efficient, your bathroom isn't going to be physically larger unless you start knocking down walls. Your bathroom might feel larger after a good design, but the space itself isn't going to be bigger. When you have less clutter in your bathroom and less wasted space, you will discover that your bathroom feels bigger without actually being bigger. Good lighting and the right mirror can help give your bathroom an open feel.
Myth #5: It's Too Expensive to Remodel a Bathroom
Bathroom remodeling contractors hear this myth frequently from homeowners. Remodel bathroom costs average between $9,600-$11,000, according to Angie's List. While a small bathroom with basic changes is going to cost you less money, a higher end bathroom remodel may cost more. However, costs depend on the structural changes made on the room, appliance choices, and the labor involved in the bathroom renovation. You can control costs by using the existing plumbing and choosing affordable toilets, sinks and cabinetry.
RWC Windows, Doors & More is your West Caldwell, NJ contractor ready to talk with you about the changes you want to make to your bathroom. Call us today at 973-227-7123 to set up an initial consultation for contracting services.
Purchasing a Fixer Upper: What You Need to Know
Purchasing a fixer upper has many advantages. Aside from the financial thrill of buying a home at a rock-bottom price, you get to remake the house to fit your personal taste and add the amenities that are important to your family. While a restoration project for a fixer upper may look like an expensive and time-consuming task, consider the cost of building a new home.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, the median cost to construct a new single-family home (sized at 2,467 square feet) was $289,415 in 2015. That's about $103 per square foot. But when you partner with the right remodeling contractor, and take an active part in selecting interior design materials, new appliances, attractive exterior doors and energy-efficient windows - your remodel will be a fun and rewarding experience.
Always Hire a Pro for Interior Fixer Upper Projects
If you're renovating a fixer upper to use as a primary residence, or intend to resell for a financial gain, the top fixer upper interior projects will be the kitchen, bathrooms, living room, and selecting paint colors for the interior and exterior of the home. Before starting your fixer upper renovation, how will you pay for your renovation?
Financing options for renovations are usually offered by reputable and licensed contractors which include credit cards, personal loan, and even obtaining a home equity loan or cash-out refinancing on the value of a second home. When a contractor is demanding cash-only, it could be a company that does sub-quality work. Other benefits to hiring experienced pros for your fixer upper projects include:
- professional connections with vendors who supply quality construction products
- experienced craftsmen skilled in multiple home improvement projects
- will offer a wide range of design ideas to fit homeowners budget and decor style
Hiring a Fixer Upper Contractor
As suggested by This Old House, the most profitable fixer uppers are those that require mostly cosmetic upgrades such as painting, updated bathrooms, and remodeling living areas. Some of these improvements may include drywall repairs, new floor finishes, updating the kitchen and bathroom and repainting walls. Before you tackle these project yourself, consider the following when hiring a contractor:
- view the contractor's project portfolio, customer testimonials, and BBB rating
- discuss the payment schedule ahead of time, and any options for financing
- beware of low-ball priced contractors which can be a sign of inferior work or materials
- make sure all details of the contract are in writing and fully understood
- view the contractors proof of liability insurance and worker's compensation documentation
Don't risk completing the home renovations on your own. The internet tells horror stories of DIY home remodeling gone wrong. Consequently, these mistakes have cost homeowners thousands of dollars and months of wasted energy. Especially in the event of a bathroom or kitchen remodel, hire a good contractor who will advise on the latest trends. Therefore, choosing a professional residential contractor who specializes in turning fixer uppers into comfortable, stylish, and high-quality interiors is the best choice.
Five Takeaways for Purchasing a Fixer Upper
- Take advantage of the contractor's connections to suppliers of high-quality architectural products at a reasonable price.
- Use the fixer upper opportunity to craft a home that fits your family's needs and style preferences
- Financing home improvements will bring a return on your investment with a higher home resale value.
- Always check the contractor's BBB rating, online reviews, and project portfolio for suitable experience.
- Fixer uppers with structural issues are more risky than those with interior and exterior cosmetic issues
RWC has been providing award-winning home remodeling to residents of New Jersey since 1959. Whether it's a bathroom or kitchen remodel, new door installations or window replacements, contact us to renovate your fixer upper.
The Best Ways to Invest Your Tax Return into Your Home [INFOGRAPHIC]
You can probably think of many ways to quickly spend this year's tax refund, but to invest income tax refund money in a profitable way, consider putting your hard-earned cash back into your biggest investment - your home. You will profit in two ways when you choose the right home improvement projects. First, you will be adding to your home's appearance and resale value. Secondly, some improvements like window replacements and new doors will bring a financial return through energy savings. Here are practical ways to invest tax refund that will add to your home's curb appeal, energy efficiency, and value.
Save Energy With Quality Window Replacement
One of the best ways to invest tax refund money is by upgrading to high-quality windows. Better yet, upgrading to energy efficient windows for your home is an even better investment. According to Energy.gov, "Windows are responsible for 25%–30% of residential heating and cooling energy..." Double-glazed replacement windows will reduce your utility bills. Replace moldy and drafty windows to make your home more comfortable in the winter, and cooler in the summer. Choose a reputable residential window and door replacement specialist that can also add specialty window coatings that reflect solar heat while passing full sunlight, to reduce radiant heating of your home.
Invest Income Tax Refund on a Kitchen Remodel
One of the best ways to invest your tax refund is with a kitchen remodeling project that will take your kitchen from drab to dynamic. Houzz.com looked at the current trends in kitchen remodeling and found the most desired projects include adding a kitchen island (61%), tiled backsplash for detailed decor (50%), stainless steel appliances over colors (65%), and hardwood floors over laminates (35%). For additional energy savings, replacing energy-hog appliances with Energy-Star ratings will save on utility costs.
Bathroom Remodel is a Great Investment
A modern bathroom is not just a luxury, but state-of-the-art fixtures provide water savings while adding convenience and beauty. If your family is increasing, or as your children age - so will their privacy needs. An updated bathroom or a bathroom addition can boost a home’s value by an average of $23,283, giving a 53.9% return on investment. Today's bathroom designs are sanctuaries of comfort and relaxation. Most of all, partner with a kitchen and bath remodeling service that can provide budget-friendly and stylish finishes. You can consider adding more space, more luxury, more efficiency, more style - or all of the above.
An Opportunity to Replace Your Front Door
When you consider how to invest tax return, you may not think about a door replacement. But according to Money.com, a 1/8-inch gap under a 36-inch-wide door will let in as much cold air as a 2.4-inch-diameter hole punched in the wall. That's a lot of chilly New Jersey wind blowing into your home, and reducing your family's level of comfort. Also, the value of an attractive, high-quality front door adds enormous curb appeal and distinction to your home. If you're considering putting your home on the market, a beautiful front door will make a lasting first impression on prospective buyers.
Adding energy efficient replacement windows and new exterior doors are two of the best ways to reduce the energy losses in your home. You will gain a return on these investments by way of reduced utility bills.
Investing for the Future
Don't make the mistake of allowing your tax refund to dwindle away without seeing any real gain. A new bathroom or a kitchen remodel not only adds functionality and increased capacity for a growing family, but will bring convenience to your entire family.
Request a quote for your next home remodeling project and get started with RWC Windows, Doors, and More today.
4 Tips to Sell Your Home Fast
Before you sell your house and start looking for a new home, take a hard look at your property. They say first impressions are everything. Is you curb appeal alluring to potential buyers? What about the inside, is your home staged to sell? If you’re looking for tips on how to stage your home for selling, curb appeal ideas and more, you’ve come to the right place. Even when the real estate market is favorable to sellers, home staging can help you get top dollar for your property. As you prepare to get your home ready for sale, a kitchen renovation or a bathroom remodel are two places to start. While you don't have to do a complete renovation, a remodeled bathroom and kitchen adds significant value to your property.
Kitchen Renovation to Sell Your Home
While you may not want to invest money into a home you are trying to sell, a kitchen renovation can give you up to a 70% return on your investment if you choose the right features and spend what is reasonable for your property. Homeowners looking to sell a property can expect to recoup an investment, as long as only 5-10% of the overall price of the home is spent. A kitchen renovation will give your home an updated look and create an appeal to potential home buyers that is hard to resist.
Home Staging is Important When Selling Your Home
Home staging is an art that involves removing clutter from your home and preparing it for sale. The concept behind home staging is to create an environment where potential home buyers can picture their own family living in your space. This means you will remove personal belongings and keep clutter to a minimum. If a room is painted a bright color, consider painting the room more neutral. As you stage your home, you will want to look for ways to make your home look less personal.
A Bathroom Remodel Increases the Value of Your Home
When you remodel your bathroom, you are going to increase the value of your home. It's important to pay attention to the fixtures and features you use to remodel, as you will want the remodel to match the rest of the home. For example, if your home is full of expensive hardwood floors and marble countertops, you should not go with the cheapest bathroom fixtures you can find. Talk with your contractor about possible changes you can make to the bathrooms in your home in order to get the most out of your investment.
Pay Attention to the Curb Appeal
While you stage the inside of your home, you also have to pay attention to the curb appeal. A well-kept yard makes a big difference when it comes to the first impression buyers will have of your home. Even if you don't have enough time to grow gardens, make sure the outside of your home is clean and neat. Remove all yard debris, sweep your walkway, and repair any railings going up to your front door. If your front door is old, replace it with something more appealing.
When you want to sell your home fast, it's important to:
- Consider how you can renovate the current kitchen to give it an updated look.
- Invest in professional home staging to make your home more appealing to buyers.
- Look for ways to remodel any bathrooms in the home.
- Clean up the exterior of your property to give your home better curb appeal.
At RWC Windows, Doors & More, we are ready to talk to you about the various ways you can prepare your home to sell fast. Call us at 973-227-7123 and we will be happy to discuss your renovation options.
How Do I Pay for Home Renovations? [INFOGRAPHIC]
Most homeowners always have a long wish list of various different projects they would love to undertake to improve their homes, including making renovations to the kitchen, bathroom, roof, building an addition, improving their HVAC system, and more. However, considering that most home renovations are quite expensive, money often comes in between many homeowner’s wishes and dreams. But the good news is that there are many ways to come up with the funds needed to finance home renovations.
Check out the ways to pay for home renovations:
Saving up and paying in cash
Paying for your home renovations in cash is arguably the easiest and best way to pay for home renovations. With cash, you won’t have to worry about payments or need to tie up your home’s equity with a loan. This is always the most financially sensible path to take, but it often limits the scope of home renovations that many homeowners can undertake. If you are short on cash, you can only undertake one small project at a time.
Home equity loans
A home equity loan is a great way to pay for home renovations if you don’t have the money to pay in cash. Home equity loans allow you take out a loan against the equity of your own house, and they generally offer low interest rates together with the ability to subtract those interest payments from your federal income taxes. However, you need to have a great credit score and at least 5% to 10% equity, or even 15% to 20%, to qualify for the loans. The biggest downside with home equity loans, however, is that because your home acts as the loan’s collateral, failure to make repayments can result in your home’s foreclosure.
Cash-out refinancing
This may be a good option for you if you have owned your home for several years, cleared its loan balance, and the home has increased in value. However, note that your monthly payments may go up even if your interest rate is lower because now you have a larger loan which includes the cash you take out for the renovation project. Additionally, you can opt for an FHA 203k loan which allows you to bind the costs of your renovations into your mortgage.
Taking a personal loan
If you don’t prefer putting your home up as collateral for a home equity loan, then taking a personal loan is a good option of financing for home renovations. Personal loans don’t offer the tax advantages that come with having a home equity loan or refinancing, but if you have a good credit and wouldn’t want to put your home up as collateral, it’s a good to consider. However, personal loans usually have higher interest rates than equity financing and mostly have a shorter repayment time frame.
Using Credit Cards
Credit cards can help you obtain funds for small renovations on your home, or for purchase of the materials required in the project. They allow you to make purchases when you don’t have cash up front, and you get rewarded with points by certain credit cards for every dollar spent. However, with this option you have to make sure that you can pay off your balances in full every month because the cards generally offer higher interest rates than many other types of financing.
Takeaways:
Some of the best ways to pay for your home renovations include:
- Paying with cash
- Cash-out refinancing
- Taking a home equity loan
- Taking a personal loan
- Using credit cards
- Considering an FHA 203K loan
These are just some of the many options available for home renovations financing that you can consider to make your dreams come true. When you’re ready to turn your dreams into reality and get started on remodeling your dream home today, consult the home remodeling experts at RWC Windows and Doors today!
Barn Doors For Homes: Here Are The Best Indoor Barn Door Ideas For You
Barn Doors For Homes
If you're thinking about installing barn doors for your home and you need ideas for indoor barn doors, then you need to read this. Sliding barn doors are slowly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the home interior design landscape, especially double sliding ones. They are no longer just exterior doors being used in the farm houses. Instead, they are one of the most sought-after interior décor features for any home type or style. Many individuals are considering incorporating barn door designs in their homes to create attention-grabbing entrances, save space in areas where traditional doors can’t be used practically, create attractive ways to divide rooms, or create classic ways to hide certain areas from view.
There are very many ways and places where you can incorporate barn doors within your home, and here are ideas on how to go about this unique interior décor trend:
Kitchen
Your kitchen is one of the best places to add a barn door to complement the space’s styling. Perhaps you are wondering how a barn door can really work in the kitchen, right? Well, for one, sliding barn doors can add some magic to your pantry’s entryway. The doors can not only help you hide away your kitchen’s extras without compromising on its space, but also create an attractive entryway when painted with a popping color.
You may also opt to have a chalkboard as the top cover of your barn doors and write your dinner menu here, keep a grocery list, or write down recipes. Still in the kitchen, you can use sliding barn doors to close some cabinets. With all those different applications, barn doors must be considered if you’re interested in remodeling your kitchen.
Living room
Sliding barn doors also find great use in the living room, though not particularly in their traditional style. With an open floor plan, it is not quite easy to use barn doors in their traditional form. Instead, the best way to go about them is having smaller, unique sets that can be applied to different areas. Some of these areas include book shelving, the television space when not in use, and even as a substitution for curtains in some windows. Small and uniquely styled barn doors can work wonders to your home’s living space décor, provided that you get the right style to match or complement the whole space.
Bedroom
Consider adding some sliding barn doors to complement your bedroom’s texture and feel. You can use them to divide your bedroom and master bath or as covers for your closets. With the bedroom, you can opt for the simple and rustic feel for your barn doors to remain the same, or decide to go all the way and find a paint color that makes the entryway really pop out, say a warm red if your walls are grey. You can also consider a color that simply complements the other colors in the bedroom.
Dining room
If you desire to have your dining room enclosed from the rest of the living space, consider using some classic, double-styled barn doors to bring some elegance to this more formal area of your home. Again, it is up to you to decide whether to keep the natural wood as it is to bring some farmhouse elegance to the room, or to change the colors to compliment the rest of the space’s décor. Search around for designs and pictures that may guide you in finding a perfect style for your home.
Home office
Sliding barn doors are a great way to keep your office space cut off from the rest of the house in style. They offer you privacy, give you an extraordinary styled working station, and add up as a piece of décor for your office walls. Adding small sliding barn doors to cover your book shelves and cabinets can also be an exceptional addition to this space.
Barn Door :
- Sliding barn doors are great in the kitchen, living room, home office, dining room, and the bedroom among more.
- They help save on space, enhance interior décor, create classic entryways, and divide rooms in style.
- Always consider professionals to install barn doors for you.
These are just some of the many ways and areas where sliding interior barn doors for homes can work for a cost of $300-$2000 or more. If you would like to find how well barn doors can specifically integrate into your home, consider consulting the professionals at RWC Windows and Doors New Jersey for barn door ideas, advice, design, and reliable installation services.
How to Turn Your First Home into Your Forever Home
In most cases, many people consider their first homes as starter homes that they would wish to upgrade from and move into bigger or better houses in a few years, say 2 or 5 years. However, moving into a bigger and cozier house is not always the true definition of getting a dream/forever home. If you love your first home and it is possible to remodel it into a dream home, why not try it?
It is definitely easier and cheaper to make your first home a place that you would like to live in for the rest of your life. All you need is make some necessary renovations in key areas of your house such as the kitchen and bathroom to accommodate the growing needs of your family. You also need to consider adding necessary room additions that will make the starter home fit the criteria of your dream home.
Here is how you can remodel your home to fit your family’s growing needs while at same time making it a dream home:
Kitchen remodeling
Many first home buyers know that this is one of the most critical and valuable spaces in a house. It is also one of the areas where most focus on home renovations is directed. To make your kitchen fit the growing needs of your family as well as fit into your dream home’s plan, consider revamping its appearance, functionality, and storage capabilities. Opt for a timeless, classic style that will not easily go out fashion for the next 30 or 40 years.
Consider having an open kitchen with a functional, larger island kitchen that provides adequate space for all your family members to sit and have breakfast. Add a second sink, plenty of cabinets with accessories such as drawers and spice racks to increase your storage space, a dishwasher, additional space for a larger refrigerator, and more. You can get a lot out of your kitchen space with a good remodeling design.
Bathroom remodeling
Bathrooms are another key area of interest during first home buying. However, while having many baths in a home is essential, a constrained budget doesn’t always offer that luxury when buying your first home. It is up to you to upgrade and add more baths to your house if your family grows and you wish to make the house your forever home.
For a family of more than 5, having around 3 bathrooms is essential to avoid inconveniencing each other during bath times. Consider adding an extra bathroom if you consider the current one is inadequate. For the existing ones, consider undertaking bathroom renovations that help accommodate your growing family needs such as additional faucets, sinks, storage cabinets, and more. Also consider installing a privacy glass shower stall so that the bathroom can be used by two individuals at the same time.
Creating additions
With a growing family, it is inevitable to have extra living space requirements. Moving is a common option, but making renovations to your current home is also a great idea to consider. You can easily renovate your basement and transform it into extra living space for your family and kids. You can also create extra space in your roof’s attic to create extra space that can be used as a playroom, office or guest room.
Don’t forget about the outdoor spaces too. Transform your porch into livable space, or build a deck or patio, in your backyard to add much needed living space.
Takeaways:
Here are the key places to focus on when turning your first home into your forever home:
- Revamp the kitchen
- Create additional baths
- Renovate current baths
- Get additional living and bedroom space through a basement or attic remodel
- Consult a professional to guide you through
There are countless ways to turn your first home into a dream/forever home. With the right professional advice and renovation services from experts such as RWC Windows and Doors New Jersey, you can easily renovate your first home to become a dream home. Contact them today!