Places Not to Skimp During a Kitchen Renovation

A kitchen renovation can be an expensive endeavor, but it is also one of the best renovations you can do when it comes to getting a return on your investment. There are the labor costs, the cost of materials, and tools. If you want to have your kitchen professionally designed, you will also have the added expense of hiring an interior designer or architect. With proper budgeting, however, you can minimize your costs while maximizing your results.

When it comes to kitchen renovations, there are certain aspects that are more important than others if you are going to do only a partial remodel. These are the areas that will increase the value of your kitchen the most, so they are the areas you do not want to skimp on. Here are the most important places to focus on when renovating your kitchen:

• Countertops – Updating your countertops to granite or marble will give you a huge return on your investment. They provide a beautiful finish, a nice place to cook, and they are long-lasting and easy to maintain. This makes them one of the most important things you can redo and will provide you with a large increase in your home value if you decide to sell it.
• Kitchen appliances – What more can you ask for in a reliable kitchen than well-working appliances to use when you’re preparing your food? When choosing kitchen appliances, choose energy-efficient ones to help you save on energy expenses. This is also an increasingly popular feature for home buyers.
• Lighting – Proper lighting is both a functional and aesthetic feature. You need to be able to see well to prepare food and spend time with your family, as the kitchen is one of the most frequented gathering places in a home. Lighting also sets the tone of a room and creates a nice ambience for spending time with your family and entertaining guests.
• Custom cabinets – Cabinet space is hugely important when it comes to the functionality of your kitchen. Customized cabinets can allow you to create storage space in the most efficient way possible and also allow you to choose your materials and colors.
• Faucets – Believe it or not, a good faucet is a very coveted feature in a kitchen. It is helpful during cooking and when you do dishes. It can also improve the sanitation in your kitchen.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Choosing the Best Garage Door Opener for Your House

Garage door openers are hugely convenient, as they allow you to enter and exit your garage without having to manually lift the doors. In fact, once you’re in your car, you don’t even have to get out because the sensors can be detected remotely. This is a huge plus during months with extreme weather.

There are several types of door openers and drive systems that are available on the market today. The most common type is the chain-drive, which is the most inexpensive type of garage door opener that uses a chain, similar to that of a bicycle chain, looped around a rail. Although it is the oldest type of opener, it is still the most popular. It is not particularly quiet, but it works well at a great value, and there are units that that hide the chain, thus making it more attractive. The most common downfall of this type of garage door opener is that the chain can grow loose over time.

The second type of garage door opener is the screw-drive. This opener is the easiest to install, and it is quieter than the first one. The screw-drive opener operates by having the garage door slide up and down a metal bar when it is being opened and closed, and it’s the best option if you’re concerned about the safety of your children. Regardless of motor failure, the bar is generally sufficient to hold the door up, so it won’t come crashing down unexpectedly.

The last type of drive is the belt-drive. This opener operates with less noise, but the disadvantage is that it is the most expensive option. It is relatively new on the market and utilizes a metal reinforced belt instead of a chain to make the drive quieter. It is also a little faster than a chain drive opener.

No matter which type you decide to buy, make sure that it has a rolling code security feature to ensure that you have added protection and security for your garage. This is important for keeping little ones in and intruders out.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Timber Flooring for Your Home

Timber flooring is a beautiful and long-lasting flooring material that make a beautiful impact in any home. Whether you are building a new home or renovating your existing one, timber flooring can add to your property value. It comes in many different tones to match any color scheme, and it provides a beautiful natural ambience.

Another benefit of this type of flooring is that it can be easily cleaned, unlike many other flooring materials. Regular sweeping and mopping with mild cleaning products is all you need to do. You can easily deal with spills by simply wiping liquids off the floor, which is much more hassle-free that having to deep clean carpets. Timber flooring can withstand extensive foot traffic and daily use without deteriorating, and as long as they are maintained properly and treated with care, they can last for decades.

There are several types of timber flooring materials available, each with their own visual appeal and functional benefits. The biggest source of variation in timber floors is the species of timber used. For instance, Blackbutt Timber provides a beautiful finish due to its natural color gradients. It is available in a range of colors from a light tan to pale brown and can, therefore, match any style of home decor.

You can choose between the varieties of timber flooring, but always remember to get a sample and examine it under all the possible lighting conditions in your home before making your final decision. Once you have purchased and installed your new timber flooring, your house will look and feel instantly transformed and add a beautiful finish to your home.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Window Grills

If you are concerned about the safety of your hone, but you don’t want to compromise the quality of your house’s appearance, then perhaps you should consider looking into window grill designs. Window grills provide a stylish way to improve the security of your home while adding to its overall aesthetic.

There are many window grill designs available, so they can be a good fit with any style of home. Whether your home is traditional or ultra modern, made of brick or finished in stucco, you can find a window grill to  match. There are also many different materials you can choose from, including aluminium and wrought iron.

Wrought iron is a very easily malleable metal, which can be beautifully molded into shapes and patterns. Wrought iron window grills can range from traditional and ornate to sleek and modern for that reason.  They can also be powder coated to make them rust free, painted, and given different finishes. The most popular finishes for wrought iron grills are nickel plated, patina, chestnut brown, and black.

Grills made from aluminum are also popular because aluminum is strong, but also lightweight.  Because it is lightweight, it causes less stress and strain on the concrete where it is affixed than iron grills do. This makes it easier to fix and maintain.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Why Opt for a Bed with Storage?

Are you wanting to furnish your bedroom in a way that will maximize the space without sacrificing your sense of style? If so, you should consider a bed with built-in storage options.

Having a storage bed frame is a smart way to save space because you can have the bed size you want without worrying about it being crammed by other furniture because you can store things underneath it and eliminate the need for extra furniture. Storage bed frames are great for storing things like clothes, bedding, books, and miscellaneous personal belongings.

Another great benefit of a platform bed frame with build-in storage is the cost. Imagine how much you can save by not having to pay for additional furniture and a fancy headboard. Bed frames with storage combine style with storage, so you have everything you need in one piece of furniture. These types of beds come in a wide variety of materials like wood, plastic, metal, or mixed, so it is easy to find one that perfectly matches your interior design.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Different Types of Underfloor Heating

Most of us aren’t fans of waking up to a cold room during the winter months. Nothing is more unpleasant that setting your bare feet down on a cold floor when all you want to do is snuggle up and stay warm. If you have been looking for new and better ways to heat your home, underfloor heating is a cost-effective and energy efficient solution to consider.

Underfloor heating comes in four different options that heat your home differently:

1. Electrical underfloor heating – This system is the most popular because its installation is relatively simpler and cheaper than other options. This type of system is increasingly being used in bathrooms and kitchens. It uses a continuous wire heating cable laid out under the main floor boards and onto the sub-flooring. The insulation board under the main floor surface heats up and spreads heat evenly around the room. Electrical underfloor heating can be controlled by thermostats, so you can adjust the heat to your desired level.
2. Undercarpet heating – This system utilizes heating pads placed under your carpet, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They can be positioned under wall-to-wall carpet and even under loose rugs. Undercarpet heating can quickly warm up an alread- insulated area.
3. Forced air underfloor heating – This type of system utilizes a series of ducts that are installed under the flooring, which are connected to a boiler and powered by natural gas. This method heats up the air and delivers heat faster; however, it is not as energy efficient.
4. Wet underfloor heating – This is also known as hydronic heating, which uses a continuous loop of pipes that are embedded in the floor and allow for a circular, nonstop flow of hot water. A central heating boiler provides hot water to the system. This is a very popular method due to its energy efficiency and comfort.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Curb Appeal 101: Front Porch Decoration

Having a superbly decorated front porch is like a huge welcome sign. It gives your guests a preview of what’s inside and a window into the character of your home. Whether you have a large or small porch, how you decorate it can make a strong statement about your home.

With just a little investment and effort as well as some creativity, your front porch can be the envy of the neighborhood. If you are planning to decorate your porch, you can simply treat your porch as an outdoor room. Analyze the size, proportions, and layout of your porch. Postulate on the average number of people you’ll be able to comfortably entertain.

If you expect to have a large number of people and you have the appropriate size porch to accommodate them, you may opt to install a various array of seating options. For instance, one set of Victorian Wicker furniture could be combined with dark wood, outdoor side-tables to create a pleasant lounge area. Whatever you decide, make sure that the furniture you’re placing on the porch complements the design and theme of the house.

When choosing outdoor furniture, consider closely the weather proofing qualities of the material it is composed of. Wicker and bentwood furniture are the perennial favorites, but the modern advances in man-made materials have given way to impressive lines of synthetic furnishings. Use your budget to gauge the material and design that would be perfect for your home.

Have you ever noticed the difference a boldly painted front doorhas on the overall vibe a house emits? Try painting your front door, porch flooring and railings with a high quality exterior paint that extenuates your home’s natural charm. Opt for rich colors that complement your home.

You may also add plants to bring life and color to your front porch. Flowers make any ambiance lighter, more relaxing and refreshing. Choose plants that represent your style as well as the atmosphere you want to propagate.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Illuminate Your Bathroom with Glass Shelves

Bathrooms are usually the smallest rooms in the house, which is why they often present the biggest challenge when it comes to storage. Since floor space is often limited, it can be difficult to fit in additional furniture and storage units, which is why it is best to go vertical.

Shelving is the most practical way to increase your storage and maximize wall space. The bathroom is where most of your daily rituals occur, and you must have a place to store all of your countless toiletries, medicine, towels and wash cloths, extra rolls of toilet paper, etc.

Once you’ve decided to install shelving, the question then becomes, “What kind?” Glass is a great option to use instead of wood. Wooden shelves tend to swell, peel, and become home to mold, bacteria, and fungi due to the moist and humid bathroom environment. Glass, on the other hand, is non-porous and comes in many different styles.

Glass comes in a variety of looks, ranging from transparent and reflective to translucent and matte. If you want to help reflect limited artificial lighting throughout your bathroom, reflective surfaces are a smart option. If you have a window that provides nice natural light, but not a lot of privacy, opt for glass that allows light in, but not transparency. Glass blocks are a popular choice for achieving the latter.

Another thing to consider is the weight bearing capacity of your shelving. You can determine this by  the thickness of the glass, whether it is tempered or not, and the method of installation. You can screw long, vertical, metal strips down the wall, insert metal brackets at the desired heights, and then lay your glass across the brackets. You can use two parallel strips or, for heavier glass, three for added support. Make sure your strips have been placed on studs in the wall, so they are secure and won’t rip out of the wall.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Choosing the Right Interior Paint Color for Your Home

The style of your home interior sets the tone for your living environment and how you and your guests feel when you are inside your home. One of the biggest factors to consider when decorating your home is paint color. Different colors better complement different types of architecture, and different colors create different energies and feelings within your home.

So, how do you determine which paint colors to use?  Here are a few tips:

• Decide what theme or mood you want for your home. This will help you narrow down which color schemes to focus on. Do you want your home to be more dramatic? Do you want it to be brighter? Do you want it to be more colorful and fun? Do you prefer monochromatic ambiance?
• Consider your existing furniture, art, and flooring. Select a color that will blend well with the current color of your furniture, so it does not seem out of place.
• Compare different color combinations. Do some research on color combinations to learn more about traditional color palettes, those that are most trendy, etc. This will give you an organized starting point, so you can have some guidance when picking out colors.
• Test your colors. Oftentimes, what you see on the screen or on paper does not necessarily look the same when it is applied to your walls. The look of paint depends on a lot of factors, including the type of lighting in your home and the sheen you choose. Test your colors prior to purchasing all of your paint, so you can be sure you have picked the right color, and you don’t waste money on paint that isn’t right.
• Consult experts. If you are at a loss of how to paint your home, hire an interior designer to help you identify the perfect colors. You can also ask a professional home painter for advice, as they will have a lot of experience with viewing which shades look best in different environments.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031

Choosing the Right Interior Paint Color for Your Home

The style of your home interior sets the tone for your living environment and how you and your guests feel when you are inside your home. One of the biggest factors to consider when decorating your home is paint color. Different colors better complement different types of architecture, and different colors create different energies and feelings within your home.

So, how do you determine which paint colors to use?  Here are a few tips:

• Decide what theme or mood you want for your home. This will help you narrow down which color schemes to focus on. Do you want your home to be more dramatic? Do you want it to be brighter? Do you want it to be more colorful and fun? Do you prefer monochromatic ambiance?
• Consider your existing furniture, art, and flooring. Select a color that will blend well with the current color of your furniture, so it does not seem out of place.
• Compare different color combinations. Do some research on color combinations to learn more about traditional color palettes, those that are most trendy, etc. This will give you an organized starting point, so you can have some guidance when picking out colors.
• Test your colors. Oftentimes, what you see on the screen or on paper does not necessarily look the same when it is applied to your walls. The look of paint depends on a lot of factors, including the type of lighting in your home and the sheen you choose. Test your colors prior to purchasing all of your paint, so you can be sure you have picked the right color, and you don’t waste money on paint that isn’t right.
• Consult experts. If you are at a loss of how to paint your home, hire an interior designer to help you identify the perfect colors. You can also ask a professional home painter for advice, as they will have a lot of experience with viewing which shades look best in different environments.

Jennifer Fields
Oklahoma City & Edmond Real Estate Agent
405.330.0031