Don’t forget these 7 tips if you’re forgoing a kitchen up haul.
by MIKE HALL Owner/Agent/Broker
Whether you’re renovating your new home, or giving a facelift before a sale, always keep in mind future prospective buyers. Here are seven keys to a successful renovation:
- Remember your workflow. Imagine cooking Thanksgiving dinner, and design around the easiest layout for doing so.
- First and foremost, set your budget. Secondly, decide what features are most important to you. If installing completely new cabinets, keep in mind new cabinetry will take up about one-third of your total budget. This way, you can plan accordingly.
- Precious real estate: Do not give up counter space. Extend with shelving supports if need be, but keep workspace as open as possible.
- Also precious real estate? Cabinet storage: consider a lazy susan, your pantry, even spice and wine rack storage.
- Cohesively tie your colors together- this includes cabinet and wall paint, backsplash, and countertops. Make sure they mesh with your kitchen appliances. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: white makes for a clean, open and bright space for every area of the home. Stainless steel is also highly sought after right now.
- Don’t forget to cover surrounding areas. Paint splatter, and remodeling debris don’t look good on your grandmother’s dining room table.
- Even the DIY type needs some help here and there. Consult your local Home Depot or Lowe’s to really add the last bits of expertise. Plus, they have free consultations.
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Purify your home to spread good energy
by MIKE HALL Owner/Broker/Agent
Try a few of these natural steps to share a welcoming, positive vibe for you and your guests.
Warm Himalayan salt rocks by the light bulb of a lamp, or tea light holder in every room. When warmed, these crystals have been proven to release negatively charged ions, which are the same ions released after a thunderstorm, and by waterfalls. Himalayan salt rocks are very good for sitting by electronic devices such as your TV, and in helping mental clarity and alertness.
Keep house plants around. These guys are low maintenance as they need a little drink of water about once a week, and low sunlight. Sitting by a window will keep them happy, as well as yourself, as they release clean oxygen into your environment while absorbing CO2 emissions. Pure air is better than polluted air.
Keep bright, overhead lights to a minimum, as it can cause headaches and eye strain. Natural light flooding in from the windows is ideal during the day. Lower, mood lighting provides a cozier atmosphere.
Burn dried sage, which is called “smudging”. This is done to purify the home of negativity, often practiced in blessing completely new homes, or just lifting the energy. While commercialized as being coined by Native Americans, smudging has been practiced around the world for centuries. You can carry the burning sage to each corner of a room, or simply let it sit, moving to each room of your home. While some do not like the acrid smell of sage, plan on doing this a few hours before house guests arrive.
For a natural fragrance, diffuse essential oils. Mini humidifiers made specifically for dispersing essential oils are becoming more common in grocery stores. Relaxing, welcoming aromas include lavender and jasmine, while lemon and tea tree will help eliminate any germs floating around.
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