If you read my article last month, you’ll know I’m diving into the multitude of materials offered
and that need to be selected during a home remodel. We are starting with flooring and working
our way through all the material options. Maybe you’ve considered using real hardwood in your
home, you like the look but then considered the maintenance and decided it was not for you.
Luckily there are a lot of great options on the market these days when it comes to nice looking
and low maintenance flooring.
If you’ve ever remodeled a home or are in the process of remodeling, you may have noticed
how many options for materials like flooring, cabinets, countertops, tile, plumbing fixtures and
lighting fixtures are available. Where do you even begin? In my upcoming blog posts, I will
break down the materials available one by one so that hopefully understanding these options
and making decisions will be that much easier!
Let’s start with flooring! When it comes to flooring, you have options like hardwood,
engineered hardwood, laminate, tile, carpet and many more. You will probably use a mixture of
hard and soft surface throughout your home. Let’s break down some pros and cons of
hardwood flooring. Hardwood is one of the most popular flooring choices because it is easy to
clean, adds value to a home and can be stained virtually any color from light to dark. On the flip
side it can be prone to scratching and requires regular maintenance.
Hardwood comes in a variety of wood species. One of the most popular options in Colorado is
white oak, but hardwood is also available in basically any wood species. From hickory which is
the most durable but has more of a rustic feel to exotic woods that can drive up the price but
have a gorgeous finish.
Whichever hardwood you choose, the best part is selecting a stain color. Check out my
Pinterest for my favorite hardwood stain options. Next month I’ll dive into the world of
laminate!
Bonus Tip: When you are looking at flooring options, colors, materials, etc. it should be noted
that a medium color tone in any material is going to hide the most about of dust, dirt, and hair
in between cleanings. It is a common misconception that dark floor colors will hide the most,
but it is the medium tones that do the trick!
If you’re starting a remodel on your home and thinking “where do I even begin?” I completely
understand! It can be so overwhelming to start to think about what you want the end product
of your remodel to look like, where to start, how to select materials, how to get the correct
layout, and on and on! Here are my top 3 tips for you as you start your remodel project:
Is your house feeling bland and you’re wanting to use paint to create interest? There are so
many different colors and shades of paint, where do you even begin? Let’s talk about choosing
an accent wall first and selecting a color from there.
Make a splash in any space with paint! As an interior designer, I’ve seen the power of paint
shine through when it comes to remodels big and small. Paint can have such a huge impact
whether you’re refreshing the existing paint or starting from scratch and selecting a new paint
color for a space. Painting can be a larger project especially if you are doing it yourself, but the
after effects can change the entire look of a space.
I recently remodeled some spaces in my home, in the living room we didn’t make any changes
except for the trim paint which was changed from a light grey (thanks to the previous owner
basically painting everything grey including the outlets) to the standard white trim color that I
use in every project. Wow! It made a huge difference and made everything look more refreshed
and crisp!
When it comes to basic wall paint, I always recommend neutral colors to my clients. Paint in my
opinion should be a basic backdrop for everything else in the space, then color can be added in
art, rugs, throw pillows and accessories. If an accent wall is wanted in a space, make sure you
pick a color that you already love (instead of what is trending) that way it can make a long
lasting impact on your space and you will be able to keep the accent wall for years to come.
Check out some of the paint colors I recommend all the time on my Pinterest. I’ll continue this
series next month to talk about accent colors I love that are still neutral and timeless.
One of the easiest ways to instantly update a room without spending a lot of time or money is
by swapping out the floor register covers throughout your home. Do you have old or beat up
register covers? They make so many amazing and interesting register covers these days! When
we bought our house, the register covers were the originally dark brown and very basic covers.
We opted to switch them out for a brushed nickel finish and interesting pattern and let me tell
you it made all the difference! The register cover options are endless! They make multiple
finishes and patterns to add a touch of style in any room. The best part about this swap is that it
literally takes minutes to accomplish, which is the best kind of project! When selecting a finish
for the register, I’d consider matching the color of your flooring as closely as possible or for a
consistent look throughout you could match the door hardware or another standard finish you
have throughout your home. They are a relatively standard size across the board but I would
double check the measurements of your existing registers just to be sure. I love the look of ours
and although they blend in quite nicely it is a wonderful extra touch that goes a long way not
only in the look of the room but also the functionality (no bent up grates and the vents open
and close easily). This is a great project if you’re looking for a quick change that you can do
yourself! Check out some of my favorite floor registers on my Pinterest!
Let’s talk about ceiling fans. This is a great option for updating a home that can be a very simple swap. Ceiling fans are such a functional piece in a home that can help circulate air but may also be a sole source of lighting in a bedroom or living room. I often see clients with outdated ceiling fans and there are so many options these days that are much more streamlined and provide many options when it comes to lighting levels, blade speed and remotes to make turning on the fan so effortless. If you already have a ceiling fan in place and just want to swap out the fixture, it is a pretty straightforward change because the electrical and bracket to support the fixture is already in place. If you are wanting to change a flush mount fixture or other light fixture to a ceiling fan, it can be a little more complicated. While the electrical could already be in place an additional support bracket may be required. Light fixtures can be such a simple upgrade in your home and ceiling fans have the additional functionality to completely transform a space. Check out my Pinterest page for my favorite ceiling fan options.
Are you looking for more ways to update your home quickly and easily on a budget? Here’s a
If you read my last article, you may have started looking in to swapping out the door hardware
in your home. You may have also realized how many different styles and options there are
when it comes to door hardware. Options range from knobs and levers to passage, privacy and
dummy. What the heck is a dummy! Here is your guide to selecting door hardware function and
style:
When it comes to function, you have options like passage, privacy, dummy and for your exterior
door keyed or keyless. Passage hardware is generally for standard doors that go to a hallway,
basement, closet, etc. while privacy hardware is used to a space where you want to lock the
door like a bathroom or bedroom. Dummy hardware doesn’t move and you pull the door open
and closed. You can use it on double interior doors paired with a passage or privacy, these are
also good for a linen closet or pantry. For your exterior doors you may be looking at a deadbolt
paired with privacy hardware, most hardware collections now also offer a keyless option with a
code to gain entry. You can have all your exterior doors keyed alike or different depending on
your needs and situation.
Now that you have a better idea of what type of hardware to use, let’s talk about the style. As I
mentioned in my last article, the brushed nickel finish will always be timeless but in the last
couple years we have seen the matte black and brushed gold finish become more popular. The
color is of course a personal preference and may be an easy decision based on the finishes in
the rest of your home. So now you may be considering knobs versus levers, both have their
uses when it comes to having a traditional, transitional or modern style home. You can make
either a lever or knob more modern by using a square rosette (which is the back plate) paired
with a straight lever or square knob. For a more transitional look, go for a circular rosette with a
circular knob or straight lever. When I think of traditional style hardware the circular rosette
with curved lever comes to mind.
There are so many great options when it comes to door hardware. At the end of the day, door
hardware should be functional and just one of many beautiful details that make your house a
home!
Do you have a screwdriver and a little bit of time? Swapping out your door hardware and hinges
can be a really great way to give your home an instant update! Door hardware comes in a
variety of finishes and styles to match your aesthetic. Your old and outdated 90’s polished gold
hardware can be easily removed and replaced with the latest and greatest in door hardware
style.
When it comes to door hardware finish, brushed nickel is my go-to for a timeless look but if you
are feeling a little bolder, spring for the brushed gold or a black finish. You can also easily swap
your door hinges to match the finish of the hardware.
The thing I love about swapping out hardware is that its EASY! With a screwdriver and an
afternoon, you can complete this project. Another option if you are short on time or money is
to do this project in phases. Order your main floor hardware and start there, then work your
way upstairs and downstairs at a later date!
It should be noted: Door hinges come in a variety of sizes and the corner radius ranges from
square to round. You will want to measure your current door hinges to ensure you are ordering
the option that fits your door hinge cut out.