When it comes to the kitchen surfaces that you use while chopping your veggies, buttering your toast, and stacking your dirty dishes to cue them up for the washer, you might not think that you have very many options. But just because ceramic tile and slabs of natural stone (marble, granite, etc.) have dominated the countertop scene for the last few decades doesn’t mean you have to succumb to the trends if you don’t like them. And you might be surprised to learn that there are actually a wide variety of potential materials to consider when it comes to your counters. Here are just a few that could make your kitchen makeover a revelation (or a revolution, if you happen to be a trendsetter).

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Stainless steel.

If you’re willing to get stainless steel appliances, why not countertops? This material will give your kitchen a sleek, modern look and it has an awful lot of benefits. For one thing, it doesn’t really stain, and if you accidentally set a hot pot on it you won’t have to worry about scarring the surface with (although you probably don’t want to touch it for a few minutes after you move the pan).

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Rustic wood.

The farmhouse kitchen had something of a resurgence recently by way of giant kitchen sinks with no dividers (like small tubs ensconced in your countertop) and antique-finish hardware made to look like it came straight from 1930 (manufacturers have really nailed that dark patina). But if you like this look, why not take it a step further by installing a wooden countertop? While the original look would have called for nude wood, you’ll probably want to use some kind of matte lacquer to stave off food stains (wood is pretty porous). And you’ll certainly have to be careful about placing hot items on it without a trivet in place. But the fact that you can use the entire counter as a cutting board kind of makes up for it.

Formica.

Believe it or not, this retro look is coming back in a big way when it comes to kitchen customization. The saturated colors and metallic sparkle that made this plastic laminate so popular back when your parents (or grandparents) were kids has been recently rediscovered by a new generation of homeowners who are looking to put a personal stamp on their interior spaces. And thanks to the melamine resin used in Formica, this counter surface will resist heat, staining, and abrasion.

Composites.

You’ve no doubt heard of materials like Coriander and Silestone, and these composites can provide you with a wide range of color options as well as durability and ease of use that you simply can’t get from natural stone.

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Eco options.

Both concrete and recycled glass can make for a killer kitchen countertop. Concrete, for example, may be poured as is if you like the ultra-minimalist look. But it can also be stained and treated to look like all manner of other surfaces, including natural stone, wood, and even leather. As for recycled glass, it is crushed and molded (sometimes with concrete) to create a one-of-a-kind surface that positively glitters (and you can choose the color of glass). And if you decide you want the look of granite or marble tile, simply seek out reclaimed materials that don’t call for further mining.

For more kitchen & bath ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Ceilings are sometimes forgotten when it comes to painting your home’s interior. Little thought is given to its contribution of a room’s design. In order to achieve an updated, refreshing look in your home, a fresh coat of paint can go a long way.

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Experiment with these tips for painting your ceiling and upgrading your home’s decor:

Consider the height of your ceiling.

If your ceilings are low, pick a shade or two lighter than your walls to add height and dimension to the room. If you have high ceilings, paint a shade or two darker to diminish the impersonal feeling and add warmth to the room.

Remove any possible furniture and objects from the room.

Painting any part of a room can get messy, especially the ceiling, so be sure to remove the furniture from the space before painting.

Lay drop cloths.

Cover your carpet and any furniture that can’t be moved with drop cloths to avoid damage from spilled paint.

Tape your walls.

Mark the corners of the walls that you will not be painting with tape so that you are confined to painting the ceiling.

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Paint the edges.

Begin painting along the edges where the ceiling meets the wall and paint the edges of the entire ceiling. Work your way around the perimeter of the room until all of the edges are covered.

Use a paint roller with an extension:

and begin to paint the ceiling. Allow the first coat to dry.

Apply a second coat.

Start with the corners of the room using a paint brush and go over the rest of the ceiling with the roller.

Painting your ceiling is a cost-friendly way to revamp the style of any room. While most ceilings are painted white, don’t be afraid to experiment with color and include your ceiling in the paint planning process for the room.

If you’ve never done it before, painting you  ceiling can seem like an overwhelming task. If it’s not something you want to tackle or you don’t have time, call the experts CertaPro Painters of the Gold Coast at 708-588-9925 to schedule a free painting estimate.

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Have you ever looked at your garage and simply sighed? It’s amazing how such a big space can fill up so quickly, isn’t it? What’s even more fascinating is the fact that, customarily, garages were created to park our cars and now, the majority of us have any and everything but our vehicles inside of them.

If you’re ready to give your garage an overall, but you need some space saving design tips that won’t have you spending all of your weekends cleaning it out, here are five tips that are quick to apply; ones that will bring about both lasting and wonderful results.

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Clear out what you don’t need.

This one should be a no-brainer and yet, it’s the tip that seems to trip us up (literally) the most. When an interior designer is assisting someone with their renovating their closet space, they will usually tell the individual that if they haven’t worn an outfit in a year, then they don’t need it anymore. OK, so think about those dusty boxes packed away in a corner that you haven’t looked at in three winters. If it’s something you forgot about, it’s probably something that should either be given or thrown away.

Put up some shelves.

From tools to toys, household cleaning products to lawn items, over time, a lot of miscellaneous things in our garage can end up looking like a big disheveled mess. One way to remedy that is to put up some wall-mounted shelves. You can find them at your local hardware store or even at the Container Store. They’re relatively easy to assemble and if you get ones that are made of metal, they can last just about as long as your garage does.

Hang your bikes in the air.

We love our bicycles, but they really do take up a lot of room. While purchasing a freestanding bike rack is an option, another cool idea is to get a ceiling-mounted bike lift. Amazon, Home Depot, eBay and BikeRackShops.com are all places that carry them and you can get a really good one for between $30-50.

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Designate spaces.

Suppose you’re someone who actually uses your garage for your car; and not just your car, but to make car repairs as well? If you’ve wanted to put in a transfer case for Grand Cherokee for some time now but there’s been no room to do it, after applying these tips, you should have some. Just make sure that you designate a space specifically for car work and that you don’t let anything else come into that area. Not only will this keep things from getting cluttered all over again, but it will also inspire you to “clean as you go”, which makes space for the ample amount of room that you need to work.

Get some plastic bins.

If you’re someone who is big on recycling (or at least trying to be) and you’ve been using cardboard boxes or trash bags to sort out your paper and plastic, why not swap them out for some plastic bins instead? They’re nicer to look at, plus most of them are designed in a way where they can stack on top of one another; a great way to yes, create more space in your garage.

For more storage ideas on Stagetecture, click here

Pretty much everyone would rather pay a mortgage than rent since the former will one day result in home ownership. But just because you have realized the folly of shelling out for rent each month doesn’t necessarily mean that you are ready to buy your own property. There are a lot of things you’ll want to consider before you take the plunge on this major purchase and you’ll probably need to put in some prep work before you will be approved for a loan. So here are some of the things you’ll need to take into account before you start perusing the mortgage market for properties and approaching lenders to secure the financing you’ll need to complete the transaction.

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Are you ready for home ownership?

For starters, you need to think about whether or not you’re mature enough to own a home. Okay, so most people won’t admit that they’re too irresponsible for the demands of home ownership, but there’s no shame in conceding that you’re simply not ready to take on everything that comes with being solely liable for the state of a property. For example, did you know that you must keep a home up to spec when it comes to city codes? Just because you are the owner does not mean you can let the lawn become overgrown or throw trash bags all over your parcel. There are city ordinances in place to ensure the safety of all the residents in an area, and if you are creating hazards through your unwillingness or inability to keep your home clean and well-maintained you could get fined or even lose your house.

Suppose a fire broke out and you didn’t have proper brush clearance; what could have been easily contained has now become a serious risk to you and your neighbors. Of course, that’s just one example of how you might not be ready for the responsibilities involved with home ownership. Keeping your property clear of debris and looking nice for the safety of your neighbors and the value of your community is only one small part of it. You also need to engage in upkeep as a way to preserve your own property value so that this expensive asset can gain value over time, acting as an investment as well as a practical shelter. So if you don’t have basic handyman skills and you can’t afford to hire professionals to tend to the issues in your home, perhaps you’re simply not ready to own one.

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Are you ready for the financial responsibility?

This brings us to the financial responsibilities inherent in owning a home, and here, too, you should be prepared. Although VA home loan requirements may allow veterans to purchase a house with no money down, civilians have no such options these days. This means you’ll have to come up with a down payment, which could be anywhere from about 3-30% of the asking price of the home. This number depends on the state you live in, the lender you choose, and your particular credit history. Of course, you’ll also need a decent credit score in order to get approved for a home loan, so if you have poor credit (or no credit), this is something you’ll have to work on before you even think of seeking a loan. If you don’t have a workable credit rating and a down payment in hand, this definitely isn’t the time to purchase a home.

For more moving tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy 600th post Stagetecture! I am always humbled by each milestone of Stagetecture and how it has grown since August 15th, 2009. From its beginning I’ve had very specific goals in mind, and I’m happy to say that I have achieved 90% of them! (It’s time to make bigger ones now!)

Today, instead of celebrating only Stagetecture’s accomplishments, I’d like to dedicate this post to my gratitude for my past Guest Blogger’s. As of yesterday, Stagetecture has had 131 past guests, and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.

I am excited daily at the requests I get for people wanting to Guest Blog on Stagetecture. It’s an honor to be trusted with your content and I appreciate you using Stagetecture as a platform to reach out to my readers globally and to help you expand your reach in your expertise field.

While many of my guests are seasoned writers and experienced home niche experts, others are “first timers”, home enthusiasts or people who are passionate about a home topic or solution and want to share it with the world. I have always tried to make Stagetecture a welcoming place to stop by and enjoy some great reading, as well as a destination spot for my loyal fans.

I encourage anyone who is interested in Guest blogging to give it a try. It’s a way to broaden your reach around the world, and the Stagetecture audience enjoys hearing fresh content on a regular basis. I’ve had many guests say they have been ‘discovered’ on the web from their posts, and that is truly exciting for me.

If you’re interested in submitting a Guest Blog, click here for the submission guidelines. Stagetecture has posted 600 posts and over a quarter of them have been from the home niche community. Once again, I thank all of my guests, and I look forward to hosting many more in the future!

Happy 600th Stagetecture, and Thank you to all of my past Guest Blogger’s!

For more Guest Blogger posts on Stagetecture, click here.