One major question most homeowners ask themselves is whether their home improvements will pay off. If you’re looking to sell your home now or in the future, note that the renovations you make will determine how much it sells for. While all renovations are important, some pay off more than others. It is therefore important to focus your efforts on those that pay off. Here are a few of the major home improvement projects to ensure you get the most ROI or return on your investment!

Home Improvement Projects: How to Get the Most ROI

Image via: D Magazine

[ad#co-1]

Replacing the Front Door

A new front door not only improves your home’s curb appeal, it pays back well. It makes a great first impression on all who pass by. A 20-gauge steel door doesn’t cost much and requires less maintenance than a wood door. When buying a door, choose one based on aesthetics and not energy-efficiency. Studies have shown that doors actually lose less heat than the cracks around their frames.

Minor Kitchen Refurbishments

Image via: Eat Well 101

When remodeling your kitchen, restrain yourself. Avoid cabinets and choose laminate countertops instead of granite. Get a new kitchen sink, faucets, and appliances. The secret is to give the existing elements a facelift. Most kitchens can be renovated for less than $20,000 which is less than what most people pay for their cars. Many homebuyers are turning away from costly chef’s kitchens with top-of-the-range appliances.

Adding New Windows

New windows pay back handsomely. However, the ROI depends on the specific type of windows. If you are undecided between wood and vinyl, go for the one that is most common in your neighborhood. When buying energy-efficient windows, choose those recommended for your climate in order to optimize energy savings. Energy-efficient windows also qualify for federal tax credit.

Converting the Attic into a Bedroom

Image via: Skonahem

Converting your unused attic into an extra bedroom is one of the best home improvements you can make. While it is an expensive undertaking, it has a good return on investment. MSN Real Estate states that you can recoup up to 72.5 percent of your money. This project involves insulating the ceiling and walls, improving lighting and wiring, extending the air conditioning and heating, and adding a dormer, shower, and windows.

What home improvement projects can you think of starting this season?

For more home improvement ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

It feels good when you know that you’re living green; that you and your family are making every effort to conserve the environment. When it comes to matters of being green, many people assume that it is going to be boring and that your kids will hate it. As much as there is some truth in this assumption, you can do it differently in a fun and exciting way. The tips below will help turn your house not only into a happy home, but also into a green one.

Landscaping

It is widely known that proper landscaping will add into your home’s energy efficiency. Simply said, it will provide shade in summer and insulation during the winter months. The EPA recommends planting trees that lose leaves on the southern and western sides of your house.

To make it more fun, take your whole family out and let each member choose the plants that they would like to plant. Everyone should then take care of what they chose and as they keep growing, it will be fun for them when they realize that their home is eco-friendly because of their individual effort.

Image via: Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture

[ad#co-1]

Tankless water heater

Do you do a little dance as you wait for the shower to heat up? What you should note is that when doing this, you waste the escaping cold water and also waste the energy used to heat and reheat water in the tank.

As a replacement, look for a tankless water heater for your family. This only heats the water that is needed as it goes through a coil. This does not only save you energy; it also saves your whole family that terrible time in winter when they have to wait, seemingly for ages, for that water to heat up.

Eco Challenge

How about doing an “eco challenge” with your family? Here, you inform your family about different ways in which they can make your home more eco-friendly. Apart from the ones above, other methods that you can teach them include insulation, recycling, planting some food and making homemade apple pies among other ideas. The reward for the challenge should be simple’ any money saved will be given to the one who implemented the idea and they can use it to buy cool stuff.

How about doing an “eco challenge” with your family? Here, you inform your family about different ways in which they can make your home more eco-friendly. Apart from the ones above, other methods that you can teach them include insulation, recycling, planting some food and making homemade apple pies among other ideas. The reward for the challenge should be simple’ any money saved will be given to the one who implemented the idea and they can use it to buy cool stuff.

Image via: Natural Balance Home Builders

These tips will help you to have a great time with your family as you maintain an eco-friendly home. Each family member will have a sense of contribution and it will be easier for them to make green living a lifestyle. Not only will they have an environmentally friendly home, they will also have some cool new rewards and a great relationship with each other.

For more green living ideas for your home, click here.

If you are decorating or renovating your home then you should really consider the ways that you can make your home a little greener. Reducing your carbon footprint is beneficial for the whole world, and a nice little bonus is that it will save you money in the long run too.

Image via: Danny Broe Architect

[ad#co-1]

Here are some top tips to get a green home:

Install solar panels

Solar panels are a great way to be greener as they help you to use the sun’s natural power to fuel your home. This means you use less generated energy which cuts your carbon footprint and saves you money on your bills. An increasing number of people are using solar panels and having them fitted and they are even beginning to be seen as attractive features on a home because they offer so many wide ranging benefits.

Insulate your home

Being green is all about efficiency and insulating your home is a great way to become heat efficient. The less heat you lose the less you have to buy so this is another effective way to save money and energy, thus helping the environment. This means you should insulate your attic and any other part of your home where heat is lost.

Fit draft excluders

Draft excluders are another good way to save heat, energy and therefore money. You can find a selection at www.barrier-components.co.uk that, fitted to your doors, will keep your home green and keep the draft out. This is a simple measure but an effective one.

Image via: FINNE Architects

Buy low energy light bulbs

By simply buying some low energy light bulbs you can make your house a little greener immediately. This is an inexpensive way to help the environment, even though low energy bulbs do cost a little more. The bonus is that they last much longer than the cheaper traditional bulbs.

Invest in double glazing

Double glazing is a slightly larger investment but then again it is one that pays you back. Like solar panels double glazing saves you money over time and because it reduces energy wastage is starts benefitting the environment straight away.

Replace your boiler

If you have an old boiler it could be kicking out emissions that you could cut out by swapping it for a newer model. Nobody likes to buy a new boiler but doing so really does help the environment. And like we said, being more efficient also saves you money so everyone is a winner.

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

The prospect of adopting a green lifestyle has become rather trendy over the past several years. The result of this surge in popularity has been promising; more and more people are spreading the word about environmental awareness and urging consumers to take control of their future via the products and services they choose to support. Of course, this has changed the market for such consumer goods, raising production and lowering costs so that nearly everyone can now afford to make at least a modicum of change in their own lives on the eco-friendly front. And when it comes to your home, there is no shortage of ways to cut your carbon footprint and jump aboard the eco-friendly bandwagon. But before you get started, you might just want to take the time to consider what you’ve currently got going on in your home. Here are just a few tips to help you make such an assessment.

Image via: Alison Glen

[ad#co-1]

What level of eco-friendliness is your home? 

Your main difficulty with looking for ways to determine the relative eco-friendliness of your home is knowing what is considered green and what isn’t. Often, homes employ some environmentally sound practices without even realizing it. For example, you probably conserve energy to some degree, simply because it is economical to do so. If you tell the kids to turn the lights off when they leave a room and you’ve set your computer to go into sleep mode when inactive for a few minutes, then you are practicing an eco-friendly activity and saving energy within the home. That said, most modern homes are not inherently geared towards environmental preservation. So the first step towards making an assessment could be to start following green blogs so that you can begin to get an idea of the scope of green living.

Conserving Energy & your Carbon Debt

Once you’ve started to understand the many ways in which you could transform your home to make it do more for the world around you, it will be a little easier to make a clear assessment of just how high your carbon debt is. From there you can begin to consider upgrades that will help you to conserve energy (CFLs, programmable thermostat, energy-star appliances, tankless water heater, etc.) and water (low-flow toilets, aerated faucets, drought-resistant landscaping, and a gray water system). And you can start to look at the products you bring into your home every day, like the food and clothing you buy for your family, as well as furniture and housewares.

Image via: Catherine Monaghan of Kitchens Southwest

Of course, remodeling and repairs will also provide you with the opportunity to turn over a new leaf since you can replace outdated goods with greener items. You might install organic or recycled-fiber insulation and double-paned glass to cut down on your need to generate hot and cold air. Or you could use reclaimed hardwood for cabinetry and flooring. Some products, like your furnace and AC unit, may even allow for a transfer of warranty so that the chain of title allows the homeowners after you to continue to benefit from energy-saving models for years to come. Although it’s not always easy to turn an objective eye on your lifestyle, it’s important to do your part to protect the environment, especially when you own a home and you have total control over how eco-friendly your property is.

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Have you ever thought of making a New Year resolution for you home? A home renovation could be perfect in the winter as construction prices are lower and less demand for building is generally being performed.

People make so many New Year plans for themselves but only a few pays attention to their living places. Bringing some little changes can increase your home’s appeal apart from making it more livable.

Image via:  Kate Marker Interiors

Make It Decluttered & Cozy

It is obvious that you are going to spend a lot of time inside between now and spring. So, for the winter months, make your place super comfy by decluttering and re-organizing the furniture items and other things. It will also let you to start the New Year with a clean slate.

You can buy new books for your bookshelves. Books have a charming way to create a cozy environment. Moreover, they will gift you some relishing moments besides the fireplace or the window.

Get rid of the furniture and other decorative items that you do not need. The basic and simple way to make a place comfortable is to declutter it. You can do that by dumping unnecessary things, making a clever use of the available spaces, and creating new storage space. Use walls, ceilings, and storage furniture to keep things in an organized way.

Image via: Homedit

[ad#co-1]

Fill the Place with Your Favorite Things

Everybody has some favorite things like a bunch of friendship bands, replicas of different things and structures, a collection of coffee mugs, etc. Whatever they are, keep them in a place that can be easily noticed. It will bring a smile on your face whenever you see them. If any specific color attracts you, do not forget to bring it inside your home. Incorporate the color into your décor simply by painting your old chairs or your little coffee table.

Refurbish the Kitchen

Kitchen is an important place that should be taken special care of. If the kitchen looks tired and old, try to bring some life in it. Change the color, add new furniture, repair the window, and fix the lighting system. You can also add a music system too if you want. Music has a magical power and it can make household chores feel like fun. So, surround yourself with your favorite music and play it often.

Image via: Premier Painters

Do the Necessary Fixing

Minor repairs like fixing windows and fireplace, removing creaking of doors, and repair leakage of water lines should be done in time. You can also cover the doors and windows with glass, blinds, curtains, drapery, etc. Cellular blinds will be a good option if you want to control the room temperature.

A healthy home is essential for a healthy life. To make your home healthier and more comfortable, apply these aforementioned tips. They will keep your home shipshape for this year.

For more home renovation ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

There are many reasons to take on remodeling projects around the house. For some people, it’s all about creating their ideal home and enjoying the improved functionality and cosmetic appeal that upgrades offer. But most homeowners are also savvy enough to see the potential for such projects to pay off down the road when they go to sell their property. So if you’re looking for ways to ensure that your renovations deliver the best possible pay off, here are a few tips to make sure that your home improvement projects meet all your needs.

Image via: Pinterest

[ad#co-1]

1. Choose wisely.

It turns out that some home improvements tend to show more of a return on investment than others. For example, remodeling your kitchen or master bath will likely show a better percentage of return when you sell than doing an overhaul on the living room, office, or bedrooms. Of course, this could depend on how much you spend on your project, when you sell, the state of the housing market, and a number of other factors. But if you have a budget set aside for home upgrades, it’s in your best interest to choose the projects that are most likely to pay off.

2. Save money

While you don’t want to go too cheap on your renovations, you also don’t want to overspend. It’s only common sense that the less you spend the more you stand to gain, but you must temper this with quality since shoddy upgrades could actually hurt your chances of selling. So instead of replacing the linoleum in the bathroom, you might want to upgrade to tile, just for example. Luckily, you can still save by adopting a DIY attitude on simple projects, choosing materials that provide the best look at the lowest price (like faux stone rather than the real deal), and possibly even installing eco-friendly upgrades meant to save you money on utility bills while you’re still in the home.

Image via: Houzz

3. Cosmetic surgery with renovations

Many people think that a complete overhaul is the only way to renew an outdated kitchen or bathroom, but this is hardly the case. Why go in with a sledgehammer and gut the place at major expense when you can use a precision cutting tool instead and get a lot more bang for your buck? If you want your home remodeling projects to pay off, you need to consider what you can really expect to get back. If you spend $30K on your kitchen, you’re not going to be able to tack it on to the price of your home without alienating most buyers. But if you can spend half that or less on some touch-ups while leaving some of the foundational pieces, you’re going to increase your chances of selling, even at a slightly elevated price.

4. Consider your sale date.

Home remodeling only pays off if you sell your property in a timely manner. Whether you go for modern upgrades or you revamp your interior in a timeless style, you have to be aware of the fact that trends come and go. If you want to see the most return on your expenditure, you need to sell within a few years of upgrading.

5. Check the competition.

Knowing what’s going on with the real estate in your neighborhood can help you to determine whether your planned upgrades are over the top. So call up your agent at Coldwell Banker, Century 21, or Greenwood real estate to find out if other homes that are selling in your area have had major upgrades done, and check sites like Zillow and Trulia to see what prices in your area look like. If they’re lower than you anticipated, you might not want to do major remodeling.

For more Remodeling ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

There might be a reason why you’re garage door is always closed: Does it look like a tornado blew through it, filling it with clutter.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. In addition to attics and possibly basements, garages are hands down the most disorganized room in any home. Your car takes up a majority of the space and then you do your best to cram everything that’s left — tools, bikes, sports equipment, lawn mower — in the little space that’s left.

If you’re ready to finally organize your garage, but don’t want to break the bank, here are five tips to keep everything within budget.

Image via

[ad#co-1]

Shelves, shelves and more shelves

It’s a mystery to me why homebuilders don’t install shelves right away with a garage. The main reason why garages become so cluttered is because people aren’t stacking things. You can maximize your space by using shelves.

The cheapest shelving solution is a 2×4 wood shelf. The 2×4 is very common and can be found at any hardware or wood retailer. If built correctly, you can rest assured that your 2×4 wood shelves will hold more than 600 pounds.

If you’re not a handyman, hardware stores also sell easy-to-build plastic or metal shelving solutions. Beware, though, that these probably won’t hold as much weight as a strongly built wood solution.

Hanging Bars

You’d be amazed how many things you can hang flush against the wall or from the ceiling of your garage. By screwing in some thick pins into your walls, you can easily hang things like a ladder, snowshoes and gardening equipment. And not only will you be creating more room, but you’re also organizing your tools.

Make sure to put stuff that you don’t use as often higher up — when you need it, simply get out a ladder.

Image via

And don’t be afraid to use every nook and corner of the garage. If it doesn’t interfere with your garage door, then it’s fair game for wall-hanging.

Even More Creative Hanging

If you’re really ambitious, there are multiple ways to hang anything from bikes to crates on the ceiling.

Most hardware stores sell cheap bike hooks that simply screw into the wood on the ceiling of your garage. Measure the length of your bike(s) and screw in two of the screws, which then allows you to hang your bike by the tire spokes.

Things like Christmas decorations can be hung by installing 2×4’s with lips on the side. Put two of them together so that the lips catch the crate, allowing for easy sliding access, and that clutter will be out of your way until you need it.

If you haven’t caught on yet, wood solutions are probably the cheapest route to go when organizing your garage.

Image via

Small Tools

Organizing the bigger items in your garage is the easy part. Things get complicated when you need to figure out where to put the nails and screws, screwdrivers, hammers, etc.

The cheapest way to organize your tools is by using a pegboard. You can buy a pegboard at any hardware retailer for next to nothing. Most hardware stores will also sell you hooks to put on that pegboard, allowing you to hang your tools in any which way you desire.

Oh, and pick a fun color! It really brings your garage to life.

Clean House

Let’s face it — there’s plenty of stuff in our garage today. What’s the cheapest and most beneficial way to organize it? Throw it out.

You’ll be surprised what you find in your garage once you finally decide to pull the trigger and organize away, you’ll find plenty of things that you just don’t need. This should be your first step because it will make the rest of your organizing endeavors much simpler.

Once everything is organized, you can finally breathe. You officially have a garage that you can be proud of.

Sarah Bolt is a home organizing guru who helps people at Steel line garage doors make the most of their garage.

For more garage ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Whether you are moving into a fixer-upper home that needs renovating or you are upgrading your current home, upgrades are a necessary part of homeownership. Even though you may not be able to afford the renovations you want, finding a happy medium in price and affordability can be easier than you think. Instead of buying higher end finishes, you may be just as pleased with more affordable ones that show off the same beautiful aesthetics. Here are a few ways to renovate your home the cheap way.

Image via

[ad#co-1]

• Beauty doesn’t have to be expensive: In the past 10 years there have been tremendous breakthroughs in home renovation materials and finishes. While you may think you need to take out home improvement loans to get fabulous kitchen cabinets, you can reface your existing ones and still get beautiful wood stained cabinets. If you can’t afford the granite countertops you been dreaming of, why not opt for granite and polymer combined varieties?  These countertops are half the price and fit over your existing countertops for a finished look you will love without a dent in your wallet.

Image via

• Decide where to splurge: Home renovating can be expensive and choosing where to splurge and where to cut corners is essential. Home appliances are an area that most homeowners can see a return on investment when selling their home. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on a wood kitchen floor, consider a ceramic tile wood look-alike for half the price and put the extra money into quality and energy-efficient appliances. Determine what areas of your home are in need of renovating and what areas could use minor fixes. Often times new hardware on cabinets, or new plumbing fixtures can save you money without redoing the entire room.

Money shouldn’t be a deterrent in renovating your home. In fact there is no better time to renovate your home. Manufacturers are offering great products that look just as good as there higher priced counterparts, and often times will last longer in durability. Before you put off your home renovation another few years, revisit the idea with these helpful tips and see how much your dream home may be closer to reality than you ever imagined.

For more kitchen ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Building an addition to your home is a significant undertaking that will cost you precious time and money. Rather than breaking ground to add square footage of living space to your home, why not utilize what you already have?

Image via

[ad#co-1]

If you have a garage that goes unused, convert this area into a useful, habitable space. A few new rooms that can come from your old garage include:

• Another living room
• An extra bedroom
• Playroom
• Home gym
• Home office

Fix up the floor

Most garages are built directly onto a concrete slab. While this is an ideal surface to park a car on, concrete can be harsh for livable rooms. Start by ensuring there are no major cracks in the surface. If there are a few minor issues, you can easily take care of them with some filler and a vapor barrier to clear up the problem. In addition, clean up any oil and grease that an automobile may have left behind.

Once you have a stable surface, you should consider putting down a floating wood floor or carpeting. These options are relatively affordable and go directly on top of the concrete foundation with minimal effort.

Upgrade the walls

The conventional walls of a garage are enough to keep a car safe from the elements, but they will not provide the same level of warmth as the walls of your main home. This is why it is important to finish the walls. You can finish the interior by framing some simple stud walls, filling them with insulation and adding drywall and paint on top to bring it all together.

Image via

Plug up any openings

While it is relatively simple to add insulation to the walls of your garage, the same is not true for the garage doors. Instead, you should replace them with energy efficient French doors that will not only hold in the heat, but also look great in the process. However, if the garage faces a busy street, you have the option of closing up the door altogether by turning it into a fourth wall.

Warm up the space

Adding insulation to your converted garage will make it warmer to live in, but in areas with colder climates, this will only go so far. It’s important to install a heating system. While work on your heating system is best left to a professional, you do have options.

If your home currently has a forced-air heating system, extending the ductwork into the garage will be the simplest and cheapest path to take. However, if this is not an option, the next cheapest choice is installing electric baseboards. It is important to note that with the latter options, your utility bill will likely go up, but it is the best way to heat a large room, or newly renovated garage.

Image via

About the Author: Specializing in FHA mortgages, VA mortgages, and low interest refinancing rates, Freedom Mortgage has been a leader in the mortgage lending space for more than 20 years. With pride in their customer service, tips for first-time homebuyers, and payment calculators, Freedom Mortgage helps their customers select the right mortgage or refinancing option to meet their needs.

For more outdoor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

You may or may not be aware that the master bathroom can require a pretty large budget when it comes to an overhaul, but it can also deliver a decent return on investments when you opt to sell your property down the road. However, if you don’t have a large budget to work with and you’d rather not accommodate a contractor and his crew for weeks on end, there are several upgrades you can do on your own at a lot less expense. While this strategy may not get a new whirlpool tub installed in your bathroom, it can definitely allow you to do away with the outdated wallpaper and tile that make your bathroom look like it belongs in the home of Mike and Carol Brady. So here are just a few tips to create an updated look in your master bath with a limited budget and a DIY attitude.

Image via

[ad#co-1]

1. Paint

The absolute easiest area to address is going to be the wall color. Even if you’re dealing with wallpaper, you’ll be surprised at how easy the removal process can be when you use the right tools. The best option is generally to steam off old wallpaper with a simple and inexpensive hand steamer. From there you may have to do a bit of scraping or sanding, but a belt sander (and a light touch) can make the work go a little more quickly so that you can get to the painting. As for covering existing paint, consider using a paint and primer in one so that fewer coats are needed, and always use a satin or gloss finish that is moisture-resistant and easy to clean.

2. Tile

You might be a bit worried about the ease of removing and installing new tile, but the process will probably be a lot easier than you anticipate. Removing old tile is simple enough if you’re not trying to save it; a hammer and crow bar should do the trick. Then you’ll have to scrape the old grout and concrete away to create a clean, smooth surface. From there it’s just a matter of marking your layout, mixing up your concrete, and securing the tiles. If you’re unsure about the steps involved simply pop by your local Home Depot or other hardware store to inquire about lessons. Many offer a variety of workshops for free as a way to drum up business.

3. Lighting

Replacing light fixtures doesn’t have to cost a lot if you frequent Craigslist, hit up garage sales to find steals, or opt for reclaimed furniture and fixture outlets instead of buying brand new. From there it’s just a matter of turning off the proper breakers and installing your new lights.

Image via

4. Cabinets and counters

You don’t need the expertise of master builders in order to address this area of the bathroom. The truth is that you can easily demo existing cabinets and counters and replace them on your own. Generally, you will want to buy pre-built cabinetry, and you can either find it reclaimed or check out discount stores like IKEA (or even Overstock.com) for affordable options. Then it’s just a matter of measuring for the countertop surface so that you can order it cut, finished, and ready to install (the cost depends on materials).

5. Accessories

Mirrors, towel racks, shelving, and other bathroom accessories may be the last items on your list, but you can find second-hand options in abundance at a greatly reduced cost. And with a little TLC these accessories can make for a fun family project that adds character and appeal to your master bath.

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