Guest Post - 4 Clever Ways to Create a Good Design Flow Between Rooms

If you’ve decided to decorate your home and perhaps change some things drastically, you’ll most likely want each of your rooms to have a distinct feel to it. This may seem rational, as some rooms are supposed to make you more active, while others should help you calm down. However, although you might be considering a variety of styles and colors for separate parts of your home, you’ll surely want to make the transition from one area of your living space to another make some sense. 

Having all of that in mind, here are some excellent ways to create a design flow between the rooms of your home, which will suit your needs, preferences and sense of style, while being inviting to you, your family and any visitors you could have.

Follow a Theme

While there are those rare people who can pull off completely different styles in different parts of their home, in most cases, it just makes the place look hectic, disconnected and even messy. As this is something you probably want to avoid, the first thing to do is to identify a theme, a style you want for your entire home and decorate every room following it. 

Whether you’re a fan of the boho, industrial or Victorian style, you can make things work wonderfully by adding a diversity of details into separate parts of your home, while staying truthful to the style of your choice. You want a modern home, but your fireplace looks ancient? You can update it to be modern as well. You can have somewhat mismatched fabrics, colors and even art in your living room, bedroom or kitchen, but they should all belong to the same style or era to keep your home symmetrized in a way.

Stick to the Same Materials and Finishes

Another thing that can make your living space appear more logical and connected is the consistency when it comes to materials and finishes. For instance, if the light fixtures in your kitchen and dining room have a silver finish, you might create a thematic disbalance by making the faucet bronze and the doorknobs golden. 

Similarly, if you choose wood, brick, stone or metal as prevailing materials for furniture pieces or decorative elements in your home, then feel free to repeat them throughout the rooms, as matching materials this way will make your interior and even exterior more appealing and coherent. If you’re indecisive with regards to picking the right materials and finishes for your home, you might want to stay informed about the 2021 design trends, so that your kitchen, bedroom or bathroom are as contemporary as possible.

Introduce Common Elements 

For a place to stay compatible as you move from one room to another, there’s always the option of bringing in some common elements to it. For instance, you should keep the flooring in your home uniformed in a way by opting for the same type of flooring for the main areas of your home. Same wood tones are one way to go, while using rugs to achieve a well-thought-out look is another. 

An excellent idea would be finding some premium Miss Amara rugs in such natural materials as jute, hemp, cotton and wool, so that you add an extra touch of warmth and coziness to your home, while providing some subtle repetition to connect separate parts of it. You can even find rugs in similar colors and shapes to make it all even more consistent. The same system applies to decorative objects like lamps, cushions or curtains, but also to furniture. Repeat the element you choose up to three times in a room, so that the place doesn’t seem cluttered.

Let Colors Work for You

You want to upgrade your home or improve your rental property to make it more appealing to tenants, but you aren’t exactly swimming in money right now? The flooring is mismatched, the finishes are all over the place and you can’t afford to make any high-price changes, but you want to bring some sense into the residence? Use colors to your advantage. Colors can be tempting to play with and you might want to bring in some diversity into your rooms by painting each of them a completely different color. However, bear in mind that this sort of creative outburst can create a feel of conflict between your rooms. 

So, choose one color for your walls or the biggest pieces of furniture and perhaps just change the shades of it somewhat for some variance. This will create a compelling and natural flow throughout your home and allow you to achieve the look you were aiming for.

You want your home to be a pleasant place, where you’ll be able to be yourself and enjoy both the frenzy and the calmness of everyday life. So, decorate it that way and keep it systematic in every sense of the word. The design flow between rooms is essential for this. In the end, no matter how different the parts of your home might be, you want it to be clear that they are a part of a bigger and a logical whole, where you can shelter your body and mind and be happy and content about it.

About the author: Mike Johnston is an avid blogging enthusiast and experienced freelance writer. He’s a regular contributor to the “Smooth Decorator” blog and numerous other online publications where he writes about home improvement, interior design, construction, and real estate.

Guest Post - Step by Step Guide of How to do a Kitchen Remodel

Giving your home a kitchen remodel is sure to add a chic, new style to your home. It's also an opportunity to update electrical appliances such as an old refrigerator. Your hard work will pay dividends later on as remodeling should significantly increase the value of your property. They'll be many tasks to complete including demolition, electrical wiring and plumbing, but before you start, you need to make a plan.

DIY or Professional?

A kitchen remodel can be very disruptive to your daily life. You need to be super organized to ensure your home renovation project is efficient. Make a reliable plan and think about how much of the work you want to accomplish yourself. With a kitchen extension, you may need to appoint a building contractor for advice on foundation work and roofing. Installing a new electrical circuit requires a professional electrician to make sure your home stays safe. You'll also need a realistic budget.

Dismantling Your Old Kitchen

Even though it's tempting to wade in with a sledgehammer, don't! Remove your old kitchen cupboards carefully. You might not want them, but they can be upcycled by someone else and given a new lease of life. Salvage window frames, kitchen sinks and old floor tiles for reusing or recycling. When demolishing, you'll need professional advice on which walls are load-bearing. Turn your water supply off before dismantling any fixtures with plumbing. Make sure you keep all the debris contained outside and arrange for it to be regularly taken away.

Constructing Your New Kitchen

Accuracy is vital when you begin to design your new kitchen. If you're repositioning a sink, you may need to construct a new drain or extend the plumbing. Partition walls and center island units need to be accurately positioned as they'll be in place for a long time. A professional building contractor can make sure your kitchen remodel has the best start. Mistakes at this stage can spoil the final look of your kitchen and be expensive to correct.

Official Authorization

Arrange for the local city or county officials to pay you a visit. They need to check that your kitchen extension meets all the planning and building regulations. You might have to pay an inexpensive fee, but their approval is necessary. It's better for safety and for the day when you might want to sell your home. However, if the work is being done professionally, your building contractor will make sure the work meets the required standards.

Dry Wall Installation

Lining the interior with a dry wall product provides a smooth, solid surface. Ensure it fits well around windows, countertop bars and sinks. It's often beneficial to add a primer to the dry wall. It helps seal the surface and protect it from any accidental collisions when you're installing the kitchen cupboards.

Fixing Windows and Doors

When fitting new windows and doors ensure they are sealed correctly. It will help your kitchen feel cozy. You should also make savings on your energy bills. Many homes suffer substantial heat loss through ill-fitting windows. If you're keeping the existing windows make sure you add caulking to fix any gaps. Adding a decorative trim should give a coordinated look by complementing the style of your cupboards.

New Cupboards and Appliances

This stage is when your brand-new kitchen remodel begins to take shape. Make sure your plumbing is installed correctly before adding the cupboard units. Take care to hang doors and fix drawer runners properly so that your cupboards operate smoothly. Include items for kitchen garbage, water filtration and shelves. Then add your built-in appliances such as stoves and microwaves.

New Flooring

There are so many materials for flooring to suit every taste and budget. Consider the style you want your new kitchen to have. Engineered wood creates a cozy, natural look for a sophisticated, elegant home. Stone or ceramic tiles often look charming in a rustic kitchen. Vinyl is a practical material. It's available in a wide range of designs and colors to harmonize with your interior decor.

Conclusion

Without doubt, a kitchen extension is a big project. But if you plan and concentrate on one step at a time, your work will be organized and thorough. A plan helps you pay attention to all the details that will eventually be hidden but make such a contribution to the finished result. These can include solid foundations, cupboards that fit well and accurate measuring. Always appoint a professional building contractor if you don't have sufficient DIY skills. Then you'll finish with a beautiful new kitchen.

Author Bio:

Aaron Donovan is the owner of AD Services Building Contractors, who help homeowners with their construction needs. They are experts in kitchen extensions and have helped hundreds of clients achieve their dream kitchen.

4 Reasons Your Tile Roof Might Start Needing Repairs Earlier Than Expected

A good tile roof can last for decades under the right circumstances. Since roof replacement is a major investment, you should get your money's worth. When you choose quality products and experienced installers and use care in the years following your tile roof installation, you can avoid these four common reasons that a tile roof might fail.

Poor Tile Roofing Product

High-quality materials simply last longer than inferior ones. Selecting tile roofing that is approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) is a good start. Because tile roofing is so popular, substandard foreign-made materials are becoming common. Cheaper products almost certainly mean a shorter roof lifespan and a greater chance of failure. Saving money now with bad tile roofing could mean replacement in just a few years.

Improper Maintenance

Inspection is key to good roof maintenance. You should check monthly for broken tiles and dried or worn-away sealants, which can cause leaks that compromise the roof underlayment. Even the best roofing materials can be compromised by hail, sun, wind, and falling tree limbs or other objects. If you notice changes in your roof or see something that doesn't look right, get a professional tile roofing company to have a look. Quick action can limit the cost of repairs and prevent early replacement of the entire roof.

Bad Installation

Likely the most common cause of tile roof failure is bad installation. Many roofing contractors are overworked and staffed with poorly trained people, especially if there has been a hailstorm or wind event in the area recently. Good installers use the right fasteners for the material and add sealants, leak barriers and ventilation as necessary, always following product maker guidelines and local ordinances. You should never trust a handyman or carpenter with your roofing job.

Missing or Corroded Flashing

Flashing is a thin metal channel that protects the most vulnerable areas of a roof where water is likely to run, such as the joint between two sections of roof or around the chimney and vents. When flashing is missing, poorly installed, or corroded, it can lead to roof failure and damage to the home. All valleys, hips, skylights, and chimneys should be properly flashed. No matter the type or quality of roofing material, an improperly flashed roof will fail. Flashing is inexpensive and easy to install when replacing a roof.

If you have noticed any of these issues, you need to get your tile roof fixed as soon as possible to avoid further problems like water damage, structural damage, and mold in your home. A tile roofing company can fix or replace the sections of damaged tile. As long as you choose a reliable company and high-quality products this time, your roof should be able to last for years to come.

A tile roof can dramatically improve the look of a home, especially if the product is of high quality and carefully installed. But like any roof, tile can fail over time due to poor installation, low product quality, or lack of maintenance. When you make smart choices and keep an eye on your roof, however, your tile roof can last for the life of your home.

Facade Fix-Ups: How to Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal

If you’re hoping to sell your home, then you’ll have to make the property look good from the road. Potential buyers will make their first judgements the moment they arrive at your address, and that initial impression will linger long after they’ve walked through the door. Even if you’re not planning on selling, it still makes sense to boost your curb appeal. After all, your neighbors might like you a lot better if you do your part to keep the street looking its best. Here’s how you can take your house’s curb appeal to the next level.

Paint the Exterior

After years of exposure to the elements, the outside of your house is bound to look a little worse for wear. Even if the paint itself is still intact, the colors have likely faded. This gives your entire home a tired, sullen appearance. You’ll be amazed at how a simple painting can reinvigorate the exterior and improve your home’s curb appeal.

Touch up Your Landscaping

While many homeowners focus on the physical structure of the house, it’s vital to remember that your yard is just as important when it comes to curb appeal. If your property is filled with overgrown grass and dying plants, people are going to assume the interior of the home has been similarly neglected. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or invest hours of your time to rectify the situation. A single afternoon mowing the lawn, pulling weeds, and laying down mulch should make the yard look a whole lot better.

Clean and Repair Your Gutters

Fallen leaves can get into your gutters and slowly turn into dirt. Not only does this prevent your roof from draining the way it should, but it also creates an eyesore that’s clearly visible from the road. In the worst cases, plants can even be seen sprouting from the detritus. Getting up there and cleaning the area is the best way to restore the home to its normal appearance. If you’re not comfortable using a ladder, you could set up some scaffolding. Alternatively, you could hire professionals to do the work.

Your house will never look its best if you don’t keep up with standard maintenance. Tackling the three projects listed above is a great way to transform your home in a single season. By the time you’ve finished, your curb appeal will be greater than ever before.