Archives for November 2022

Remodeling Projects for Your Rental Property

You finally moved into your new, rented home! You are so excited to put you own personal stamp on the home to truly make it yours when you realize, technically, it isn’t yours. What’s a renter to do? Here are a few guidelines – specifically for renters – that will allow you to add style and character to your home without breaking the lease. 

1. First of all, any remodeling project you embark on must be reversible. In other words, you must be able to restore the home to its original condition, should the landlord want it left in the exact condition as when you moved in. 

2. Any improvements you make should be relatively inexpensive; since you’re not the owner of the home, you won’t benefit from a return on your investment. 

3. Adding crown molding, ceiling medallions or wall trim offers a quick and affordable way to update the home’s style. However, these are often hard to remove should you need or want to take them with you when moving out. 

4. If you want to create more space in your rental home, consider lofted beds and dividers. Curtains offer a great, decorative way to add privacy, too. 

5. Changing out hardware is another great way to add your own personal touch to a home. Look for stylish doorknobs, cabinet knobs and pulls, and curtain rods and pull-backs. Be sure to save the original fixtures should they need to be restored when you move out. 

Above all else, make sure to stay in the confines of your lease and make sure all improvements are removable. 

Source: Yahoo! Real Estate

4 Tile Ideas for a Luxurious Bathroom Remodel

Everyone knows that updated bathrooms are key to fetching top dollar for your home. Even if you don’t plan on listing your house in the near future, it may be time to make some upgrades. If your bathrooms are feeling a little dated or worse for wear, here are several tile ideas to give them an elevated look.

Herringbone Marble Tile
For elegant bathroom floors, you can’t beat the combination of luxurious marble tiles arranged in a classic herringbone pattern. If you’re not the type who buys into trends, you can rest assured that this timeless design will look just as stylish twenty years from now as it does today.  

Patterned Encaustic Tile
Encaustic tiles have become increasingly popular in recent years and are an ideal choice for those who love vibrant patterns. Made from cement, the designs are inlaid into the tile and will last much longer than if they were painted on top. This trendy technique comes in a variety of styles, from geometric to exotic patterns, and can completely transform the feel of your bathroom.

Glass Mosaic Tile
If you want to make a splash in your bathroom, glass mosaic tiles are worth considering. They come in a stunning array of shimmering colors and are surprisingly durable. The best part is they can be a very eco-friendly option if you choose to go with recycled glass. These small, shiny tiles are usually either translucent or opaque, but no matter which one you opt for, you’re guaranteed to have a breathtaking bathroom.

Matte Black Subway Tile
If you’re going for a modern or minimalist style, then try using matte black subway tiles for a sleek design. You can get this low-luster look using stone, ceramic or even porcelain tiles. If you’re worried about it feeling too dark or cold, you can easily warm it up by introducing wood finishes and a few plants to bring your bathroom to life.

Don’t Clean These Items With Vinegar

The cleaning capabilities of vinegar are legendary among savvy homeowners, providing a chemical-free, inexpensive alternative for cleaning a wide array of household items and belongings. That said, there are certain things you should never clean with vinegar. Keep this handy list from Consumer Reports in mind before you damage a beloved item.

Your clothes iron. If you think that pouring vinegar into the water tank is a good way to clean your iron’s innards, don’t! The acidic nature of vinegar can eat away at the protective coating within the iron’s water chamber.

Stone countertops. Vinegar is such a handy cleaner in the kitchen, but not when it comes to your stone kitchen counters. The acid will ‘scar’ and dull natural stones such as marble and limestone, making them lose their shine. Vinegar can also break down the sealant on durable stones like granite. 

Electronic screens. While combining vinegar with water can leave your windows streak-free and squeaky clean, that’s not the case with the screens on your many devices, i.e., computers, mobile phones, tablets and televisions. Vinegar can damage a screen’s anti-glare properties and make touch screens less responsive.

Wood floors. Never use vinegar on your wood floors as it can dissolve the finish, leaving behind a cloudy, dull or scratched surface. Many flooring manufacturers will void a warranty if they discover you’ve used vinegar to clean the floor. 

Stainless steel. Many small appliances use a lower grade of stainless steel, which makes cleaning with vinegar a bad idea. The acid in the vinegar can quickly corrode and rust the metal finish.