With temperatures in the 90’s and higher in some places and money tigher than ever, now is the ideal time to look at how energy efficient your air conditioning system is. If you use a wall unit, you might think about recycling your old one and buying an Energy Star model. If you are lucky enough to have central air, consider contact an HVAC professional to test your system. It may have holes and other openings where cool air is escaping.
As the dog days of summer hit, why not think about installing a pool? It will provide hours of enjoyment and will help you cool down on hot days. You can choose one that is above or below ground, and many shapes and sizes are available. There are also many extras such as built-in volleyball nets or waterfalls.
If you’re shopping for windows, you may have seen all sorts of labels out there. One of the the most important is the window’s U-value, which every manufacturer is required to list. Long story short, lower U-values are always better in terms of energy efficiency. You’ll also want to look for low-e coatings, which in warmer climates block heat and in colder climates keep warmth inside the home. Finally check for the Energy Star label. Windows with it are 15 to 40 percent more efficient.
You may have heard the term before, but do you know what an induction cooktop is? Popular in Europe and Asia and slowly coming to the U.S., induction cooking uses magnets to generate heat in the pan itself rather than a flame. It has several advantages: It is more efficient because more than 90 percent of the heat generated goes toward cooking; it is safer because you can touch the burner when the magnets are on and not be burnt; and it is faster, boiling water in just a few minutes. The downside is you’ll have to use ferrous (containing iron) cookware, though most pots and pans will work. It’s also about 10-15% more expensive. Consider induction cooktop for your next kitchen remodel.
Watering the lawn every day in hot weather can be very tedious. Why not install sprinklers? It’s not nearly as difficult or expensive as you might imagine. Prices vary for an automatic sprinkler system, but expect to pay between $2,500 and $3,500 for your front and back yard. You’ll save countless hours not doing yard work, and in fact, you may be able to simply enjoy your lawn for once!
When you think of linoleum, you usually think of your grandmother’s ugly, dull kitchen floors. Well that’s part of the reason it’s so eco-friendly; it lasts forever. Another reason is its made from natural materials including linseed oil, in combination with wood flour or cork dust over a burlap or canvas backing. As far as aesthetics, linoleum has come a long way with new brighter patterns and colors. In fact, it is a growing market in flooring options. So if you are re-doing your floors, take linoleum into consideration.
If your family room is tiny, don’t worry. There’s still plenty you can do. To clear up clutter, consider constructing a built-in bookcase. They work especially well under a flight of stairs or under a window. Choose light colors so the room won’t feel so claustrophobic, and a mirror over the couch will also open up the space. For furniture, take a less is more approach. Otherwise, the space will feel extra cramped. If you are concerned there won’t be enough seating, think about bean bags for the kids or other portable chairs that can be stowed away when company comes or when you want to complete an activity. Finally, always think vertical. Wall shelves and hooks can increase your storage space exponentially.
At first, a water feature may seem extravagant, but the reality is, they are much easier to build than you think. Why not enjoy a small waterfall leading to a koi pond in your backyard? Or a bubbling fountain? The possibilities are endless. Just make sure the feature is far enough away from trees (you don’t want to have to constantly rake leaves out of it), and that there is no stagnant water (otherwise mosquitoes will make it their breeding ground). Just call a landscape contractor to get started.
Is there so much stuff in your garage you can’t even park the car anymore? You aren’t alone. Why not tackle this project now? You have several options: First, you can hire a handyman to build custom shelving and cabinets, which you can combine with the a slew of products that organize everything from sports equipment to gardening supplies. If you’re still short on space, consider building storage elsewhere, an outdoor shed for example.
Anyone who enjoys entertaining or has children can benefit from a half bath. In fact, they are more popular than ever. Some people put one next to the mud room, ensuring the kids wash up before entering the house. Other ideas are to place a half bath under a flight of stairs. Normally this is dead space or an unused closest. To save money, try planning your half bath so that it shares a wall with the full bath. That way it’s easier to access plumbing lines.
You may have heard of framed and frameless cabinets, but do you know the difference? Framless cabinets are more popular in Europe, but are making their way to the U.S. As the name suggests, there is no “frame.” In other words, the door completely overlays the cabinets box, revealing no part of the cabinet underneath. They are constructed more like a box with plywood or particleboard sides, top, and back. Framed cabinets have doors attached to a “frame,” which is usually hardwood. The sides are usually a thinner plywood back. Base cabinets have no top.
Do you want to paint over those boring beige walls? Or maybe buy a new appliance? Well you should know what colors are hot right now? Responding to the environmental movement, many people are responding to nature-inspired hues, such as lush greens, warm browns, soft yellows, raspberry. On the other end of the spectrum, bright, splashy colors are also popular, and there is a growing demand in appliances for reds and blues. Beige, whites, and other blah neutrals are now dated.
Well not literally of course. But if springtime and summer find you grilling, sunning, and generally enjoying your yard every day, why are you settling for that boring deck? Why not upgrade to a full outdoor room? You may have heard of outdoor kitchens, which can have everything from refrigerators to wine coolers to cabinetry, but more people are designing functional spaces outdoors similar to living rooms. You can get loungers, sofas, end tables, and even a TV!
At one point, carpeting was considered the ultimate luxury. Today, more and more people are ripping up their carpeting to uncover the beautiful hardwood floors underneath. If you aren’t lucky enough to have hardwood floors in good enough shape or if you are building a new home, you still have plenty of options. Hardwood floors can be wide plank or more narrow, use new wood or reclaimed, come in a variety of colors, and be made of several species, including ash, cherry, and oak.
Tired of constantly buying bottled water? You probably already know you can have a filter placed on your kitchen faucet, but have you ever considered a whole-house water filtration system? Basically it involves putting a filter where your main water line comes into the house. So every sink, shower, washing machine, and basically anything other plumbing fixture will have filtered water. You’ll not only be helping save the environment by not using plastic bottles, but you’ll definitely see financial savings as well. Did you know that even with today’s high gas prices, the price of a gallon of bottled water is higher than that of gasoline? A filter can be added to new construction or during a remodel.
