How A Home Can Be Beautiful And Functional!

This post is provided by James Fitzpatrick.

When it comes to decorating your home, you want the aesthetic to match your personality. However, a home does need to be functional, especially if a household emergency comes about. Here are some items you should consider splurging on that will provide a great aesthetic but also provide functional benefit when it comes time for a household emergency.

1) Bulk Medical Supplies

At any moment, there could be a medical emergency in your household and you will want to make sure that you are prepared. While many bathrooms have Band-Aids in a drawer, what you really need is a fully stocked first-aid kit. Not only that, but you should also consider spending a little extra money to make it an emergency survival kit. There are many items to consider. Go to usamedicalsurgical.com to find out more about bulk medical supplies. This site has almost everything you would need for an emergency.

2) Toilet Plunger

In most households, a toilet plunger tends to be placed right next to the toilet. But if you are about modernizing your bathroom, do not spend two dollars on a piece of plastic that brings an eye sore to the bathroom. Instead, go a little crazy and buy something that looks stylish. Go for something in chrome and bronze and consider buying something that comes with a holder. That way when it is time to use the plunger, any drip off can go right into the holder instead of on the floor. Sometimes you can get a set plunger paired with a toilet bowl cleaner.

3) Keypad Entry For Homes

It is always a problem when a key breaks or gets lost and you get locked out of your home. When this happens, it is not a pleasant experience to have to call the police or your spouse to find the spare. To solve this problem, consider something higher-tech, like a keypad entry system. Not only is this a secure way to protect your house, but it can make your door a little flashier. Most keypads tend to be in some metallic form, so you can go for a stylish chrome or bronze, or a black painted keypad.

4) Security Cameras

Speaking of security, you should consider some form of external surveillance for your household. You can either set up security cameras above your key entry points or consider investing in doorbells with cameras. A company called Ring sells doorbells that also act as a camera so a person can see on their phone or any installed video screen in their house who is at their door. They can also keep track of visitors when they are not home in case a break-in is attempted.

5) Solar Power Panels With Built-In Generator

You do not want to be caught in the dark when the power goes out. However, if your house could run on solar, then it is possible to avoid any power outages because your home would generate its own power as well as be able to store it for emergencies. Tesla is a great company to choose as they provide both solar panels and solar wall generators. While these tend to fall under more expensive investments, they are worth having in any household to withstand any disaster that could typically leave your house without power.

6) Space Heater And Fan

While many homes have HVAC already installed for the elements, you may come across a scenario where your furnace or AC goes. You will want to make sure you are prepared by investing in a space heater for the wintertime, and an oscillating fan for the summertime. Oscillating fans are saturated in today's market, so do not always settle for the cheapest model. Fans come in all sizes and colors so you should be able to find one that matches your decor and wall colors. Also, space heaters are no longer just these big bulky items, but are compact and come in neutral colors like black or white. These space heaters are good to have on hand and can pack a nice heat punch when your furnace temporarily goes.

Consider these items in your house that are so much more stylish now than they used to be. They can preserve the function of your home when there is an emergency.

Kitchen Remodeling Trends That Increase Your Property Value!

This post is provided by Matt Lee.

Kitchen remodeling projects involve redesigning the kitchen’s layout, creating new forms and updated, energy-efficient functionality. Whether you are actively looking to sell or plan on staying in your home for many years to come, kitchen remodels can have a significant impact on your home’s value.

Many kitchen remodeling options that maximize the resale value of the home deal with the materials used for countertops, wall backsplashes, and floors. Just how much a kitchen remodel will add to the value of your home depends on many factors, including the materials used for countertops and flooring, the quality and functionality of the appliances, and the overall energy and cost efficiency of the remodeled kitchen.

Countertops

Countertops set the tone and character of your kitchen and can make the most significant impact on prospective buyers. Modern technological advances have opened up the options for high quality, durable materials to give your kitchen countertops strong and attractive surfaces for your most important room. Upgrading kitchen countertops as part of a comprehensive remodeling project is an essential element to increase the value of your home. Granite and solid surface kitchen countertop ideas in your remodeling project design will bring added beauty and functionality to your new kitchen.

Granite kitchen countertops are constructed from ground quartz and binding resins to provide a durable surface that is resistant to heat, stains, and moisture. Available in standard and waterfall countertop edge options, granite countertops come in just about any color or finish and are spotted with unique veining in each slab. Granite countertops will retain a pristine appearance for many years of regular use and serve to increase the value of the home.  

Updating Kitchen Floors

Using the same flooring material throughout the entire level where your kitchen resides will make the home appear larger and add resale value. Installing the right kind of flooring material can result in a direct return on your investment when it comes time to sell.

Hardwood floors in kitchen remodeling projects are a rising trend that will add a classic look that is easy to maintain and will last for many years. Grey tone wood flooring flooring has become an extremely popular kitchen flooring option that looks great and is becoming a standard to help increase home values through kitchen remodeling projects.

Updating Windows

Replacing or adding windows as part of a remodeling job provides beauty and adds natural light to the ambiance of your kitchen. There is a wide range of kitchen window types and styles on the market that will match your décor and needs. From a garden window above the sink to an expansive picture window showing off your view, energy-saving windows that help to keep utility bills low will also add resale value to your home.

Cabinetry

Updating kitchen cabinets during a remodel will define the look and style of your new kitchen and can have a real impact on your home’s resale value. Great looking and functional cabinetry designs make a kitchen look excellent and practical at the same time. Prospective buyers will not just look at the outside of your kitchen cabinets; they will want them to be well organized and plotted out to make the best use of the kitchen as a whole during meal preparation and storage.

Lighting

When designing a kitchen remodel the lighting plan can make a major impact on the way your new kitchen will look and work. Properly designed and installed ambient, accent, and task lighting can make a big difference in the look and functionality of your new kitchen. 

Kitchens are most often a central hub of the house where people gather to cook, eat, and socialize. It is the most-trafficked area of your home, and the first room prospective buyers typically inquire about when looking to buy a home. Remodeling your kitchen is one of the best investments a homeowner can make. 

Matt is a contributor to Innovative Green Building Materials. He is a blogger and a content writer for the building materials industry. Matt is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that increase property value, maximize energy savings, and turn houses into homes.