home remodel Archives - Page 10 of 14

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4 Tips for New Homeowners

9May2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]No matter what your age, if you’ve taken the leap into buying a new home, you’re going to need some guidance on where to go from here. Make use of these few survival tips so you can ease into the joys of owning your new home!

Focus on What Needs Immediate Attention
Moving into a new home can be stressful especially depending on the current state of the house. It’s important to take into account what you can afford in the beginning while always keeping in mind the future home projects your house may need along the way.

Figure Out What Repairs You Can’t Do On Your Own
One of the new expenses that accompanies home ownership is having to make repairs. There’s a time and a place to do small repairs on your own, but be careful trying to take on the ones that could put you in danger. Do not do yourself or your house the injustice of giving it the improper treatment. Remember that your home is both the place where you live as well as an investment, and it deserves the same amount of care you would give to anything else you value greatly.

Service Checks
Be sure to evaluate all of your home systems including your water heater, fireplace, and/or chimney, and any major appliances that must be checked. As a new homeowner, you want to make sure that your house is properly functioning before you begin to move in just in case the unexpected happens and your valuable items take a hit. Be proactive and take the necessary precautions beforehand to ensure a smooth transition.

Changing the Locks
Once again, protect yourself from another worst-case scenario by changing your locks before you move in. The last thing you want is to leave your home (and your valuables) vulnerable to previous residents of that home who might still have access. Don’t put this task off especially since you don’t know how many copies of the house key the previous owner made. Be able to enjoy your new home by first making yourself and those you live with as safe as possible by completing these tasks beforehand. It’s time to sit back and take some pride in one of the most memorable purchases of your life!

Did you just purchase a new house and do you need help with a renovation project? Our team at McDonald Contracting will be happy to help you assess your new home and give you a free quote for any projects you may need assistance with. Check out our recent work to get an idea of the work we do!

Need inspiration for you house? Check out our Pinterest boards for some great home ideas![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Blog

3 Ways to Maximize Bathroom Space

6Mar2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Tackling what is probably the smallest room in your house can be challenging when you’re trying to maximize space. However, if you have been blessed with an exceptionally small bathroom, you’re in luck. Here are three of our design tricks that will help you to make your tiny bathroom feel like an entirely new space.

Use Softer Colors
The best way to make a room appear larger is to use softer colors on your walls. Pale or neutral colors tend to give the illusion of space. When you’re redesigning a small room, the color palette should fit the size of the room. A bathroom is meant to be fresh and relaxing so using too many vibrant colors in one palette can overwhelm people and force them to feel tense and cramped. Keep the colors soft, but feel free to add life to the room with the decor accents you use.

Recessed Lighting
Most bathrooms only have a single overhead light, which is inadequate when it comes to lighting the tub, toilet, and vanity areas of the bathroom. Light, especially natural light, always brings the illusion of more space to a room since darkness makes a room feel more confined. However, if your bathroom lacks a window, recessed lighting is a great alternative. Not only does it add functionality to the room, but it can be a great way to add style to the space.

Declutter
The more cluttered the space is, the smaller you make it. A great way to keep your bathroom looking bigger, better, and more organized is to begin by decluttering items that are not necessary to the overall design and functionality of the bathroom. Feel free to add bins, baskets and shelves for additional storage and organization. Recessed shelving in the shower is also a fantastic way to gain more storage and to keep your shower products from bopping around the entire bathroom.

View one of our recent bathroom renovation projects[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”blue” el_width=”70″][vc_column_text]Our team at McDonald Contracting can help you design your dream bathroom! Contact us today and receive a free quote![/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”blue” el_width=”70″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Blog

3 Reasons Why We Love Mudrooms

15Feb2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Any homeowner with a mudroom will tell you that it is one of the most useful and convenient rooms in the house during these incredibly busy months especially when we have no clue when all this snow and cold weather will come to an end! So let’s prepare for those late season snowstorms that love to surprise us in these last few months of winter so that we can truly optimize our household space. Here are three reasons why a mudroom addition is essential to your home.

Great for Storage: Something every homeowner seems to always need is more storage in their house. And since winter is a time where we accumulate the most stuff whether it be gifts, clothing, shoes, shovels, etc. we are in desperate need of a place to put it all. Installing a mudroom will optimize the space of your home by providing you with convenient storage space so you can be as organized and efficient as possible during these hectic months. It will also allow your family, especially if you have kids or frequent guests, storage space to put boots, jackets, and other articles of winter clothing.

Keeps the House Cleaner: When everything has its place, the entire house is much cleaner, which makes for a happy homeowner! A mudroom will guarantee you a much more pristine household since everything that is normally spewed across the floor and furniture as people trample their way in will be neatly placed in their designated spots in the mudroom. It also saves you from breaking out the mop every day to wipe up the muck, mud, and melted snow that kids and guests tend to track all across your nice floors. A mudroom will allow you to contain all of the clutter into one space as opposed to the rest of your house.

Provides More Comfort for Guests: Having a mudroom also provides an entryway where both guests and family can completely unload before settling into your home. When there is no middle ground between the outside of your home and the main living space, guests can feel overwhelmed and out of place if there is not a more informal area to drop coats, bags, shoes, etc. It’s time to please your guests and yourself by considering the storage, cleanliness, and comfort bonuses behind adding a mudroom to your home!

Let us know if you need help with designing your very own mud room!

-Thanks for reading, The McDonald Contracting Team[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]