SkyFive Properties Blog

The home improvement industry has grown by 6.4% over the past 5 years. In 2018, the home remodeling industry was valued at $99 billion.

There are many reasons why homeowners undertake the best home improvements for resale. For starters, they want to make their homes, comfortable. Also, they want to increase its value and improve its curb appeal.

What outdoor home improvement projects should you invest in? What home improvements add the most value?

In this post, we cover the best home improvements for resale.

Build a Deck

If you want to boost your home resale value and turn your outdoor space into a relaxing area, build a deck. Before building a deck, there are a few factors to consider. They include the type of material such as pressure treated wood, composite wood or cedar.

Other factors to consider include permit and size. If your deck is less than 200 square feet and is under 30 inches from the ground, you don’t need a permit. This does not mean that you should not consult with the local state authority.

To ease the whole process, have a home improvement list and hire a professional contractor.

Install an Outdoor Firepit

In summer, spending time with your family roasting marshmallows improves family bonding. By building an outdoor fire pit, you increase your home value and create delightful memories.

You have the choice of a simple DIY model or hire a professional contractor to do it for you. As one of the best remodeling ideas, choose the right fire pit design that suits your entertaining needs. Choices available include:

• In-ground fire pit
• Custom sized fire pit
• Firepit with a ring kit

There are several DIY tutorials available online that will help you design your own fire pit. Make a quick search on Google, Bing or Yahoo and start building.

Install Steel Entry Doors

Did you know that burglars tend to avoid homes with security systems? 60% of burglars report that security systems deter them from intruding a home. One of the best home improvements for resale is a steel entry door.

Used by commercial property owners, steel entry doors can protect residential properties too. Made from steel, they are also constructed with thermal adhesives. This helps to improve the structural integrity of the door and energy efficiency.

Also, the door will never rot, warp or be affected by weather elements such as rain or snow. The good news is they are available in many paint finishes, styles, and stains including glass.

Want to make your home more appealing? Install an enclosed porch. Not only will this allow you to share your home AC with the porch, but you will have a relaxing area for summer.

Revamp Your Landscape’s Beauty

Lack of a curb appeal lowers the value of your home. Why? It gives your home a bad impression even though the interior looks beautiful and homely. Today, you have landscape ideas and home improvements that add value for townhome owners.

By incorporating these ideas, you can transform your yard into a great mood booster. Start by incorporating retaining walls. These can double as extra seating. Add vertical gardens to serve as your privacy walls.

You can include contemporary pergolas such as space heaters, sound systems, and lighting. When you pair this with an outdoor fire pit or kitchen, it improves the outdoor experience. Don’t forget to reseed your lawn and mow it from time to time.

Best Home Improvements for Resale and Curb Appeal

There are more best home improvements for resale that you can include outdoors. For instance, you can install outdoor lights, build a patio, and powerwash your driveway. Don’t forget to focus on energy efficiency and comfort.

Want to buy or acquire real estate property? Check out our website’s Home webpage.

Does your home look like it’s right out of the 1980s or 1990s?

That could be a good thing!

Surprising as it may seem, there are certain vintage trends from those two decades that have earned the label of “awesome retro” look in home decor.

So it may be that you’re actually cool.

1980/90s Vintage Trends Making a Comeback

Whether you’re already decked out in this style, or you’ve simply got some nostalgia for this era, here’s what’s showing up lately on the interior design radar:

1. Mirrored Kitchen Backsplashes

The backsplash has been on trend for a while now.

But only recently has the mirrored kitchen backsplash starting showing up in kitchens of who like a little glamour.

Popular during the disco era of the late ’70s and early ’80s, the mirrored kitchen backsplash not only added glamour but helps open the kitchen up a bit.

It’s a great way to give a small kitchen some big attitude.

2. Gold

You’ve likely noticed muted brass popping up in interiors for quite some time now. But homeowners are taking it up a notch with gold.

Gold as an interior accent was big in the 1980s and early 1990s.

While some prefer their gold accents to also be muted, others have discovered how perfectly shinier gold pairs with dark and dramatic colors.

But skip the gold wallpaper. Gold is best appreciated when used in moderation.

3. Large Floral Patterns

If you were around in the 1980s, it would be hard to forget the popularity of floral prints. You may still have a comforter in the attic.

That comforter has just come back into style.

Regardless of how you personally felt about this trend, you’ll find big and bold floral patterns on bedding, pillows, and even wallpaper.

Of course, much like the gold, floral prints look best in small doses. And there’s always the chance this trend with be as short-lived as it was the first time.

4. Wood Cabinets in the Kitchen

Wood cabinets were once all the rage. They went out of fashion for a bit, and are now back.

But when we mention wood cabinets, we’re not talking about those dark monstrosities from the 1980s.

Head to any shops that focus on wood products, and you’ll see the trend now is for kitchen cabinets in lighter tones of wood. There are many different styles.

And when paired with bits of color, they give quite a contemporary feel. Speaking of color…

5. Blue and White

The blue and white palette was cool in the early 1990s. Almost too cool. The tendency was to use it in massive amounts to create a tranquil feeling.

Today though, blue and white are used more sparingly and often as part of a more broad design.

6. Pastels

It’s safe to say that the pastels that dominated the 1980s and 90s were obnoxious. They covered entire walls and were on every article of clothing.

Today’s pastels aren’t so cloyingly sweet and considerably more sophisticated. Especially when they’re offset with a bolder accent color. You wouldn’t have seen that in 1989.

Embrace the 1980s and 1990s

Whether you have an apartment or a luxury home, you can get on board with some of the vintage trends from this era.

And if you’re currently in the market for a luxury home, be sure to check out our available properties today.

Then you can add your own 1980s/90s flair!

Selling your home doesn’t have to be a complicated process. In fact, it is now easier than ever for you to fetch a high price for your property without having to worry about a thing.

Declutter

The first thing that you need to do is get rid of anything excessive. If you can’t stand to throw everything out, consider putting it in storage. People need to be able to see themselves in your property. This can be difficult if you have personal possessions absolutely everywhere, so clear away as much as you can. If you have bulky furniture, then you need to move it around so that the room feels bigger too. This will open up the space and it will also make each room feel bigger than it is. If you want to sell your home, this article should help.

Paint

Painting the walls inside your home can really make it feel bigger. It will give your visitors the chance to see how they  could adapt the room to meet their needs too. If you have redecorated recently then it will be easier for the buyer to move in as well, so this is another bonus. Creating a good first impression is everything here, so give the front door a new coat and eliminate any brightly coloured walls that you have.

Fix Everything

Even minor repairs can put a buyer off. Holes in walls, door knobs that have been broken and even cracked tiles can all be off-putting. A lot of buyers don’t want to move in if they have to make changes, so take care of this for them. You also need to put the effort in to get everything nice and sparkly too. This involves getting rid of limescale and even repairing the tile grout that you have. Wooden floors need to be waxed, and fresh towels need to be laid out. This will give your viewers the chance to feel as though they are living there already. Tidying up the garden is also essential. Take the time to clean up the patio and cut the grass too.

Update the Kitchen

They say that the kitchen is the most valuable room in the house, and this is most certainly the case. It can make all the difference to a buyer that is unsure. If you want to upgrade your kitchen then you need to reface all of your kitchen cabinetry. This is just as effective as replacing your entire kitchen and it can also add serious value to your home. Plumbing fixtures and white goods should also be considered, as they can help you to sell your property way faster.

Light and Airy

Wall mirrors can always make a room feel much bigger and brighter too. Put some up in your smaller hallways or even display them in your smallest rooms. When you do this, you can easily bring out the true personality of your home. Of course, it also helps to replace any light bulbs that might be broken as this can make your property way more attractive to buyers.

Light a Fire

If it is cold outside, then you need to light a fire. This will make your home feel more welcoming and it will also make it feel cosier. Burn some pinecones, or even set some logs up by the fire. If you don’t have a log fire or anything else similar, then make sure that it is as clean as possible. When you do this, you can easily make the room feel way more welcoming.

Windows

It’s so important that you dress your windows properly. Curtains or even blinds are great here because they will help your home to avoid looking run down or impersonal. If you can, you should always buy some cheap ones because they will make a huge difference to your home and you can leave them behind.

Smells

Believe it or not, bad smells can be a huge turnoff for prospective buyers. You have to make sure that you don’t just cover them up with air freshener. You need to deal with the problem at its source, so clear the drains, wash down your bins, air out the kitchen and eliminate any remnants of cigarette smoke. Grimy bed sheets need to be washed too, so make sure that you keep this in mind. Of course, good smells can make your property feel like an alluring home, so brew some coffee, buy some fresh flowers or invest in a quality air freshener.

You love getting away from the city for a while, and you’ve finally achieved your dream of buying your own log cabin.

The only problem?

When it comes to cabin decor ideas, you’re willing to admit that you have no idea what you’re doing.

You want the space to have a peaceful and natural feel, but you also want to be chic in addition to cozy and comfortable when you’re off the grid.

From rustic window seats to picking the right color palette, read on to learn from some of our best rustic cabin decorating ideas.

1. Install a Window Seat

There are few better things than sipping on a warm cup of coffee and watching the gorgeous scenes of nature from your cabin window.

To make the most of your time, you should install a window seat when you’re decorating a cabin. Add a flannel blanket and a small floor lamp nearby, so that you can curl up with a good book while you enjoy the scenery.

Even consider adding a bookshelf on one of the surrounding walls, so that you never run out of reading material.

If you’re especially handy, you might even be able to install your own window seat. This guide makes it easy to learn how. We think it’s a great way to leave your own mark on your cabin, and you’ll enjoy relaxing in the space, even more, knowing that you created it.

Plus, you can also use the window seat as an extra storage spot in your cabin. We think it’s a great place for hiking and skiing gear. Goodbye, clutter!

2. Try Wood Paneling

In most cases, wood paneling is associated with 1970s decor – and many homeowners actually try to get rid of it.

However, there’s one place that it definitely belongs: on the walls of your cabin.

Treated wood paneling is synonymous with rustic cabin style, and you can choose the perfect finish to make it darker or lighter. If you want to go with a more modern touch, you could even paint the paneling red or deep green, the perfect cabin colors.

Another amazing trick we love?

If you don’t want your entire walls to be covered with wood paneling, install an old barn door to create a beautiful accent wall.

3. Invest in a Stone Fireplace

Since much of cabin decor keeps to a chestnut brown, red, green, and yellow color scheme, great cabin decor ideas are those that play around with texture.

Since granite countertops don’t exactly give you the most laid back look, one place to get creative with texture is your fireplace.

Gorgeous gray stones look absolutely stunning when arranged in an arch over the fireplace. Don’t aim for a perfect fit when you’re installing the stone fireplace. Use natural rocks of different shapes and sizes to keep things interesting.

Since lots of wood will certainly be involved in your cabin’s construction, always ensure you practice smart fireplace safety.

4. Save Space With Bunkbeds

Now that the word is out about your cabin, we’re certain that many of your friends and family members would love to be able to stay there with you.

In order to accommodate everyone and prevent overcrowding your space, we suggest that you invest in some bunk beds. Especially if younger children will be staying at the cabin, we’re certain that they’ll be thrilled with this touch of rustic fun.

If you’re still in the process of finding the perfect mountain home, consider adding built-in bunk beds to your log cabin buying checklist.

5. Open Kitchen Shelving

Whether you’re storing canned goods or picking things from your cabin garden, open kitchen shelving is certainly a hallmark of cabin decor.

Plus, if you’re only staying there for part of the year, you likely won’t have too many groceries.

Open shelving makes it easier for you to find everything you need. To keep things looking interesting, pick up some antique spice jars and break up the shelving space with small flowers and other knick-knacks.

Don’t be afraid to use open shelving in other parts of your cabin, too.

We especially love the idea of installing an open shelf right outside your cabin’s entrance. Consider it a subtle reminder for everyone to take off their muddy shoes before coming back indoors. Also, add a hook outside for jackets and umbrellas.

6. Get Bold With Lighting

Let’s be honest: most cabin decorating ideas aren’t about creating a bold statement or going too over-the-top.

There’s one place in your cabin home, however, where the less-is-more rule doesn’t apply: your lighting fixtures.

Don’t be afraid to go for a bold chandelier, and use natural materials like wood and old branches if you can. Of course, you could always go for a classic look and invest in an antler chandelier.

Try These Cabin Decor Ideas to Make Your Space Special

We know that these cabin decor ideas have you ready to hit the flea market, head to your favorite home decorating shop, or even go into the woods to look for the perfect raw materials.

It’s easy to find ways to accent the natural beauty of your wooded surroundings, while at the same time making the space uniquely your own.

Need a few more tips on where you should go when you just need a break from the Bay Area for a while?

Want to score the latest decorating tips and tricks?

Our blog makes it easy to do all that and more, so keep checking in with us for the latest in all things chic.

When you’re selling a home, you want to make the best impression on buyers possible. About 49% of buyers are going to be influenced by how your home is staged.

You want to make sure that you present your home in the best possible light. What if you already moved out and you don’t have any furniture left to stage the home?

You actually have more options available and this could work in your favor. Read on to find out how to stage a house with no furniture.

Should You Stage a Home with No Furniture?

One of the biggest booms in real estate is in home staging. It’s common for real estate agents and sellers to hire a home staging company to

There are some disadvantages to staging your home with no furniture.

The first thing that’s a major disadvantage is that you can’t hide anything. For example, a stain on the floor can’t be covered with an area rug. Cracks and chipped paint can’t be covered up, either.

As a seller, you don’t want to look desperate to sell your home. A completely empty home could send off signals that you need to sell your home quickly.

If you don’t stage an empty home, it can feel empty. Buyers will pick up on that. Homes are places with soul. A home that’s empty and not staged can feel unwelcoming and uninviting.

An empty home can pose safety risks and you could experience break-ins.

One of the biggest advantages is that buyers aren’t influenced by the style of furniture already in the home. For example, you may love a rustic look and decorated your home that way. You may have potential buyers who are fans of mid-century modern or modern furniture.

They won’t be able to fully envision the possibilities of the space without looking past the furniture that doesn’t fit their style.

With an empty space that’s staged well, buyers can take measurements and then decide where they can fit their modern furniture.

How to Stage a House with No Furniture

As you can see, there are plenty of advantages and disadvantages to staging a home with no furniture. The key is that you have to put in the effort, no matter how much furniture you have and make it enticing for buyers.

Ready to learn how to stage a house with no furniture? Check out these insightful tips.

Curb Appeal Matters Even More

Do you know what curb appeal is? It’s how people view your home from the curb. Buyers will often form a first impression based on the exterior of the home and then they tour the home hoping to find more evidence of what they found outside.

For example, let’s say that your home looks exquisite from the outside. The landscaping is perfect and your walkway is welcoming and inviting.

Buyers will get a positive first impression. When they walk inside, they’ll look for other reasons to love the home. They may love the spacious rooms, open kitchen or natural lighting. If they don’t like the walkway, they’re likely to notice every single thing wrong with your home.

What you can do is add colorful plants and small lights to the walkway or update the driveway design. You want to give your landscaping a cheery look and feel while the colors add some pop to the landscape.

Of course, make sure that the grass isn’t growing too long, and your landscape isn’t full of weeds. That can turn off buyers.

Rely on Color and Lighting

Once you have buyers walk in the door, you want to wow them with color and light. Buyers respond to bright and cheerful homes, and you can use them to your advantage.

You can change all of the light bulbs in your home to brighter bulbs. You can also strategically use lighting to highlight features of the home and keep potentially negative aspects in the dark.

Using floor lamps, table lamps, and overhead lighting can create a big, bright space, even in small rooms.

Natural light is a big seller and something that can draw buyers to your home. Trim the foliage outside to make sure you’re getting the most natural light in the room. You’ll also need to clean the windows as light coming in through dirty windows will be noticeable.

Color can be used simply in your home without furniture. You may not require a full coat of paint on your walls. A simple color update to your trim can create a bright and bold feel in your home.

If You’re Really in a Hurry to Sell Your Home…

Are you on a time crunch and really need to sell your home? If that’s the case, then you do have a few options available to you.

The first option is to rent furniture or to hire a home staging company to handle this part of the process. This isn’t ideal if you’re in a hurry and on a tight budget.

The other option is to sell your home for cash through a company like Cornerstone Homebuyers. It’s a quick process and removes the headaches of selling your home.

Staging a Home Can Sell It Fast

Home sellers want to get their house off the market as soon as possible. When you’re selling a home, you want to get the most value you possibly can out of the sale. A higher sales price means more money in your pocket.

Yet, if you don’t know how to stage a house with no furniture, your home could be sitting on the market for a long time, forcing you to lower the asking price.

Focus on the appearance of the entire home, both exterior and interior to create a warm, welcoming and bright home. That will help buyers see themselves living there.

Do you want more great real estate tips? Read this article that tells you when it’s time to replace your home windows.

Vacant land is one of the most overlooked opportunities going. It is a misconception that they aren’t worth anything once purchased. There is a whole business dedicated to buying and selling vacant spaces. The more building developments that have appeared in recent years, the more that land becomes a tasty investment

Buy land, they aren’t making anymore of it. – Mark Twain

Mark Twain, has a point. What is left in terms of land in certain areas will never be there again, so if you have the opportunity to buy. Do it.

So why should you invest in land?

Lazy People

With vacant land, you have a choice. You can build something great asap. Or you can leave it alone to add to the local landscape. In fact, one of the easiest ways to make money is to buy vacant land cheaply, and sell it on when there is an increase in popularity in housing in those areas. Developers love to get their hands on these spaces. It is a ‘hands-off’ investment.

Building

If you purchase land at a reasonable price, you can build on it. If you need planning permission and permits, then get them. The value of the area will rise significantly just because there is the ability to build on it. If you choose to, you can build homes or simply build on there too. And then rent or sell them. Sherman Pole Buildings have great examples of what can be done.

Orchards & Vineyards

If you would prefer to add something more natural to the landscape, then plant an orchard. You can make a steady income from what is produced. If you happen to be very community-minded, you can give all of the produce to food banks and churches in the local area.

If you are one for a nice glass of white wine at the weekend, you can plant and dabble in growing your own grapes and producing small batches of wine. They look beautiful, are ideal for people with a little bit of time on their hands. And, they will make an income every year that the wine is ready.

Community Garden

If you are community minded, and wish to give back and provide, then here is your opportunity. Create a space that people in your local community can come and contribute to. Planting vegetable gardens, learning about wildlife and making friends will happen here. You can raise funds to enable you to make some significant changes in the space, and be a place for people to unwind and relax too.

Of course, what you do with the land will make a difference to the local area. If you introduce new breeds of flowers, new insects and animals will follow. Building houses for people to rent or purchase will likely bring the most significant return on your initial investment. Once you have the land, there is no rush to decide what you want to do with it.

Everyone wants a piece of land. It’s the only sure investment. It can never depreciate like a car or washing machine. Land will only double its value in ten years. – Sam Shepard

Since your kitchen cabinets are at eye-level, they’re one of the first things you’ll see when you enter your kitchen.

Because of this, your cabinets can either make or break your kitchen.

Old cabinets or cabinets that are out of style will make your kitchen look shabby or out-dated. So how do you pick the right cabinets for your kitchen?

We’ve put together these nine tips to help you choose kitchen cabinets that’ll fit your style.

So let’s dive in!

1. Set a Budget

Before you start looking at cabinets, you should come up with a budget. Otherwise, you might fall in love with a cabinet you can’t afford. The cost of any cabinet, even if it seems small, can add up fast.

2. Think About What You Do/Don’t Like About Your Current Cabinets

Once you have your budget set, the next step is to look at your current cabinets and come up with a list of things you do/don’t like.

Do your current cabinets have features you must-have? Do you have how they look? Do you need more storage? Do you want to change the design? Or your custom kitchen cabinets?

Write these things down so you can have them in front of you when you start shopping. Without a hard list, you might forget something or get distracted by all the available choices.

3. Pick a Style

There are a few things you should consider when it comes to picking a style for your new kitchen cabinets.

First, you should consider the style of your home. You wouldn’t want to buy sleek, modern cabinets if you live in a rustic barn house. Go with something that will match your house’s design aesthetic.

The next choice you have to make is whether you want closed or open shelving.

Open shelve cabinets have been growing in popularity over the last few years, but they aren’t a good fit for every kitchen. You should only consider open shelving if you’re always an organized person.

Messy stacks of dishes in open shelve cabinets will detract from the rest of your kitchen.

4. Consider Any Extra Features

Extra features can make the price of your kitchen cabinets go up, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth it. Many extra features can maximize your kitchen storage space or make your cooking easier.

Here’s a quick look at some additional kitchen cabinet features you might want:

• Spice drawers
• Pull-out trash cans
• Pull-out tables
• Pull-out cutting boards
• Roll-out drawer trays
• Appliance garage
• Swing-out shelving
• Lazy Susan

If you do want extra kitchen cabinet features, make sure you account for them in your budget.

5. Take Current Trends into Account

You should be aware of the current kitchen cabinet trends as you’re shopping.

For example, white is still a popular color for kitchens, but there are other colors rising in popularity. Grey is one of those colors, and many homeowners are choosing their appliances in reds, blues, purples, greens, and more.

And while displaying some of your kitchen appliances, such as a blender or coffee maker, used to be the “look”, now the trend is to keep those items out of the way and out of sight.

Buying cabinets that are out of trend can leave you with a kitchen that looks out of date and somewhat boring. It’s always a good idea to research the current trends before you make your final cabinet choice.

6. Choose the Material

Wood isn’t the only type of kitchen cabinet material out there.

You can choose from a number of materials, including the following:

• Metal
• Melamine
• Thermo foil
• Stainless steel
• Wood

Out of all these choices, wood is still the most popular. But even if you decide to stick with solid wood, you have to choose the type of wood you want.

Here’s a list of some of the wood types you might have to pick from:

• Cherry
• Maple
• Oak
• Alder
• Hickory
• Birch
• Walnut

You can even choose to design your kitchen cabinets out of exotic woods like mahogany, teak, or tigerwood.

If you aren’t sure what type of wood will look good in your kitchen, you can always talk to a kitchen designer to get a few suggestions.

7. Think About the Construction

There are three main types of kitchen cabinets: custom, semi-custom, and stock.

Custom cabinets are the most expensive. They are designed specifically for your kitchen. On the other hand, stock cabinets come in basic shapes and are much cheaper. Semi-custom are a mix of both.

Unless you have an unusually shaped kitchen, stock cabinets are a good choice for most homeowners. They cost less than custom cabinets, but they’re still high quality.

Make sure you research and read more about these types of cabinets before you make your final choice.

8. Pick a Color

Your preferred color might determine the type of material or wood you need. However, you can always stain or paint your favorite wood into different shades.

There aren’t many limitations when it comes to color.

But to make sure it fits in with the rest of your home, make sure you think about the overall style of your house and pick a color that matches the design.

9. Use All the Available Space

Many kitchens don’t have enough storage space. Because of this, you should do your best to use all the available space in your kitchen.

Think outside the box.

Come up with clever storage hacks that fit in areas you would have normally overlooked.

How to Choose Kitchen Cabinets That’ll Fit Your Style

Before you choose kitchen cabinets for your remodel, you’ll need to set a clear budget. After that, consider things like the style of your home, kitchen trends, your favorite material, and—of course—your personal preference guide you through the shopping process.

Would you rather move into a new home than renovate?

Make sure you click here to take a look at some of our available properties.

Last year US homeowners spent nearly 400 billion US dollars on home renovation projects. If you’re looking to add value to your home, consider renovating your driveway into a beautiful and functional design.

How do you design a driveway and what materials will you need? Designing a new driveway is a great opportunity to get creative and add character to your home. You can make it visually enjoyable for your guests or practical for your home’s drivers.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with new materials and layouts. Today’s homeowners are adding unique twists to their driveways for extra curbside appeal. You can opt for environmentally-friendly options or a classic and timeless design. Read on to discover ten driveway design ideas that you’re sure to love.

How to Design a Driveway

Driveway renovations are one of the most planned home improvement projects for today’s homeowners. You might have a cracked driveway that needs repairs or want to refresh the curb appeal of your home. Whatever the reason for giving your driveway a makeover, there are factors you need to consider before starting on your project.

Consider the Layout

Homes with large front lawns offer more room for renovated driveways, but any driveway can be made into a stunning design. As you design your remodeled drive, you need to figure out how you want your car to get from the street to the garage.

You’ll also need to consider the direction your driveway faces before beginning the project. Consider how many cars will need to be parked and if other cars will need to pass the parked cars.

Do you need space for a turn-around? How much street parking is available? These are questions you’ll need to ask yourself as you plan out the layout of your new driveway.

Choose the Shape

Smaller homes may look better with a straight driveway, but large homes may have space for long, curved driveways. Circular or horseshoe driveways are great for homeowners who want to be able to get to the street without backing out. If you’ve already converted your garage into a living space, a horseshoe driveway makes a convenient option.

If you have any trees or obstructions, you might consider a curved driveway to accommodate the layout of your lawn. Don’t be afraid to stick to a straight design though, because a straight driveway is often easier to build and offers a nice line of vision to your home.

Select Paving Materials

Once you know the shape of your new driveway, it’s time to select the paving materials that you want to use. Concrete and asphalt are traditional choices, but they may not offer much room for creativity.

Today’s homeowners enjoy building their new driveways with brick, stone, or concrete pavers. You can select a variety of shapes and colors to get creative with your design.

Consider Permits

Before you begin your project, check with any permits that need to be followed in your city. For example, if your project requires cutting down a tree you may need to get a permit.

Decorate and Enhance

Even after installing paving materials, you can add creativity by adding hedges or lights along your drive. Simple decorations can enhance the design of your driveway and have practical purposes.

You might also consider adding a modern driveway gate to finish off your new driveway. This will add a safety feature to your home and boost the visual appearance of your design. You can meet with design companies like JDR Metal Art who will work with you to design a custom and handmade metal gate for your home.

Ten Driveway Design Ideas

Are you hoping to add a modern touch to your home? Do you want to find a driveway design that adds character to your lawn? Here are ten driveway entrance landscape ideas to consider.

1. Brick and Grass Intermixed

If you still want to keep some vegetation in your driveway, you can try using both pavers and ground covers intermixed. This gives your driveway a gentle appearance that easily blends into the rest of your lawn.

This design might make a cheaper alternative too. It requires a less expensive brick and the ground covers are easy to maintain.

2. Concentric Circles

If you’re opting for brick or concrete pavers but aren’t sure how to lay them out, try designing them into concentric circles. This design style adds a unique touch to an otherwise simple driveway layout.

3. Porous Pavers

Porous pavers are blocks designed with holes in the middle to allow for grass to grow inside. They’re made of plastic or concrete and make a great option for environmental-friendly homes.

They’re also practical because they allow water to run through the block and down into the ground. This is a helpful option if your area gets a lot of rain and you want to avoid a soggy yard.

4. Imitation Brick

If you want the appearance of a brick-lined drive but can’t afford the cost, try opting for asphalt that’s stamped to look like brick. Going for this option will cost you half the price of real brick while still adding that classic touch to your home.

5. Flagstone

The appearance and texture of real stone can add a classy touch to your driveway. You can check local stone dealers near you for regional varieties to use in your project.

6. Stamped Borders

There are some cool driveways designed by homeowners who added stamped borders to their driveway. You can find a wide variety of stamped concrete in patterns that add a unique twist to your design.

7. Striped Minimalist Concrete

Homeowners looking for a modern design can try renovating their driveway with strips of concrete laid out in a minimalist design. You can alternate concrete with vegetation to add some greenery or combine different types of stone.

8. Circular Driveway with Hedges

If you’re paving a circular driveway, try lining it with brick and hedges to add elegance. This style complements any home and provides an easy way to add vegetation to your driveway.

9. Irregularly Shaped Pavers

For a driveway with a unique and simple design, try using slate tiles cut with irregular shapes. This material is a great option for straight driveways in areas that don’t get much rain.

10. Stones Around a Tree

Before you cut down any trees, consider keeping them incorporated into your driveway design. You can lay brick pavers that go around the tree and add a border around it so that no cars run into it. This will add a unique appearance to your home and can also make the project easier because it won’t call for tree services.

Benefits of a Renovated Driveway

Nice driveways aren’t only about appearance. Choosing to renovate your old driveway can offer major long-term benefits.

Better First Impressions

Curbside appeal is important because it’s the first impression you give guests and potential buyers. If you’ve only focused on giving the exterior of your home a makeover, it might be a good idea to spend some time enhancing your driveway.

When you design it well, it can enhance the layout of your lawn or garden. Even a simple driveway renovation improves the neatness of your home.

Improved Functionality

Renovated driveways not only improve curb appeal, but they’ll also perform better in terms of functionality. Improving your drive will give you more room to park and put less stress on your tires.

They can also improve the way water drains from your lawn, which means you’ll lower your chances of a soggy lawn. Well-designed driveways make it easier for guests to come and go, and for your teen who might be learning how to back out. Depending on the material you choose, a new driveway can also be safer for your kids to play on.

Boost Your Property Value

Redesigning your driveway will boost the appearance of your home and lawn. If you plan on selling, you’ll want to get rid of that cracked concrete or crumbling brick.

Potential buyers may not choose your home if they see that the driveway is in need of serious repair. Buyers often want a home that’s move-in ready, and a driveway repair can add an expense they didn’t plan on. When you upgrade your driveway, you’ll boost the value of your property and make it more desirable for buyers.

Get Excited to Arrive Home

Renovating your driveway is a fun and easy way to boost your home’s value and add curbside appeal. It’s a great project to invest in if you plan on selling in the future. For homeowners still settling in, redesigning your driveway can add ease of living.

Be sure to check with your city’s permit requirements before starting your project. Get creative with your materials, and consider a driveway layout that enhances your home’s architecture.

You can try one of these driveway design ideas to improve your home’s chances of making a great first impression. If you’re currently searching for your next dream home, contact us to explore some of our stunning properties.

There’s no getting around having air conditioning in this climate. Especially considering that local summer temperatures can hit an average of 89F.

But what if your central air conditioning unit or your window a/c just isn’t cutting it anymore? You could stand by the open fridge all day (not recommended), or you could consider the benefits of a ductless a/c system.

What’s ductless a/c, and what’s so good about it? Read on to find out 6 ways it can benefit your home or beach condo…

What is Ductless A/C?

As the name (also called mini-split system) suggests, ductless a/c systems don’t rely on ductwork to distribute cooled air like other HVAC options.

One component of the ductless system is installed in the rooms you want to be cool, while the condenser is placed outside. The indoor unit can cool one space or multiple areas. You can control the temperature of each space independently.

The indoor unit sucks in a room’s air and cools it while spitting out condensation to the outside. However, the outdoor unit is the real workhouse that circulates the refrigerant with a compressor through insulated tubing to the house.

It’s up to you where you place the air handlers. You can mount the indoor components on a wall or ceiling, while the outdoor unit can be mounted above the ground to save outdoor space.

Ductless units are becoming more popular in the area, and this company is one that knows the advantages of using one.

1. Reducing Indoor Noise

While window a/c units can be effective, one of the chief complaints about them is that they are noisy. That’s because the motor is contained within the unit, rather than outside.

With a ductless a/c system, the compressor is mounted outside, so the noise doesn’t fill the home as cool air does. It’s also quieter than a central air system because there’s no air being forced through ducts.

2. The Outside Stays Outside

When you have a window a/c unit, if the seal around it isn’t tight, it can invite indoor air inside. Not only will that make the unit less efficient (especially when it’s very hot outside), it also means allergens can get in.

Ductless a/c does not leave any gaps for outside air to come in uninvited. With a ductless unit, only a small hall needs to be drilled in the wall during installation. Many of the units can clean the air with built-in filtration.

Also, consider that central air and heating requires duct cleaning from time to time to ensure impurities aren’t distributed around the house. Because ductless units don’t rely on ductwork, there’s much less chance of this happening.

3. Saving You Utility Costs

Running an a/c compressor requires power. However, statistics show that running a ductless a/c system can be up to 25 percent more efficient than central air units.

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) for ductless systems is relatively high. SEER measures how much electricity is used to run the equipment properly. Ductless units run around 13 to 33 SEER (the higher the better), while older a/c units can rate less than 10.

While ductless can cost a bit more initially than central air, you can expect energy savings down the road.

4. Custom Climate Control

With a central air unit, the temperature in your home can still be inconsistent. There are factors such as quality of ductwork and insulation that can affect the climate from one room to the next. Also, while warm air rises, sometimes cool air through ducts doesn’t reach the upper floors as well as lower ones. This is especially true for aging a/c units.

With a ductless a/c, you can place the air handler in the room where you want to be cool. That means the cooled air will be delivered directly to that space. So if you spend a lot of time in the living room, for example, you could put it there. Other popular places for ductless systems are bedrooms and sunrooms. Another place to consider ductless air is for an office in the attic.

At the same time, you won’t be cooling spaces in your home that you don’t use or are already relatively cool. That will make the unit more efficient and easier on the environment.

5. They Can Double as Heaters

Surprise! Ductless a/c units can also act as heaters for those cooler nights in January. That means you’ll not only save money from air conditioning, but you can cut your heating costs from electric baseboards as well with one system.

You may not need heating nearly as often as air conditioning year round, but there have been some record low temperatures reported in the area that will definitely benefit from a reliable heating solution.

6. Useful For Older Homes

Many older homes with limited ductwork (or no ductwork) are fine in the winter time. That’s because you can use a baseboard electric heater, space heater or a radiator to keep each room comfortable if needed.

But what about when the warmer temperatures come around?

Obviously, in this case, investing in central air would not be a good option due to the lack of air flow through the house. You could try ceiling fans, but those can only do so much when it’s sweltering out.

In this case, a ductless a/c may be your best bet. You won’t have to worry about retrofitting ductwork into your home, which often is not possible due to space and budget.

Older homes may have ductwork that is damaged or leaking. However, you won’t lose any efficiency through poor ductwork with a ductless a/c.

Ductless For Any Type of Dwelling

Whether you have a one-bedroom apartment or an oceanside home that has many rooms to cool, you can consider a ductless a/c system. Not only is the unit easy to install (by a professional), you can also reap the benefits of lower long-term costs and improved comfort.

If your current a/c isn’t performing the way it once did or your ducts are failing, then a ductless unit is definitely something to consider.

As of April 25th, 2019, home ownership in the United States is seeing new highs with a staggering 64.2% of people living in spaces that belong to them.

That heightened number likely comes thanks to the rapidly improving economy and consequential bullishness on the part of buyers and lenders.

While owning a home can be a lot of fun, it exposes you to a number of things that you’ll need to think about that you may have never considered as a renter. Among those things are deciding when it’s time to replace home windows.

If you’re not sure if your windows are due for a swap, below, we’ve compiled a list of signs to watch out for that can help you better understand when it’s time to pull the trigger.

1. Your Windows Are Damaged

The easiest sign that you’ll want to watch out for is if your windows are clearly damaged. Damage isn’t always as obvious as an outright shattered piece of glass. Damage can come in a variety of more discreet forms.

For example, if your window’s panes seem warped, meaning bent due to moisture absorption, you’ll want to think about getting them replaced.

Warped windows shatter easily and can pose a serious safety hazard.

Also, windows sporting small cracks should be swapped out. We get that the last thing you want to do is reinstall windows and read another “how shutters are installed” guide to get everything back to normal—but keep in mind that cracks grow… fast.

A small crack today could end up being a big one tomorrow, which could then lead to an outright shatter.

2. Your Energy Bill Is Mysteriously Climbing

A good window lets you peek out at what’s going on outside, but doesn’t actually let things in or out.

Unfortunately, as windows grow older, they tend to get lazy when it comes to securing their boundaries. They begin letting your hot and cold air escape. That results in your HVAC system needing to work overtime to compensate.

If you’re noticing that your electricity seems to be going up each month with no explanation, lack of insulation caused by old windows could be at fault.

3. You’re Remodeling Your Broader Home

If you’ve just secured a loan for a home remodel, we recommend putting your windows on your to-do list. Sure, if your windows seem okay, it’s tempting to just remodel around them.

The truth is though that old windows in a newly remodeled home can stand out like a sore thumb. You may have not noticed your window’s age when your home was equally-aged—but when you give your living space a facelift, you’re going to see the contrast.

Avoid the eyesore and give your windows the attention that they need.

4. A Storm Is Coming

When a storm is rolling into town, replacing your windows beforehand seems a little counter-intuitive… Right?

That depends.

If your home does not have storm-ready windows, you can expect that they’re going to shatter when high winds hit them, which can be a real problem. Because of that, it’s always worth being proactive and getting windows that are built to withstand pressure before that pressure blows into your neighborhood.

5. There Are Streaks Between Your Panes

Double and even triple glass pane windows are becoming insanely popular due to how great they are at keeping noise out and hot or cold air in. The big downside with these kinds of windows is that they’re prone to internal leaks.

Multi-pane glass is literally multiple sheets of glass sealed together. When that seal breaks, water can slip between panes, which creates streaks that you can’t clean and that look downright bad.

Are you noticing annoying streaks that you can’t get to in your multi-pane windows? If so, your best course of action is to swap them out.

6. Your Home Is Hitting the Market Soon

Curb appeal is among the top factors that help homes sell. After all, it’s the very first thing that prospective buyers will see when they’re passing by your house. First impressions are everything!

Consequently, if your house is hitting the market soon, you should consider replacing your windows—at the very least, the ones facing your curb.

It might not seem like a window swap will do too much for your selling prospects, but once you have new windows in place, you and buyers will both be blown away by how much staging “oomph” those sparkling sheets of glass will add to your home’s facade.

7. There Have Been Break-ins Locally

Newer windows come with higher standards of safety in the way of increased strength. That should be important to you if you’re noticing that your neighborhood wasn’t what it once was.

Remember, windows represent an excellent opportunity for bad actors to rob you, or worse. Don’t make those intruders’ negative intentions easy to carry out by sporting windows that won’t put up a fight.

So, When Is It Time to Replace Home Windows? It Could Be Now

We get the question, “when is it time to replace home windows?”, all the time. The truth is, there are a vast array of reasons why you might want to take a look at getting your windows swapped out.

Hopefully, our reasons above have given you things to think about. If you find yourself looking for more information on how to best manage your home, or want to move into a new one, check out more content here.