Tag Archives: Painting

How to Pick the Perfect Accent Color

“Accents, when done right, can give any room an extra touch of interest.  But how do you select that ‘extra’ color?  With a little planning and thought.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Choosing a favorite color is easy. Choosing a two-tone color scheme for your home? Not so much. Mistakes come easily, and the frustration might leave you reaching for a bucket of white paint. But don’t wipe the slate clean just yet. Here are my suggestions for pairing the right accent color with each of the six primary and secondary colors — and more.
by Paul Anater
Paul Anater

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A quick brush-up on the color wheel before we start:Primary colors: Yellow, red and blue

Secondary colors: Green, orange and purple

Analogous: Colors that are neighbors on the spectrum, such as green and yellow, or red and purple

Complementary: Colors that oppose each other on the spectrum, such as green and red, or yellow and purple

Beach Style Dining Room by Tom Stringer Design Partners
Tom Stringer Design Partners

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Primary ColorsYellow walls with blue accent.

Yellow is scientifically the lightest and brightest of the hues (and naturally warm). The most classic pairing is a cool blue accent — blue being the least aggressive color choice possible. Whether you pick muted pastel shades or pair a saturated lemon with deep navy, mixing a warm yellow with a darker, chillier blue creates balance to keep the space from visually getting too hot or too loud.

Contemporary Living Room by 1800Lighting
1800Lighting

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Yellow walls with purple accent. For an edgier appeal, a complementary scheme (using colors on opposite sides of the color wheel) will produce a high-fashion, high-drama look. Just check out how the purples pop against the soft yellow walls in this photo.I recommend choosing a pale yellow or using both colors sparingly, and breaking up the look with plenty of neutrals to keep the scheme from looking too jarring. The result will be the essence of spring.

Contemporary Kitchen by Toronto Interior Design Group | Yanic Simard
Toronto Interior Design Group | Yanic Simard

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Blue walls with yellow accent. Since yellow as a main color pairs so well with blue as an accent, it’s only natural that if you switch them, it would still be true. In fact, it works even more smoothly. When pairing blue walls (or in the case of my personal kitchen, blue cabinetry) with yellow accents, you can safely choose a bold blue and a pure, saturated yellow without overloading. Small hits of yellow are easily swallowed into the background, and blue is a very livable color, so you don’t have to be scared of accidentally going too intense.
Transitional Living Room by Alice Burnham, Inc.
Alice Burnham, Inc.

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Blue walls with blue accent. The liquid, mysterious qualities of blue make it an excellent choice for a monochromatic scheme, using a mix of tones to complement themselves. If you don’t feel confident choosing a hot color, simply pair blue with more blue (or some blue-greens and indigos) and let the oceanic shades run together.
Beach Style Bedroom by Terrat Elms Interior Design
Terrat Elms Interior Design

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Red walls with white accents. Red almost has a life of its own outside the color wheel. It’s so intense, and associated with such symbolic meaning (love, romance, fire, appetite), that it can be the hardest to pair with an accent. Thus, one of the most popular choices is to pair red with fresh white to avoid any clashing.Even when red is applied to just one feature wall, it will feel like the strongest color in the space, so if you aren’t sure, consider it the dominant hue and not an accent.

Contemporary Dining Room Contemporary Dining Room

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Red walls with blue accent. Navy again comes to the rescue with red walls. Even though the heat of red and the iciness of blue may make them feel like they’re at opposite ends of the spectrum, red’s true complement is green, but trustworthy blue plays against it without piling on drama. Plus, the combination carries a sense of classic Americana and nautical inspiration, so the sight isn’t a shock to the system.
Eclectic Living Room by FOUR LIONS
FOUR LIONS

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Blue walls with red accent and yellow pop. A special note for primary colors: blending the three together is a timeless tradition found in everything from ancient artworks to hip modernist apartments. Start with blue walls, add moderate hits of red (in one or two furniture pieces) and sprinkle in yellow accessories for an easy-as-1-2-3 look.
Contemporary Bedroom Built Work

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Secondary Colors

Orange walls with green accent. Orange, as a combination of yellow and red, is one of the most controversial colors — it mixes red’s heat with yellow’s brightness for a result that cannot be ignored.Blue is orange’s direct complement. If you prefer to tone down orange a little, use a leafy green; it will add a touch of coolness without fighting to be the star of the show. Choose a yellow-green for an almost analogous effect that can feel positively uncontroversial.
Contemporary Bedroom by Home Staging
Home Staging

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Purple walls with purple accent. Purple, like blue, is another hue that works quite well with itself. When used as a main color, it is typically either a dark and moody shade for a royal effect or a pale, grayed-out tone that keeps a look from feeling childish. Mix in some red-purple and indigo hues to keep the look from feeling too loud or too one note.
Beach Style Bedroom by WA Design Architects
WA Design Architects

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Purple walls with yellow accent. With a very soft purple, an earthy golden yellow tone will create a sense of whimsy and energy without feeling cartoonish. Just be sure to include some additional accent colors if you want to avoid creating a theme room.
Tropical Bedroom by A. Rejeanne Interiors
A. Rejeanne Interiors

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Green walls with yellow, red and orange accents. While the other two secondary colors are a bit more temperamental, green is probably the easiest dominant color to work with, which leaves lots of room to get creative. Try going for an analogous color scheme but taking it one step further, mixing in various hues from half of the color wheel. For example, this room moves from green to yellow and on to orange and red.
Contemporary Dining Room by Vendome Press
Vendome Press

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Green walls with blue, purple and violet accents. This room moves from green to analogous blue and on to purple and violet. In each case the bold hue is anchored by naturally flexible green (like a flower grounded by a stem) so the space feels full of color and yet not overwhelmed by contrast. Sticking to half of the color wheel creates a lot of interest while keeping the different energies tied together.
Shabby chic Living Room by Andrea Brooks Interiors
Andrea Brooks Interiors

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Pink walls with green accent. While pink is truly just a light shade of red it takes on a life of its own, which is probably why it gets its own name. Pairing pink with green is a long-standing preppy tradition that creates a sense of playful positivity tempered by an air of sophistication, so it doesn’t even read as a complementary scheme despite the two hues’ being true opposites.
Victorian Living Room by Favreau Design
Favreau Design

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Complementary ColorsLike pink and green, the fail-safe secret to creating a complementary scheme (that your guests will indeed compliment) is to let the primary hue dominate, in a toned-down shade, while sprinkling in a light helping of the accent hue, preferably in small doses and patterns. This will ensure that the look is lively but not loony, with just the right amount of edge.

Beach Style Family Room by Rachel Reider Interiors
Rachel Reider Interiors

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White walls with any color. When choosing an accent for white, you truly can’t go wrong with just about any favorite hue. However, to keep your color pop from popping too hard, the best bet is to mix a variety of colors, lest one dominate and take over the palette. Looking to a fun fabric or painting as inspiration, take slightly toned-down versions of its hues to apply to fabrics and accents throughout the space.
Tropical Living Room by Mead Quin Design
Mead Quin Design

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Gray walls with gold accent. If no accent color seems quite right for you, consider adding natural elements like gold and natural greenery. Both will add depth to a scheme based on sophisticated grays and off-whites (or, really, any color in the spectrum) without interrupting the flow, giving you the perfect antipop pop.
Originally published on HOUZZ, by Yanic Simard

8 Twists on the Guest Room-Office Combo

“Most of us have a room that’s pulling double duty, and usually it’s the guest room.  Getting balance is a bit tricky at times.  But it can be done with a little extra planning.“
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Unless you host overnight guests frequently — and have space to spare — it’s smart to make a guest room do double (or even triple) duty. Here are 8 examples of guest quarters that pack in space-saving features with style.
Transitional Home Office by Ashley Bell Interiors
Ashley Bell Interiors
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1. Triple-duty guest room, den and office. A den with a door that closes for privacy can make an ideal guest space — and, with some smart planning, can work as an office too. In the space shown here, a daybed plumped up with lots of cushions serves as a sofa for watching TV or as a bed for overnight guests. A pair of tall lamps flanking the computer helps the desk feel like part of the room.
Contemporary Home Office by Patrick Brian Jones PLLC
Patrick Brian Jones PLLC
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2. Modern daybed. If you’re looking for a sleeker version of the typical guest bed, consider a modern, low-profile daybed like the one seen here. During the day, the room functions as an efficient home office; at night, the desk chair can be wheeled away and the bed pulled out to create a cozy nest for guests.

Daybed: Case Study Day Bed, Modernica

Contemporary Home Office by Ample DESIGN
Ample DESIGN
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3. Platform storage bed. A custom platform bed like this one hides a lot of storage in the compartments below while offering a sleek, one-of-a-kind look. The sturdy base makes it well-suited to either a Japanese futon or a traditional mattress, no box spring required. A slender built-in desk along the opposite wall keeps the narrow room feeling serene and spacious.
Contemporary Home Office by ANNA CARIN Design
ANNA CARIN Design
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4. Built-in daybed. This space-saving design can tuck in at the end of a small room, even in places a standard-size bed might not fit, leaving the rest of the room freed up for a desk. If you decide to have a daybed custom-built, do refer to standard bed sizing when making decisions about where the bed will go— if it’s too short, your guests will not be comfortable!
Contemporary Bedroom by Richard Cole Architecture
Richard Cole Architecture
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5. Over-the-bed cabinetry. To fit in more storage without skimping on having a real guest bed, consider installing wall-to-wall upper cabinets. Here, a slim desk provides ample workspace below the cabinets on one side; on the other, a comfy bed invites relaxation.
Industrial Bedroom by Kirkwood McCarthy
Kirkwood McCarthy
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6. Mezzanine guest loft. Mezzanine levels can be tricky to furnish, especially as a sleeping space where guests will want privacy. One smart solution is to install floor-to-ceiling drapes that can be pulled shut when the space is being used by guests and left open the rest of the time. Here, a settee bed takes up little space while providing a comfy place to sit or sleep, leaving the other wall free for a desk and chair.
Contemporary Home Office by Michael Kelley Photography
Michael Kelley Photography
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7. Tailored daybed. A backless upholstered daybed like this one is a good choice for spaces where the bed must go in front of a window. Piled high with throw pillows, it looks like a sofa during the day but can easily be called into service for guests at night. A glass-top desk takes up little visual space, making it a smart piece for a compact home office.
Contemporary Home Office by Ample DESIGN
Ample DESIGN
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8. Folding bed. For maximizing space, you can’t beat a Murphy bed. But instead of the typical vertically folding design, you might consider one that folds out from the wall horizontally. The example shown here was customized with built-in shelves inside and a whiteboard covering the exterior.
Originally Published on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill

Re-Purposed Items as Coffee Tables

“Coffee tables can serve multiple purposes.  They can anchor a room by providing a central point.  They can provide surfaces for displaying special items.  Why not make them a conversation piece as well.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
 Tall or short, strong and bold, or with something special on top, your coffee table is something you should be proud to call your own. If you’re in the market for a new one, take a look at these surprising alternatives. Some offer versatility, others boast clever storage, and some even repurpose your old wares. If there’s one thing they all have in common, however, it’s their ability to draw attention and become the focal point of a room. Need a talking point? Start here.
Industrial Living Room by KuDa Photography
KuDa Photography
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Building blocks. Old pallets or crates are a fine alternative to the traditional coffee table and are incredibly versatile too. The ones here have simply been turned upside down — but you could screw yours together if you tend to move your furniture around a lot. You could also stack them or cut them down to size, or use one pallet and elevate it with small apple crates, for example. A coat of paint will transform the trusty courier once again.Tip: Consider where the pallet or crate came from and how it was used. You wouldn’t want to bring something into your home that has been contaminated with toxic chemicals or other icky stuff.

Industrial by Holy Funk
Holy Funk
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See how you can create a variety of possibilities? This design provides storage space for your magazines, books and TV remotes, so you have no excuse to leave the top full of clutter.
Contemporary Living Room by Walter Barda Design
Walter Barda Design
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Read more about decor made from wooden pallets
Eclectic Basement by Pavilack Design
Pavilack Design
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Off the beaten track. Not only does this steamer-inspired traveling trunk add a spot of vintage charm to this masculine room; it also doubles as hideaway storage — ideal when you’re short on space. While you can buy these new, you’re sure to find something even more fill of character at a garage sale or thrift shop for a fraction of the price.Tip: When shopping, keep in mind the size of the trunk. It’s crucial that it sits at a comfortable height, similar to that of a typical coffee table, so you’re not forced to stretch to get to the chips (though that’s not necessarily bad for your waistline).

Eclectic Kids by Mina Brinkey
Mina Brinkey
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Should you find yourself with a great find, but one that’s too short by coffee table standards, just add some legs. The owner of this vintage suitcase went the extra mile by covering the top with fabric from Ikea, which also protects the original surface from coffee and water marks.
Contemporary Living Room by Emily Campbell
Emily Campbell
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Work your magic. This is not actually a floating Persian rug, but you wouldn’t be blamed for thinking so. This “flying carpet” coffee table rests on a plywood surface that can also be easily removed (should the owner rather lie on the rug).See the rest of the house (and the real magic behind the rug) here.

Scandinavian Living Room by gosto design & lifestyle
gosto design & lifestyle
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Set in motion. A piece of glass can be transformed into a simple coffee table — just add some wheels as a base for nifty mobility.
Eclectic Family Room by Urban Wood Goods
Urban Wood Goods
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Find an opening. Almost any flat surface can work as a coffee table top. Doors are particularly useful and can be painted and cut to size as well. This one has been kept in its original state — not even the handle has been removed — and has steel pipe legs attached.With so many doors available, deciding on the right one for your room will probably be the toughest part. If you find one painted in a lovely color, just apply a polyurethane for a durable, long-lasting, professional finish that’s in keeping with the original form.

Rustic Living Room Salvaged Door into Coffee Table
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If you have an old door and windows, this creation shows what you can do.Tip: Make sure to stabilize the table by reinforcing the joints on the underside.

Contemporary Living Room by Josh Partee | Architectural Photographer
Josh Partee | Architectural Photographer
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Root and branch. For a really organic look that brings the outdoors in, consider cured and treated wood stumps. You might even get the wood for free.
Eclectic Living Room by Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab
Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab
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Turn it up. If, like me, you played the drums for a year or so and then gave them up, repurpose them into a collection of fun coffee tables. All it took here was a couple of glass tops for a great conversation piece. I’m already regretting selling my drum set.
Industrial Living Room by Margeaux Interiors - Margaret Skinner
Margeaux Interiors – Margaret Skinner
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Revive. Upcycling is a common theme among Houzzers. An old gear factory came up with the goods for this find, for which a piece of equipment is used as the base.
Shabby chic Living Room Traditional Living Room
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Cart off. You might have noticed rustic or industrial factory carts popping up all over as coffee tables. People are flocking to these antique items and imitations. I was even able to find a business that specializes solely in refinishing factory carts, so the demand is clearly there.If you want to make an original one your own DIY project, besides sanding, staining and sealing it, you could also try customizing it — by replacing the nails and nuts, for instance, or adding a glass top.

Farmhouse Living Room by Paul Rice Architecture
Paul Rice Architecture
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Here an old metal French cart got a new lease on life with the addition of a simple glass top.
Traditional Living Room by Anna Lattimore Interior Design
Anna Lattimore Interior Design
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Old school. How adorable is this coffee table setup? The antique kids’ chairs and table were bought separately, but combined they work twice as hard as an activity area for the little ones. A way to repurpose your kids’ tables and chairs (the ones sans cartoon characters — unless you’re into that sort of thing) when they grow out of them, perhaps? Having said that, even a household without kids could do with their charm and touch of whimsy.
Contemporary Living Room by Scheer & Co.
Scheer & Co.
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Take a seat. If you want a cheaper alternative to a coffee table, consider using a cluster of stools. Not only do they look perfectly at home as a makeshift coffee table, but they also provide extra seating when guests are over. Try mixing and matching a variety of stools (of the same height) for a more eclectic effect.Tip: In this case, heavier options will keep wobbling at bay.

Contemporary Patio by Leslie Hayes Interiors
Leslie Hayes Interiors
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If you need a flat surface that doesn’t obscure the look of the stools, simply layer them with a glass top.
Asian Living Room by Marie Burgos Design
Marie Burgos Design
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Pack it up. Storage boxes are an especially budget-friendly alternative to traditional coffee tables and are a great addition to small spaces. Fill them with essentials, top with a decorative vase and voilà, a nifty little coffee table. The bonus here is that you can easily move them around and update them without feeling guilty (because you certainly didn’t spend a fortune on them!).
Originally Published on Houzz, by Grace Chamia

Gap Under the Deck: Hide It or Use It!

“Knowing what to do ‘under’ your deck, can be a challenge.  To do storage, or not to do storage.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
At last your ready to install the deck of your dreams. Before you begin construction, it’s important to consider how to address the underside of the deck and accompanying staircase. If the deck will extend from the second story, this can be quite a lot of potentially usable space. There will be less space to address if the deck will extend from the ground-level story, but the eye will still be drawn to that dark (often weedy) slit of earth.

So how do you maximize this awkward space? Whether you want to completely hide this area, create a semiprivate screen or turn it into storage, here are six ideas to help transform what’s often a landscape eyesore into a landscape feature.

Modern Landscape by ecodesign Pty Ltd
ecodesign Pty Ltd
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1. Soften the edges with plantings. If you don’t feel the need to completely obscure the deck’s underside, try surrounding it with plants. They will soften the deck’s edges and in the absence of railings will act as a natural barrier to keep people from stepping off into the surrounding bed.

Tip: Be sure to include some evergreens so there will be screening year-round. Agaves surround this Australian deck.

Asian Landscape by Kikuchi + Kankel Design Group
Kikuchi + Kankel Design Group
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Depending on your home’s style, mixing boulders with plantings can work well for obscuring the underside of a deck as well.
Contemporary Landscape by D-CRAIN Design and Construction
D-CRAIN Design and Construction
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2. Terrace with planters. If you want to completely block the underside of the deck, one option is to build a planter around the deck’s perimeter. It is a great way to soften the deck’s edge with plantings and is an interesting alternative to railings.

Tip: It’s standard that a deck 30 inches or more above grade level must have a railing at least 36 inches tall. Be sure to check your local building codes.

Step Up Your Garden Game With Terraced Plantings

Traditional Porch by Gardner/Fox Associates, Inc
Gardner/Fox Associates, Inc
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3. Screen artistically. A screen can be a perfect solution if you want to obscure the underside of a deck or staircase while still allowing light to pass through. This is a good option if the space underneath the deck will be used for storage or as a separate entertaining space. A trellis for this purpose is both functional and economical.
Modern Patio by Keith Willig Landscape Services, Inc.
Keith Willig Landscape Services, Inc.
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Tip: A trellis surrounding a deck or staircase is a great place to grow vines or an espaliered tree. It helps break up the space and provides seasonal interest and color.
Contemporary Exterior by Mark English Architects, AIA
Mark English Architects, AIA
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The underside of a staircase can be especially tricky. Try horizontal slats. This is definitely a modern look, but it’s a great way to turn an awkward space into a feature that ties in with the home’s architecture.
Eclectic Landscape Global Garden, San Carlos
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Why not use this space to showcase your creative side? Laser-cut metal panels allow light to pass through in beautiful patterns while providing ample screening and privacy. These panels have a fabric backdrop and are backlit at night for drama.
Traditional Patio by Goodman Landscape Design
Goodman Landscape Design
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4. Build a solid wall to blend the deck with the house. If you want to completely hide the area under your deck, create a wall that extends from the base of the deck to the ground.

Tip: Use materials that match the style of your home. Here wood shingles on the side of the deck mimic the wood shingles on the home. Matching materials is a great way to create a cohesive look between your home and its surrounding landscape features.

Contemporary Exterior by Sam Crawford Architects
Sam Crawford Architects
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5. Extend steps the entire length of the deck. By extending the steps the length of the deck, you not only will successfully hide the underside of the deck, but you’ll also create an open, graceful transition from the deck to the garden beyond.
Contemporary Deck by RDM Architecture
RDM Architecture
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Tip: Create wide steps with a run of 1½ feet or more. By doing so, you’ll lessen the angle of descent, making them safer as well as creating an inviting place for casual seating.
Traditional Deck by PLATFORM design studio
PLATFORM design studio
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6. Add storage. Creating ample storage around the home is a challenge for most of us, especially when it comes to our yards. Just like indoors, the underside of a deck or staircase is a perfect space to convert into storage; use it for items such as garden tools, empty pots and outdoor recreational equipment.

Tip: Even if your deck is only 2 or 3 feet off the ground, creating a hatch for access to the crawl space is a good idea if you have utilities or pipes that run under your deck.

Rustic Porch by Tate + Burns Architects LLC
Tate + Burns Architects LLC
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Make sure the items stored under your deck are weatherproof. If not, place them in watertight bins, as rainwater and runoff from pots will seep through deck boards onto whatever is placed below.

Regardless of the size of the space under your deck and stairs, there’s a creative solution for every situation that will suit not only your needs but also the style of your home and garden.

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Courtney Olander

Pegboard Ideas for Your Whole House

“It’s amazing how useful pegboard can be all around the house, and it doesn’t have to be a dingy ‘board’ color.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Pegboard is an old-fashioned material that today’s savvy homeowners are using in rooms throughout the house. I’ve spied items as disparate as kitchen utensils, baseball mitts, hammers, necklaces and even paintings and sock monkeys pegged to walls featured on Houzz. If you have an area that needs some organizational help and you’ve run out of shelf and closet space, check out these clever ways to make pegboad work hard for you.
Contemporary Garage And Shed by Wyndhamdesign
Wyndhamdesign
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Over the workbench. When my family was house-hunting years ago, my father kept saying, “But where am I going to put my [work]shop in this house?” My mother replied, “Danny, all you do in your ‘shop’ is hang your tools on a pegboard and open paint cans!” Which sent us all into fits of laughter, picturing the carefully hung tools that never seemed to leave his pegboard. But I digress. Pegboard’s classic spot is above a workbench, with all those myriad tools hung within easy reach.
Eclectic Kitchen by Liv By Design Interiors
Liv By Design Interiors
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In the kitchen. Julia Child famously appropriated the workbench staple for her kitchen, hanging copper pots and utensils on it. Today you can see her kitchen at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

More: Boost Your Kitchen Storage With Pegboard on a Wall

Eclectic Home Office by Valerie Wilcox: Photographer
Valerie Wilcox: Photographer
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In the study or drafting studio. Pegboard is a material that architects, interior designers and others have been using in their studios for a long time. It’s a great place to hang the compass, T-square and other drafting tools and art supplies. It also provides space for inspirational artwork.
Contemporary Home Office by Bright Bold and Beautiful
Bright Bold and Beautiful
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In the art studio. Watercolor artist Laura Trevey uses this pegboard to display her work. Notice how she painted the pegboard a lovely pale blue and framed it with molding. Also worth noting is the easy solution of hanging unframed (perhaps even wet) artwork with binder clips.
Contemporary Nursery by The Home
The Home
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In a child’s room. Art, utensils, supplies, even a stuffed monkey can be hung and moved around with ease on pegboard. Covering the entire wall gives the objects a cohesive look.

Safety note: Be sure to keep the objects out of the reach of tots who are able to pull themselves up to a standing position.

Contemporary Nursery by The Home
The Home
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Here’s a closer look at the variety of things the pegboard holds in the nursery. With shelves like these, pegboard near a changing table could hold lots of supplies, such as baby powder and wipes.
Scandinavian Kids by Mitchell Wall Architecture & Design
Mitchell Wall Architecture & Design
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A triptych of blue pegboards serves a similar function in an older child’s room.

Light: Ikea

Transitional Home Office by Bickford And Company
Bickford And Company
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In the craft or sewing room. If you make regular trips to fabric and craft stores such as Michaels and Jo-Ann, you’re probably in dire need of pegboard. Keep hoops, ribbon, pliers, thread, tape, scissors and other tools organized so you can find everything you need when you need it.
Transitional Laundry Room by JALIN Design, LLC
JALIN Design, LLC
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At a gift wrap station. Long pegs can hold all of your ribbons, while standard ones will hold scissors and tape. Hanging baskets can corral gift tags and pens.
Transitional Closet by Clos-ette Too
Clos-ette Too
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In the dressing room. There’ll be no more tangled necklaces if they’re hanging from pegboard. There’s plenty of room for hats, scarves and headbands too. If you aren’t lucky enough to have a walk-in closet or dressing room, this idea can also work well on a bedroom wall.
Contemporary Bathroom by ZeroEnergy Design
ZeroEnergy Design
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In the bathroom. I know whenever I need to reach for my hair dryer, I’m going to knock over every other object in the cabinet as I pull it out. A pegboard insert in this clever medicine cabinet has a special place for everything, keeping counters clear and cords untangled.
Contemporary Kids by Wanda Ely Architect Inc.
Wanda Ely Architect Inc.
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In the playroom. Hang canisters from pegs to hold crayons, markers and safety scissors in the art area. This will provide a place for everything and help keep the area neater when it’s not in use. Pegboard also provides a spot to hang fresh artwork from binder clips, as previously seen.
Midcentury Entry by Front Studio Architects
Front Studio Architects
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In the entryway. This New York City couple covered two walls and the ceiling in simple pegboard from Home Depot. In terms of function, they wanted a place to hang all their kids’ gear and their own bags and hats before the stuff made its way into the living spaces and cluttered things up. In terms of form, covering two walls and a ceiling gave the space a unified look.
Midcentury Home Office by Hunkydory Home
Hunkydory Home
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At the landing strip. If you’re not ready to cover a wall in pegboard, that’s OK. Even a small pegboard can hold keys, tickets, sunglasses and those other important items you need to grab as you go out the front door.
Modern Garage And Shed by Joseph Sandy
Joseph Sandy
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In the garage. More expansive sheets of pegboard and heavy-duty pegs can hold large tools and keep floor space open for the car.
Contemporary Garage And Shed by diamondLife
diamondLife
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If you think pegboard might look too old-fashioned for you, check out new options in steel. They’ll fit right in if the room is sleek and contemporary.

Pegboard: PegBoard X2 in stainless steel

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Becky Harris

Have More Fun Decorating Your Home

“In an effort to make our homes look nice, we sometimes forget how to have fun as adults.  Take a few tips from these fun loving decorators.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Building or renovating a house is serious business — as it should be. But once the important stuff is done, the bills are paid and the dust has settled, you can let the fun begin. It’s clear from Houzzers’ comments that you enjoy putting your personalities on show in your homes. Expressing ourselves through humor is one of the most enjoyable parts of personalizing our castles.

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that physical, emotional and social blessings flow from looking at life in a lighthearted way. Today’s world is not always easy to come to grips with, but at least we can give one small patch of it a warm and happy glow. Our homes are not only about beautiful design; they are about us and about how we live. Here are some ways to enhance your lifestyle and your home through the best medicine of all.

Eclectic Landscape by Michelle Fries, BeDe Design, LLC
Michelle Fries, BeDe Design, LLC
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1. Start at the front gate. Let the gate to your paradise hint at what is in store beyond. An entrance that announces, “Fun within” is a great way to set an informal tone. Give it character with a quirky sculpture, wrought iron design or sign.

A giant fish as a welcomer says, “Sense of humor ahead.” Corrugated iron is a popular material for gate art — it is relatively cheap and develops rusty battered charm as it weathers. Can you see EE I EE I O Sid the Sheep, handmade from 44-gallon drums, as a guardian for your gate?

Contemporary Entry by Robson Rak Architects Pty Ltd
Robson Rak Architects Pty Ltd
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2. Put a grin on your front door. Carry the easygoing vibe to your door. Thanks to the exciting and whimsical door hardware now on the market, visitors can be smiling by the time they step inside. I would be, after seeing this fabulous custom-designed handle.
Modern Entry by BARRETT STUDIO architects
BARRETT STUDIO architects
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3. Post funny house rules. Humor helps put people at ease. Sometimes there are things you’d like to remind visitors about, but you want to do it nicely. There’s nothing like making a joke to get the message across without offense.
Eclectic by Luci.D Interiors
Luci.D Interiors
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A lightbox moment gives good family advice — don’t be a complainer — with a humorous edge.

Trend Alert: Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign

Transitional Bathroom by Inspired Interiors
Inspired Interiors
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4. Laugh while you lather. Remember that “soap is to the body what laughter is to the soul.” Enhance your aqua therapy with humor — it will add an extra dimension to the pleasures of the bathroom.

The blissed-out elephant on the shower curtain here (reflected in the mirror) is sure to cause bath-time giggles for water babies of all ages. Just looking at it makes me want to splash and sing.

Modern Dining Room by Jennifer Kesteloot
Jennifer Kesteloot
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5. Get a pet. Dogs are the natural clowns of the pet world. The humor they bring to a home is infectious and can diffuse arguments and distract us from stress. We feed them and keep them safe, and they reward us with laughter and joy.

This family has put a giant photo where it’s impossible to miss the gorgeous, funny face and beautiful brown eyes. Most print shops will make stretched canvas prints of your photos.

Modern Entry by Michelle Hinckley
Michelle Hinckley
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6. Share humor with family. Shared humor strengthens relationships and encourages teamwork. As well as providing a place to organize household appointments and activities, a big chalkboard like this one gives all family members their say and can be a great source of running jokes.

Make a place where everyone is free to express his or her inner comedian, such as a giant pegboard or a wall, tabletop or kitchen cupboard door painted with chalkboard paint. Chalkboard paint isn’t just black anymore — it comes in all kinds of colors, and you can even make your own.

See how to make chalkboard board paint in your favorite color

Contemporary Kitchen by Rhonda Knoche Design
Rhonda Knoche Design
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7. Put the “fun” in “functional.” Take a basic object — like a kitchen cabinet handle — and be a little funky with it. Look at the way ordinary things are designed to work and do something creative and different. Using this object daily will give you pleasure.

These custom-made copper cabinet handles add a frivolous touch to the kitchen — the arrow on the end is pointing out the wine refrigerator. I recently splurged on two bronze kitchen cabinet drawer knobs in the shape of brussels sprouts, which have caused much commenting and mirth.

Eclectic Entry by Louise Lakier
Louise Lakier
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Every cat owner knows that cats rule, OK? So a boring old cat door is out of the question.

An original mind with a great sense of humor saw the potential in an old ship’s porthole and gave the family cat, Gobi, a witty way to go in and out. A friend of mine has adorned her cat door with a gorgeous over-the-top picture frame — fitting for her uppity cat.

Geek Lab: How to Build a Steampunk Cat Transit System

Contemporary Home Office by Touch Interiors
Touch Interiors
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8. Relax your office. Routine chores are more enjoyable in a lighthearted environment. A sterile cubicle is a depressing place in which to face the realities of life, like paying bills, dealing with correspondence or meeting deadlines. Introduce some humor to make it user friendlier, such as a funny screensaver or photos of friends and family enjoying themselves.
Transitional Dining Room by Martha O'Hara Interiors
Martha O’Hara Interiors
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9. Use designer humor. Humor in design can come from an injection of the unexpected. A seriously polished room often benefits from the inclusion of something not so serious, like this flamboyant feathered lampshade. It reminds me of a flirty fan dancer and offsets beautifully the refinement of this room.
Contemporary Dining Room by Francis Amiand Photographe
Francis Amiand Photographe
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Why is it that bottoms always make us laugh? This is derriere humor, Paris-style — c’est très drôle, oui? An impeccably sleek room can be intimidating, but not this one!
Eclectic Kids by Jennifer Bishop Design
Jennifer Bishop Design
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10. Cement friendships. Make memories with silly fun. Have a Dab-a-Deer party. Invite friends to bring a(faux) deer or another animal head and sequins, glitter, paint, ribbons, make-up, buttons, costume jewelry, colored paper, fabric scraps and other decorative paraphernalia. Provide hobby glue, paintbrushes, scissors, aprons … and wine. Then stand back! You’ll all come out of it with some very entertaining wall art and a feel-good memory.
Eclectic Kitchen by Luci.D Interiors
Luci.D Interiors
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11. Find the child inside. We sometimes forget we all started life as children. Remind yourself by hanging kids’ art where you will see it every day. Why can’t the sky be orange or the dog blue? Taking a bit of childish lateral thinking into your adult life may brighten how you see things. Children teach us all there is to know about laughter — they are the experts.
Originally Published on HOUZZ, by Janet Dunn

Get Your Broom Closet Just Right

“Is your pantry or hall closet overflowing with stuff and you don’t know what else to do?  Here are several ideas that you can try in your home.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team 
The Broom Closet (or cupboard) may be tiny, but it can cause major frustration when it’s not designed well. Whether you’re looking to incorporate a new broom closet into your remodel or want to better outfit your existing utility zone, these ideas can help.

Hardworking space: The broom closet.
The challenge: This compact space has a very specific purpose: storing the tools you need to get household jobs done. But with brooms, mops and unwieldy vacuum hoses tumbling out, and a jumble of cleaning products in the way, what should be quick and easy can be a real headache. These tips will help you choose the right spot for storing housekeeping necessities and organize them well.
Good to know: If you’re having trouble fitting all of your cleaning tools and supplies in the kitchen, consider spreading out. Put the big vacuum in another closet and store only the broom and dustpan or a slim stick vacuum in the kitchen cupboard.

Contemporary Kitchen by Oakville Kitchen and Bath Centre
Oakville Kitchen and Bath Centre
Design idea: Shallow broom cupboard.

Why: The appeal of a shallow cupboard for storing brooms and cleaning supplies is that everything can be easily reached, which means no tumbling bottles!

Planning tips: If you are planning a kitchen remodel, it’s ideal to figure out which cleaning tools and products you need to store beforedeciding on a broom cupboard. If the only tools that need storing are a broom and a basic mop, you may be able to do a broom cupboard as shallow as 6 inches deep. Even a very shallow cabinet can hold a broom, a stepladder and essential cleaning supplies, as shown here. If you have a stick vacuum or bulky mop, you may require 12 or 16 inches.

Kitchen by MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc.
MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc.
Extras: Customize your broom cupboard with a wall-mounted holder designed to keep long-handled items like brooms, mops and dusters upright and out of the way. A separate upper cabinet for heavy-duty cleaning supplies allows for latching, which is especially important if there are kids in the house.

Layout tip: The area beside the refrigerator is a good place to look for a few extra inches of space for your slim broom cupboard.

Cost: Starting at around $100 (plus installation) for a no-frills Ikea model; $500 and up for finer finishes and better materials; more for a custom design. Be aware that most professional kitchen designers will do a piece like this only as part of a larger job — and estimating the cost of one component can be complicated.

Traditional Closet by Nicholson Builders
Nicholson Builders
Design idea: Subdivided cabinet.

Why: If you have the space, a tall cabinet with a partition in the center is a great way to store a lot while keeping everything in its place — vacuums and sweepers on one side, cleaning products on the other.

Extras: A tall, slim basket unit with pullout drawers is a good way to organize supplies. Install a few hooks in the cabinet or on the inside of the cabinet doors to hang a step stool, dusters and other tools. If you use a cordless stick vacuum, having an outlet installed inside the cabinet will make it easy to charge it between uses.

Contemporary Closet by Leicht Küchen AG
Leicht Küchen AG
More ideas for extras: A vacuum hose guide is a worthwhile (and sanity-saving) investment that wrangles that unwieldy hose. In a smaller cabinet, wall-mounted wire baskets are a good option for keeping small items at hand.

Cost: Around $550 to $1,500 for a tall cabinet with a single partition; more for a custom design. If you want to add an electrical outlet inside the cabinet, you may need a permit. Wall-mounted basket units and vacuum hose guides cost around $10 and up each; a basket unit with pullout drawers costs $100 and up.

Traditional by Carmel Builders
Carmel Builders
Design idea: Pullout broom closet.

Why: To take advantage of a narrow but deep space in your kitchen.

Hardworking details: A space accessible from both sides is handy for stowing a small garbage can or recycling bin. Choose adjustable shelving whenever possible, since this will allow you to get just the right shelf height for what you’re storing. And if you really don’t want to let an inch go to waste, use the inside top of the cabinet to install an old-fashioned pencil sharpener — look closely and you can see one here.

Cost: From around $250 plus installation for a basic ready-made pullout cabinet from Ikea; more for a solid wood or custom design.

Closet Hardworking Home: Hall Closets
Small-space organizing tip: Use the back of the door.

How: Houzz user Kara Gilbert sent in this photo of her organized broom closet with a shoe rack on the back of the door — perfect when you need to make a closet work as hard as possible. The shoe rack holds first-aid supplies and toiletries in labeled pouches, while bins on open shelving provide ample storage. A small wall-mounted holder keeps cleaning tools out of the way, and a vacuum with a small footprint sits on the floor.

Rustic by LLG Residential Design LLC
LLG Residential Design LLC
Alternate idea: If you don’t have a dedicated broom closet, install a holder on the back of your pantry or kitchen door to stash brooms, mops and dusters.
Contemporary by storeWALL
storeWALL
Design idea: Storage wall in a utility room.

Why: If you have the luxury of more space for storing cleaning tools and supplies, make sure it’s put to good use by installing a versatile wall-mounted storage system that can handle anything from mops to hammers.

How: Choose from ready-made wall storage systems, like the one shown here, which can be customized with shelving, baskets and other features. Or craft a DIY version using basic pegboard from the hardware store and outfit it with hooks and baskets.

Cost: Wall storage systems can cost from $200 to $600 (and up), depending on size and features. You can install a pegboard for $100 or less, using materials from the hardware store and your own labor.

7 Inky Colors to use instead of Black

“We love accent colors and accent walls.  But some of these take it to another level.  Great looking ideas that could be used in many homes.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson – DC Metro Realty Team
Want a deep inky color that brings the high-fashion appeal of black but without the attitude? Try one of these soft and sumptuous alternatives with plenty of personality to suit your mood and your space.
Traditional Bedroom by The Wee House Company
The Wee House Company
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NavyFor inky appeal with a nautical twist, classic navy can’t be beat. It makes white look especially bright and fresh. In fact, the two of them together can be all you need. Plus, it balances masculine and feminine appeal, making it a great choice for a bedroom, especially a guestroom.

Transitional Home Office by City Homes Design and Build, LLC
City Homes Design and Build, LLC
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Despite having a large amount of navy surface, this study doesn’t feel dark and depressing the way it might if the walls were black. Rather, it’s studious and sophisticated.Navy is a great shade for spaces where you need to concentrate, because it’s not too somber and not too stimulating.

Paint: Hale Navy HC-154, Benjamin Moore

See more on decorating with navy

Contemporary Bedroom by For People design
For People design
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Charcoal and Warm GrayGray is the truest “off-black.” It’s essentially black mixed with white. Warm gray, with a slight hint of brown, is an excellent choice for making a bedroom feel peaceful and cozy when black is too stark and dramatic for your taste.

Paint: Rogue Blue, Valspar

Contemporary Kitchen by L&E (Lofts and Extensions)
L&E (Lofts and Extensions)
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Warm grays can help make a modern space feel more inviting, even when mostly hard materials are used. They mix well with nearly any hue, but especially warm metal tones and soft shades like yellow and peach.See more on decorating with warm gray

Contemporary Bedroom by Chad Jackson Photo
Chad Jackson Photo
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ChocolateDeep chocolatey brown has been a little off the radar in the modern gray-obsessed world, but it’s more than possible to make this classic shade work for traditional or modern spaces. It pairs well with espresso woods, allowing the sense of warmth to carry through the entire space, and it helps tone down wild shades like orange.

Paint: Beluga, Behr

Transitional Living Room by Ruard Veltman Architecture
Ruard Veltman Architecture
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Chocolate also works quite well on dramatically textured surfaces like velvet or tufting, which keep it looking modern and elegant. Mix it with a little warm gray for contrast and you’ve got the look of a high-end boutique or cafe.
Transitional Kitchen by Adam Butler Photography
Adam Butler Photography
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Cool GrayIn kitchens and bathrooms, a cool gray with slightly blue and green undertones is a smart choice because it carries a sense of cleanness. It still works well with hot colors like vivid red, and it suits the glossy finishes typically found on appliances and fixtures. That it is less stark than black also helps the space feel a little more open, especially when used just on lower cabinets to anchor the space.

Base cabinet paint: Mercury, by Fired Earth

Contemporary Bathroom by Grace Blu Designs, Inc.
Grace Blu Designs, Inc.
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This bathroom feels calm and spa-like with the mid-dark cool gray. Look for a cool gray with hints of lavender or aqua to give an extra sense of freshness to white fixtures, similar to the effect of navy but with much less undertone, for an even more “clean and serene” atmosphere.See how to pick the right gray

Traditional Living Room by J. Hettinger Interiors
J. Hettinger Interiors
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Forest and EmeraldDeep forest or emerald greens are trendy new off-black shades with a classic upscale appeal that can feel traditional or modern depending on what they’re mixed with. Paired with a variety of warm colors and materials, they feel neutral while adding an extra layer of complexity, making them a great upholstery color for must-sit sofas.

Sofas: Swaim; chairs: Lexington; wall paint: Sandy Brown, Benjamin Moore

Beach Style Living Room by Tom Stringer Design Partners
Tom Stringer Design Partners
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Forest green is especially effective as a worn-in paint treatment for woods. This chair appears almost black at first glance, but the rustic green gives it a much softer, cottage-inspired vibe that looks beautiful even in an urban apartment.Curtains: Robbins Hill paisley admiral fabric, Ralph Lauren

Contemporary Bathroom by Keramostone
Keramostone
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Vivid emerald is a great option for bathrooms. It creates a moody shower space that cocoons you while maintaining that clean and fresh appeal, and not shocking you awake in the morning like a deep black might.See more on decorating with emerald

Traditional Living Room by S. B. Long Interiors
S. B. Long Interiors
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BurgundyPossibly the ultimate in stately appeal, burgundy is no shy shade. But despite its red undertones, it can be just as easy, if not easier, to decorate with than true black. By pairing it with white, browns, golden metallics and woods, you can create a moody but welcoming scheme without the extreme contrast of black, for a true curl-up-by-the-fire vibe.

Contemporary Living Room by Handman Associates
Handman Associates
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Burgundy may not match with every shade, but if you choose it for upholstery, you won’t need any accent pillows. Pair it with warm neutrals in clean lines and classic materials and you’ve got a timeless look that will outlive color trends.See more on decorating with burgundy

Coffee table: Bradley Hughes; wallpaper: Sinkiang, Wolf Gordon

Beach Style Kitchen by SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.
SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.
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ChalkboardIf you want to soften the look of black without settling for a different shade, try a chalkboard finish. It gives an opportunity to add plenty of white and provides a more touchable, casual feel that cuts black’s seriousness and brings a sense of you back into the space, offering the best of both worlds.

Originally published on HOUZZ, by Yanic Simard

15 Bright Ideas for Kids’ Bathrooms

“Have some fun and make the Kids’ Bathroom, look and feel like a Kids’ Bathroom.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson
Whether you have a dedicated kids’ bathroom or share space with the pint-size set, keeping track of whose soggy towel is whose can be made easier — and more fun — with a few smart design moves and cheerful touches. From double (or triple!) sinks to tub-side seats and rainbow-inspired color palettes, see which of these ideas appeals to you and yours.
Eclectic Bathroom Eclectic Bathroom
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1. Label with letters and colors. Make each child’s towel or toiletries easier to keep track of with colorful monogram labels or hooks (even the littlest ones can remember which color is theirs). Repeat the color coding by assigning a differently hued towel to each child — so helpful for telling whose is whose when the towels are off the hooks.
Contemporary Bathroom by LDa Architecture & Interiors
LDa Architecture & Interiors
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2. Brighten up the vanity with rainbow stripes. It might feel like too much for the master suite, but in the kids’ bathroom, a few bold strokes of color feel fresh and modern. For a subtler but still peppy take, choose shades of a single hue for an ombré effect.
Midcentury Bathroom by Flegel's Construction Co., Inc.
Flegel’s Construction Co., Inc.
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3. Roll out a colorful mat. For a simple change, try rethinking the bath mat. As long as it’s washable or easy to wipe down, anything goes: colorful cotton stripes, a vibrant indoor-outdoor mat or even carpet tiles.4. DIY tip: For a personal touch, get a plain white flat-weave mat and some fabric markers or paint, and let your kids go to town decorating it themselves.

Beach Style Bathroom by BDR Executive Custom Homes
BDR Executive Custom Homes
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5. Make room for one more at the sink. If one bathroom must serve a crowd of kids, fitting in a double — or even triple — sink can be a great help. Get those teeth brushed and hands washed in record time! If you can’t add a sink, moving some of the activities usually done sink-side (like brushing hair) to another area can help free up space for kids who need it.
Beach Style Bathroom by Silestone USA
Silestone USA
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6. Put a bright kids’ chair near the tub. A little chair can come in quite handy in the bathroom. It’s perfect for holding towels or a basket of bath toys within arm’s reach, and can provide a perch for a sibling or parent at bath time. Scoop up a single stray chair at a yard sale and paint it to match your bathroom color scheme.
Contemporary Bathroom by Hal Kearney, Photographer
Hal Kearney, Photographer
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7. Build in a tub-side seat. If you’re planning a bathroom remodel, why not include a built-in seat? Like a fancier version of the tub-side chair, a built-in seat gives the parent a place to sit during bath time and offers ample room for a burgeoning collection of bath toys and stacks of fluffy towels.
Modern Bathroom by yamamar design
yamamar design
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8. Swap the medicine cabinet for a personality-packed mirror. This one simple change can make even the most basic bathroom feel personal and fun. Go for an ornate frame or a porthole-style round mirror, or take a plain frame and paint it an eye-popping color.
Contemporary Bathroom by Pinney Designs
Pinney Designs
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9. Stow necessities in drawers instead of in a medicine cabinet. Stash extra soap and toothpaste in drawers instead of a cabinet, where they will be easier for little ones to reach. Actual medicines shouldn’t be stored in the bathroom anyway — keep prescriptions and over-the-counter medications in a cabinet secured with a childproof latch in the hall or kitchen instead.
Traditional Bathroom by Axiom Design Build
Axiom Design Build
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10. Double up on (petite) faucets. Even if space is tight, you might be surprised to find you can fit a small-scale double-faucet sink in the same space as a bulkier single-faucet model. If you have more than one child sharing the space, that extra faucet can be well worth the cost of putting it in.
Traditional Bathroom by Axiom Design Build
Axiom Design Build
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11. Go bold with a bright wall color. Painting a single bathroom wall doesn’t take much time or money, and it can always be painted over. And if you’re inclined to let your wee ones pick a color, a single (small) wall is a good place to test it out.
Farmhouse Powder Room by SDG Architecture, Inc.
SDG Architecture, Inc.
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12. Let them draw on the walls. Keep siblings waiting for a turn at the sink occupied with sketchable chalkboard-painted walls. The ever-changing display of notes and drawings is sure to keep everyone amused. Covering the lower portion of the wall in beadboard or tile will help keep the room from feeling too dark or chalky.
Midcentury Bathroom by Jennifer Ott Design
Jennifer Ott Design
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13. Personalize the space with decals. For an instant update your kids can help with, order a set of fun, removable wall decals and let little ones stick them on the bathroom walls and cabinets. Make sure the decals you are choosing are suitable for use in the humid conditions of the bathroom — most vinyl decals should be fine, but fabric ones are better used in bedrooms.
Eclectic Bathroom by Rikki Snyder
Rikki Snyder
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14. Have a little fun. A cardboard moose sculpture and railing filled with plastic animals bring major personality to this petite bathroom. The functional can be fun, too — even a jumble of colorful hair elastics becomes a bright addition to the decor when placed in a clear glass container.
Traditional Bathroom by Kathryn Long, ASID
Kathryn Long, ASID
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15. Put a partial bath near the back door. If you have the space and the renovation funds, installing a sink and shower near the back door can be a lifesaver, especially in the middle of a fun, sandy, muddy summer of play. Even better: Add a washer and dryer so dirty clothes and wet bathing suits can get tossed right in.
Originally published on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill

Guide to Selling Your Home and Moving

“It can be a daunting task to get ready to sell your home and move.  Having a list of steps to follow makes things easier.  Work with your Real Estate agent to make sure which ones of these apply to your situation.”
Denise Buck & Ed Johnson
From finding a real estate agent, prepping, staging and selling your home to packing up and moving, the entire process of getting out of one home and into another can be overwhelming. Whether you are still debating if you should remodel your home or just move, or feel ready to put up a for-sale sign, this guide is a good place to start — it’s packed with advice and articles from Houzz covering just about every aspect of selling and moving. It can’t do the work for you, but perhaps it will at least help you feel more organized in the middle of this inevitably messy process.
Contemporary Kitchen by LINCOLN BARBOUR PHOTO
LINCOLN BARBOUR PHOTO
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Find the right real estate agent. A good real estate agent is one you not only trust to help sell your home quickly and for the best price, but also to support and educate you throughout the selling process. As you are searching for an agent, look for someone with a realistic but tactful approach. A good agent will be able to name a few drawbacks of your home — as well as the selling points.

Beach Style Entry by Francesca Owings Interior Design
Francesca Owings Interior Design
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Make a plan to prepare your house for sale. As soon as you make the decision to sell your home, start a master list (or several lists) to keep track of potential home repairs and other tasks, from tiny to major. It’s easy to let the to-dos make your head swim, and having everything on paper (or a note on your phone) can help you stay on track. Decide on a timeline for the “launch” of your home sale, and work backward from the date of your first open house to figure out when you need to complete tasks.

Tip: If you need to get a lot of furniture and accessories out of your home while it’s on the market, consider renting a storage unit. It could be worth the expense it if it helps your house show better and sell faster.

Transitional Kitchen by Annette English
Annette English
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Decide what to fix and what to leave be. The sad fact is, it is unlikely you will be able to recoup the full cost of home improvements in the sale of your home — so make the most of your money and choose fixes wisely. One criterion to use when deciding whether to fix something before the sale is to ask if the item gives the impression that the property has not been well cared for. Leaky faucets, cracked tiles, a broken doorbell or anything that doesn’t work as it should can raise a red flag for buyers.

Tip: Always ask yourself if you can you find a less expensive fix before committing to a big-ticket item. Can you repaint the cabinets rather than replace them? Clean and polish the wood floors instead of refinishing?

More: Fix It or Not? What to Ask When Prepping Your Home for Sale

Traditional Porch by Highland Homes, Inc.
Highland Homes, Inc.
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Boost curb appeal. There’s much ado about curb appeal in the real estate world with good reason — many potential buyers make a first drive-by trip to see your home and decide then and there whether attending the open house is even worth a visit. Draw people in with big, bold house numbers, a freshly painted front door and blooming flowers.

Tip: Don’t forget the garage door. If your garage is positioned near the front of your home, any flaws in this area can detract from the overall impression.

More: 17 Ways to Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Traditional Exterior by Eric H. Gjerde AIA
Eric H. Gjerde AIA
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Tweak your home to help it sell. Budget-friendly fixes often have the biggest impact, so it makes sense to start there. Quickly clean the exterior and landscape, steam clean the carpeting, replace worn area rugs and fix any scuff marks, nail holes and paint cracks. If your bathroom needs updating, give it a quick makeover with a new showerhead, faucet and fluffy white towels.

More:
10 Low-Cost Tweaks to Help Your Home Sell
10 Ways to Boost Your Home’s Resale Value

Contemporary Family Room by nicole helene designs
nicole helene designs
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Get a fair home appraisal. Avoid being shocked by a home appraisal that comes in below what you think your home is worth by doing some homework in advance. Before your appraisal, make a list of recent improvements to your home, including everything from renovating the kitchen to painting your deck. And ask if your real estate agent can tag along on the appraisal — he or she may be able to offer some insight about the unique benefits of your home.

The Dos and Don’ts of Home Appraisal

Traditional Exterior by Smith & Vansant Architects PC
Smith & Vansant Architects PC
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Stage your home to sell. Before you start buying new throw pillows, stagers agree it’s best to get your house sparkling clean and decluttered. Aim to make as much room as possible on surfaces and inside closets and cupboards to show off your space. Make sure each room has a clearly defined purpose. There’s no shame in having a room that’s a bit of a mishmash, but no one wants to see it like that during an open house. Buy, rent or borrow inexpensive furnishings to make a clearly defined room out of the mess, and enjoy a big payoff.

Tip: Don’t forget to stage the outdoor areas, too. A shined-up stainless steel grill and a hammock in the backyard help potential buyers imagine enjoying summer weekends hosting barbecues and relaxing.

More:
Sell Your Home Fast: 21 Staging Tips
How to Stage Your Kitchen for a Home Sale
10 Tricks to Help Your Bathroom Sell Your House

Modern Hall by Webber + Studio, Architects
Webber + Studio, Architects
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Save money on staging. Showing your home at its best doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money. Pare back what you already own, and borrow items from a friend or relative if you need to fill in gaps. If you do end up making a few purchases, choose things you would like to use in your new home, too.

More: Save Money on Home Staging and Still Sell Faster

Traditional Family Room by Brian Watford ID
Brian Watford ID
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Get listing photos right. The listing photos of your home will be responsible for drawing most people into that first open house. When the photographer comes to take pictures, make sure every lamp is turned on, all the window coverings are pulled open and the floors are shiny and clean. In the listing, make sure your real estate agent only includes photos of your home’s most attractive rooms, plus written descriptions of the other spaces. Potential buyers will be attracted by your home’s best features — don’t wreck it by including a photo of that dated powder room.

Tip: The more flooring that can be seen, the larger the room will appear, so consider removing area rugs before having photos taken.

More: Attract Home Buyers Easily With Great Photography

Beach Style Exterior by Polhemus Savery DaSilva
Polhemus Savery DaSilva
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Prep your home for an open house. You’ve put in a lot of work to get your home ready for showtime, so don’t drop the ball by skipping important details on the day of the open house. Cleanliness ranks number one in importance, so be sure to sweep up every last breakfast crumb and smear of toothpaste on the bathroom sink, and sneaky dust bunnies in the corners. Also make a quick run through the house, removing any personal items (party invites, mail, school projects) that have migrated onto the fridge and counters.

Tip: For your own security and peace of mind, remember to shut down and password-protect all your computers, and hide small valuables.

More: 7 Must-Dos on the Day You Show Your House

by Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer
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Downsize without losing your cool. If you’re going to be moving into a smaller space, figuring out what to keep and what to get rid of can be a massive headache. Start by listing your must-have, nonnegotiable items, and commit to bringing these things with you. Measure carefully and bring only the items you know will fit in the new space. Get rid of duplicates and invest in storage solutions for the new place.

More:
Tips for Moving Into a Smaller Space
Downsizing Help: Choosing What Furniture to Leave Behind

Eclectic Kitchen by Corynne Pless
Corynne Pless
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Take time to say goodbye to your old place. Leaving a home, especially one you have lived in for many years, can be an emotional event. Consider taking some photos of your old home before you pack up, when your rooms are not clean and tidy, but just as they are on a normal day. Having a small photo album can be a comfort when you’re waxing nostalgic about your old house, and can be a wonderful keepsake for kids. And if you’re in the mood for some fun, throw one last party in your old place amid the boxes and packing tape.

More: Saying Goodbye to One Home and Hello to Another

Midcentury Living Room by yamamar design
yamamar design
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Be a savvy buyer. When looking for your new place, the home inspection can tell you only so much. Keep your own list of items of personal importance to you, and check them off each time you look at a potential home. For instance, you may want to consider indoor-outdoor flow, layout, size and placement of windows, natural light and closeness to neighbors.

More: Home-Buying Checklist: 20 Things to Consider Beyond the Inspection

Contemporary Exterior by Coates Design Architects Seattle
Coates Design Architects Seattle
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Pack smart for a smoother move. If you remember only one tip to make moving easier, make it this one: Purge before you pack. The more stuff you have to move, the more it will cost, the longer it will take and the more challenging it will be, both to pack and unpack.

Tip: Keep a master packing list. Number each box as you pack it and mark the number on all four sides. Instead of listing the contents on each box, write down what’s in each numbered box on your master list. Make things even clearer by color coding boxes with basic label stickers to indicate which room they should go to in the new place.

More: Relocating? Here’s How to Make the Big Move Better

Traditional Exterior by Sapia Builders Corp.
Sapia Builders Corp.
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Tackle key tasks before you move in. If your timeline allows, it can feel so much more civilized to take care of certain tasks before you move in, instead of hassling with little things right after moving in. Change the locks on all the doors, get mechanical equipment cleaned and serviced, hook up utilities and install window treatments.

Tip: Double check that your pets’ tags have the new address and your cell phone number on them.

More:
7 Things to Do Before You Move Into a New House
Relocating? Here’s How to Make Moving In a Breeze

Traditional Bathroom by Shoshana Gosselin
Shoshana Gosselin
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Put together a moving-day kit. Having essentials on hand — toilet paper, toiletries, an overnight bag of clothes, coffee and a coffeemaker, some trash bags and a Leatherman tool or Swiss Army knife — will make those first few nights a lot saner. Think ahead and include whatever you know you’ll want at your fingertips in a moving-day kit.
Originally Published on HOUZZ, by Laura Gaskill