Life, Styled

DIY Home Improvement For The Win:

Projects to Keep You Productive During the COVID-19 Pandemic

By now, you may be over the whole quarantine thing. Sure, the first week or two was kind of refreshing. Being stuck at home was an opportunity to shift your life perspective, spend time with loved ones, and refocus your priorities. But that was a couple of months ago.

If you’re like most Americans, you’re still self-quarantining at some level, and you may be looking for new ways to stay productive. That’s where DIY home improvement projects come in. Below, you will find some practical ideas on home improvements you can make during the pandemic — some simple and others requiring a little more effort.

Cash-Out Refinancing

Your first order of business should be to consider whether or not you will be taking on any major projects and whether you will be able to pay for them. For instance, remodeling the bathroom or kitchen can add a lot of value to your home, but it also costs a significant upfront expense. And with interest rates as low as they are, right now is the ideal time to consider a cash-out refinance. With this kind of refinancing, you can use the cash you receive to complete the larger home improvements on your to-do list.

There are several options for cash-out refinancing, the three most popular being conventional, FHA, and VA cashouts. Do your research to determine which type would work best for your situation, and then contact your lender to see if you qualify.

Refreshing The Bathroom

Out of all the rooms in a home, the bathroom is generally one of the most valuable when it comes time to sell. That’s why giving your bathroom some attention can pay off in the long run. If your master or guest bathroom needs work, take advantage of being home and tackle it now. Things like repairing cabinet doors, re-caulking around the vanity and bathtub, putting in contemporary lighting, and giving the walls a fresh coat of paint can spruce up your bathroom.

Updating The Kitchen

The kitchen is typically the other most valuable room in a home, so consider any ways to boost your kitchen’s appeal and quality. For instance, replacing cabinet handles/knobs, updating the appliances, painting the walls, and adding an island can make a big difference.

If you want to make a significant investment, consider installing new countertops and/or flooring. Moreover, new cabinetry can also transform a kitchen; if your cabinets have seen better years but you don’t have room in your budget for new ones, refacing or repainting them might be a project worth looking into.

If you’re looking to boost productivity while you’re stuck at home, making improvements to your home is one of the best things you can do. Remember to consider cash-out refinancing if you need funding to pay for some of your projects, and look into DIY home security systems if you don’t already have a quality security system. Finally, pay special attention to your bathroom and kitchen to add both appeal and value to your home.

Visit Greenbrook Design’s showroom located in beautiful Uptown Shelby. They proudly serve 16 counties, including Cleveland County, Mecklenburg, Buncombe, Greenville, and Watauga.

DIY Home Security

When it comes to your home, nothing is more important than security. Therefore, if you don’t have a reliable, easy-to-use security system in place, now is the perfect time to change that! And the best part about modern home security is that there are a lot of DIY options.

DIY systems are cost-effective and easy to install, and allow you to monitor your property remotely through a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Research the best DIY home security system for your needs and budget online.

Making the decision to open our own showroom was not done overnight. It began as the answer to a need for our clients. They needed a place where they could come and explore the possibilities that awaited them for their home renovation. It was important to our owners, Travis and Stacey Walker, that their clients could see and feel the products, enhancing their design experience. As the idea became a reality, the Walkers realized the added benefit of having more than just cabinets featured in the showroom. Greenbrook Design is proud to be an authorized dealer for not just four lines of cabinetry but multiple home furnishings and decor companies like Europe 2 You and Moe’s. Get a peek inside the showroom here and listen to Stacey share her vision of the showroom.

We have all witnessed the transformation this past year, bedrooms become offices, kitchen tables become classrooms, and your basement doubles as a home gym. The problem is that most of these spaces were not ready to accommodate double duty. Multifunctional means one area of the home can handle multiple duties, while this sounds great, no one wants it to look like it’s a three-in-one, which is where good design comes into play. Selecting furniture pieces that can serve several purposes or planning a layout that can fulfill multiple needs is key to creating a home that suits your family’s unique lifestyle and routine. Let’s discuss what goes into designing these spaces and how you can make the most of the space you have.

Design is more than just creating a layout that is functional and beautiful; it is about turning a house into a home that has an atmosphere just right for you. A functional home is good, but a home where you feel at home is best, which is the end goal for every designer. One way to have a welcoming environment is to draw inspiration from nature, which is a trend that is gaining momentum in the design world.

When you think of a closet, you envision a space within a room that opens with a door. For some, it means enough room to hang up clothes or store larger items. It has, however, evolved to become much more than a mere stash and go-to spot for necessities. From hall closets to pantries to linen and bedroom closets, they serve multiple purposes. Today, it can be a mini dressing room, a place to keep all the kids’ sports equipment, and even a place of meditation ( really, it’s a thing). It is a great way to gain extra storage in the bedroom for personal items and is considered an extension of the home.

Are you feeling like something needs to change inside your home? Tired of the same old decor pieces greeting you when you come home? Maybe your taste in style has changed, and you’re looking for a little update? The good news is you don’t have to do a full-blown renovation to achieve your goal; sometimes, it takes a little freshening up to update your home.