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Greenbrook Design

Life, Styled

DIY Home Improvement For The Win:

Projects to Keep You Productive During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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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.

a bathroom with a tub and a mirror bathroom design
Walker Woodworking

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.

A kitchen with a large island countertop with white cabinets and barstools with wood floor
Walker Woodworking

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.

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A kitchen with a pull out cabinet drawer full of spice jars and wood floorsWalker Woodworking

Home Organization by Room: Tips and Tricks

Design Notes

Don’t panic if you can relate to one or all of these issues. Clutter can accumulate quickly and multiply even faster. But there is hope to get rid of the piles in your home. We will share some of our best tips and tricks categorized by the top three trouble spots in the home.

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June 1, 2020/by Stacey Walker
https://i0.wp.com/greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Walker-woodworking-custom-cabinets-spice-pull-out-kitchen-roll-out-inset-kitchen-cabinets.jpg?fit=1920%2C1280&ssl=1 1280 1920 Stacey Walker https://greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Design-Center-Logo-1-02-300x213.png Stacey Walker2020-06-01 13:33:482025-07-31 13:34:20Home Organization by Room: Tips and Tricks
Walker Woodworking custom cabinets green bathroom cabinets Jack and Jill bathroom Metro Quartz Bardiglio countertop Jeffrey Alexander hardware

How Much Does It Cost? What is a Good Bathroom Renovation Budget

Life, Styled

One of our first objectives in a design meeting is to establish a budget for the entire bathroom project, which could include cabinets, flooring, hardware, and fixtures. This budget will set the tone for the whole project and tell us exactly what products to show you. In this blog, we will share what a reasonable bathroom renovation budget should include and a general estimate for the total.

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May 28, 2020/by Stacey Walker
https://i0.wp.com/greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Walker-Woodworking-custom-cabinets-green-bathroom-cabinets-Jack-and-Jill-bathroom-Metro-Quartz-Bardiglio-countertop-Jeffrey-Alexander-hardware.jpg?fit=1920%2C1280&ssl=1 1280 1920 Stacey Walker https://greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Design-Center-Logo-1-02-300x213.png Stacey Walker2020-05-28 14:57:392025-07-31 14:58:00How Much Does It Cost? What is a Good Bathroom Renovation Budget
pull out paper towel drawerWalker Woodworking

Needs vs. Wants: What Would you do Differently?

Design Notes

You are considering doing a kitchen renovation, but are a little nervous because of what your friend told you when they renovated their kitchen. The project was completed, and they settled into their new space and enjoyed many of the latest amenities. Then something happened. As they adjusted to the area, they thought about something that could have been done differently or that they wished they had added.

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May 28, 2020/by Stacey Walker
https://i0.wp.com/greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Custom-cabinets-Walker-Woodworking-Greenbrook-Design-Revival-Charlotte-kitchen-island-SW-Urbane-Bronze-paper-towel-holder-Shelby-door-false-drawers.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1 800 1200 Stacey Walker https://greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Design-Center-Logo-1-02-300x213.png Stacey Walker2020-05-28 13:41:002025-07-31 13:41:48Needs vs. Wants: What Would you do Differently?
Farmhouse kitchen remodel custom cabinets shiplap

What is a Farmhouse Style?

Life, Styled

This design trend seems to always be among the most popular, and you don’t have to live on a farm to appreciate this simple, inviting style. In a world that seems never to stop moving, there is often a need to create a space where you can slow down, unwind from the cares of the day, and enjoy the simple things.  In this blog, we want to explain precisely what the farmhouse style is and how you can incorporate a little of the past into your future.

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May 28, 2020/by Stacey Walker
https://i0.wp.com/greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Farmhouse-kitchen-remodel-custom-cabinets-shiplap.jpg?fit=1920%2C1280&ssl=1 1280 1920 Stacey Walker https://greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Design-Center-Logo-1-02-300x213.png Stacey Walker2020-05-28 13:11:002025-08-04 13:24:21What is a Farmhouse Style?
Vintage style living room with wallpapered wallsGreenbrook Design

Design Challenge Circa 1824 Historic Remodel

What's New

We are excited to share this recently historic home remodel, built in 1824. This project presented us with some unique design challenges that we were able to overcome, resulting in a beautiful finished product and a very well-functioning kitchen.

Also known as Antebellum architecture, this property not only gives us an intimate look at how people once lived in this southern region but also shows the characteristics and style of a stunning southern design, which remains rich in history.

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May 14, 2020/by Stacey Walker
https://i0.wp.com/greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/custom-cabinets-european-farmhouse-style-vintage-sitting-room-historic-home-renovation.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1 800 1200 Stacey Walker https://greenbrookdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Design-Center-Logo-1-02-300x213.png Stacey Walker2020-05-14 15:11:232025-07-31 15:13:18Design Challenge Circa 1824 Historic Remodel
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112 N. Lafayette St.
Shelby, NC 28150

 

Contact
Jan@greenbrookdesign.com
980-404-9600

 

Showroom Hours:
Monday 9 to 5 pm
Tuesday 9 to 5 pm
Wednesday 9 to 5 pm
Thursday 9 to 5 pm
Friday 10 to 4 pm
First Friday’s extended hours 5 to 7 pm
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Our showroom is open to the public. Design meetings require an appointment, which can be done by phone or email. CONTACT US

 

Vendors require an appointment. Please contact: Jan@greenbrookdesign.com

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