Expert tips

Whether you’re a new homeowner, or you’re just looking to freshen up the look of your current home, choosing the perfect color palette for the exterior can be difficult and may take some thought. Devoting to a specific color scheme that will define your property’s appearance is a big step because it’s on public display, and it makes all the difference. There are ways to incorporate various complementary colors to create a unique home exterior that you, your family and friends will admire. With all the available colors being sold today, how can someone choose? Make sure you consider certain aspects before beginning the long-term project. Explore neighborhood color schemes. You may want to choose an exterior paint color that balances with nearby homes and blends in nicely. While making your house look beautiful from the outside without ‘standing out’ too much, think about contrasting colors. Choosing paint patterns that have complimentary tones will highlight your home’s architectural characteristic and increase its value in case you ever need to put it on the market. You can also create your new home makeover with the material that makes up your house. For homes designed and structured with brick or stone, choose paint colors that complement the natural textures. You can experiment with paint colors by painting boards with colors you’re contemplating and test them around to see how they look in different lighting conditions (front and back of the house), and you’ll have more certainty in your selection. Can never be too careful before creating something permanent! Consider using a ‘splash’ of color on certain features such as porch columns, shutters, side door frames, etc. It leaves wiggle room to add more beauty and color when deciding a common neutral paint color for the rest of the house. Don’t limit your color choices and do what’s best overall. Once you have picked an attractive blend of field and trim, complete the look with the finishing accent color. Feel free to go bold, but don’t go overboard. Generally, light colors will make your house appear larger and will be influenced by different times of the day, while dark shades can make your property appear smaller and make it blend with the surroundings. Moguel Contracting Group has a team with experience and training in surface finishes, trim carpentry, cabinets and countertops, drywall installation and finishing, kitchen and bath remodeling and many other areas associated with remodeling, new additions, and new high-end construction. www.moguelcontracting.com (239)-208-9639

Let’s talk remodel! Each year, the home transformation trends vary, from retro to modern chic. Certain ‘add-ons’ are becoming popular as well. While certain trends remain popular and never go out of style, some instantly go away faster than you can say ‘home project’. So, what are some current renovation ideas that stand out and seem to be what homeowners are choosing this year? A spa bathroom is a luxury that will change the way you see your bathroom. Creating a peaceful environment in your bathroom remodel gives you a space where you can soak in your bathtub with a glass of wine after a long day. No matter where your imagination takes you, consider a bathroom with a large bathtub, wide stand-up shower with an adjustable shower head (maybe two), soft lighting, and serene colors for the walls to incorporate the relaxing atmosphere. Add some small delicate plants, and don’t forget the scented candles to complete the transformation. Add built-in shelves or cabinets to keep the bathroom looking tidy and organized. The fall time is beautiful (not remarkably hot), so why not add an improved outdoor area to your home? Today’s trend for outdoors is to make it look and feel like the inside of your house where you entertain guests, but instead it’s outside on the patio or lanai. Think of all the comforts of your living room and how you can bring them outdoors. Comfy sitting areas include side tables, couches to lounge, rugs, gazebos, a grilling area, and maybe a built-in fireplace or TV mounted on the wall to spend pleasant evenings when the weather is perfect. Many homeowners have convenient dining tables and enjoy dinner or drinks outside. Kitchen islands are handy to have these days when it comes to spicing up the kitchen! They do more than just act as convenient counter space, they are multifunctional. Homeowners are saving space by installing their dishwasher, sink, stove top, and trash pullout in the island. An island is also a gathering place for everyone to stand around, prep meals and talk. Don’t wait and remodel the way you want that will improve your home and its value. Moguel Contracting Group has a team with experience and training in surface finishes, trim carpentry, cabinets and countertops, drywall installation and finishing, kitchen and bath remodeling and many other areas associated with remodeling, new additions, and new high-end construction. www.moguelcontracting.com (239)-208-9639

Updating your kitchen backsplash is one of the easiest and cost-effective ways to give a new look to your old kitchen. It is also the first area that should get your attention when renovating your kitchen because a) no renovation is complete without a new Backsplash and b) it is the most used/abused area of the kitchen. From spilled food to hot oil splashes, the backsplash takes it all and complains little. When updating your kitchen backsplash, consider whether you want to incorporate new changes to the material or re-do the existing design. If you are short on time and money, consider a simple coat of paint. This way, you can incorporate a variety of styles depending on your existing material or simply add a shade. If you are artistically inclined, use a stencil to create a design in a secondary accent color. Different kitchen backsplash ideas might be enough if you can’t afford a complete renovation.

Construction work costs time. No matter how you look at it, time is money. You work hard all week so you can enjoy your weekends and vacations. When you do a home improvement project yourself, you might not have to pay for a contractor’s time — but you sacrifice your own free time instead. If you’re a busy professional who looks forward to your weekends, it’s important to keep in mind that nearly every construction project takes longer than you think. And once you begin, you have to see it through if you want to continue to enjoy your home. By hiring a contractor, you’re more likely to get the job done quickly.

No matter how small or large, a kitchen island occupies a focal point in your kitchen and hence, are often the most focused item when it comes to a kitchen renovation. Natural stones like granite and marble along with engineered Quartz are some of the most commonly used material due to the variety they offer without compromising on durability. But remember that you don’t want a very big island that looks out of place. For foot traffic, leave about 36 to 48 inches of space on all sides. The size and the nature of the kitchen island are often dictated by what purpose it will serve. For example, if you plan to serve snacks or use this space for wine sessions, leave proper legroom and surface area for each person. About 24 inches of width might be enough for each person. Consider leaving 9 to 13 inches of clearance between your knees and the bottom of the counter for the necessary legroom. While designing, match the counter height with the seating you use. Customizing your island can make it more user-friendly and diverse without adding costs, For example, if your kitchen island also doubles as a workspace, consider adding electrical outlets to make sure people can charge their phones or plug in a speaker. There a number of kitchen island ideas that can get you moving. While overhauling your kitchen, you might be working with a great designer. But it doesn’t always mean that they will have all the kitchen renovation ideas. It is always smart to check out kitchen remodel ideas for inspiration as well as to reduce the cost of kitchen remodeling.