Articles Tagged "Kitchen"

While the cold winter months are ideal for cozying up on the couch, sometimes it feels good to be productive. A little home maintenance will also ensure your home looks its best if you list it among the St. Louis market and surrounding area. Whether your home is in St. Louis County, Franklin County, or even further north in St. Charles County, our agents encourage you to work on these home improvement projects this winter. 

1. Declutter and Organize
   Winter is a perfect time to declutter and organize your belongings. You likely have some new holiday gifts that you need to make room for, and there's no better way to start the New Year than with an organized space.
   
   You can either tackle one room at a time, or you may declutter categories of stuff. For example, you might declutter all the clothing in your home or all your paperwork and mementos. Get rid of anything you no longer use, that you have too much, or that you haven't used in more than a year (aside from seasonal items).
   
   Once you know what you're left with, you can organize your belongings with containers, shelves, rods, and hooks. Our real estate agents know that a well-organized home also looks larger and more appealing to potential buyers. 

2. Replace Old Hardware
   Old hardware, like your door hinges, cabinet knobs, doorknobs, and door levels, can quickly make your space look dated. Give your home an instant facelift by replacing these items. You can replace most old hardware with a screwdriver, drill, screws, and wood putty. 

3. Service Your Ceiling Fans
   Did you know that you need to change the direction of your ceiling fans during the winter months? When the weather is cold, you want your ceiling fans to operate in a clockwise direction, so it pushes warm air down. You can adjust your ceiling fan's direction by using the direction switch on your fan's motor housing.
   
   While you're changing your fans' directions, give them a thorough dusting. Dust the fan blades with a microfiber cloth or duster that will prevent the dust from scattering. Wipe down the fan pulls with a damp cloth. 

4. Repair Any Wall Blemishes and Touch Up Your Paint
   If you've got some areas with scrapes or holes, winter is a fantastic time to patch these blemishes and touch up the paint. You'll be spending a lot of time indoors, and you want your home to look as inviting as possible.
   
   You can fix most small wall defects with a layer or two of spackling compound. Once it dries, sand the area smooth and add a fresh coat of paint.

5. Change the Batteries in Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
   Keep your family safe by changing the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Once the units have fresh batteries, test them to make sure they're working properly. If necessary, install additional detectors in your home.
   
   You should have a smoke detector in each bedroom, in the hall outside every sleeping area, and on each level of your home. There should be a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home and in your garage. 

Ready to explore new properties for your family? Contact us today!

With 2021 fast approaching, we're excited to see what trends will catch on in the new year. With so many people spending extra time on home projects in 2020, we're expecting even more homeowners to take on home improvement projects to make their home extra special for themselves or to get it ready to list. Our real estate agents were so inspired by these St. Louis homes for sale, they decided to put together a list of their predictions for what trends you can expect to see more of in 2021. 

1. Coastal Themes
   Tranquility is going to be a very popular theme in 2021, especially considering the year we had. Many of us were forced to skip our beach vacations in 2020, so it wouldn't be surprising to see subtle coastal design themes pop-up in homes this year. Whether it's tropical leaves or flowers or the right mix of calming aquas and blues, pay attention to calming coastal design trends in 2021. This is a great option for those who love the beach and are looking to personalize their home office. 
   
   
2. Rustic Vogue
   For those who like a charming look mixed with a bit of upscale character, rustic vogue is definitely going to be the design trend for you. This look is usually best in homes that already have some rustic character, such as old doors or original floorboards. Simply add some upscale furniture, neutral colors, and some bright statement pieces to create that upscale cottage feel. To achieve this look, be sure to check out thrift stores for that one-of-a-kind look!
   
   
3. Pure Vintage
   Vintage designs and timeless looks will always be in style. Working antique furniture or pieces of architectural salvage into your living space is a great way to create a classic look. They really don't make furniture like they used to, so repurposing old pieces can really make a statement in your home.
   
   
4. Textured Walls
   We expect to see textured walls continue to increase in popularity next year. Stone, marble, and wooden beams all significantly impact perception and can really add a classy touch to any room. Textured walls change the ambiance of the room in a big way. Best of all, they're generally easy to install and can hide cracks, dents, and holes in your drywall.
   
   
5. Houseplants
   Get ready to step up your house plant game in 2021 because they're coming back in a big way. Retro 1970's hangers, unique succulents, and big blooms -- adding some green into your living space can definitely liven things up. They can also go a long way towards boosting your mood. Just make sure you buy plants that require little maintenance and are hard to kill.

Looking for a new home in the area for you to try new home improvement projects on in 2021? Contact us today!

When potential buyers look at St. Louis homes for sale, the kitchen is always a focal point. Whether you're thinking about selling your home soon or you just want to make your kitchen look great, updating the backsplash is an excellent place to start. 

This small area that peeks out between your appliances and cabinets might seem like an unimportant detail. However, it actually has a major impact on the overall look and feel of your kitchen space. 

Our real estate agents have shown many homes with gorgeous backsplashes... and a few that didn't quite do the trick. The following five tips will help you make sure your kitchen looks great when you're done with your update.

1. Learn the Backsplash Basics
   The first thing you'll want to do is review the basics of backsplash design. Begin by sizing up your space. Multiply the height of the area by the width to get the total square footage. This is the total amount of materials you'll need. Make sure you add at least 10%, so you have enough extra tile to cover any mistakes. If you're thinking about adding any elaborate designs to your backsplash, make sure you put them in the primary focal points. This is typically the space above your kitchen sink and above the range. Small kitchens can also benefit from a backsplash that extends around the room. While this will make the project more expensive, it adds a contemporary look and also creates an optical illusion that makes the space look larger.

2. Consider Total Cost and Durability
   When choosing your materials, make sure you consider the overall cost and how well it will stand up to the test of time. For example, glass backsplashes are stunning, but many homeowners find this option overly expensive. Natural stone will also create a striking look, but you'll have to seal it every year. If you want a durable material that's reasonably priced and easy to clean, consider choosing ceramic tiles. Porcelain is another great choice. It's made from clay, just like ceramic, but it's denser. This makes it more resistant to moisture and less likely to suffer damage. 

3. Beware of Over-Matching
   It's natural to feel like you want everything to match, but if you match your tile too much, you'll end up with a boring, uninspired look. Instead, have some fun playing with patterns or adding in some complementary colors. 

4. Invest in Good Grout
   You might think that your color and pattern choices are the most important, but you'll also want to pay attention to the grout you choose. The grout is the backbone of your backsplash, so don't make the mistake of skimping on this critical detail. 

5. Don't Forget About Maintenance
   If you want your backsplash to keep looking as great as it did when it was first installed, you'll need to keep up with maintenance. Sealing your backsplash is critical. The recommended frequency of this task will depend on the material you choose. If you build your backsplash out of slate, marble, or granite, you'll need to re-seal it once a year. Opt for travertine, and you'll be able to extend this to once every two years. 

Are you thinking about buying or selling a home in the St. Louis area? CB Premier Group can help! Contact us today to discuss your goals and get started.