Best House Floor Plans

Although painting seems like a straightforward task, several design tips and tactics assure perfect paint job. That’s why Best House Floor Plans has published the following design tips maybe prove helpful:

Cover everything. Prevent paint splatters and extra work by covering everything: wall boarders, trimming, floors, windows, the ceiling and others. Use a blue or green painter’s tape.

Design tip: Use the color of psychology to select a good hue for designing a room. As for selecting a complementary paint color, a well known design tip is to match lighter colors to smaller spaces, creating an illusion of a large room.

Spackle it. Prior to painting the walls repair any imperfections in the wall, filling in holes.

In situations where the walls are in bad condition or preparing for a significant color change, apply primer prior to painting.

Design tip: For walls with surface marks and novice painters should avoid high gloss paints. Since glossier paints are unforgiving on imperfections, use on small surfaces.

Paint a smooth application.  For a professional paint job, dip the bottom half of the bristles into the paint can. Do not wipe the paintbrush on the side of the can. Left handed painters should start in painting in the right corner of the wall, working toward the floor.  Right handed painters should start  on the upper left corner.

Wash paint supplies. To protect and ensure the continued use of paint brushes, wash immediately after use. Cover remaining paint cans with a plastic bags, storing in a cool and dry space. 

Design tip:  Give a room depth by introducing  an accent color, different from the rest of the room’s décor.

Although many interior designers have a knack for integrating a number of colors, the best design tip is to maintain a continuity of color.

As for being organized and making the most efficient use of space, shelving plans complement the cause, enhancing the charm of most spaces. Watch any home design show and discover that shelving designs provide more than functionality. Exuding clean lines to highlight masterpieces, shelving plans maintain order, creating an allusion of depth and character.

Shelving plans stack up to stylish shelving designs

Introduce an alluring focal point comprised of collectibles, favorite periodicals, and other ostentatious embellishments. 

Design tip: Bedeck shelving plans in similar hues or a theme that maintains style continuity. 

To select the right shelving plans, first evaluate what purpose the shelf unit(s) will serve. This determines what kind of shelving plan is suitable to accommodate the weight of the stored items.

Avoid an unwanted surprises, measure the area where the shelving  plans will occupy space of the room or wall.

Prior to selecting shelving plans for any space, check the condition of the walls where the shelving unit will hang. Plywood, distressed and warping walls may not have the capacity to withstand hanging shelving units.

As an alternative, shelving designs like the one pictured on the right can accommodate various sized objects. The bottom cabinet conceals items that do not concur with the rest of the items.

Corner shelving plans and shelf units with enclosed cabinetry are another astute tactic for economizing on space. At HousePlansandMore.com, Project Plan #593-066D-1521 utilizes corner space without dominated a smaller room. [Please click "shelving plans" to review the aforementioned image.]

For example, some shelving designs come equipped for showcasing memorabilia, towel bar shelves  (i.e. baseball), In cases where the shelving plans will store cumbersome items, opt for a craftsman style unit.

 For additional shelving plans and house plan design ideas, visit HousePlansandMore.com

Which outside ideas are so timeless that they never seem to go out of style?

Which components of the exterior distinguish one domicile from the next?

Today’s busy homeowner has numerous daunting responsibilities inside and outside of the home. That’s why decorative planters ease the dedication necessary to cultivate a flower and vegetable garden. Ornamental planters are not only aesthetically pleasing, but the containers accentuate any exterior space. More importantly, these potters serve as an as authentic outside ideas while making the most effectual outside idea for developing wondrous use of space.

Outside ideas: Although ceramic potter  exudes rich qualities, these containers are too heavy to move or rotate for the sun.  Instead, use plastic resin, lightweight potter, which is that gives the illusion of a stone planter.

Decorative, ceramic and even plastic planters refine a home's exterior elements

However, the wooden fence does not concur with every architectural style. From vinyl, aluminum to composite (a hybrid of plastic resin and wood fiber),  the outside ideas for partitioning a home’s boundaries are abounding. House Plans and More does a great job at explaining the benefits and differences of the aforementioned fence styles.

For centuries, the Japanese have been integrating local materials, such as stone, gravel and pebble to facilitate peaceful settings.   Rather than use the atypical brick-based path to the home, replace with a large stone.

Outside ideas tip: Instead of using stone, consider a massive stoneware or terracotta jar to delineate the pathway.

Hot design ideas are those aesthetic furnishings and artwork that exude a sense of timelessness. Best Home Floor Plans went exploring new hot design ideas for any home floor plan. Here are the findings:

Certain hot design ideas begin with the path leading up the walkway, incorporating an eco-lighting solution. Using the Hampton Stainless Steel Solar Walk Light as an example, the outdoor light source is a high efficiency LED, defined in a stainless steel slender form, with clear, fluted plastic lens (for only $3.88).  For additional, eco-friendly, walkway lighting, Home Depot has a slew of energy saving (green) outdoor lighting fixtures.

Makeover the kitchen with lucid counter space. Give the kitchen an easy facelift with tinted-glass countertops. These hot design ideas are the latest trend in kitchen surfaces. From the cut of the countertop to its color, counter-space is a customized order for any home floor plan. To ease the schematics of the new workspace, three critical steps are essential to the selection process: 1) Measure current counter space dimensions. 2) To determine which surface space best serves the needs, create a list, describing the various uses of the kitchen workspace.  2) Set a budget and shop.  (Don’t forget to update kitchen fixtures to match the new countertops).

Garden tubs accessorize the restroom

In the restroom, garden tubs are just one of the hot design ideas, making a comeback. To take this restroom to another level, add an alcove and /or canopied space.

Don’t let an outdated deck/patio deter outdoor time.   A peeling deck, rickety railings, and drab patio furniture are a call for an exterior restoration. Also, excessive splits and soft spots in the wood may be a sign of rotting wood or the need for a complete new deck replacement. For those ambitious do-it-yourselfers, ample hot design ideas on deck floor plans are featured at Home Floor Plans and More.

For additional hot design ideas, please visit Home Plans and More.com.

Use these do-it-yourself kitchen renovation design tips to rehab the kitchen. Start with the cabinets (also referred to as the kitchen cupboards. Remove all items, discarding old and non-used cans, expired packaged foods, et cetera. Recycle or donate any outdated good, tableware or cookware. Reorganize cabinets to concur with food preparation and ease traffic flow in the kitchen. Use the time to clean out the silverware tray.

According to Alex Bandon of This Old House, a new set of cabinets can cost anywhere from $5000 and upward. However—for less than $1000, homeowners can do-it-yourself via cabinet refacing. All that’s needed are new cabinet doors, wood veneer and precise measurements. Prior to embarking on the cabinet refacing shop around for contemporary design ideas.   

Next on the kitchen renovation design checklist is the countertop. Since, food preparation requires workspace, the counter top is an aesthetic piece of real estate. Depending on what the budget calls for, counter tops  are available in a myriads of materials (stone, recycled and laminate countertops).

Laminate countertops are durable, withstanding significant wear and tear.

Clear the entire counter space. Consider which colors would enliven the room and match the other accents. Certain home design stores provide sample materials. Although dark countertops are timeless, remember to consider if you plan to introduce new kitchen light fixtures.

Did you know…? Certain web applications provide a rendering of how the kitchen renovation designed with different counter space will appear. Sweet Home 3-D Freeware allows homeowners to upload the kitchen’s existing floor plan to test colors, textures and furniture design ideas.

Design tip: Be sure to consider a new backsplash to complement new or older counter tops. The latest renovation kitchen design trend entails using ceramic and mosaic backdrops. as seen at House Plans and More.com.

Windows are the accent for any home floor plan, color and design scheme. Windows have a tendency to do double duty shedding light and punctuating a room’s features. But selecting the right window replacements entails several considerations. 

Double hung window replacement design ideas for any - home floor plan.

Best House Floor Plans sought window advice from Home Plans and More.com. Here’s the information that we gleaned. 

In older homes, (in example, Victorian home floor plans, Tudor) picture windows are a charming façade. Available in numerous sizes, shapes and various glass formats, certain brand picture frames are manufactured to enhance a home’s green energy and efficiency.

Maintenance: Window cleaning requirements vary, according to the homeowner’s preferences.

Reminiscent of pre-war architecture, double-hung windows work in almost any home floor plan. In Alaska, the double hung windows may not offer the best climate efficiency during the winter months because they have a tendency to enable air to escape between the sliders. However, in milder climates, double hung windows are adequate.

Maintenance: Since fine particles become trapped in the sliding mechanism of the window, they require cleaning at least twice a year.

As an option that never goes out of style are the casement windows.  Common in windy cities like Chicago and engineered with a crank, these windows swing outwards. When the casement window is shut, it acts as its own shutter, preventing air from leaking in the house. 

Maintenance tip: Casement windows, unlike the double hung window, call for more repairs and gentle care. Crank, seal and hinges are prone to loosen, requiring regular maintenance (for safety and stability).

Green windows shopping tip: Energy efficient windows, brands and other information is available at the federally sponsored ENERGY STAR Web site, where windows are rated by the National Fenestration Rating Council. Also, House Plans and More features a wealth of window replacement plans for any home floor plan.

With the summer months in close proximity, updating the in-law suite or guest bedroom is not an ambitious feat. Transforming an insipid space into visually-compelling guest suite requires a only a slew of  design tactics.

Our friends at House Plans and More.com tell us start with the size of the space. If the room is diminutive, take the furthest wall from the doorway and choose colors, which tend to give a room an expansive illusion. Choose between greens, blues and purples. These hues are from the cool side of the color wheel and tend to fade in the background. If the entire in-law suite is a dark solid color on each wall, then replace with a white or other light colors as mentioned previously.

How to choose the right color for a room?

Besides selecting background colors to make a room  appear more expansive, select tints to stimulate a mood. For instance, Greens are rejuvenating. Blue is associated with calm, while purple is symbolic of peace and joy.

• Regardless if the in-law suite is small or large, painting the room refreshes the ambiance. If the crown molding is already painted, repainting it another color that concurs with the room’s accents breathes new life into the room. In situations, where the crown molding is wooded, sand, refinish and stain.

• To introduce texture and color to walls, select a textile, which matches the furnishings.

• Fill in wall space with shelving units that can be affixed to the wall,

• Stones, plants, wood furnishings introduce an element of earthiness.

• Plants represent not only revitalization but are eco-friendly for producing oxygen. Select plants that are apposite for the rooms’ lighting.

• Mirrors are another smart design feature for giving a small space the illusion of expansive features. Not to mention, stocking the in-law suite with a mirror reduces their time in the bathroom.

• For the small in-law suite, buy furnishings that do double duty. For instance, a sturdy wooden chest multitasks as a place to sit as well as place to store extra pillows, comforters, sheets, etcetera. Many leather footstools come with a similar storage feature. Futons and pullout sofas are definitive storage savers in the mini-in-law suite.

Click on “guest room” for additional design tips.

Spring cleaning and making modifications around the home go hand in hand.  As spring approaches, a slew of household chores and design tips serve as an affordable home makeover. Use the following checklist of spring cleaning and design tips to make around the home:

• Create a realistic cleaning schedule for each room. From dusting to organization, devise a checklist of tasks.

• Inventory the necessary cleaning supplies: paper towels, gloves, broom, mop, dust clothes, antibacterial household cleaners garbage bags, storage containers, et cetera.

• House Plans and More advises three effective ducting tactics: 1) Since, dust or fine particle matter moves down, begin spring cleaning on the highest floor of the home. 2) Start by using a  dry dusting cloth to clean surfaces and then move onto using cleaning solutions and water. 3) Sweep, vacuum and mop are the order for cleaning floors. The idea is to alleviate any floating dirt from resettling. 

• Don’t forget to clear, clean and reorganize those out of the way spaces, which are often dust magnets. 

• Once each room is dusted and vacuumed  change air filters more than six eight weeks old. 

Design Tip: Give rooms an update, rearranging furniture, improving lighting.

• In the refrigerator, be sure to remove all containers, jars and contents to clean each shelf with an antibacterial all-purpose cleaner. Place a box of baking soda to prevent refrigeration odors.

• Throughout the home, reorganize drawers, which contain a mélange of items. Find  a new place to store similar items.

Design Tip: Conduct a design assessment of each room. Remove outdated decorative accents.

• Remember to recycle or donate any household items that do not belong in a landfill.  

• In each room, start cleaning at the point furthest from the door. For a thorough clean, chart a cleaning path that does not require an traversing back and forth.

Design tip: For a refreshed look, reassign household embellishments, pictures, candles and such to other rooms.

 Click design tips to read more spring cleaning and home décor ideas.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, halogens and LEDs are light fixtures, which most green advocates deem more  cost and energy effective  than the incandescent bulb. But, when it comes to finding the appropriate lighting fixture for any room in the floor plan, many consumers are at a loss of how to layer lighting to innovate, or evoke the right iridescence. 

Review the following light fixtures to determine how to add luminosity to your home floor plan without the cost.

• Dimmable CFL light fixtures
• 3-way compact fluorescent light bulbs
• Compact flood light fixtures
• Triple Tune marathon

Each of the aforementioned light fixtures emits different light, and is designed to fit specific lamps, light pendants and recessed lighting. Since, the compact fluorescent bulb is in its infancy, compared with the incandescent bulb, the lighting possibilities remain uncharted and abounding for the contemporary to modern designed floor plan.

The underlying value of the CFL for any room in the home is to conserve energy costs, and lower greenhouse effects.

Also, consumers should beware that the lamp designed to work with the incandescent bulb is incompatible for the compact fluorescent lamp. Moreover, many compact fluorescent light bulbs are decorative, not requiring a lamp which makes this light fixture a bright ideas for any room of the floor plan.

Layering light is quite simple. Start with the entire room’s floor plan. Select a light which provides general lighting. Next, select a  light dimmer (preferably on compatible with a compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulb)  designed to provide ambient and task lighting. Next, pendant lighting fixtures or other decorative lighting that emit iridescence.

For additional information design ideas, click on Garden tubs or Kitchen Fixtures.

Maintaining a new or old home exceeds adding a new room or changing the schematics of the home plan. A myriad of small fixes do wonders for giving certain rooms of the home a space-lift. Best House Floor Plans compiled a short list  of design tips:

• Replace outdated or broken kitchen fixtures with new updated, eco-friendly appliances and products.

• When it comes to the floors, use the refresh, repair, or replace rule. Maintaining the floors on a regular basis alleviates the changes of making any major repairs or replacements. However, if there is any damage, taking care of it now will prevent investing in a replacement– later.

• Prior to making new furniture purchases, give the room a space-lift. There are five easy fast-fixes for renovating a room, without hiring a contractor:

• De-clutter – Discard unused, outdated or useless furnishing accents. Relocate any objects, which belong in another room.  Discard worn out items.

Home design tip: Remove each decorative accessory. Then, examine each piece to determine if all components concur with the rest of the design scheme.  Recycle or donate any hodgepodge decorative items.

• Dust baseboards and walls.

• Caulk any holes, gouges or dents in the wall.

• Paint any wall space needing a touch up or complete refreshing

• Reorganize and reset all decorative objects, creating a sense of symmetry among decorative items.

• Punctuate the exterior of the home with a decoratve mailbox that maintains the design scheme and the façade of your home  plan.

• Shuffle artwork. Instead of investing in a new collection of artwork, innovate new ways to showcase framed photography and masterpieces. For additional decorative ideas, visit House Plans and More, where there are more than 17,000 house plans and project ideas to put to work.