Clutter has a way of taking over the house and leaving a trail of worry behind. How can you stop clutter in its tracks? Before starting your remodeling project, address any clutter and home organization issues. Here’s why:

• You need to move things around to clear a path for the contractor. So, why not toss what you don’t need?
• Organizing will make your house seem that much less chaotic during the remodeling
• Decluttering will give you a sense of control

As you prepare, check out these six easy home organization tips:

• Make a plan: Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Look around your house, and figure out which rooms need the most work. Or, start on the first floor, and work your way around into each room.
• Take small steps: Don’t try to tackle the whole house in a week. Work in small sections, so you see progress every day.
• Set target dates: If you’re starting your remodeling project in six weeks, finish decluttering in four. This gives you a little leeway before the contractor arrives.
• Build in décor: You need a little reward after all the home organization. Shop around for some fun baskets, shelving, or other storage items to help organize what you keep. This is particularly helpful in a child’s room. Here’s how to do it, from the folks at Thrifty Fun.

As you declutter, don’t forget those out-of-the-way places, like the basement, attic, and bathrooms. Here are tips from Good Housekeeping when taking your home organization journey to the garage.

Organizing and decluttering can help clear your space–and your head–before tackling your home remodeling project.

Ceramic tile. Hardwood. Vinyl. Bamboo. These days, so many flooring options are available, it can be hard to choose which one will best suit your home.

If you’re unsure which material is right for you, consider the following:

• Traffic patterns: A busy kitchen might need an easy-to-clean, vinyl flooring or ceramic tile. Just make sure you understand how to care for the floor, particularly when it’s first installed, says vinyl flooring manufacturer, Congoleum. While hardwood floors are always popular, they can show more dirt and expand and contract when the temperature changes.
• Your color scheme: If you need your flooring to blend with cherry cabinetry, hardwood flooring in cherry to mahogany coloring is a good bet. If you prefer the veining of marble or the speckled patterns seen in vinyl, consider those flooring options. Just realize marble is porous and not the best choice for a busy kitchen.
• The room’s use: Limestone is highly porous, so don’t use it in a kitchen if you serve a lot of red wine! If you stand in the kitchen a lot, ceramic tile might be too hard on your feet.
• Your budget: Your budget is nearly always a factor. Vinyl flooring is the most economic option, ceramic tile ranks second–then, hardwood floors, and then, stone. If your budget falls somewhere between ceramic tile and hardwood, try laminate floors that resemble real wood. You can install these on top of other materials. According to DIYNetwork.com, doing so can save time and labor.

Flooring Options: Shopping Tips

When you consider flooring options, let your inner style shine through. Don’t be afraid to mix and match colors or materials in different rooms, as long as it all flows together. Or, use two materials (stone and wood) in the same floor pattern, with one the dominant player. This, says Shaw Industries, can make a bold statement.

Glance around any kitchen, and you’ll notice the kitchen cabinets right away. If your cabinets lack the indoor “curb appeal” found in a shiny, new kitchen, consider sprucing them up. Painting kitchen cabinets is popular because, rather than replacing your cabinets, you can use the ones you have.

Here’s how this kitchen design booster works:

• Decide: Are you up to painting kitchen cabinets yourself? Doing so will save money, but expect to invest a lot of elbow grease. If you choose to outsource, hire a contractor.
• Select a painting them:. Many people like the crisp look of white, but you have lots of options. Just make sure the color blends with your kitchen design–coordinate the tones and colors. For an added boost, try a glaze or crackled look on top.
• Clean, clean, clean, says HGTV: Kitchen cabinets are exposed to lots of cooking grease, so use lots of soapy water or a specialized detergent for grime.
• Remove your old cabinets: Make sure you or your contractor take the kitchen cabinets off the wall and remove the doors. This will help paint all the little nooks and crannies.
• Use good quality paint brushes, says Askthebuilder.com: Otherwise, you’ll get a substandard return on investment.

Quick Kitchen Remodeling Tips

Update the look of your kitchen cabinets with a fresh stain (if they’re wood) and some cabinet hardware. Lightly sand the cabinets before applying the stain. Try a dark walnut or mahogany if you want a deep, rich look. Then, top it off with weathered brass knobs or crisp white ceramic pulls.

Many small kitchen remodeling projects like these can dramatically change your kitchen design. You’ll be amazed how much you can do in a few weekends–without spending a lot of money.

How energy efficient is your home? Here’s how to find out–light a match near a window. If the match blows out, or the flame flickers, air is probably filtering into your home. That means poor energy efficiency.

Are Replacement Windows for You?

Before the cooler weather sets in, walk around your home and consider whether you need replacement windows, home insulation, or some good, old fashioned caulking around door frames. You could lower your heating and cooling bills and live in a more comfortable home.

Replacement windows come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. So, they easily blend with what you already have. Evaluate each room, consider your air flow, and evaluate whether you need replacement windows. Here are tips from Askthebuilder.com about blending replacement windows with existing materials and window designs.

Tax Credits for Energy Efficient Products

If you add replacement windows this year, you can qualify for a federal tax credit. According to Energy Star, you’ll save 30 percent of the cost of qualifying replacement windows (remodeling contractor installation fees aren’t covered). So, if your replacement windows cost $2,000, you’ll save $600.

Adding Home Insulation

If you have an unfinished attic, consider adding fiberglass or blow in home insulation. You’ll quickly see a difference in your comfort level and energy bills. Depending on the space, you can even try it yourself (just remember to wear long pants and shirt sleeves to protect against the itchy insulation!).

Here’s more from Owens Corning on adding attic insulation. If it’s too labor intensive, call a local remodeling contractor who has experience with insulation.

By identifying all those tiny air leaks, and creating a plan for sealing them, you’ll be well on your way to a comfortable fall and winter–without those annoying air leaks.

It’s hot and humid in many cities…the perfect time to think about fall and a few landscaping projects. If you’re considering adding a deck, patio, or a few new landscaping beds, now is the time to plan.

Consider All Patio Designs

Choose from several patio designs, like traditional open air brick patios, partially enclosed patios, or poolside patios. When considering your options, think about climate and how you plan to use the landscaping space. Folks in California will use an open air patio more than folks in Minnesota.

Also consider:

• Patio designs: Consider the patio or deck size in relation to your furniture. Make sure you have enough room to maneuver around the furniture.
• DIY or Not: Here’s advice from Realtor.com to help you decide if you’re ready to build your own patio design or deck.
• Sun patterns: Do you want the patio under a tree for a shading effect? Will you add a table with an umbrella to block the sun?

Starting a Landscaping Makeover

According to the Univeristy of Missouri Extension, you should draw out the plan and identify major landscaping areas to add. If you want a rose garden, for example, look for a spot that gets four to six hours of sun each day. For a fountain, look for an area where the terrain naturally lends itself to cascading water.

If you plan your landscaping project for fall, add mulch to keep weeds at bay. Also, plan to look through some patio design books to narrow your style.

All this planning will eventually pay off when you add your new patio design or deck. Until then, review all your options and decide which projects to tackle first.

A dash of color has a way of making a room stand out. Many people think of bright red or orange when they hear the word “color,” but, other, more subtle, colors can also make an impact. Here are a few:

• Chestnut: Orange and light brown tones
• Walnut: Medium brown tones, sometimes with a hint of red
• Buttercream: Dark cream, sometimes with a hint of brown

GE Appliances notes the whole color trend can work throughout your kitchen. Imagine your kitchen cabinets with a richer red and black stain, your dishwasher with a bold red front, or your faucet with an antique bronze finish. You have lots of kitchen design options.

Kitchen Remodeling To Dos

If you’re debating what style of kitchen cabinets to buy, think beyond the door framing to the color that goes on top. A mahogany stain or a buttercream glaze can give your cabinets just the right touch.

Start by defining your kitchen style, suggests KraftMaid Cabinetry. If you’re like a contemporary look, consider a high gloss white paint. More traditional folks tend to like deep stains and glazes. One style, called “Natural and Warm,” plays up the informal look with knotty pine cabinets and other rustic finishes.

Color for Kitchen Cabinets and Backsplashes

Your other options include:

• Glass doors for your kitchen cabinets: Try textured, beveled, in a light shade of green
• Wall tile: The colors are endless, but try a little blue, green, or yellow. Here’s more on kitchen remodeling with tile
• Countertops: Try speckled accents in brown, green, yellow ,or red

Just remember: a little color goes a long way. Pick a few spots, and blend the colors with other accents in the room. Then, have a little fun with your kitchen remodeling.

A friend is buying a house and was confused about what home improvement projects she could do herself. This is a common concern. Many people consider the DIY route to save money, but aren’t sure what skills they need.

Painting, changing a faucet (just turn off the water supply first!), and installing tile are relatively easy projects for someone with a little experience. But, sometimes, it’s best to call a real contractor:

1. Major electrical work: Call a contractor if you’re installing new fuse boxes and circuits, or need rewiring that goes into a few rooms. Many DIYers can change a ceiling fan, but make sure you aren’t in over your head.
2. Structural remodeling: Projects such as foundation repair, removing concrete or laying an asphalt driveway usually require a contractor. The contractor may charge $2,000, but, ask yourself: do you have the necessary skills, tools, and equipment? Probably not. A contractcor can haul concrete or asphalt, too.
3. Roofing: How comfortable are you on a tall ladder…for hours at a time, holding tools and equipment? As Popular Mechanics notes, many roofing jobs (beyond patching shingles) warrant a real contractor.
4. Room redesigns: When your home improvement project moves from decoration to cutting a hole in the wall to make a breakfast nook or taking down a wall to expand a closet, you probably need a contractor. This Black and Decker article will convince you. And, remember, unless you’re a contractor by trade, get several estimates.

Before hiring a home improvement contractor, check out these 11 tips from Biggerpockets.com. It’s true….the lowest bid isn’t always the best.

If you want to do some DIY remodeling, start small. Work with friends who are handy. Just make sure you have a contractor on deck when the going gets tough!

You’ve all seen those fabulous outdoor kitchens with the large grill built into a stone wall. Wouldn’t it be nice…one day? Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet offers some interesting layouts, complete with dimensions. And, it’s not too hard to scale them down to your remodeling budget. Just pick out the components you want, and modify your plans accordingly, says remodeling enthusiast Danny Lipford.

Outdoor Kitchens on a Budget

If a $20,000 to $30,000 outdoor kitchen is out of reach, you may need to get a little creative. Can you lay the stone around your grill without using a contractor? Can you substitute heavy stone framing around your outdoor kitchen with furniture and potted plants?

Also consider mobile furniture and island pieces you can pull out for entertaining. Vermont Islands offers some ideas, plus insights into dimensions and durability. You might also find modular kitchen units at warehouse clubs and home improvement stores.

Here are items for your outdoor kitchen:

• A grilling area: The “cooker” can be a small charcoal grill or a 42-inch stainless steel powerhouse. The trick is to give it that built-in look. Buy a grill with side flaps. The flaps accommodate food, but double as plate and utensil storage when in the upright position. Or, add a separate beverage or storage cart.
• A sink: This is easier to install if you’re starting a patio from scratch, as you’ll need to run water lines.
• A mini-fridge: Look for an undercounter fridge, about 21 inches wide. You’ll need an electrical outlet, so ask a contractor where to add one.
• A countertop or staging area: A rolling island can create that “professional cooking station” look. Look for a metal countertop that can withstand the elements.
• A seating area: Two or three chairs grouped around a table is all you need.

Happy grilling!

Tired of fighting for space at the back door? Want a better floor to handle the wear and tear from the mud, snow, and rain? In many cases, mudroom remodeling is your best option. With the help of a good contractor, you can enlarge, redesign, and reconstruct your mudroom in a few short weeks.

Tackling A Mudroom Remodeling

Mudrooms can be challenging, as they often lack storage space and an adequate turn radius.

When dealing with a small space, capture space from an adjacent laundry room or closet. Even four feet in depth can make a big difference when kids are slinging backpacks and putting on shoes.

Mudroom Remodeling Step by Step

Start your mudroom remodeling by drawing out the space with an eye toward how you use it. Don’t wait until it’s snowing outside to get your design together, says Better Homes and Gardens. Depending on your contractor, it can take a few weeks to design your mudroom.

Start your mudroom remodeling plans now, and consider your lifestyle and the kids’ ages when deciding what storage works best. For example, cubicles, with open storage, might work better than a closet. And, talk with your contractor about the following:

• Vertical storage for umbrellas, long coats, or hockey sticks
• Deep storage for large musical instruments
• Dividers inside the closets for small items
• Electrical outlets nearby for charging telephones and laptops
• A place for muddy dogs, a must-have for the fixerupper.typepad.com blogger

Don’t forget to add a few decorator touches. After all, you’re taking the mudroom to new limits in terms of organization. Why not add a fancy chandelier near the back door, or do a little decorative wall remodeling? It’s just enough to make your space stand out.