Home Improvement Archives - Marybeth Heckler | Blog

Essential Fire Safety Tips for Colorado Homeowners

Written by Marybeth Heckler on December 31, 2023. Posted in Home Improvement.

As the winter chill settles over Colorado, there’s nothing cozier than gathering around the fireplace with loved ones. The crackling sounds of burning wood and the warm glow of the flames create a picturesque scene. However, it’s crucial for homeowners, especially moms managing bustling households, to prioritize fire safety during the winter months.

Home Maintenance vs. Home Improvements: A Fall Perspective

Written by Marybeth Heckler on October 8, 2023. Posted in Home Improvement, Homeowner.

Fall in Colorado is a magical time when the aspen trees turn golden, and the crisp air signals the onset of colder months. It’s also the perfect season to assess your home and make important decisions about whether to focus on maintenance or embark on home improvement projects.

Eco-Friendly Spring Home Improvements

Written by Marybeth Heckler on May 14, 2023. Posted in Home Improvement.

Spring is the perfect time to consider making eco-friendly home improvements. With the warmer weather and longer days, it’s the ideal time to start planning and executing sustainable projects that can help you save money, reduce your carbon footprint, and improve your home’s overall efficiency.

Autumn Home Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

Written by Marybeth Heckler on October 2, 2022. Posted in Home Improvement, Homeowner.

We are now at the end of summer. It’s time to start thinking about autumn home care now that the days are shorter and the weather is cooler. Although some autumn home tips are obvious, such as bringing in outdoor furniture, raking the leaves, and removing air conditioner window units, many go unnoticed. Making a seasonal home maintenance checklist is one way to ensure nothing falls through the cracks this season.

How Much Homeowners Should Budget for Home Maintenance?

Written by Marybeth Heckler on September 19, 2021. Posted in Home Improvement.

Whether you are a first-time homeowner or a seasoned one, the issue of home maintenance is both essential and frequently overlooked or avoided until necessary. Why? Because there are a lot of things to maintain around a home and everyone wants to hope for the best. The “I’ll deal with it when it happens” train of thought is common but can also put homeowners in a pickle when something big breaks down – like their water heater or air conditioner.

How to Tell if Your Deck is Safe

Written by Marybeth Heckler on May 16, 2021. Posted in Home Improvement.

Did you know that your deck has a life expectancy of around 10-15 years? For anyone with an older home or an older deck, this information is essential to prevent possible injuries.

Best Weekend Projects for Homeowners

Written by Marybeth Heckler on September 28, 2020. Posted in Home Improvement.

Now that fall is arriving and the temperatures are dropping, but not too cold, it’s a great opportunity to break out the tools and start working on some of those weekend projects. If you are the type of person who loves tinkering around the house when you have a little downtime, then you probably already know that these projects can be a kind of “Zen-like” activity that lets you relax while also doing something beneficial.

Here are some of the best weekend projects for homeowners to take on now that the sweltering heat has faded:

Do some painting — If you’ve got the time and inclination, now is a great opportunity to get that touch-up painting done you’ve wanted to do all year. This doesn’t mean you have to devote a whole weekend to paint an entire room. Instead, you can do a bit of restoration painting by giving your front door a new coat (or even trying out a totally new color). If you have built-in shelving, try painting the interiors of the shelves a contrasting color to give it a nice visual pop.
Lawn care maintenance — Now that the summer is over, it’s probably time to do some maintenance on your lawn equipment to make sure that it is ready to run when the spring rolls around again. This is the perfect opportunity to check the plugs and engine of your lawnmower and to sharpen its blades. Then, you can put it aside for now knowing you will have it ready when the grass starts growing again.
Do some redecorating — Not all weekend projects are of the “handyman with tools” variety. You can also do simple redecorating of your home to give it a new look. Just reorganize a family room or moving around a few pieces of furniture can do wonders to rejuvenate the place. Also, consider replacing some of that tired artwork you’ve had up for years with something more personal that you make yourself.
Install new shelves — Chances are there is a part of your room that needs more organization. It could be the garage, the pantry, the laundry room, or even your master closet. Regardless of where you need them, take a weekend to organize your home a little better with shelving units. These can help you keep everything in nice, neat rows without having to stack stuff up on the floor.
Plant a garden — Just because its fall doesn’t mean you can’t do some gardening. Goldenrod, sumac, and sunflowers are just a few of the great flower options that will do well in a fall garden.

Weekend projects are a great way to not only keep your house looking great, but also to help keep you active. This fall, try out some of these weekend projects to help you relax with a little work.

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To Renovate or Not: Where to Get the Biggest Bang for Your Buck

Written by Marybeth Heckler on August 23, 2020. Posted in Home Improvement.

When it comes to renovating a home, there are generally two mindsets at work. The first is that you want to make your house nicer and more suited to your own style or preferences. But the other one is that you want to make an improvement to your home so that you can recoup your money when you go to resell the house.

Let’s look at the best options you have for improving your property value with renovation projects:

Garage Door — If you’ve never replaced your garage door, then it’s an option you should really consider. Most home builders choose a very basic model that has no personality or style to it. It’s just a generic white or off-white door. Instead, consider replacing this with something more sophisticated like a rustic wood garage door or one with window panels to let natural light in.

Kitchen Cabinets — Many people want to do a full kitchen remodel with all new cabinetry, custom backsplashes, and top-of-the-line appliances. This is great if you’ve got the money, but it’s not going to give you a lot of return on investment. Instead, leave your cabinets as they are, but replace the cabinet doors. This simple upgrade will give you a chance to do a lot of cosmetic improvements without breaking your bank.

Bathroom Upgrade — Another great remodeling option is to redo your bathroom. Overall, this has the potential to actually increase your home’s value by more than you put into it. Replace your current toilet with a low-flow option that will reduce your water usage. You can also enlarge your shower stall, especially if you have a separate tub that you are willing to sacrifice. An extra-large shower with multiple shower heads and a sit-down bench is a great selling point.

Wood Deck — Many homeowners are looking for a great house and a great backyard for entertaining. You can meet the needs of this last point with a simple wood deck or patio addition to your home that will end up recouping almost your entire investment. And, as a bonus, you can get lots of use out of it yourself in the meantime before you decide to sell.

New Vinyl Siding — One last upgrade that can really help you with the value of your home is the exterior, specifically new vinyl siding. This may not seem particularly spectacular or exciting, but a refreshed exterior with new siding will give your home more curb appeal. This refers to the positive initial impressions you get when someone first pulls up to the house. A home with good curb appeal is well on its way to getting a good asking price on the market.

These five home renovations aren’t the only improvements you can make. But they are five that have the potential to get you the most bang for your buck and will help the most when looking for resale value later on.

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Our Favorite Fall Décor Trends This Year

Written by Marybeth Heckler on August 16, 2020. Posted in Home Improvement.

The fall is approaching and many of us are already tired of the chaos and confusion that has come with 2020. From COVID-19 to political upheaval, many of us are looking to our homes as a bastion of support and refuge from the world outside. But those of us who have also been stuck inside for the past few months may be looking to make a change in our décor this fall.

Here are the top decorating trends you can choose if you want to make a change this year:

Single Colors — For a while, you may have been told to do layers when it comes to colors, pairing up a complementary palette to tie everything together. However, in 2020, many of the designs we are seeing a focus on a single-color scheme. Before you start thinking this may be overwhelming, remember that you can use multiple shades of the same color and also add these with white or cream so it doesn’t look totally monochromatic.
Add Color to the Kitchen — Speaking of colors, one of the things you might want to consider redoing is the color scheme of your kitchen. For years now, white has been the dominant color for kitchens. And while it is still the most chosen shade, many designers are pushing people to add color to their kitchen so that it doesn’t look so simple and plain.
Invite in the Great Outdoors — Many of us are getting cabin fever thanks to the quarantines and lockdowns. So, you can ease some of the anxiety from this by adding natural touches to your décor. Adding plants and flowers (even if they are fake) can help create a soothing atmosphere. To add to this, include scented candles to bring in some soft lighting with the smells of nature. You can also try using rattan furniture and furniture accents. This material, previously thought to be exclusively for outdoor patio furniture, is another way to add some outdoor feel to your home.
Bold Laundry Rooms — One of the most forgotten rooms in the house is the laundry room. But this year, spruce up this bland room with some bold colors or decorative flairs. Chalkboard walls are a great way to enliven the laundry room so you can let the little ones do some decorating of their own. And, if you are like us and love different storage solutions, this is the perfect time to look at what options are out there.

Don’t let the world around you get you down. Take charge of your own home and do a little redecorating this fall with these great ideas to liven up your environment.

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The Best Backyard Renovation Tips for Summer Living

Written by Marybeth Heckler on July 9, 2020. Posted in Home Improvement, Homeowner.

If your home is your castle, then your backyard is more like your proverbial “fortress of solitude.” This is the place you can kick back, relax with your family and friends, and escape from the stresses of the world by enjoying the sun and nature. But a great backyard requires upkeep and occasional renovations to help it stay fresh and new.

Here are a few ideas on how you can spruce up your backyard for better summer living:

Porch — The centerpiece of your backyard haven should be a luxurious porch or patio. Some of the best options for this would include screening in a large porch and including ceiling fans for those hot summer days. But you can also liven up your porch with new outdoor furniture. This will help you to have a space to entertain when friends visit.

Outdoor Kitchen (and Bar) — Part of the fun of spending time outside is grilling out with friends and family. But if you want to take your outdoor cooking game to the next level, you should seriously consider adding an outdoor kitchen. This is more than a grill—it includes a mini-fridge, sink, grill, and oven/stove. If you like your adult libations, you can also add a beer tap and a stocked bar for your partying evenings.

Fire Feature — Even though the weather is warmer, you can still enjoy a nice outdoor fire on a summer night. Consider adding a fire feature. This fire pit can be something permanent that is actually part of the landscaping or it can be a portable fire feature that you can move around like part of the furniture. Either way, get the fire started and break out the s’mores for a cool evening with the kids (or just acting like kids).

Arbor/Pergola — If you’ve ever seen those beautiful, vine-covered arches in formal gardens, then you know how great they can look. If you want to put one into your own back yard, then you can either buy one at a local hardware store or have it built to suit. One thing that you will want, however, is an arch with at least 8 to 8.5 feet of space underneath. This way, when the flowers and vines begin to grow in, you will still have ample space to walk underneath.

A backyard can be your own little paradise away from all of the hustle and bustle of the world. If you are looking to add some nice touches to yours, consider adding one of these four suggestions to your yard’s mix.

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