written by: Jennifer McGuire

Have an extra room that’s just taking up space? Lucky you! Put your creativity to work and transform it into the “play” place you’ve always wanted. Here are just a few suggestions for using that unused area.

Rock Out

Let the rock-n-roll in you rip loose in a room designed to be your very own music studio. Bearing in mind that you’ll want to remain friends with your neighbors, a careful soundproofing plan is key. The door to the space will need to be solid, heavy and insulated with sealing strips. While you’ll be tempted to also seal the windows, it’s important to allow some light in so it won’t feel like you’re playing in an underground bunker. Absorption panels can be purchased to line the walls, and it’s wise to elevate the floor as well to keep the decibels down. By essentially building a ventilated “room within a room,” you’ll be able to enjoy some uninhibited jam sessions.

Divine Dressing

If you’re a fashionista with less than ample closet space, or if you’re seeking solace apart from a portion of a shared closet, then think about turning your spare square footage into the dressing salon of your dreams. Create a beautiful, well-appointed and brilliantly lit wardrobe room complete with floor-to-ceiling shelving, light-reflecting mirrors and plenty of storage for your accoutrements for every season. Add luxury elements like a comfy tufted pouf, an elegant jewelry armoire and even indulge in haute couture for the window treatments by framing them with sumptuous fabric. Dedicate an entire room to your coveted fashion collection by displaying all your favorite finds in full glam grandeur and celebrate the diva within.

Ssss-steam Heat

Ready for a relaxing retreat at the end of a hard day to soothe away daily pressures? If this sounds appealing, then get ready to turn up the heat in your very own steam room. Follow a few careful tips and you’ll be loose as a goose in no time. The key concern, of course, is moisture. Because the entire room will need to be waterproofed, a special door and insulated tile from top to bottom are absolute musts. A polyethylene film for the ceiling and walls, with backerboard to which the tiles will be attached, are other important tools to implement. Once the room is properly protected, a steam generator is all that’s necessary to create your cozy little piece of heaven.

Now that you have some inspiration for wonderful ways to use your extra square footage, it’s time to tally your budget, consider the possibilities and let your imagination run wild.

Original article found here https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/out-of-the-box-spare-room-ideas/

Author: Audrey Sellers

All the best Thanksgiving decoration ideas should add some warmth, class, and personality to your home. When your family and friends gather at your table for roasted turkey and fresh-baked pumpkin pie, give the meal some festive flair with creative seasonal decor. Here are a few ideas to try this Thanksgiving.

Say Thanks with Chalk

Chalkboard signs can work in a number of different ways (you can use them to write quotes or count down to a family member’s birthday, for example), but why not put a Thanksgiving twist on this decor classic? Grab a large white platter and apply a layer of chalkboard paint in the center. Write a message of thanks and display it as a centerpiece on your Thanksgiving table.

Dress Up Your Napkins

Thanksgiving decoration ideas should elevate an ordinary meal into a festive feast. One way to do this is by working napkins into your table decor. You can easily turn an everyday cloth napkin into something special by incorporating an ear of Indian corn. Use a braided cord to tie the corn to the napkin and set it atop a plate. Don’t stop there, though; there are several creative ways to use Indian corn in your Thanksgiving decor.

Fancify a Bowl of Fruit

Thanksgiving isn’t all about gourds. Fruit can also add a festive touch to your holiday table. Bring all the rich colors of fall to your tabletop by displaying pears and apples in a pretty bowl. Take them to the next level by adding some elegant sparkle. By applying adhesive decals in silver, bronze, and gold, you have some chic decor for Thanksgiving. If store-bought fruit just won’t do, turn it into a fruit-picking adventure by visiting one of these pick-your-own farms in Dallas-Ft. Worth.

Bring Acorns Indoors

Here’s a decor idea that puts autumn front and center on your holiday table: acorn votives. You can easily create festive votives by layering acorns around candles in vases. But before you go and round up some acorns from your yard and start placing them in vases, check out this quick primer on how to dry acorns for fall crafts.

If you’re hosting Thanksgiving at your DFW home this year, take some time to add some special decor elements. Many ideas are simple to put together and will go a long way towards creating a festive scene for one of the most festive seasons of the year.

Original article found at https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/thanksgiving-decoration-ideas-to-set-the-scene/

Written by: Gustavo Gonzalez

When it comes to adorning the walls of your home, you need to do a little digging and a lot of experimenting before making a color commitment. Every creative venture requires inspiration – and that especially applies to decorating your home.

• Look to Mother Nature. Any color combination found in nature can easily be translated into an interior arrangement and make for a soothing ambience. Spend a little time outside, observe which tones you’re drawn to most and bring your ideas back home.
• Defer to a beloved pattern. Whether it’s from your favorite wallpaper, dress or artwork, a preexisting pattern is likely to coordinate well. Even if the pattern incorporates disparate colors, a harmony can be achieved by layering a dominant tone with more subtle hues.
• Consider your target vibe. The colors in each room should correlate, emotionally and visually, so pinpointing the overall atmosphere you want for your home can help you determine which shades to use in each room.

The process of conceptualizing your perfect home palette also requires some technical observation. Here are some additional steps to help in your color choices.

• Sketch out a floor plan. Note the immovable pieces in each room – such as wallpaper, furniture or décor. Be sure that the hues you’re considering can coexist with these items.
• Understand and contemplate value. As you put together your favorite mix of colors, consider the concept of value, or the relative degree of lightness and darkness. Think about integrating dark, bright and light shades in each room.
• Observe daily light changes. Color is drastically impacted by light, so you should note how much daylight each space receives. For a room with less sun exposure, use a warm combination to offset the shadows. For a room with plenty of windows, darker hues may be best.
• Decide on a neutral. A successful in-home color palette should include one neutral hue. These timeless shades give the space a cohesive look and feel. When certain color fads fade, you can phase them out while keeping your neutrals and general design intact.

Before applying a single stroke of paint to any of your walls, you’ll want to buy samples of your favorite shades and test them out on a small section of your walls. After you’ve done some informed, artistic deliberation, the home color scheme of your dreams will be within reach.

original article found at https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/tips-for-the-perfect-home-color-palette/

written by: Gustavo Gonzalez

What’s one of the fastest and easiest ways to update a room? You guessed it – window treatments. Gone are the days of heavy, dark, drab curtains. Instead, you can refresh just about any space with a variety of modern options to fit every style and budget.

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Whether you’re creating a home office space, looking to be more eco-friendly or moving into a new home and want to add your own personal touches, window treatments can make all the difference.
If energy efficiency is on your list, you have many options to choose from. High-tech cellular shades offer temperature control capabilities in a variety of innovative designs. Roller shades have a modern, minimal look and provide UV ray protection while allowing ample natural light in. Blinds have also come a long way, now designed with modern patterns, textures and materials to enhance any space.

 Bring on the Drama
If you’re ready to breathe new life into a room and add a little drama, consider luxurious curtains. Depending on how much light you want, a sophisticated, patterned drape can set the mood and make a bold statement.

By introducing a pop of color, like a bold orange or deep red, you can give your space a dramatic new look. Not into vibrant tones? White window treatments can be just as impactful. Layer white shades with a gauzy curtain to create a romantic and whimsical feel. You could also inject a little boho chic into a room by pairing classic woven or bamboo shades with patterned drapery. Whatever you choose, curtains can easily give your home a whole new look in a matter of minutes.

 Smart Tech
Who would’ve thought that you’d be able to open and close your curtains with the touch of a button? Say hello to smart windows, which let you control your blinds, curtains or shades through either a remote control or handy app. You can easily set up a schedule or use the setting to adjust your window treatments without even having to leave your comfy couch.

Giving your interiors a fresh new look is easier than ever by simply by changing out your window treatments. Whether you’re creating a space that’s soft and serene or bright and bold, these ideas should help set you off on the right path.

Original article from: https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/windows-that-wow/

Author Sharon Lee

Guest post by By Merri Cvetan

Switch up your Halloween scenery this year. Rather than buy new decorations for every holiday, get creative with Christmas lights. Dig out your tree lights — or shop for new, updated options — and turn them into spooky Halloween decor. The best part? Reusing lights for two different holidays frees up more storage space for you. You won’t need to double up on Halloween and Christmas decor, so you can store twice as much and save money in the process.

Using your Christmas lights and a few household items, you can create unique Halloween decorations that easily transition into the winter season after October has passed. Here are three ways to get started.

1. Family Friendly Halloween Garland

This not-so-scary paper garland will delight even the youngest members of the family. It uses battery-powered lights, so you can hang it anywhere — from the mantle to a display shelf to the front window.

Start with a string of battery-powered LED lights with spherical bulbs.

Cut small holes in the middle of Halloween-themed paper cupcake liners. Use one cupcake liner for every bulb on your string of lights. If you end up with leftover liners, surprise the kids with special Halloween cupcakes!

Push each bulb through the hole in the liner and hold it in place with a bit of transparent tape.

Twist orange-and-black tinsel over the cord until it’s completely covered. Pair with additional Halloween decorations for a “boo-tiful” display. When Christmas comes around, remove the liners and swap the orange-and-black tinsel for green.

2. Spook-tacular Table

Mini icicle lights look great hanging from your eaves each December, but you can also use them to create a glowing ghost for your home in October. All you need is a small table and a white tablecloth or sheet.

Carefully staple a string of icicle lights to the underside of a small, round particleboard table.

Wrap the remaining length of lights around the table legs.

Drape a semisheer tablecloth or sheet over the table and glue on felt eyes and a mouth. Make your ghost scary or friendly — whatever suits your Halloween decorating style. This table is also great for holding holiday snacks and punch at your next Christmas get-together. Simply swap the ghost tablecloth for one with a snowflake or Christmas-themed pattern to make it party-ready.

3. Scaring Up Some Fun

Mini Christmas lights are available in a rainbow of colors. Purple is both a unique option for Christmas and the perfect way to create a creepy atmosphere for Halloween. Surprise trick-or-treaters when they approach your front door with a scary skeleton adorned in purple lights.

Create a place of honor for the skeleton with an old chair draped in black cheesecloth or fake spider webbing.

“Dress” the bones with a string of purple lights, tinsel garland, chains, and skulls.

Beware to those who dare ring the doorbell when the sun goes down! When Halloween is over, keep your purple lights out. Use them to frame your front windows, or string them along your porch at Christmastime. Your house will stand out in a sea of white lights.

Get creative with your Christmas lights and use them to decorate your home for Halloween. You’ll make the transition into the Christmas season that much easier.

Original Article found at https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/new-twist-halloween-decorating/

Tips on how to make sure kids are safe and sound when trick-or-treating at your home this Halloween.

written by Gustavo Gonzalez

With over half of U.S. households celebrating* Halloween and 66 percent of them planning to participate in trick-or-treating, make sure kids are safe and sound when coming to your door. Here are some tips to make sure this Halloween isn’t physically frightful at your home.

Keep a Clutter-Free Haunted House

Homeowners should remove anything a child can trip over from the front yard, porch and stairs leading to the front door. Make sure all walking paths are clear of lawn decorations, potted plants, extension cords, hoses, gardening equipment, bicycles, barbecue grills and anything else trick-or-treaters might run into, especially when they can’t see at night. And don’t forget to leave the front of the house and exits well-lit and the lawn sprinklers turned off.

Corral Your Pets

Your guests don’t need to feel threatened by a strange dog, or worse yet, knocked over by an excited  pet because of unfamiliar visitors. So, make sure all your pets are on a leash, and if your dogs are prone to barking at strangers, put them in an interior room so they won’t see trick-or-treaters at the front door.

Spooky and Safe Decorating

• Decorate outside with ghouls, goblins, mummies and tombstones in a way that they won’t tip over or blow away. When considering props, use fake and safe alternatives – rather than anything sharp or heavy.
• Don’t become Clark Griswold by overloading your electrical outlets with decorations. Instead, follow manufacturer’s instructions to prevent damage or injury.
• Make sure decorations are kept from sources of fire. Avoid open flames altogether and consider LED lighting or battery-operated candles for optimal safety. When selecting decorative lights, check for safety certifications such as UL, CSA, ETL or another nationally recognized laboratory. And don’t drape fabric or crepe paper over light bulbs or you might have a fire on your hands.

The trick to making Halloween a treat for those costumed candy collectors is to have a scary, but safe, haunted house for them to visit.

*Source: https://nrf.com/topics/holiday-and-seasonal-trends/halloween

original article found at: https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/halloween-home-safety-tips/

Listing your home during the holiday season

By Gustavo Gonzalez

Are you looking for a fresh start in 2023? You can ring in the new year in a new home if you start now. The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year, especially when it comes to selling your home and making a move.

Here are some of the best reasons to consider selling your home during the holiday season:

Lower Inventory
There are typically fewer homes on the market during the holidays, so there’s less competition from other sellers to attract buyers. And if you’re also looking to buy, you can be assured that sellers are motivated to close by the end of the year.

Timing is Everything
Whether they’re moving for a new job or a new school, end-of-year house hunters are more likely to be motivated and committed to making a strong offer.

Faster Closing
With the end of the year approaching, everyone involved in the transaction is eager to wrap up the closing process as soon as possible.

It’s an Emotional Time
Anyone who has purchased or sold a property knows that emotions are a big part of the process. Listing your home during the holidays, where rooms look festive and inviting, can appeal to buyers’ sentimentality. As the saying goes, “There’s no place like home for the holidays.”

If you’re interested in selling, contact a Coldwell Banker® affiliated agent today, who can expertly market your home so you can get the most out of your sale. Your agent will plan open houses and showings around your schedule, so it doesn’t get in the way of your holiday celebrations.

With motivated buyers making strong offers, the market can work in your favor during the holiday season – don’t miss your chance to earn a great return on your investment.

original article found at https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/ring-in-the-new-year-in-a-new-home/

Written by: Gustavo Gonzalez

Whether your fall interior design aesthetic is spooky, sophisticated or somewhere in between, it’s the ideal moment to implement some fresh ideas to spectacularly enjoy the season. If you’re ready to deck out your home for fall, here are five easy, creative ways to infuse fall colors and textures into your décor:

Add Seasonal Wreaths

Not only do fall wreaths add beauty to your front door, they can also add a touch of the season inside your home. Try a playful twist on the traditional fall palette with unique “statement” fall wreaths, which are a must-have this fall. For the crafty, DIY wreaths are a whimsical way to add some vibrancy to your usual autumn décor. Remember, wreaths are versatile! Display a colorful wreath as a table centerpiece or hang it from a pretty ribbon to enjoy it from a different perspective.

Update Pillows

Switch out summer pillows in lightweight fabrics in your family or living rooms for luxe, velvet ones in rich, fall shades. Think burgundy, cinnamon or caramel velvets and warm brown brocades, or classic fall colors in strong hues like burnt orange or exotic chinoiserie red.

Swap Out Rugs

Change area rugs throughout your home, replacing lightweight summer jute rugs with thick, plush rugs in rustic, autumn colors to make rooms look and feel warmer.

Add Flowers

Create a beautiful fall table with distressed and repurposed containers filled with your favorite fall lowers and dark-hued berries. Or make a cornucopia of fall colors by arranging autumn blooms on a chic serving tray. Mimic nature’s fall transformation by introducing dried floral arrangements into your home – adding a rustic vibe to match the season. Add some beautiful fall-colored flowers, like mums or cockscombs, to your front porch or patio.

Cozy Up Outdoors

Make the most of fall’s cooler evenings by creating a small conversation area around a firepit on the deck or in the backyard. Bring out a few pillows and autumn-inspired throws for the chairs and keep a large basket nearby so you can easily bring the linens indoors if inclement weather threatens.

These are just a few of the many ways to fill your home with autumn beauty without overhauling your holiday décor stash.

Originally found at: https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/5-simple-ideas-for-fall-home-makeovers/

Written by: Gustavo Gonzalez                       Aug 2022

Looking to make some upgrades and wondering which will have the biggest pay off? If you guessed kitchen and bathrooms, you’re spot on. Another good one is landscaping. Whether they’re big or small, a few upgrades can pay big dividends when it’s time to sell your home. Follow these tips to prioritize and put more money in your pocket when you’re ready to sell.

Before you do anything, make sure you consider the value of your house, the neighborhood, the housing market where you live and how soon you will sell after you make the improvements. If you live in a neighborhood where properties are selling for $300,000, doing a $150,000 renovation may not add as much to your property value as you might think.

Kitchens and Baths
One thing to keep in mind is that just because a remodel is expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it will give you the best return on investment. Even minor updates can yield a big return. Consider painting, refinishing surfaces and upgrading appliances, which can lead to a big pay out.

Sticking to a budget is always important, and keep in mind that an average, medium-sized kitchen remodel can cost between $20,000 – $50,000, while the average bathroom remodel is $10,000. In most cases, homeowners see a return of a 100% or more with a kitchen or bath remodel, so it’s definitely well worth the investment. Plus, you get to live in a beautiful new space.

A Finished Basement
If finishing your basement is something you’ve been putting off, now might be the perfect time. According to cost versus value surveys conducted annually by Remodeling magazine, “The average return on investment for a basement project is around 75 cents on the dollar. Besides the financial gains, refinishing a basement will add new functionality to your home: more bedrooms, more efficient storage and more space for entertaining.” Seems like a sure-fire win, win.

Add Curb Appeal
When buyers see that the outside of the property is taken care of, they’ll be more excited to see the inside. Remember, first impressions make lasting impressions. According to Anji, “Curb appeal can increase your home value by 7%. Buyers are increasingly prioritizing outdoor living spaces and an attractive lawn has the biggest ROI at 256%. Trees can add $1,000 to $10,000 to your home value and simple landscape maintenance tasks usually pay for themselves.”

Whether you’re in the market to sell your home or just want to make some budget-friendly renovations that you and your family can enjoy, making the right upgrades can help enhance your quality of life and add a few more dollars to your bank account down the road.

Original article found at: https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/home-renovations-that-offer-the-best-roi-for-resale/

by: Jennifer McGuire

Back to school means back to doing homework. While there are many ways to help children develop good self-discipline, one way is to motivate them by creating an inviting space where they can concentrate and stay stress free. You don’t need a lot of space or a dedicated room for a homework station. Whether it’s a desk in your child’s bedroom, the kitchen table or a nook in a hallway, here are five ways to ensure it’s a well-organized area conducive to getting work done.

Too-Cool-for-School Supplies

Liven up dreary desk supplies by choosing colorful and fun design options, including items like pencils, pens, erasers, paper, crayons, markers and a handy calculator. Stocking up will prevent the all-too-often frantic search for supplies before tackling homework.

No-Noise Zone

Do your best to reduce all visual and auditory distractions by turning off televisions and ensuring the homework area is free of electronic devices and toys. Try to locate the homework station where it’s quieter, away from any highly trafficked living spaces.

Bright Idea

Supply good lighting. Choose a space near a window for natural light or provide a desk lamp or overhead illumination so your child doesn’t have to strain to see their work, which can cause fatigue or, worse yet, headaches. Proper lighting is essential to homework efficiency.

Clean Slate

Avoid clutter on your child’s desk/table by establishing an organization system for their supplies. Make it easy for items to be found so kids can stay focused on their homework. When they’re done, returning everything to its proper place is a breeze and cleanliness is restored for another day.

Star Pupil

Celebrate your child’s unique talents by displaying some of their special artwork, assignments and awards near their homework station to make them feel proud and motivate them to continue working hard.

Creating a comfortable environment for homework is a great way to kick off the new school year on the right foot. Find some more smart ideas for creative kid homework stations here: CravingSomeCreativity.com

WhatMomsLove.com

TheSpruce.com

Original Article found here https://blog.coldwellbanker.com/a-ideas-for-kid-focused-homework-stations/