Invest in Your Home
MAKE WAY FOR CHOCOLATEOnce a strong trend, but now a classic, it's time to introduce your floors to chocolate. It's as pwerful as black, but much more versatile. Chocolate is rich, silky and psychologically appetizing and it comes in numerous shades. Keep chocolate around for good, but swap out accent colors - aqua, pink, maroon, magenta, bright orange, spa blue when you're ready for a change.
PLEASE THE EYESTexture is THE big story in carpet and home furnishings these days. Add visual interest with loop or pattern. Pick a carpet that complements your favorite piece of furniture and go from there to make a personal design statement.
A FAVORITE FLOORThere's no denying the crisp, cool beauty of ceramic, porcelain and stone. Tile is often the hands-down favorite flooring choice — formal or casual, dressed up or down, dazzlingly decorative or stunningly simple.
WORK WITH WOODWhile finely finished oak flooring may be the quintessential hardwood for the Americas don't hesitate to experiment with wider width or distressed planks and some exciting new exotics.
COLOR SELLSThink twice about installing beige carpet before you put your house on the market. Smart buyers are attracted to a designed home — a house with color, style and distinction. Color isn't just acceptable; it may mean greater dollar marks in the end.
SET THE SCENEUse area rugs to define a space and help potential buyers visualize themselves in a room -- particularly if the space is open and large.
CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEANCeramics are highly regarded for being low maintenance and easy to clean. And what do buyers want to see most? A clutter-free home that sparkles.
GO FOR COLORNeed another reason to stay away from white and other neutrals? Go for color and you'll have a floor that shows better because it's more forgiving of your busy lifestyle.
START LOWA whopping 79% of buyers said they would be willing to pay a premium for a home with a renovated kitchen, according to Realty Times columnist Jim Adair. If you plan a kitchen update, consider a new laminate floor. It provides a fantastic foundation for the rest of the project.
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