Home Improvement

A home really has two chances at a first impression: the view from the street, and the view when you walk through the front door. Just as a friendly greeting can put a new acquaintance at ease, your foyer, or entryway, can immediately make guests feel comfortable and welcome in your home. While this fact is important for entertaining friends and family in everyday life, a well-designed foyer is also key to imparting an excellent first impression on prospective buyers! No matter how you pronounce it, there are some basic elements that will allow any foyer to be a warm and welcoming entry space (and some that accomplish the opposite).

Do any of the rooms in your house suffer from being too dim? Symptoms include being unable to differentiate colors, struggling to clean surfaces, and needing to move a lamp in order to read. If any of these sound familiar, it's time to take back your space! While the obvious answer is to simply add more lights, sometimes space, cost, and design don't allow for the obvious. In that case, try using one of these lighting tricks that will make even the darkest room feel like the sun is shining!

Given that Summer weather can be unpredictable and even severe at times, it seems appropriate to take the time to think about how you can avoid experiencing water damage in your own home. While these tips likely wouldn't be enough to help if you receive 20 inches of rain in just a few days, they will reduce or even prevent damage from occurring during typical heavy rain. Naturally, the part of your home most likely to become flooded is the lowest point, your basement! Follow these 5 tips to keep your basement water-free.