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Refacing Kitchen Cabinets

August 29, 2016 No Comments

One of the simplest (and least expensive) home renovation projects you can tackle all on your own is the project of completely refacing your kitchen cabinets. You’ll be able to breathe a lot of life into an otherwise old and outdated kitchen with this kind of upgrade. Better than that though, you’ll be able to completely transform the way that your kitchen space looks like without wasting any money on and oversized budget – making this one of the savviest construction projects you can choose to tackle. To better help you with your kitchen cabinet refacing project we’ve put together the information in this quick guide. Shall we dive right in? Determine whether or not your cabinets should be refaced in the first place Even if you are really committed to refacing your kitchen cabinets and saving quite a bit of money, you have to be 100% certain that your kitchen cabinets can – and should – be refaced in the first place. This project saves money, but it will require some serious sweat equity. You don’t want to undertake this project only to find out in a couple of months – or even just a year or two – that all of your work is for naught because your cabinets are falling apart and need to be completely replaced. Figure out whether or not you are going to be able to handle this project from start to finish If you are working with solid “bones” as far as your cabinet frames are concerned, you really don’t have all that much skilled or challenging work ahead of you. A little bit of paint, some new hardware, and a handful of simple and straightforward refinishing tricks are usually more than enough to transform your cabinets. At the same time, if you have to repair the structure of your cabinets (especially your upper cabinets) things can get out of hand pretty quickly. This is especially true if you don’t have a lot of construction or woodworking experience to lean on. Repairing damaged wood is not the kind of project most people feel completely comfortable tackling, and it’s easy to see why. Make sure you’re up for the task at hand before you dive in! Fall in love with YouTube At the end of the day, it’s possible to find tips, tricks, and tutorials about pretty much anything and everything imaginable on YouTube. If you’d like to better understand the project that you are about to undertake or even just pick up a couple of new tips and tricks to help the project go faster be sure to jump on YouTube and watch videos to your heart’s delight. You can save a bit of money by choosing to reface kitchen cabinets, but you’re going to want to leave the big projects to the pros to handle with finesse and expert techniques. RenosGroup.ca is here to guide your Ottawa kitchen renovation project at every step of the way to make the kitchen of your dreams a reality. Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

Is Your Home Ready for Your Golden Years?

August 22, 2016 No Comments

More and more seniors are electing to stay in their homes today than ever before, giving up on the nursing home and instead choosing to stay in the home that they’ve known for some time to live out their golden years. Most of the time, this is the right call – especially if the seniors in question still have quite a bit of autonomy and aren’t going to struggle with a decrease in quality of life by staying home. At the same time, most homes require significant upgrades specifically with seniors in mind, is your home ready for your golden years at home? Mobility upgrades are some of the most important changes you can encourage your elderly loved one to make. If you are in charge of the home renovation project they are going to have to be first on your list. You don’t necessarily have to go with the relatively new “universal design principles” that make it effortless for elderly, disabled, and other mobility-challenged folks to restore independence, safety, and comfort. Still, it may not be a bad idea trying to get as close to that ideal as possible. To help you better navigate the world of home upgrades when you are dealing with a senior living situation, we put together a couple of tips and tricks below that you want to try and really zero in on. The Bathroom Must Be Transformed There are two spaces in your home that have to be completely transformed when you are going to have a senior living in them, and the bathroom is one of them. Daily hygiene is mission critical, but it’s also life supporting when you reach your elderly years. Not only do you want to have it effortless for your loved one to take care of themselves in the bathroom with well-designed fixtures and appliances, but you also want to make sure that slippery floors have been eliminated, shower stalls and walk-in bathtubs have been implemented, and bath seats and grab bars fill the space. The Kitchen Must Also Be Transformed The other space that must be transformed in the home is the kitchen. Being able to cook for themselves is going to be incredibly important for seniors that may not have the opportunity your ability to drive any longer. The kitchen is also the main entertaining and visiting space for most everyone that drops into spend time with a senior – and it has to be fully functional as well as safe. Smart upgrades to appliances, intelligently designed countertops and cupboards with easy access, and hands-free functions everywhere possible are going to be big upgrades that are always welcome in the kitchen. RenosGroup.ca is the leading mobility renovations contractor in Ottawa! Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427 to schedule a free in-home consultation to evaluate your needs and transform your home for the golden years ahead.

5 Ideas for an Amazing Basement Office

August 15, 2016 No Comments

There are all kinds of different projects you can tackle when you start to look into ways to transform your basement. Some of them will immediately interest you whereas others may not be all that appealing. On top of that, basement transformation projects can cost a pretty penny without proper planning and organization. Of all the basement transformation projects out there, from home theatres to income suites, one of the most popular and wise investments is to turn your basement from a dark and dingy space into a fantastic office. To help you with this kind of project, we’ve put together five ideas that you’ll want to contemplate integrating into your Ottawa basement renovation project. Build a Basement Office/Bedroom Space If you want to make the most of the real estate that you have in your home, it’s always a good idea to create “multipurpose spaces” – and that means creating a basement office that has room for friends or family to sleep over. If you create a guest room only, chances are that space will go unused most of the time. Create a True Business Office Feel A lot of basement offices feel exactly like that – like an office that has been pigeonholed into the basement – and that isn’t always the most conducive environment for productive work. Think instead about constructing a business office that looks EXACTLY like your dream corner office in that Manhattan high-rise and you’ll find yourself getting a lot more quality work done than you ever would have in a more traditional space. No one says a basement office has to feel like a basement office. Lighting, Lighting, Lighting It’s been proven time and time again that the lighting you have in a space directly impacts your productivity and your mood. Unfortunately, you aren’t going to be getting that much natural light working below ground in a basement! Use quality lighting fixtures, dimmable lights, and other lighting options that give you complete and total control over the light in your space and you’ll be able to dial it to the ideal setting during your working hours. Climate Control is Critical Basements are usually quite a bit cooler than the upstairs space during the summer so you can usually save big time on your air-conditioning bills. They should have climate control technology built right into them so that you hit the perfect temperature and humidity level without any difficulty at all. Think About Adding a Mini Fridge Don’t be shy about throwing a mini fridge into your basement office. Even though you’re only down a single floor from your kitchen, you want to be able to have drinks quick at hand so that you don’t have to slow down your productivity or break your flow by trudging upstairs. Nothing beats grabbing a quick drink to fire you up when you’re running a little low on energy! Are you interested in a basement renovation? RenosGroup.ca is here to help with expert results. Get a free estimate today! Or give us a call at (613)727-9427

3 Signs a Home Addition Might Be Right for Your Family

August 8, 2016 No Comments

Is it the right time to build a home addition? On the one hand, you need extra space for your family. On the other hand, a home addition is a significant financial undertaking that is not without mess, noise, and stress. A home addition is the ideal solution for many families, but you want to be sure that you know exactly what you’re getting into when you sign on the dotted line and hire an Ottawa home addition contractor for this kind of work. Hopefully we can help point you in the right direction as you weigh this important decision for the future of your home and family. Here are some signs a home addition might be right for your family Why do you feel you need more space in the first place? If you are looking to tackle a home addition for no other reason than you’re bored with your home as it sits currently, the odds are pretty good that you can get away with waiting a little while for this kind of project until you know that it is something you absolutely have to change. On the other hand, if you are looking to add an addition because your family has simply outgrown the space that you are in currently – and it’s really starting to make everyone uncomfortable – you’d have to be at least a little bit crazy not to consider taking advantage of everything that a new addition has to offer. Whether you’ve got a new baby on the way, you’re finally in a financial position to build that dream kitchen you’ve always wanted, or you want to dramatically boost the value of your home, home additions are appealing options for many reasons. How much value will this addition bring to your bank account? One of the most significant additions you can make to your home is a new space to expand your kitchen. It also happens to be one of the highest return on investment construction projects you can choose to undertake as well. Bathroom additions are also great from a purely investment standpoint. At the same time, you may be looking to add a couple of extra bedrooms to your home for a variety of different reasons that have almost nothing whatsoever to do with your bank account – and that’s all right as well. Just don’t expect to see your property value grow quite as significantly as with high-demand renovations like kitchen and bathroom upgrades. Are there any kinds of restrictions that might stop you from tackling the work? Every city has its own particular rules, regulations, laws, and zoning restrictions that you have to be aware of when you decide to undertake this kind of construction project. In the city of Ottawa, for example, a home addition cannot interfere with the minimum yard setbacks or exceed the maximum building height for your zone and dwelling type. Your home addition contractor can provide an estimate and draw up plans that comply with existing bylaws to ensure your home is not only beautiful but also fully up to code. You deserve a stunning home addition built by the professionals. To learn more signs a home addition might be right for your family don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule your free estimate today! Or give us a call at (613)727-9427

What Should You Leave to the Pros?

July 25, 2016 No Comments

The do-it-yourself (DIY) spirit is alive and well in Canada as homeowners from coast to coast take on repair work by themselves. It’s easy to see why – we’ve all watched a YouTube video or sat through a reality TV marathon and thought, how hard could that be? Repainting walls, changing cabinet hardware – these are all great little tasks that can transform the look of your home without breaking the bank. However, there are a few things that you should probably not do on your own because they are dangerous or too hard to get right. With that in mind, we have compiled a list of what should you leave to pros instead of attempting yourself. Let’s begin. Bathrooms Whether you are building or renovating a bathroom, you will want expert help. What makes bathrooms particularly challenging is the plumbing. It is far too easy to make a mistake when it comes to plumbing. Whether it occurs at that moment or a few months later, improperly installed plumbing can lead to significant water damage that will cost an order of magnitude more to repair than hiring a professional in the first place. Whether you have the review your design for errors or have them design the bathroom from the ground up, plumbing is something you want to leave to the pros. Expensive Materials The materials we use in a room lend their charm to how we see the space. It is no wonder then that we prize expensive materials for home decoration. Some of the most expensive and most common materials to work with include marble and granite countertops. You can benefit a great deal from having a professional do the measurements and install the materials. Along with covering the costs of things like mistakes, you will know for sure that the installation was done correctly and that there is no worry about premature wear and tear. Contractors can also leverage relationships with trade partners to get you the best possible prices on high-quality building materials. Electrical Along with plumbing, electrical is generally considered one of the two things that DIY people should steer clear of. Having your home wired correctly is critical to ensuring that power gets to where it needs to go. The power has to be able to handle a certain load without becoming overworked. If set up incorrectly, parts of the grid can become overloaded and you risk have electrical fires occur. The risk of electrocution is also very real if you do not know what you are doing. For the sake of insurance, you may need to prove that the source of the damage resulted from professional work and not a DIY job. DIY home improvement is a great thing, but it’s important to know when to bring in the pros. If electrical, plumbing, structural, or mechanical work is involved, call in a contractor. Even better, work with a contractor from the beginning. You can lend a hand as needed with demolition and little jobs to help reduce the bill, or you can sit back and let the pros demonstrate their expertise and create a new oasis at home. Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

Is Open Concept Living Right For You?

July 18, 2016 No Comments

The past few decad have seen a number of exciting interior design trends. Along with larger kitchens and renovated bathrooms, many people have turned to the open concept living space. Designed to knock down walls and create a sense of space where there previously was separation, the open concept living approach has its own set of pros and cons. Is open concept living right for you? Let’s take a moment to find out. What is an Open Concept Living Space? Open concept living is based on the philosophy of open space. It tears down unnecessary walls, creating unbroken sight lines from one side of the home to another. It is most commonly done with the kitchen, living room, and dining room. Open concept living is popular because it makes spaces appear bigger. They are fantastic when you have smaller apartments or townhouses. They aid in opening up a small space and making it feel airier. It can also be great for parties. The open design allows people in all major rooms to talk to one another. Open concept living is great when you need to watch kids, or otherwise see other parts of the house with ease. It is a great thing to do if you want a space to appear larger and more open. The downside to open concept living is that it means a lack of privacy. Sound attenuation can be a problem, as well. It is until you live in an open concept design that you begin to appreciate separation when you’re trying to watch the big game and all you hear is the sound of the faucet running. There is also the issue of decoration that many people struggle with. You may need to take some time and find the right furniture and layout to make the space feel both open and comfortable. Is Open Concept Living Right For You? First, consider the space you have available. Are the walls load baring or can they be knocked down? If the wall is load bearing, you absolutely must bring in a contractor to install a load-bearing beam – the integrity of your home is at risk if not. Consider what removing a wall would do in terms of the overall aesthetic. If you feel up to having fun with the space and things feel too tight as it is, then you will want an open concept living space. If not, then consider leaving things the way they are and save yourself the money. If nothing else, try to experience such a space for yourself to see whether or not you like it. Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

Designing a Vintage Kitchen That Wows

July 11, 2016 No Comments

A blank canvas provides space for endless ideas to come to life. As modern kitchen layouts demand more and more space, the interior opportunities of a kitchen become (like the canvas) limitless. Simply put, it has never been easier to specialize the look and appearance of your kitchen to meet your aesthetic needs. A popular transformation is to turn modern looking kitchens into vintage kitchens. Below we review some of the areas you should focus on when designing a vintage kitchen to make it stand out and absolutely wow any person who walks in. Replace What You Can, Make Vintage What You Cannot A modern kitchen is filled with necessary devices that many cannot live without. When making your kitchen look vintage, you will need to identify what you can replace and what you cannot. You would be surprised at just how many vintage alternatives there are to common household appliances. For the things you cannot replace, you can find ways to make them look vintage. Focus on colours, as the matching aesthetic will be necessary to create a uniform appearance. And on that note… Pick Your Colour! Many vintage kitchens were designed around a single primary colour that stands out and shocks. Yellow and blue as well as turquoise and red are common colour pairings for backgrounds. For those things in the foreground, consider pastel yellow, mint, and pale pinks. Be aware that you will have several competing colours. While some of them you can choose, others will have to be incorporated from things like appliances or counters that cannot be replaced. Never Forget the Cabinets A central part of making your kitchen look vintage will be the cabinets. Check out scanned copies of early in home magazines. They will have photos of kitchen and be a great source of information for the kind of aesthetic you are looking for. Kept relatively simple, painted, and neat, the vintage cabinet look is surprisingly easy to recreate. Where Do We Go From Here? If you are experienced with do it yourself operations, then you no doubt know the first thing you should do. If not, then consider hiring a kitchen renovations contractor in Ottawa to review the process and lend their experience. Along with being able to save you a lot of hassle later in the process, you may be surprised at what they can offer in terms of insight. Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

5 Summer Design Trends

July 4, 2016 No Comments

Interested in new design trends for your home this summer? You are not alone! Every year new and exciting changes happen to how we approach interior design. Below we list five exciting design trends that you should consider as we enter the home renovation season. You may be surprised at some of the trends interior decorators are working on right now. 1. The Fireplace In the past few years, it was all about incorporated technology into the living room. This year, the most recent summer design trend is to shy away from technology completely and emphasize the fireplace instead. Doing so creates a central point to the entire living room that is cozy and heartwarming. Akin to Frank Lloyd Wright’s use of the fireplace as the focal point to the house, the re-emphasis on the fireplace is critical. 2. Bathroom Mirrors That “Wow” Every year, different parts of the home become the “statement piece.” A popular statement piece for this year includes the bathroom. In particular, the mirror is turning into a popular statement piece. Shaped akin to other objects in the wallpaper, tiling, or more, the bathroom is a great place to add a little fun. 3. The Return of the Dining Room Formal dining rooms are making a popular return. With space in a home dedicated to eating and enjoying one another’s company, the dining room is increasing in popularity as people convert back the space. While most people typically turn them into offices, there has been a return to the eating space in the most recent summer design trends. 4. Strategically Heated Flooring More recently bathrooms have become the battleground for heated floors. Considered a luxury and a must by anyone who experiences them, the heated floors have turned out to be quite popular. The most recent summer design trend take on this is heated entryways. The toasty floor helps you to warm up your feet and keep what is typically the coldest part of your home nice and comfortable. Now you may be thinking: “heated floors in the summer?” But the frosty fall and winter months are just around the corner and you want to be prepared! 5. The Retro Kitchen Typically in brighter and more exuberant colours, the retro kitchen has exploded in popularity as a leading design for this summer. Utilizing a mix of creativity, 50s inspired appliance, and more, the retro kitchen provides a classic feel that is jaw dropping. The retro kitchen includes making changes to the cabinets and stepping away from the stainless steel trend that has dominated kitchen design in the past few years. Look to experienced interior designers and vintage magazines to help inspire where you take this trend. Whether you have a design vision in mind or need a little inspiration, RenosGroup.ca is here to help! We specialize in bathroom renovations, kitchen remodeling, and home additions to transform the look, feel, and function of your home. Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

The First Steps in Planning a Redesign

June 27, 2016 No Comments

Watching home renovation shows on HGTV and other channels can be deceiving. In just 20 minutes (plus commercials!) entire properties are redesigned and overhaul and turned into beautiful homes. Unfortunately, the reality isn’t quite so easy. Planning a major redesign takes time, expertise and attention to detail at every step of the process. However, with the help of a qualified contractor who takes the time to understand your needs and do things the right way, the process will feel almost as easy as it looks on TV. Here’s how to avoid as many headaches as possible so that you can really hit the ground running! Understand Your Surroundings Before you even think about different design aesthetics, cabinet colour, hardware selection etc., you need to look at the actual physical space that you are going to be transforming. People make the mistake of getting fixated on granite versus quartz, without remembering that the actual layout is a far bigger priority. Not only are you going to want to pay very close attention to the actual layout of the space and its “flow,” but you are also going to want to make sure that you pull as many aesthetic cues from your space as possible. This is the only approach that will have you creating “native” spaces in your home, or spaces that have a unique design aesthetic that blends seamlessly with the rest of your property. While you do have carte blanche with a complete redesign, unlimited possibilities require unlimited budget. Work with your existing space to save money and time where you can. For example, with a kitchen renovation it makes sense to keep the sink and dishwasher in roughly the same place. If you flip the sink to an opposite wall, it will require expensive changes to the plumbing routing. Outline Your Expectations Once you have completely tackled understanding your space and the overall scope of your project you are going to want to then begin to outline your expectations, your inspiration, and the details that you absolutely MUST include in your new redesign. You are going to want to be sure that you do absolutely everything in your power to “create” this new redesigned space in your mind long before you even think about tackling the actual physical project of making it a reality. This is a critical step that too terribly many people skip over or ignore altogether, and that’s just the fastest way to crash and burn when it comes time to redesign. Nothing derails a renovation project like deciding midway through you’d like to add an island in the kitchen. Get Clear Regarding Your Logistics Obviously, you’re also going to want to think about details like your budget, your time constraints, and your overall schedule when you are getting ready to initiate this kind of project. You’ll want to know just about exactly how much this redesign is going to cost, exactly how long it is going to take, and exactly what you are going to be up to expect along the way. These details can quite literally make or break your overall experience, so make sure that you knock each of these three key areas out of the park! With more than 25 years of combined industry experience, RenosGroup has helped many homeowners plan successful redesign projects. How can we help you? Contact us, give us a call at (613)727-9427

Converting the Attic into a Bedroom

June 20, 2016 No Comments

Are you converting the Attic into a Bedroom? As a homeowner, there are inevitably going to be points in your life where you wish you had more space. Perhaps you have welcomed a new baby to the family, perhaps you have picked up a new hobby with lots of equipment, or maybe your belongings just keep multiplying with no explanation. You could move or build an addition, but often homeowners prefer to find options within the home to make use of every last square foot. Not every home has an attic, and not every home with an attic has that can be converted into usable space. If you are one of the lucky few, you can benefit from a renovation project to transform that dusty unused space into a gorgeous yet cost-effective bedroom. If you are going to be converting your attic space into a bedroom and want to make sure that you’re able to do so quickly, effectively, and without having to have a gigantic budget, you want to pay attention to all of the inside information we have to offer you below. Use the Space Intelligently The biggest mistake that you could ever make when you are looking to convert your attic into a bedroom is to try and pigeonhole your ideal layout into a floorplan or a footprint that simply isn’t practical. By really thinking about how you can use the space intelligently – working with any design limitations or interesting architectural details rather than trying to eliminate them altogether – you will be able to really streamline the project and create a truly unique space. Consider Your Limitations and Transform Them into Strengths It is always important to consider any and all limitations that you may be dealing with at any one particular point in time when you are dealing with a construction project, but it’s always important to consider your limitations – and overcome those limitations – when it is time to convert your attic into a bedroom. You will inevitably have to deal with all kinds of interesting architectural features (low hanging ceilings are always going to be a problem in the attic), but with a little bit of creativity you shouldn’t have too terribly much trouble overcoming those issues and creating a bedroom space that is something even more special than what could have been created in a more traditional layout. Find new ways to make storage work, utilize all available floor area, and consider taking advantage of “built-in” style furniture in storage pieces to create open and roomy spaces in attics that are anything but that! With just a little bit of extra effort – and some creativity – you will be sure of creating your dream bedroom in your attic with no difficulty whatsoever. To help plan the perfect attic renovation project and make the most of the opportunity, RenosGroup.ca is here to help! Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

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