6 Renovations That Will Brighten Up Your Home

December 13, 2019 No Comments

Winter is upon us, which means most of our time will be spent hibernating inside trying to pass the time until Old Man Winter loosens his grip. Until then, take this opportunity to start thinking about home renovation projects that can help brighten your home and your winter blues. If your interior is feeling dark and outdated, here are our top renovation projects that will brighten up your home to create a lighter and more enjoyable interior. Maximizing Natural Light with Glass Glass is the best material for brightening interiors. So take advantage of it! Consider reconfiguring your windows to maximize natural light. This is also a great way to lower monthly energy bills since newer windows are manufactured with superior insulating properties, making your home more energy-efficient. Skylights can also be a good addition to certain areas where windows aren’t practical in your home. These can be installed almost anywhere, including the bathroom, bedroom, and even the kitchen, depending on your layout. If you’re looking to create a partition in your space without blocking any natural light, French doors are an excellent option for creating a barrier without stifling the sunshine. Include Reflective Materials Aside from glass, other materials can help to reflect light and bounce it throughout your home. A good example is wood flooring. Darker stains can absorb light, but lighter hues with a glossy finish can amplify the light from your ceiling and windows, brightening darker spaces. Placing mirrors on the wall across from any windows is also very effective for dispersing light in dark interiors. Modern Kitchen Reno The kitchen is the “heart of the home”, which means it’s a big piece of the interior design puzzle. It’s also the most used room in the home, and often where guests and family congregate to chat and mingle. If dark and outdated cupboards, counters or flooring best describe your kitchen, make it a priority for your to-do reno list. Incorporating brighter and reflective materials, such as granite or marble for the counters, white subway tiles for the backsplash, and light wooden flooring and cupboards can transform your entire home into a modern, minimalistic, and beautiful looking space. An updated kitchen will also increase your home’s value significantly if you ever plan on selling in the future. Knock Down Some Walls There’s a reason why open concept floor plans are included in most modern layouts today. With more confined interiors being limited on space, open concepts remove any unnecessary partition walls to invite in more light. This is one of the quickest and most effective ways of brightening up space and bringing life back into your home almost instantly. You can use other features to act as semi-partitions if you wish to break up your layout a little. Bookshelves are a great example of this. Removing a wall can dramatically improve the overall function and flow of your home. It also makes it much more enjoyable when you can still be included in the conversations from the living room when you’re hosting and preparing dinner. Bathroom Update As the second most used room in a home, you can’t neglect the bathroom. Whether it’s the master suite or a guest suite, bathrooms usually need a redo every few years since they endure quite a bit of wear and tear. Consider updating old amenities and faucets and stick with a lighter palette for the walls. If your bathroom is smaller in size, a glass-enclosed shower and a floating vanity can be a welcomed addition for opening up space. To add some depth, modern wallpaper patterns are incredibly popular today for creating some unique texture without looking too 1980s. Replace Exterior Doors Old exterior doors can not only hinder the sunlight from entering inside, but they can also detract from your curb appeal since they get noticed first. They can also impact your energy bills if they’re cracked and worn. Modern exterior doors today are energy-efficient, incredibly durable, and come in a variety of attractive designs to compliment your exterior while maximizing your exposure to light. Take a look at your front or back door to see if this might be what you need. When you’re ready to breathe some light and fresh air into your home, contact us at the Renos Group. We’re a family-owned renovation company serving the Ottawa area for years. We can tackle just about any home reno project you need, from the kitchen to bathroom and everything in between. Get in touch, or give us a call at (613)727-9427 with us today to discuss your ideas and to get a quote!

10 Reasons to do Your Home Renovations in the Winter

November 22, 2019 No Comments

It may seem unconventional, but there are reasons to do your home renovations in the winter season rather as opposed to the busier months. Learn how to save money and reduce stress by having your home renovations done in the wintertime. Faster Permit Process There are only so many officials working on processing permits for any given area. If you apply for a building permit in the spring and summer, you can expect a delay. Even if you put in a permit in the fall, you might still have to wait for the remaining permits to be processed that are backed up from the warmer months. If you want your permit to go through quickly so that you can start remodeling right away, applying in the winter is your best option. Less Competition The busiest time for renovation professionals, designers, and manufacturers are during the warmer months. If you can wait till winter, there will be more available professionals to choose from. This will give you more options and better-negotiating power. And with fewer projects to work, on, the contractors will also have more time to focus on your home and may even get the project completed earlier than planned. Off-Season Discounts Many contractors also offer off-season discounts to offset their slower earning months. If you can wait till winter, you’re more likely to find a discount. You might even be able to save more by shopping around the holidays. Construction materials, furniture, and appliances tend to go on sale this time of year. Foundation Work Is Easier If you’re looking to start an addition, the colder months are often better for excavating. The frozen ground and dry air are much easier to work with then muddy and humid soil. Paint Sets Better Have you ever tried to paint a wall inside your home on a hot or humid day? Hot temperatures can cause the paint to dry too quickly, developing bumps, blisters, and cracks. With too much water vapor in humid days, the paint can compromise the adhesion of the paint to the surface, resulting in peeling and bubbling paint. The winter is the ideal time of year to paint your home indoors. With a controlled indoor temperature and humidity level, the paint can dry evenly and set properly. Fumes Are Not A Concern Many people worry that a winter renovation isn’t safe for their family, however, this is a myth. Contractors have new products and technology that can control and contain the fumes and clean up the projects without ever having to open a window. There’s also been a lot of progress with VOCs. Most indoor, water-based paints are now low-VOC or no-VOC. So if you plan to renovate in the winter, you won’t have to worry about inhaling harmful fumes or dust particles. It’s A Good Time to Install Hardwood Regardless of what you might have been told, you should have no issues installing your hardwood flooring in the winter. Moisture is often the biggest cause of wood flooring problems. Installing hardwood in humid conditions can make the floors swell which can cause gaps when the humidity drops. In the winter, the air is drier, and the humidity is more controlled which makes for a better installation. It’s Easier to Vacate With the kids home in the summertime, it’s more difficult to vacate the home for renovations. But in the wintertime, you can time your remodel project around your holidays. That way everything can be done while you’re away on vacation. Your Home Will Be Ready for the Holidays If you start an early winter project, you might be able to have it all finished for the holidays. With social gatherings and family Christmas dinner around the corner, an updated home can wow your guests and make them feel more at home. Renovations Are Done Before Spring Even if you can’t get it done before the holidays, wouldn’t it be nice to have your new addition already completed before spring? That way you don’t have to worry about turning your home into a construction zone during the nicest months of the year. The work is already finished, and you can enjoy the warmer months as you wish. Avoid the rush hour traffic of renovating by pushing it out to the wintertime. You’ll save more money, get your project done faster, and can enjoy having all the work done before the warmer months kick in. If you’re ready to get started, set up an appointment today, or give us a call at (613)727-9427 to talk to one of our renovation experts about your next project. Our team at the RenosGroup can take care of all your renovation and design needs from design to inception.

6 Reasons to Get Behind the Minimalistic Design Trend

November 15, 2019 No Comments

From the interior design world to graphic design – minimalism is taking over in a big way, and for good reason. Focusing on space and simplicity, it can be seen just about everywhere. Today, it’s becoming more deeply embedded in our modern lifestyle as it teaches us how to curb excess clutter while learning to use and appreciate more of what we have. This concept promotes simple living in our everyday lives, encouraging us to choose and purchase only what we need and use on a regular basis while lessening our waste and footprint on the environment. To learn more about this modern way of living, here are a few key reasons to get behind the minimalistic design trend, and how to adapt it into your everyday life. Tell Me More About This Minimalistic Lifestyle As mentioned, minimalism is all about promoting a simpler way of living. It aims to encourage people to think more about their decisions on a regular basis. This doesn’t mean throwing away everything you own and having a boring, muted interior. It’s about learning to create more space, both physically and mentally, so we can appreciate what we do have. Designing a minimalistic home can offer many different benefits that can actually help to improve your own quality of life. Specifically, when it comes to designing your home interior, it’s all about incorporating pieces of furniture that are quality made and will last. Here’s how this can benefit you: Keeps Your Home Organized Staying organized is a common struggle for many of us – especially as we try to juggle what feels like a never-ending list of tasks during our busy days. But with less ‘stuff’ crowding your environment, it becomes so much easier to place items away in their proper places, which makes organization a practical and easy concept to achieve. Simply put, with less junk and clutter in the way, you can store items where they should be and locate them without having to tear the house apart or stressing out during the process. More Breathing Room Aside from cluttered homes looking untidy and unwelcoming, they’re also not good for our wellbeing. Studies have shown a correlation between living in clutter and negative impacts on our mental health. Whether it’s piles of clothing stuffed in the closets, junk in the drawers, or too much furniture and items consuming the floor space, a cluttered home environment can have a big influence on how we feel in a daily basis. It increases feelings of anxiety and depression, reduces our energy levels and our ability to focus, and can promote chronic stress. Many of us are guilty of having items around the home that are never touched or used, but we often cling to for their sentimental value or comfort. Letting go of the excess which doesn’t serve you any good or useful purpose can create a healthier home environment overall. Dejunking creates more space in your home, improves airflow, eliminates negative energy, and gives you more room to breathe and relax at home. Easy to Keep Clean Did we mention how much easier it is to keep your home clean? It’s true! This is one of our favourite reasons for adopting a minimalistic lifestyle and design. With ample storage for what you need, and less junk strewn across tabletops, cleaning becomes quick and easy. You won’t have to dedicate your entire weekend to catch up on house chores from the busy week. And since you’ll only have what you love and need, you won’t have to fuss about stuffing items in drawers, only to have to deal with that “hidden” mess at a later time. Finding Things is so Much Easier When you need to find the keys, important documents, or the strainer for spaghetti night, you can pinpoint where they are in a pinch. This makes dinner prep time and even busy mornings so much easier when you know exactly where to find what you’re looking for. Less Impact on the Environment Minimalism and environmentalism go hand in hand. In fact, it’s one of the main driving forces for this way of living. And today, homeowners are more eager than ever to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle, and that includes their home design. A minimalistic home is less wasteful as it encourages us to think twice about our actions as consumers. It also helps us spend less and save more. When you’re ready to adopt a minimalistic design in your home, contact us or give the Renos Group a call at (613)727-9427 From the kitchen to bathroom to everything in between – our experts can help you design and transform your home with quality workmanship that you can count on.

6 Things to Keep in Mind When Renovating Your Bathroom

October 18, 2019 No Comments

Getting ready to update your bathroom this year? Undertaking a reno like this can be both exciting and a little overwhelming, even though it’s generally the smallest room in the house. Bathrooms equate to a good portion of your home value, and it’s where homebuyers pay the most attention (aside from the kitchen) when house hunting. So it’s an important process to wade through carefully. Whether you’re redoing your master suite or a smaller guest powder room, functionality should always be the focal part of your design. And of course, adding in a few chic and modern touches like granite counters or a lavish soaker tub can add a touch of luxury to your home. As a reminder, with any major renovation, you should also expect your home to look and feel a little chaotic while the work is being completed, but just remember that it’ll be well worth it! To help you prepare for your upcoming project, here are a few good things to keep in mind when renovating your bathroom. Be Stern with Your Budget Be warned: bathroom renos can add up quickly if you’re not careful. A basic facelift can easily turn into a full-blown remodel once you start shopping around for different features. Not sure how much is appropriate? As a general rule of thumb, if you’re tackling a smaller guest bathroom that’s in need of some serious TLC, we recommend limiting your budget to approximately 5% of your home value. If you’re focusing on the main master suite, then increase that to 10%. Whatever you decide on for an amount, be clear about your budget and stick with it. Prioritize Your Needs Before beginning the reno, prioritize what your bathroom really needs. Whether it’s new tiling, a new bath, or a new shower enclosure, know which features are most important to focus on and in need of replacing. This way, when you’re debating between something you want and need, you’ll be able to sacrifice that ‘want’ over what’s really needed to improve the bathroom. And remember, you don’t have to reinvent the entire layout. Whatever areas are fine, leave them be and put your attention into the features that are malfunctioning or truly outdated and desperately need replacing. This can also make it easier to stay within your budget. Consider Alternative Materials like Porcelain If you’re debating between certain materials to implement into your floors, counters or shower enclosure, porcelain can give you a much better bang for your buck while still looking equally as luxurious as other pricier items, like natural stone. Today, you can find a multitude of varieties that look just like real stone. Porcelain is also a durable and virtually indestructible material, so it will last for years and still look as good. Just another reason why it’s smart to consider all of your options when it comes to the materials you decide on. What Luxury Touches Do You Enjoy? The bathroom is meant to exude a little luxury, so consider what you dream of most for creating an ultimate relaxation space in your home. Maybe it’s a stand-alone tub or having a sleek and modern glass shower with multiple showerheads or a large vanity with dual sinks. Whatever it is, make room for one or two of those special extras that you’ve really been dreaming of, budget permitting, of course. What’s Your Theme? It’s helpful to have a general design theme before diving into a reno. It makes the entire process go much easier when you know what particular look you’re aiming for. This could mean a rustic country style, industrial, ultra-contemporary, or something more traditional and elegant. Find a style that you enjoy or continue whatever look you have throughout the home to make your final layout look stunning and cohesive. Otherwise, it may look out of place in comparison to the rest of your home. Be Prepared for the Reno Process The bathroom is obviously a pretty important room in the home. And if there’s only one to share among multiple people in the family, then you’ll have to be prepared to go without it for at least a few hours or even an entire day. So make sure to plan accordingly. Schedule the reno when the kids are away, ask relatives if you can stay with them until it’s complete or ask a close neighbour if you can use their facilities for the day – whatever works. Having a plan can make the coping process much easier and less chaotic for both you and the workers. When you’re looking for honest, hardworking, and reliable contractors to tackle your bathroom renovation – or any other home projects, give us a call at the Renosgroup. We’ve been serving residents throughout Ottawa for years and can help transform your home, hassle-free. Contact us today, or give us a call at (613)727-9427 for a quote!

6 Fall-Inspired Decor Changes for Your Home

October 11, 2019 No Comments

As the summer season starts to slowly dwindle down, at least we can look forward to the cozy and colourful autumn season that’s just around the corner. Fall is also an ideal time to jump into any needed renovations or redecorating to spruce up your home and incorporate some fresh seasonal flair into your space. Whether you’re looking to change up your living room, bedroom or an entire home, here are some of our top fall-inspired decor changes for your home to consider this season. Spruce Up the Front Porch If you love the array of colours that comes with the fall time, focus on giving your porch some attention to clean it up and add décor to make it look fall fresh. Pumpkin lined steps, big urns filled with autumn foliage, potted mums, wheat wreaths or updated cushions for your porch furniture are a few simple ways to give your entranceway a makeover while adding an extra inviting and cozy touch to your home. If the porch is looking a little worn, sanding, repainting or making any repairs can make all the difference in keeping your home looking clean and well-maintained, especially before the holiday get-togethers start. Put your best foot forward when greeting family, friends, and guests during the season with a fresh and update entranceway. Fall Table Dressings Your coffee table or dining room table is the perfect blank canvases to really get into the fall season décor. You can create a focal table feature by combining colourful gourds, leaves, miniature pumpkins, pinecones, and even some painted branches to make an eye-catching display. Or you could use a runner along the length of the table and neatly place your items along with some candles placed in the center. This is guaranteed to put you into the autumn spirit and add some earthy splashes of colour to your home. All you have to do is invite your family or friends over so you can show it off! Switch Up Your Textiles Once the summer heat starts to fade, it’s time to get out all your cozy sweaters and swap out your summer textiles. When the seasons change, switch up the fabrics in your living room, on your favourite reading chair, and bedroom. Having thick and warm throws around the house, on the couch and bed with a fall pallet can make your home look and feel inviting instantly. And of course, they’ll keep you warm and snug during those chilly autumn nights. Light It Up Since the evenings start to get darker earlier on during this time of year, there’s no better time to add some unique lighting features into your home. You could update your light sconces, add a lamp or two to any darker corners or even string some lights around your reading nook to many it cozier. You could even get creative and place small string lights inside some mason jars and place them around your tabletops for some extra sparkle. Lighting features can really set to the tone and ambiance of a space. If your place is feeling a bit cold, bare, and uninviting, consider how you can incorporate new lighting to add more warmth to your home this season. Freshen Up Furniture If some pieces of furniture are looking a bit worn and outdated, browse through fall flea markets before they shut down for the winter. There are always unique treasures and refurbished pieces that are offered at amazing prices. And if you’re limited on your budget, don’t swap out everything. Just focus on whatever is most pressing. You can even create a DIY project and refurbish some old pieces of furniture yourself! Remodel Your Kitchen The kitchen is a very high traffic area which means it can get worn down pretty quickly. If your kitchen has been screaming for an upgrade, the fall time is one of the best seasons to do it. Without the intense heat and humidity, or frigid cold from winter just yet, fall is perfect for taking on any major projects like a kitchen renovation. It’s always a popular time for homeowners to tackle reno projects, especially before the holiday season officially kicks off. Plus, with the kids back at school, it’ll be easier to manage. So, consider what areas of your kitchen are in need of updating before the Christmas season arrives. No matter the project, our team at the Renosgroup is here to help. We’re a family-owned business offering renovation services for kitchens, bathrooms, and everything in between. For more fall inspired decor changes for your home don’t hesitate to get in contact today, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

Bathroom Design 101: Popular Bathroom Renovations

September 20, 2019 No Comments

Looking for some ideas to transform your old bathroom into a luxurious spa-like setting? With as much use as it gets, the bathroom always deserves a remodel to keep it updated and looking great – especially since it impacts the value of the home significantly. To create a modern masterpiece in your home, we’ve compiled some of the most popular bathroom renovations this year to inspire your new design. Here they are: Smart Technology It was only a matter of time before smart tech invaded the bathroom. And now it finally has! Modern homeowners can make their bathroom sleek, chic and more convenient than ever with innovative designs like high tech toilets with seat warmers, automatic lid openers, adjustable air dryers, and built-in deodorizers. This year, we’re also seeing more smart showers, automatic sinks, Bluetooth built-in speakers, and even voice-activated features for lights, mirrors, and temperature. With smart technology included in your bathroom reno, every experience can be relaxing and convenient. The future is here! Brass, Copper & Gold Fixtures Brass, copper, and gold might make you think of the flashy 90s, but with a modern twist, they’re one of the hottest growing trends in popular bathroom renovations this year. Each of these features display warm and rich tones that create an undeniably elegant and modern look. Whether satin, matte or spun – shades of brass, copper, and gold for faucets, sinks, or even the toilet can add timeless character and a splash of luxury to your bathroom design. New Age Industrial Theme Combinations of rich wooden textures, concrete, and iron make the industrial style classy and sleek with just enough rustic edge to it. The industrial theme combines notes of the classic vintage era with modern clean lines and a rich yet neutral palate. To achieve this look in your reno, consider combining metal fixtures with a large basin sink, a wooden vanity, and accent colours like brass or gold. Despite the name, the industrial style is all about creating a cozy and timeless design that’s inviting. Funky Tiles Manufacturers today are capable of creating the most versatile designs, even when it comes to bathroom tiles. This gives homeowners so many choices to find the perfect look for their individual space. Patterned tiles, subway tiles, wooden plank walls, exotic colours – the options are endless. Add some bold colours with your backsplash or shower walls to create a truly personalized and unique look. Wood Vanities We can’t get enough of the inviting warmth that wood exudes in any space. That’s why it’s still one of the most consistent trends among interior designers. And today, with the advancement of manufacturing processes, there are plenty of varieties that can enhance the design of the bathroom and hold up perfectly to moisture and humidity. Floating wood vanities are a particular favourite since they open up more floor space and emphasize a clean, minimalistic look. Large Bath Tubs To really relax and melt away the stress after a long day of work, a bathtub is a must. But having to squeeze into a shallow tub that’s uncomfortable can defeat the entire purpose of it. That’s why more homeowners are including a large tub in their bathroom renovations. More space means more relaxation when soaking in the bubbles. Whether it’s jacuzzi style or a classic deep soaker style, homeowners deserve some R&R in comfort! Open Showers Homeowners also are forgoing the cramped and contained shower for an open concept instead. With only a single, shallow step to enter and partitioning glass or tiles to contain it, open showers can eliminate that confined feeling. They can also be an ideal way to maximize space for those who are limited. Plus, it’s ideal for seniors since they won’t have to worry about stepping up into the shower. Heated Floors Living in a temperate climate can make morning showers painful when you have to stroll across a cold icy floor. But with heated floors, you can keep your feet nice and toasty. Underfloor heating is versatile and a worthy investment if you live in a particularly cold climate. It can be installed with concrete, tile, vinyl, wood and more. Aside from keeping your bathroom warm, this can also buffer out sound and even reduce allergy symptoms without the need for dusty forced air. I hope this guide inspires you! Popular Bathroom Renovations can help you find the perfect update for your bathroom, no matter your budget or style. Planning a bathroom renovation in your home? Allow us to help at the Renos Group. Get professional, high-quality and friendly service for all your reno needs. We’ve been helping homeowners transform their homes for years, and we can help you too. From professional design advice to product selection to the completion of your project, we can assist with every step of your renovation process. Get in touch, or give us a call at (613)727-9427 today to discuss your needs and get an upfront quote.

Must-Have Kitchen Features for a Perfect Upgrade

September 13, 2019 No Comments

We spend the majority of our time at home in the kitchen, but it’s often the space we neglect the most because renovating a kitchen can be a major undertaking. However, if you neglect it for too long, the kitchen can eventually start to deteriorate and even devalue your home. If this sounds like your kitchen, maybe it’s time to consider how you can upgrade it now. Below we’ve compiled a list of 8 kitchen must-haves to help you plan for your next kitchen remodel. Free-standing Island Topping the list of kitchen must-haves is an island. Ask any homeowner what they’d love to have more of in a kitchen and they’ll likely say more space. And the best way to get it is to install a free-standing kitchen island. It creates the perfect prep-area and an extra seating station. You can even have a sink installed if you want to add a separate hand washing station or simply turn your old sink into more counter space. There’s so much you can do with an island, which is why they’re one of the most popular renovation requests by homeowners. Granite Countertop There’s nothing more beautiful than a granite countertop in your kitchen. And beyond its attractive look, granite is also incredibly durable, scratch-resistant, heat resistant, and stain resistant – every parent’s dream. There’s also a wide variety of shades to choose from that will blend perfectly with your kitchen cabinets and fixtures. A Hutch If you have beautiful fine china and other personal heirlooms that you’d love to show off, then a built-in kitchen hutch could be an ideal addition. Traditionally, these fixtures were used in dining rooms but today, more and more homeowners are seeing the benefits of adding the hutch right in the kitchen. Not only can it provide more storage space than a cabinet, but it can also show off your best dinnerware. You can even add lighting inside to place everything on display and add a little extra touch of ambiance at night. Bookshelf Do you have a number of cookbooks collecting dust in your den or stored in a box? You can finally put them to good use and give your kitchen design a little extra boost in the process with a built-in bookshelf. A floating shelf can fit nicely below a cupboard space if you’re short on space. And if you plan to renovate your kitchen, you can easily add a narrow and vertical cookbook shelf that’s built into the cabinetry. Modern Cabinet Hardware If your current kitchen cabinets are dated before the 90s, it’s time to give your kitchen cupboards a fresh new look. But how do you know how to choose the right style and brand? You can mix and match hardware in a variety of ways to work with your theme or even contrast it to make a statement. Not sure where to start? Some trends that are popular right now include beautiful brass rivets on top of dark cabinetry, black knobs on white cabinetry, and gold drawer pulls on everything. Changing up a small detail like your hardware can make a seriously big difference in the look of your kitchen. Energy Star Appliances If you’re tired of spending your hard-earned money on expensive energy bills, now’s the time to make the switch from inefficient appliances to Energy Star® certified ones instead. The Energy Star logo is the standard for energy-saving products. And you’ll find a whole range of Energy Star kitchen items now offered at affordable prices, including refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, coffee brewers, steam cookers, fryers, and light fixtures. Not only are these appliances more attractive looking and innovative than your old ones, but they can also save you hundreds of dollars a month and increase the value of your home. Double Basin Sink A double sink basin is an absolute necessity. With a double bowl, you can use one side for food prep and the other for stashing dirty dishes as you go. Two is better than one when it comes to cleaning. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how much time you can save when you have two basins instead of just one. Hanging Light Pendants If you have an open concept kitchen, then you might consider installing a trio of pendants over the island. Hanging pendants are one of the most popular reno trends today. They can add better lighting to the area and add a unique décor piece to space. Are you ready to renovate your old kitchen into a stunning remodel that you’ve always dreamed of? Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427 to discuss all the possible design options for your kitchen remodel.

5 Trending Colour Palettes in Interior Design

August 16, 2019 No Comments

Are your walls beginning to look outdated or just dull? Add some new hues to refresh and update your space with these 5 trending colour palettes in interior design that are guaranteed to make you fall in love again with your home. Shimmering Sunset Palette Each year, the Pantone Color Institute announces a colour of the year. For 2019, they picked Living Coral, for its “vibrant, yet mellow” look that “embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment,” according to the official website. You can find this colour among other pinks, purples, oranges and yellows in the Shimmering Sunset palette. Choosing any one of the bold, energizing colours that are featured in this particular palette can help to liven up an otherwise dull room and to add a little pop of colour to an accent wall. Colour Trends 2019 Benjamin Moore’s pick of the year was the Metropolitan AF-690, for its adaptive gray hue that offers cool undertones and a calm yet sophisticated charm. The colour is supported by the Colour Trends 2019 palette that’s composed of 15 balanced hues. This includes, Hunter Green, Black Pepper, Hale Navy, and Cloud White, to name a few. It’s a palette that’s timeless and gender-neutral and can work on all walls or rooms. Wanderer A palette that pays homage to mid-western flare. The Wanderer colour palette by Sherwin Williams features warm colours like leather browns and caramels, as well as their pick of the year – The Cavern Clay SW 7701 – a cozy shade of terracotta. Harmonious and earthy, these colours can suit a variety of home styles and tastes. You can use them on the exterior to provide a neutral yet unique look, or inside a rustic home alongside stone and wood accents. Dulux 2019 Trends Colour Palette Dulux carefully curates a décor trends palette each year. This year’s palette features rich, deep hues like Black Forest, and lighter cool neutrals like Spiced Squash to create a perfect mix of modern and old-school combinations. It’s a well-balanced palette of 15 hues that can be used as feature colours or paired with an accent wall to hang back as a neutral. Earth Tones The Behr colour of the year is an inviting blueish-grey tone called Blueprint S470-5 that is one of four standout colours in their Earth Tones palette. Offering warmer tones in taupe and browns, this finely curated palette can be used on walls, exterior surfaces, as well as furniture and decor. They also work incredibly well together to add a splash of colour to anything. Are you planning a home reno this season? Contact us or give us a call at (613)727-9427 We can provide you with an upfront quote and assist with creating your vision from design to installation. Our crew is knowledgeable, experienced and fully certified to deliver quality craftsmanship and service. For any of your kitchen, bathroom or home reno need, contact the Renosgroup!

5 Small Ways to Prepare Your Home for the New School Year

August 9, 2019 No Comments

Back to school time can be a little hectic and stressful for everyone involved. These tips are ways to prepare your home for the new school year and get everyone back on a regular schedule with minimal aggravation. Create A Study Space First things first, you’ll need to find a place in the home to create a space for them to work and study. Often their bedroom is the perfect spot, so you may have to do a little re-organizing to fit a desk and chair. If their bedroom is too small to create a work station, consider setting one up in the den, finished basement, or another quiet area of the home that doesn’t have a TV or other distractions readily available. Make The Space Fully Functional Your goal is to get your kids to work from an established space instead of from their lap or in front of the TV. To keep them focused and to spark their creativity, space will need to be comfortable and functional. You can also help to boost their productivity by putting up a pinboard or calendar to help them keep track of their deadlines, trips and after-school activities. Establish Limits Even when you create a study area for your kids, your home can quickly turn into their dumping ground if you let them. To avoid having papers, binders, backpacks, and books left scattered in every room of the house once school starts, you should establish simple limits to where your kids can work and study. Creating specific areas for their shoes and sports equipment will also help to keep your home under control. Build Some Storage Space Another way to ensure your home and their study space stay tidy and organized is to build some shelves or drawers for them to store their books and supplies neatly. If you’re tight on space, consider adding shelving in the closet area, drawers underneath the desk, an ottoman that could double as a storage trunk or a wall rack behind the door for your kids to utilize. Get A Routine Going It’s important to establish a routine early that will teach your kids how to keep themselves organized and tidy. A great way to do this is to create a checklist for them to follow every morning and before they go to bed. This could include things like putting shoes away, tidying up desk area, putting backpack by the front door and so on. Then give them an incentive for getting their checklist done like extra time for their video games or on social media sites. At the RenosGroup.ca, we can help you build out the perfect study space. Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427 today!

How To Increase Your Home’s Value in 3 Steps

July 19, 2019 No Comments

Your home will be one of the largest investments in your lifetime. There are many things you can do for your home to increase its value. Here are some of the suggested ways to do so. Increase The Footage The size of your home will increase the value of your home. If you have a larger home, you will be able to appeal to more buyers. There are ways to make your home feel larger than it is. Adding large windows and vertical blinds or shutters let the sunlight enter a space making the room feel more spacious. Ensuring that everything in your home as a spot is crucial, if it doesn’t it is time to get rid of it. Clutter can make an area feel extremely small but by adding a shelving unit or home extension this will avoid cluster and will ensure organization. By simply adding footage to your home, buyers will notice and will increase the property value. Buyers tend to look at homes that have more bedrooms than their family requires therefore, converting an attic or basement into a bedroom can help in the future. By knocking down a wall, adding an island in the kitchen and sanding the floors this creates an open floor plan, a look that homeowners and potential buyers love. Fresh Coat Of Paint! Applying a fresh coat of paint will go a long way. This is a very cost-effective method to enhance the value of your home and gives an updated look to future buyers. Even if you are an amateur painter, you will be able to practice your skills by painting your home. You can buy a gallon of paint, rollers, painter’s tape, drop cloths and brushes for around $100. Neutral colours are the best paint selections as it appeals to many people making your house more attractive. Update The Bathroom and Kitchen Space New homebuyers don’t want to spend their time re-modelling their bathrooms and kitchen space. Many have noticed that making renovations to these spaces are the most impactful as they are high-traffic and highly used rooms. Homebuyers spend more time looking for the updates made in these rooms in comparison to anywhere else in the house. The kitchen’s will give you the biggest return in investment and will increase the value of your home. Replacing old appliances with matching ones, replacing outdated cabinets and by adding a backsplash will add value to your home. For the bathroom, simple renovations like changing the vanity, toilet and fixtures is a great way to enhance the look of your space. Curb Appeal You want your home to be as beautiful on the outside as it is in on the inside. Landscaping is a great way to enhance your curb appeal and will make people turn their heads when they see your home. For homeowners, this is one of the most affordable ways to increase the value of your home. By adding perennial foliage, planting native trees and young shrubs will cut costs and is very low maintenance. Are you looking to increase the value of your home? By doing these steps, you will surely increase the value of your home. At RenoGroup there is no project that is too large for us to handle. Our process is to plan out the perfect design, plan out the groundwork for the entire project, execute the renovation and deliver the result. We make sure that the homeowner is satisfied with the outcome of the renovation, contact us, or call us today at (613)727-9427 to discuss the next steps to your worthy investment!

5 Things To Keep In Mind When Buying A New Home

July 5, 2019 No Comments

Purchasing a new home is extremely exciting but can also be a lengthy process. As your home is one of the biggest lifetime investments, it is important to make sure you are checking off crucial factors when searching for a new house. Here are the 5 things to keep in mind when buying a new home. List Your Priorities When buying a new home, it is crucial to know what you want but also to be open-minded about possible changes that can be done to the space. Deciding on the type of house you want, whether you want a condo or home is the first step. Jotting down the pros and cons of each space is the next step as this will help you make the process less lengthy. As your living arrangement is a long-term commitment, make the adjustments accordingly to your lifestyle and needs. Make a list of your priorities and make sure there are enough bedrooms for those living in the home. Location and Renovations Are Crucial Home buyers need to factor in that the home can be renovated but the location in which you’ve bought the home cannot. Choosing a good location will help you in the long run for higher property value and return on investment. If you are parents or are planning on raising a family, it is important to be in a good school district. Local amenities also have a direct impact on homebuyer home decision making. Having grocery stores, restaurants, shopping, and entertainment close by will raise the property value. Make Sure The Renovations Are Up To Date Before you purchase a home, you will want to make sure that all the renovations to the space were done with a permit, meaning that the renovations performed were reviewed by an inspector and were done properly. Ask the previous owners or the real estate agent for all the proper paperwork and conduct a house inspection. Not getting a permit for renovations could cause future complications and can be costly for the homeowners. Buy A House You Can Afford Be realistic about how much you can afford based on your current income and debts. It is best to purchase a house that is less than what you can afford, giving you extra wiggle room for renovations and unforeseeable changes. Saving up for a down payment and getting your finances in order will make it easier to get a mortgage at the lowest rates, and you will be able to qualify for more loans. As soon as you are thinking of buying a house, start saving up, pay your bills on time and monitor your credit score. Take Your Time Don’t feel pressured in deciding on buying a new house. Since this is a large investment, it is better to take your time to find the house of your dreams than to rush into things. Shop around for houses, mortgages and home insurance to ensure that all your home buying aspects are in order. If you’ve recently bought a home or are thinking of buying a home, let the experts at RenosGroup transform your house into a home. We have 25 years of combined experience, and we work closely with the clients to ensure that we satisfy their renovation needs and provide high-quality work for every project. Contact us for a quote on your project, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

Ready to Renovate? The Time is Now!

June 14, 2019 No Comments

Timing is everything when it comes to renovating your home. And now is one of the best times to tackle any of those nagging home improvements you’ve been avoiding. The summer season is ideal since you won’t have to endure any wet or cold weather. And best of all, you won’t have to be cooped up inside during the process. Whether you’re gearing up for a home addition, kitchen reno or bathroom upgrade, if you’re ready to renovate, here’s why there’s no better time than now. You Have More Spare Time The summer months are usually when work, school and life in general, tend to slow down a bit. Getting off work a little earlier, having long weekends, and even vacation time away from home can make it more convenient for getting those renovations done. It can also be less disruptive to your daily schedule if you need to be around the home when the contractors are there. You’ll Have Everything Ready For Winter Entertaining Conversely, once the fall and winter seasons arrive, family get-togethers and holiday entertaining kick into full gear. Having your kitchen or bathroom upgraded and ready to take on those family dinner parties means you won’t have to stress about accommodating everyone or feeling embarrassed about the condition of your home. You Can Embrace Your Backyard Any home reno can be messy, dusty and aggravating to live through, especially for an extended time. Planning a summer renovation lets you enjoy and take advantage of your patio and backyard as an extended living space. This means you can avoid living right in the mix of all the dust and debris while your reno project is underway. This can come in very handy during a kitchen renovation since you can also use your barbeque to prepare meals instead of relying on take-out all the time. Warm Weather Makes It Easier For Everyone Of course, the most obvious and beneficial reason why a summer renovation is ideal is thanks to the pleasant weather. Avoiding icy cold temperatures, snow and ice make it easier for everyone involved. This can also equate to fewer weather delays, which will keep your contractors on time, on budget and on schedule. Enjoy A Fresh New Look The summertime is also a great time to reassess your home in the sunlight and see what really needs attention after those gruelling winter months. The brighter, longer days, colourful blossoms and pleasant summer vibes offer inspiration and energy to tackle those areas that have been swept aside for too long. This is why homeowners often love to complete upgrades around the home during this season. They get to refresh and liven it up during the glorious summer months while still being able to enjoy the pleasant weather. Renovations tend to become less of a chore as a result and more of an exciting project when you combine warm weather and maybe a refreshing cold beverage or two at the end of the day. Though there’s always debate surrounding the best time of year to take on renovations, for certain areas, like the bathroom or kitchen, the summer is always ideal. The weather, extra time and slower pace, and the convenience of being able to cook outside all make it much more enjoyable and easier to cope with. If you’re ready for a remodel in your home this summer, now is the best time to book in your contractors. At RenosGroup, we are kitchen and bathroom specialists serving homeowners with the best quality workmanship throughout Ottawa. Contact us, or give us a call today at (613)727-9427 or get in touch to learn how to get started.

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