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Homeowners who want their homes to make strong

first impressions must prioritize curb appeal. Homes with

strong curb appeal sell well and can impart a welcoming

feel to all visitors. Improving curb appeal need not be ex-

pensive, and the following are a handful of ways to improve

the appearance of your home.

1. Install a bold-looking door in a vibrant color or one

with a custom design. This helps the home stand out from

other properties in the neighborhood.

2. Edge the driveway to create a distinct border between

the driveway and the lawn or other landscaping features.

This helps homes appear neat and well kept.

3. Use outdoor lighting to make a home more inviting.

Outdoor lighting also makes properties safer to traverse at

night.

4. Clean a home’s exterior to remove mildew or discolor-

ations from the siding, driveway, patio, and other outdoor

elements.

5. Improve landscapes with fresh plants and seasonal

color. Homeowners without the time to plant can consider

container gardens, which don’t take much time to assemble

but still add appeal to a home’s exterior.

6. Prune planting beds and add new mulch to restore

color.

7. Add shutters and accent trim to a home’s exterior to

improve on the beauty of the house.

8. Install new fencing or give a fresh coat of paint or

stain to an existing fence.

9. Replace concrete paths with tile or stone walkways to

make entryways more impressive and inviting.

According to Remodeling magazine’s 2014 Cost vs. Value Report,a major kitchen remodeling project should enable homeowners to recoup 74.2 percent of their initial investments. Kitchen renovations have long been a safe way to improve the functionality and value of a

home. But not every kitchen project is a guaranteed winner. Homeowners may inadvertently make changes that end up sticking out like a sore thumb rather than improving the space. Take a look at these kitchen remodeling dos and don’ts to guide your next undertaking.

DO consider the way your kitchen will look with the rest of the home. Keep architectural integrity in mind when designing the space. A farmhouse sink and country cabinets can look out of place in an ultra-modern home.

DON’T overlook the importance of a seasoned designer or architect. These pros will know the tricks to maximizing space and achieving the ideal layout of appliances and may be able to recommend local contractors and vendors.

DO look beyond surface details to the structural integrity of the design. The kitchen should be functional, long-lasting and beautiful.

DON’T design just for today, but look to the future as well. Unless you are willing to spend $50,000 every five years, look for styles and materials that will last for the long haul. Older homeowners may want to make adjustments now that address potential mobility issues down the road.

DO work with what you

have. A complete demolition and renovation is not always necessary to achieve the desired results. Only invest in major changes if something is not working (such as having to walk across the entire kitchen to access the stove) or is unsafe. Otherwise, minor upgrades may do the trick.

DON’T over-improve the space. A fully equipped commercial kitchen may be handy for a professional chef, but the average person may not need an industrial hood and indoor pizza oven. When you make excessive improvements, you may not be able to recoup as much of the money spent because your home will not be on par with the values of homes in the neighborhood.

DO make sure you can afford the project. Plan for some unexpected purchases and plan out the renovation according to your budget. Skimping on materials or design because of lack of money may leave you feeling dissatisfied afterward.

Dos and Don’ts Of Kitchen Remodels

After a few months of

chilly temperatures, come

spring, many homeowners

are eager to throw open

their windows and doors

and breathe new life into

their homes. Simple changes

made now, even before the

weather begins to warm up

can improve interior spaces

and brighten the atmosphere

of a home.

Go plant shopping. Re-

search from NASA suggests

adding at least one plant in

your home per 100 square

feet is efficient enough to

clean air. Fresh foliage also

makes a home feel warm and

inviting. Watering and mist-

ing plants introduces mois-

ture into indoor air, which

can make rooms overcome

with dry air from heating

systems feel comfortable.

Just be sure to avoid overwa-

tering plants, which can lead

to mold growth.

Swap out throw pillows.

Accent pillows on beds and

sofas are quick and inex-

pensive ways to add new

bursts of color to rooms. You

may be able to make over a

room’s entire color scheme

with new pillows. Invest in

pillows that you can switch

with each season so your

decor will never look tired

or dull.

Clean existing light

fixtures. Another way to

brighten the mood in a home

is to periodically clean light

fixtures to make sure they

are working effectively.

Spend time dusting them and

cleaning off any accumulated

debris. If need be, switch out

old lamp shades for newer

ones that let more light shine

through. If inadequate light-

ing is a problem no matter

how many lamps you have,

consult with an electrician

about installing more over-

head and accent lighting.

Give rugs and floors a

deep cleaning. Recirculated

air may be full of dust and

other microscopic par-

ticles that end up blowing

throughout your home. Also,

it’s easy to track in dirt and

other materials on your

shoes that become imbed-

ded in carpeting. At least

once a year, rent or enlist

the surfaces of carpet and

upholstery cleaners to give

floors a thorough clean-

ing. You may be surprised

at how clean and fresh a

home looks and smells once

rugs and carpets are deep-

cleaned. You also can make

a dry carpet cleaner using

baking soda, corn starch

and desired fresh herbs for

fragrance. Sprinkle and then

vacuum up after a few hours.

Color-coordinate book-

shelves. Group all books

with similarly colored covers

together for an instant and

eye-appealing look.

Simmer some homemade

home deodorizer. In a large

pot, boil water and some

scented herbs, such as rose-

mary, citrus rinds, vanilla,

or lavender. The aroma will

waft through the home, cre-

ating a pleasing scent.

Invest in new window

treatments. Lightweight

draperies or new blinds or

shades can transform the

look of a room. Be sure to

keep curtains and blinds

open during the day to maxi-

mize the hours of sunlight.

Homeowners can make

some simple changes while

they’re stuck indoors and

reap the benefits when the

weather warms up again.

Freshen Up Your Home For The Spring Season

HOME SHOW

?

605.689.2220

Don’t forget your carpets and furniture!Spring Carpet

Cleaning Special

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Any 2 rooms up to 300 sq ft

2016Home Improvement

Spring

9 Ways To Improve Curb Appeal

PRESS & DAKOTAN TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 2016 PAGE 5B