House Lift

Popular Bathroom Designs for 2023 Remodeling

Because it serves so many functional purposes, the bathroom often tends to get overlooked when it comes to design in favor of other rooms in the house. But given that it’s an extension of them, shouldn’t it reflect the same unique, personalized decor you’ve inhabited those spaces with? Now that 2023 is here in full swing, make it a redesign resolution (We just coined that term!) to give the bathroom some love as a place where form meets aesthetics and utility meets beauty. Looking for the best bathroom remodel ideas? Here are some ideas we expect to continue trending this year. Terrific Terrazzo Terrazzo is making a comeback in a big way for popular bathroom designs thanks to the stone’s speckled, flecked appearance. Like fingerprints, no two are alike, lending a light, playful sensibility when it’s used as flooring or tiling for bathroom counters, shower walls or accented surfaces. Available in most colors (and a great complement to any marble/granite surfaces present in the bathroom), terrazzo is statement-making without overwhelming the space in its retro-yet-modern character. Unique Tubs (and Toilets, Too) No longer just mainstays that serve their purpose and no more, bathtubs and toilets are becoming as...

Getting the Most Out of Your Home’s Natural Light

June 28, 2022
By House Lift
In Inspiration, Renovation, Tips & Tricks

If you own a home, learning how to increase its natural light is likely on your wishlist. A home flooded with natural light is welcoming and makes us feel rejuvenated. Exposure to daylight has been linked to better moods and overall well-being. Increasing the natural light in a room makes colors more vibrant and décor more eye-catching. For many people, natural light is a “must-have” feature in a home, followed by a large garden and an open-plan kitchen or dining room. Poor natural lighting is often a reason why homeowners feel unhappy with their home’s appearance. Homebuyers also tend to find brighter homes more appealing than darker ones. When it comes to home design, we are always thinking of ways to boost natural light. If you are considering a dream home makeover, read on for the best ways to add more light. Update Your Flooring You’d be surprised how much of an impact the right flooring can have on your home’s natural light. Flooring can be transformed into light-friendly reflectors by choosing wood, ceramic or stone with a polished finish. Light wood floors, especially whitewash wood floors, have been around for centuries. Home renovation companies often suggest wood flooring because...

Sustainable or Green Remodeling, Explained

When you make your home more environmentally friendly through green design and construction, you reduce the cost of operating your home by conserving energy and water, while saving on energy systems and appliance maintenance. You also create a healthier environment for your family and your pets. Sustainable home construction involves more than choosing greener building materials. For homeowners who wish to reduce their carbon footprints, here is a brief look at what you can expect as you start the green building process. What is a green home? A green home is designed, constructed, and operated in ways that reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts. A green home can even have a positive effect on the climate and natural environment. Green buildings preserve natural resources and improve the quality of our lives. Building green is a commitment to the five pillars of green building: energy, health, materials, water, and place. What are the attributes of a green home? Green home design considers the quality of life of the home’s occupants in the construction, and operation of the home. In a green home, energy, water, and other utilities and resources are used to maximum efficiency. Green homes often use renewable energy sources,...

Steps to (Finally) Finishing Your Basement

Homeowners are attracted to finishing a basement for a number of reasons. A finished basement adds usable living space to a home for recreation, exercise facilities, home bar and entertainment areas, and comfortable, private guest accommodations. Finished basements can also help homes stand out in the housing market, attracting higher offers. Finishing the basement also provides homeowners with an opportunity to check in on structural needs and important maintenance to keep the whole house in healthy shape. If finishing the basement has been on your list of things to do for a while, the remodeling and renovation professionals at House Lift have some helpful steps you can take to finally get your project moving along. Step 1: Identify Your Goals The general idea of finishing a basement can float around for a while, but identifying the specific goals you’d like to achieve is the best way to jumpstart your project. Maybe you’re looking to add space for a growing family, have a more pleasant environment for laundry and recreation, or you’d like to create a home theatre experience. Perhaps you simply want to add resale value to your home. Whatever your needs may be, identifying your goals for your finished...

Hygge Home Ideas to Warm You Through Spring

“Hygge” is a Danish and Norwegian word that defines the feeling of a warm, cozy, welcoming environment that inspires a sense of wellness, comfort, and conviviality. Hygge is a year-round value in Denmark and Norway, but as they enter their long dark winters, hygge goes into high gear. While Minnesota winters aren’t as intense as these northern neighbors’, we could learn a thing or two from them about how to prioritize the sense of hygge in our homes during the cold seasons. The House Lift team loves inspiring a sense of comfort in homes, and we’d love to share some hygge inspiration to make this season bright. 1. Embrace Warm Lighting Lighting has a transformative effect. Candles are considered hygge because of the gentle, warm light they provide. Proven to inspire relaxation, comfort, and light-heartedness, bringing out the candles in winter can ease the stress of cold commutes, uncooperative appliances and vehicles, and winter storms. In addition to candles, utilizing your fireplace and setting up twinkle lights are great ways to create hygge lighting and add a spirit of warmth and magic to your winter home. 2. Get Snuggly The comfort provided by blankets is so profound that’s been the...

Renovating to Solve and Prevent Moisture Issues

There are clear signs when you have excess moisture in your home. Sometimes, simple changes can reduce the amount of moisture. Other times, more major renovations may be required to make your home safer and more comfortable. Take care of excess moisture issues as soon as possible with a complimentary consultation with the House Lift team. What are the signs of moisture in my home? Excess moisture in a home shows up in many different ways. One of the more obvious signs of too much moisture is condensation on your home’s windows, especially in the colder months. You may see the telltale spots of mildew or mold growing in your bathroom or in the corner of a closet or the kitchen. Mold in your basement is another sign. Peeling, cracking, or blistering paint can also indicate a moisture issue. What are the forms of moisture? There are three states of moisture: solid (ice), liquid (bulk water), and gas (airborne moisture or vapor). All three can affect your home. Ice is typically found on the exterior of your home in the form of ice dams, which can cause water to leak into the interior. If your windows are in poor condition,...

Flooring Material Choices for Your Home Remodel

December 15, 2021
By House Lift
In Basement, Bathroom, Home Value, Informational, Kitchen

Choosing the fixtures and furnishings for your new space is one of the exciting steps in your home’s transformation. With so many options to choose from, including hardwood, engineered hardwood, ceramic and porcelain tile, concrete, carpet, sheet vinyl, vinyl plank, cork, bamboo, marmoleum, selecting the flooring material for your space can be challenging. At House Lift, we advise homeowners to start with the function of the room and narrow their flooring choices from there. Bathrooms, kitchens, living areas, and bedrooms all make specific demands on their flooring material, from water resistance to a soft touch underfoot. You can have fun choosing your flooring color, texture, and material to put your personal touch on your remodel or renovation. Flooring options for kitchens Your kitchen is the heart of your home and the primary place where your family gathers. Your kitchen floor needs to be warm, inviting, and extremely hard-wearing as well as water-resistant so it can take a beating from spilled food, crashing dishes, and the patter of feet. With that functionality in mind, House Lift often recommends tile, hardwood, or vinyl for kitchens. For eco-conscious homeowners, we may also suggest bamboo or marmoleum. All of these options are water-resistant, easy...

Planning Ahead for Your Home Remodel Project

November 1, 2021
By House Lift
In Home Value, Informational, Tips & Tricks

Embarking on a home remodeling project is a big decision, whether you’re updating your bathroom or expanding your home with an addition. No matter the size or financial investment of your project, you want to work with a reputable contractor who will provide you with an accurate estimate for the work to be done. At House Lift, we take the time to fully explain the remodeling process, including the timeline, an estimate of costs, and any potential obstacles we may encounter. We know that the more thorough we are in the initial stages, the smoother the project will go. Here are the first steps you should take to get your home remodeling project off the ground. Initiate Your Home Remodeling Project The work on your renovation begins before you pick up the phone to schedule a contractor visit. Before your first meeting with House Lift, you should understand what you want and need out of your project. You’ll also want to have an idea of what you are able to comfortably and reasonably spend. We suggest that you write down your list of needs and wants and the budget you’re comfortable with so you can refer to it when speaking...

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