Discover The Latest In Home Renovation Trends with House Lift Inc.

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...

Your Vision, Realized (Highlighting a House Lift Renovation)

We recently had the pleasure of working with clients to finish their home. At two years old, this home was new, and still needed the basement bathroom and bedroom finished. Some of the framing was there already, and we set to work to deliver on their vision. While we were working on the project, the homeowners were inspired to add a bar and turn the bedroom and walk-in closet into a workout room. Sharing their excitement, we worked with them to design their dream basement and turn it into a reality. Take a look at the transformation. 1. The Bathroom The framework for the bathroom was already in place, and the homeowners had a clear vision of what they wanted. We worked with our clients to create this luxurious, modern bathroom, outfitted with elegant tiling and fixtures. Despite being a basement space, we were able to make this bathroom feel bright and airy with clean lines and a combination of recessed lighting and stylish sconces. 2. The Workout Room At the start of this project, the basement housed an unfinished bedroom with a walk-in closet. We transformed the space into a workout room, enhancing the natural light from the window...

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...

5 Creative Chore Chart Ideas for Families

Everyone enjoys a clean house, but the word “chore” doesn’t exactly elicit warm feelings from even the tidiest among us. Families often squabble about who’s doing the most, or the least, amount of cleaning, and kids often feel like any amount of help is some sort of indentured servitude. The family home is a space everyone shares, so we should all share responsibility in keeping it clean. By organizing chores on a chore chart, you can fairly share the responsibility of cleaning, and with these creative ideas, you may actually have a little bit of fun. Work For the Weekend A lot of people use incentives to get their families on board with chores. In this model, the incentive is a fun Saturday activity. Using a dry erase board, make a chart with days of the week across the top (Sunday – Friday) and rooms in your house down the side. Write down what needs to be done in each room on each day. Using magnets for each family member, assign each person one room per day. Some rooms require more daily upkeep than others, so make sure those are allocated fairly throughout the family. Every completed chore is given a...

Boost Your Kids’ Grades with a DIY “Homework Haven.”

After school, kids need a break from work to relax, play, and eat a nutritious (or not-so-nutritious) snack. Eventually, though, it’s time for homework. With some American students being sent home with upwards of 18 hours of homework each week, it’s easy to understand why some kids struggle to complete their assignments. Studies show that students, from kindergarten through college, benefit tremendously from having a designated homework space. By turning a nook, corner, or room in your home into a dedicated schoolwork zone, you give your students a leg up in their education. Keep reading for tips on how to create a perfect “homework haven.” 1. Create a Space That Fits Your Child Just like adults, kids stay more alert and focused when working at a desk. Working at a desk that isn’t a comfortable fit, though, can be just as detrimental as working in bed or on the couch. When creating your homework haven, make sure to outfit it with a comfortable desk and chair that works ergonomically for your child’s size. Because kids grow so much each year, consider an adjustable desk that can grow with them. 2. Shine a Light on the Subject When it comes to...

Why Building Costs Are Rising in 2021

It’s true that building costs have gone up over the last year and are continuing to rise. If there’s one thing real estate and construction experts agree on, it’s that no one can predict if and when prices will return to pre-2020 levels. If you’re a homeowner who’s been waiting for construction costs to fall before starting a remodeling project, take a moment to understand the current market and discover why it may pay off to get started on your project sooner rather than later. Why are costs going up? There are many factors that contribute to the price of building materials, all of which stem from two fundamental economic concepts: supply and demand. When the pandemic hit last spring, it threw previously efficient national and global supply chains into chaos. Production in the mills and factories that supplied the construction industry with everything from lumber to light fixtures ground to a halt as staff stayed home. Similarly, the logistics companies that delivered products to wholesalers and retailers slowed or stopped their operations. The construction industry has been dealing with the fallout ever since. Add to this the current labor shortage and rising labor costs, and the supply of construction...

5 Tips for Making a Kitchen Herb Garden

When it comes to creating a perfect home-cooked meal, fresh herbs are the perfect addition. The refreshing combination of rich flavors that a small amount of herbs can add to a dish and define it. When it comes to herbs, fresh is best. If you are cooking regularly, or crafting meals for a larger family, having your own source of fresh herbs might make sense. This will allow you access to a plentiful supply of the freshest ingredients, livening up your meals and saving you trips to the grocery store. However, creating a kitchen herb garden is no throw-away endeavor. A garden that flourishes takes time, intention, and the right knowledge. Let us help with that! Here are 5 tips for making your perfect kitchen herb garden. 1. Choose the Ideal Location If possible, consider keeping your herb garden outdoors. Herbs require large amounts of sunlight (ideally, more than 6 hours per day), and this is often hard to achieve in a kitchen. If you are lacking the outdoor space, choose the room with the most natural light indoors to house your herbs. You can always invest in a lighting setup to ensure your indoor herbs grow healthily as well....

3 Remodels That Increase Your Home’s Value

July 29, 2021
By House Lift
In Basement, Bathroom, Home Value, Kitchen

Additional time spent indoors has inspired a spike in home buying and home remodeling this year. It seems that an enjoyable, comfortable atmosphere within our own walls is more important than ever. Home remodeling can blend the old with the new and introduce a sense of newness and luxury. Simple basement renovations or bathroom remodels can upgrade your lifestyle. However, in addition to luxury and enjoyment, home remodels bring actual resale value to your home. Whether you plan on selling now or in years to come, here are a few remodels that increase your home’s value. 1. Kitchen The kitchen is probably one of the rooms in your home that gets the most use. As a result, it can be the first to look aged or outdated. For a kitchen remodel to add value to your home, you don’t have to rip out the studs and start from scratch. In fact, it helps if your home remodeling contractors incorporate the classic details of your kitchen into a fresh design. Changes like updating the countertops, adding counter space, and replacing the flooring make your kitchen look newer and more attractive to potential buyers. Good contractors and designers can make your kitchen...

Get Access to Our Twin Cities Experts