Inspiration Archives

Spruce Up Your House With These 3 Renovation Ideas

Spring is coming, and what better time than now to spruce up your abode? Taking the opportunity to renovate and reinvent comes with a host of benefits, like giving your home a fresh, new look with aesthetic appeal, and even increasing the value of your property. However, not every house renovation is created equal, and some can be more impactful than others. For inspiration, here are three renovation ideas that are functional and reflect your personal style and taste. Update Your Kitchen The kitchen is often referred to as the heart of the home, and for good reason, where people gather to cook, eat, socialize and make lasting memories. Kitchen updates can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of your home. Consider replacing your old appliances with new stainless steel models, and add a fresh coat of paint to the cabinets to give them a new look. You can also update the cabinetry and countertops with granite or quartz, and add new tile or hardwood flooring. For the kitchen, the amount of renovation ideas is endless. Add a Bathroom Refreshing a master or guest bathroom is a go-to option if you must pick one room in...

When Is Open Shelving the Right Design Choice?

Open shelving is seen by some as a passing trend. A way of storing your things to match your new open concept but not an ongoing viable way to keep your house in order. Some may see it that way, but we do not. We believe that open shelving can be an excellent way to both showcase and store, making it an excellent design choice for your home. Here we will discuss when we feel it is best to utilize open shelving and how it can help your home makeover. Open Shelving Adds a Breezy Feel to Your Interior The visual impact of open shelving to your space can be easily understated until you see it for yourself. What sounds like a simple change becomes one of the more important visual aspects of your home. When you make the design choice to switch to open shelving, you are truly taking advantage of your space. You are giving your walls the chance to breathe, which allows the color palette and lighting to stretch out across the space. This evokes the feeling you were hoping to get when you made those choices and now — with open shelving — you can be...

Elegant Decorating Ideas for Fall

As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, there’s no better way to spend your day than indoors in a cozy, warm space designed to capture your unique taste and vision. Embracing the spirit of fall adds an extra element of festiveness to your home during the autumn season, while creating a welcoming environment for all who visit. Though trends vary from year to year, these classic, sophisticated tips for fall can ensure your dream home makeover will be stylish for years to come. 1. Paint Your Front Door With the weather at the perfect temperature and the leaves starting to change colors, fall is one of the most opportune times to get creative with projects around the house, and there’s no better place to start than by painting your front door. A freshly-painted front door will enhance curb appeal for your home, and the color you choose can even elevate your mood throughout the winter. Consider painting your door a vibrant color, such as red, orange or yellow, depending on your style. While these colors blend perfectly with the fall season, they will also serve as a year-round mood elevator. In keeping with the fall spirit, you can...

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...

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...

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...

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....

5 Summer DIY Project Ideas

Your home and outdoor spaces are full of untapped potential! As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, the opportunity to change up your space with a do-it-yourself project is even more at hand. The process is rewarding, and the end result is uniquely yours, naturally adding character. Here are some DIY projects you can try this season. 1. Build a Fire Pit A fire pit is a great addition to any outdoor space. It adds ambiance and even promotes community. You can use it to grill too! Choose a pit that’s right for your style and the size of your space. Don’t forget to check your local laws for rules and restrictions on outdoor fires. 2. Make a Garden We recommend building a raised garden bed. Its simplicity and versatility make it a smart addition to any yard. Choose the size and style you want for your garden bed and gather materials. Don’t forget the soil! Your new garden will give a polished look while displaying pretty flowers or providing fresh herbs. 3. Create Fun Lighting New lighting is one of the biggest contributors to a kitchen, bath, or home remodel, but even small changes can improve...

Ways to Prep Your Home for the Holidays

The holidays are upon us here in the Twin Cities and whether you are able to celebrate with family and friends this year or your holiday plans have been postponed, what better way to add some cheer to the season with some easy home upgrades and festive decor! Here are 3 ways to prep your home for the holidays: Winter Cleaning Giving your home a deep clean prior to the arrival of guests goes a long way. Of course cleaning the main rooms of the house where guests will congregate first will allow you to feel more prepared, but doing a deep clean on corners and closets and other out-of-sight locations will help relax your mind so you can focus on spending quality time with your family, rather than worrying about what the guests think of your home. A clean home promotes a sense of well-being that will carry over into your holiday. Consider it your early spring cleaning. Stock Up On Supplies To avoid the unwanted stress of holiday shopping, try stocking up on necessary items well in advance. Items ranging from food, to household supplies, to holiday gifts can be purchased before the holiday season so that when...