The professionals at Houselift share tips for elevating your living space, like adding hard wood floors

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...
The professionals at Houselift offer tips for the best kitchen designs in 2023.

The Best Designs for a Kitchen Renovation in 2023

When it comes to renovating what’s (in)arguably the most important room in the house, there are kitchen remodel ideas, and then there are kitchen remodel ideas.  It’s a bona fide make-it-or-break-it situation, since choosing the former could run the risk of sinking money into the wrong renovation effort (and maybe diminish the value of one’s abode). But choose the latter, and the most tastefully done kitchen renovation ideas can be statements combining artistics and aesthetics, a wise Investment — with a capital I — into your home for years to come.  Should you switch out your seating? Restyle your wood? Yes, and yes. Which other directions should you take your kitchen to give it some modern-style upgrades that are beautiful, family friendly and make all the difference in giving it that “wow” factor? Thankfully, you don’t need to swap out everything including the kitchen sink (though you could do that, too), to give your space some new life. Read on for some renovation inspiration. The Best Kitchen Remodel Ideas for 2023 Prioritize your needs when thinking about a kitchen remodel, since some upgrades may be superfluous to your space. Does a certain upgrade serve a functional purpose? Does it make...
A kitchen island in a Houselift remodel is a great way to add additional kitchen seating.

Creative Ways To Add Seating to Your Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of your home. It is where your family gathers to start their day. It’s where you prepare your meals and memories together. When you host family and friends — despite your best efforts — it seems to be where everybody wants to hang out. Depending on how your kitchen is laid out, there may not be any seating in your kitchen. Depending on your budget, you might consider a kitchen remodel or you may need to consider some creative ways to add seating to your kitchen. Regardless of if you’re in a position to take on residential construction or if you need some clever low cost ideas on how to add a few seats, read on for some ways to increase your kitchen seating. It’s Beautiful on the Island If you have the space, a center island can accomplish a lot with just a few square feet. If you don’t have a space to utilize for a table and chairs, an island can give you a space to enjoy your morning coffee while another member of your family fixes themselves breakfast. If your kitchen is on the smaller side, you can still use a center...
A recently renovated home in Minneapolis, Minnesota features interior and exterior french doors allowing natural light to flood the room.

The Aesthetic Benefits of French Doors

Interior and exterior French doors have become a popular staple in home design over the years and they are easily recognizable by their rectangular window frames that extend down the door’s length. French doors made their first appearance in architecture in the 17th century and as France’s Baroque period flourished, so did the exploration of new artistic and architectural styles. Back then, French doors were really just full-length windows that led onto balconies. They were later modified into operable doors, which allowed access to the balconies while letting in plenty of natural light. Their versatility and beauty makes them an ideal choice for patios and more.  Thinking of adding an interior or exterior french door to your home? Read on as we discuss a few reasons why you should make them a part of your dream home makeover. French Doors Provide Functionality French doors were originally created to make small balconies accessible, but today, they aren’t only used for exterior purposes. Interior french doors can be used to connect rooms in your home and enhance the visual flair of your space. They can make rooms feel and look more spacious when opened up and create a cozy, comfortable space when...
Image of a newly-remodeled home. Windows line the front of a brand new four-season front porch.

How to Transform Your Porch Into a 4-Season Space

One of the main benefits of updating or remodeling your home is maximizing your available space to suit your lifestyle. Transforming unfinished attics and basements into enjoyable, fully-furnished spaces are smart ways to accommodate your growing family. However, you shouldn’t limit yourself to what you can update inside your home; it’s time to think outside of the box and extend your living space outdoors. When you are sitting outside, you want to enjoy the scenery, but you also want to be comfortable. But what do you do when it’s freezing during the winter and blazing hot during the summer? A four season porch is the perfect solution. Read on to find out how to make that a part of your dream home makeover. Enjoy Nature’s Beauty in Comfort A four season porch functions as an interior room made almost entirely of glass and windows that allows you to take in the views of the outdoors year-round. It is equipped with permanent heating and cooling, and it is included in the finished square footage of your home. This distinguishes it from a three season porch because three season porches are not equipped with any internal heating or cooling.  What Your Four Season...
An image of an architectural blue print for House Lift blog "From Idea to Breaking Ground - Steps to Remodeling Your Home"

From Idea to Breaking Ground – Steps to Remodeling Your Home

Remodeling is a great way to invest in your home. Remodeling projects not only add property value, they can help you find greater enjoyment and better use of your space. The popularity of home improvement programming shows that many people daydream about how they’d upgrade their houses, and the renovation and remodeling industry continues to grow. When homeowners get inspired to change things up in their home, they can quickly become overwhelmed by the logistics of the project. With the right planning, pacing and professional support, remodeling can be much easier to navigate than one would expect. House Lift has provided remodeling and renovation services for more than 30 years. Keep reading to learn about the steps you can take for a smooth remodeling project, from idea to breaking ground.  1. Organize Your Inspiration Before you start sizing up your space, vetting contractors or pricing materials, it’s important to know what you want. Assess which rooms and areas of your home you’re interested in remodeling. Start by listing what you love about each existing space and what you’d like to change. This will help you prioritize your goals for your home renovation. Next, find style inspiration to inform your remodeling...
A couch with a throw blanket and text Hygge Home Ideas to Warm You Through Spring

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...
A modern bathroom counter top with text "Home Improvement Projects You Can Do In a Weekend" featured in a House Lift blog banner

Home Improvement Projects You Can Do in a Weekend

It seems there are always improvements to be made to our homes. You might be focused on the big picture, aiming for basement renovations, new windows, or a complete home remodel. Don’t forget though that you can make big changes in just one weekend. Here are some ideas.  1. Change your backsplash.  If you’re thinking that changing the backsplash of your kitchen is a project only fit for a home remodel, there’s good news. It can be done in a weekend, without tearing out your existing backsplash. You can easily change its look by adding a fresh coat of paint. If you like a more modern look, mirrored tiles often come in adhesive sheets that can be easily applied. You can even add wood or tin.  2. Install some interior wall paneling.  Similarly to the back splash project, this is actually easier than you think. Sometimes changing the color of a room doesn’t do the trick. Instead add texture by installing paneling. Often it’s as simple as nailing it to your wall. The hardest part might be choosing the right texture and cutting out space for outlets, etc.  3. Change the entrance of your home. Add window boxes, paint your...
A House Lift blog banner features a Twin Cities garden in bloom with text "5 Summer DIY Projects"

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...