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...
A kitchen with natural light recently renovated by House Lift Inc of the Twin Cities.

Getting the Most Out of Your Home’s Natural Light

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...
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 modern living room with text Steps to (Finally) Finishing Your Basement for House Lift Blog Banner

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...
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...