Anyone who has owned a cat or dog knows it’s next to impossible to keep floors completely clean and well-kept with furry friends running around the house. But, there are simple steps that homeowners can take to extend the life of their floors. An organic fiber rug can be laid on hardwoods to protect them from cat and dog claws. Materials such as seagrass, mountain grass, and sisal are ideal for this, and they are easy on the animal’s feet. Plus, they look very stylish in the home. Carpet lovers should try wool carpet tiles, which can be replaced one at a time. They can also be pulled up and rinsed under cold water to maintain their new look. Even regular carpet can be an option for homeowners whose pets are well-behaved and always groomed with short nails, but it does require frequent vacuuming. Vinyl is one of the most resilient and durable flooring materials. It is also ex [...]

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The bathroom is the most-visited and most used room in the house — so why should it receive less design attention than the rest? Homeowners who want to invest in an easy update with a big impact should consider these reasons for a bathroom remodel. 1. Comfort Bathrooms have come a long way from the cold, hard-to-clean tubs and purely-functional sinks of past years. Now bathroom appliances are both functional and luxurious, with features like water pressure and temperature control; artful shower doors and curtains; and beautiful floor and wall tiling, as well as stone options. Updating to heated floor tiles means no more chilly toes! 2. Value Remodeling the bathroom has been shown to significantly increase an entire home's value, combining the short-term benefits of the upgrade with long-term benefits from a future sale. Remodeling the bathroom will make the room look be [...]

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No offense to bedrooms and bathrooms, but your kitchen is possibly the most practical and necessary room in your home. Remodeling it can be a major home improvement. Springfield, MA homeowners should consider a few basic things before diving into an extensive — or costly — remodeling project. Know What You Need If it's your first remodeling rodeo, it can be easy to get caught up in flashy, trendy features. But marble countertops and LED cabinet lighting aren't for everyone. Take some time to consider how you want use your kitchen. Do you need a state-of-the-art laboratory for culinary experimentation, or do you just need basic functionality? Think about what your current kitchen lacks and build a design scheme that will make your culinary life easier. Keep Your Current Layout Kitchens are more stuck in their ways than other rooms. Ovens, garbage disposals, and oth [...]

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