Friday, August 19, 2011

Bringing Your Basement to Life


People don�t always spend a generous amount of time in their basement and therefore, it often doesn�t get the attention it deserves. This often carries through when the home is for sale. Research shows us that kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms are main areas of interest to buyers, so when we are selling we focus on making these rooms look great. But, let�s not forget that a simple basement makeover can also help you earn top dollar for your home. It adds that extra living space that home buyers are looking for and gives a feeling that the home is complete. Here are some ways to achieve a more livable and sellable basement.


As Well as Interior Lighting, Find Top Brands for Landscape Lighting and SaveAir it outIf You know What You're Looking for, You'll Save TimeIt�s time to get rid of these unused items and store those that are used neatly. Today�s buyer is looking for space. If you are showing a home with a basement that is crowded to the rafters with stuff, potential buyers question whether or not there is enough room for their belongings. An attractive and functional storage area allows the buyer to see the potential for storage and makes it easier for them to see the real value in the space.Maybe you have too much furniture upstairs and you would like to clear some of it out for a cleaner, neater look. Why not find pieces to put in the basement. You can do the same with choice pieces of artwork, as well. Sometimes you can create a great room just by rearranging and repurposing pieces that you already own.Once you've decided on a lighting style, you should then be able to customize your search for details such as: price, brand, size and finish. This is also a great way to educate yourself. Take advantage of the many thousands of photographed fixtures and information such as lamp fixture size, finish, price and brand.Basements tend to have lighting issues so be sure that any windows are unobstructed. Clean these windows inside and out and use minimal window treatments to allow as much light in as possible. Don�t let there be a single shadowy corner. Bring in table lamps and floor lamps to light these areas. Install fixtures if your basement is lit by bare light bulbs. Make sure light switch plates are clean and in good repair. Any lights that have pull cords should have a clean, neat looking cord even in unfinished parts of the basement such as the furnace room.You don't need to be a lighting expert to shop by style: all you have to do is find a fixture that matches your home d�cor. If, for example, you are looking for a chandelier to hang over the dining table of your farmhouse, a rustic chandelier would be a good style choice. A well organized website should be intuitive and easy to navigate. Look for online lighting stores that begin with the type of fixture you are looking to buy: chandeliers, wall sconces, exterior fixtures. From there, the site should take you to a selection of lighting styles: Rustic, Traditional, Contemporary etc.You Don't Need to be a Lighting ExpertPermission to reuse or redistribute these materials is hereby granted provided they are reproduced or redistributed in their entirety with full attribution. (c) 2008 Colette RobicheauAn inviting and functional basement can add a lot of value to your home. So, make sure you are using the space to its full selling potential. Don�t let it be �just a basement�, turn it into another room in your home, full of potential for the future home owners.To begin with, here are several types of interior fixtures available for your home: sconces, chandeliers, table and floor lamps, pendants, ceiling mounts, track lighting, recessed lighting and bathroom fixtures. Exterior fixtures include: landscape lighting, exterior sconces, exterior pendants, exterior ceiling fixtures, post lanterns, and flood lights. Take a look at the best ways to find these fixtures online; no matter what stage of the search for home lighting you're in, the internet is a valuable resource.Paint is always an inexpensive, easy way to make a room look updated. Use neutral colors when painting furniture or walls. You want the potential buyer�s to focus on the features of the room, not the furniture in it. They may have a different style than you, and you want them to be able to imagine their things in your house. Tear down that old paneling and paint a nice neutral color or add a fresh coat of paint to wainscoting. You won�t believe the difference!The most popular time to shop for exterior lighting is during spring and summer. With beautiful weather and people spending more time outdoors entertaining, this is the time to light up decks, patios, and landscapes to create ambiance, and safety. In the front of the home, with entry areas and walkways, exterior lamps and lighting are essential for safety and home security year round. Top exterior lighting manufactures of 12 volt, low voltage lighting includes: Focus and Arroyo Craftsman. Yet there are several other top lighting manufacturers that focus on the exterior niche as well. Take a look at Kichler, Progress, Hinkley and Sea Gull. If you are looking for name brand quality, one of the best approaches is to comparison shop online. Then, find a reputable online lighting retailer that offers a low price guarantee (read the policy carefully). This way, you can get the best price available for that brand.Purge It

Permission to reuse or redistribute these materials is hereby granted provided they are reproduced or redistributed in their entirety with full attribution. (c) 2008 Colette Robicheau




Author: Colette Robicheau


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