Clutter has become a hot topic when it comes to home maintenance. With the proliferation of inexpensive clothing and household goods, many people now have homes that are filled with clutter. This clutter may take the form of piles of stuff everywhere, or may consist of “organized clutter” including knick-knacks on every surface, closets stuffed with unworn clothing and boxes of paperwork and books. Both kinds of clutter can leave homeowners feeling overwhelmed — it’s hard to relax in a space that’s filled with stuff. Under it all there are usually some deep-seated issues that are keeping the homeowner from clearing out objects that aren’t important or are no longer used.

This interesting article called Clear your Clutter on MarthaStewart.com examines the causes of clutter and offers some insights and solutions.

Hive Homes are modular prefabricated houses that are designed with an emphasis on outstanding architectural design. Several basic models are available, with architectural variations to fit the homeowner’s taste. A custom design service is also available.

Hive Homes are based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They will work with a homeowner’s contractor to make sure the proper building permits are obtained and will provide support to the homeowner’s contractor.

For more information, see this HGTV video about Hive Homes on YouTube:

If you’d like to read about a different type of prefabricated house, see this earlier post for information on the prefab GlideHouse.

When a kitchen remodel is considered, the kitchen cabinets are usually at the top of the list of things to change. Installing new cabinets can really drive up the price of a kitchen remodel, especially when custom cabinets are required. One alternative to new cabinets is refacing. The refacing process can be completed in a day or two. It involves removing the existing cabinet doors and drawer fronts, painting them or adding new veneers, and then replacing them. The doors and drawer fronts can also be replaced completely at a much lower cost than installing new cabinets. Once the cabinets have been refaced, they can be further modernized by replacing the hardware.

For more remodeling ideas, see this earlier post for ideas for dining room remodeling.

E. Spencer Toy; James Carrier, Jil Peters

A floor mat made from painted canvas can add a custom design element to any room. You can base the design for the canvas on patterns found on the room’s wallpaper or somewhere else in the room, or you can find a different design that will add punch to the room.  Wallpaper patterns and art books are good places to find designs.

Once you find a design you like, you can get it onto the canvas by using a projector (available at crafts stores). Trace around the projected outline then use acrylic paints to color the design. When the paint dries, apply varnish with a roller to protect the surface of the mat. Turn under the edges and apply glue to keep them in place. If desired, a thin foam mat can be placed under the canvas mat to prevent slipping.

It’s a buyer’s market these days when it comes to shopping for a new home. If you’re in the market, there are a few things to consider before you sign on the dotted line. When you’re about to make an offer on a house, go over your finances and make sure you can afford it without stretching your resources to the limit. Too many people have discovered that unforeseen circumstances can make that big mortgage impossible to live with. Think about the security of your current job. What would happen if you became unemployed? How many months could you continue to meet your mortgage without income?

Another thing to consider is whether the house you want to buy needs a lot of repairs. Many new homeowners find it difficult to get around to major home repairs and end up living with them for many years. Is that something that you’re prepared to do? The bottom line is if you think you’ve found your dream home, take off the rose colored glasses and take a good look at reality.

Tile is becoming a popular floor covering throughout the house.  Unfortunately, the grout between tiles can begin to show dirt and become cracked.  This can really detract from the look of a beautiful tiled surface.  When this happens, replacing the grout is the best solution.  There are several ways to remove grout:

Wearing safety goggles is recommended with all of these methods.  Once your old grout is removed, you can clean the area and apply new grout, following manufacturer’s instructions.

You may not have known that you can help the planet when you do your laundry, but there are ways to cut down on your energy and water consumption and limit the release of environmentally damaging substance.  Here are some eco-friendly laundry suggestions.

Many of us are eating at home more these days. Saving money, enjoying healthier foods and spending time with family are all good reasons for making more use of our kitchens and dining rooms. If you’re dining room is dingy, cluttered and unappealing, here are some ideas for making it a place where everyone would like to share a meal.

You can quickly transform the look of a dining room with a coat of paint in a new and dramatic color. Even changing the color of just one wall will give the room a new look. Hang some interesting pieces of art which complement the color of the walls. Placemats and table cloths can be used to add splashes of color to the dining room. They can be changed to reflect a mood or season.

If your dining room table has become a parking spot for bills and other clutter, clear it off and try to keep it clear. Add an attractive centerpiece. Fresh flowers are great, but are expensive to refresh on a weekly basis. Inexpensive alternatives include a bowl of fresh fruit or small potted plants. Ivy topiaries also make great centerpieces.

The Glidehouse is a contemporary prefabricated home designed by Michelle Kaufmann, a leader in the green home design community. The design of the Glidehouse centers on simple, green living. Built in a factory using eco-friendly materials, the Glidehouse takes about a year to be built and costs the same or less than traditional homes which are build on site. Renewable and recyclable materials are used in the Glidehouse, and the design includes sustainable features like windows which are positioned to maximize ventilation and a roof which will support solar panels. Find out more about the Glidehouse at the Michelle Kaufmann Designs website.

The concept of home staging is receiving a lot of attention these days on home decorating TV shows and websites. Home staging is the art of dressing a home for sale. It’s the opposite of adding a personal touch to a home and usually involves removing many personal items and giving a house a more general look which will appeal to a wide variety of buyers.

Professional home stagers are often brought in to work with homeowners who want to sell their home. A stager will come in after the home has been cleaned, decluttered and painted. The goal of home staging is to make the home look more inviting. A good stager will make prospective buyers picture themselves living in the home, which is one step away from making an offer on it.

What are some of the secrets of professional home stagers? They know how to pick out interesting pieces of furniture and group them attractively in a room. They use soft luxurious fabrics to create a comfortable and warm look. Fussy or outdated window coverings are removed and replaced with simple elegant draperies. Interesting accessories are place throughout the house.

Some of the items which a professional home stager will bring into a home include mirrors, plants, pillows, throws, and area rugs. If a larger bed is needed in a bedroom, they may bring in an inflatable bed (it will look just like a regular bed covered with a bedspread). For many homes, the expense of hiring a professional stager is more than covered by a quick sale and high selling price.