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September
25
25
User-Friendly Updates for Your New Home
All too often, the flaws of our newly acquired homes don't reveal themselves until we've moved in and had a minute or two to discover them. It can be a bit disconcerting to realize we don't necessarily love everything about that otherwise beautiful home we acquired from Maple Grove homes for sale and Minnetonka homes for sale. What to do? Fortunately, you can sometimes make easy updates to remedy the situation.
- Not enough storage space.
This can be a particular problem with older homes, built when people didn't own very much. Going back to the early 20th century and beyond, including large closets in bedrooms wasn't common, so people resorted to using armoires and wardrobes. Armoires and wardrobes are available as antiques or in sleek modern design today. Make sure you have room for the wardrobe or armoire, as they can take up a lot of space. Generally, these somewhat bulky pieces of furniture are designed to hold clothes hanging from a rack. Some may have storage shelves above the racks.
Another solution might be a clothes rack. These can look very tasteful. Keep your current season's clothes there, and put away the out-of-season clothes. Supplement this solution with strategically placed shelves for folded sweaters and hats. Yet another solution: Build a closet wall and add a door, but this fix will likely be costly. Have an unused room? You could turn this into a storage room with stackable plastic bins to put away clothes, toys, bedclothes, or whatever. - Not enough electrical outlets, or they're not in the right place.
This issue is typical of old houses. There often aren't enough wall plugs for all our electrical devices. The solution should not be to plug numerous devices into a power strip. This can be dangerous and somewhat unsightly. The best solution is to have an electrician add some plugs where you want them. It's not that expensive to add a few plugs in strategic places. - No storage around pedestal sink.
It's hard not to love a pedestal sink. They look elegant and fit nicely with their slim lines in a small bathroom. But anyone who has ever had one in a small bathroom knows there's nowhere to put anything. A basket on the toilet tank can hold extra toilet rolls, washcloths, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and toiletries. If there's room, look into a slender cabinet or a wall shelf placed just at head level. The other, more permanent solution would be to replace it with a sink with a vanity cabinet. - No room for bathroom must-haves.
No cupboard to store bathroom must-haves like toilet paper and tissues? One solution could be a free-standing toilet paper holder or a wall cabinet. - Door doesn't lock.
Perhaps you didn't notice when you looked at your home, but now that you're moved in, you've found the door knobs in the bathrooms and bedrooms don't lock. You may find a similar type of door knob at the home store to replace them with. You might need to hire a carpenter to fill holes and rebore them. An easier solution is to install a slide lock or eye hook.
Our real estate agents can make recommendations when you're doing updates to get your home ready for listing. Call today.