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Don’t let a little water damage make your next backsplash a wash out with these designer tips. Jennifer Adams, our interior design pro, answers this reader’s kitchen remodeling question after a hurricane hit her home.

Question:  We were flooded during the hurricane and have to rebuild most of our house. My kitchen has bamboo floors, alabaster white cabinets and Blanco Azul granite with black stainless steel appliances and stainless handles. I am trying to figure out a good backsplash to tie it all together. Any help would be great.

Whether your countertop patterning is dramatic and bold or quieter and more textural, a backsplash that is simple will be better. Oversized rectangular tiles in light tones to match the whites in your granite, along with matching grout, will look great. For a more textural approach, choose a monotone tile mosaic in whites or pale grays. Even classic subway tile with gray grout will bring in a bit of pattern without being over the top or competing with your granite.

For a finishing touch, tie in the bamboo tones throughout your kitchen with accessories and art in the same color.

https://www.bhgre.com/bhgrelife/ask-a-pro-qa-selecting-the-perfect-backsplash-tie-your-kitchens-look-together-with-these-tips/

Whether you bought a starter home or what you hoped would be a forever home, circumstances change. One thing that doesn’t change though, is the inevitable expansion that occurs when you become a homeowner. As time goes on, you acquire tools that need to be used just once or twice a year, like step ladders and extension ladders, lawn mowers, edgers and leaf blowers. When it’s time to sell, you may find you’ve expanded just a bit too much. Getting rid of clutter is the first thing you need to do when you’re thinking of putting your home on the market, and sadly, unless you move frequently, there are very few people who don’t accumulate more than they should.

Here are seven reasons you need to get rid of that clutter to ensure a quick home sale.

1. It’s all about imagined lives

Clutter makes it hard to think. You may not think of your collection of exotic masks from your foreign travels as clutter. But let’s face it, we don’t all like the same things, and if your home is bursting with small objects, buyers can’t imagine themselves in your space. You have to make room for them and their imagined lives in what might soon be their home rather than yours. Store the highly personal collections during the selling process so buyers can see the space as theirs, and they’ll be more likely to make an immediate offer.

2. Help the potential buyer maintain focus

Extra seating, family photos and bone china tea cup collections are all distractions. You don’t want potential buyers to become so intrigued (or puzzled) by the things you’ve collected—none of which they’ll be purchasing—that they don’t actually register the house itself. You want them to look at the space, appreciate its best features and become convinced of its potential for their family.

3. Create the illusion of space to entice buyers

By getting rid of extra seating, paring down the clothes in your closets and weeding out everything in the pantry that’s past its best-before date, you create the illusion of more space, which is always a good thing when trying to sell a home. After all, empty rooms always look bigger than rooms filled with furniture.

Be strategic, though, and don’t leave yourself with nowhere to sit. Think of your home as wearing its Sunday best rather than sweats and a t-shirt, and if there’s a chair the cat’s clawed, the sun has faded or that needs cleaning or reupholstering, get it out of the house while potential buyers are viewing. There will be plenty of time to kick back and relax in that past-its-prime lounger when you’re moved into your new home.

4. Well-staged homes photograph better

While you might get a viewing from a drive-by or after an open house, most potential buyers these days are going to look at your house and its listing online. Good photos make all the difference here, but you’re not going to get them if you haven’t decluttered. Put the family photos away, get all the toys into the toy box, remove the gym equipment that’s migrated from the basement to other living areas and make your real estate agent’s job easier by presenting a home that shows to advantage in both photos and real life.

5. Maximize kitchen counter space

Yes, it’s a pain. But even though your family uses the toaster and blender every day, putting them away in cupboards before viewings provides a clean slate and makes potential home buyers think about all the meals they’re going to prepare in their new home.

If your home’s being shown to first-time home buyers, chances are good they’re looking for more space, particularly an opportunity to expand from a galley kitchen to one that has room for a table and chairs. Help them believe they’re going to be transformed into hosts with the most when they buy your home by giving them the visual space they need.

6. Don’t borrow trouble

Cluttered homes make potential buyers uneasy. Viewing someone else’s occupied home is slightly uncomfortable for most people. Clutter is not only a distraction; it makes your home look uncared for. This can make potential buyers start to ask themselves, “if they haven’t taken care of their possessions, what other problems are brewing here?” You could lose an offer if this kind of nebulous doubt sets in.

7. Let your home show itself

Let’s face it—you’re selling your home, not the couch and coffee table. By getting rid of clutter and replacing it with neutral but stylish accessories, you lead the buyer’s eye to the features of your home that are its true selling points. That means you’re going to get a quicker sale and a higher price than if you make a potential buyer struggle to see your home’s merits.

https://www.bhgre.com/bhgrelife/getting-rid-of-clutter/

Autumn is one of the most seasons. The crisp air and changing leaves make even a walk through the neighborhood feel like an event. Those leaves, however, have to go somewhere and many of them end up in the gutter. We have a few helpful gutter cleaning tips to keep you safe and prevent property damage.

Let someone know what you’re doing

Of all the gutter cleaning tips, letting a friend, family or neighbor know what you’re doing is the most important. It is helpful to have someone check up on you. Also, make sure to have your cellphone somewhere near you in the unlikely event of an accident to easily call for help.

Use a safe and sturdy ladder

Using a sturdy ladder will keep you safe. Before stepping onto the first rung, check to see that the hinges are completely open and that the ladder is in good shape. A four-legged ladder is easy to transport and use for a single story home, while a two-legged extension ladder is the best choice for homes with multiple floors. A ladder can get heavy, so if you have a heart condition or other health issues, know your limits and ask for help moving it around your home.

Use a sand shovel

Don’t try to use metal gardening tools, as they’ll only scrape and potentially damage gutters. Instead, pick up a small plastic scoop or a kids’ sand shovel.The trick isn’t to try to remove all of the leaves and other debris at once, but remove a little bit at a time. This will lighten the load of each sco and save your back.

Flush out your gutter

When done clearing out the muck from the gutters, take a garden hose and finish the job by flushing them. They don’t have to be squeaky clean. Simply remove any debris left behind. Flushing out your gutter will also make any leaks obvious.

Repair leaks

Although it may be tempting to call a professional to repair leaks, it may be easier to take care of it yourself. Just snip a piece of sheet metal to fit over the hole. Then, using a large putty knife, spread roofing cement around the edges of the hole. Position the newly cut metal over the hole (from the inside of the gutter) and press its edges into the cement.

Although cleaning gutters isn’t a lot of fun, it’s an important job that needs to be done regularly. While some people advise cleaning them once a year, one of the best pro gutter cleaning tips is to clean them out at least twice a year, in spring and fall. Doing so will prevent clogging after storms and keep repairs to a minimum.

https://www.bhgre.com/bhgrelife/gutter-cleaning-tips/?pps=full_post

Your home is likely one of your biggest investments. Taking care of it properly is essential. The chores and tasks necessary to maintain a home throughout the year can seem daunting, but they’re easier if broken down into seasonal duties.

Even if you don’t have the time or physical ability to tackle these must-dos yourself, refer to our home maintenance checklist below when you hire handymen.

Spring

At the start of spring, many homeowners are eager to do a little cleaning. This season is the perfect time to empty closets, wax floors, give carpets a deep shampoo and more.

Here are some good spring cleaning actions you can take to care for your home:

1. Give the grounds an overhaul. Start cleaning by

• raking up leaves
• turning outside faucets on if you’ve turned them off for winter
• inspecting trees for illness or dead branches
• re-seeding your lawn
• planting perennials

2. Tend to your home’s exterior by

• looking for and filling cracks in concrete
• fixing broken rain gutters
• giving your home a power wash
• touching up paint
• cleaning windows
• repairing patios and decks
• treating pool water

3. Look after the inside of your home by

• inspecting HVAC systems
• draining your boiler
• giving plumbing a once-over
• checking your chimney
• replacing batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

Summer

Summer is the time when you probably want to enjoy your home, not clean or repair it. Take a bit of time at the start of the season to tidy and patch up so you can spend the rest of the summer relaxing.

We recommend these summer home maintenance tips:

4. Prepare your grounds by

• mowing your lawn (but not too short so you expose weeds)
• pulling weeds
• watering plants
• checking the functionality of sprinklers
• cleaning your pool

5. Make exterior home repairs and touch-ups by

• painting or staining your porch
• cleaning windows
• hosing or sweeping your façade

6. The inside of your home can be summertime-ready by

• wiping down ceiling fans
• cleaning air conditioning filters
• repairing weather stripping
• evaluating your family emergency plan
• deterring and treating for insects

Fall

When leaves start turning shades of red, orange and gold, it’s time to begin preparing your home for crisp weather.

There isn’t a huge to-do list for fall, just some simple steps to make sure your home is prepped for the upcoming colder months.

7. Tend to your grounds in fall by

• planting perennials
• re-seeding the lawn
• inspecting trees for dead branches and illness
• watering plants
• raking leaves

8. The inside of your home will be fall-ready after you

• get the central heating serviced
• check the furnace and ductwork for energy efficiency
• call a plumber for a radiator and boiler check-up
• sweep the chimney
• make sure all doors and windows are draft-free
• inspect smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Winter

Winter is usually the time to hunker down. Ensure your home is ideal for getting cozy by tackling to-dos you’ve put aside during summer and fall. Anticipate how harsh weather will impact your home.

Start with:

9. Winterizing your grounds by

• making sure the snow blower is working
• stocking up on supplies like ice melt and shovels
• looking for signs of potential ice dams

10. Batten up the inside of your home by

• putting a new filter on the heating system
• inspecting pipes
• having a backup generator
• stocking supplies

Throughout the year, check stocks of batteries and light bulbs. Give rugs and furniture a good vacuum and do periodic checks for mold and insects. Each year, refer to this home maintenance list.

https://www.bhgre.com/bhgrelife/home-maintenance-checklist/?pps=full_post

Thoroughly checking your home indoors and out, from pipes and eaves to heaters and trees, is a must-do when preparing for winter.

Your house is an investment and a place to be comfortable and safe. To get the most out of where you live through all seasons, make sure to plan.

Fall is the perfect time to start thinking about winterization. While the weather is relatively pleasant and stable, tend to maintenance tasks and consider how you can avoid emergencies and damage by being proactive.

To get ready for cold weather, take a look at these ways to winterize your home.

Give your HVAC system a checkup

Heating and air conditioning systems don’t last forever. They’re good for about 15 years, but some have a shorter lifespan of about 10. If your system is going on 10 years (or older), fall is an important time for a yearly checkup.

At the very least, you should change the filters monthly. However, it is recommended to get a comprehensive inspection annually from a licensed HVAC contractor. This professional should check the entire system to ensure you’ll have heat and avoid hazards like fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Seal your walkways, driveways and patios

All cracks in masonry surfaces, like concrete walkways, driveways and patios, should be sealed to avoid expanding. Find a reputable mason who will take time to strategically insert control joints where needed so further cracking doesn’t occur.

After control joints are placed, the mason will seal any cracks so that water doesn’t get in and freeze. Don’t overlook this necessary step in the winterization process. If you check it off the list, your masonry will last a long time.

Clean out your gutters

Aside from leaves and branches, gutters accumulate dirt and other debris. When they’re full of material, there’s no room for rain so the water will run in undesirable places, such as over the gutters or into your home.

To keep gutters from backing up, get rid of any new or deteriorating material you find. Take a day to purge your entire gutter system so water properly channels away from your home’s façade, foundation and basement.

Check your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors

Winter fires in fireplaces and the use of heating units can poison inside air. Check carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they’re working. If you don’t have carbon monoxide detectors in each room, consider buying them.

Install new batteries in smoke alarms. While a peaceful winter is the goal, you never know when a holiday baking project will turn into an emergency. Be prepared by making sure your home is properly vented and ready to alert you to any potential danger.

Seal exterior wood trim and paneling

All exterior wood surfaces need to be sealed or painted so they’re protected from rain, sleet and snow. You’ll also want to treat exterior wood to ensure it lasts during extreme temperatures. Check for wood that needs replacing and tackle that task first. Then seal doors, window casings and paneling.

A good carpenter can take on this job, but many homeowners prefer to do small tasks like this themselves. Whether you want to seal wood yourself or hire a professional to do it, keep an eye out for cracking paint and chipping wood. These are signs that extensive winterization is necessary.

Clear out your chimney

Winter fires indoors are a cozy delight. Keep safety a priority by clearing out your chimneys. Having them cleaned and inspected by a licensed company is the best course of action. A chimney sweep can tell if it’s safe to use the fireplace and alert you to problems that need to be addressed.

Winterizing also means storing firewood in a location where it will stay out of the elements and be convenient. You won’t be able to build a safe and warm fire with rotted wood.

In addition to these ways to prepare your home for winter, shut down the sprinkler system, make sure trees nearby are healthy, audit for energy efficiency and winterize your lawn.

https://www.bhgre.com/bhgrelife/winterization/?pps=full_post

Cottage: Natural Charm

This charming cottage-style home is partially shielded from the street by an attractive gated fence and landscaping. The color of the house is a fresh blue-green backdrop for the lush array of bright flowers. The reddish-brown door blends nicely with the brick accents on the fence posts and walkway.

Colonial Revival: Pleasing Mix

Colors and textures blend effortlessly on this Colonial Revival house. A warm blue-gray color on the upper half contrasts beautifully with white below. Exposed wood shingles on certain standout features create a nice focal point, while white trim ties everything together.

Craftsman: Fresh Earth Tones

This attractive home displays a fresh spin on the earth tones that help define the Craftsman style. Arts and Crafts homes typically look good with paints that reflect the style’s emphasis on natural materials and organic colors. Here, well-coordinated greens with cream trim add to the home’s relaxed, timeless curb appeal.

Tudor: Rustic Charm

Classic red brick walls lend rustic charm to Tudor-style homes. Historically accurate, the stucco cladding the center gable is painted creamy white and paired with brown framing.

Victorian: Sophisticated Accents

The warm, sophisticated neutrals and red accents blend beautifully in this Victorian-style house. The brightly painted door provides the scheme with a deep contrasting color that’s picked up again on the trim below the cornice.

Ranch: Warm Neutrals

A pleasing beige-and-brown scheme works particularly well on this sprawling ranch-style home because so much surface area is exposed to the street. Natural stone adds texture to the facade, while the roof, front door and garage door match the trim.

Traditional: White and Bright

This classic home features a typical white field color with bright accents. Pale blue shutters and a sunny orange door are a fresh and unexpected break from tradition.

Georgian: Rich Blue

The deep blue of this Georgian-style home is a strong and inviting color. White trim adds contrast, and a wooden door acts as a focal point for the perfectly balanced architecture.

Eclectic: All in the Details

A neutral palette is perfect for this eclectic-style house because of the many details—such as divided-light windows, a columned portico and abundant texture. The brick walls are painted a slightly darker shade of gray than the shingled gables, offering subtle contrast. The welcoming red door provides a pop of color.

Cottage: Earthy Textures

This charming cottage-style home features a pleasing mix of earthy colors and textures. Dark-stained shakes siding blends nicely with the natural stone chimney, while small doses of white provide contrast. Interesting shutters painted dark green add color and detail.

Farmhouse: Classic Combo

Why fix what isn’t broken? The classic white-and-black combination on this traditional farmhouse sweeps you away to another place and time. A break from tradition, the dramatic black door is a nice, unexpected touch.

Dutch Colonial: Warm Neutrals

The sophisticated combination of gray, black and white on this classically handsome Dutch Colonial-style home creates a feeling of harmony that is restful to the eye. White trim and a dark front door and shutters partner effortlessly with the warm gray walls. The gray works well against the natural stone chimney because it offers contrast while still blending beautifully with the grout.

English Cottage: Contemporary Colors

This English country cottage is updated with a contemporary color scheme of warm neutrals. The home shows how opting for a light field color and dark trim can have a pleasing effect. The welcoming entryway is painted the same color as the trim, and the door adds a splash of color.

https://www.bhgre.com/bhgrelife/choose-a-palette-that-matches-your-homes-exterior-style/