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Cheap and Easy Ways to Improve Your Albuquerque Home

by Sandi Pressley

Are you trying to find ways to improve your home, but can't spend a fortune? Whether you plan to sell your home in Albuquerque, or just want to give it a fresh new feel, you can make a big impact on a budget.

Here's a list of simple and value-packed projects you can tackle to improve the look (and value) of your home.

Projects Under $100

1. Rearrange Furniture. Pull furniture away from the walls and position it at new, more inviting angles. You’ll change the look and dimension of your room.

2. Paint Walls. Choose one wall to paint in an accent color. Select a hue that’s already a part of the décor, one that complements and highlights your pieces.

3. Get Plenty of Greens. Lush broad-leafed plants are easy to maintain indoors and add some life to any room. If you don’t have a green thumb, opt for silk plants instead.

4. Accent Floors. A new rug is the perfect accent. Look for one that has colors that reflects your décor, and then angle it under a coffee table or dining room table.

5. Frame It. Use multiple frames that are of a similar style to create a framed picture collage on the wall. If frames don’t match, faux finish them for a complete look.

6. Light Up Your Room. Lighting dictates the mood of a room. Mix and match lamp bases and shades to create new looks. Looking for another bright idea? Add recessed lighting.

7. Go Faux. Create a whole new look with faux finishing. Washing, leafing, marbling and stripping can be used to change walls or make furniture look fresh.

8. Update Cabinets. New hardware can transform a kitchen. Select matching sets of knobs and pulls to completely change the look and feel of your cabinets.

9. Wallpaper. Wallpaper doesn’t need to go wall-to-wall. Use it with paint to accent borders or choose a single wall to express your style.

Projects Under $500

10. Update Fixtures. New fittings, a fresh vanity and new toilet can completely change the appearance of your bathroom. Choose sets that work well together.

11. Add Moulding. Crown moulding adds a touch of luxury. To install it yourself, buy extra moulding and practice your miter cuts before beginning.

12. Update Flooring. New flooring gives a room a boost from the bottom. Try a natural-looking wood laminate. It’s simple to install and yields extraordinary results.

13. Install a fan. A large, decorative ceiling fan with a light fixture can brighten a room and create a comfortable climate that you control at the touch of a button.

14. Organize Closets. Less clutter will make your entire home feel more spacious. Maximize storage with new shelving and wire organizers so everything is neat.

15. Care For Your Landscape. Add new hedges in the front, trees in the back and flowers that complement your home’s exterior. Little outdoor projects like these can really make you feel more settled in.

HOT ALBUQUERQUE PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!

521 ALBINO Road, Corrales, NM 87048

Majestic Custom Tuscan style home with over 3500 square feet, featuring an open & bright floorplan with thoughtful architectural & design details throughout! Grand foyer leads to stunning great room boasting a raised beamed ceiling; floor to ceiling 'stack' stone fireplace; picture windows to enjoy the Sandia Mtn views; & surround sound extending out to covered patio. Gourmet kitchen graced w/beautiful cabinets & granite counters; high end SS appliances including two built-in microwaves; oversized eat-at island; large pantry; & sunny nook. Exquisite custom etched glass doors lead into the formal dining room! Privately situated primary suite is a true retreat with its own east facing patio & spa like en suite. 

Learn More!

Contact us today to help you buy or sell your next home in Albuquerque. Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

Designing the Kitchen Island of Your Dreams

by Sandi Pressley

During the current Coronavirus outbreak, one of the only islands you're likely to see is the island in your Albuquerque kitchen, so why not make that island great?

You might be dreaming of having a kitchen island that is spacious and functional. Therefore, if you're planning to design an island or just playing around with the idea in your mind, the following tips can be of use.

Which Appliances Should Be in Your Island?

It's probably a good idea to put at least a few of the more functional items in your kitchen island. Besides saving space, it also makes things easier as you design the rest of the kitchen. 

A sink on the island is probably a good place to start. While it isn't exactly an appliance, you certainly use it all the time when you're in the kitchen. Your island should have a sink if you plan to prepare a lot of food there. 

Having your sink next to your dishwasher is a good idea, so you might want to include your dishwasher in your island. An island should have a wine or beverage cooler as well as a microwave. Pull-out refrigerator drawers are also available on some islands. 

It's possible to add your cooktop to your island, but you'll need to consider venting, so some people prefer not to do that.

How Much Storage Do You Want?

Once you know what appliances will go in your island, you can start thinking about storage. You should at least have a few pull-out drawers in an island that will be used for food preparation, as well as a place to store cutting boards.

Counter Height

Consider who will sit at the counter and how they will sit when deciding the counter height. If you intend to have barstools, they will probably be 36 or 42 inches tall. A two-level island can also be designed. One level might be higher for barstools, and the other might be lower so you can do prep.

If you have a 36-inch bar, it’s seating that’s somewhere between a typical barstool and a table.

Island Size

You need to think about not only what you want the island to achieve, but also the surrounding open space when choosing its size. The ends of the island should have at least three feet of floor space. At least 42 inches of space should be available on the sides for working and seating.

Usually, three feet is the ideal width for an island if you have enough room. When designing an island, proportion is crucial. Making sure that it flows well with the rest of your kitchen is important.

Once all the basic elements have been covered, you can move on to the fun parts. Which countertop material should you use, for instance? An island with a waterfall countertop, with stone or another solid surface cascading seamlessly from one end to the other, can be very beautiful. 

Consider lighting as well. You can make a statement above your island with pendant lights. When you have an open-concept layout, the design of your island is even more important since it is likely to be the focal point of your entire living space. Make it practical, but also fun.

HOT ALBUQUERQUE PROPERTY OF THE WEEK!

7509 MCNERNEY Avenue NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

Wonderful Mossman home in the desirable Uptown area. Beautiful refinished original hardwood floors. Renovated kitchen, with satin finished granite countertops, ample cabinets and island. Two open living spaces, a generous sized dining room, 3 bedrooms. Both bathrooms have been updated. Separate laundry room. Designer Paint colors throughout the home. oversized 2 car garage, room for storage or workshop. Large backyard. Refrigerated Air. Roof replaced in 10/2020. This home is a true Gem.

Learn More!

Contact us today to help you buy or sell your next home in Albuquerque. Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team

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Photo of The Sandi Pressley Team Real Estate
The Sandi Pressley Team
Coldwell Banker Legacy
10400 Academy Rd. NE Suite 100
Albuquerque NM 87111
505-980-2999
505-263-2173 / 505 293-3700
Fax: 505-212-0729

Quick links to this site are also SandiSells.net or SandiSellsHomes.com