Home Improvement Archives » Larry & Kathy Reichle

Backyard Structures: The New Necessity

August 4, 2020 by Kathy Reichle Leave a Comment

Take a look at your current outdoor space. Maybe you have a terrace, patio, or deck. Maybe you have a table and chairs or some outdoor sports equipment. But what if you could put that space to really good use? What if you could use your backyard to create a space that adds value to your home’s equity—and to your everyday life? For many homeowners, the best new home improvement or addition isn’t connected to the home at all—it’s a specialty backyard structure.

Whether you’re looking for space for your new work from home lifestyle or you want to build more financial security into your life, a separate exterior space offers convenience, flexibility, and privacy. Here are some ideas for making that backyard space more useful than ever.

Guest House

For those with big families or a home located in a desirable resort area, a guest house is a great option for an upgraded backyard space. Keep in mind storage options for your guests’ luggage and include basic toiletries like toothpaste, toothbrushes, and shampoo. While you might not need a full kitchen in a guest house, a wet bar with an ice maker and small beverage refrigerator is a great option and a welcome addition to your guest house design.

Pool House

Long a staple of elegant luxury homes, the pool house is beginning to look like a necessity. Here you’ll find a great place to store pool toys and floats, with floor coverings and furnishings that can stand up to wet bathing suits and flipflops. Include a cabana bath for added convenience, and WiFi for quiet rest time when kids need to get out of the sun.

She-Shed or He-Shed

Whether it’s intended for the man of the house or the woman of the house, an outdoor structure can provide a place for peace and privacy. Create a football-themed media room for the ultimate backyard man-cave. Create a serene space for her to pursue her hobbies or just get away from the hustle and bustle inside the main house.

Granny Shed

If you have in-laws who frequently come over to help with the kids or are looking to integrate elderly parents into your household, the so-called Granny Shed is a great option. It preserves the privacy and autonomy of grandma and grandpa while providing the support that they may need as they age and mobility becomes more of an issue. The single-story design and smaller size will help with home upkeep and safety. Consider adding features like extra lighting, additional handrails, and grab bars to provide extra security and comfort for aging family members.

Fitness Studio

Whether you’re looking for a standalone home gym or a yoga studio, you’ll be more inspired to keep up with your daily workout routine when going to the gym is as easy as stepping out of your back door. Create a combination space with a variety of gym equipment, mirrors, and a barre so that the whole family can take part, from the smallest ballerina to the strongest weightlifter.

Homeschool Classroom

As COVID-19 shut down schools, many parents found themselves struggling with helping their students study at home. One of the reasons? Too many distractions. If your school district is planning to remain closed for part or all of the school day over the next year, or if you’re thinking of continuing to homeschool your children, it may be time to create a separate space devoted to study.

A remote learning environment can help your child separate from their normal spaces, like a bedroom or playroom, and focus on schoolwork. Add bookshelves and tables as well as educational posters to create a stimulating learning environment. Include upgraded WiFi for fast access to the online classroom.

Home Office

As businesses decide to offer work from home as a permanent role for more and more of their workers, many two-income households find themselves struggling to create space for dueling Zoom meetings and uninterrupted work-time. A separate workspace creates the distance you need to be more productive while still remaining at home. Make your separate home office the dedicated workspace for one of you, or make it a rotational space for either person’s virtual meetings, phone calls, and work that requires undivided attention.

Rental Unit

Economic disruption caused by the pandemic has some people rethinking their financial planning. If you have the space, a separate structure may be a great option for conversion into a small rental unit. If you live in a college town or in an area with a large population of renters, you may want to use the space for long-term leases. If you live in a resort area, you may want to host short-term and vacation renters.

Remember to determine what structural elements are required for rental properties in your area and whether your HOA sets limits on rental properties in your community. In addition, consult with your CPA or financial advisor on the tax implications of a rental property, consult your lawyer on the legal liability associated with such a unit, and determine what adjustments you’ll need to make to your insurance coverage.

Design Options for Your Backyard Structure

One of the best features of your backyard structure is that it doesn’t have to conform to the style of your residence. In many cases, you can indulge your own individual design aesthetic and add a touch of whimsy with a fanciful guest house or other exterior space in a style totally different from that of the main home. Here too, be sure to check with your HOA to ensure that there are no restrictions governing the design or placement of your secondary structure.

By: Christy Murdock Edgar

Sheltering In Place Is Changing What People Want From Their Homes

June 26, 2020 by Kathy Reichle Leave a Comment

A flex space might evolve over the years to meet your shifting needs. GETTY

Sheltering in place during the Coronavirus pandemic has inspired homeowners to tackle home improvement projects that better suit their needs. There are many reasons to renovate that run the gamut from accommodating remote work to sprucing up or adding outdoor living spaces.

“Our homes have come under the microscope like never before during the months-long sheltering in place,” says Dan DiClerico, home expert at HomeAdvisor, an online home improvement resource. “The quarantine has caused an intense assessment of what works and doesn’t work, first and foremost with functionality, but also with the home’s overall design and aesthetics.”

The process is ongoing, he added, explaining “we’re already seeing a new set of preferences and priorities emerge as homeowners consider which features matter most, whether they’re making improvements to their existing home or looking to move to a new one.”

Updating functionality, efficiency

Smiling Mature Woman With Laptop Working In Home Office — A dedicated home office can boost productivity. GETTY

“While it’s always possible to put on an addition or refinish the basement, most homeowners have a finite amount of floor space in the home to work with,” says DiClerico. “That’s forcing some reapportioning of square footage as new needs emerge. The most obvious example is the home office—at least for those people who have the luxury to work from home. In the past, people might have been happy to work at the kitchen table or cram their office into an oversized closet.

In an era of virtual meetings, interior design for Zoom calls and webinars is uncharted territory. “Today’s home office also serves as a public staging area, so form and function are equally important,” DiClerico says. “In homes with large master bedroom suites, many homeowners are co-opting floor space that might have functioned as a reading nook or grooming station for their newly elevated home office. Along with the essentials of a working office — desk, chair, printer, etc. — it features a personalized backdrop for video calls, say a bookcase with relevant titles or a favorite piece of artwork hanging on the wall.”

HomeAdvisor is also seeing more interest in so-called flex rooms, or rooms that serve multiple functions. “The room might be your staging area for the home office, but it also serves as the home gym, with room for the Peloton bike or yoga mat, and maybe even a guest bedroom, with the addition of a pull-out sofa and side table,” says DiClerico.

He notes that in new construction, some builders are reducing the size of the garage to make room in the floor plan for these essential flex spaces.

A focus on outdoor living

Garden Patio with fire pit and chairs — A patio provides a close connection to nature. GETTY

Staying at home is the new going out, and outdoor living spaces reflect the same expectations many people have for their home’s interior. DiClerico says the outdoor living trend was building before COVID-19, but it’s now supercharged.

“The quarantine forced people to see their outdoor spaces with new eyes,” he says. “In the past, a deck or patio might have been seen as a nice amenity for occasional barbecues. But now this outdoor space is an essential expansion of the home’s living space. Again, think flexibility and multi-functionality. Sure, it’s a place to grill hamburgers for an open-air meal, but with the right furnishings and shade protection, it might be a place for kids to do their home schooling. Or maybe there’s a wellness corner, with room to roll out a yoga mat or put down a meditation cushion.”

Related to outdoor living is the idea of biophilic design, or the creation of homes that foster a connection to nature.

DiClerico says, “At the high-end, we’re seeing expansive walls of glass, which create a seamless transition into outdoor living rooms. When that’s not in the budget, homeowners are using outdoor plants, natural materials and nature-inspired paint colors to enhance their home’s feeling of biophilia.”

Eliminating clutter

Dressing room — Closet organizer systems are having a moment during the pandemic. GETTY

“As the months of quarantine wore on, the clutter piled up, forcing homeowners to take storage and organization to a whole new level,” says DiClerico. “We’re seeing a ton of interest around closet organization systems and kitchen pantries, addressing two hotbeds of disorder in the home.”

The pandemic led to a major uptick in online-shopping. “That meant more packages being delivered, and also more packages going missing, whether from theft or simply because they get lost in the chaos of quarantine living,” explains DiClerico. “That’s creating the need for a dedicated package receiving center. It might simply be a freestanding drop box near the front door. But we’re also seeing more high-tech solutions, such as automated pass-throughs connected to a mudroom or other utility space, allowing delivery persons to safely deposit packages inside the home.”

DIY pet grooming stations

Beagle mix hound getting rinsed of soap from a bath — A key piece of equipment for a dog-washing station is a handheld shower head. GETTY

Pet adoption has skyrocketed during the pandemic as more people look for additional sources of companionship at home.

“Families don’t want to wash their four-legged friends in the same tub they bathe the kids, which has led to an increase in dedicated pet-grooming stations,” says DiClerico. “Outdoor stations might consist of a raised freestanding bath with showerhead that attaches to the garden hose. Inside grooming stations could be located in a basement or utility space, perhaps next to the washing machine, to take advantage of nearby plumbing and drainage.”

20 Unexpected Color Palettes That Work

September 5, 2019 by Kathy Reichle Leave a Comment

Take your home to a bold new level by trying out one of these unexpected, but surprisingly perfect, color palettes. Did you know that you could mix red, white and blue with black-and-white stripes? Find out how.

Teal + Red
Teal and red create one of those unexpected color combinations that instantly evokes a feeling of familiarity. The deep red-brown hue of the stools mixed with copper accents and contrasting shades of blue are reminiscent of cool fall days and falling leaves. Photo courtesy of Camilla Molders
Copper Red + Black and White
This ultra-chic living room features contemporary decor with an extra helping of glam. Designer Caitlin Murray grounds the space with a gorgeous copper red rug, which first draws your eyes down. Then she brings your eyes back up and around the room with the use of a bold blue sofa, metallic accents and a moody black ceiling. Together, these colors look sophisticated, glitzy and a bit retro.
Coral + Emerald Green
Although often seen as a softer, more pastel shade of pink, coral is actually a pretty vocal and vibrant color. This sea-inspired hue stands out with both darker and more subdued colors like pale peach, seafoam green and white. In this girl’s bedroom, designer Mollie Openshaw mixes this punchy shade with both emerald green and stark white for an especially eye-catching effect. She uses a bold coral nightstand to grab your attention and a pretty floral accent wall to pull the look together.
Orange + Shades of Blue
When designing a room, a jolting shade of tangerine and various shades of blue may not be the first color combination that comes to mind. However, the two pair very well together when used correctly (and won't make you feel like you're cheering for a sports team). In this room, think of the subdued and grayed shades of blue as neutrals. The tangerine chair, crib mattress and changing table are now beautiful, vibrant accents among soft blue surroundings. Designer Sarah Richardson adds just the perfect amount of orange accessories to create that shot of color.
Orange + Hot Pink
Rather than choosing a traditional color palette for this girl's room, D2 Interieurs goes for something a little more modern and daring. Bright orange and hot pink pair to create a vibrant, lively combination that pops against crisp white walls. Although these colors are side by side on the color wheel, they look stunning together.
Red, White and Blue, Plus Black and White
Designer Tobi Fairley takes a daring approach when choosing the color scheme for this preppy/traditional entryway. First, she uses bright red frames on the wall for the most noticeable burst of color. Then, she coordinates with a bright blue chair with red trim. The surprise comes when she adds a sky-blue and white console table and a black-and-white-striped rug. Red, white, blue and black can absolutely work together!
Turquoise + Tangerine
The color combination of turquoise, tangerine, gold and white presents an exotic, global feel, especially when introduced through vases and curved end tables. Each color, although used differently, appears balanced and equal. Photo courtesy of Phillip Jeffries.
Red + Olive Green + Brown
Red plus green equals sleigh bells and mistletoe, right? Not in this contemporary living room. Designer Justin DiPiero is sure to use the two complementary hues without making it feel like a holiday room. To make this combo work, he adds creamy brown and stark white. Now, the palette feels rich and sophisticated.
Indigo + Copper
When we say copper, we don't mean the metal. In this designer bedroom, a copper-orange upholstered headboard and bed frame make an eye-catching debut among an otherwise white and indigo color palette. The hues complement each other and allow the white to create balance with contrast. Photo courtesy of Massucco Warner Miller Interior Design.
White + A Little Bit of Everything
The age-old saying goes, "less is more," but in this case we can say, "more is more." Designer Stefani Stein gives this home’s entry a modern, eclectic feel by combining a variety of colors and design styles. Although she mixes orange, fuchsia, black, green, nude and plenty of other hues in this small space, she does it with such ease, balance and control that it looks like these colors were meant to be together.
Bright Red, Coral + Emerald
Much like classic green and red, emerald green and red can make a room feel like a year-round holiday, too. By mixing in lighter shades of red, like coral or pink, and adding an eye-catching pattern on the walls, you can instantly use these classic holiday hues without feeling like you're stuck in a year-round carol.
Navy Blue + Pale Coral
You're probably used to seeing neutral hues used on the walls of bedrooms, but with a little paint you can easily spice up a room's color palette. In this bedroom, designer Brian Patrick Flynn uses a pale coral paint on the walls, which contrasts with the rich blue headboard and accents, creating a stunning combination.
Teal + Citrus
In this hip bathroom, a deep jewel-toned blue is energized with touch of citrusy yellow that pops against the natural wood vanity. Matte black accents complete the striking design.
Burgundy + Hot Pink + Autumn Yellow
Designer Breeze Giannasio unites color exceptionally well in this stunning living room. She uses a neutral hue on the walls to warm up the room before adding several blasts of color. Her combination of burgundy, hot pink and autumn yellow creates an energetic, stylish and inviting space.
Lime Green + Citrus Yellow
If you're feeling especially brave, why not go for a color combination that is anything but subtle? Lime green and citrus yellow? It works! In this dining room, yellow and green are used as the primary colors, while light blue is used as an accent color. D2 Interieurs calms the vibrant color scheme with crisp white walls.
Butterscotch + Shades of Green
Designer Joanna Gaines steers away from the traditional kid color palette when designing this boys’ room. On the walls she uses various shades of earthy green to create depth, and throughout the room she uses touches of butterscotch to create warmth.
Aqua + Ruby Red
Take your living room to a whole new level by combining vivacious hues in your tranquil space. Here, aqua walls pair with ruby red and stark white accents give this room a modern and energetic feel. Red and aqua may feel like strangers on the color spectrum, but in this room they look perfect together.
Golden Yellow + Kelly Green
Kids' bedrooms should be full of spirit and liveliness, just like the kids themselves are. In this stylish nursery, designer Bri Moysa uses an unusual but well-paired combination of Kelly green and golden yellow around the room. Green-and-white wallpaper creates a focal point on the walls, and patterned yellow bedding is certainly a fun way to play with a traditional room element. Black and white accents bring the entire look together.
Wine + Rust
Searching for a more saturated color scheme? Duckworth Interiors serves up some serious inspiration in this jewel-toned living room. Deep wine-colored walls provide a rich backdrop for the rust velvet sofa and ottoman, while weathered gray floors and nubby rugs in the same shade ground the intense design.
Lilac + Peach + Midnight Blue
Edgy and moody yet elegant and feminine, this complex color palette is in a league of its own. Midnight blue and charcoal gray create weight and depth, while lilac and peach punch up the pretty factor. Crisp white pulls the look together.

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