Floor purchases are often postponed because homeowners are confused about how to make a selection. But Erinn Valencich, celebrity designer and contestant on NBC’s reality home design show, American Dream Builders, says choosing a floor is easier than you think.

“Selecting new flooring may seem like a momentous task, but it doesn’t have to be,” she says. “If you approach it understanding the selection process, bringing in images of spaces you like for color reference, it’s not intimidating … but really quite fun.”

When considering new flooring you should evaluate your lifestyle. Many people prefer hard surface floors for high traffic areas of the home and carpet for bedrooms or dens.

Valencich is a fan of the warm look of wood in her designs and often uses premium laminates in place of hardwoods for active families.

“With all the new options of laminate available today, I often use it in place of real wood,” says Valencich, “The primary reason – durability. Laminates simply can withstand more punishment. And seriously, with quality laminates like the Reclaime Collection from Quick-Step, it’s next to impossible to tell the difference.”

So how do you choose your new floor? Valencich offers three easy steps to help guide you through the process.

1. Think color first.

When redoing a room, Valencich always starts with fabric swatches to determine a color palette. So if you’re refreshing a room, you’ll want to select a floor that will complement the new color palette of your fabrics and walls. Valencich recommends finding a floor color that contrasts with the walls and furniture in the room. If you have rich, dark walls, a lighter floor creates a dramatic difference. White and light walls may look more dramatic when paired with mid-tone or dark floors.

The popularity of gray-toned furniture hasn’t faded and you’ll be seeing these rich patinas for some time into the future. Likewise gray floors remain hugely popular because they create an amazing foundation for a room.

2. Choose your style.

With the resurgence of vintage looks in furniture and accessories, reclaimed, time-worn and rustic textures are extremely popular while smooth surfaces are always a classic.

Valencich often combines a rustic textured floor with the clean lines of a contemporary space. “I like to pair a warm rustic texture with a variety of smooth finishes. They create a nice contrast in a space and make a more modern look feel warm and accessible,” she says.

Of course rustic floors are the perfect fit for the contemporary cottage look and smooth surface floors work well in any decor. There’s no right or wrong, so choose what speaks to you and your style.

3. Visualize your floor in your home.

When you’ve narrowed your choices it’s time to visualize the new floors in your home. There are several ways to do this. Most manufacturers provide some type of visualization tool on their websites. Quick-Step flooring allows you to visualize a new floor in your room by downloading the free Style My Floor app from us.quick-step.com. This tool lets you play around as much as you like, trying out new floors in your room, before you make a purchase. You can also share the visuals with family and friends via email or social media to get their input.

Once you’ve narrowed your choices, it’s best to see actual flooring samples in your room with available light. Samples can either be ordered online or checked-out from your local retailer. It’s wise to involve your retailer early on in the process; he can provide great information on product specifications, durability and maintenance. Your retailer will also measure the room, order flooring and arrange installation.

For more information on Quick-Step floors or to view Erinn’s video on “How To Select A Floor” as well as more of her design tips, visit us.quick-step.com.

The post A sure-footed way to choose new flooring first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Spring outdoor projects often show up on both lists. Upgrades can provide a welcoming retreat for your family, or can improve your home’s marketability and appeal to potential buyers when it comes time to sell. Fortunately, it’s easy to find simple projects that take only a weekend and a modest budget to accomplish.

“Adding elements like planter boxes and raised garden beds is a great way of creating impact without a huge commitment of time,” says home improvement expert Mark Clement, co-host of “My Fix it Up Life” which airs nationally, on iTunes, Blog Talk Radio and at MyFixitUpLife.com

Clement offers some easy tips to help guide weekend projects that anyone can build:

Raised bed gardens.  Some of the most abundant vegetable, herb and cut-flower gardens grow exceptionally well in raised beds because there is less soil compaction and they allow for excellent drainage.  While raised beds are extremely functional, they can also add style to your yard and garden. Their organized appearance lends a structural element, particularly if you construct them with quality materials like cedar.  

“By carefully selecting the right materials, your garden bed will last longer and look better. Western Red Cedar is a good choice because it is easy to work with, rot-resistant, and it ages beautifully and maintains its shape and strength over the years, even when exposed to extreme weather,” Clement adds.    

Window and planter boxes.  An easy and fun green project, wood planter boxes can be built in an afternoon. Whether arranged in a group or hung as window boxes, they instantly add a warm texture and welcoming touch to your front porch or backyard deck when filled with foliage. This project allows do-it-yourselfers to inject some personality that transforms the look from simple to elaborate and tie into the character and style of your home.

“Even if you’ve never built a box, you can create a classic look by adding a bit of thin trim to the top and bottom of the box,” Clement says. “You can also buy wooden brackets to support the window box for a more traditional look.”

Simple structures.  For those looking to tackle a bigger project, invite friends over and make it a do-it-yourself project party.  From small decks to barbeque platforms, or front door arbors to backyard gazebos, gather friends to help assemble projects that create new spaces and places to entertain or dress up your outdoors. “I love to make things that give my yard and home a finished touch,” Clement says. “And making something as a project makes it truly yours and a part of your home – something you can be proud of and really enjoy.”

Power washing your deck, play equipment and even your furniture is also an easy, low-commitment, low-cost way to spruce up your outdoor environment. You can buy or rent a power-washer and accomplish the job in a day. Clement does advise to carefully follow the manufacturers’ instructions when using a power-washer, as too much pressure can cause damage. “If used properly, it will brighten up the space like you wouldn’t believe,” he adds. “If you’re really ambitious, add a clear finish or dark-colored stain to your wood deck and the neighbors will think it’s brand new.”

Finally, Clement’s top tip this spring is simple: Have fun. Share your experience and project photo with friends and family via Real Cedar’s Facebook page.

For detailed steps on how to construct these projects, visit: http://www.youtube.com/user/WRCLA/featured.

The post Easy, Affordable Weekend Spruce-up Projects first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Before you sell yourself short, consider following some of these simple DIY do’s and don’ts to make tackling your home improvement project a little more manageable and affordable.

* Do recognize your limits – It’s OK if you can’t handle the entire kitchen remodel on your own. Identify what components you can tackle solo before getting quotes for the project. Handling things like paint jobs and new cabinet hardware can help bring down overall costs. More often than not, the right tools also make a big difference. Also, it’s OK to ask a friend or family member for help – two hands are better than one.  Just be sure to return the favor when the time comes.

* Don’t underestimate the power of glue. From installing tile backsplashes and in-wall cabinets to sealing gutters and downspouts, high-performance adhesives are a must-have for every home. The Loctite brand is suitable for multiple DIY uses, including upgrades and repairs. So forget about tossing that broken lamp to the curb or replacing that loose drawer handle. A little glue goes a long way. To learn more about what adhesive is right for your project, visit the Loctite Product Advisor at www.loctiteproducts.com/product_advisor/.

* Do develop a mental picture – Before rushing into home projects, take the time to really envision what you want out of the renovation or update. Is the goal to make your kitchen more modern? Are you looking to maximize space in the bathroom? Pictures can help bring these goals to life. Stock up on magazines and pull out any photos that capture the essence of your project.

* Don’t rush – We are all familiar with old adage “haste makes waste.” Haste also can be costly. Do your homework before tackling home updates. Decide where to begin and carefully plan each step of the process. This includes taking accurate measurements, using effective tools and comparing prices on building materials.

Keep in mind that you won’t do yourself any favors by shrugging off advice or not planning in advance. Remodeling industry professionals report that between 25 and 30 percent of their work comes from fixing DIY debacles. While there are sure to be a few hiccups along the way, you will discover a new sense of pride and empowerment once your project is completed.

The post Home How-To for the Simple Fixer first appeared on The How Do Gardener.