SmartHomeOwners

Planning on a garage sale soon?  Don't settle for the atypical garage sale routine.  There are ways to attract more shoppers and make more money.  Here are some tips to have a successful garage sale.

Tip #1:  Offer Plenty

Don't even think of having a garage sale until you have plenty to offer your shoppers.  Yard sale goers enjoy sifting through lots of stuff to find their hidden treasures.  Clean out your home, attic, garage, storage building, etc. to find items you don't plan to use anymore.  Also, avoid selling items that are broken or junkie unless they can be purchased for parts (TVs, electronics, etc.).  If you lack items to sell, ask a friend or two to join in with you.  You can then share the advertising expenses.

Tip #2:  Use Strategy in Advertising

The best way to attract lots of shoppers is to use the right advertising strategy.  Place an ad in your local paper stating when and where the garage sale will take place.  List a few of the larger items as well as clothing and shoe sizes if possible.  Pay a little more if you must so you can add more wording in your ad.  More details in your ad may attract more shoppers seeking specific items.  Also, create large poster signs with bold marker writing to place at road intersections near your home.  The signs should be clearly written with a large arrow and the address to avoid confusion.

You should also consider creating flyers about your garage sale with more details about the products that are available.  Include your address and phone number (you might sell items for several days beforehand).  Include a special cut-out coupon on the flyer (e.g. Take an additional $3 off for every $10 spent!).  Ask local beauty shops and stores to display your flyers for a few days.

*Hint:  Find out if there are restrictions in your area about placing signage on poles or posts.  Laws can vary from one community to the next.

Tip #3:  Offer Refreshments

While refreshments can be a hassle, they may also keep your shoppers lingering around a little longer.  To keep things simple, offer lemonade or coke and cookies.  Use this as an opportunity to talk with shoppers and find out if they need help finding an item.

Tip #4:  Get an Early Start

Many garage sale fans start at 5:00 or 6:00 am to get all the best deals.  If you want to catch their business, you'll have to start early too.  Have all your items priced and ready to put out on display the evening before.  This will make it easier to start your sale early.

Tip #5:  Time It Right

Schedule your garage sale for the time of the month when most workers in your area get paid (such as first of the month or middle of the month).  Avoid having garage sales on a holiday weekend, except maybe Mother's Day, Father's Day or Valentine's Day.  Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Labor Day and July 4th are no-no's because a lot of people are busy or out of town.

Tip #6:  Smart Arrangements

Arrange your tables and products so they are easy to access.  Use bright-colored plastic tablecloths to attract attention.  Organize clothing and shoes by size if possible.  If you are selling outfits or dresses, it's best to hang these on a line between trees or on a rack.  Try to place all items on tables or somewhere within easy reach.  Many elderly folks visit garage sales and might have a difficult time bending down to view items on the ground.  Also, be sure to price everything with signs and stickers.  This makes it much easier to handle a large volume of shoppers at once.  You won't have to worry about folks constantly asking "how much is this item!"

Tip #7:  Weather Plans

Prepare for high winds, rain or other potential weather problems.  Have a backup plan in case the weather doesn't cooperate.  State in your ad if your sale will go on "rain, snow or shine" or if you plan to "cancel if rains."  This will save shoppers an extra trip!

Tip #8:  Bundle Deals

Offer items for sale in bundles with a discount.  Shoppers love to get a good deal.  Use sales bundles such as "Fill a Bag for $1" or "Buy 4 and Get 1 Free!"  Also, be willing to negotiate for better pricing.  Expect haggling from most shoppers and price your items accordingly.

These are just a few ways to have a successful garage sale.  Use these tactics to make a hefty profit while getting rid of all the items you no longer use or want!

As warm weather rolls around, you might be considering a new patio for your home.  Patios provide added space outdoors to entertain guests and relax after a hard day's work.  You can grill out or take a rest on your comfortable patio furniture.  A patio can also add value and exterior appeal to your home.  Building a patio is one home improvement project that offers lasting benefits.

Choosing Patio Materials

Whether you choose to build a patio yourself or hire a professional patio/deck builder, the first thing to consider is what type of patio material you will use.  Patios can be made of wood, concrete, brick or flagstone...and the designs for patios are innumerable!  The material you choose will likely determine how you will decorate your completed patio.  With a wood patio, for instance, you might use simplistic wooden or rustic patio furniture with decorative plants in wooden planters.  If you use a modern-style brick or concrete patio, then you might prefer wrought iron patio furniture or elegant cloth-padded furniture.

Using wood for your patio offers many options on its own.  There is a variety of wood types that can be used for patios, such as redwood, cedar wood, cypress and pressure-treated lumber.  Probably the most popular among natural wood decks are redwood and cedar. These are the most durable when sealer is used, and will create a beautiful look and feel for your home.  Cypress is used in warmer climates and is less expensive.  You might also opt for synthetic decking, which looks like wood but is actually a durable substitute.  It is made of vinyl, plastic or wood polymer.

If you'd rather stay away from wooden patio designs, consider brick, concrete or flagstone.  Brick is available in various patterns and colors, and will certainly stand the test of time.  You can also use poured concrete with brick paths scattered here and there to save money and create a unique design of your own.  Flagstone also offers flexibility in design but is more expensive.  Regardless of which material you choose for your patio, be sure to pour a level foundation.  This is crucial because your patio will be exposed to weather elements on a daily basis, and your overall design outcome will depend on the stability of the foundation.

Covered Patios

Another choice to consider is whether you would like a covered patio or completely open patio.  Covered patios offer shade from the sun and protection from rain.  Your patio can act as a shelter while grilling out, etc. if a rain storm pops up suddenly during your family cookout!  Adding a patio cover also adds expense to your project, so you'll need to consider your overall budget and what options you can afford.

The shape and design of your patio can be a traditional square or rectangle shape or a curvy design that "moves" with your yard.  Ask a deck architect to draw up several possible plans for your patio, considering the way your home and yard join together.  This will be based upon how much yard space you have and the amount of space available at that particular area of your house.  Having several design plans to choose from will help you think out of the box!

Once you've completed your patio project, you can decorate, plant bushes or flowers around the patio, insert outdoor lighting near the steps, etc. to create a gorgeous yard decor.  Use your creativity and make the most of your new home addition!

Selecting furniture is just one of the many exciting tasks to look forward to when buying a new home.  You'll want to make your new home fit your style while providing comfort for your family and guests.  How you choose to furnish your new home will make all the difference.  Here are some quick furniture selection tips to make the task go smoothly.

Complete All Remodeling and Finishing Touches

Homes that are incomplete or that need a little work should be completely ready before choosing furniture. Why?  Because it's difficult to furnish a room without visualization.  You'll need to see the room after it has been finished and painted, or after the last piece of wallpaper has been hung.  This allows you to imagine how the furniture will look in the room.  So don't pick out your furniture until you're actually ready to move in.

Use Color Swatches

Avoid guessing at color matches for your furniture and room colors.  Take samples or swatches of your room colors with you to the furniture store.  Keep in mind that colors don't always look the same under various types of lighting.

Measurements

Measure the space available in each room for your furnishings.  The available space will determine the length, width and shape of items such as your couch or love seat, dining room table and chairs, bedroom suits, etc.

Buy Smaller Accessories Later

Buy the large furniture items first to see how each piece will fit in your room.  Then add accessories as needed to complete your ensemble.  This allows you to gradually decorate your room without buying too many items at once.  You can accessorize with plants (live or fake), tables, lamps, wall paintings, wall sconces, magazine tables, bookshelves, vases, etc. in the living areas.  In the bedroom, a simple table and lamp will do with a couple of wall paintings.  For the kitchen, create a theme and scour yard sales for matching kitchen decor. You can easily add a few items here and there if you're on a tight budget.  If you posses antique tables or dressers, consider refinishing them to match your new furniture.  This is much less costly than replacing them with new ones, and you can use them for many years to come!

Opt for High Quality

When buying furniture, avoid brands that are cheaply made.  These will likely fall apart after just a few years of use.  Ideally, a couch, chair and love seat should last at least 10 years or more.  The same goes for a kitchen table or bed frame.  Don't be allured by very low prices.  Do some research on furniture brands, and be willing to pay more for quality workmanship.  You'll end up saving money for the long haul.  Also, consider the features being offered.  Do you want a reclining chair or sofa?  What about built in storage or a sleeper sofa?

Choose furniture that makes your home feel welcoming and comfortable.  Be sure to provide adequate seating for guests if you often entertain others.  Look for the features that will make you happy for years to come!

Five years ago, the ideal master bathroom was supposed to be large and lavish, with a huge Jacuzzi tub and a long marble vanity.

Times have changed, of course, and so have budgets. ``Everyone's scaling down in every single room,'' says Sabrina Soto, a real estate agent and host of HGTV's ``Real Estate Intervention'' and ``Get It Sold.''

And yet, Soto says, people still want their bathroom to be something special. It's where their day begins and ends, ``so it's really a destination for them within their homes.''

How can you create a fabulous bathroom without overspending?

Soto, decordemon.com founder Brian Patrick Flynn and Los Angeles-based interior designer Betsy Burnham weigh in on the best ways to create an extraordinary, truly personalized bathroom:

CUSTOM CREATIONS

Burnham often makes medicine cabinets for clients. It's surprisingly simple: ``The contractor or builder creates a box for me, and I pick a wonderful frame at my framer and have a mirror made. We use a big hinge on the side that opens 180 degrees.''

``In a bathroom, you want to use every bit of space you have for storage,'' she says. ``So it's a great way to have an original piece over your sink'' and also create ample shelf space.

Rather than buying a complete sink and vanity, Flynn suggests choosing a cabinet or dresser at a flea market and then having a sink fitted into the top. Choose a cabinet with legs if you want the illusion of more floor space.

You'll just need a carpenter to cut holes in the top and back. Then a plumber can attach the sink and install the whole thing.

Vessel sinks, where the bowl rests above the vanity, can work well with this kind of design. They come in a huge array of colours and materials. But Burnham cautions that they are very trendy right now and might feel dated as time passes.

THE RIGHT MATERIALS

Consider the overall design of your home as you choose the permanent elements of the bathroom.

``A more classic bath in a classic, traditional house really does ask for ceramic tile'' in crisp white or a soft cream, Burnham says. ``If you've got a more modern house, and you're putting in metal windows, then I love stone'' for floors, countertops and even walls.

Other possibilities: ``People are now going into the eco-friendly options, like bamboos or recycled glass,'' says Soto. ``And recycled tires and paper are being used for countertops _ it's really durable.''

If the walls are a solid, neutral colour, Burnham likes to go ``a bit crazier on the floors, like a black and white pattern or a stone mosaic.''

A wooden bathroom floor is also a possibility. The wood can be treated to resist moisture and can be painted any colour.

What about wallpaper? It's hugely popular right now, though it's more common in small powder rooms than in master baths.

``Can you do wallpaper in a bath you use daily? Yes,'' says Burnham. ``My wallpaper guy told me abut this wonderful finish-coat that your painter can paint over the wallpaper'' to protect it from moisture over time.

If you don't want to commit to an entire room of wallpaper, Soto suggests papering one wall in a large, bold pattern.

CHOOSING HUES

Like Burnham, Flynn favours baths done in all white or black and white. These choices ``never get old,'' he says, ``and then any single colour you mix in will go great.''

Flynn also likes white in contrast with charcoal or black/brown (which he describes as ``basically a mix of super-dark brown and charcoal, richer than black and not as harsh'').

You can bring in a bold accent colour by painting one wall, or just through towels and accessories. In choosing accent colours, Soto says, pick something that works well with the decor of the master bedroom.

Also, Flynn says, consider how a given colour makes you look in the bathroom light. This is a place where ``you spend a lot of time looking at yourself,'' he says, and if the walls give off a greenish hue you may not feel very attractive first thing in the morning.

Another colour tip, this one from Soto: Use darker shades of grout, because they're easier to keep looking clean.

POPULAR SPLURGES

``Instead of a big Jacuzzi tub, people want a soaking tub. Or they're getting rid of the tub altogether,'' says Soto. ``People would rather have a huge shower that maybe has two showerheads, or do the steam-room shower.''

Rain and waterfall showerheads come in many styles, and some units have sprays that run head-to-toe.

If you want a tub, consider a freestanding model. They are modern versions of old clawfoot tubs, but with a base that goes all the way to the floor. They feel more like a distinctive piece of furniture than a built-in part of the bathroom.

Heated floors are a splurge that some people consider well worth it. Heated towel racks, which are less expensive, offer some of the same luxury. And some of Burnham's clients say they must have a TV in the bathrooom for watching news in the morning.

One last fabulous touch? Flynn loves using a chandelier in place of a basic ceiling light.

When you walk into someone's home, your first impression of that home is generally molded by the foyer or vestibule.  A home's entrance either welcomes guests with open arms or causes them to want to look for the nearest exit!  Whether you're building a home and need to design a foyer from scratch or wish to remodel your existing entrance hallway, these home design tips can simplify the process.

Locate a Focal Point

Focal points are crucial in establishing an overall look and feel for a home's front entrance.  Find the main focal point.  Is it an elegantly curved stairwell?  A distinct hallway?  A large, fancy chandelier?  The focal point is often the largest item or feature in a room.  If your entrance doesn't have a focal point, then create one!  Generally a large, decorative chair or a vintage style loveseat can be displayed in larger foyers.  These furniture pieces create a warm welcome, but don't necessarily have to be comfortable.  They foyer is usually for "looks only."

Foyer Colors

The color of a foyer or vestibule doesn't have to be the same color as the rest of the home, but should blend well with the adjacent walls.  Foyers can be bright and cheery or soft and cozy.  It depends on the mood you'd like to set for your guests as they venture into the remainder of your home.  Since a foyer is designed to set the mood, consider using colors and a decor theme that are consistent with the decor in other rooms.  This makes your home appear well organized and gives guests a sense of security and well being during their visit.  Popular colors for foyers are cream, light tan, light mauve, baby blue and dull red or burgundy.  Wallpaper of various colors and patterns can enhance one wall, the lower portion of a wall beneath the chair rail, or every wall in the room.

Entrance Door and Foyer Furniture

Your home's entrance door should be welcoming to guests and add to the cosmetic look of your home (on the interior and exterior). A door with windows either on the door or on either side of the door can add beautiful natural light to your entrance area.  Foyers tend to be the darkest room in the home, so adding a door with natural sunlight flowing through will brighten your foyer tremendously during the day.  Be sure to add a decorative frame around the door to enhance the foyer's look.

The foyer's furniture and accessories are important in creating the image you want.  If using a chair or loveseat, add a small table with a lovely Tiffany or candle lamp.  Enhance the wall behind your furniture with a painting, lighted by luxurious wall sconces.  The theme of your foyer can be modern, basic, elegant, Americana, or whatever you want.  The furniture you choose will set the tone for your decor.  Also consider adding a floor rug that matches your decor.

Other items to accessorize your foyer include plants/flowers, floor lamps, a large window with elegant tapestries, large floor pottery, portraits, an antique or wood coat rack, a bench or stool, and mirrors.

Whether designing a brand new foyer or remodeling, be sure to choose the paint, wallpaper, flooring and lighting fixtures carefully.  These will need to blend well to create an inspiring space for anyone that steps through your front door!