Home Improvement Blogs – Kelowna

Updating a backyard is an investment in the quality of life for residents. So many homeowners don't make use of their outdoor space, even though the yard can be just as valuable as the kitchen or the bedrooms. Those who want to renovate the backyard should keep the following ideas in mind. Read on to learn more about the best backyard renovations for your home.

Add a Water Fixture

Water in the backyard can come in the form of anything from a birdbath to a rain garden to a fountain. Homeowners can create a relaxing place for people to decompress. Those who want to save their pennies for the larger structure can consider adding a rain barrel or building a system to redistribute the water from the gutters to the garden. This tactic will nourish the

Homeowners have been taking advantage of the easy development permit process in inner-city Kelowna to build carriage homes on their properties. The city gives the green light to as many as 40 permits for carriage houses annually, and to date, Kelowna has more than 425 of these homes in the city. Because the vacancy rate for rental accommodation in the city is so low, homeowners are earning extra income by building carriage houses on their properties and renting them out.

What is a Carriage House?

Known as laneway homes, coach houses, or even mother-in-law or granny suites in other Canadian municipalities, carriage homes are detached residences in the backyards of Kelowna homes with entry off the rear lane. Carriage houses were originally

If you live in a condo or an older house, you know that closet space is at a premium. Adding a closet or expanding an existing one will help to increase the functionality and value of your home.

Look for Unused Space That Can Be Converted or Modified

You'd be surprised where you can squeeze in closet space. Consider, for instance, the often-overlooked area underneath your staircase. With a little ingenuity, you can really gain some valuable extra storage by converting this cubby into an additional closet or storage space.

If it's your bedroom closet that's lacking, you may be able to get away with widening or deepening it, or even building a new one by expanding into an adjacent room. Just be sure that other space is large enough that it can

Many homeowners would rather not sell a home but make upgrades that will accommodate their changing needs. Extra space may be needed when families grow, an aging parent moves in or when business owners work from home. These are only a few of the many reasons for a home addition.

Homeowners need to understand that changing the structure of a home does require thought and planning. Before getting started on a home addition, get a better understanding of what will be required to ensure a legal addition with few headaches.

What Are Your Goals?

Decide on key objectives. What exactly will be accomplished with the home addition? Some common goals homeowners have include:

• Increasing living space;
• Boosting storage capacity; or
• Improving the

While people have virtually always landscaped their yards, hardscaping has started to gain popularity as we've begun to put more focus on extending our living spaces to the outdoors. Here's what you need to know first.

What is Hardscaping?

Hardscaping includes all the non-organic design elements on your property - that means retaining walls, paved walkways, decks, fences, pergolas and sculptures.

Should You DIY Your Hardscaping or Hire a Professional?

Simple cosmetic projects like stone patios and fire-pits can be handled on your own if you're feeling handy, but defer to professionals when it comes to big projects that could affect slope or drainage. Contractors who specialize in hardscaping will help you achieve your vision for the space

Most homeowners want to upgrade their bathrooms. Homeowners may use a contractor or decide to do a do-it-yourself (DYI) project. Whether it's because their fixtures are outdated or because they're just tired of staring at the same old paint job, the improvements are usually made with the residents in mind rather than the future buyers. But if homeowners can please both themselves and the next people who live in their home, it's definitely the cherry on top of the sundae. Homeowners who want to make strategic moves should keep the following tips in mind.

Think Small

Smaller bathroom renovations tend to have the highest returns. This is because a return on investment (ROI) for a bathroom is going to be highly dependent on the area in which a