Our House In Fall
Times Beacon Record News Media© 2021
PAGE S2 • OUR HOUSE • TBR NEWS MEDIA • SEPTEMBER 23, 2021
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SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • OUR HOUSE • FOCUS ON HEALTH • PAGE S3
Now is the time to winterize your home O
CHECK YOUR WINDOWS AND DOORS Gaps around the window frames and doors can allow air to leak inside, so make sure the weatherstripping is secure. If not, self-sticking weatherstripping is a useful tool for helping windows close more tightly. In a drafty room, heat escapes under the door. When winterizing your house, place draft guards by the doors to prevent heat loss. It's a simple solution that keeps your house warm and saves you from wasting energy.
CHECK YOUR PLUMBING While you’re putting in that new insulation, check on your plumbing, particularly any pipes that run through basements or unheated spaces. Wrap your pipes with pipe insulation or, if it gets really cold at your house, run a heat cable under the insulation to avoid burst pipes when the temperatures dip below freezing. FURNACE If your home has a furnace, you should call your HVAC professional for a tune-up before it’s time for it to start putting in work. This will keep your furnace running efficiently, meaning your bill stays lower, and it may extend the life of your HVAC system. Regularly changing the filters in your central air and heating system can significantly improve its efficiency and longevity, while easing the pressure on your wallet. MIND YOUR THERMOSTAT For every degree you turn down the thermostat, you can save between 1.5 and five per cent of your heating bill. Keep your space cooler and turn down the thermostat when you’re not home or are sleeping. A programmable thermostat will help you get efficient and consistent.
ADD INSULATION Speaking of keeping those utility bills low, the fall is a great time to check on your insulation and make sure it’s not too packed or broken down. Adding an extra layer of modern insulation is easy to do in attics and crawl spaces, and the protection it gives your home can pay off bigtime. CLOCKWISE CEILING FANS Ceiling fans are everyone's favorite summer budget-saver. But they can help out in the winter as well! Have your ceiling fans move in a clockwise direction so they push hot air along the ceiling towards the floor. If they're going counterclockwise, they won't be as effective. CHECK YOUR FIREPLACE Creosote buildup in your fireplace can be hazardous. Have an annual inspection before building your first fire of the season. Also, soot and other debris build up in the chimney.
Call a chimney sweep to thoroughly clean the chimney before your first winter use. You should also vacuum or sweep out any accumulated ash from the firebox. If not in active use, plug it up with a chimney balloon when winterizing your home to keep drafts out and heat in. RUN SNOWBLOWERS After the first snow fall is not the time to find out your snow blower isn’t working. Check on it before the season starts and perform any of the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance.
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nce the temperatures start dropping and the winds pick up, it’s time to start thinking about how to keep your home as cozy as you can during the cooler months. The good news is that winterization is a job that can be done in a single weekend with just a few easy steps. CLEAN GUTTERS The leaves are falling — and that means in your gutters, too. Clean them out before fall’s rains (or snows) hit so that water flows neatly away from your home. Cut away tree branches that hang over your house. Snow buildup on branches can be heavy and cause them to fall. Drain outside water lines, hoses and irrigation systems to prevent freezing.
PAGE S 4 • OUR HOUSE • TBR NEWS MEDIA • SEPTEMBER 23, 2021
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SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • OUR HOUSE • FOCUS ON HEALTH • PAGE S5
Budget-friendly dining room renovation ideas
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f the kitchen is the heart of the home, then the dining room may be akin to one of its arteries. The mood created in the kitchen spreads to the dining space where family and friends gather to eat and enjoy one another’s company. Dining rooms can get lost in the home renovation shuffle, as many homeowners tend to focus on renovating kitchens and bathrooms instead. Homeowners do not have to invest a lot of money in renovations to give their dining spaces awe-inspiring makeovers. Here’s how to do so on a budget. Lighten and brighten. Dining rooms were once very formal spaces. Dark woods, large pieces of furniture, over-the-top chandeliers, and other details could be found in many homes. But now that houses are being built with open floor plans, dining rooms can blend with other spaces, which have moved to lighter colored walls, flooring and furniture. A fresh coat of vibrant paint can work wonders and it doesn’t cost much. If you can’t remove a floor, cover it with a brightly colored area rug.
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Switch things up with slipcovers. Slipcovers can be changed each season to dramatically alter the look of a dining room for little investment. Slip covers also protect chairs and can be easily laundered after spills.
Improve lighting. Make the chandelier the statement piece of the space. Go for a bold color or an innovative design. Then add accessories throughout the space that coordinate with the chandelier.
Clear out the clutter. It might be time to say “so long” to that large curio cabinet and the knickknacks within it. Curio and china cabinets used to be de rigueur, but plenty of people now prefer more open and airy dining
rooms. For those who want to keep the cabinet, try decluttering inside to only include the very best display pieces and see if the cabinet can be refinished with paint or a lightly colored stain. Add floating shelving. Floating shelves provide much-needed storage or display space without the need to invest in another piece of furniture. Depending on the shelving, they can work in modern design schemes or even farmhouse dining spaces. Add bench seating. Those who need additional seating may not have to get entirely new furniture. Swap out some chairs for benches, which can fit a couple more guests than chairs. Create depth with color. HGTV says that using various shades of the same color in a space can add depth. Coordinate drapes, walls, seat fabrics, and accessories for a cohesive design. Renovating a dining room doesn’t require a large investment of time and money. A few simple steps can give dining spaces a whole new feel without busting homeowners’ budgets.
• Leave the leaves to Mother Nature this fall •
t's that time of year again. The air turns crisp, the leaves turn red and gold and homeowners turn to the annual chore known as “fall garden cleanup” including disposal of those leaves after they fall to the ground. Traditionally, leaf removal has entailed three steps: Rake leaves (or blast them with a blower) into piles, transfer the piles to bags and place the bags out to be hauled off to a landfill. Yet, increasingly, conservationists say these actions not only harm the environment but rob your garden of nutrients while destroying wildlife habitat. The alternative? “Let fallen leaves stay on your property,” says National Wildlife Federation Naturalist David Mizejewski. “Leaves form a natural mulch that helps suppress weeds and fertilizes the soil as it breaks down. Why spend money on mulch and fertilizer when you can make your own? Turning leaves into solid waste is, well, wasteful,” he said. “Removing leaves also eliminates vital wildlife habitat. Many critters ranging from turtles and toads to songbirds, mammals and invertebrates
rely on leaf litter for food, shelter and nesting material. Many moth and butterfly caterpillars over-winter in fallen leaves before emerging in spring. Also, sending organic matter such as leaves to the landfill causes the release of greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Best of all, the less time you spend removing leaves, the more time you’ll have to enjoy the gorgeous fall weather and the wildlife that visits your garden.” Leaves and yard debris account for 13% of the nation’s solid waste, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or about 33 million tons a year. These tons of organic matter, piled up in the nation’s landfills, lack sufficient oxygen to decompose. Piled up there, yard waste releases the greenhouse gas methane, which also harms the environment. Furthermore, leaves smother weeds and can fertilize the grass and plants you want to thrive in warmer months. If you can, let leaves break down naturally, exactly where they fall. Pile them into leaf shelters along with branches, sticks and
stems to give shelter to vulnerable wildlife. You can also mulch them with a mulching mower. If you have to remove the leaves, add them to your compost pile for nutrient-
rich compost to add to your garden next spring or use them as mulch in your existing flower beds. For more wildlife-gardening tips, visit www.nwf.org/nwfgarden.
PAGE S 6 • OUR HOUSE • TBR NEWS MEDIA • SEPTEMBER 23, 2021
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SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • OUR HOUSE • FOCUS ON HEALTH • PAGE S7
Caring for kitchen countertops Kitchen remodels are a popular home improvement project that help homeowners recoup large percentages of their initial investments at resale. A kitchen remodel can invigorate a home and make the most popular room in the house more functional. According to HomeAdvisor, a home-improvement informational guide, homeowners spend an average of $22,000 on kitchen remodels. However, lavish projects can cost more than $50,000. Protecting such investments is important and requires that homeowners understand how to properly maintain kitchen features so they have the longest life possible. This includes the new countertops that make the kitchen look complete. Countertops come in various materials, not all of which should be treated the same way. For example, quartz, granite, marble, butcher block and concrete countertops require different types of maintenance.
Quartz
Quartz countertops are nearly maintenance-free and resistant to stains, scratches and even heat. Quartz will not need to be sealed like natural stone and can be cleaned using just a damp cloth with a mild, nonabrasive soap.
Granite
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Design ideas to give your home a modern farmhouse feel
armhouse style homes are having a moment. A 2020 survey from Homes.com asked more than 5,000 adults across the United States about their favorite house style from a list that included bohemian craftsman, midcentury modern ranch, French chateau, and Tudor, among others. Modern farmhouse was the runaway winner, as participants in 42 of the 50 states indicated this simple, cozy style was their favorite. What defines a modern farmhouse? Modern features, rustic elements, and industrial-inspired accents. When blended just right, the result is a sophisticated kitchen that's also warm and inviting. Home renovation projects can help homeowners put their own unique stamp on their homes, and such projects can be both aesthetic and functional in nature. The following are some farmhouse design elements homeowners can consider as they look to transform their home interiors with this popular style in mind.
Kitchen sink
Many components combine to create a truly classic farmhouse kitchen. But perhaps no component is more essential than the classic farmhouse sink. The renovation experts at HGTV note that a classic farmhouse sink features a deep, wide basin. Farmhouse sinks are large enough to handle all the dishes that come after a big family meal. Old-fashioned porcelain sinks are worth consideration by homeowners who want their kitchen sinks to evoke a traditional farmhouse feel.
Exposed beams
Exposed beams instantly evoke images of a farmhouse. The home improvement experts at BobVila.com note that this rustic renovation project can utilize real wood or faux beams that look like the real thing. Decorative beams that have nothing to do with a home’s structural integrity can be installed by skilled do-ityourselfers. However, even faux beams are heavy, and BobVila.com recommends homeowners have an engineer assess their existing structure prior to installation.
Distressed wood finishes
Distressing is designed to make something look less than perfect. Distressed wood finishes can be found throughout many farmhouse style homes. Furniture and picture frames can provide the distressed look farmhouse fans are looking for. This is a relatively inexpensive project that many homeowners can tackle on their own after watching some online tutorials.
Countertops
HGTV recommends butcher block countertops for homeowners who favor European farmhouse style. Homeowners overhauling their kitchens to create a farmhouse feel should consider installing a large island with a walnut butcher block countertop for an authentic farmhouse feel. See sidebar for maintenance tips. Farmhouse style homes are wildly popular. Some simple renovations can help homeowners with a fondness for farmhouse style bring this classic look into their homes.
Polished or honed granite countertops offer a high-end look that adds instant value to a kitchen. Natural variations in granite give each kitchen a custom look. To keep granite countertops clean, avoid abrasive cleansers that can scratch, and opt for warm, soapy water instead. Stains are possible, but can be remedied with a baking soda paste left to sit for a couple of hours, advises Angie’s List. Wipe up oils, acids and soda promptly to avoid stains, and follow advised sealing routines.
Marble
Marble is a natural stone that is porous and will need to be resealed periodically. Because marble has high levels of the mineral calcite, it can be reactive when acids come in contact with it, and etch marks may appear. Promptly wipe away tomato juice, lemon juice, perfume, or toothpaste. Marble is softer than granite and will wear at a faster rate. Avoid scratching and exercise caution when using knives or sharp objects around marble.
Butcher Block
While pretty, butcher block countertops require much more maintenance than their marble or stone counterparts. You’ll have to treat the surface about once a year with mineral oil to protect the natural wood and use sandpaper to sand down and fill in any nicks or scratches that have occurred.
Concrete
Regular soap and water work best to get a concrete countertop clean. Remove any dry debris from the countertop before beginning. Apply dish soap and water to a sponge, and give your counters a good scrubbing.
PAGE S 8 • OUR HOUSE • TBR NEWS MEDIA • SEPTEMBER 23, 2021
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Popular renovation projects during the pandemic
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pending so much time at home during the pandemic led many homeowners to spruce up their homes. According to HomeAdvisor’s 2021 State of Home Spending report, spending on home improvements increased by an average of $745 per household in 2020. In the face of travel restrictions and social distancing guidelines, many homeowners pivoted last year and spent money they initially intended to use for vacations on home improvements. Though many such projects required the services of a professional contractor, others, including the most popular project among the 5,000 homeowners who participated in the HomeAdvisor report, were do-it-yourself endeavors. That not only gave homeowners’ homes a new look, but also gave them something to do during quarantine. The following are the five most popular home improvement projects of 2020 according to the HomeAdvisor report. Interior painting: Just under 35 percent of participants reported taking on an interior painting project. Interior painting projects can be perfect for DIYers, but homeowners also can trust this task to skilled professionals. Bathroom renovations: Real estate professionals routinely report how much prospective buyers love updated bathrooms, so it’s no surprise that roughly
31 percent of homeowners who took part in the HomeAdvisor report indicated they renovated their bathrooms. Flooring: Floors took on a lot of extra traffic during the pandemic, so it shouldn’t be too surprising that flooring projects were popular. More than one-fourth of participants told HomeAdvisor their homes were updated with a new floor during the pandemic. Landscaping: With nowhere else to go to escape the daily grind in 2020, many homeowners took to their yards. Twentyfour percent of those homeowners reported making their backyard retreats more appealing by repairing or upgrading the landscaping outside their homes. In fact, the average homeowner reported completing 3.4 landscaping projects. Kitchen: Another project that makes sense given the circumstances, kitchen renovations were the fifth most popular home improvement project. Restaurant closures and social distancing guidelines led many people to dine in more often than they otherwise would, and just under 23 percent of homeowners reported renovating their kitchens. As the world gradually emerges from the pandemic, many homeowners who caught the renovation bug while in quarantine also will be emerging with what feels like an entirely new home.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • OUR HOUSE • FOCUS ON HEALTH • PAGE S9
Home upgrades for better indoor air quality
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hen most people think about air quality, they’re typically thinking about outdoor pollution. However, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air inside your home can be as polluted, or even more so, than the air outside. The concentrations of some indoor pollutants can be as much as 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations. This is partly due to increasingly energy-efficient home construction and the growing use of synthetic materials in furnishings and interior finishes. The air inside your home also contains pollutants from everyday activities like cooking, bathing and cleaning. A family of four can produce the equivalent of 22 to 30 pounds of moisture per day from normal activities, according to the Institute of Specialist Surveyors and Engineers, while household cleaners and products like paint, upholstery, carpeting and plastics can release chemicals containing volatile organic compounds. Pets and dust mites also contribute to poor air quality. On average, Americans spend an estimated 90% of their time indoors, according to the EPA. All that time with minimal access to daylight and fresh air can take a toll on your health. For example, damp and moldy environments can increase the risk of developing asthma by up to 40%, according to research published by the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics. Particularly after all the extra time at home due to the pandemic, homeowners are placing greater emphasis on home design and habits that promote health and wellness. These steps for managing indoor air quality can help you create a healthier home.
Improve fresh air ventilation
When it comes to upgrades that improve air quality, better fresh air ventilation is near the top of the list for many homeowners. Improved ventilation allows you to clear out stale, polluted indoor air and circulate fresh, outdoor air in your home. Polluted air tends to stagnate at the ceiling, so one effective and energy-efficient way to create natural ventilation is with skylights that open. Sometimes called venting or operable skylights, when you open skylights in combination with vertical windows, you create natural airflow that can help release indoor air pollutants and bring in fresh, clean air to keep your home healthy and pleasant. This concept is known as the chimney effect. Warm air naturally rises and escapes from open skylights while fresh air is drawn inside through the windows. This practice can reduce your reliance on air conditioning, improving your home’s overall efficiency and keeping a lid on cooling costs. Today’s skylights can also be automated to open and close at regular intervals or extend and retract shades to block light as needed. Many models can even connect to a smartphone app to combine convenience with a soothing mood booster that supports health and wellness.
Support your HVAC system
Many homeowners assume their heating and cooling (HVAC) system is adequate to manage their home’s indoor air quality. Typically, these systems only circulate existing indoor air, so you’re missing out on the benefits of circulating fresher, cleaner air. What’s more, without regular servicing and frequent filter replacements, it’s easy for standard HVAC systems to fall short. This is especially true in older homes or in households where there’s a high volume of allergens like dust or pet dander. Adding standalone or integrated devices can help give your HVAC system some extra support. Air purifiers can effectively help filter pollutants while ultraviolet lights purify the air and help control pollutants like bacteria, mold and mildew. Another common pitfall is humidity control. Too much moisture in the air can contribute to significant air quality problems. On the other hand, air that’s too dry can promote dusty, abrasive conditions that are hard on allergies and other respiratory conditions.
Keep up with cleaning
Textiles like carpeting, rugs and window treatments can harbor a great deal of dust and dander that reduces air quality. It’s important to regularly clean and air out these decorative fabrics and surfaces, especially thick carpet that is
likely to host dust mites and bacteria. Remember air quality while you’re cleaning, too, and opt for cleaning products with fewer chemicals. When possible, use microfiber cloths and natural materials like white vinegar and soap flakes.
Avoid adding to the problem
Burning a candle may make a room smell fresh and clean, but it’s doing little to help improve your air quality. In fact, you’re just masking unappealing odors while releasing harmful particles into the air. Similarly, smoking indoors traps those chemicals inside your home, which can wreak havoc on indoor air quality.
Watch for unexpected culprits
Many of the things that contribute to poor indoor air quality are obvious, but there are many others that may surprise you. For example, cooking food using gas appliances
can emit hazardous chemicals and compounds, like nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide, that contribute to poor indoor climates when not properly ventilated. Homes with gas stoves contain 50 to 400% higher concentrations of nitrogen dioxide than those with electric stoves, according to a report from the Rocky Mountain Institute, and the EPA found prolonged exposure to the gas can lead to asthma and other respiratory issues. Similarly, when plastics are warmed up, they can give off potentially toxic fumes. Avoid leaving toys or other plastic items in direct sunlight. If you have heated floors or other heated surfaces, keep plastic away to prevent those heatprovoked emissions. With proper upgrades, adjustments and care, you can enjoy a home filled with fresh, healthy air and comfortable surroundings year-round. Learn more at whyskylights.com.
PAGE S10 • OUR HOUSE • TBR NEWS MEDIA • SEPTEMBER 23, 2021
Decorate for fall to help ring in pumpkin season
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all, with its cooler days, just begs you to get outside and enjoy your patios and porches. And while spring and summer’s glory days are over, that doesn’t mean you still can’t add pops of color with fall decorations and container gardens.
PORCH LOOKS
If you’re lucky enough to have an open porch, fall is its time to shine. The weather is gorgeous, making porchsitting a prime autumn idea. And you can decorate your new outdoor room just for the occasion. Make it memorable by selecting a color scheme that accentuates your existing palette, but don’t be afraid to
kick it up with bright colors. Think a punch of orange and fiery red heirloom pumpkins. Don’t be afraid of bright yellows either.
GOOD GOURDS
Speaking of pumpkins, let’s get out of the orange pumpkin rut. Pumpkins come in a huge variety of colors, including neutral creams and whites, deep jewel greens, blazing reds and hot yellows. Group your pumpkins in complementary colors and pick a variety of shapes so that your pumpkin patch really shines. Bonus points: Decoupage or paint faux pumpkins in any color scheme you like for a personalized peck of pumpkins.
FORAGED FOLIAGE
Create gorgeous centerpieces, posies and other arrangements by going no further than your backyard. Sprays of limbs festooned with colorful leaves, fall grasses and seasonal blooms are all perfect for bringing the outside in this season. Also look for seasonal fruits in jewel tones, such as pears and apples, to dress your table and kitchen.
DON’T FORGET THE TEXTURE
Fall is a great time for tall, elegant ornamental grasses, and they also make great container garden centerpieces. Look for varieties like ponytail grass and purple fountain grass, with stunning deep aubergine blades.
CREATIVE CONTAINERS
Go beyond the basic flowerpot. With the right drill bit, you can turn just about any- thing into a container for plants. Think of particularly fall-like accents like plastic pumpkins, craft logs or a basket.
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Yes, there are still lots of flowers that bloom right through fall, depending on your growing zone. Look to plants with trailing blooms, like petunias, which also come in a dizzying array of colors. Snapdragons are another fall favorite and come in a wide array of fall shades, like deep red and vibrant orange.
FESTIVE FOLIAGE
And there’s plenty of non-blooming plants to provide great color in your container. These include coleus, which comes in several bright hues; heuchera; stonecrop; golden leaf sage; flowering kale or cabbage; all kinds of ficus; sweet potato vines and many ivies. Just keep some of the more voracious growers, like vines and ivies, neatly trimmed.
MUMS
It wouldn’t be fall without mums. You can choose all kinds of colors. Look to bring home a plant that’s healthy and green with an upright attitude and lots of tightly closed buds. Make sure your container’s light enough to move easily; as the season wears, you may need to move your mum around to better Spruce up your outdoor spaces with containers of color. growing conditions.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • OUR HOUSE • FOCUS ON HEALTH • PAGE S11
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Must-have features in your bathroom remodel
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eteran homeowners recognize the value of remodeling their kitchens and bathrooms. Kitchens and baths tend to appear dated more quickly than other spaces, such as living rooms and bedrooms, which can always be revamped with some fresh paint and new furnishings. The home improvement pricing resource Home Guide indicates an average bathroom remodel costs anywhere from $5,500 to $15,000 depending on the size and scope of the renovation. However, a bathroom redo can increase a home’s resale value and can return as much as 68 percent of homeowners’ investments. As homeowners plan their bathroom renovations, it’s a good time to consider improvements that will improve function and add design appeal for years to come. Floating vanity: Add an airy feeling to the room by creating space between the vanity and the floor. A floating vanity can be a counter with a vessel sink or even have cabinets, as long as the vanity doesn’t extend to the floor. Freestanding traditional sink or tub: There’s something elegant about a freestanding tub or pedestal sink. Such features can lend a classic vibe to a space. However, freestanding fixtures also come in modern or eclectic forms, so there are options for any design style.
Frameless showers: Switch to a walk-in shower option, which improves aesthetics and makes it easier to “age in place” in a home. Pair that frameless shower with clear glass shower doors so sightline in the space remains unencumbered. Natural textures: Create a calm and serene sanctuary in the bathroom with light, natural hues and materials. Natureinspired colors on tiles, walls and vanities can add to the spa vibe. Dual sinks and vanities: With a double vanity, two people can share the space and easily use the bathroom without getting in each other’s way. One vanity with two sinks works, but homeowners can create even more personal space by dividing vanities and mirrors. Small textured tile on shower floors: Small textures are appealing and add safety. The added texture and grouting will keep feet from slipping on wet floors. Also, opt for moldresistant grout to make cleanup even easier. Special shower heads: Invest in shower heads that can run the gamut from creating steam showers to rainfall effects. Some showers will have multiple shower jets to offer an invigorating experience.
Improve drainage: Increase the diameter of the drain pipe in the bathroom from the standard to a two-inch drain pipe. This will reduce the risk of clogs and overflow leaks. Install a window: Natural light and air flow can reduce the risk for mold and mildew growth, and windows add some aesthetic appeal to a space. Just be sure to choose frosted privacy glass. Additional considerations for a bath remodel include heated floors, well-placed and attractive storage options and a toilet enclosure (water closet) for added privacy. These and other bathroom renovation ideas can add value and improve the appeal of the room.
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