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Are you looking to remodel your home with a country or rustic feel? There are many great ideas and types of décor that you can incorporate to make your house have the look and feel you have always wanted. Plus, with many of the upgrades you will make, you can also increase the value of your home, too. To help you get inspiration, try some of these different themes in each room, learn the benefits of Denver antique mantels, choosing the right flooring, outdoor décor, and much more.

Country Themes to Incorporate

 

• Living Room: A design element for a rustic living room is to give it a cozy feel. This does not mean to clutter the space, but instead find décor that fits within the theme. Wood accents are a great way to accomplish this goal. From a wood accent wall and wood beams on your ceiling to custom woodworking décor and furniture, there is much you can add to your living room. Choose light colored, cloth sofas with striped or plaid throw pillows. Keep a few light-colored throw blankets available that serve practical and decorative use. To help bring more of the rustic feel, tie in antique pieces that you can find at your local antique store. If you have beams or staircases, during your remodel, convert them to wood. You can also install white subway tiles on the walls.

 

• Kitchen: Many elements of a rustic-themed kitchen include shades of white and wood accents. This could include white cabinets paired with stainless steel appliances and a large, one basin country sink. Add in an island if room allows with a butcher-block top that serves multiple purposes. Install a hanging Thomas Edison bulb above the island to provide a decorative, country-style ambiance. Some homeowners like to add open shelving instead of traditional cabinets with a door. This helps for easy access and creates a bold statement piece. Install a stone backsplash in your kitchen. You can add in new elements, old elements, or a mix of the two.  

 

• Bathrooms: When remodeling your bathrooms, you can install vintage themed bath tubs to give that rustic feel you are searching for. This also goes for fixtures. From your door knobs to the sink, make sure they are all consistent with each other. Many who renovate their bathrooms use very light shades. From white to blue, to shades of beige and brown, natural colors are the way to go for your bathroom. You can also consider adding in a wide vanity that has a trough-style sink that sits atop of a wooden base. Top it off by installing a set of French doors.

 

• Bedrooms:Last, you will want to make the bedrooms in your home match the style throughout. The great thing about bedrooms is there is even more flexibility. Consider adding in a fireplace into a master bedroom with an antique, wood mantel. Incorporate wood beams on the ceiling, or a hanging chandelier with wood accents. To enter, add in sliding barn doors made of reclaimed wood. You can keep them their original color, paint them to match the colors in the room, or even apply a beautiful stain to create a unique accent piece. Utilizing reclaimed wall treatments is another great way to bring a rustic warmth into a bedroom space.

 

Benefits of a Mantel

Whether you have a fireplace in your living room, bedroom, or anywhere else in the home, installing one with a mantel made of reclaimed wood is a go-to option. By choosing a mantel made of reclaimed wood, you are helping the environment by recycling it. You can also work with your local hardwood flooring company that specializes in mantels to create a custom mantel that will perfectly incorporate into the rustic theme you are hoping to have. Ask them to use the same wood throughout the home to keep a consistent look.

Why Hardwood Flooring

During your home renovation, you can’t forget about replacing or refinishing the floors—especially if you have carpet. Carpet tends to hold on to dust and allergens more easily than hardwood. Consider adding reclaimed hardwood flooring to your home that will be the perfect finish to your home renovation project. When installing hardwood, you open your options in ways other types of flooring will not allow. You can customize the look of your floor, and even add in rugs to provide as an accent. Plus, if you would like to change the way your hardwood looks down the road, you can refinish and re-stain it to give it a completely new look and feel. To achieve the perfect balance of functionality and style, hardwood flooring is a great investment that will last for years to come.

Outdoor Décor

As you finalize your country-theme home remodel project, don’t forget about the outside of your house. For lighting, add in vintage fixtures at the entrance of your home, and any other places that need light. Add in Edison bulbs to give them an added rustic feel. For your windows, add in wooden shutters to provide an extra touch of country. If you have a fenced yard, consider replacing it with a long, wooden fence. If you do not have pets or children to protect, you can choose an open layout. If you do need to prevent pets or children from running outside of the yard, consider a picket fence. They have a variety of shapes and sizes. 

To help you put the country feel in your home remodeling project, contact Ward Hardwood Flooring. We have a wide variety of options, from wide plank flooring to beams, timbers, and mantels. Each of these elements will be perfect for your home to give it the rustic feel you are looking for. You will especially love our rustic home décor ideas and reclaimed mantel tips as you finalize your plans. Be sure to check out our current specials to see how we can help you save and call us today at 303-674-6966.

When deciding what flooring type would be perfect for a living space, many people tend to lean towards hardwoods for their natural beauty and charm. Any space can be completely transformed with the installation of new flooring – but why should you choose to do so with Reclaimed Hardwood? There are many benefits to choosing reclaimed products, but it is an ideal choice for those who are worried about the environmental impact of undertaking a flooring project. From reducing the impact on a global scale all the way down to maintaining the interior environment of a home, choosing a reclaimed product will help you feel confident in your investment.

Environmentally Friendly Manufacturing Process

All Reclaimed Hardwood Flooring begins its journey as a part of an old structure that may be centuries old. The material is recycled from the beams, joists, siding, timbers, and other structural elements of various homes, barns, fences, and more. They are then de-nailed, kiln dried, cut into lumber, and milled into planks, and each board has its own unique character and story to tell from this process. By utilizing Reclaimed products for flooring, it reduces the number of trees that must be cut down to produce new flooring. As many century old structures were built with wooden building materials, there is a vast source of hardwood that is just waiting for someone to give it new life.

Another huge benefit for the environment is that during the milling process for these Reclaimed Hardwoods, less water and electricity is used than in the manufacturing of any other flooring type. This helps to save energy and reduce fossil fuel use, and in repurposing the wood from structures that would otherwise be torn down and scrapped, it also eliminates the pollution to landfills. This milling process allows for the repurposed material to be 100% reclaimed, meaning that you are getting a strong and durable floor that is completely sustainable.

Helping the Environment of Your Home

While helping the environment on a global scale is a huge benefit to choosing a reclaimed product, you may also be wondering how it would impact the environment within your home. Hardwoods do not trap dust and allergens in the way that other types of flooring will, which will help develop cleaner air within your home. Hardwood flooring does require more unique maintenance than other types of flooring as it is susceptible to scratching, but a microfiber mop or brush attachment on a vacuum will help keep the dirt and dust to a minimum.

Many people have concerns regarding the finishing process that is required with any raw hardwood installation, including reclaimed products. Finishing products have come a long way in recent years, and many companies have released natural, lower-VOC products to fit the green initiative. Improvements are constantly being made to increase performance and durability while reducing the impact on the environment. If you are trying to remain environmentally conscientious during the process of installing hardwoods in your home, be sure to ask your local hardwood flooring expert what finishing options would be best for you.

Incorporating Reclaimed Products into Your Design

Reclaimed materials do not have to be used exclusively for flooring, there are many different options available to bring sustainable options into your home. These materials can be used for everything from wall treatments, barn doors, furniture pieces, beams and mantles, stair railings, and more! The options truly are limitless, and these pieces can be worked into any design style. With many options for milling, finishing, and staining, your local hardwood company can help incorporate these beautiful products into your home.

Whatever custom woodwork you are looking to add to your home, Ward Hardwood Flooring can help! They have experience with a variety of products that can bring life back into your home! They put love and care into each one of their projects, as they have for the last 30 years. You can rest assured they will go above and beyond with your project. To explore options for your home, call today at 303-674-6966 or email info@wardhardwoodflooring.com.

Restoring a home to showcase its original historic charm is a great way to bring forward the true and original beauty of the house. New homes today do not have the same features as older homes, so it is crucial to maintain, and even highlight, these unique features. If you are planning to sell your home in the future, restoration is something you can do to help increase the re-sale value. Learn about the benefits of restoring your home, what to know if you’re looking to buy a historic home, ideas for your existing home, and ways to restore or add Denver antique flooring. 

Value of Restoring a Historic House

You have probably heard the saying, “they just don’t make it like they used to,” which falls true with older homes. Historic homes have an antique charm that new homes today do not offer, but that doesn’t mean you are limited. There are ways to restore an older home to bring it to safety standards and incorporate new features, while keeping the character of the home. In general, Denver home prices have increased drastically in the past few years, which also reigns true for historic homes. 

When undertaking a project, it is important to first come up with a plan and it is crucial to ensure the standards within the home are up to code. Consider working with local flooring contractors, electricians, plumbers, roofers, and other trades to ensure the home is sound. From here, you can work to ensure the home’s safety, but you can also make small changes to make it more efficient. For instance, older windows can be drafty—increasing your energy bills. You can also invest in ENERGY STAR appliances to help you reduce your energy bills, as well as water consumption, too. 

What to Know Before Buying a Home

With today’s housing market in Denver, prospective home buyers are in a competitive market, making it a great opportunity for sellers. However, if you are looking to buy—there are still plenty of options. When purchasing an older home on any side of town, it is important to take the suggestions made by an inspector seriously. Do not try to find the cheapest solution to an issue as this can cause safety concerns within the home. In fact, you may want to consider two inspections to have additional feedback. 

When you find the historic home of your dreams, be aware that you may have some issues to fix, such as lead paint, mold growth, insulation, bad electrical or plumbing, and floor renovations. By working with experts, you can resolve these issues and make restorations to maintain the historic charm, all while having a safe living environment. 

Ideas for Your Existing Home

When renovating your older home to showcase its roots, it is crucial to find the areas of the house that bring charm. For instance, it could be antique ceiling beams or mantels, cabinetry in the kitchen, staircases, and more. From there, find ways to incorporate vintage fixtures into the mix. For instance, add a grand antique light fixture or chandelier in a foyer or dining room. Find end tables or a dining room table, or work with a woodworking specialist, to build tables out of reclaimed wood. You can also incorporate reclaimed window treatments throughout the home, as well as art, decorations, furniture and more. 

To further bring your own style to your renovation project, pair your antique décor and design with granite, marble, or quartz counters in the kitchen. Add in a matching backsplash for a pop or color, along with new appliances. Bathroom renovations can be done in a similar way. Find vintage décor and pair it with updated fixtures that have an antique feel. To help you cut costs, be sure to investigate energy efficient options when available. 

Buy New or Restore?

If you are on the fence of restoring a historic home, and are weighing options with a new home, the choice is ultimately up to you. With an older home comes a lot of work. They can be an investment, but for many, it is an investment that is well worth it. You must be willing to spend both money and time on a renovation, not to mention that you may not be able to occupy the house for a majority of the project. After deciding if you want to take on a renovation, you can see if the homes you find are in your budget. 

If they aren’t, you can buy a newer home, but add in vintage décor and antique flooring to help bring a historic vibe to the home. Many prefer this option as it will bypass some of the issues that older homes bring, but still gives their place the charm they are looking for with the incorporation of those older elements. 

Top Ways to Handle Flooring

Did you know you can install reclaimed flooring instead of new flooring? This is a great way to maintain historic charm. It is a great option if you have older hardwood flooring that is in poor enough condition that it cannot be re-finished. This is also a great option as it has been reclaimed, allowing you to find hardwood with a history to share with you and the guests of your home. Antique flooring is a great addition for any style of house, whether new or old. Also, this type of hardwood is built to last, so you can feel comfortable knowing your investment is well worth it. 

Ward Hardwood Flooring is your reclaimed flooring expert. With a large variety of antique and reclaimed hardwood flooring there is a style that will pair well with any style of home. Plus, by investing in our reclaimed flooring, you will be giving wood that was once used for beams, joists, siding, timbers, and more, a new life. To see how Ward Hardwood can best help you with your hardwood flooring and reclaimed wood needs, call 303-674-6966 or email info@wardhardwoodflooring.com

One of the best qualities of hardwood flooring is that it is versatile and can last for decades with proper care. Unlike carpet, which needs replaced after approximately five years, due to wear, tear and allergens, you can give your hardwood flooring some TLC and make it look brand new. There are a variety of options a homeowner can choose from to revamp their existing hardwoods, completely changing the feeling of the room. Also, if making the switch from carpet to hardwood, you can be confident in the fact that down the road, there are options for changing the look of the floor, as well as options to increase longevity. 

How do you know if your hardwood flooring may need some work, why should you choose to restore your hardwood, and what are the different types of techniques used? From hand-scraping, distressing, staining, and more, you can make your hardwood both fit your home and last for decades!

Does My Hardwood Need Work?

Over time, hardwood will age with normal wear and tear, especially in high traffic areas. You may notice areas of your hardwood that have split or are cracking, there may be gaps between the planks, or even warping due to water damage. Also, you may notice several scratches and chips in the hardwood from high heels, sharp edges of furniture, or pets. For rooms with windows, it is also common for the hardwood to fade due to the sunlight. As these issues and imperfections become more apparent, you will want to be proactive about fixing the problem. The great thing about hardwood flooring is its longevity, but it is still important for you to get an expert involved when you notice there is something wrong. By working with your hardwood flooring specialist as soon as notice these problems, they can work with you to make your floors beautiful again.

Benefits of Restoring Your Hardwood

Proper care and maintenance of your hardwood flooring has many benefits and is worth spending a little when issues surface to save money in the future. First, you are increasing the return on your investment. Whether you installed the hardwood yourself, or your home came with it, you have still invested in your hardwood flooring. By fixing some of the smaller issues, you are saving on the need to install new hardwood flooring down the road. In addition, if your home has original hardwood from decades earlier, you are helping to maintain the historic quality of the home. However, if there is not extensive damage to your hardwood, but you just would like to make a change, you may still utilize a refinishing and staining service. You can refinish the floors to remove any imperfections and then stain them to a different color. This allows you to have the gorgeous hardwood that was already installed yet bring new life and design to the home.

Hand-Scraping and Distressing

If you would like to change your hardwood flooring by adding character and a unique feel, you can work with your local hardwood flooring specialist on custom hand-scraping. This technique can be incorporated into the finishing process to add a new look and feel into the existing flooring. For many, they are looking for a distressed look, which can add great character to a more outdated style. This is great when renovating your home to have a rustic, country, or earthy design element. Through scraping, wire brushes, and other techniques, you can create a reclaimed look without having to install new reclaimed hardwood flooring in your home.

Staining

Are you tired of the color of your hardwood flooring, but don’t know how to achieve the look you want? The great news is, you do not need to invest in a new installation! Instead, you can work with your hardwood flooring specialist on staining your floors. When you re-stain your floors, you are removing any imperfections during the refinishing process, followed by changing its color. So, whether you would like to go lighter or darker, you can have your hardwood flooring company apply a stain that will completely change the look and feel of your home. Different stains can also provide different types of appearances. In addition, the re-finishing process will also strengthen your hardwood, and can even be upgraded to a UV resistant coating, helping the floors to last for years to come. With the latest technologies in finishing services, your hardwood flooring company can get the job done quickly so you do not have to wait long to move furniture and get your room back in place.

Care Tips for Long Term Quality

Are you looking to learn how to care for your hardwood flooring in Colorado? Through normal everyday tasks, you can help keep your hardwood flooring pristine, both before and after the re-finishing project! First, make sure you are dusting your flooring with a microfiber material. You can invest in a dust mop that will quickly pick up dust, dirt, and particles to prevent abrasion scratching. Every so often, you can take time to do a more in-depth vacuum to get corners and other areas. Be sure to talk with your hardwood flooring company specialist about the proper care of your flooring, as you do not want to damage your floor with improper mopping techniques.

When you are ready to enhance the look of your hardwood flooring, you can trust the experts at Ward Hardwood Flooring. From making repairs, re-finishing, and re-staining, you will want professionals to handle the job. This is the best way to ensure the job is done correctly, and efficiently. To see what we can do for you, review our finishing treatments. From here, visit our showroom at 29390 Industrial Way, #100, in Evergreen, Colorado. You may also call us at 303-674-6966 or email us at info@wardhardwoodflooring.com.

When was the last time you gave your home a makeover? Not a full renovation, but even just a few changes to change the look and feel? It’s easy to get busy and put changes to your home on the backburner. Whether you need to completely renovate your rooms or home, or even would like to make some changes to help the look and feel, fall is the perfect time to accomplish this task. From living rooms, dining rooms, and bathrooms, to bedrooms and the outdoors, learn how to spruce up your home before the winter, and benefits of including hardwood flooring in Colorado.

Living Rooms

Is your living room a cluttered space? When you do not space out furniture correctly, fill walls with too much art or photos, and have décor that doesn’t match, your living room can look outdated. First, if you’re able to, make sure furniture is not pushed up against a wall. If it has to be against a wall, give it a few inches off the wall to help it look like there is room to breathe. If you have additional chairs, or small sofas, space them out from the main piece of furniture. A rug is a great addition to a living room. You don’t need to place the furniture covering all edges of the rug, you can keep two legs on the edges. Last, a fresh coat of paint is a great way to change your living room. If you have a large, empty wall, consider making it an accent wall with a different and bold color, or even a neat design of wallpaper.

The Dining Room

Often times, it is easy to eat meals on the couch in front of the television. Make your dining room a space you want to spend time in to share a meal with those in your home. First, make sure you have a table that fits in the space. Chairs need to be able to pull out easily. If you have a smaller space, consider a table that has a bench seat that can be pushed back under the table to save space. You can also invest in tables that have a built-in leaf that makes it easy to expand the space if you entertain guests. Next, invest in simple décor for your table. Pick placemats that match the art and wall color. You can tie it in with napkins and napkin rings. For lighting, you can mix things up by installing new lights that help to create the ambiance in the room.

Bathrooms

When it comes to bathrooms, storage space can sometimes be poorly utilized. Before making changes to your bathroom, take time to look into what areas currently do not meet your needs. Evaluate what extra storage you need. From here, look for a new sink vanity and storage closets that you can place in the bathroom to help you enhance your bathroom’s storage while also helping to enhance the way the space looks. If you have a small bathroom that is a dark color, paint the walls a lighter color. This will help to give the illusion there is more space. Last, if you have older laminate counters, consider installing a stone counter which will hold up to the day to day use better. Stone counters are also easy to clean and do not easily show imperfections.

Bedrooms

You start and end your day in your bedroom. Make sure this is your sanctuary to rest and relax. If you have a budget to, consider replacing your mattress and bed if funds allow. On average, a mattress can last up to 10 years. When a mattress is in poor shape, it can actually do a lot of damage to your back and sleeping habits. Next, make sure you have proper lighting in the space. You can have bright overhead lighting when needing to do laundry or other tasks. But for nighttime, make sure you have lights or lamps that you can easily access in bed. This way, if you read a book or watch TV before you go to sleep, you can easily turn out the lamp for some quality ZZZs. Also, make sure you keep your bedroom uncluttered. Have the right amount of bins to place your dirty laundry in if you keep it in the bedroom, and make sure you have plenty of dresser space for clothing. For more ideas, review HuffPost’s six ways to improve your bedroom in 2017.

Outdoors

Even though the winter months are coming up, you have some to-dos this fall before the winter months set in. You will need to remember to fertilize your grass and landscaping to help nourish your plants before winter. After you fertilize, you will also need to remove old mulch and place new mulch down. If your walkways are in poor shape, consider installing brick pavers that have a smooth surface. This will not only look great, but will also help when shoveling snow in the winter by having a seamless surface.

Incorporating Hardwood Flooring

As you are making considerations for your home enhancements, make sure you are not neglecting your flooring. If you have existing hardwood, now is the time to sand it and then you can stain it to give it a new color to change things up. To change up the way it looks, you can also add rugs in different rooms to bring a pop of color. If your home is primarily filled with carpet, consider making the switch to hardwood. It is easier to clean, helps reduce allergens and is also a better investment. When properly cared for, hardwood lasts for decades as opposed to carpet which has a smaller lifespan. Learn more about the financial benefits of hardwood floor installation in Denver homes to see why this is the right decision for you.

To help you add hardwood to your home, contact Ward Hardwood Flooring. As one of Denver’s top hardwood flooring experts for over 30 years, we have the skills and expertise to help you find the right hardwood that fits with your home’s décor and your budget. Contact us today at 303-674-6966 to get started.