You don’t want to immediately move all of your stuff in only to find out after the fourth box (of your belongings) that you don’t have enough space. Before settling in, ensure that each room has adequate space for all your furniture, appliances, and personal belongings.

If you figure out that unpacking would leave you with limited elbow and leg room, it’s highly advisable that you take some time to plan and organize before moving in. Ending up with inadequate space for your belongings in your custom home is still a possibility even if you have careful planning alongside your design-build team. So, before that predicament comes up, here are some tips that will help ensure that all of your possessions fit in your new home all while maintaining a spacious atmosphere:

1. Choose the Right Color Scheme

The color scheme for your custom home in the Algarve or Portugal can make such a huge difference in the overall look and feel of your living space. One way to make your home look and feel spacious is by using light and neutral colors. Bright colors may make your space feel smaller and cluttered. Plus, neutral colors are easy to paint over if you ever decide to change things up later on.

If you’re a fan of bright colors, then you may consider using a unified color scheme. You can combine your bright colors with a neutral shade so that it can be toned down as well as create a cohesive look.

Another creative way for you to play with your color scheme is by using it to create partitions between rooms. This can make each space feel unique and add character to your home. However, you need to avoid using too many colors because it can end up making your home look quite garish. Instead, you can choose one or two bright colors and use them sparingly for pops of personality throughout your home.

2. Reorganize Your Furniture

One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to maximize your custom home’s living space is by moving your furniture around. By doing so, you can create a more open and inviting atmosphere. When you do this, you’ll find that there may be too many items cluttering up the place, and perhaps you’ll even realize that the couch or coffee table looks much better and gives more space in a different area than its current placement. Rearranging your furniture placement can make a huge difference in how your space functions. By moving things around, you can test out different layouts and ensure that your home is both beautiful and practical.

3. Create a Functional Entryway

While your entryway serves as the first impression of your home to your guests, it’s also the same area where you and your family members take off your shoes and hang your coats before entering the main living spaces. That’s why it’s in your best interests to create a functional entryway.

If you only have limited space in your entryway, you can opt to build a cabinet or add a table. This way, you’ll be able to place bags, backpacks on top while the shoes, slippers, and other footwear can go underneath. As for the coats and keys, instead of a coat rack that usually just takes up too much space, you can place heavy-duty hooks on the wall. With a functional entryway, you can stay organized and clutter-free.

Maximize The Space in Your Custom Home

It is essential to be strategic about how you’ll be able to maximize your custom home’s living space. TJ Projects ensures that you’re able to have maximum living space in your custom-built home in the Algarve or its surrounding regions. We are dedicated to creating architectural masterpieces with each custom home-built project.

Work with an experienced custom home builder that you can trust and who delivers exactly what you want. We build the future you envision and turn your custom home dreams into reality. Contact us today at (+351) 918 348 898 or fill out our contact form here. https://tj-projects.com/contact-us/

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• Under Cabinet Lights

While chandeliers are absolute showstoppers, under-cabinet lights are necessary to promote easy and safe navigation in the kitchen. These under-cabinet lights provide you light when you need them the most as they eliminate shadows and give you proper lighting at certain angles that your overhead lights cannot reach. Not only are these lighting fixtures practical, but they also add a bit more to your kitchen’s appeal and ambiance.

• Mud Room

It is essential to incorporate a fully functional and efficient mudroom inside your new custom-built home. This is because it will help keep your home looking neat and tidy as well as save you a lot of time and effort with its amazing functionality. There are a lot of mudroom designs that you can choose from, such as a mudroom that is combined with the laundry room, a mudroom that is combined with a pet wash station, or a multi-functional mudroom that can also act as storage space with some shelving and rack systems.

• Closet Organization

When it comes to closet organization, nothing should be compromised. Keep in mind, a clutter-free home is a beautiful home. A customized closet solution will give you an abundance of space that will ensure that there’s a place for every item. More space means being able to keep clutter at a minimum inside your closet and bedroom. There are a lot of closet organization options that you may choose from. You can choose to have a simple closet organizer that has a lot of drawers, some shelves, and a hanging rod, or you can also have a walk-in closet built if you’re aiming for something a bit more complex and if your budget allows it.

• Spice Rack

Most of your time may be spent cooking in the kitchen, so having a fully functional spice rack that provides you convenience is extremely beneficial. You can have a spice rack that extends out on both sides. Not only does this offer you convenience, but you will also feel like a top-rated professional chef with this amazing kitchen feature!

• Built-in Speakers

Whether you’re a huge fan of music, like to listen to the daily podcast, or you wish to watch the latest movie releases at home, adding a built-in speaker to your custom home will definitely be one of the best decisions you’ll make with this property. You can consult with your builder about this.

Ready to Build Your Custom Home?

Work with an experienced custom home builder that you can trust and who delivers exactly what you want. TJ Projects ensures that you’re able to get cost-effective solutions for your custom-built home in Algarve or its surrounding regions. We build the future you envision and turn your custom home dreams into reality. Contact us today at (+351) 918 348 898 or fill out our contact form here. https://tj-projects.com/contact-us/

The post Top 3 Must-haves in Your Custom-built Home appeared first on TJ Projects.

Clear out clutter and arrange smartly

When there are too many items lying around, even a big room can appear smaller. So, you can imagine the effect of clutter in a small room. The first thing to do is let the floor be visible. Relocate anything that can be hung or placed on a shelf, and find ways to arrange them neatly, preferably out of sight. 

Items that can’t be placed out of sight like couches, shelves, and tables should be placed along the walls. Doing this moves them out of the walkway, and away from the room’s center. To reduce clutter, even more, consider shelves that incorporate a table, an armless chair, or an ottoman. 

Utilise light and complementary colours

Warm and dark colour tones are used to make a room feel cosy. Alternatively, cool and bright colours are effective if you want your room to look open and spacious. Aside from using bright tones, however, you also need to maintain a general theme and let all the colours in the room complement each other. 

Contrast makes a room look smaller, so stick to the same palette for your walls, ceilings, floors, and furniture. Paint the ceiling with soft tones, and use mirrors and reflective surfaces along the walls to open up the room further. Stripes can also be utilised to create an illusion of space, and you should look into painting your ceilings and walls with bold (or subtle) stripes. 

Let there be light

Good and strategic lighting can make any room look bigger than it really is. Whether natural or artificial, if you can find ways to get more light into your room, the space will automatically look bigger. You can start from your windows; ditch the heavy drapes and use light and bright material. As mentioned earlier, vertical stripes on your curtains will make your window look longer. 

Conversely, you could invest in a new set of energy-efficient windows. They ensure more light enters your room, but your furniture, carpet, and fixtures don’t suffer the effects of ultraviolet rays from the sun. Also consider small lamps, recessed lighting, and track lighting as artificial sources of illumination. 

TJ Projects provides home construction and renovation services in the Algarve region, and we can help you remodel your small rooms into a larger space. We also offer sturdy security doors and energy-efficient windows, as well luxury vinyl flooring; in case you’re considering getting the material and undertaking the remodelling on your own. For enquiries or to book an appointment, call +351 918 348 898 or send a quick message to info@tj-projects.com. 

The post 3 Tips to Make a Small Room Look Bigger appeared first on TJ Projects.

Sustainability and eco-friendliness

The world is becoming more aware of the environmental issues that threaten the future of the planet and life as we know it. Subsequently, people are looking for ways they can contribute to environmental protection, reduce their carbon footprint, and preserve the ozone layer. 

Look out for eco-friendly products for your home renovations. Use bamboo or cork where applicable, instead of their more-toxic alternatives. If you’re looking for sustainable energy sources, consider getting solar panels installed and leveraging energy from the sun to power your property. 

Patios, terraces, and outdoor spaces

After 2020, homeowners rediscovered their love for the outdoors, and requests for balconies, terraces, and outdoor gardens have increased steadily. Something about connecting with nature and carving out a piece of the external world in the home, be it to entertain guests or relax with family. 

If you have extra space in your yard, you can go the extra mile and construct a kitchen out there with a connecting patio. In addition to the utility it offers, there’s the added advantage of increasing your home’s value and making the property even more beautiful. 

More technology and home devices

As much as we all want to be environmentally conscious, our phones, tablets, and technological devices remain a guilty pleasure. In 2022, don’t feel too guilty to lean into these tools to improve your home life. Make your house smarter with voice-controlled home assistants. Some of these devices can be connected to the lights and fixtures, letting you control them remotely. If you want to go all out, look into smart tools powered by the highly advanced Internet of Things (IoT) technology.  

Surfaces with more durability

From the bathroom to the kitchen and other rooms, you can improve the quality of your surfaces by insisting on durability. These days, countertops are seeing more use and equally intensive cleaning. As a result, it’s important to get materials that offer more resistance to wear without compromising on sleekness and beautiful design. 

In 2022, it’s predicted that homeowners will look towards acrylic solid surfaces because they require little maintenance but maintain their appearance, even in the face of constant use and scrubbing. 

More safety features

As you renovate your home, improve its overall design, and add smart devices and tech innovations, it’s prudent to also increase safety features and beef up security. You can make your property more secure by installing more light, an alarm system, security cameras, sensors, etc.

Similarly, you may incorporate safety features that protect your home from internal dangers like accidents or microbes. This can be done with non-slip flooring e.g., luxury vinyl material, antimicrobial tiles, grab bars, and roll-in showers.

If your home is in the Algarve region in Portugal and you require the services of a home construction and renovation company, TJ Projects is one of the most trusted names in the area. For enquiries or to get a cost estimate, call +351 918 348 898 or send a quick message to info@tj-projects.com.  

The post Top 5 Home Remodelling Ideas for 2022 appeared first on TJ Projects.

In this post, we try to help you create a scale of preference, highlighting areas you may need to splurge on and where you can afford to be thrifty. Keep in mind, however, that these recommendations are discretionary. You’re better placed to determine which parts of your house need the biggest investment. But these tips should help point you in the right direction. Here we go:

Save on flooring

Start your savings from the lowest position in the home – the floor. Thankfully, most flooring systems were built to last for 20 – 25 years. So, you shouldn’t need to consider a complete replacement anytime soon. And if you do, consider luxury vinyl flooring (LVF); they allow you to mimic the look and feel of natural materials with more durability and fewer maintenance needs. LVF is also quite affordable, and you can save a bundle by choosing them over wood or stone flooring.

Splurge on kitchen cabinets

Cabinets are the first things you (or anyone else) will notice about your kitchen. As a result, you need them to be in the best shape possible. If you’re renovating your home, you should spare no costs in this area. In addition to how it improves the look of one of the most important rooms in your house, splurging on kitchen cabinets is also beneficial because a good set will serve you for many years. 

Save on furniture

Yes, your furniture may be looking old, but that doesn’t mean you need to splurge on a new set. Give some thoughts to reupholstering and changing the fabric of settees and couches, and you can apply a fresh coat of finish to your tables and bedside furniture. You can DIY this or hire a good craftsman to have them looking good as new. 

Splurge on energy-saving windows

If you’re looking at installing a new set of windows, then you should go all out and get energy-saving windows. They help keep your home insulated from the cold during winter and the sun on hot summer days. Additionally, they keep cold/hot air trapped in, ensuring that your air conditioning and heating units are never overworked. And finally, energy-efficient windows reduce your energy costs by up to 30%. So, you may even consider it an investment in the long run. 

Save on electrical appliances

For most people, a home renovation is not complete if they’ve not replaced their electrical appliances. However, if you’re looking to save money, that’s probably the best place to start. Anything that’s not faulty beyond repair doesn’t need to be replaced. Unlike top-quality windows or kitchen cabinets, a new washing machine does not really increase the value of your home. 

Splurge on bathroom fixtures

Splurging on bathroom fixtures is a practical move, more than it’s based on a vanity or simple aesthetics. The truth is, even if you find nice-looking faucets and bathroom essentials for cheap, you’re probably losing out on some functionality. If you’re not careful, you could find yourself buying new fixtures in a matter of months because you decided to skimp on them earlier. So, splurge on bathroom fixtures; they look good and the best ones will last for a long time. 

Are you considering upgrading the look of your home in Portugal? TJ Projects is the leading construction company in The Algarve region, and we’d love to handle your project. We also supply and install best-in-class energy-saving windows and top-quality doors. For enquiries, to book an appointment or get a cost estimate, call +351 918 348 898 or send a quick message to info@tj-projects.com. 

The post Where to Save or Splurge During Home Renovations appeared first on TJ Projects.

So, how do LVT and engineered wood compare? If you were building a home or renovating your old house, which should you opt for? Below, we’ve outlined how both flooring materials match up based on 4 key features. 

Durability

LVT is built using moisture-resistant PVC; it’s durable and resistant to scratching, chipping, or denting. When installed correctly, luxury vinyl flooring can last for up to 20 years. And as long as the flooring is cleaned and polished regularly, it will retain its beautiful outlook for most of its life span. 

Engineered wood is fabricated from a combination of real wood and plywood. It is more durable than natural wood flooring, and it doesn’t expand or contract during extreme temperatures. While it has a longer lifespan (it can last up to 40 years) than LVT, it is more susceptible to scratching and chipping. 

Styles and colors

Luxury vinyl flooring comes in different styles, and it is often indistinguishable from real wood or stone flooring – it looks and feels nearly exactly like the natural thing. LVT is also available in various wood and stone colors, with flooring that mimics even the most exotic hardwoods. 

Engineered wood looks and feels like genuine wood as well. This is because it’s, in part, made of real wood. Additionally, it comes in styles that look exactly like expensive wood finishes like Mahogany, Bloodwood, and Brazilian Cherry. However, it is limited to just wood finishes, unlike LVT, which can also look like genuine stone flooring. 

Ease-of-use and maintenance

LVT is water and scratch-resistant, so it is as practical to use in the bathroom as it is in the kitchen. Similarly, it can be cleaned regularly with a broom, mopstick, or vacuum cleaner. If LVT starts to lose its luster, you can use a no-wax polish that’s made specifically for vinyl floors to restore its appearance. 

On the other hand, engineered wood can’t be used in rooms with a high probability of chipping or scratching. However, if you don’t mind a scratched surface, you can use engineered wood in any room LVT is used in. It is also easy to maintain, and you can sweep/mop it like a natural wood floor. Blemishes can be removed using wood putty and stain. 

Price

Engineered wood is significantly more expensive than luxury vinyl flooring, and it also costs more to install. Depending on the quality of the engineered wood, it may cost up to 8-times more than LVT, and the installation typically costs more than double.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. Luxury vinyl flooring looks like natural wood or stone, is more durable, more affordable, easier to maintain, and comes in more styles and colors. Alternatively, engineered wood lasts longer while also looking and feeling like real stone. 

TJ Projects supplies and installs top-class luxury vinyl flooring in the Algarve and neighbouring areas in Southern Portugal. If you’re planning a construction project and need premium LVT flooring material, call +351 918 348 898 or send a quick message to info@tj-projects.com.

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While it is great to be handy with tools and carry out minor repairs, it’s important to recognize when a problem is beyond your capacity. When this happens, it’s time to call a professional. 

Below, we outline 5 home repairs that you should feel comfortable handling by yourself and 5 that need specialized skills.

Do it yourself

If you have an issue with any of the following and are handy with tools, then you can fix them easily. 

1. Fixing a leaky tap
2. Installing electrical fixtures
3. Unclogging a drain
4. Minor furniture fixes
5. Maintenance and general cleaning

Hire a professional

Even when you are good at DIY, the following almost always require a professional touch. And if you handle them yourself, you may make things worse or hurt yourself. 

• Extensive roof repairs

Cleaning the gutters around your roof is very different from replacing a section of your roofing structure. In addition to not possessing the skill to carry out extensive roof repairs effectively, you may also endanger yourself by not adhering to safety best practices. If you are a new homeowner, take a look at these 4 roof repair tips. 

• Interior and exterior painting

Because of how easy the process looks, many people believe painting a house is a piece of cake. Well, it’s not. Sure, anybody can paint a wall and do a decent job, but you need specialized skills to paint a 5-bedroom apartment and its exterior. You’ll also need a lot of niche tools that you wouldn’t have lying around the house. 

• Swimming pool repairs

Thankfully, a swimming pool is one of the few home fixtures that people don’t try to repair on their own. And with good reason. Hiring a pool repair professional is way cheaper than the costs you’ll incur if you damage your swimming pool. 

• Kitchen and bathroom renovation

Do you want to change 1 or 2 cabinets? Then sure, go ahead. But for an extensive bathroom or kitchen remodel, you want experts handling the renovation. Not only because it’ll look better, but you’ll end up saving money in the long run. 

• Door and window replacement

This is another home repair that looks easier than it actually is. Firstly, if you’re not well-versed with doors and windows, you’ll probably end up buying a set that’s wrong for your home, both functionally and aesthetically. And secondly, installing doors and windows goes far beyond screwing in the hinges. You need a pro to do it properly if you don’t want to jeopardize the safety of your home or run up your electricity bill. 

DIY is good and it can save you money, but unless you have experience with home renovation, it can do more harm than good. If you live in Almancil and you need professional handymen to carry out repairs in your home, send a quick email to info@tj-projects.com. 

The post 5 Home Repairs You Can DIY And 5 That You Should Not appeared first on TJ Projects.