Pump up with a new home gym. Gym memberships keep going up in price, and you do not get a lot for the money these days. With crowded gyms, breaking equipment and working around their hours of service, sometimes what you end up doing is paying for something you don’t use. So, why not put that money where you will use it? A Home Gym will not only make your home value increase but will help keep you and your entire family in shape while you stay within the comforts of your home. No traffic, no crowded showers and shower shoes, just a great space and a great work out.
So how do you get started creating a perfect Home Gym?
We have compiled some great ideas and tips for making your extra space into a time saving, money saving, health improvement area.
Determine Your Space:
Determining how much space you’re going to need is key to creating the best possible work out space. What type of equipment do you plan to have: a treadmill, work-out bench, dance bar? Each area you plan to use requires a different amount of space. Your High Quality Contracting Inc agent can help you plan this out. We are experts in using lost space and putting a room’s square footage to the best use.
Air Flow:
Remember, working out bodies sweat. Your home gym needs proper ventilation. If you are using an upstairs space, windows are an option. If you are using a basement area, consider some ceiling fans.
Flooring:
Rubber flooring seems to be the range for home gyms, but that leaves the gym area a little less than appealing. Consider carpeting laid over rubber flooring. Another consideration, if this is a dance/yoga area, installing a heated flooring system will make it warm and cozy.
Lots of Lighting:
Building energy for a workout requires good lighting. Take advantage of natural light if possible with large beautiful windows or skylights. If this is not possible, be sure to install bright, cool white overhead lighting. There are many great products on the market in a variety of designs.
Colors Make a Difference:
Wall colors matter. Consider either painting the walls with bright or even fluorescent paint colors or with bright natural tones. Avoid using dark greys, blacks and deep blues on the walls. The dark colors will reduce your energy levels and make it more difficult to get yourself going during a workout.
Motivational Décor:
Don’t leave the walls empty with no décor. Putting up motivational posters, photos, and framed pieces can help to keep you inspired. Add large beautiful mirrors to the walls. Put some live, large, indoor plants in the corners to help with the air and the atmosphere. All-of-these things help make the space welcoming and motivational. Don’t forget to install either a water dispenser or cooler to the area to stay hydrated.
Equipment Decisions:
Choosing your equipment can be daunting. But, we have tips for that as well. First, consider your space. Do you have enough room for that treadmill or that weight bench? Second, what are your fitness goals? Do you want to build muscle, lose weight, build stamina or tone your body? Different types of equipment can help you achieve different goals. Finally, the budget. Review your budget and look for seasonal sales that are heading your way. Don’t forget the small stuff like Yoga mats, free weights, or exercise bands.
Sound System:
Although a sound system is not required for a good work out, it can sure help with motivation and focus. Decide if you would like a surround sound system installed with good speakers, or if a simple radio will do. Why not opt for the big system and enjoy the music? If you have the system installed, be sure that the installer hides the wires where possible.
We hope these tips help you to create the Home Gym of your dreams. Don’t wait until January to get going! You can get a free estimate by contacting your High Quality Contracting Agent today. Start the year with the gym already set and get yourself back into shape! Stop wasting cash and time at local gyms when you can have it all at home!
Creative home theaters take the Friday night movie to a whole new level. We compiled some awesome ideas for your home theater that will make going to the movies obsolete and give your family and friends years of enjoyment.
Start with the walls-
A good home theater has good walls that are soundproofed to keep the noise in while the rest of the house stays quiet. No one wants to wake the baby while watching the latest action thriller. To do this, a framed space should have proper soundproofing materials insulated into the walls and possibly the ceiling to lock in sound. The market is full of great products right now such as Acoustic panels and Sound Proofing Foam. These products should be installed by a professional. Also, do not forget that outlets and leaks should be insulated as well.
Hit the Ceiling-
No, not literally, but a beautiful theater room can have added zing added to it by updating the ceiling. Consider laying back and listening while the ceiling has amazing home theatre ceiling tiles from Armstrong or fun lighting options that illuminate the area in just the right places to encourage a relaxed feel. Pay attention to the details, such as the trim or decorative beams as you are laid back in your comfy lounge chair.
Floors-
Floors are important. Depending on where the home theater is located this may need soundproofing as well. If you are in a basement, the soundproofing may not be needed but perhaps a heated floor is in order to keep toes cozy during the winter months when you spend more time in the theater. Look for comfy carpeting or nice hardwood that will bring a warm and inviting feel to the space.
The home theater system –
Do not skimp when it comes to the home theater system. Make sure you get high-quality speakers that can produce surround sound. Get them installed professionally to ensure a quality experience. A large screen can add to your better than commercial cinema performance. Wires should be hidden to prevent children or pets from pulling on them. Add a control system that adjusts for lighting, sound and the touch screen controlled movie system.
Furnishings-
Here the sky is the limit. Home theater seating, a commercial grade popcorn maker or even a beverage cooling system can be installed into a bar or a side area for snacks. Some home theaters also have a small eating area for a table and chairs to eat while watching your movies. There is no limit as to the number of ideas we can create for your home theater.
For a creative home theaters , contact a High Quality Contracting expert today for a no-cost quote. We specialize in creating a truly unique design for your home and will work with you to assure the best possible result for your space.
Home remodeling can reduce your winter blues. Wisconsin’s long cold winter months can sometimes cause homeowners to get the winter blues and increase the symptoms of depression. But have no fear, help is near. Did you know that by making a few remodeling changes to your home you can help with these symptoms?
Since it is Mental Health Month, we thought to share tips for remodeling that will help. It is a scientific fact that increased natural lighting can help with feelings of Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder. By making some of these changes in your home, you can improve your homes natural light, air flow and a general sense of well being.
Full-length windows
If your home has small or very few windows consider larger windows or more of them to allow light in. Consider full-length windows that brighten a room or a large bay window. You can also add fun items like a window seat or a book nook to create that cozy feel and give you a space to relax in the sun.
Add skylights
Another great way to increase lighting is to add skylights. Skylights can bring in lots of light and improve your homes energy efficiency by allowing the sun to help heat your home. A skylight is like a window in the roof, but its frame is designed and flashed to withstand the rigors of rainfall that a shelter receives. It allows for daylight to fill the home with both warmth and light which in turn reduces your energy costs, the amount is dependant on the amount of sun that your area gets. The more sun, the more warmth, and light you receive.
Screened in porches
Screened in porches are great, but, what about changing that porch to fully enclosed space with large paned windows. This would provide plenty of space to sit and relax in the sun while still staying warm and indoors.
Change the hardware
Changing the hardware, you are using for the lights can also help. If you light switches are attached to poorly lit ceiling lights, opt to change those items out for newer energy efficient lighting systems.
Light bulbs can make a huge difference in the amount of light in a home. User a higher wattage if you are using only 60-watt bulbs. Consider fluorescent or natural exposure bulbs to brighten a dull and darkened room.
Open concept
Opening up walls for an open concept look is not only a way to improve lighting but airflow and energy efficiency as well. The light can now resonate throughout the home more naturally as well as heat can be distributed efficiently.
Doors
Increase the brightness in your home with French glass doors rather than a solid interior door. You can still have privacy, but the glass allows the illumination to flow.
Don’t forget the front or back doors of your home as well. Install a newer energy efficient door with triple paned glass for security yet the ability to allow light to flow in from the space. Or consider a glass storm door which you can use to let light in during the day while still being able to close and lock the more massive solid door at night or when you are away.
Home remodeling can reduce your winter blues so don’t let the winter months bring you down. There are so many ways to brighten your home. The best way to handle any home remodeling project is by contacting a High Quality Contracting, Inc design expert to help you devise a custom plan that fits your home and your budget.
Your home is one of the biggest expressions of who you are. It shows your character and your style. Each corner, each curtain is part of a bigger picture of you. So why is it then that people tend to take so little time to think about the exterior siding of their home? We look at our houses and think, “Well, it’s a grey house, so, it must stay that way.” or “It’s too big of a project to change that.”
We can do better and as hard-working homeowners, we deserve better.
Changing the exterior of your home is easier than you would think with a trusted company like High Quality Contracting, Inc. We take the struggle out of the work and follow your ideas to a tee to create a statement as soon as you pull into the driveway.
So, now the hard part, deciding how to express yourself.
We can assist there as well. Here are some great siding ideas to help put your personal style on your home:
Timeless-
If you want to express a style of elegant simplicity consider siding flavored in timeless colors. Choose a palette of tones that reflect the ocean or emulate the earth. Water-inspired blues contrasted with earth tones of river rock and pearl can change the way your home looks creating a timeless look.
Eclectic-
Do you venture toward the bold and fun? Creating an eclectic exterior of your home can feel difficult at best. However, we can make it easy on you. Build in different textures of shake and shingles as well as colors to mix and match your look. Siding can be fun, so mix it up a bit.
Traditional-
If observing more of a traditional look for your home, consider earth-toned hues or deeper colors such as “wrought iron” or “latte”. These colors work great on homes such as a cape-cods or colonials.
Modern-
A modern home should have an eye-popping look by mixing deep trending colors with soothing neutral colors. Create a powerful effect with cool hues and bold bright colors offset with a warm neutral color palette.
There are many more ways to express your personal style in the exterior of your home besides siding. However, siding is a key factor in your look. It is an investment in your home that will benefit you for years to come.
