FAQ’s: What Time of Year Should I Start a New Project?

Q: What time of year is the best time to start a new renovation project?

A: When figuring out what time of year to start a new project, you should consider three things:

Renovation projects, no matter the scale, will cause some disruption to your day-to-day life
(although the results will be worth it!) If your job has an off-season, or you plan on doing the
renovations yourself, it might be best to plan a project for a time of year where you’ll be home
more often. If you have children, consider if having them at home full-time (like during summer
vacation) will cause them to get in the way of the renovation. Your unique lifestyle can play a big
role in making a project quick and efficient.

Secondly, you should consider the size of the project you’re taking on. A coat of paint or new
cabinetry hardware are small scale projects that take little time to complete, meaning they can
be done most times of the year without too much disruption. A full kitchen renovation, or
replacing exterior doors and windows will take much longer, and may rely on good weather to
be completed on time.

That brings us to the third consideration: Idaho’s unpredictable weather. Internal projects, like
replacing kitchen cabinetry or household moulding, can be done year-round, especially if you
have an indoor workspace like a garage to use.

Outdoor projects should be saved for warmer and drier weather, as should projects that temporarily compromise your home’s weather-proofing, such as replacing a porch door, or upgrading skylights. The renovation experts at Jbros can give you accurate estimates on how long projects will take so you can plan around the seasons.

Overall, what time of year to start your project will come down to your lifestyle and what specific
projects you’re planning. With several inches of snow restricting outdoor activities, Idaho’s
winters can be the perfect time to complete renovations indoors.

And if you want to revamp your home’s street appeal, schedule a free consultation with the pros at Jbros, so you can have a fully outlined plan ready to go when things warm up.

FAQ’s: Can I Mix and Match my Hardware?

Q: Does all of my cabinet hardware have to match?

A: Just like mix-and-matching paint colors or wood stains, choosing multiple hardware styles can create a unique look for your kitchen cabinets, built-in mudroom cubbies, or your other storage spaces. There are a few tips and tricks you can use to get a creative mixed look, while still achieving a cohesion that makes everything work together.

An easy place to start is considering the color or finish of your faucet, kitchen appliances, refrigerator, showerhead, door knobs, or any other hardware in your current space.

For your mixed hardware, you’ll want the color and style differences to look intentional. Metals that are too close in color and finish may just take away from the room’s cohesion, instead of bringing a unique look into your space.

Black appliances and faucets make mixing your hardware easy, since they go with almost all finishes. For other colors, consider looping to the other side of the color wheel, and mixing cool-toned hardware with warm toned styles, giving that intentional look. Rocky Mountain Hardware (one of our many high-quality suppliers) has options in a plethora of colors and metal finishes.

Another aspect of mixed hardware to consider is physical style. Mixing more classic-styled pulls with modern handles can create a fun and unique look if done correctly. The more doors and cabinets in your kitchen, entertainment room, bathroom, display cabinets and more – the more styles you can incorporate while still having a classy flow.

To keep things from looking chaotic, use the same types of pulls for the same types of doors or cabinets. For example, when mixing two options from Emtek, a contemporary knob matched with a classic cabinet pull brings two eras and twice the style to your kitchen. You can also bring attention to special areas in your home, such as a china cabinet or custom bookshelf, with statement hardware. 

A final point to consider is the hardware already used on your doors, from a barn-door track set, to your entryway doorbell plate. Basing your metal and style choices based on your current house-wide hardware can create great flow through your home. Mixing and matching the hardware throughout your home is a cost-effective way to raise the style and quality of your space, without beginning large and disruptive projects. 

Visit Johnson Brothers in Boise or Idaho Falls to see in-person hardware options, to not only get a visual, but tactile experience when choosing your options. Free consultations are also available, so you can get expert advice for your unique style. 

FAQ’s: What Improvements Add The Most Value?

When considering home renovations a lot of questions come to mind. After over 100 years of helping people renovate their homes and commercial spaces, our experts at Johnson Brothers have nailed down a few commonly asked questions. In 2024, we’ll be using our inspiration blog to answer your commonly asked questions, one month at a time. Whether you’re worried about contractors, or can’t decide on paint or wood stain, we’ll have our experts steer you straight. Have more questions? Come into our showroom to talk with a Jbros expert, or set up a free consultation.

Q: What home improvements add the most value to my home?

A: All types of home improvements can add value to your home, from major full-kitchen renovations, to replacing cabinet hardware. When looking to get the most bang for your buck, there are a few places you can start.

Internally, refinishing wood floors and updating kitchen countertops are medium-sized projects that add a ton of value to your home. Kitchen updates can range from repainting cabinets to replacing everything, including the moulding. Installing real stone countertops, like from Ceaserstone, is a worthwhile splurge. Your level of renovation may depend on personal taste, and the last time your kitchen was updated. Newly renovated kitchens majorly boost home value (and look great in listing pictures as well).

Exterior improvements are an easy way to boost your curb appeal (and home value). Repainting and installing new exterior doors are great ways to give the outside of your home a facelift. Doors from our high-quality suppliers, like Andersen, bring added protection and security as well.

Adding or upgrading your windows or patio doors can add tons of natural light to your home, making it more appealing to potential buyers (if you want to go the extra mile, Jbros offers skylights). Fiberglass-reinforced windows, like from Marvin, can both save you money by sealing in heat and A/C, and boost your property value with their high quality construction.

Overall, there are tons of improvements from large-scale renovations, to weekend projects, that will add value to your home. When looking for a place to start, focus on making the outside of your home appealing, adding natural light, and updating outdated areas of your home. Visit Johnson Brothers for a free consultation, to begin improvements to your home, from replacing hardware to installing all new windows and doors.