To create a great first impression, the first thing you should change about your foyer is the clutter. This is not a space that is meant to house unnecessary items. A foyer that is well kept and showcases clean lines will create a grander feel when guests enter your home. Equally important is the lighting. Ideally, every room in a home would have natural light, but in many cases foyers do not, so we improvisation is key Installing quality lighting in your entry way will help your home feel more inviting, not gloomy or cold.

Beyond the two essential, tasks of lighting and de-cluttering your foyer, the overall design of the space is really open to your interpretation. Include design elements in your foyer that you’ve also included throughout the rest of your home to improve the flow of the space.

For more home design ideas and tips, stay tuned in to our blog here at Fischer & Frichtel!

No matter the square footage of your home, there is room for a small garden and—as an added bonus—they are simple to maintain. We have put together a basic how-to list for you (feel free to modify however you see fit).

• First things first: you have to pick your plants. Do you prefer dry or wet plants? It’s important to choose a type of plant that you feel you can care for on a simple maintenance schedule. Dry plants such as aloe are extremely easy to grow and may be a good choice for a first-time gardener.
• Next, pick your pot, or the base that will house your plant or plants. Depending on the size of your plant, you can use everything from a large mason jar to an old fishbowl – these bases make beautiful terrariums.
• Finally, repot plants into their new home. If you chose a wet plant, repot the plant with soil; dry plants can be placed in sand or pebbles.
• All that is left to do from there is picking a sunny or shady place for the plant in your home. For regular plant care, follow the instructions on the plant’s packaging and discuss any concerns with a neighborhood nursery attendant.

When it comes to gardening, anything goes—even in small spaces. Stay tuned to the Fischer & Frichtel blog for more custom home design tips and how-to’s.

We’ve been saying it for the past couple of years and it seem that we’re still right: it costs individuals more to rent a home than to own it. Rent prices continue to rise higher than many mortgage rates in the area. Even in markets where home prices are a bit “pricier,” renters are being swayed into buying a home.

If you are debating which option is right for you, then you are probably curious how the benefits of owning a home breakdown compared to renting. There are many cases that renting may appear to be the best option at first. For example, if you rent a home that costs you $800 a month and you have the option of owning a home with a mortgage payment of $1000 a month, the first year of homeownership would not receive the better deal. However, as time passes, cost-of-living and inflation rates increase, bringing rental costs up with them. All the while, fixed mortgage payments remain the same. Beyond these savings, homeowners have an asset that continues to gain equity year after year, while renters do not.

The financial benefits of homeownership are somewhat obvious, but even more than that, homeowners benefit from a sense of community when they join a welcoming neighborhood, such as any of the neighborhoods built by Fischer and Frichtel. If you’re ready to take the first step to owning a home, visit the Fischer and Frichtel website to browse through our many home communities – you may just find your dream home in a single click.

• Plan it out. Sit down and make a list of all the events you will be hosting at your home this summer. Once you have a general idea of what you need to prepare for, you can create a detailed to-do list for each event; the work will seem much more overwhelming if tasks are recognized beforehand and scheduled out.
• Give your deck or patio a good scrub. Chances are that your deck or patio hasn’t received a good cleaning since last summer, so this is an absolute must. You’ll more than likely have a child visitor—or several this summer—and if they’re going to be running around barefoot, it’s nice to have a clean outdoor space. Plus, it improves the overall visual appeal.
• Spruce up your space with splashes of color. One of the best things about outdoor entertaining? You can incorporate bright splashes of color through flowers and plants that you may not otherwise be able to indoors. Unique landscaping and decor is also a great conversation piece.
• Manicure your lawn. You’re going to mow your lawn before your next get-together. So why not lay down some extra fertilizer while you’re at it and give your lawn an extra boost of color?

Take a little extra time this month to prepare for summer activities and you’ll feel much more relaxed as the busy season settles in. Stay tuned to our blog for more outdoor living tips!

• Mix it up. Pair up various textures and colors to increase the visual appeal of the cabinets.
• Cover-up the clutter. Choosing to include elements, such as textured glass, in your cabinets adds character while still covering up some of your cabinet clutter.
• Throw in some contrast. Installing cabinets and fixtures with light and dark shades can add depth.
• Add age with distressing. Hand distressing your cabinets is a simple way to add age tastefully.
• Pay attention to the accessories. Including bold hardware, such as knobs and handles, can change the entire look of a kitchen—and it doesn’t even have to stretch your budget.

It can be both a blessing and a curse when it comes to getting the right look and feel for your kitchen cabinetry. If you’re struggling with your kitchen remodel you can find the help you’re looking for at the Home Center. Stop by Fischer & Frichtel Home Center soon to browse our large selection of cabinetry and millwork.