Real Estate Blog - storage

Optimizing Space in Your Galley Kitchen

Curious how to get the kitchen of your dreams within a narrow space? Here’s the skinny: some careful planning, judicious use of storage and small renovations can give a galley kitchen quite a pop.

The long and narrow galley kitchen traces back to tiny spaces set aside for a single cook to feed the onboard crews of waterborne vessels, both small and large. This style was then passed on to long-distance trains of the early 20th century, where a galley arrangement maximized customer seating while retaining a tight and efficient space for food prep—as long as kitchen workers were few and coordinated. 

In a residential home, the galley kitchen often serves as a space saver. Kitchens were often isolated, out-of-the-way functional places prior to the…

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What To Store in a Garage vs. Basement

When you own a home, outside of the closets, there are likely two main places where you can store your possessions: your garage and your basement. However, certain items will do better in one location over the other. Read on to learn about what to store in your garage and what is best to store in your basement.

What to Store in the Garage

In general, the items you should store in your garage have a common theme: they are all items that are used outdoors.

Car supplies – If you have a car, truck, or other vehicle, it likely spends a lot of time either in the garage or parked nearby. Therefore, it is only logical to store items for your vehicle, such as wiper fluid and extra tires, in your garage. The garage is also a…

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Where You Should (and Shouldn’t) Store Things in Your Home

The changeover to fall and winter is often a little melancholy in Canada as we bid adieu to the fair weather months and hunker down for winter. The storage battle is sometimes a challenge, particularly if you’ve added something like new outdoor furniture,or if you have leftovers from a summer renovation project. 

The garage, basement, and attic are all go-to seasonal storage solutions—we know this. In the crunch to get everything put away, it’s tempting to simply stick it where it fits. That could be, unfortunately, a setup for disappointment. 

The garage, basement, and attic are three distinct environments and the things they store best aren’t always interchangeable. To help you make sure everything in storage survives the winter, check out our…

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How to Make Your Laundry Room More Efficient

As time goes by, it feels like we only get busier as a society. Small household tasks can seem overwhelming between work, family obligations and social events. While some people may find peace in spending a day at home, cleaning and getting things in order, others are seemingly always rushing around trying to squeeze small household tasks in before jetting off to the next event. This is where creating an efficient living space can pay off in dividends. Arguably, one of the more time-consuming chores at home is laundry – and the bigger the family, the more laundry there will be, leaving you wondering how to make your laundry room more efficient.

We will take you through some of the best ways to make your laundry room more…

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5 Fridge and Pantry Organizing Hacks You Can Do Today

There’s something about looking at images of a perfectly put together fridge or pantry that inspires you to do your own #fridgemakeover or reach #pantrygoals. It’s a popular trend on social media right now, but a well-organized kitchen isn’t just good for an Instagram post or TikTok video. Smart fridge and pantry organization can also help reduce food waste and inspire more home-cooked meals or snacks. If you have an appetite for organization, we’re sharing fridge and pantry hacks you can use in your own kitchen today.

Consolidate, decant, and label 

The first thing to do is check what you have, toss out expired items, donate other unwanted items to a food bank (if accepted), and see what you have left. Once you know…

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Here are 4 DIY Built-ins You Can Do This Weekend!

Built-ins are showstoppers in any room. Whether used to surround a fireplace, turn a window into a cozy reading nook, add extra storage to an otherwise underused wall, or create the home library of your dreams, built-ins bring the grandeur.  

But that grandeur can come with a grand price if you order custom built-ins. Luckily, they’re not the only option. DIY built-ins don’t have to be expensive, require a full renovation, or take longer than a weekend to complete. Paint, moulding and prefabricated bookcases, wardrobes, and cabinetry are all you’ll need to create the classy, custom looking built-ins of your dreams.

The secret to DIY built-ins is paint and trim. To make your project look like custom work, paint the built-ins to match your room…

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5 Ways to Transform Your Kitchen Island

Kitchens aren’t just for cooking and eating; they’re gathering places, homework stations, and the spot where parties always end up. This room always tops homeowners’ remodelling wish lists, but if a major overhaul isn’t in your budget this year, there’s another way to maximize your space, while adding style and function: install a kitchen island or elevate the one you already have.

Islands provide more storage and prep space, extra seating, and they add character and a focal point to your kitchen. We asked a design expert for creative, affordable hacks to create fabulous kitchen islands.

1. Repurpose what you can 

When Halifax-based interior design consultant and TV host Rebekah Higgs—also known as DIY Mom—began…

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5 Fresh Living Rooms With Built-In Storage

A fireplace is a natural focal point in a living room. But sometimes it can command too much attention. A smart way to balance a fireplace wall is to add built-in cabinetry. These units can create symmetry while adding storage and display space for decorative items. And their built-in nature gives the overall design a more intentional look than standalone units might. Here, design and remodeling pros share details about incorporating built-ins in recent living room projects.


Younger Homes

1. Black-and-White Boldness

Builder: Danielle Younger of Younger Homes
Architect: Danze & Davis Architects
Designer: Haley Manning
Location: Jonestown, Texas

Homeowners’ request. A family lakeside vacation home with high-end architectural design. “They wanted a…

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Home Organization Tips for the New Year

Have you stuck to your New Year’s resolutions so far? Whether it’s eating healthier, keeping the house clean, getting more exercise, or something more personal, New Year’s resolutions can be tricky to keep.

More often than not, people try to get on top of their home organization at the beginning of the year, making a vow to keep things tidy all year round. We spoke with Nina Duque and Hillary Tan-Ortiz of Overdue Solutions, a cleaning and organizing service from the Greater Toronto Area, and they gave us some of their best tips on how to keep your home organized this year—and where to start. 

“Most people would go for the areas that are an eyesore (out in the open), but we recommend tackling your hidden spaces like closets, cupboards, or…

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The 10 Most Popular Bathrooms of 2021

A stylish and well-designed bathroom will help you start your day off right and finish it with ease. The following countdown of the 10 most popular bathroom photos uploaded to Houzz in 2021 offers ideas for fitting tubs and showers into tight spaces, maximizing storage with custom vanities, using wood-look tiles to add warmth and durability, and much more.


Nandco Construction

10. Herringbone Hero

This Los Angeles bathroom by Nandco Construction features a pair of glass shower partitions with an opening between them. The design lets the homeowner walk directly into the wet area, where two shower heads and a deep soaking tub beckon.

The gray elongated porcelain floor tile is laid in a herringbone pattern that adds visual texture to the…

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