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5 Home Improvement Projects That Pay Off Big

Not all home improvement projects will reward your time and money equally. While some may pay back big dividends, other remodels could actually reduce the resale value of your home. Choose to make enhancements which are highly sought-after by buyers, so they’ll confer the added benefit of raising the market value of your property.

Consider the five home improvements we recommend below if you’re keen on turning your home into an even better investment.

Front Door Finesse

When prospective buyers check out your building, they can’t help but notice the front door. Installing a new, steel door will not only make the premises seem more attractive, but it will also strengthen your home’s overall security. You may be able to boost the energy efficiency of your house with a new unit as well because old doors tend to leak air through crevices in the molding or the actual material of the door itself.

Keep the Kitchen Current

Most people spend a lot of time in their kitchens preparing food, eating meals and just hanging out with their close friends and family. Therefore remodeling the kitchen space is something many homeowners put at the top of their list.

2014 Palmetto Bluff Idea House. kitchen overall — Wellborn Cabinet Inc. – Wellborn.com

wellborn.com — Wellborn Cabinet Inc. – Wellborn.com

Depending upon budget, you can start off small with new sink faucets, lights and appliances. If you have the budget to do more, consider new cabinetry. Updating cabinetry has proven as a solid investment when remodeling your home. A beautiful kitchen is a surefire way to boost the enjoyment you get from your home as well its overall resale value.

(For more information on upcoming kitchen trends, click here)

SL Idea House 2016, Designer designer/architect, Bill Ingram — Wellborn Cabinet Inc. – Wellborn.com

Siding Replacement

Just as your front door sets the tone for anyone who enters your house, so does siding for anyone who looks at your building from the outside. Today’s siding solutions often come with lifetime guarantees, so you’ll get a long-lasting upgrade to your home’s exterior when you spring for new siding. Siding doesn’t demand much maintenance, and it serves as a protective layer atop the outdoor surfaces of your house.

Boost Your Home’s IQ

The features now possible with would have seemed farfetched just a few short years ago. From lights that turn themselves on and off to wireless thermostats that “remember” to regulate temperatures, smart home technology can make your residence more comfortable and more responsive to your needs. They also cater to security-related concerns, because with the addition of a video surveillance system or doorbell camera, you’ll be able to see who comes to visit you before opening the door.

These products are more affordable than they have been in the past, but it’s still important to choose equipment that’s secure and reliable; otherwise, the hassles of operating the machinery may in fact decrease the enthusiasm of potential purchasers.

Deck or Patio Installation

Outdoor home improvements provide an expansion of your living spaces at a much lower cost than a custom addition would. With the right deck or patio, you can establish a location for enjoying nature without subjecting yourself to the full force of the elements. Their reasonable price tags and broad appeal among buyers of all kinds make decks and patios some of the most cost-effective ways of heightening the charm and allure of homes.

Almost everything you do to your property will have an effect – either positive or negative – on its market value. Select the home remodeling projects you embark with care, and you’ll thereby satisfy your wish to live in enviable surroundings while also setting yourself up to earn a nice profit when it’s time to sell.

About the Author:

Beth Kotz is a freelance business writer specializing in new technology and homeowner finance. Beth earned a BA in Communications and Media from DePaul University in Chicago, IL, where she continues to live and work.

6 Things You Need To Replace In Order To Renovate Your Bathroom

When it comes to renovating one of the most important rooms of your house, i.e. bathroom, the procedure must be taken care of very minutely. After all, this is the place which determines your level of hygiene.

Bathroom makeovers can be quite nerve wracking. Your bathroom can be a big one or a small one. A considerable amount of planning is required for remodeling one, no matter what the square foot of the area is. Starting from the kind of sanitary ware you will install to the size of bathroom vanity cabinets, everything matters. Contacting an interior decorator will be a smart decision.

However, let me take you through a few important parts of a bathroom renovation. Take a look.

Floor tiles – Well, you just cannot compromise with the quality of the tiles that you will ask the contractors to install for your bathroom. Replace the old cracked tiles with slip-resistant tiles for the flooring. Since bathrooms remain wet most of the times, slippery floors can lead to major accidents. For the walls, you can opt for normal tiles. Since you are renovating the entire bathroom for the better, it is smarter if you invest a little more and install tiles of high quality. If your tiles are of inferior quality, water leakages will cause a lot of problems. Also, leaking walls and tiles are a den for fungus, mold, and mildew which can hamper your health in a lot of ways.
Luxury sanitary wares–We all dream of a luxurious bathroom. Gone are the days of sanitary ware where only comfort and usage purpose were considered. Now, bath ware or sanitary ware should not only be comfortable to use but also look expensive and classy. People have this misconception that luxury bath ware means a huge decrease in the current bank balance. No, if you research carefully you can get stylish and user-friendly bath were at affordable prices. Opt for a reputed brand that has been into the bath and sanitary ware manufacturing for a long time. Buy beautiful and stylish bathtubs, shower heads (which can include a massage shower head or a rain shower head), shower enclosures, etc.

Wallpapers – If you want your bathroom to have a designer look, opt for wallpapers on the walls. Nowadays, wallpapers are available in a variety of colors and textures. Install one in your bathroom for completing the look. Wallpapers can make your bathroom look extremely stylish.
Bathroom vanity – Perhaps the most important part of remodeling a bathroom is choosing the right bathroom vanity. It is the most prominent feature of a bathroom and can add a class to your bathroom. If the old cabinet has got marks or dents on it, damp at places, eradicate it. Buy a new Choosing bathroom vanity cabinets can be quite a task. It depends on how many drawers you need and what items you would keep in them if you need double sinks or a single one is enough to serve your purpose, etc. Opt for a reputed company who is into cabinets manufacturing business for quite some time. Wellborn Cabinet features many product lines that offer cabinetry for every room. With their Elegant Bath Collection, you have the opportunity to pick from over 30,000 door styles, wood species and finish combinations. Also, semi-custom options are available for more design flexibility.
Lighting – As we all know, lighting can change the look and feel of a place like anything. Replace the old ones and install decorative, modern day bathroom lighting.
Other things that need attention as well – Other things that form a part of your bathroom like a large mirror, shower curtains, etc must be changed as well.

Bio:Sean Graham is a lifestyle blogger and here he has given tips on remodeling bathrooms by using wallpapers, lights, wallpapers, bathroom vanity cabinets, etc. Buy bathroom vanity from companies who also sell kitchen cabinets wholesale.

School’s Back and Wellborn Cabinet has your Back

August is finally here, and we all know what that means…BACK TO SCHOOL! Parents are running around stores searching for the required, long list of school supplies. Back to school always means it is time for the kids to see their friends, meet the new teacher, and learn an entire new schedule. Some essentials most families forget to think about are the following: where will the backpacks be stored, where will they do their homework, or where will they sit and read their school readings? Wellborn Cabinet not only wants to provide homes with beautiful cabinetry in the kitchen and bathroom but throughout every room in the home to meet individual needs.

Most parents are excited for the school year to start, and it is important to ensure your children have adequate room to study after the bell rings.

Let’s start with as soon as they walk in the door. A mudroom allows your kids to place their shoes, backpacks, and jackets all in one place. Trust me parents, it will make mornings much more hassle free. Wellborn Cabinet offers mudrooms with storage options to hold all of these items in one room. You can add hangers for the jackets and backpacks or seating areas to hold the heavier book filled backpacks.

Typically, the parents are in the kitchen making dinner for the family in the midst of homework time, and what parent wouldn’t want to make this process a little simpler? Our SmartDesign kitchen provides easier access to the kitchen pantry, cutting board, dishes, and other items. Let’s face it, cooking after a long day at work can be tiresome, so cut your cooking time in half by adding a couple of these SmartDesign mechanisms into your kitchen.

This You Draw It Demi Tall cabinet opens freely to help you find the right spice or ingredient. It lights up when opened to give a better visual of all the items stored along with extended drawers to pull out for an easy reach.

The electric butcher block helps you to cut all the vegetables at your desired height level. The butcher block is large enough to cut many ingredients up in one place, without taking away countertop space in your kitchen.

The Electronic Storage Lift brings all your dishes to countertop level. You can grab the dishes off the top shelf without having to climb up on the counter or risking a fall by climbing into a chair. It also makes clean up quick and easy!

Dinner is on the stove cooking, but it is time to get those books out and start a study session. Today’s children and teens tend to be preoccupied by technology. A good way to keep a watch on your kids is having an open floor plan between the kitchen, dining, or living room. As you are prepping tonight’s dinner menu, you can also watch to make sure your child is really doing his/her homework. Kids, watch out, parents can do two things at once! In addition to making your watch time easier, open floor plans can make family time or dinner parties much more enjoyable and collective.

After the endless amounts of worksheets are finished, it is time to get started on the assigned readings. Many teachers want their students to read at home to keep their brains working. Add a seating area in the home for a “quiet place” so those who enjoy hearing themselves think will have a place to get away!

Back to school does not have to be full of dreaded long study sessions, never-ending cleaning, or hassling late night dinners. Wellborn Cabinet provides technology and cabinetry for your home to incorporate a much simpler lifestyle, especially one that allows time for family. Let us be your Whole Home Design Solution.

Plan Your Second Story Additions with These Expert Tips

These days there is no shortage of information on the theme of residential home renovation. It’s a simple as turning on the TV or browsing the internet, however what most people fail to realize is it’s not even close to the reality of what goes on in the field. TV shows tend to quickly show the phases involved as if they are seamless and it leaves the general public thinking they are just as capable as what they’ve just watched on TV. In the real world residential remodeling is very challenging and requires an experienced contractor to get the job done correctly and on budget. Here are some insider tips to give you that edge when planning your second story addition.

An Experienced Architect/Engineer

This is extremely important when dealing with second story additions. They are unlike bathrooms, kitchens and other construction that require less square footage and engineering. Don’t take the cheapest price or think that a designer fresh out of college is your best bet. These front end plans, planning and execution marry your conceptual ideas and coordinate them into a structural frame that will be safe and signed off by your local governance. An architect worth their salt with be savvy of structural code somewhat and have a healthy relationship with a general contractor to get the project done correctly. When considering design be willing to spend extra where it matters. We’ve seen clients try to save on items such as not blending home to original siding, removing stone veneer walls, and square footage of project to come back afterward with regret. Work with your experienced architect and they will help you greatly in this process.

Stairs in Design

One major component that you will no doubt need to start thinking about for any second story add-on is your stair layout. Where will you put your set of stairs for the new room? You’ll need to sacrifice some area on 1^st floor so it’s smart to begin discussing this with your spouse prior to meeting with the architect. The architect will have great ideas as well but it doesn’t hurt to reflect on which areas will be much more difficult than others to place a set of stairs versus areas you are willing to sacrifice.

Utilities May Need an Upgrade

With more square footage starts the conversation of how to appropriately handle the new living area. Items such as electrical for new outlets and new updates in the building codes have required to upgrade old service panels that no longer cut the mustard. Plumbing for the new bathroom is also a consideration, although this is typically something that you will not have too much of an issue with. Your room will also need to have the correct ventilation so keep in mind heating and A/C will be considerations and will most likely have to be upgraded or re-routed and expanding in the cavity of your new ceiling. As second stories take up more square footage you can expect to upgrade the utilities.

Foundation Modification

Due to engineering and carrying a much heavier load that people will be inhabiting you can expect to have some sort of foundation modifications in your phase of construction and planning. Entryways and stairs require new foundations and your architect will scope out areas to pour deep concrete footings in the current foundation to provide the necessary strength. These will all require an inspection to pass before moving forward with the next phase so you can ensure you aren’t inhabiting a weak second floor that is unsafe in the future years to come.

So there you have it, these are some advice to consider that you likely won’t hear from someone who isn’t directly in the trades. If you do your homework and start thinking about these realities of a second story construction project you will be ahead of the curve!

Plan Your Second Story Additions With These Expert Tips

About the Author:

Cody Bollerman serves as an officer at SJB Construction Incorporated in San Diego. SJB Construction Inc. specializes in room additions and second story addition in San Diego since 1983. With over 3,000 design to build projects to date they are one of San Diego’s most trusted contractors in regards to adding a room onto your residence.

Cody Bollerman

A Family Commitment That Spans Across Generations Celebrating 55 Years

Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. is celebrating 55 years since Paul Wellborn first opened the doors to Wellborn Cabinet Shop in Ashland, AL in 1961. The company started in a 3,200 square foot building that Paul and his wife, Betty, eventually expanded into a 1.8 million square foot vertically integrated manufacturing plant. The Wellborn family expanded right along with the business with 5 children who now all hold various management positions within the company. The oldest, Tammy, is manager over the Credit Department, next in line is Angela who is Director of Marketing & Advertising, then John who is the Customer Relations Manager, followed by Stephen who is the Director of Product & Research Development, ending with the youngest, Jason, who is the Display Manager. Now, Mr. Paul has another generation of the Wellborn family beginning their professional career with 3 of his 15 grandchildren working full time in various positions at the Ashland plant.

Original Wellborn Cabinet

The Original Wellborn Cabinet, Inc.

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The Wellborn Family

Behind the Wellborn Family, are dedicated employees who work diligently to build quality cabinetry that is designed for a lifetime of gracious living. “Heirloom Quality” is not just an expression used at Wellborn Cabinet, we consider it a way of life. The amount of time the Wellborn team takes to ensure each product is tested to adhere to our quality standards is second to none. The check points are not completed by just one person; we have over 100 employees on our Quality Team that thoroughly check each cabinet. Our certified inspectors oversee 30 quality checkpoints throughout the facility. The time-tested craftsmanship has been passed down for generations to Wellborn employee. Each cabinet is Crafted By People Who Care.

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Doors, drawer fronts, and face frames are individually inspected for a smooth flawless surface that is properly prepared for The WellGuard Finishing System.

Our Thermofoil doors are ¾” thick. A five-piece raised panel appearance is created by intricately routing the door details from a single solid piece of medium density fiberboard.

Our passion for success not only streams through our product, but we also ensure our facility follows the Environmental Stewardship Certification Program (ESP) regulations. Wellborn Cabinet, Inc.’s goal is to incorporate leading environmental practices, policies, and standards throughout our facility. Our responsibility to the environment has extended to include selecting, educating, and embracing suppliers based on their commitment to similar environmental practices, including sustainable or recycled raw materials, as well as low emission products where applicable. Our commitment to each customer is ensuring them that the cabinets they buy from Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. are the GreenChoice now and for future generations.

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Wellborn’s Estate Collection was chosen to participate in the Greenhaven Home in Atlanta because of its commitment to the environment. Greenhaven is a model for green building and sustainable design.

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Wellborn Truck

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Marketing and Sales Team

For years our company has remained true to our commitments to quality, environmental stewardship, and devotion to our customers. With expansion in the works and applications welcomed, our company has decided to add a new edition to our Ashland location, coming in 2017, in the form of our new frameless line, Aspire Cabinetry. We will have an entire new line of paints, stains and door styles to choose from. Without all of the care and love from our employees, we would not have been able to get where we are today, and the Wellborn Family is so thankful.

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Wellborn Cabinet today

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Make a Great Escape with a Specialty Room for You

It has been said that distance makes the heart grow fonder. When the demands of life make it tough to get away, you can actually find your escape closer to home – right in your home, even – by carving out a corner to create a retreat just for you.

A room dedicated to you and all of your hobbies or personal interests can serve as a welcome escape from the real world if only for a little while. These tips make it simple to get started planning your big escape with ideas centered on some of the most common specialty rooms, as well as a solution for fitting the ideas into a smaller home.

Create a space for crafts.

If you find your frazzled senses defraying with a little threading therapy, look to create a space that celebrates this pastime. With the rise in popularity of websites such as Pinterest, which feature a plethora of DIY ideas, you’ll have ample opportunity to distract your mind and busy your hands.

A room designed to let you explore your crafty side can help prevent the kitchen or dining room table from becoming a creative center or wrapping station around the holidays, and allows those areas to remain dedicated to family, food and friendship. It doesn’t have to be just for crafts, though. It can also be a place to settle down with a good book and just relax.

Keep your space clutter-free and ready to enjoy with a craft room such as those designed by Wellborn Cabinet, Inc., which can feature spacious storage and expansive countertops, providing ample space to create projects that help decorate both the interior and exterior of the home, or simply to unwind and relieve stress.

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Don’t dismiss cars, bars and sports.

If a room free of frou-frou decor where you can just unwind is more your ticket, a man cave may be just the answer. Man caves come in all shapes and sizes, from rowdy dens for sports fanatics to workshops decked out with the tools of your trade.

Even if decorating isn’t your thing, look for ways to make the place your own, whether you display trophies from your hunting excursions or decor emblazoned with the logos of your favorite sports teams. This is the room that allows you to relish in the hobbies you enjoy most.

If there isn’t a spare room or basement available, the garage can serve as a good alternative. With specific spots for tools and lawn care products – or even that car or motorcycle collection – the garage can meet the same needs as a more traditional man cave.

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When two rooms become one.

Whether space limitations prohibit separate quarters, or you simply prefer to share your hobby time with a partner, you can create a specialty room that accommodates both your interests with a little creativity and planning. Working as a team, you can find the right accessories and storage to design a getaway for two. For example, a creative room from Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. offers more than 600 door styles, wood types and combinations. The result is a chance to combine two rooms, such as the man cave and craft room, for a sanctuary you can build and enjoy together.

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Find more inspiration for personal spaces and tools to maximize your space and storage at wellborn.com.

Accessorize Your Personal Space

If creating a space all your own feels like a daunting project, these clever tips from the experts at Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. will help get you closer to a room you can get ready to enjoy:

Charging Solutions: Install a charging station in a drawer for phones or other handheld Power and docking stations can easily hide devices and ports yet keep them readily accessible.
Accessory Racks and Holders: Hooks for tools or coats keep them off of other furniture, including countertops where they can pile up and detract from your workspace. Cubby inserts and baskets help keep your things organized on
Sliding Shelves: Sliding shelves, drawers and baskets let you organize tools or crafting accessories while providing easy access to the items you’ve tucked

On-Trend Transformations

Although they’re often the smallest rooms in the house, they’re also among the most essential and most commonly remodeled spaces. When you approach design with both function and style in mind, you can elevate your bathroom to be much more than an afterthought.

While the bathroom is a space where function matters greatly, that’s no reason to skip adding personal touches to the space. From fixtures and decor that reflect your personality to accessories and features that fit your lifestyle, you can incorporate details that make your bathroom as much about you as the rest of your home.

The focal point of many bathrooms is the cabinetry, and the array of products available today make it possible to create nearly any look you can imagine. With an option such as Wellborn Cabinet Inc.’s Elegant Bath Collection, the possibilities are endless. The extensive collection of designer vanity suites, basic vanities and accessories fits a broad range of design aesthetics with an array of popular door styles and finishes.

If a remodel is in your plans, consider these in-the-now design trends to help create a bathroom retreat that blends your individual style with everyday luxury.

Contemporary style

Whether it’s a desire to capture the classic Zen spa style at home or simply a growing penchant for modern interiors, the bathroom is no exception for those who gravitate toward contemporary design. Cabinetry featuring clean styles, sleek hardware and full overlay doors lend well to a contemporary look. Add complementary lighting and fixtures, and keep accessories and decor simple and clutter-free to round out the look.

Painted cabinetry

Many a bathroom has fallen victim to monochromatic monotony. Fortunately, these days more bathrooms are getting a fresh look filled with colorful expression. If you’ve considered the cabinetry off-limits before, now is the time to brighten up your bathroom and make a statement with boldly hued woodwork. For a more subtle look, glazed richly toned stains may be the answer. Take another step toward this color-friendly style with neutral painted finishes and paints with glazes. Or go all-in with fully custom painted cabinetry, with Wellborn Cabinet Inc.’s ColorInspire program, that draws from the broad selection of shades from the extensive paint programs of well-known brands such as Sherwin Williams, Benjamin Moore and Valspar.

Floating vanities

In keeping with the trend toward modern motifs, floating vanities provide a clean, minimalistic appearance in a contemporary design. Particularly in a smaller room, this open, airy look is a stylish alternative to the pedestal sink as it lends an illusion of space while bringing expanded flooring into view. Paired with the proper cabinetry and color scheme, the floating vanity can work equally well in a transitional design.

Storage solutions

From pull-outs, tilt-ups and roll-outs to hidden outlets, simplified storage is in big demand, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s 2016 Design Trends Report. Keeping clutter off the counter is easier than ever with clever storage solutions such as Wellborn Cabinet Inc.’s accessory base pullouts or toe kick drawers that create an extra place to stow your bath essentials in the space below the cabinet. Another solution to a common problem, the U-shaped sliding shelf wraps around the sink plumbing to hold towels, soaps and hair accessories, providing easy access to stored items while maximizing storage space inside your vanity.

Choose Your Door Design

The type of door overlay you choose for your bathroom cabinetry can make a big difference in the overall look of the room. Determine which door style fits best with your design:

Full overlay doors span over the frame and have a concealed hinge for a clean look.

Traditional overlay doors reveal some of the frame for a classic design.

Inset doors are placed inside the cabinet frame. Some brands, such as Wellborn Cabinet, Inc., offer options like beaded or non-beaded face frames.

Find more inspiration and planning tools to create your ideal bathroom retreat at www.wellborn.com

Remodel: Tukasa Creations

From the hillsides to the valleys, a southern home shows beauty from the inside to the outside.

Travel down the beautiful countryside of Texas to explore the beauty of this kitchen. From beginning to end, this home was built off the style of the homeowner. As you scurry your way in, you will be welcomed by the amazing cabinetry that once only presented your basic brushed over white.

A southern style kitchen is built off the character of the homeowner, in which, the rooms mean more to them than a cooking location. This is a place that represents the woman behind the baking and cleaning. She is country meets glam. When asked what the lady wanted her home to represent she of course designed it based off her character. She took the reins on the blueprints and designed everything from the moldings to the style of cabinets that would be included in the construction.

Every home has a certain elegance and characteristic, but this Southern Charm wanted to modernize her kitchen but still keep the rustic/traditional appearance in the home. Tukasa Creations stayed true to the design envisioned by the homeowner but added a little twist to the rustic appeal by combining and transforming into the modern 21^st century woman with a southern twang in the roots!

Dark cabinetry was envisioned in her mind, until she fell in love with the beautiful Glacier White Wellborn Cabinet, Inc. offers in our Premier Series. When remodeling takes place in the home, sometimes that means restructuring of the room. The oven was originally located where the pantry is placed now. The designers moved the oven to the other side to get it closer to the cooktop displayed on the gorgeous island. One addition to the kitchen, as well, was to make the pantry larger than normal. A pantry can never be too large to hold all your essential needs.

To represent this woman’s style, glass door fronts were installed in the cabinets so this lovely lady could display her turquoise, Fiesta dishware. One of the best qualities about choosing a white kitchen is the ability to intertwine with just about any color in the home. She wanted this possibility because as you can tell, she has an eye for fashion.

This woman is all about the details. To top of the elegant cabinetry, she wanted light rail molding below the upper cabinets and all base cabinets, as well as matching ends and fluted molding.

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After:

Sink Base Cabinet with Tilt Out Tray and Wood Dovetail Soft Close Sliding Shelf

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You Draw It Cabinet with Tray Divider above the special oven cutout and Pot and Pan Pullout below

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Utility Cabinet with Sliding Shelves with a Refrigerator Wall Cabinet stacked on top

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Two Drawer Corner Base Cabinet

Diagonal Corner Cabinet with Lift Door

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About Tukasa Creations

The kitchen was remodeled by Tukasa Creations. They are a flooring and kitchen and bath remodeling store located in Corpus Christi, Texas. To learn more about them, visit their website at http://www.tukasacreations.com/

Social Media Tips Your Company Can’t Afford To Ignore: Executing With Excellence

After my last article on social media tips for beginners, I thought we could step a bit deeper into the depths of the social media ocean and come up with a few pearls of wisdom. Some of these tips can be executed right away, but others will take time and you’ll need to build upon your skills in order to reap the full benefits. You’ve already gotten your feet wet, so now it’s time to dive right in with 10 more tips to take your social media game to the next level!

Remember the Reason: Relationships are the name of the game in social media, so no matter how badly you want to master this new craft for your business, don’t forget to approach it with a spirit of helpfulness and friendliness. The point of social media is to put a human voice and face to your brand. Don’t let the stuffiness of day to day buying and selling overwhelm your presence.
Collect Data. This is one of the most valuable functions of social media. The data you can gather on your demographic and target audience is priceless. In addition to the standard age and gender questions, you can find out what makes your customers tick. You can find out what their pain points are, what their questions are, what they relate and react to. Don’t let this data go by the wayside. Record it and return to it often.
Act On Your Data. When you find a new nugget of wisdom about your audience, don’t just write it in your notebook. Act on it. Adjust your efforts to fill this need, answer this question, or offer the type of information that their craving. This will help you produce quality over quantity in terms of content.
Focus on campaigns that run across all social media channels. As we discussed in the last article, you shouldn’t try to build a strong presence on all channels. Stick to 3 or 4 to start off with. Create a campaign that can be translated onto all your targeted platforms. But beware, you can’t typically take the same photo and content and successfully post it on all channels. Different word limits, ideal photo sizes and key hashtags will differ on these channels, so adjust accordingly. Keeping the message the same on all channels will promote easy recognition of your brand and it’s values.
Research Repeatedly. We covered researching before planning in the last article, but research should be a regular part of your social media journey. Continue to research your competitors and see what is and what is not working for them. Research the best hashtags to use. You can find this on sites like com or hashtagify.me. Using appropriate hashtags can spread your content much farther than your immediate followers.
Use calls to action! As in any advertising medium, use calls to action and a sense of urgency to drive your potential customers into the buying funnel. While social media is not all about buying and selling, but when your posts directly relate to your products or services, there is no harm in adding a simple call to action. It can be as easy as “Click to shop more of these _____” or “Sign up today for more ways to save!”. Getting them to convert to your website or email list is the name of the game. Guide them in the right direction with a little encouragement!
Test different image shapes, sizes, fonts, colors and even emojis to maximize your reach or gain quick recognition with your followers. Sometimes the small things make you stand out and can break through the clutter in a newsfeed or timeline. In our “Before and After” and “This or That” posts, we found that if we made our image twice the height of a standard Facebook image, our reach would triple or even quadruple! This happens because more than half of all Facebook users are on mobile. When you view this post on mobile, it entices you to click to see the “after” or the “that” image that you can’t see due to the size. The key is to put the “AFTER” or “THAT” text in the middle of the photo, so that people will understand that there is something to see below. When people are constantly clicking on your image, they’re telling Facebook that they value your content, and Facebook recognizes it as more important, making the reach skyrocket. In addition, those who click your post are served more of your content in the future because Facebook knows that they feel it is relevant. Without testing, trial and error, and closely monitoring the way that our fans are interacting with our content, we would have missed this awesome realization!
Use contents to grow reach, engagement and the “fun factor”. Simple giveaways can be extremely powerful. Many contests will tell fans to like, comment and share to have a chance to win. These posts can get hundreds of thousands of interactions, with most of the giveaway prizes worth only a few hundred dollars. That kind of engagement is worth every penny.
Make it trackable. Make sure that if you’re promoting contests, giveaways, discounts or specials on your social media accounts, that you have promo codes associated with them for your sales staff. This will allow you to see how many people are claiming this discount in store. This allows you to see which channels are working well for your target audience, or what categories are especially of interest.
Cross Promote Social Media Channels With On And Offline Channels! I can’t stress this one enough. If you are going to take the time to use social media, make sure you get the biggest reach possible. This can be done by sending email blasts about your social activity, putting social share and follow buttons on all of your blogs, images, products, and pages on your website, putting social icons in your email signature (all staff should have this with an invitation for the recipient to follow for “Daily Design Inspiration” or whatever your company provides via social media.) You can also tie this to your other advertising channels, such as TV commercials, radio ads, or in store signage. This makes it easier for customers to follow you no matter where they are when they see your message or interact with your business.

Good luck in your social media journey! If you have patience, persistence and dedication to follow the tips that I’ve laid out, I’m confident that your social presence will continue to rise daily. Don’t lose faith if things don’t take off over night. This is a marathon, not a sprint, so don’t burn yourself out in the beginning. Have a plan and pace yourself so that you will be sure to endure in your efforts for years to come. Pleasant posting!

Written By: Allie Bloyd

Allie is the Marketing Director at Builders Surplus. Builders Surplus is a full service remodeling and renovation company in Louisville, Ky and Newport, Ky, which also serves Cincinnati, Oh. Builders Surplus focuses mainly on Kitchen and Bathroom Design, Flooring, Windows, Doors, and Tile. If you have any questions for the author, feel free to comment below!

5 ways to incorporate accessories into your kitchen

Your kitchen is your happy place. Cooking should be made easy when you have the perfect accessories placed within your cabinetry. Accessories help organize and store all your utensils, pots and pans for your personal convenience. Here are 5 must haves in your kitchen to make cooking as easy as possible!

Knife Drawer

Keep all your knives organized, sharp and ready to use, with our knife drawer kit. The kit has full extension soft close guides that provide full access to the drawer. Have little ones? Our magnetic lock kit is the perfect solution. The lock system does not require the standard keys or keyholes, therefore maintaining the look of your drawer front.

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Base Cutlery Pullout

Every great chef knows that you are only as good as your utensils, but having so many sizes and brands can make them a nightmare to store. That is no longer a concern with this organizer! This pullout comes with stainless steel utensil bins, knife inserts, and a lower shelf for more storage.

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Base Filler Peg Pullout

Utilize every inch of your cabinet space, whether it is behind a decorative filler or in a corner, the peg pullout will make “wasted space” a thing of the past! The removable hooks and pegs on the stainless steel panel provide endless storage customization.

Utensil drawer

Spice and Culinary Drawer

Cutlery, spices and knives all in one answer! You can achieve this design by pairing the following: Drawer Cutlery Organizer, Container Organizer with glass containers and a Knife Block Organizer. All of these accessories are available in deep and rich Walnut wood grain.

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Pot and Pan Pullout

This cabinet provides a tiered pullout shelf to add convenience when putting away pots and pans. The pullout drawer, with soft close drawer slides, provides a full visual of all that is in the cabinet, along with easy access to the stored items.

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The next time you decide to design your kitchen with Wellborn cabinets, remember these unique accessories in your kitchen! The next time you are planning a new construction project or remodel, remember to consider these accessories in your kitchen design!

To learn more about Wellborn’s accessories, click on the link below:

https://www.wellborn.com/d3Apages.php?item=BROWACC