Author Archives: FultonHomes

Storage Opportunities

Posted on by

If you are seeking extra storage opportunities in your home, but do not know where exactly to begin looking, we have gathered five storage spaces you have probably been overlooking. Let’s take a look! 
 
1. Headboard
If you are running out of space in your bedroom, consider the headboard as a storage opportunity. Headboards are often a missed opportunity for most homeowners. Different headboard designs allow for multifunction storage compartments. Using these headboards can grant you the extra room you may need in your bedroom. Plus, you can even design and build your own with Do-It-Yourself tutorials available online.
 
2. Ceiling
Hanging storage compartments from your ceiling is another excellent way to free up space. Place items up there so that you do not need items laying around all the time or blocking valuable flooring space. You can store a wide variety of odds and ends up there and keep it low-profile, so it does not take up much of your valuable room space.
 
3. Under Your Washer and Dryer
Underneath your washer and dryer may be another opportunity, you have overlooked. You can raise your washer and dryer off the floor and put storage cabinets or drawers beneath them. This can be helpful for storing towels or clean clothes and have them conveniently right below the washing machine.
 
4. Behind Doors
If you have different doors in your home that primarily stay open, consider them as another opportunity for storage. Step ladders, brooms, and dustpans can be tucked away behind a mudrooms door and stored for later. This is a great spot to keep your quick-to-get-to house cleaning supplies and maintenance tools. Also, consider getting a door hanger with baskets to keep your cleaning supply in as well.
 
5. Behind Cabinet Doors
Your cabinet doors can also take doors hangers made for them. This is great for tucking away spices and canned food in your kitchen. These low-profile hangers are affordable and can help add more storage where needed. They even have some neat, handy ones with chalkboards for recipes and hooks for your measuring cups and spoons.
 
We hope you found these five storage ideas useful. Be sure to check back weekly for more expert tips and tricks. Thanks for reading!

5 Best Wood Species for Furniture

Posted on by

Wood furniture can be considered a prized possession in any home; it instantly adds texture, comfort, and style to your home’s decor. As a natural product, you can expect wood to have different in texture, color, and grain. Such variations are what make wood furniture pieces beautiful and unique. Have you ever wondered what wood species make for the best furnishing? Check out these five popular wood species that are commonly used in furniture: 

1. Beech

Beech is a type of wood that is heavy and strong. Beech usually has a tight grain with a smooth and even texture and has a natural light color. This type of wood is often used to make furniture that requires a bit of flexibility or bending like chairs. Beechwood furniture provides a natural, organic look and it has a solid density. Like most wood furniture, beech wood ages gracefully if it is maintained properly. 

2. Walnut

Formed by a beautiful, dark brown hue, walnut a very popular choice for furniture. With its distinctive grain, walnut is known for its hardness, durability and shock resistance. Authentic walnut furniture is generally more expensive than most types of wood furniture because walnut trees do not grow as often. Walnut is commonly found in furnishing that features dark stained finishes. As walnut furniture ages, you will see that it gets lighter and can turn into a rich honey hue.

3. Maple

Maple is another type of wood that is dense yet durable. This wood species is often used in cabinetry and furniture. Its straight-grain contributes to its uniform texture. Maple wood has different variations in color including reddish brown, white and lighter brown. Maple’s grain takes paint color well which is why it is used in painted wood furniture projects. 

4. Cherry

Natural cherry is pricey and a trendy choice for furniture and cabinetry. It is ultra-durable, and it has a distinct yet attractive grain. Cherry has medium brown color with pink undertones and can age into a reddish brown. 

5. Mahogany

Mahogany is a tropical wood species with medium hardness. The great thing about this grain is that it is resistant to moisture which means that it is less likely to warp or shrink. Mahogany has unique grain patterns that can take on swirls and other types of shapes. It is used to make more exceptional furniture pieces. This species has a light pinkish hue that quickly transforms into a reddish brown color.

Which wood species do you prefer in your home’s decor? We would love to hear your opinions below in the comment section. Thanks for reading! 

Tips to Make Your New Home Feel Like Home

Posted on by

When you move into your new house, several elements make a house feel like home. A house is generally a building in which one lives in, but a home provides comfort, security, and pleasure. Knowing that you are home has the context that your dwelling establishment and you have an emotional connection. There are many ways we build a relationship with our homes. When you first move in, you may have a connection by helping with the design and the construct. Here are several easy ways to quickly turn your new house into your cozy home:

Implement Emotionally Attached Furniture
When you move into your new home, bringing in all your other home’s old goods can quickly make it feel more intimate. Adding your already-loved furniture can have a significant impact on the feel of the space. There is nothing wrong with adding new furniture to your home, but even including your personal design and taste can help make your house feel more tailormade for you. Hang pictures of loved ones and add splashes of your favorite colors to your décor for more personalization. Designing your rooms can quickly establish a bond between you and the house.

Create New Memories
Your old home had memories which will be there forever, but your new home will have many to come. Start by inviting over family and friends. Hosting events is a great way to break in the comfort of your new home. You can obtain a more personal connection with your house when you begin to create a more welcoming environment for others. You can open a world of possibilities and memories when you start to host events and catering to friends and family.

Enjoy Your Surroundings
Home is where the heart is. Your home is not limited to your dwelling but the surrounding environments. Fulton Homes has located all their homes in conveniently-placed spots from easy freeway access to nearby shopping. Take advantage of the neighborhood and explore your new area. Change can be difficult at first but the sooner you adapt to your new accommodations, the quicker you will build a stronger love for your new home.

Developing this bond will not take long at all. The longer you stay, the stronger your bond will become. Enjoy your new living experience and home. Take advantage of the new amenities your space provides and get cozy. Adding different attributes of hygge will help add comfort and strength to the warm feeling your home will provide.

Decorating The Dining Room

Posted on by

Since the dining room is where you share meals and quality time with your family during the week and where you host your dinner parties, it is essential for this area to be inviting and full of warmth. As you take a look around your current design, is it time to breathe a new life into your dining room? If you said yes, you would want to consider several factors such as color, style, and function. Below are some tips that can inspire you: 
 
Lighting Scheme
Modernize the dining area by updating the lighting scheme. If you are interested in trying something edgy, try installing industrial-style lighting. You can then balance the look by using furnishing that embraces natural materials such as a distressed wooden dining table combined with wicker chairs. 
On the other hand, if you are set on embracing a more classical look, then it is time to go chandelier shopping. Chandeliers are a great way to create an area of interest. The width of the chandelier should be approximately ½ to ? the width of the table and at least 30-34 inches above the table. You will find that chandeliers help create a focal point in underwhelming spaces and instantly add elegance with their charming demeanor. 
 
Chairs
If you already have a set of chairs, you can merely freshen them up by adding slipcovers overtop of them. Chair slipcovers allow you to easily change the look of a chair without taking away from the design. If you want to get fancy, you can have custom slipcovers made with monograms on them. You can even purchase standard slipcovers in all kinds of styles from popular furniture shops. 
 
Add Just A Pop of Pattern
A touch of a pattern is great for brightening up dull spaces. You can add a bit of pattern to the windows with some modern Roman shades that feature a modest pattern. You can also opt to add a design to the walls with a striped paint or even consider installing a wallpaper. Today’s wallpaper is a far cry from your grandmother’s dull wallpaper. These days they are manufactured in fun graphics and geometric patterns to add flair and creativity. 
 
Colors
Do not be afraid to use bold colors. In fact, by doing so, you can make a big statement. Dark colors can help portray an elegant feel whereas softer, neutral tones can create a homey atmosphere. Whatever look you are trying to achieve, you can accomplish it with the right paint palette. 
 
For more tips and tricks, check back weekly!
 

Area Rugs 101

Posted on by

Believe it or not, but rugs can actually invite conversation into a space. The way you set up your rug in a room can make or break the design and the flow of conversation. When choosing a rug, there are four main ideas you will want to keep in mind: the colors, the use, the size and the placement. For your convenience, we broke it down for you. Let’s take a look! 

Area Rugs 101:

  1. The Colors. When choosing an area rug, you are choosing a piece of decor for your room; therefore, you want it to tie in well with your theme. Pulling colors from your room’s design is essential. All of the colors in the rug do not necessarily need to be found in your room. You will just want a few of the colors to have been pulled from your rug’s design. Also, you want to make sure that your area rug is not too distracting. The rug should tie into your overall design, not take away from it. Try to select a subtle pattern or design rather than a bold, overwhelming design for your area rug. 
  2. The Use. Before you choose your rug, you will want to take into consideration the use of it. What room will you be buying a rug for in your space? If it is in a room that is only used for decorative purposes, you can buy a less durable and more expensive rug. If you are placing the rug inside a constantly-used living room, you will want to choose a more durable rug. Also, you will want to consider the amount of foot-traffic in the room. The more dirt that will be tracked into the room, the darker the rug should be. 
  3. The Size. You want to make sure that you do not choose a rug that is too big or too small for your space. For guidance on selecting the appropriate size, you will want to consult a sales representative at your chosen flooring store. Give them dimensions of the room and your general design plan to help them make an accurate suggestion for you. 
  4. The Placement. The way you place your rug should invite conversation. There are two main ways that you can set up your rug to encourage discussion: 
    1. The furniture should be placed in an “H” shape with the rug in the center. 
    2. The furniture should be placed in a “U” shape with the rug in the center.

      While placing your furniture on your new rug, you will want to  follow these rules: 

      1. All of the furniture’s legs on the rug. 

      2. The front furniture’s legs on the rug. 

      3. None of the furniture’s legs on the rug. 

We hope that you found these tips helpful. For more expert advice, be sure to visit our blog hub. Thanks for reading!

Furniture Makeover

Posted on by

Sometimes you inherit old furniture or have pieces in your homes that do not currently go with your theme. Just because the color does not match or may feel too contemporary or too antique, we tend to put these useful pieces of furniture into storage. Well if you have an old coffee table or dresser in which you are underusing in your home, consider giving it a quick makeover. Here are some easy, cost-effective tricks to turning old furniture into new pieces that you will love:
 
Repaint and Re-Upholster
Furniture, which does not follow a room’s color scheme, can quickly become an eyesore in the room. Consider sanding and repainting furniture so that it can match your rooms color theme. If you have chairs in your room that are outdated, you can try re-upholstering them. Upholstery and paint are excellent because you can add them to multiple pieces of furniture and make your room feel uniformed. Consider applying a clear coat to furniture you paint as well to give it a gloss finish and a layer of protection.
 
New Handles
Take your outdated handles off and consider getting new ones. This can quickly transform an antique into a more modern piece of furniture. Also, if furniture does not have handles, consider adding some for a stylish twist. It not only makes opening it more convenient but can add a sleek design as well.
 
Apply Unique Additions
You can apply new additions to furniture or remove parts as well. Take outdated legs off to create a lower profile couch or add texture to the paint scheme when painting your furniture. Be creative and add vinyl designs to dressers or coffee tables to help amplify character. You can even help improve furniture aesthetics by what you place on them. Look into decorative floral or lamps to help tie your furniture theme back into your room.
 
Do not let old furniture be a downfall to your room décor. Always consider different options to modernize your furniture or help redesign it to fit your room theme. Creativity is vital when repurposing and making over furniture. Consider all these tips to see what can help take that old desk and make it look brand new.

Decorating Tips for any Skill Level

Posted on by

Decorating can be considered a form of art. It is, after all, expressing one’s creativity through design. If you find yourself struggling for inspiration, we have seven decorating tips that can be used by a person of any skill level. Let’s take a look. 

Decorating Tips for any Skill Level: 

1. A Splash of Color. 

Determining the color palette for a room can be a bit of a challenge. While there are literally thousands of colors out there, homeowners have the challenge of selecting just a few and making them all successful work in the design. To help beginners and even experts, we recommend building from a base color. The base color typically is a neutral, although if you feel quite confident in your designing abilities, it could be any color. Once you have chosen your primary color, you will want to elaborate off of that shade with other colors that pair well. If you find it difficult to find your base color, you can gain inspiration from the color wheel. What colors pop for you? 

2. The Magnificence of Mirrors. 

Mirrors are quite honestly, the best piece of decor. No matter what your skill level, you can probably agree that a mirror brings a lot to a space. Mirrors reflect natural light which in essence, brightens the area and opens up the room. When in doubt, add a mirror to the room. You may be pleasantly surprised by its effect. 

3. Accessorize. 

Accessories are an excellent asset to room decor. They tend to be the finishing piece of decor, but they serve a great purpose. Accessories help to build off of the current design while adding interest and sometimes, purpose. The accessories can help create a cohesive environment that projects “homey” vibes. 

4. Bring The Outdoors, In. 

Any design expert will tell you that plants have a lot to offer. Their green features help to add life and freshness to the space. While plants can add a special touch, be sure not to go overboard with incorporating them. It can be easy to get carried away with adding greenery, but you still want it all to flow. Try adding a plant or two in each space then build from there. 

5. Flaunt It. 

If you are blessed enough to have an ample amount of natural light, you should flaunt it. Incorporate sheer curtains and leave the windows open during the day to create a beautiful look. 

6. Senses.  

The five senses can play a huge role in your home’s decor. When people enter your space,  you want to captivate their senses. Whether it is music humming in the background, a warm vanilla candle filling the air, or a cozy rug to rest your feet, senses can take your space to the next level.

7.   Clear Clutter. 

Clutter can completely kill a design. Be sure to have your counters clear and clutter free. This way guests will be able to see the design in its entirety.  

We hope you enjoyed these seven decorating tips. Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments with us in the provided section. 

Tips for Getting Scale Right in Your Decor

Posted on by

When decorating a room in your home, having a good understanding of scale can be important because it can make or break the room’s design. If you do not already know, scale is the visual representation of space and how it relates to the size of the room, and it’s objects. Just think. The size of a couch in the living room is relative to the size of the end table that sits beside it. If the sofa is complementary to the other furniture used in the room, it can throw the entire design off balance. If setting visual harmony is vital to you, here is how you can use scale appropriately:
 
When Bigger is Better
In the design world, experts push the fact that bigger is better. However, bigger is only better when the walls are long or large. Often, when working with such generous space, you may be tempted to fill it with furniture or create a gallery with pictures and artwork on the walls. This is not always the best idea. When working with expansive walls, a single statement piece of artwork can be ideal for the amount of visual space that you seek to occupy.
 
Does It Overpower The Space
Whether you are picking out artwork or furniture, you should analyze whether the element really works with the colors used in the room and how it relates to the other accessories and furniture. For example, a large beautiful piece of artwork may look great on your walls, but its boisterous scale could compete with the furnishing used in the room or overwhelm the smaller objects in front of it.
 
Selecting The Right Size Seating
Just because the room is small does not mean the furniture has to be the little as well. Even a sectional sofa can look great in a smaller room, depending on how you use the space. When determining the right scale of seating, you will need to think about the complementary pieces in the room such as the coffee table, side table, and lamps.
 
For larger seating options like a big sofa or a sectional, you can scale it by opting for smaller, less busy accent chairs. On the other hand, if you have a loveseat-sized sofa, then you should consider scaling it up by choosing broader accent pieces.
 
We hope you learned a little something about scale and its role in room design. For more expert tips and tricks, be sure to check back weekly. Thanks for reading!
 

Why Fulton Homes?

Posted on by

Fulton Homes is not like your average, cookie-cutter homes. Fulton Homes believe no two homes should be exactly alike. Fulton Homes has proudly been one the most renowned builders in the Valley of the Sun for over forty years. We take pride not only in our construction but with our keen focus on the quality of lifestyle and opportune locations to ensure you enjoy the best living Arizona has to offer. With a large selection of customization and floorplans, you will easily find a style home that is suitable for your lifestyle. Fulton Homes is committed to building energy efficient homes to ensure you extreme savings. Our goal was never to be the biggest home builders in Arizona, we simply just wanted to be the best.

Customization

We have put together one of the largest selections of home appliances, flooring, doors, lighting, cabinets and more for you to make your home fully express you. Check out our Home Design Center at 1241 West Warner Road, Tempe, Arizona or take our interactive virtual tour at https://www.fultonhomes.com/design-center to fully explore all we have to offer. You do not have to go to multiple locations to customize your home but tour our one-stop shop and make all the selections you need to create your home. 

Communities

Fulton Homes strives to put our homes in the most interactively convenient locations. Being next to freeways, malls, and shopping plazas have been a focal point of location building for Fulton Homes. We have homes in Chandler, Gilbert, Maricopa, and Queen Creek. We also encourage you to visit https://www.fultonhomes.com/classic-communities to check out some of our older community homes. We take pride in all our communities we build and want you to see how they have passed the test of time. 

No More Waiting

We understand that you cannot always wait around to have a home constructed for you, so we have the option of move-in-ready-homes waiting in different stages of construction, so you can still customize your dream home but not be stuck waiting for a house to be built from scratch. This is perfect for someone with a deadline move in date to find a home that can be ready for them on time.

More Information

If you are looking for more information, call us or go to https://www.fultonhomes.com/my-fulton-home/log-in. We will help set you on your way to having your dream home in no time.

 

Project: Perfect Party Plans

Posted on by

In today’s society, we are fast pace and all about having entertainment right now.  Your home should be your escape from the chaotic world but should also be worthy of hosting and entertaining guest.  You want your guest to feel comfortable in your home, but you also want to fill their time with entertainment.  If you are having multiple people over, you want different types of entertainment, so even when you are not catering to them, they still feel comfortable and having fun.  Here are four home entertainment ideas to add to your space to make it fun for everyone: 

  • Entertainment System

You should have a public entertainment system.  Do not have your best television tucked away in your bedroom but put it in a place where you will host your guests.  Whether you put it in a living room or make a home theater, make sure your system is set up for success.  Have multiple forms of entertainment like streaming services, gaming devices, and sports channels.  You want your guest to be able to feel like they are at home with a large variety of entertainment options available to them on a single television.

  • Bar

A bar is another great entertainment option to include in your home.  It is a great way to host guests and have them feel relaxed and welcomed in your home.  Have different options available for them to choose from having. Plus, you do not have to have a vast selection, but make sure that you accommodate people who do not drink and children as well.  This is a great way to keep your entertainment going throughout the night.

  • Indoor Games

Indoor games can be as cost effective as a board game or as elaborate as indoor basketball.  Billiard tables are a great option for people to play to stay entertained.  Using your entertainment system, you can set up video games as well.  Make sure you invest in more than just one player games though.   Air hockey and shuffleboard are other entertainment tables you can invest in owning.   If you go the board game route, try including cards options for adults and kid to enjoy the games to your collection.

  • Outdoor Activities

If the party goes outside, you want there to be areas for people to sit as provide an area that they can have fun.  Putting up different sports around your yard like soccer, volleyball, or cornhole are all effective ways to keep people entertained.  You can even get a basketball hoop for the driveway or goes as far as installing a pool.  

Adapting your house for entertainment is a great way to make sure you are an exceptional host.  Try to make entertainment diverse for all age groups or tailored towards the guest you will be hosting the most.  Do not forget to have more than one form of entertainment as well, in case some people are not interested in specific activities.