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Deck Out Your Deck

Summer time calls for longer days, warmer nights and amazing outdoor parties. If your deck is the hangout spot in the summer, you want to make sure it’s decorated properly for the occasion.

Image found on thriftydecorchick.com

Comfortability is key. Find comfy outdoor furniture with waterproof fabric so your guests will feel at home. Having plenty of pillows will amp up the coziness and adding an outdoor rug will amp it up even more so…and having a hammock is never a bad idea. Make sure you have a table with plenty of space for people to set down their hamburgers and hot dogs! Warm party lights will perfect the night time ambiance, and adding a little fire pit won’t hurt either.

Image found on Pinterest

Add lots of greenery to enhance your outdoor space. Plant a few flower bushes around the outside perimeter of your deck and add some hanging foliage through out. If your space allows and you feel like you need to, cover the sitting area on your deck with a canvas to create the right amount of airy shade.

Image found on ld-universe.com

One of our personal favorite ways to take your deck over the top? Outdoor kitchen. Most people consider the kitchen the heart of their home, so why wouldn’t you want to add another one to your deck? Add in a television and a mini fridge and you’ll have no need to go inside!

Image found on hgtv.com

Time to have that perfect backyard barbecue!

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Plants that will grow better in your bathroom

Plants can have many different benefits in your home. They purify the air, boost your mood and reduce stress levels. Having plants throughout your home is an awesome idea, and don’t forget about adding a few to your bathroom! This can add a spa-like feel to the space (and who doesn’t want that?) Here are a few plants that will actually grow better in your bathroom.

  • 1.) Orchids – Damp, warm conditions such as your bathroom are a perfect place for orchids to flourish.

Image used from hotelresidencia.com

  • 2.) Blushing Bromeliad – This tropical plant is absolutely gorgeous.

Image used from Pinterest

  • 3.) Tillandsia – The tillandsia plant hardly requires any care at all!

Image used from wellandgood.com

  • 4.) Snake Plant – This plant can grow in nearly any condition and will add make a great addition to any bathroom.

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  • 5.) Heartleaf Philodendron – You can train this plant to vine along a windowsill or shelf. How unique!

Image used from fengshuinexus.com

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How many floors do you need in your home?

When building a custom home, there are many important choices you will have to make. One of those decisions is how many stories your home needs. Let’s break it down…

A one story home is energy efficient as it may require less energy for heating and cooling. Temperature levels are more even because heat is not rising upstairs. One story homes are also appealing to the elderly because they will not have to worry about getting up and down the stairs. It’s easier to clean and maintain a one story home, and it will also be easier to renovate or expand your home if you decide to do so in the future.

A 1.5 story home usually means that the master bedroom is on the first floor, and all the other bedrooms are located upstairs. This means that you will have space from the kids or from guests that may choose to spend a night or two at your home. The lower floor is also usually larger than the area of the upper floor.

Two story homes are generally labeled as homes with all bedrooms located on the second level. It’s usually easier (and a lot more fun) to design two story homes since you have endless options. If you live in a picturesque area, a two story home gives you plenty of amazing views to take advantage of.

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Signs You’re Ready To Build A New Home

You’ve thought about it. Then thought about it some more. And thought about it some more. You know what you want and what you don’t want. You have ideas in your head and written down on little notepads throughout your home. You know that this is the right move and you’re ready to take the next step into custom building your home.

You’re financially stable. You’re secure in your job. You have some money saved. You’ve done the math. If the numbers look right, you’re ready to rock and roll.

You’ve outgrown your current living space. When you first started living in your current home, it made sense at the time. Whether your family has grown or you just feel like you need a little more room, you know that you have outgrown your current living situation and it’s time to upgrade.

You know what your life will look like in 10-20 years. When building/renovating your home, you should know that you plan to live there for at least the next five years. If you know this and you’re ready for it, building a new home or renovating/upgrading your current home makes total sense.

You have a builder in mind. The builder you choose will affect your overall experience, so make sure it’s someone you trust. And if you can’t think of anyone, might we make a suggestion?

Call us at Snell Construction and let’s build you a forever home that is perfectly suited for your every need for the years to come.

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Spring Into Spring


Spring is coming! Time for spring cleaning…and spring decorating! Here’s a few ideas on how to transition your home with the season.

Time for bright colors! Replace your deep jewel toned blankets and throw pillows with something a bit brighter (think yellows, light blues and pastels). If you can, add some bright artwork into your space as well.

Replace your heavier winter curtains with something more light and airy. After all, we finally have a few more hours of daylight, so enjoy it! Less is more in the spring, so even something as simple as adding a few lightly scented candles and glass vases will make a noticeable change.

Add some flowers into the mix. Tulips, daisies and peonies will bring the feeling of spring into your home. A small flower arrangement on a table or windowsill is enough to do the trick, but feel free to add a floral arrangement in every room if you feel like it!

Out with the winter blues…in with the spring “woo-hoo’s!”

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Mixing Modern and Traditional Furniture

When building and planning a new custom home, most people love a modern feel, where everything feels fresh and new. But what about the old couch that you inherited from your great-great-grand parents that you just don’t have the heart to get rid of? Let’s go over a few quick ways to mix modern decor with antique pieces.

1.) If you have a Victorian-esque sofa and/or chairs, pair them with a modern coffee table.

2.) Any antique mirror will look great hanging in a modern room. Not much work to do there!

3.) Cover old chairs in more modern fabric. Reupholstering antique furniture will breathe new life into the pieces.

4.) Put modern lamps on an antique table, or antique lamps on a modern table.

5.) An antique chandelier hanging in a room full of modern fixtures will add lots of character.

6.) A gorgeous antique rug will bring influence and tradition to any space.

7.) Antique bathtubs are an amazing focal point for any bathroom. Keep the sinks and appliances more modern.

Antiques can bring a feeling of warmth and tradition into a home, and these ideas will help you get started. Happy decorating!

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Don’t Disregard Your Garage

You’ve spent hours upon hours racking your brain (and Google) for inspiration and ideas on things you’d love to incorporate into your new kitchen, living room and bedroom. Totally understandable, we get it…but what about your garage? Your garage is essentially an extension of your home, so it would only make sense to start focusing on the details, design and functionality of your garage as well.


– Select a garage door that will make your home stand out. Make sure it’s of a higher quality since garage doors will inevitably take abuse from being opened and closed multiple times a day. Try to choose doors that have a similar design to your entryway doors, as it will help to make your home look and feel coordinated.


– “It’s the inside that counts.” Add lots of shelving and storage. This will help to keep your garage clean and organized. Think about what you will most likely be storing in your garage (tools, sports equipment, boxes of holiday decorations) and plan accordingly.


– Make it your own. In todays world, garages no longer have to function solely as a parking and storage area. Most people turn their garage into their mancave, home office or game room. Analyze your wants and needs, call us here at Snell Construction, and let’s design your garage.

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Six Home Improvements that add the Most Value

Have no fear, Snell Construction is here…to help you make the most out of your renovations! Here’s a list of six home improvements that can increase the value of your home.

1.) Kitchen Renovation

The kitchen is the central gathering place. Making even just simplest of updates such as the cabinetry, countertops and appliances can increase the value of your home.

2.) Paint & Flooring

Freshly painted rooms make for a clean and updated looking house and can give it new life. Adding paint will spruce up the home. Outdated carpets and flooring can easily decrease the value of your home. Opt instead for hardwood floors, as they tend to make your home look more sharp and sophisticated.

3.) Bathroom Renovation

Along with the kitchen, the bathroom is one of the most important rooms that you can update to benefit your home. Adding his and hers sinks, new tile and updating the cabinetry will add more appeal.

4.) Lighting

Recessed lighting can make your room feel bigger because it takes up less visual space in the room. You can choose between different trim, lights and reflectors and they can really upgrade your room. Dimmer switches are an upscale touch that will make your home more energy-efficient and broaden the appeal for your home.

5.) Finished Basement

Putting a living room, bedroom or bathroom in the basement may seem kind of plain and boring, but most people like having the extra space and basic rooms will allow potential future buyers to decide what they would like to use the basement for.

6.) Landscaping

Fresh cut green lawns and potted plants add curb appeal. Make sure to keep up with your landscaping, because it’s the first thing people notice when they drive by!

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Work from home…in style!

Having a home office can be extremely convenient. Whether you work from home full time, commute to work all week and occasionally have to bring some paper work home with you to execute over the weekend or sit in the home office once a month just to pay bills, you’ll want to keep the space as organized and stimulating as possible. Snell Construction is here to help you with ways to create a happy and productive home work space!

Not only do you want your brain to stay energized, you want to keep your senses invigorated as well. Place some candles or essential oil diffusors around your office to help keep you motivated. Peppermint scents are extremely refreshing, citrus scents will uplift and destress and cinnamon scents are known to help improve your focus.

Optimizing your lighting will reduce eye strain that comes from trying to read in low light. If your home office isn’t in a well lit area, adding some bright white bulbs will make a huge difference.

Keeping your space organized is essential. Shelving and lots of storage will help keep everything in its place. No more stressing over where you put this paper or where that file went. Designate a shelf or a drawer for each particular item and you’ll be orderly and efficient.

During one home renovation, we added French doors to the home office. This is a great way to make the space feel open, yet private at the same time. You can close the doors to keep the noise out, but the windowed view will still allow you to keep an eye on what’s going on elsewhere.

Adding motivational artwork throughout your home office space can do just that…motivate you! Do some online shopping and find a piece of artwork with a message that speaks to you. Our personal favorite…”Remember why you started.” If you’re having a down day and are starting to feel discouraged, these motivational messages can help you get back on your feet and back to the grind.

Let Snell Construction buckle down and get to work on creating your home office so you can buckle down and get to work…from home!

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Magical Master Bedroom


The master bedroom is the most personal space in your home, so it’s only right to create the master bedroom of your dreams…get it? Dreams? Sleep? You get the point. Let’s talk about how to create your ideal sleep sanctuary.

1.) Color Palette: The color scheme you choose for your bedroom can have a major mental and emotional impact. Calm, soothing colors are best for the bedroom. Greens, greys and pastels will put your mind at ease and help relax you before bedtime.

2.) Room Temperature: We all know that sleeping in a room that’s either too hot or too cold is near impossible. Add a thermostat unit into your bedroom and keep the temperature at a setting ideal for your personal sleeping conditions.

3.) Darkness: Keeping your bedroom dark means you’ll have a sound sleep. Light blocking curtains will assure that you sleep until your alarm goes off (and they will really help you sleep in on the weekends). Think about putting phones, computers and LED clocks in your night stand drawer to assure that you will not be disturbed.

4.) No Clutter Zone: Keeping clutter to a minimum is essential for your ideal master bedroom. This is the space where you can go to clear your mind and relax, and keeping it clutter free will help keep your mind clutter free as well.

5.) Quality Mattress: Memory foam, pillow top, waterbeds…with endless options, it’s easy to find a mattress that suits your needs. Having a good quality mattress is one of the top ways to ensure good quality sleep.

We’re here to help. Let Snell Construction work with you to make sure your master bedroom is a pleasure to step into every evening for years to come.

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