Kitchen:

• Cabinets. Paint cabinets instead of replacing them. Cabinets can be removed, repainted and then reinstalled to save tons of money getting them replaced.
• Granite countertops. Granite countertops make a stunning upgrade, but if a complete countertop overhaul is not in your budget, you can still select a feature area in your kitchen. Focusing on one specific spot, such as a kitchen island, to install granite tile can achieve an upscale look at a much more affordable price.
• Faucets & Fixtures. Decorative details, such as faucets and fixtures, go a long way in improving the style of your kitchen. Consider upgrading to a new kitchen faucet that improves both aesthetics and functionality.

Bathroom:

• Toilet. Replace your tired old toilet. Upgrading to a sleek, easy-to-clean one-piece toilet is a surprisingly simple way to update your bathroom, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot, either. Toilet installations are often viewed as a job for a professional, but some new toilets are being designed with the do-it-yourself homeowner in mind.
• Caulk. Clean up your caulk. If the caulk in your bathroom is grimy, prone to mildew, or cracked, replacing it is a great way to freshen up the look of your bathroom. Use a caulk softener, available at any hardware store, to soften the existing caulk and make it easier to remove. Then, a good scraping with a plastic putty knife will do the trick. After the caulk is removed, clean in between the tiles with a bleach and water solution, and allow to dry completely. Then you are ready to apply the new caulk.
• Faucets. Like the kitchen, the faucet can make a huge difference. Swapping out an out-of-date faucet is less expensive and time-consuming than replacing an entire pedestal sink or vanity, but can still have a big visual impact. Whether your style is clean and modern or romantic and ornate, updating your faucets can be easy and stress-free now that many manufacturers are offering easy-to-install bathroom faucets.
• Paint. Freshening up the color on the walls in your bathroom can be an easy afternoon project depending on the size and structure of your bathroom. Because they are typically the smallest rooms in the house, bathrooms are a great place to experiment with color – if you hate it or change your mind, it’s easy enough to change to something else. Want to keep it simple? Pure white walls, especially when accented with glass and dark woods, are a current design trend.

• Spend a few minutes visualizing the room. When decluttering, take a moment to take a look at a room, and think about how you want it to look. What are the most essential pieces of furniture? What doesn’t belong in the room but has just gravitated there? What is on the floor (hint: only furniture and rugs belong there) and what is on the other flat surfaces?

• Work on decluttering 15 minutes a day. This will help work through what is there and prevent it from happening again.
• Start clearing a starting zone. What you want to do is clear one area. This is your no-clutter zone. It can be a counter, or your kitchen table, or the three-foot perimeter around your couch. Wherever you start, make a rule: nothing can be placed there that’s not actually in use. Everything must be put away. Once you have that clutter-free zone, keep it that way! Now, each day, slowly expand your no-clutter zone until it envelopes the whole house! Start at the corner by the door and move your way around the room. First do the superficial – surfaces, trash cans, etc., then go back and do more- open and empty cabinets, etc.
• Designate a spot for incoming papers. Papers often account for a lot of our clutter. This is because we put them in different spots — on the counter, on the table, on our desk, in a drawer, on top of our dresser, in our car. No wonder we can’t find anything! Designate an in-box tray or spot in your home and don’t put down papers anywhere but that spot. This one little change can really transform your paperwork.
• Clear off a counter. You want to get your house so that all flat spaces are clear of clutter. Maybe they have a toaster on them, maybe a decorative candle, but not a lot of clutter. So start with one counter. Clear off everything possible, except maybe one or two essential things.
• Pick a shelf. Now that you’ve done a counter, try a shelf. It doesn’t matter what shelf. Could be a shelf in a closet, or on a bookshelf. Don’t tackle the whole bookshelf — just one shelf. Clear all non-essential things and leave it looking neat and clutter-free.
• Use the “one in, two out” rule. The rule: whenever you bring in an item, you have to throw away two other items. First you cheat, by throwing out two pieces of paper, but soon you will have to move to big stuff.
• Schedule a decluttering weekend. Maybe you don’t feel like doing a huge decluttering session right now. But if you take the time to schedule it for later this month, you can clear your schedule, and if you have a family, get them involved too. The more hands pitching in, the better. Get boxes and trash bags ready, and plan a trip to a charity to drop off donated items. You might not get the entire house decluttered during the weekend, but you’ll probably make great progress.
• The One-Year Box. Take all your items that you unsure about getting rid of (e.g. “I might need this someday…”), put them in a box, seal it and date it for 1 year in the future. When the date comes, and you still didn’t need to open it to get anything, donate the box WITHOUT OPENING IT. You probably won’t even remember what there was in the box.

Now that you’ve been given the steps to declutter your home, all you have left is to find that motivation and make it happen! Are you lacking in that motivation? Just look around until you’ve spotted ten things that can be put away (or thrown away) and start with the first step of Visualizing your home clutter-free! Did that work?

Painting. Bedroom painting is generally thought to be easier than hanging wallpaper. You can achieve a great effect by painting the walls and ceiling in the same color. This works best if the color selected is not too deep, or the effect will be overpowering. Used with lighter colors it is a very effective idea for your bedroom painting. Or, instead of painting the whole wall in the same color, paint the bottom third in a darker color and the rest of the wall above in a lighter one. Paint the lighter color first, and then use masking tape to get a neat line where the darker color meets it. Another idea which is currently popular is to have one wall of your room decorated differently from the others, making it stand out.

Decorative Molding. Crown molding adds both scale and sophistication to an interior space. Decorative crown molding transforms a simple bedroom into an elegant living space. Though traditional crown molding is limited to simple profiles and neutral colors along the joint between the wall and ceiling, creative molding techniques introduce new arrangements and alternative color schemes to truly transform a bedroom.

Wallpaper. If using wallpaper there are some things to remember. Dark papers will usually make a room look smaller. Vertical stripes will make a room look taller. Horizontal strips will make a room look wider. Small patterned wallpaper can be a good choice in bedrooms. Linear prints, small florals, small stripes or geometric designs all work well. If you want something a little different, use a modern abstract paper, or a traditional French toile paper.

Headboard. The center of every bedroom is the bed. Like a statement piece of jewelry, a headboard for your bed can provide a fashionable anchor for your sleeping quarters.

Lighting. In a bedroom, it’s good to “layer” your lighting throughout the room. Ambient lighting to light the whole room, small lamps can focus light for reading and other activities, and accent light helps to wash the walls in soft illumination. To focus reading light where you need it, use a bedside lamp with a movable arm. Each light should be adjustable with a dimmer. Install a separate on/off switch for each light so that you can be selective and light only the area you want.

Window Treatments. Your bedroom window treatment can be anything from shutters or shades to full sets of curtains and drapes. A smaller room which is simply furnished may look best with just a simple treatment at the window – like Venetian shades, Roman shades or simple curtains. But if your bedroom has been designed to be more than just a place to sleep then you might want to make something more of your bedroom window treatment. One option for your bedroom window treatment is to use very light sheer curtains. These provide two advantages, in that they give a unique softness to the room and also give privacy. They are especially effective when used in large windows, where they provide elegance and style. Don’t forget that your bedroom window treatment may need to blend with other fabrics you use in the room.

With these inspirational tips, and some creativity of your own, of course, your bedroom could soon be that aesthetic haven that you’ve always wanted! Don’t forget to add a little of your own personality and make all of your design projects in your home, truly your own.

Remodeling your home starts with preparing a realistic budget. Preparing the budget for remodeling is a lot like preparing a budget for a wedding. It’s important to know exactly how much money is allotted for the entire event so that if cost goes up in one area, it means you can save money in another area. You have to actively manage it.

• Plan Ahead. Go through a trial design process and choose everything you want to include in the new room(s), from paint to appliances. This will prevent hasty cost decisions from happening later. Also, allow for 10-20 percent of the budget to items that may need to be added to the project. Need help? Here’s a great starting point.
• Get Creative. Changing the look of a room doesn’t always have to include structural changes. Painting a room can revitalize it and is the easiest way to bring life to a room. Designing a room on a budget is easy, and you can use the changing of the season for inspiration.
• Finding Space. The biggest cost in a budget is adding square footage to a home. Ways to save in this area of the budget is by borrowing space from a neighboring room (space reconfiguration), or finding small spaces in between wall studs for small niches or built-in shelves. Here are some smart design ideas to save money.
• In The Kitchen. Where possible, reuse existing appliances and build new cabinets around them. This could save up to $5000 easily. Check out these great tips!
• In The Bathroom. If the tub is still in relatively good condition, consider re-glazing it instead of replacing it. This saves you money and minimizes dust at the same time. Need help on the how to?

December brings the joyful holiday season as well as the not as anticipated cold rainy and sometimes icy weather. These home maintenance tips for December involve regular upkeep as well as some preparation for the deep winter.

• Clean lint from clothes dryer vent and from the dryer drum, where the air is vented outdoors. Check out this video for a step by step instruction.
• Change the HVAC filter to improve the air quality in your home.
• Evaluate the amount of moisture in your home. Low moisture content in the air can cause excessive static electricity, dry coughs, and problems with your sinuses in the coldest parts of the winter. Consider purchasing a humidifier. (Old home remedy trick: hang a sheet or towel in the shower area and keep it wet and the shower curtain open. Moisture then evaporates and gets into the air. Swap out the sheet or towel at least every week. This trick may make the coldest, driest months more comfortable.)
• Disconnect the garage door opener to lubricate hardware. The springs on the overhead doors should be adjusted by a qualified service technician.
• Inspect and service your clothes dryer, cook top or stove, dishwasher, trash compactor, counter-top appliances, exhaust fans, etc. according to the manufacturers’ recommendations.
• Make certain your fireplace is clean and in good working order.
• Inspect toilets for any rocking motion.
• Check inside bathroom vanities and kitchen sink cabinets for moisture and other signs of leaks. Carefully inspect pipes for condensation or slow drips. Repair the plumbing system if necessary.
• Lubricate your bathroom exhaust fan to help it stay cooler and quieter.
• Reverse direction of your ceiling fans.  Since hot air rises, fans should rotate clockwise to push the air down making your heating system more efficient.
• Clean underside of range hood and clean or replace the filter.
• Check for water damage near your skylight windows. During the summer they bring in light but during the winter they can bring in water from melted snow if there are leaks.
• Moderate your indoor humidity during winter. If you have water condensation on your windows in winter, it may be that the house has too much humidity- not a problem with the windows.
• Test the alarms on your carbon monoxide detectors and make sure they are working so they will alert you and protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning.
• A quick smoke detector cleaning and test can help keep your family safe.
• Clean the gutters outside.
• Clean and oil garden tools.
• Fertilize your lawn and shrubs now so melting snow (when it comes) can feed the deeper roots.
• Prune and mulch trees and shrubs.
• Apply your pre-emergent weed killer/crabgrass preventative.

Natural Decoration. Add natural elements such as pinecones, evergreen boughs, cranberries, and pomegranates, citrus and nuts to add a festive and naturally beautiful touch to your home. Display on mantel, tables and sideboard, or hang around door frames.

Oh Clementine. Take several feet of heavy-gauge wire, knot one end of each and string them through a clementine orange. Tie a jingle bell to the end. Twist all the wires into a cluster and secure with a large bow. This unique decoration is perfect for the front door.

Festive Bottles. Take some household bottles and spray paint them with holiday colors. Fill them with candles, flowers, or branches to accent your home.

Popcorn. Old-fashioned and nostalgic is the theme of the season and nothing says this like stringing popcorn (and cranberries). You can use this to wrap your tree or swaddle your mantle or banister.

Candles. Glue pinecones or even ornaments into a Styrofoam ring and set candles in the center for a festive touch on end tables, mantles or as the centerpiece on a dining table.

Atop the tree. Dazzle your tree with candy canes; paper snowflakes cut from parchment paper; paper chains made from magazines, wrapping paper, or scrapbooking paper; or holiday cookie cutouts (bakes with a hole for the string).

Bow-rific. Ribbons tied around chairs, plants, candlesticks, drapes, stairs and doorknobs make wonderful decorations. Place bows and ribbons in many locations throughout your home for a festive look that is quick and easy. The bows and ribbons do not have to be green and red. You can try many colors or match the bows and ribbons to the colors you have in your home. Choose ribbons that you can reuse each year. For a super easy decorating, purchase some very inexpensive bows ready to use.

Wreaths Made Easy. Put a holiday wreath on every door in your home. Use real pine, holly, and grapevine and decorate with berries, fruit and pinecones. If you purchase artificial wreaths you will be able to use them year after year. For some more DIY wreaths, here’s a great how-to guide.

Center Pieces. Place a few inexpensive glass balls in a bowl and embellish with a few sprigs of greenery or some leftover ribbon. If you don’t have an extra bowl try decorating a box with leftover Christmas wrap, or cover with a little fabric and glue.

Indoor Lights. As for the inside of the house, the Christmas tree is not the only thing you can decorate with lights. Many people also like to intertwine Christmas lights with their garlands, particularly those that are put up along stairways or on the mantle of the fireplace. You can also put up some lights in the different rooms of the house. Children in particular love having colorful blinking lights in their bedroom.

Whatever you do, don’t be afraid to get creative! The options are endless, feel free to twist and tweak these ideas and make these holiday decorations unique for you and your style.  There definitely doesn’t have to be a rhyme or reason to your festive designs, so branch out and have fun! And don’t forget the eggnog and Christmas tunes to get those holiday juices flowing! Happy decorating and Merry Christmas!

Exploring Options

Ask yourself the following questions to figure out exactly what you want out of your home bar:

1. Moveable bar or permanent bar?
2. Do-it-yourself or professional contractor’s job?
3. Wet bar (sink) or dry bar (no sink)?
4. Full back bar or wall shelving?
5. Draft system/beer on tap or refrigeration units for bottled/canned beer?
6. One “all-purpose” refrigeration unit or different fridges for different drinks?
7. Built-in ice machine or temporary ice accommodations?
8. Bathroom in the bar area or existing restroom usage?
9. Set theme or “evolving” décor?

Layout and Design

Going through this important part of the planning process will help you determine what size bar your space can accommodate, what type of bar furniture and beer refrigeration you’ll need and the time and resources that you’ll need to make the dream a reality.

Visit your favorite establishments and pay close attention to elements you like. Do you like a big glass mirror behind the bar? What types of stools and bar rails fit your style? Take special note of the bar’s structure – how it was made and what’s it made of. Bring along a digital camera if you’ve got one – pictures always help! Don’t be afraid to get creative with your creation either; think outside the box with how you can make your home bar unique to you!

Things to take note of:

• Overall look and feel
• Bar surfaces
• Bar stools
• Carpentry
• Draft beer systems (towers, tap handles, etc)
• Bar foot rails
• Bar décor; signs, mirrors and the like

More important than what you want, is what you can actually have. Identify possible restrictions and obstacles in your home, particularly in the room where you will be building your home bar.

Things to keep in mind:

• Ceiling height
• Doorway and stairway widths
• Sump pump location
• Electrical outlets
• Cable TV hookups
• Access to waterlines

Creating Your Blueprint

When you are ready to lay out a blueprint for your home bar – the first thing to think about is how much space you’re working with. If you have a basement that you want to get more use out of, this is a great way to utilize that space.

Size

The average home bar is 42-inches high and 24-inches deep. Of course, you should customize your bar’s size to fit the area that you have available and your preferences. Just remember that most bar stools are 30-inches tall, so your bar should not be much lower than 42-inches high, to allow for leg room when seated.

Shape

You’ll also want to think about the shape that you’d like your bar to be. There are several options to consider including L-shaped, horseshoe shaped or rectangular bar designs. Find something that works perfectly in your space.

Sinks, Refrigeration and Other Things to Keep in Mind

During the planning stages, you should also take anything that will be housed behind the bar into consideration, particularly sinks and refrigeration. Building a cocktail hutch may be a valued addition to your home bar, check out this video how-to for a DIY model.

Sinks are usually placed under the front bar, but putting them in the back bar is not unheard of. The location of your existing plumbing may play a part in where you decide to build your bar or install the sink and drainage.

Refrigeration needs will depend on whether or not you’re including a draft system and also what kind of entertaining you do. If you are planning on having beer on tap, you’ll need a kegerator or refrigerator to keep your keg cold. Big wine drinkers may also want to install a separate wine refrigerator for their favorite bottles.

Television placement is also key. You’ll want to position or mount your TV so as many people as possible can have a clear view of what’s on.

The Look and Feel of Your Home Bar

Bars are a great place to make a statement about yourself and what you love, and to have some fun with your furnishings and décor.  When choosing a look for your bar, you might want to ask yourself how much time will be spent in the bar room and whether or not the room will be used for things other than entertaining.

Once you’ve decided how creative you can get, these popular bar themes might spark an idea:

• Irish/English Pub
• Game Room
• Biker Bar
• Cigar Bar
• Country Bar/Saloon
• Sports Bar
• Tiki Cantina

When it comes to the look and feel, you’ve got tons of choices and the decisions are all yours. Spend a few minutes thinking about what you want your bar to ultimately look like and how you want people to feel when enjoying your bar. Have a vision and make it happen, and most importantly enjoy it!

Painting can be a very enjoyable and satisfying way to cut the costs of improving your home. It is one of the easiest home improvement tasks which you can undertake. The following painting guides will help you with tips on painting the unique surfaces in a home.

Painting a Ceiling. Painting a ceiling can be tricky and tedious. When it comes to painting a ceiling, preparing the surface correctly will lay the foundations for achieving that perfect finish, it is important to try to hide any blemishes on the surface.

The Right Tools. When painting a ceiling, be sure to purchase a paint roller with an extension handle. It’s much easier and less tiring to paint a ceiling while standing on the floor rather than on a ladder. When painting a textured ceiling, be sure to use a thick-nap roller to ensure that you get full coverage over the bumps and irregularities in the textured surface. For a smooth drywall ceiling, you can use a roller with a smooth or shorter nap.

Prep the Room. To prep the room, remove all of the furniture if possible before you begin painting. Use drop cloths and/or newspaper to protect the floors and any furniture that you must leave in the room. Canvas drop cloths are recommended; although they’re slightly more expensive, they tend to work better and are reusable. Use quick-release painter’s tape to mask around trim and the area of the wall where it meets the ceiling.

Prime the Ceiling. It’s advisable to prime the ceiling before painting, using a primer with stain-blocker. Priming the ceiling or walls before painting should ensure that one coat of paint will be sufficient.

Paint a Cut-In Line. Begin by painting a cut-in line on the ceiling. This is a 2- to 3-inch strip where the ceiling meets the wall. Start in the corner of the shortest length of the ceiling. For this part of the job, you will need a paintbrush and a stepladder.

Paint the Ceiling. While the cut-in line is still wet, begin painting the ceiling with the roller. This is done while the cut-in line is still wet to prevent a visible line. The proper technique for painting with a roller is as follows:

• Dip the roller in the deep portion of the paint tray.
• Roll it back and forth in the shallow end of the tray to squeeze out excess paint and ensure even coverage on the roller.
• Use the roller to make a zigzag pattern on the ceiling.
• Go over the zigzag pattern with straight strokes to even out the paint.
• Once the paint has dried, you may want to go back and apply a second coat, starting with the cut-in line and finishing with the roller.
• The type of texture and height of your ceiling could dictate what color or shade will be the most aesthetically appealing.

Painting a Panel Door. Painting a paneled door can be a bit tricky. It’s not like a flat door where you can just get a roller and paint the entire surface of the door in a few minutes. It is impossible to get the roller into all of the panel corners and angled surfaces. With a few simple steps and a little bit of patience though, you can have your paneled door looking like new with a fresh coat of paint.

1. Prepare the door for painting by cleaning it thoroughly. A clean door will accept paint better and will prevent lumps or streaks caused by dirt buildup.
2. Use sandpaper to lightly scuff the surface. This will help the paint stick better.
3. Use a high-quality paintbrush. You get what you pay for, and a high quality paintbrush will make the job look better.
4. Choose semi-gloss sheen when selecting paint for the door. Because it is more durable than eggshell or flat finishes, it may be an especially good choice for exterior doors.
5. Either remove door hardware or cover it with masking tape.
6. If some paint does get on the door hardware, clean it off right away with a damp cloth.
7. Place newspapers or cardboard under the door to prevent paint from spilling on your carpet or floor.
8. Paint the door panels first, starting with the molding and then painting the interior panel. Work from top to bottom. Finish each panel with an upward brush stroke to prevent dripping. Here is a how-to video  you can watch for tips on the roll and tip method.
9. Beware of using too much paint at once. Paint can pool in corners and moldings or drip if you use too much. Make the first coat light. You can always add a second coat.
10. Paint the stiles and rails last. If the door swings out, paint the hinged edge. If it swings in, paint the lock side edge.

Painting accent spaces like your ceilings and doors can really transform the look and feel of your rooms. Along with these tips and DIY steps, all you need is a little design creativity and you’re well on your way to a cozier and more attractive home.  For some color inspiration for your ceiling and other spaces, check out this gallery.

Venetian Plaster. This style imparts the glamorous look of polished marble and natural stone to your décor. This smooth finish is layered with the multi-dimensional, two-tone appearance of marble surfaces, adding visual interest and charm. The warm hues of Venetian Plaster are perfectly at home in casual, contemporary or traditional rooms. The more layers that are applied, the more depth and polish you achieve.

Wood Grain. The faux wood grain effect is among the most popular of painted wood effects. Wood grain may be applied in several different ways; the method used will determine the type of wood that your faux finish resembles.

Dragging. Dragging results in a subtle, fairly formal surface of irregular lines. A dry brush is dragged through the wet layer of transparent glaze or wash of thinned paint.

Flogging. This technique is used to create the appearance of pores in wood by “drumming” or “slapping” the surface with a long bristled brush.

                  Graining. This is a process of creating wood grain lines similar to dragging the surface of the wood. To grain the surface of wood, you use a metal comb instead of a paintbrush.

                  Mottling. Mottling is an over-graining procedure that is performed after the glaze has been applied. This is done by using a mottling brush and adding lighter and darker areas to the wood by wiping the paint away.

Marble Finish. This finish is among the most popular of decorative finishes around. Marble is timeless and is popular in both contemporary and traditional decors. It is more often used in traditional decors that are designed around a solid, timeless them. Usually, faux marbles are reserved for those items that could, indeed, be real marble and is rarely used to create a marble effect on items that would not be marble otherwise.

Crackle Paint Finish. Crackle painting is a faux painting technique that produces a finish that looks like old cracked paint with older layers of paint showing through. Any smooth surface that can be painted with latex paint is suitable for crackle painting. Commonly, crackle paint is used on furniture, cabinetry or on accent trim and molding. Supplies are readily available at almost any home improvement store and the crackle painting technique is simple enough to learn in an afternoon, you can watch a video tutorial here.

Metallic Paint Finish. Metallic paint adds drama to any décor, from subtle shimmers to a bold statement. Some paint manufacturers have water-based metallic paints available not only in classic metallic colors such as silver and gold, but in silvery blues, greens and even pink. Mixed with faux glazing medium, they add soft highlights. Applied full strength, you can make them look like burnished metal with ragging or brushing, or add Asian feng shui flair to a wall with patterned or fabric faux technique.

Aged Leather Technique. Leather has a way of making things seem better. It is deeply ingrained in our minds to being synonymous with quality.  Mentally, leather evokes images of softness, warmth, and luxury. The beauty of faux finishing leather isn’t only in the final look of the application, it’s also the fact that you can erase or mask minimal problems with your walls, like small dings and dents. The leather look will automatically draw the focus of your eyes away from blemishes and allow you to see only soft, supple leather.

Fresh paint is the easiest and most popular way to give your home a face-lift, and with these versatile techniques you are sure to get the “wow” factor you are looking for.  Is there room or two in your home that could use a make-over? If there is, are you up for the challenge of adding some creative texture and color?

Laminate flooring has taken the remodeling industry by storm, and this is largely due to new engineering that has dramatically improved its quality and look.  Laminate flooring comes in endless varieties, such as hand scraped wood, traditional wood, stone, slate, high gloss, and no gloss. Are you still not sure if you want to go with this new faux floor trend? We’ve narrowed down the most significant pros and cons to make your decision easier.

Pros

• Easy to Install. One of the biggest advantages of laminate flooring is that it is so easy to install. You can do it yourself, quite easily, which is far from the case with wood flooring. Laminate systems tend to be designed like a jigsaw puzzle, to quickly and easily snap together.
• Durable Surface. Laminate floors get the nod here for being the most durable relative to scratches and wear and tear because of their surface coating technology. These floors are engineered to last for years and years. They are extremely resistant to moisture, stains, and fading. Laminate flooring is also not as susceptible to scratching and denting like traditional hardwood floors. Laminate flooring is approximately fifteen times stronger than hardwood flooring, and most come with a 10 or 15 year warranty. If something does manage to happen to your floor, it is usually very easy to fix with a kit sold by the manufacturer.
• Good for Wet or Moist Places. Laminate flooring has the ability to be glued together. The glued-in seams prevent water from getting in.
• UV Resistant. Laminate flooring has a high UV resistance which blocks the harmful rays of the sun and protects the design from fading. This benefit can save a lot of future maintenance that would be required to keep a real wood floor looking as good as laminate flooring.
• Easy to Clean. Spills and messes easily clean with a little soap and water thanks to the hard moisture and wear resistant coating. You can even make your own home made cleaner.
• Maintenance.  Laminate flooring doesn’t require the maintenance of hardwood or carpeting. Hardwood floors have to be refinished every so often and carpets must be cleaned regularly.
• Resists Stains. Laminate flooring is more resistant to stains than hardwood or carpets. Each segment is pre-finished with a stain-resistant sealant.
• Environmentally Friendly. It uses less wood, if any, in its construction and is able to be recycled.
• Cost. Probably the greatest laminate flooring benefits is its ability to add a smart and sophisticated look to a room, with the cost being considerably less than what it would be if real wood flooring was used.

Cons

• Not Real Wood. Laminate flooring is a surface layer of two thin sheets of paper impregnated with melamine. This surface layer is a photograph of wood grain, not real wood and is usually covered by a hard transparent layer.
• Hard Under the Foot. Laminate flooring is hard under the foot, although a foam padding can help.
• Slippery. Most of the time laminate flooring has been very slippery. Recently, though, manufacturers have been developing slip-resistant wear layers.
• Lower resale value. Many people will renovate their flooring to increase the resale value of their home, and while hardwoods would increase the value, laminate flooring will not help the resale value of the home.
• Not sandable or refinishable. Laminate floors can’t be refinished or resurfaced because they are composed of a thin artificial surface mimicking hardwood grain or tile patterns.
• Repairs. Repairs are quite difficult for any do-it-yourselfer but experienced professionals armed with the proper tools can handle them in a snap.