The home office, it seems, is going the way of the fax machine. With the spread of wireless Internet and portable devices such as tablets, it's increasingly common to send and receive emails and spreadsheets from any room in the house.

So, according to interior designers, families are finding more inventive uses for the spaces described by real estate agents as "bonus rooms."

Among major home renovation projects, updating a home office provides the puniest return on the investment when a home is resold, according to Remodeling magazine's Cost vs. Value Report 2013.

So it's no surprise that families turning what was once an office into a game room, dressing room or homework hub for the kids.

"I get this question a lot," says Elizabeth cb Marsh, an associate interior designer at Baltimore-based Jenkins Baer Associates. When a client wants to make over an office, she usually recommends trying to preserve any built-in features, such as shelving or cabinetry.

If the space is large enough, she says, some clients add a pool table to create a billiards room. If the space has a wood counter, it can be covered with waterproof material such as stone to create a wet bar.

A smaller office can have a second life as a dressing room, by installing a wall of shelving for shoes and clothes. Marsh suggests using a neutral wall color and adding a pair of sconces and a tufted ottoman at the center of the room, as well as a floor mirror and vanity.

Families with children might want to turn the space into place for doing homework, says Pam Ginocchio, co-founder of the children's design blog Project Nursery. She recommends giving each child a space at a small metal desk in a fun color, a clip-on lamp and a comfy chair. You can also add some beanbag chairs and mount floating shelves to display books that entice young readers.

Make one wall suitable for scribbling ideas or displaying schoolwork by applying magnet paint and then chalkboard paint.

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How to repurpose an unused home office

The home office, it seems, is going the way of the fax machine.

Interior designers say families are finding more inventive uses for their homes extra little rooms optimistically called bonus rooms by real estate agents.

With the spread of wireless Internet and portables devices such as tablets, its common now to send spreadsheets and emails from any room in the house, not to mention the nearest coffee shop. In fact, among major home-renovation projects, home-office improvements provide the puniest return on the investment when a home is resold, according to Remodeling magazines 2013 Cost vs. Value report.

So instead of that dust-collecting desk, many families are seeking creative ways to customize these alcoves as game rooms, dressing rooms, small theaters and more.

I get this question a lot, said Elizabeth Cb Marsh, an associate interior designer at Jenkins Baer Associates in Baltimore. Especially in large, new-construction homes, there are these bonus rooms that are just there.

When her clients make over a pre-existing office, she usually recommends trying to preserve any built-in features, such as shelving or cabinetry. If the space is large enough, she said, one option is to create a billiards room. Find a small (7-foot) pool table to place in the center of the room. If theres a wood counter, retrofit the top with a waterproof material such as stone for an elegant wet bar, and if you have the budget, install plumbing for a small sink. Add barstools, a high-top cocktail table and a pendant lamp over the pool table.

A smaller office can have a second life as a luxe dressing room, according to Marsh. Whether you draw inspiration from Downton Abbey or certain Beverly Hills housewives, the first step is to install a wall of shelving for shoes and clothes. Keep the decor minimalist, she advises, with a neutral paint color, a pair of sconces, and a tufted ottoman in the center of the room. Add a floor mirror and a vanity, and accessorize with vintage hatboxes, a dress form or an antique trunk. If the room has windows, be sure to hang light-filtering curtains to protect your clothing.

Families with children have even more options for converting an office space. These days, it is common to transform a dull study into a kids homework hub, said Pam Ginocchio, co-founder of the childrens design blog Project Nursery.

To begin, she recommends giving each kid a workspace: a small metal desk in a fun color with a clip-on lamp and a comfy swivel chair. Create a comfortable reading nook on the floor with beanbags. Then mount floating shelves from floor to ceiling and display books with the covers facing out to entice young readers. Appoint one wall as a place for scribbling ideas or displaying schoolwork by applying a layer of magnet paint and then chalkboard paint from floor to ceiling.

Consider allowing a computer for older kids homework, but try to banish video games and other distractions, said Project Nursery co-founder Melissa Fluhr, who stresses the value of a quiet, contemplative space.

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Transform unused home office into space for fun, creativity

California homeowners saving up to overhaul that 1980s-era kitchen or build a porch off the family room face an additional cost in the new year: replacing plumbing fixtures throughout the house.

Starting Jan. 1, any improvement or alteration to a single-family home more than 20 years old will trigger a 2009 state law mandating the installation of water-saving toilets, shower heads and faucets.

Local government building officials, contractors and would-be home remodelers only recently started becoming aware of the rule. The exact impact is uncertain, with jurisdictions likely to interpret the replacement requirement differently. Some officials predict a run on building permits before years end.

We go down to the Capitol and ask them not to legislate our building code. And this is exactly why we do it, said Gene Paolini, Rosevilles chief building official. The way it reads is not real clear.

Water agencies were the main supporters of the 2009 law. Officials said the upcoming rule will, at relatively low cost, make a huge dent in the states urban water consumption and help the state meet a goal to reduce water use by 20 percent by 2020.

This is part of a larger effort to double-down on water conservation, said Dave Bolland of the Association of California Water Agencies. People will save money in the long run as water becomes more expensive in California, he said.

Contractors and building inspectors, though, warn that the requirement poses a major headache. Homeowners could rebel against the rule, either because they object to the look of low-flow fixtures or because of the requirements potential cost, and do the work without going through the permitting and inspection process.

Darius Baker, CEO of D&J Kitchens and Baths in Sacramento, said the rule could set back a remodeling industry still recovering from the recession.

From a remodeling perspective, its huge. People dont want to do something theyre told they have to do, particularly when it costs a lot of money, Baker said, adding that hes mentioned the upcoming rule on sales calls. Im just the messenger. And Im going to get shot like a hundred times.

The upcoming rule is the the latest government attempt to improve water conservation. Since the 1990s, new homes have had to include various water-saving features. Over subsequent years, the Legislature has approved laws setting low-flow standards for toilets, faucets and other products.

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Home improvements will trigger new rule on replacing plumbing fixtures in 2014

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Gainesville Times

The challenge: Adding a bathroom over concrete flooring or in a tight spot where traditional plumbing doesn't work well.

The simple solution: Up-flush plumbing. Bathroom renovations or additions offer a high return on investment - as much as 56 percent of the initial investment when you resell, according to Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs. Value Report. But conventional plumbing can be costly and time-consuming, even in the best circumstances. If you want to add a bathroom in a basement where the floor is concrete or in a smaller space with no room for traditional piping, an up-flush, or macerating, toilet is a simple, cost-effective solution. Systems like Saniflo's macerating toilet and plumbing technology eliminate the need to cut through a floor to install new drainage. And the systems fit easily into areas as small as a closet or dead space beneath a stairway. A macerating pump reduces waste and paper from the toilet and sends it under high pressure through piping directly into the septic or sewer system. No waste is stored, and the systems are comparatively low-cost compared to traditional plumbing. Visit http://www.saniflo.com to learn more.

The challenge: Introducing natural light in a room with no space for windows.

The simple solution: Skylights. The benefits of natural light are well-documented, from improving mood to reducing dependence on artificial lights. Yet some spaces, such as interior powder rooms or walk-in closets, don't lend themselves to windows. When you want natural light in a room where a lack of wall space precludes a window, or in which privacy is an issue, a skylight can be a great solution. Tubular skylights even allow you to bring natural light into ground floor rooms. The cost of installing a skylight is comparable to adding quality windows in a room. Choose energy-efficient skylights and you may also reduce home cooling costs in spring and summer, and lighting costs in winter, too.

The challenge: Privacy in a doorway where a swinging door doesn't make sense.

The simple solution: Pocket doors. A swinging door may not be right for a space for many reasons. Perhaps you need to close a door in a spot so infrequently that a swinging door isn't needed. Or, maybe the space around the doorway is too tight to accommodate a swinging door, such as in a laundry space tucked into a hallway. Or, perhaps a traditional door will ruin the aesthetic of a space. In all those situations, a pocket door is a great way to achieve privacy without compromise. Because pocket doors tuck away inside the wall, you don't need to worry about having enough space to open or close a traditional door. Plus, when left open, pocket doors are hidden inside the wall so their visual impact on decor is minimal. While these solutions may be beyond the abilities of most do-it-yourselfers, reputable contractors can accomplish them easily - and help you decide if one of these options is right for your renovation project.

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Three simple solutions for big renovation challenges

BEND, Ore. -

Sounds of drills and hammers fill the air outside the Deschutes County Jail.

Construction has begun on the jail's $11 million expansion and remodeling project, which will add 144 beds to it's current 228, which are almost always full.

"We have some jail beds rented in Jefferson County, so that's helping us alleviate our population issue," sheriff's Capt. Shane Nelson said Wednesday,

It's an issue that will ease once the work is done.

The extra space will also make room for more inmate programs, like drug and alcohol treatment and parenting classes.

"We don't just want to house inmates in the facility," Nelson said. "We want to give them options, so that they can improve their lives, in the hopes that they won't come back to the facility."

On top of the expansion, the jail will remodel a portion of its current facility starting in January.

It will become a monitored area for those dealing with a medical condition or mental health issues.

"About 30 percent of our population does have some sort of a mental health challenge," said sheriff's Lt. Michael Gill.

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Deschutes Jail expansion, remodeling underway

Game Room Remodeling - Turning the Closet into an Office
Thank you all for watching!! much appreciated. Twitter @ http://www.twitter.com/MooshiPirpy14 Deviantart @ http://mp14anime.deviantart.com/ Hey everyone! I h...

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Game Room Remodeling - Turning the Closet into an Office - Video

I had a large antique rug in our living room but want to put in master bedroom wondering what are the standards for a rug in a room

what color flooring will go with a dark cherry cabinets in a kitchen?

I have a nine foot by ten foot by two foot recessed space in my tv room

installing a fireplace in our small family room

I am looking for a Gray paint color that has a pearly hue. Any suggestions??

Need help for a wall area over a white hutch against a cream wall. Colors are reds, blacks, sage greens.

What colo rug with a red couch

what is the smallest square footage for a couple to live in?

We are looking to down size everything. The largest is the house to an apartment, probably a coop.

Is it possible to add a style category for cottage or beach cottage

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Remodeling A Living Room Design Ideas, Pictures, Remodel, and ...

Tal Boldo

Tal Boldo has been a professional writer since 2005. Her fiction was published by BooksUnbound.com and Spider Thief Publishing. Boldo writes woodworking articles for DeWalt and her home improvement, pet and woodworking articles appear on various websites. Boldo has bachelor's degrees in sociology and literature from Haifa University, Israel.

If your favorite room could use a makeover, why not do the remodel yourself? Without breaking walls, create the illusion that the ceiling is taller, the fireplace newer. Without throwing away old doors or window ledges, increase their architectural beauty. Room remodeling with painted illusions and easy woodworking costs little but yields stunning results. And you can do all the work yourself.

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Room Remodeling Ideas | eHow - eHow | How to Videos, Articles ...

As you redesign your bedroom, be sure to consider what both you and your significant other prefer. Your suite is all about you, so don't worry about using popular trends or appealing to the kids. Because there aren't many significant remodeling changes to make, figuring out your furniture layout is the biggest decision you need to make. By the time you add dressers, nightstands, armoires and a bed, your space can easily get cramped, so it's important to figure out what layout provides enough storage yet still leaves open space to move around. Once you've settled on furniture, take time to find a color scheme and decorations that reflect your personality. In the end, if adding new decor and furniture isn't enough, you can turn your bedroom redesign into a renovation by creating your own master suite, complete with sitting room and master bathroom. How do I determine my bedroom layout? Before you buy a new furniture set, be sure to consider the room size. Even though you might need three dressers and two nightstands, you might not have the space. Measure the furniture and visualize where it will go so you can judge what will fit where. Be sure to leave plenty of walking space, and double check that drawers and cabinets have enough room to open properly. When picking your bed spot, think about windows and doors. Even if you have blackout curtains, placing a bed underneath a window might be a bad idea, while even the smallest crack in the door can stream hallway light in as you try to sleep. How do I pick my bedroom color scheme and decor? Although your color scheme is often a personal opinion, there are some colors that are more relaxing and therefore better suited for your sleeping spot. Studies have found that people with blue bedrooms often get more sleep because of the calmness it elicits. Brighter colors may lead to a better mood, but it also might keep you up longer at night. If you have a significant other, you should also consider using neutral colors so everyone stays happy. Purple and pink might be too feminine, so try variations of green, gray or brown instead. When it comes to decor, try to keep photographs out of the room for added romance, and don't clutter the space with knickknacks it can be overstimulating and cause intimacy or sleep trouble. How can I create a master suite? For those looking for a master escape instead of just a nice place to sleep, try adding a sitting room, master bathroom and walk-in closet. Create your own personal reading nook by buying a relaxing chaise lounge, day bed or sofa. You can even add a fireplace and wet bar or coffee bar for those cold winter nights. Finally, ensure you get time in the bathroom each morning by installing one just for you. You can add a relaxing bathtub and makeup vanity for a complete getaway from it all, and be sure to include a nice closet to store your large (and expanding) clothes collection!

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Bedroom Design Ideas, Pictures, Remodels and Decor

As you start your living room remodel, think about the space's overall purpose. If it's going to have a more formal feel, adding an elegant fireplace mantel might be a worthy investment, while a built-in TV console would work best in a more low-key setting. Once you determine the overall tone, consider what kind of storage would work best. Built-in bookshelves and cabinets are great additions, regardless of formality, while a desk, table or booth ensure there is plenty of space for family game night or homework help. Finally, be sure to bring some personality to the space by including fun decor, such as rugs, artwork, curtains and lighting. What should I use my living room for? If you already have a family room for more low-key activities, your living room can act as a more sophisticated setting for hosting and entertaining. To get the look, buy a bar cart, formal furniture like wingback armchairs and chesterfield sofas, and mahogany wood bookshelves and coffee tables. Use the fireplace as your focal point by opting for an eye-catching, sophisticated mantel. On the other hand, if it's your primary living space, it should be used more like a TV room, complete with sofa sectional, media console and gaming spot. In the end, think about your needs; after all, a family with small children will use a playroom more than a formal sitting room. What kind of built-ins should I add to my living room? Because this room serves many purposes, be sure to incorporate plenty of shelves, cabinets and drawers to accommodate all your goodies. While more expensive, built-ins are the best way to do this, since they take up less space and are often customized to meet your needs. A built-in entertainment center is great for housing your TV, movies, video games and small electronics, while bookcases keep your books, picture frames and knickknacks in check. A desk, booth or large table can act as a craft station or homework spot, while a window seat can quickly become your go-to reading or nap station. How do I decorate my living room? When decorating your space, don't be afraid of bright colors, but don't go overboard either. Stick with neutral sofas, armchairs and ottomans and go bold with accessories that way, you can easily swap out the small things when a new color scheme is in order. Picture frames, rugs, throw pillows and curtains are all great for adding color, while mirrors, table lamps and ceiling lights can help light flow throughout the space. Hang colorful artwork on the walls, and even add an accent wall by choosing a trendy new paint color.

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Living Room Design Ideas, Pictures, Remodels and Decor