5 Renovation Mistakes You Cannot Afford To Make

Anyone who has watched HGTV has seen plenty of renovation mistakes. Any renovation is an undertaking–ask every contractor and every homeowner that has been part of a remodel. From the accidents that can occur to the ever-growing budget, taking on a reno project requires time, dedication, sweat, and patience. From our experts to you, we have come up with the list of five renovation mistakes you cannot afford to make!

Low-Balling the Budget

Surprises are going to happen. Sometimes they are good: like finding original hardwood floors underneath the carpet in pristine condition. Sometimes they are horrifying: like finding asbestos in your home’s walls. While installing backsplash, you might damage the wall and have to replace some of the drywall. Peeking inside the drywall, you could find electrical issues. Then, the next thing you know, you’re dealing with more than just installing backsplash. We suggest setting aside 15% of the total project cost (potentially more for older homes) for unexpected expenses. This is your safety net in the event that unforeseen issues occur. This will give you peace of mind knowing that you won’t break the bank at the first sign of the unexpected.

Floor Drains: the Laundry Room Essential

This is one of the renovation mistakes that you may not consider. A laundry room drain is required by code in most areas, but some people still omit it. If there is ever a break in your washing machine hose, you’ll flood your house. A floor drain directs the water into your home’s main drain system. And please, do not try a DIY installation. This can turn into another one of our renovation mistakes. You will absolutely need a professional plumber, but again, you’ll have peace of mind, as flood insurance is not covered by most basic homeowner’s insurance plans.

Granite, Granite, Granite

Of course, it is popular, but granite isn’t the only option for the kitchen. Renovators could choose a different material for the countertops that can save tons of money in the kitchen! Our non-granite picks: butcher block, plate steel, or a nice laminate for those who don’t necessarily have the budget for premium marble or granite. Explore the options that will work best for your family to avoid regret down the road. Don’t break your budget trying to keep up with the Joneses.

Hidden Gems

Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t useful. A bathroom membrane system (which goes under tile) prevents popping and cracking, and keeps water from getting into the substructure. Think about it: If you’re spending $15,000 on a bathroom, spend an extra $1,000 to ensure you’ll never have a mold problem. This is one of those renovation mistakes that could end up costing big bucks down the line.

Floored: Ultimate Renovation Mistakes

Most contractors typically buy 20% extra flooring since it is prone to cuts and breakage during installation. There’s no guarantee you’ll be able to find an exact match if you need to order more during a long remodeling project. Most retailers often let you return unopened boxes for a refund, so you shouldn’t get stuck with too much material. It’s also nice to have extra in case of damage down the road. If you suffer and water damage (especially in the kitchen) or a pet scratches deeply or has an accident that stains, you’ll be glad you did.

For more tips on avoiding costly remodeling mistakes, download our FREE Home Reno 101 Checklist and sign-up for our newsletter, which has the latest tips and tricks, design trends, special offers, and expert knowledge on renovations!

Builders Surplus is a full-service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: KH

October 18, 2019

Fun DIY: 8 Ways to Use Your Old Doors

Hi, Everyone! When replacing your interior or exterior doors, you can often wonder what to do with the old doors you’re leaving behind. Well, lucky for you, we have some great ideas that will help you make up your mind! Don’t be limited to these ideas, though. The options are endless!

Projects Using Old Doors

1. Turning your doors into a leaning shelf

This first idea is a fantastic one! I should know, I’ve made one myself! To do this project, you not only need to have some old doors, but also some knowledge of power tools as it takes slightly more skill than the other projects. You want to make sure that you wear all safety gear and have someone knowledgeable help you if you’re not sure you can do this one all on your own. See how to do this project in our How To Video!

How to build a rustic door shelf by builders surplus

Click to see how to create this shelf!

2. Using old doors as an entryway tree

This is a great idea that doesn’t take too much work! You can take a single door, or two that you connect, and add a box or bench in front. You’ll add some crown moulding to the top, and some hooks for your bags and jackets! You can make it as simple or as elaborate as you want! See some ideas of entryway tree’s here!

– Related Posts –

3. Turning your old doors into a photo collage

This is such a sweet idea if you are replacing a full-lite door. Make a statement and put all your beautiful memories on display by turning your door into a photo collage! This how to from PhotogMommie, Mary Jane, will show you how to do it yourself!

Photo Credit: Photog Mommie, Mary Jane

4. Turning old doors into a desk or table

This is an awesome way to repurpose your old doors! Turn it into a table or desk! If you are wanting a solid surface to write on, I recommend that you get some class to sit on top, otherwise it works great as is! Click here to see how to do it yourself, step by step!

5. Using old doors as a drink station

This is such a great way to use your old doors! The author at Finding Home Farms (www.findinghomefarms.com) made this incredible drink station! Use it outdoors or indoors, make it more modern or rustic as this one is, shown below. You only need a few simple pieces to make it perfect!

Photo Credit: Finding Home Farms – Drink Station

6. Old doors for a Rustic Wedding Entrance

This is such a beautiful ideas for a rustic outdoor, or even indoor, wedding. Every bride needs a perfect entrance. That walk symbolizes her exit from her old life and her entrance into a new one. The doors at the beginning of the aisle is a great way to make the symbolism real. Nothing says rustic or boho like some old doors!

Click here to see more!

7. Old doors as a Garden Entrance

I absolutely love this idea! It is so “Secret Garden”. Make the entrance to your garden whimsical and magical by adding a old door covered in vines. Beautiful, right?!

Click here to see more!

8. Turn your doors into a Crafty Chalkboard

What a fun idea! Whether you use this on an outdoor shed like the photo shown, or in a playroom for your kids, using chalkboard paint over the flat surface on your door makes it a perfect chalkboard. Write to-do lists, fun, inspirational messages, or reminders. Whatever you choose, the idea is a great one!

Click here to see more!

– Related Posts –

I hope you’ve gotten some great ideas! Which one will you try after you replace your doors? Let us know in the comments below!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Allie Bloyd

July 17, 2017

Home Value: 5 Easy Ways to Increase It

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What’s going on, everyone? I do hope you’re well and enjoying the much-anticipated warm weather. Where it seemed like it was a rather mild winter, it felt like ages to me. If you’re a summer baby like yours truly, then you literally countdown the days until April or May, where you can enjoy a nice drive with the windows down and music up. Plus, now that it’s warm, we can all start working on the most important asset we have — our home. In this blog post, I’ll discuss five ways to easily increase home value. May the warmth inspire and spark creativity, y’all. Let’s begin!

The Best Ways To Increase Home Value

Focus on the Entry Door

So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that curb appeal is a monstrous factor when it comes to home value. The front door simply further emphasizes this incredibly significant factor. Essentially, it pulls the eye in and acts as a main focal point to the entire house. Think about it, when you have guests over, what is the first course of action? Walking through the front door. So, naturally, that’s what the eye is going to be attracted to.

Don’t be afraid to get a little quirky when it comes to your front door, either. Want to make it a crazy-cool color? Do it. Want to splash some sort of design on it? Go ahead. I encourage you to make it your own and let it standout. Because, honestly, it’s going to anyway.

Upgrade the Kitchen

Now, listen, I know those three words can seem a bit vague, and even once it’s broken down, it can still be a bit overwhelming. So for all intensive purposes, I’ll just name two components of a kitchen. Also note that your kitchen is arguably (but who would argue) the most important room in the entire house. Because of this, simply renovating a few things will no doubt increase home value. For sure. Cabinets: You may be surprised to know that simply switching out the cabinets in your kitchen will do wonders as far as aesthetics. Maybe you’re tired of the type of cabinet and color, or you’re like me and get antsy when you’ve staring at the same scenery for far too long. I encourage you to take a good, hard look at your cabinets and see if you’d like to make some changes. Remix it up.

Countertops: In my opinion, countertops can make or break a kitchen’s overall look. With this in mind, if you’ve been preparing your meals over, say, formica countertops then I think you’d really enjoy a granite or quartz countertops. They’re both sleek, modern-looking, and the characteristics for both are far more superior — in strength, durability, accident-resistance, and maintenance.

Beautify your Bathroom

Kitchens and baths, y’all, that’s where it’s at for value’s sake. These rooms allow a person to express themselves artistically and make a style their own. Like I mentioned before, don’t be afraid to go above and beyond. After all, IT IS your home. Do what you will. However, if you’re going to be selling in the near future, keep the style one that will appeal to a broad range of buyers. Vanities: A bathroom doesn’t call for as much space as a kitchen does, sure, but I’d be lying if I said that these pieces aren’t essential to your bathroom design. Take the same advice I gave you about your kitchen cabinetry and recreate a different design — use interesting colors, textures, and styles and make things harmoniously blend.

Vanity tops: Much like your kitchen countertops, a vanity top can make or break the design. Now, if it were me, I’d take a look at our cultured marble tops, in addition to our large selection of vanity tops. We truly have some beautiful colors that will blend nicely with any design. I promise you.

Watch your Windows

Windows may seem like a small aspect in home design, but I’m telling you, replacing the old with the new will greatly increase your home value. At Builders Surplus, we carry Silverline by Andersen windows, and they’re true beauties. Available in different designs and styles, these babies will quite literally make each room brighter.

Another thing I kinda like about windows is that they’re two sides of the same coin. We talked about the importance of curb appeal before, and windows sort of add to that enhanced focus, but they’re also very endearing on the inside, as well.

Plus, if you’re kinda crafty, you can enrich the look and put a beautiful set of moulding around each window, achieving that ‘craftsmen’ style perfectly. Just a little food for thought if you want to really increase home value.

Spruce Up the Outside

This probably goes without saying, but a well-maintained, neat, and even colorful yard is going to get some looks. If you want to increase home value, this is definitely an area I’d focus on. Curb appeal, remember? If your grass is as green as a golf course, there’s a nice blend of trees, flowers, and bushes — all neatly clipped — and everything looks proper and perfect, don’t be surprised to see a car come to a slow crawl, peeking in.

Having a yard that’s pleasing to the eye is going to get you those seriously-this-just-went-on-the-market kind of offers, and who doesn’t want to be in that driver’s seat, no pun intended. Just don’t make it TOO busy, you know what I mean. Keep it nice. Keep it neat. Keep it complete.

I hope these five things gave you a bit of insight and, hopefully, some inspiration to make some renovations to increase home value. Change isn’t all bad, people! Remember that, and keep on enjoying this weather! Hope to see y’all in here soon, but until then be safe and stay blessed!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation! Written By: Chris Chamberlain

Want to learn more about kitchen & bath remodeling?

May 2, 2017

2017 Tile Trends You’ll Go Crazy For

We’re three months into 2017, everyone, and I hope it’s going as well as you’d hope thus far. Winter is nearly behind us, and pretty soon, we’ll be setting our eyes upon the beginnings of one of my favorite seasons – Spring. And with a new year, new trends begin to pop up, and that doesn’t exclude designs and styles in the home renovation industry, right? Today, I’d like to specifically discuss tile trends for 2017.
Now, at Builders Surplus, we have a plethora of designs for your tile flooring needs, including, but not limited to polished porcelain, large format tile, and our lovely Daltile line. Not to mention, my personal favorite, wood-look tile. Elegant sleek feel of tile with the genuine appearance of wood. Exceptional. Alright, let’s look at what’s hot right now! Oh, look, this first one looks familiar…

Wood-Look Tile

A hot topic, indeed. But, honestly, no surprise here. Wood-look tile has been gripping homeowners across the nation for quite a few months now, and for good reason. It’s incredibly durable, maintaining the ability to withstand cracks, warps, dents, scratches, and chips. Perfect for those clumsy relatives you may have or turnt-up toddlers want to see what happens “when this glass meets that floor.”
Whatever the accident may be, wood-look will have you covered. What’s more is that you can install this tile anywhere. Yep, anywhere, including bathrooms. The material used in wood-look actually repels liquids. No more stains. No more mold. No more warping. That alone makes this style one of the finer tile trends of 2017, you know what I mean?

Hexagon-Patterned Tile

There’s just something about this design that has sparked a near insane interest in flooring departments everywhere. And, I get, ya know? When it comes to any designs, you must stick to what appeals to the eye. Sometimes regular patterns go amiss because of their standard square patterns, no matter how colorful or intriguing the tile is itself. But, you throw a bit of geometrical curvature down on the floor and you end up with something truly mesmerizing, extremely hard to miss, and downright jaw-dropping. Definitely makes the list for most exciting tile trends of the year.

Dark Tile

You know as well as I do that color is a primary element in any design. That statement continues to reign true through 2017, and now we’ve begun to see a piqued interest in darker tiles. If used correctly given the other elements in the room, a darker tile can exude relaxation and solace in a luxurious fashion. One of the more popular tile colors that we’ll see through the year is gray. It may seem like an ordinary, mundane color, but when used with other rich colors, you can get that relaxing, tranquil feel you’ve been looking for. Sidenote: Darker tiles are also obviously easier to clean. Just a plus on top of a plus.

Brick-Look Tile

Listen, I love the cobblestone look. Love it. It’s probably because of weird fascination with all things 18th century London, but there’s just something about walking across cobblestones that visually takes me across the Pond, holding a coffee, wearing a peacoat, and looking down the lines of cafes, wondering where I’m going to for a sip of tea and a crumb of a crumpet. But then again, maybe I’m not so weird because brick-look tile is one of the hottest tile trends to date and it exhibits the same feel.
People love this look because it’s different. It is far from your usual flooring. It’s a bit quirky, which for some is all the more reason, but it’s also a design that continues to amaze people. With that said, this design is not going anywhere fast. Expect it to be a hot commodity for some years to come.

Cement-Look Tile

Honestly, the all-encompassing hottest trend is flooring that looks like something it’s not. Wood-look, Brick-Look, and now, Cement-Look tile. It’s extremely endearing, folks. I’ve talked about it a few times in previous blog posts, but it’s just interesting to me that a material that is widely known for industrial purposes had made its way into people’s living room and hallways – in a glorious fashion.

Herringbone & Chevron Patterns

Another one that shouldn’t be much of a surprise. These patterns continue to “wow” people because of the inevitable. It WILL get your attention and nine times out of ten, you WILL like it. Now, yes it’s going to continue well into 2017, but I don’t expect this trend to last forever, honestly. It’s a pattern and once people start looking at the same thing for a long, extended period of time, well, they get bored. And then it’s onto the next attractive, more appealing design or pattern.

Well, everyone, keep your eye out for these colors, designs, and patterns for the months to come! I’m sure you’ll find that there’s a reason these characteristics continue to amaze everyone in the industry. What’s your favorite one of these 2017 tile trends? Feel free to leave a comment or let me know by sending me an email! And if you’re in the industry or you’re looking to install some new floors, come on into one of your two locations in Louisville or Cincinnati! Until then, be safe and stay blessed!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain

April 11, 2017

2017 Tile Trends You'll Go Crazy For

We’re three months into 2017, everyone, and I hope it’s going as well as you’d hope thus far. Winter is nearly behind us, and pretty soon, we’ll be setting our eyes upon the beginnings of one of my favorite seasons – Spring. And with a new year, new trends begin to pop up, and that doesn’t exclude designs and styles in the home renovation industry, right? Today, I’d like to specifically discuss tile trends for 2017.
Now, at Builders Surplus, we have a plethora of designs for your tile flooring needs, including, but not limited to polished porcelain, large format tile, and our lovely Daltile line. Not to mention, my personal favorite, wood-look tile. Elegant sleek feel of tile with the genuine appearance of wood. Exceptional. Alright, let’s look at what’s hot right now! Oh, look, this first one looks familiar…

Wood-Look Tile

A hot topic, indeed. But, honestly, no surprise here. Wood-look tile has been gripping homeowners across the nation for quite a few months now, and for good reason. It’s incredibly durable, maintaining the ability to withstand cracks, warps, dents, scratches, and chips. Perfect for those clumsy relatives you may have or turnt-up toddlers want to see what happens “when this glass meets that floor.”
Whatever the accident may be, wood-look will have you covered. What’s more is that you can install this tile anywhere. Yep, anywhere, including bathrooms. The material used in wood-look actually repels liquids. No more stains. No more mold. No more warping. That alone makes this style one of the finer tile trends of 2017, you know what I mean?

Hexagon-Patterned Tile

There’s just something about this design that has sparked a near insane interest in flooring departments everywhere. And, I get, ya know? When it comes to any designs, you must stick to what appeals to the eye. Sometimes regular patterns go amiss because of their standard square patterns, no matter how colorful or intriguing the tile is itself. But, you throw a bit of geometrical curvature down on the floor and you end up with something truly mesmerizing, extremely hard to miss, and downright jaw-dropping. Definitely makes the list for most exciting tile trends of the year.

Dark Tile

You know as well as I do that color is a primary element in any design. That statement continues to reign true through 2017, and now we’ve begun to see a piqued interest in darker tiles. If used correctly given the other elements in the room, a darker tile can exude relaxation and solace in a luxurious fashion. One of the more popular tile colors that we’ll see through the year is gray. It may seem like an ordinary, mundane color, but when used with other rich colors, you can get that relaxing, tranquil feel you’ve been looking for. Sidenote: Darker tiles are also obviously easier to clean. Just a plus on top of a plus.

Brick-Look Tile

Listen, I love the cobblestone look. Love it. It’s probably because of weird fascination with all things 18th century London, but there’s just something about walking across cobblestones that visually takes me across the Pond, holding a coffee, wearing a peacoat, and looking down the lines of cafes, wondering where I’m going to for a sip of tea and a crumb of a crumpet. But then again, maybe I’m not so weird because brick-look tile is one of the hottest tile trends to date and it exhibits the same feel.
People love this look because it’s different. It is far from your usual flooring. It’s a bit quirky, which for some is all the more reason, but it’s also a design that continues to amaze people. With that said, this design is not going anywhere fast. Expect it to be a hot commodity for some years to come.

Cement-Look Tile

Honestly, the all-encompassing hottest trend is flooring that looks like something it’s not. Wood-look, Brick-Look, and now, Cement-Look tile. It’s extremely endearing, folks. I’ve talked about it a few times in previous blog posts, but it’s just interesting to me that a material that is widely known for industrial purposes had made its way into people’s living room and hallways – in a glorious fashion.

Herringbone & Chevron Patterns

Another one that shouldn’t be much of a surprise. These patterns continue to “wow” people because of the inevitable. It WILL get your attention and nine times out of ten, you WILL like it. Now, yes it’s going to continue well into 2017, but I don’t expect this trend to last forever, honestly. It’s a pattern and once people start looking at the same thing for a long, extended period of time, well, they get bored. And then it’s onto the next attractive, more appealing design or pattern.

Well, everyone, keep your eye out for these colors, designs, and patterns for the months to come! I’m sure you’ll find that there’s a reason these characteristics continue to amaze everyone in the industry. What’s your favorite one of these 2017 tile trends? Feel free to leave a comment or let me know by sending me an email! And if you’re in the industry or you’re looking to install some new floors, come on into one of your two locations in Louisville or Cincinnati! Until then, be safe and stay blessed!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain

April 11, 2017

A Comparison of Cabinet Wood Type

So you’re shopping for cabinets, huh? Maybe from Wellborn or Waypoint, and you’ve not quite figured out what kind of material you’d like to use in your kitchen or bathroom. Fact of the matter is, there are plenty of variations to choose from when it comes to cabinetry, one of the defining characteristics being wood type. Today, I’d like to list the several wood types that are available in cabinets and mention some of the qualities to give you a better of understanding of what you’re getting!

Red Oak Cabinet Wood Type

Oak, in general, is a very hard, heavy kind of wood, which often gives the impression of strength and durability. And in actuality, for such a solid, long-lasting cabinet wood type, it’s not as expensive as one might think. The course grain in this material often varies from vertical grain swoops to a more distinctive “swoop” pattern, providing more curvature in the grain. It’s an absolutely timeless material, for sure.
One of the main reasons why I prefer this material over others is it’s versatility. Choosing this material gives you the option of staining it to your fancy. Which, if you’re like me, and grow too accustomed to a certain look over a period of time, then this will be the way to go. A refreshing look is merely a couple stain coats away.

White Oak Cabinet Wood Type

White Oak is obviously very similar to its “red” counterpart, except for one bit – it’s a little stronger. With more golden tones, this wood type will give you the elegant look that you desire, and is literally perfect with any style. As pictured, White Oak is definitely more subtle in its grain. It seems softer, gentler than the red oak. I’d love to tell you that it’s similar in price, but the fact is, most times it’s only available in custom order.
I’ll say this much, too, a clear finish will brilliantly highlight the grain in this cabinet wood type. On the other hand, stain could possibly oversaturate it, exaggerating the grain, making it look kind of two-toned. Not a good look.

Maple Cabinet Wood Type

Maple gives you this lovely look of fine-grain with a gentle, light color. Now, it is slightly more expensive than oak, but it’s not near as dense. It can be stained, but in my opinion if you want to achieve the best look, simply apply a thin coat of clear or natural finish to enhance the texture of this wood type. Trust me, the effects are magnificent in Maple.
This look provides a more contemporary approach to your kitchen or bath remodel. It’s known as a shock-resistant material, as well, and is incredibly durable. It takes paint like a breeze, too! Very versatile, and it’s made to withstand great temperatures and won’t crack or warp like some other materials may do. Sidenote: Because of the aforementioned, this material is quite popular for heavier cabinetry, such as dressers and kitchen cabinets.

Hickory Cabinet Wood Type

Lighter than oak, but very, very similar in grain pattern and durability. It’s one of the strongest, hardest woods out there! There’s a sort of yellowish hue to it, almost creamy, and where it can also be stained, this material (much like Maple) is better suited with a fine layer of clear coat or natural finish. This is simply to emphasize the wonderful grain lines.
I’m a sucker for them, so I’ll be going that route each and every time. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it, right? More often than not, this material has been used to achieve that lovely rustic style. Because of this, it’s rarely seen as a custom or semi-custom cabinetry. It also needs to be noted that where this type is usually seen with a creamy color, it can also be seen in a dark reddish brown color OR nearly black. Dark hickory is 100% a favorite of mine.

Cherry Cabinet Wood Type

This material is hard enough to withstand a number of mishaps. Attention parents, if you have little ones running around your kitchen, this material just might be the one for you. It can be used for a number of styles, but is more commonly seen as elegant and formal as a traditional style. Although, there is some versatility to it. I’ve seen this wood type achieved magnificently in contemporary kitchen designs.
One of the absolute best qualities of this cabinet wood type is how it literally ages in time, growing darker with the days. Yes, just like fine wine, the unique look deeps through the years. Now, this type is a bit costly, mind you, which is why it’s often seen as a “luxury” wood.

Birch Cabinet Wood Type

A fine, fine, durably built wood that is slightly darker than maple, but not by much. It takes finishes very well, and is versatile in that it can guise as a more luxurious wood with a few, simple tweaks. When it’s stained properly, the look can do wonders, disguising as a Maple or Cherry wood type. Because of it’s irregular color, birch is relatively inexpensive. In fact, it’s 25-75% cheaper than other types like cherry or maple.

Pine Cabinet Wood Type

Ah, now here’s one that sits apart from the rest. Pine is the ONLY softwood species that is commonly used in cabinetry. Because of this, it dents more easier than the others. Definitely not impenetrable, this one. Interestingly enough, this wood type is often used for rustic pieces, like farmhouse-style tables and chairs. If you’ve ever been to Cracker Barrel, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. And now I’m thinking about biscuits and gravy. Excellent.
It’s low-cost, takes paint well, but where some might say it’s perfect for kids’ furniture, I beg to differ. Kids can be a rowdy bunch, especially in the playroom, and this material simply isn’t built for that kind of debauchery. Just throwin’ that out there.

Okay, people, there’s seven of the most commonly used cabinet wood types found in kitchen and bath cabinetry. As you can see, the majority of them get an A for durability, which should be a significant factor in your decision-making process! I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that we offer some fine cabinetry here at Builders Surplus that features these amazing cabinet wood types. Come check out what we have, and we would be glad to offer our professional advice during a free kitchen design consultation. Until the, be safe, stay blessed, and enjoy 2017!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain

February 7, 2017

Simple Additions to Upgrade Your Kitchen Cabinets

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Today we’re going to cover some simple ways to upgrade your kitchen cabinets. You also may be thinking of some ways to spruce up an area or two, you know, to really make a lasting impression. Since the kitchen is one of the main focal points during any time, and not just the holidays, I’d like to discuss some additions you can make to your kitchen cabinets that are easy, quick, and make a real difference!

Crown Moulding

It is with no surprise that this finishing material makes the list because they are created to serve this particular purpose – to inexpensively give an elegant appearance. Best part is, you’re not limited to just one design or fashion. You can make it simple, using crown moulding that has a few beveled edges OR you can crazy elaborate like the one pictured below. Whatever suits your fancy, really. Installation is easy, and the look will really enhance the design on your kitchen cabinets. Trust me.

Glass-Paneled Cabinet Doors

I really like this look. To me, it makes the kitchen seem more open, you know what I mean? Installing glass-paneled cabinet doors gives your kitchen design more depth. You can show off some fancy china, decorative plates, or maybe your quirky collection of coffee cups. Either way, this addition is for everyone. It’s a cool way to give your cabinets a bit more character, as opposed to a variety of solid doors.

Cabinet Scribe

Purely for aesthetics as opposed for functionality, this little finishing piece does wonders for the look of your kitchen cabinets. It is installed at the edge of the cabinet where it meets the wall, and is used to hide any gaps that may appear. This, people, is as simple as it gets, and it makes a monstrous difference. Scribe is just one of those pieces that gives your cabinets that complete, finished look. You can look back afterwards, and finally say, “Yes. My job here is done.”

Cabinet Toe Kicks

Similar to the aforementioned, this finishing piece is pretty much just for the eye. Toe Kicks are used to cover the space between the floor and the cabinet, and once again just appeases the eye. It’s a quick install, and really changes the appearance, especially in terms of your kitchen flooring. Sometimes, it’s the little things that pack the most punch, for sure.

Cabinet Hardware

Ah, my favorite addition to make this list. Cabinet hardware, to me, really sets the tone of your kitchen cabinets for a couple of reasons. One, with the many variations and styles of hardware, you’re able to really choose and hone in on how you want your cabinets to look. It’s a prime opportunity to make your kitchen unique, in your image. Now, we have some prime names in-store that will really do wonders for your kitchen cabinets. Traditional pieces, contemporary, rustic, “Old World” styles and many more are available, so please feel free to come in and see first-hand. Until then, you can check out our brands including Jeffrey Alexander, and some of our special buy hardware options!

There you have it, folks. Five simple, quick-install additions that will leave a lasting impression to whomever enters your kitchen! I hope this post helped you in every way possible, and you’ve gained at least a little inspiration to rise and DIY today! Until then, have a Happy Thanksgiving, eat as much as you can, and take the best nap you’ve ever had. Stay safe, and be blessed.

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation! Written By: Chris Chamberlain

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January 12, 2017

2016 Design Review: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

Well, it’s been an interesting year! Definitely one for the books, I’d say. But we’ll hone it in during this post and talk about a design review, as opposed to crazy elections, erupting riots, and Pokemon Go. We’ll just leave that for the media to handle. So, allow me to list a few designs for you, the best and the worst during this past year, what worked and what, well, just didn’t.

Design Review: The Good

Reclaimed Wood: If you ask me, this look is simply timeless. Making wood look aged and antiqued isn’t just fun to do, but the product is pretty satisfying as well. Unique-looking, this style has definitely made a name for itself this past year, and we can only hope that it’ll stick around.

Black Window Frames: Most window frames that you see are limited in color. You have your gentle whites and maybe an almond or two that you’ll come across, but in 2016, darkening the frames turned out to be aesthetically pleasing. And I have to say, I love the look. It makes the window a focal point, which is perfect for a craftsman or contemporary window.

Minimal design: No surprise here, right? One of the hottest trends this past year was the subtle hints of no design at all. Playing with neutral, light colors only and not making an area look “too busy.”

Use of concrete: This trend took 2016 by storm! Before, concrete was seen as more of an industrial material, seen mainly in factory warehouses or other commercial properties, but not anymore. One of the hottest styles in the kitchen world right now are concrete countertops. Having the ability to shape and mold your own working space has piqued many people’s interests across the nation. The picture below is from Kelly Moore, author of blog The Journey of Bags, Photography, Life & Moore. You can check out the original post here.

Glass tile: Most notably in backsplashes, glass tile became a huge hit, bumping ceramic tile to the wayside in this design review.

Design Review: The Bad

Stainless Steel Appliances: I’m only 25, but I can still remember stainless steel appliances being the IN thing when I was a kid. Apparently, it was similar to that of having a Mercedes in the drive at the time – if you had it, it meant “you made it.” Well, that’s no longer the case anymore. These appliances are have run its course, mainly because of how limited you are with the rest of your design.

Copper Lighting: I’ve never much cared for copper as a finish to begin with, although I can see where some would find it appealing. For those that do adore this sleek, shiny (maybe a bit too shiny) finish, it seems that it’s being put to the back burner as a design trend.

Mason Jars: This is definitely more of an interior design trend than anything, but I couldn’t agree with it more. Can we please stop using mason jars as design props to set around the house? At first, I’ll admit, it was an interesting idea. Gave the scenery an old-fashioned, borderline rustic look that made a house feel like a home. But, like many trends, it’s been overdone, and therefore also receives the boot on this list. Sorry, moonshiners.

Chevron: Ah, another design that people went crazy for, but has become so prominent, it’s getting overwhelming. Now, having been to college, I’ve seen this a lot. Like, a lot a lot, and honestly, the look just makes me cringe a bit now. In any case, the design has been deemed “out” by many interior designers and big-time, major home remodeling resources like Houzz. Bye, bye Chevron.

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written by: Chris Chamberlain

December 29, 2016

Unique DIY Touches For Your Kitchen Island

It goes without saying that a kitchen island can be one of the most prominent features in the entire design, and not because it’s literally right in the middle of everything, although that plays its part. This feature simply opens up an array of possibilities in terms of design and functionality. Today, I’d like to discuss a few DIY options that will make your kitchen island stand out in a very positive way!

Add Beadboard to your Kitchen Island

Adding this sorta subtle piece of decor gives your island a certain edge, a certain feel to it instead of plain ole cabinetry faces. The vertical lines give the island a grander appeal when one enters the kitchen, too. Keep in mind, you can also paint beadboard the color that you’d like, adhering it your overall design and style.

Using Reclaimed Wood on your Kitchen Island

Simply put, this looks is as legitimate as it gets. Seriously, no joke. Especially if you’re going for the rustic, antiqued look. It adds a certain flavor to the design, piquing an irresistible interest. If you’re looking for a simple way to give your island that well sought after rustic look to compliment your kitchen, I definitely recommend this idea.

Install Hooks on your Kitchen Island

Cause why not, right? You have this lovely island just chillin’ in the center of your kitchen, so I think it’s only fitting that you use it for storage! Duh. Put some hooks or some dowels at the edge of your island to hang coffee mugs, towels, and such. I feel like this gives the kitchen island more of a homey, comfortable look, you know what I mean? Not only does it look neat and it’s extremely useful, but it adds to the organizational element of your kitchen, giving you maximum functionality. This…is an excellent idea.

Add Shelves to your Kitchen Island

Much like the above, this is just another easy way to give yourself some more storage space or decorate it the way you’d like and put knick-knacks and sentimentals on them to make the design your own. Either way, no one has ever complained about extra shelving. Ever. Sidenote: Another great idea. Just saying.

Set Some Stools Around your Kitchen Island

If you have the room, then I supremely suggest this! It may not seem like such an addition at first, but wait till that first huge Sunday breakfast or when it’s your turn to host the Thanksgiving party, and you’ll begin to see its beneficial uses. Plus, it’s just as I explained in the intro, it’s simply a nice touch.

So, there you have it, folks. Just a few ideas to get the gears rolling! Just remember to never reject the opportunity to make the style of your home your own. It’s your niche, your sanctuary, and if it makes you happy, do it. You want a complete baby blue kitchen island? Do it. You want an entire island made out of Legos? Get it done. There is no bounds to your creativity, y’all. Embrace it…and use it. Also, I wasn’t kidding about the Lego island.

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of granite countertops, quartz countertops and laminate countertops in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain

December 16, 2016

Craftsman Style Window for Extra Charm

Ah, the Craftsman Style Window. Arguably, many homeowners favorite style of windows, and rightfully so! It alleviates the look of the usual, plain-jane and ordinary window to one of planned architecture. It’s just another way to add a bit of curvature into the design of your house, and cast some light on the beauty of a well-designed home. Take note, while these are not exactly considered a rare style, it certainly will provoke a similar reaction as if it was. Without further ado, let’s talk about some things you can do to achieve this lovely look of elegance in the windows of your home.

Craftsman Style Window – Getting the Look

With this style, it is ALL finish work. And I mean that quite literally. To achieve the craftsman appearance, it comes down to the finishing touches. What do I mean by finishing touches? The trim and the moulding. As this style is mainly seen and closely related to what’s called “Bungalow-styled” houses, you’ll find that the windows all have accompanied moulding and trim to them.
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With that said, typically these types of houses are all seen with double hung grid windows in combination with casement awning and/or picture windows. This allows for more natural light to seep through.

Like I mentioned before, the prominent part about this look is the finish work. Craftsman moulding is what gives this style its name. It’s commonly found in the American Bungalow, as well. It’s easy to install, very affordable, and big, which just adds to the look. If you’re starting from scratch, make sure you apply a high-resolution paint job. I’m talking PURE-WHITE finish, make it shiny, glossy even. It’s an added element to that style that shouts at you…in a good way, of course.

Once you’ve trimmed out the entire window, the bottom, top, and the sides, you’re pretty much almost there. Now it’s time to fill the gaps with caulk. Once again, another finishing touch that is super important to achieving this look!
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Allow the caulk to dry for a solid 24 hours. You can never be too sure with that stuff, trust me. Make sure the whole area is clean, the caulk beads look straight and in unison, and there you go! You have it! The craftsman look!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain

November 4, 2016

Reclaimed Wood Flooring: DIY it from Unfinished Wood

Reclaimed Wood Flooring is such a unique style, one that’s all on its own. It epitomizes the rustic approach and is perfect for cottage settings, or even the traditional style kitchen. Today, I’m going to discuss on how you can achieve this look by doing-it-yourself and using unfinished wood flooring.

Reclaimed Wood Flooring – Using Unfinished Wood

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The first step to this process would be, of course, to get your primary material, unfinished wood. Think of these pieces as a clean slate, an empty canvas just waiting to be drawn upon. It provides an opportunity for limitless creativity, and allows you to create the style you have in mind. In the reclaimed look. Lucky for you, we have what you need at Builders Surplus, with plenty of unfinished wood in-stock for your choosing!

Reclaimed Wood Flooring – Roughing It Up!

Some of these methods I gained from the people at younghouselove.com – they have brilliant ideas for stuff like this, and I definitely took note!
Sanding: After you purchase your unfinished woods, it’s time to start roughing it up a bit. First, sand the surface, making it smooth. Getting rid of the initial texture will already make the wood look a bit aged! Next, it’s time to start roughing up the wood!

Bag of Screws: I’ve seen plenty of techniques on distressing wood, and this one right here, although peculiar, results in an excellent effect. Smack a bag of screws across your sanded surface and notice the little dimples it creates! Just enough to set off the texture, and for it to look weathered.

Hammer it!: Now don’t pick up a hammer and go Thor on your unfinished wood, now. Instead, place small dents across each board. Scatter them out, and don’t make it look like a hammer was there. Remember, the key to pulling off this look is for it look like time/weather created it, not you.

Groove it!: Use a long screw with threading and press down, using the threads to groove the soft wood. You can switch it up, too! Perform all of these techniques on the board – OR – make it a variety and distress each one differently. It’s up to you!

Screw Small Holes: Ever looked at a piece of old wood and noticed all the small holes from insects and bugs? Pretty cool, right? Achieve this look by piloting small holes with a drill bit across the tops of the board!

Sand It Again: Now that you’ve beat it up a bit, sand it to give it the smooth texture. Not too much or you’ll end up undoing what you just did. Press down lightly in circular motions, and that should do the trick.!

Reclaimed Wood Flooring – It’s Stain Time

Alright, now this another choice that is solely yours, but I’m here to tell you that the darker the stain the better. Of course, you can mix it up with some lighter stains, for sure. All of it doesn’t have to be dark, and to be honest, it shouldn’t be if you’re trying to get the true reclaimed wood flooring look. To name some off the top of my head, Dark Cherry, Red Oak, Maple, Red Mahogany, and Dark Walnut are just some of the choices you have. Pair those with lighter stains like Pickled Oak, Pickled White, Honeytone, and Winter White, and you’ll achieve the look. Trust me. As for the brand, I highly suggest Rust-Oleum. They have the best stain, hands down, everything from deck stain to distressed look. They’re excellent.

Now, mind you, these are just some ideas for you. There are a plethora of methods you can do to distress wood and create a variety for your reclaimed wood flooring. This post is just for you to gain inspiration and ensure you that it’s actually an easier process than it looks. And it’s really, really fun. Hope this inspired you even in the slightest, and that you think about this idea during your next remodel! Take care and stay blessed!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written by: Chris Chamberlain

November 1, 2016

25 Easy Remodeling Ideas to Transform Your Home

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There are times when you look around your place and have the need to change the scenery a bit. Not completely renovate the entire place, but maybe add a touch of color here or make something crafty to hang on the wall there. Take a look at your countertops, tile, carpet, and flooring options, and see if you have room for improvement. Honestly, it could be as simple as applying a new bead of caulk. Just know that finishing touches are where the money accrues! Here is a list of 25 ideas to hopefully inspire you when you get that itch to change something. They’re relatively easy, inexpensive, and most of the things needed can be acquired here at Builders Surplus. Grab a nice, cold drink and allow me to entertain you with a nice, crafty list. Enjoy!

1. Remodeling Ideas – Paint your Interior Doors

Add some color to your interior doors to brighten up your household. Go bold, or play with more neutral colors. Either way, it’s a simple, cost-effective way to switch things up a bit.

2. Add Trim to Your Windows

Framing your windows is an excellent way to add elaborate detail to an otherwise plain feature. You can frame it entirely OR simply put up a piece of moulding at the top to give it a refined look.

3. Update your Cabinet Hardware

Give your kitchen and bath cabinets a new look by switching the old hardware with a new, sleekly finished look. Now, it may not seem like much as you read this, but I can assure you that once you’ve switched them out and take a step back, you’ll be surprised by the difference!

4. Apply a Different Stain to a Wood Finish

If you’re like me, seeing the same color day in and day out can become a monotonous routine, but there’s always a way to break that slump. Simply apply a different colored stain of your choosing to the wood finishes in your home, like your bannister rails, cabinets, and trim!

5. Chalkboard in your Kitchen

One of my favorite remodeling ideas, and this one is actually becoming quite popular as a kitchen trend. A bit quirky, yes. But think of all the possibilities – no more forgetting stuff at the grocery store and then there’s always the sweet message or two. Pretty neat!

6. Mirrors on your Closet Doors

You can create some depth to your bedroom by hanging mirrors on your closet doors. Not only that, but you don’t have to spend time getting ready in the bathroom. No more “hogging up the mirror.”

7. Build Shelves in your Bathroom

An excellent DIY project for a beautiful, weekend afternoon. Building and installing shelves of your own gives you the ability to amplify your style in your bathroom AND alleviates wasted space. See that relatively blank wall there? Make it useful by hanging some shelves. Great visually and functionally.

8. A Floor Renovation

This idea is great if you have carpet in certain parts of your house because getting rid of it is relatively simple as opposed to tile or hardwood floors. Good news! If this is something you’re looking for, we have a plethora of brilliant styles of tile and marvelous hardwood flooring to give your house the sophisticated look you’ve been looking for!

9. Install a Backsplash

You can do so in your bathroom or kitchen, but either way, backsplashes add to the overall design of each. It’s a finishing touch that doesn’t take too long, isn’t expensive, and once again, we have a number of products here at Builders Surplus that are low-cost AND low-maintenance. It’s a win-win, right?

10. Put in a Pull-Out Kitchen Faucet

This addition is almost purely for functionality, but whoever said they wouldn’t use this if their house came with it is downright insane. Simply put, a pull-out kitchen sink makes doing that dreaded chore that much easier. A bit of technology that anyone could get behind, in my opinion.

11. Liven the Atmosphere with Plants

Throw in some greenery around the house, and let nature run its course. It’s one thing to have added decor and make it your own style, but if there’s one element that you can never (usually) go wrong with, it’s having some plants around the house. In the corners or on the sink in the bathroom.

12. Let there be Light!

Recessed lighting is truly brilliant. There aren’t any outrageous fixtures hanging from the ceiling. It’s just a small, circular instrument snuggled into the ceiling, and boy, can it emit some rays! When done right, it is magnificent.

13. Use a Barn Door

Cover pantries or closets with a Barn Door. At Builders Surplus, we love this door style, it’s rustic, it’s unique, and it’s relatively easy to install!

14. Add Ledge Stone tile

Another favorite here at Builders Surplus, this style of tile is excellent for backsplashes, but the look, to me, is perfectly epitomized around a fireplace. There’s just something about the stone look by a fireplace that makes it warm and inviting. Can you say, “good book by the fire?”

15. Switch out your Countertops

Now, I can understand if this seems a bit destructive, but in all actuality it’s not, and it doesn’t really matter which style you choose to upgrade them with, it will still be with it. Here at Builders Surplus, we have a number of options to choose from. Choices sure to spruce up your kitchens and baths in no time!

16. Install a new Front Door

Your front yard is the essence of curb appeal, right? Installing a new front door, whether it’s fiberglass, or maybe even an iron door, the look will enhance your curb appeal sevenfold and provokes a more inviting, welcoming aura.

17. Apply a Fresh Bead of Caulk

Noted as one of the many finishing touches in any household, sometimes it’s prudent to strip away the old and apply the new. You can do this around bathtubs, countertops, and windows!

18. Switch out your Door Hardware

These little mechanisms often go unnoticed, but I can assure you, as soon as you update them you’ll appreciate the look and functionality. Most builders put in standard hardware, so if you’re looking to spruce things up a bit, don’t be afraid to make a change. This is another one of those easy remodeling ideas, for sure.

19. Lay down Tile on your Front Porch

If you have a concreted front porch, then this look is perfect for you. My father and I installed a brilliant looking tile on my parent’s front porch, and it turned out fantastic.

20. Put on a New Roof

Fact of the matter is, shingles fade over time. It is because of this that I suggest you look into a metal roof. Now, your first thought might be the sound of the rain pounding above you, but there are sound barriers that alleviate that nuisance. Above all, this is one of the more noticeable remodeling ideas because of its significance in curb appeal.

21. Paint the Garage Floor

Unless it’s your thing, concrete can be kind of bleh. So the garage floor can be perceived as the usual, un-changing thing that you just merely have to deal with. But painting it completely changes the look of your garage. I should know, I did it last summer. It’s easy, pretty fun really, and extremely low-maintenance.

22. Look at New Windows

Windows have been known to deteriorate over time, and once they do, they will give you nothing but problems. Take a good hard look at every window in the household and take note of air seeping through the seems. Also, it may just be time to update them. Bring in natural light in style!

23. Get some New Light Switch Covers

Maybe you’ve just painted your walls, and Almond light switch covers just don’t seem to blend in with anything anymore. Or, you want to be quirky. There are tons of ideas and styles out there to add a gentle hue to your room. Make it your own!

24. Put up a Skylight

Hands down one of my favorite remodeling ideas. If you’re a fan of natural light like I am then this is perfect for you. Bring the outside world in by installing one of these bad boys. I can promise you won’t regret it.

25. Install New Cabinets

Want to really change the look of your kitchen? Bring in a batch of new kitchen cabinetry, and you’ll surely achieve that. Plus, we have lines from the most brilliant brands here at Builders Surplus like Wellborn, Waypoint, and our very own, Ginger Creek!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation! Written by: Chris Chamberlain

October 24, 2016

Easy DIY Decor Pieces to Refresh Your Bathroom Design

There are a plethora of little projects you can do yourself that can and will add to your bathroom design. Sure, a bathroom is full of accessories and hardware, but little knick-knacks can add character, and it gives you the ability to make your bathroom unique. Plus, they’re extremely fun to make, and you’ll definitely want to show them off somehow. So, why not your bathroom?

Add Shelves to Enhance Bathroom Design

Building shelves and stacking them vertically in your bathroom does a number of things. It allows for more storage space, which is usually great for any sized bathroom, for one. But it also relieves you of the look of unwanted wall space, adding a bit of character to an otherwise plain wall. Also, you don’t necessarily have to stack cosmetics on them, either. If you have a themed bathroom, use the shelves to decorate and emphasize your theme by filling them with tiny decorations!

Introduce Some New Lighting

There’s nothing wrong with a little more lighting in your bathroom, especially if you have elements in your design that are screaming to be emphasized. If you have a large vanity, consider hanging some lights such as these! Drape them in the corners, so they’re out of the way and create a better looking ambiance in your bathroom. It’s as simple as finding a fixture that fits your design and running a bit of wire. Well worth it for a look such as this one, and it adds to functionality as well!

Make a Clever Sign using Bold Typography

Whether it’s a quote, a family inside joke, or just merely a word, making a clever sign is an excellent added feature for a bathroom design! You can get creative with the type of style, too! A rustic looking sign or maybe something more modern looking? Whatever it is, this idea gives you the ability to truly make your bathroom design your own!

Paint an Accent Wall

Now, truly, I’ve never even thought about doing this before, because it’s such a small space, but it really does add to the design, making it pop out a bit. This is an excellent idea for those that don’t want the traditional one color, neutral kind of design and would rather go with something quirky and fun…like an accent wall. Honestly, out of this list, I deem this one my favorite. Simple, easy (if you don’t mind painting like I do) and can make quite a change of appearance for such a minimal effort.

Make a Collage

Maybe you’re a collector of magazine cutouts, or photographs of animals, or you just have a bunch of stuff that you’re relatively sentimental about and want to flaunt it somewhere, but there’s no room in your bedroom. Ta-dah! You now have a place to put it. Okay, okay, it may seem a little quirky, but I think it’s kind of fun. You could decorate a wall with a bunch of photos of your friends, loved ones, the little ones in the family. I think as far as decorations go, the bathroom is a space that is extremely underrated. In fact, in every decorated bathroom I’ve been into, I’ve had to compliment the owner because it truly is a rarity.

A Breath of Fresh Air

Add some vegetation to the mix, and breathe in that fresh oxygen! Seriously, adding some plants into your bathroom is actually a pretty neat idea. For one, when was the last time you walked into someone’s home and you saw a natural-green plant soaking up some sun rays. Yeah, me either. Fancy restaurants are one thing, but rarely in someone’s home.

Create your Own Bathroom Towel Rack

Much like the clever sign, you can use the same approach and build your own towel rack. Grab a few pieces of wood of your choosing, fasten them together, stain it, pain it, or leave it! Hardest part is making sure you hit a couple of studs behind the wall, and there you have it! A cost-effective way of holding your towels, and all in a decorative fashion.

Design Your Own Candle Holders

It’s no secret that candles and bathrooms go hand-in-hand right? Why not make yourself some cool-looking candle holders using your own design? It’s simple, easy-to-make and will work brilliantly with a fresh soothing scent!

Now, there’s a whole realm of ideas to work with, so don’t be afraid to explore your own creative outlet! It’s in my hopes that these 8 ideas did their job in sparking you with some inspiration for your bathroom design. The next time you look to enhance a room in your house, don’t overlook the bathroom, and remember these ideas. Add some character, get creative, and make it your own!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Chris Chamberlain

September 13, 2016

What Direction Should You Run Your Hardwood Floor?

There’s a secret to a hardwood floor that some people aren’t quite aware of. Luckily for you, dear reader, I’m willing to spill the beans during this post and reveal it to you. It’s one thing to pick out your flooring, making sure the color and design meshes well with the rest of your home, but it’s another to make sure it’s aesthetically pleasing upon install. One of the secrets I’m talking about is its appearance. The longer the board, the more grandiose it looks. The shorter the board, the cheaper it usually is. Taking this into account, you can determine how best to run your floor. First universal rule: The planks should always run perpendicular to the floor joists. This allows for the board to be spanned in the correct manner, ensuring stability.

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Run Your Hardwood Floor From Your Door

No matter which flooring you choose, the ultimate goal is to achieve that elegant, professional look. Starting from the door, running the floor perpendicularly from it, will give your hardwood floor a seamless appearance. Imagine you’re looking down a hallway, toward your entryway, and you can visualize how if a floor is set in one motion – it will do wonders. Now, of course, there are some exceptions to this rule. If you’re laying a special pattern or in-lay, this would of course switch things up a bit. Essentially, it all depends on the layout of your home. In small areas, for example, different layouts look as I discussed before – choppy and out of place.

Running Your Hardwood Floor Diagonally

As far as stability goes, running your floor diagonally is just as sufficient as running it perpendicularly. It’s really all about the look with this approach, and it’s best achieved in large rooms like a living or dining room. The appearance is so appealing, stunning really. The degree of the angle really depends on the look you want to achieve, but 45 degrees is the most common by far. Although, there’s variations, especially when dealing with a skewed wall or a small space. Note: This method usually takes more time (a bit more expensive) because you end up wasting quite a bit of wood from all the desired cuts. But, in my opinion, it is well worth it.

How Not To Run Your Hardwood Floor

Whatever you do, try to refrain from breaking up the patterns in a floor. Try not to use different patterns in different rooms because where it may seem like a great thing to do at first, using other designs for each room, the finished product will end up looking broken. It’ll be distorted in a way that makes each floor look messy and unorganized.
The proper way to run your hardwood floor pretty much depends on your choice of flooring. What is fundamentally clear, however, is that with whatever choice you pick, there is a sure way to make your flooring both visually attractive and concrete in stability. Just take note of the angles you’d like to use, the size of the room you’re working with, and be mindful of your transitions. Always be cautious of which way your joists lay for stability.

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain

September 1, 2016

How to Finance your Home Renovation

There’s plenty to think about when it comes any home renovation project. It’s easy to get mixed up styles, the design, and which colors to choose from, but usually one of the first parts of the process is figuring out financing. Now, there are plenty of options, some that are universally obvious, but there’s a couple of choices to choose from that we offer here at Builders Surplus.

As professionals in the renovation industry, we are constantly asked questions about our Financing Options. Rest assured that we have the knowledge and resources to make your dream project into a reality. We take pride in being able to simplify your home remodeling experience, especially when it comes to saving you money!

Paying Out of Pocket for your Home Renovation

Pros: It’s finished. One of the main parts of the whole process is completed, and now the only worry is getting exactly what you paid for. In this option, you aren’t dealing with banks, interest rates, or payments. Your project has been solidified by one lump some, and you can now devote your time and energy peacefully without the worry of how much this is going to cost you in the future.
Cons: Depending on the project, things can get pretty pricey, and it can be hard to write that check when it gets into the thousands. If you’re working on a budget, dishing it all out at once can be more stressful than some of the other options.

Paying by Credit Card for your Home Renovation

Pros: Your Bank accounts remain where they are for a while, and you’re not having to produce some astronomical number for your remodel. Like anything else, this establishes credit, and the more, the merrier, right? Speaking of, if you already have good credit, there are plenty of lenders that will offer 0% interest rate. This, in my opinion, is always the best approach if you can get into it, especially for small projects.
Cons: Interest rates can be a doozy if you’re credit isn’t up to par, and even then, you have to be cautious of expiration dates and the chance that those interest rates will sky-rocket if something comes up and you miss a payment. These credit card companies definitely do not mess around when it comes to missed payments. Missed payments could also mess up your credit, which is never a good thing.

Home Equity Line of Payment for your Home Renovation

Pros: A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) or a Home Equity Loan (HEL) are excellent options and can be extremely beneficial. HELs are a second mortgage on your home, they usually have a fixed interest rate for the lifespan of the loan, and you all of the money in one lump some. In most cases, they have you pay back the principle and interest within fifteen years or so with monthly plans. That’s not too bad of a payment plan, if you ask me.
Cons: Yet another process that can get pricey, after transactions and closing costs, this can feel like a primary mortgage. No one wants to pay more than you have to, so if this is the option you’re choosing, be sure to do your research.

Financing with Wells Fargo for your Home Renovation

Pros: At Builders Surplus, we now offer 6 months financing with 0% interest! You can see your dream project come to life and not have the hassle of interest for a half year.
Cons: Eventually having to pay interest if you’re not planning to pay your project off within that six months. And if you don’t, then you’ll have to go through the agony of paying interest. For more information on this, check out our financing page.

Financing with Cambria for your Home Renovation

Pros: This is the perfect option if you’re looking to renovate your dream kitchen. Cambria, a countertop company we work with, will finance up to $55,000 with a purchase of one of their products! Side note: You only need to purchase 2 sq. ft. of this beautiful Quartz product to quality! Now, unless you’re going extremely extravagant, and I’ve seen some of them, don’t doubt it, but $55,000 should cover your renovation. And all you’d have to do is choose one of Cambria’s fine countertops to install in your kitchen. It’s a win-win.
Cons: I mean, the only con with this option is being limited to just one brand of a countertop, but once you see the selection, you’ll soon realize it’s not a con at all.

Financing with Synchrony for your Home Renovation

Financing with Synchrony is another great option! They also offer 6 mo. financing with 0% interest. They also offer Holiday Special Financing, which is 18 mo. of financing with 0% interest during all holidays! Tired of the same ole gift-giving, year in and year out? Do something unique this holiday season and give the gift of a dream renovation! If you have a question about dates or any other details, feel free to come in store, ask an associate, or visit our Financing page.

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Chris Chamberlain

August 29, 2016

It's Natural: Color Inspiration from Nature

I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to natural textures and scenes, of old architecture and macro imagery, of my favorite color palettes. Some of the most gorgeous color palettes can be found outdoors and with a little help, you can come up with an entire scheme for a room. You’ve dreamed, you’ve built, you’ve remodeled. The walls are up and the floor is done, so what’s next? The room’s design! But where is a good starting point? I am into design that is centered around color palettes and I use color theory to aid in setting the mood for a room. Do I want it dark and calming, warm and cozy, trendy and fresh? There are so many different avenues you could choose, but I think the best way is by taking inspiration from nature.
Today, I have put together four color palettes that utilize the great outdoors as interior inspiration.

In Hot Lava Color Palette

The Great Outdoors Color Palette

Pink Oasis Color Palette

Into the Wild Color Palette

It is easy to draw ideas from our surroundings. We encourage every to take a step outside and snap shots of what you are inspired by. Tag your photos on Instagram with #builderssurplus and tell us how you’ll incorporate it in your design!

March 17, 2016

Bachelor Pad Essentials

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When most people think about bachelor pads, we envision 20-somethings living in a crowded, unkempt apartment with hand-me-down furniture and pizza boxes serving as a coffee table. It is the kind of place mothers dread thinking about and girlfriends pray they don’t have to set foot in. But there’s nothing a little tough love and brainstorming can’t fix! So, fellas, I have a list of bachelor pad essentials that will help you have an amazing cool-guy home that isn’t full of feminine design. Let’s get started.

Table for the Team

From poker players to tabletop gamers, every bachelor needs a table where he and his buddies can gather around for some fun. There are so many designs you can go with that aren’t over the top. Simple is best, yes? Go for more length than width, with thin planks and legs. It won’t seem bulky and you can fit a few more chairs around it. For those of you in a relationship, you can’t go wrong with a dinner that isn’t being served on a coffee table in front of the TV.

Workspace / Fun Place

Whether you are plugging away on a project, checking social media, or invested in a MMO campaign, you’ll need a place that is multi-functional. I like the rough, industrial aspect of this workspace design. It is dark, a little dramatic, and it looks like it was pulled out of a long, lost wartime factory. You’ll need plenty of drawers to store important documents and it can also serve as an area to display awards and (a few) of your prized possessions.

Centered Entertainment

You aren’t in college anymore, so there is no need to display giant speakers and have your TV on a stand your old roommate’s friend’s friend handed down to you. Make the television a focal point in the room with a mounted stand. Shelves on either side of it make for more storage space. You could also invest in a wireless surround system that doesn’t require cords to be strewn all over the floor.

Treat Yo’ Windows

Curtains aren’t only for women and serve for purposes other than decoration. They are important for insulation, reducing noise, and preventing flooring and furniture fading in a bachelor pad. Depending on your style, you could choose masculine or neutral colors (cobalt, grey, hunter green.) There is also the trend of geometric, minimalist patterns (pinstripes, honeycombs, plaid.) Dress up your windows; we promise you won’t regret it when you want to sleep in late.

Eye for Art

For those of you who can’t stand a bare wall, we’ve got creative ideas to display your favorite things. An architect or designer or could have engineer prints made of his favorite projects; a sports fanatic could have vintage memorabilia displayed in shadow boxes. You don’t have to purchase new art–use the things you have! This creative design of tools hanging from the wall is both aesthetically pleasing and you already have everything you need to get handy around the home. Other ideas include: framing comic books, collaging old nautical maps, and using floating shelves to show of your growing vinyl collection.

For more ideas on how to style your bachelor pad, check out the Pinterest board we have put together. If you have an amazing design idea in your own home, feel free to tag us on Instagram @builderssurplus and we’ll be sure to re-gram it!

March 14, 2016

Attic Remodel: Ideas for an A+ Attic

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Nowadays, every room in a house needs to be utilized. With so many unique storage options, home owners aren’t using their attics for holiday decorations and old clothes anymore. They are turning the top portions of their homes into top priority renovations. From retreats to home gyms, an attic can be used for multiple purposes. Gone are the days of a musty, dusty space without insulation and questionable floorboards. Now is the time for an attic remodel! Here are some fresh looks for your otherwise ignored space.

Guest Hideaway

Give your guests peace and quiet with a room all their own, without being attached to the heart of the house. Allow the structural beams to remain exposed and add a large chandelier to give that five-star feel. People will be begging to visit in no time!

Mats and Mantras

Who says that you can’t make it your own space to clear your head? Clean up the clutter and get to meditating by turning your attic into a personal yoga studio. This can be achieved in a manner of styles: from exotic to minimalist, you’ll never want to leave this inner-calming room. This is an ultimate attic remodel.

Book Nook Attic Remodel

Whether you are an avid reader or you have a collection bursting the seams of your home office, this attic idea can will have every bookworm curled up and ready for a text-based adventure. Short and stout shelves add more storage, and you could even warm up the space with large area rugs.

Kids Create

Most of the rooms in our homes are dedicated to us, the adults. Well, why not make a space for the little ones to explore, craft, and enjoy without supervision? And since some attics don’t have the headspace to house us grown-ups, you could spruce up the room for a youthful hideaway fit for kids of all ages!

Like what you are seeing? Check out more attic remodeling ideas over on our Pinterest!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Katie Hager

February 26, 2016

DIY Gifts: Photo Transfer To Wood

Hi Everyone! I’m Allie Bloyd at Builders Surplus with a holiday inspired how-to: Photo transfer to wood pictures! This is a fairly simple craft (for even the least crafty of you) that can be done for Christmas DIY gifts for loved ones. This is a very person and heartfelt gift that I’m sure they will love. Is is pretty inexpensive, but absolutely lovely! Let’s get started!

Photo Transfer To Wood Materials List:

For this project you will need:

An unfinished wood block (any shape that you want)
Mod Podge
A laster jet printer
Regular printer paper
Photos of your choice
A sponge
Paint (optional – add an extra sponge for this)
Decorative Bows (Optional)
Sand Paper
Scissors
Twine
How Glue Gun & Hot Glue

Photo Transfer to Wood Instructions:

Step 1:

Your first step is to print out your favorite photo using a laser jet printer. If there is text in your image, mirror the image before printing so that you’re text will come out correctly.

Step 2:

Take your unfinished wood block and paint the edges, or the full block. You can also leave it unfinished. This is up to you. Painting the edges tends to give it a more finished look. Let dry.

Step 3:

Take your Mod Podge and sponge, along with your printed photo. With the photo side up, pour a generous amount of Mod Podge onto the photo and spread it around evenly. Turn the image over with the Mod Podge covered image face down on the block.

Step 4:

Using your hands, get the image as straight as possible, soothing out any large lumps or creases. Then, take a credit card or ID (any card will work) and run it from top to bottom over the paper smoothing out any bubbles or smaller bumps. This is very important to getting your image to come out correctly.

Step 5:

Let sit for at least 4 hours. If you try to take it off before this time has passed, your image will come off along with the paper.

Step 6:

Take a rag soaked in water. Lay on top of the paper on your block. Let sit for 5 minutes to get the paper fully saturated.

Step 7:

Remove the rag and take your fingers to the top of the image. In a circular motion with 2 fingers, start rubbing the paper off. Don’t use too much pressure initially or you will run the risk of tearing the image off with the paper. Keep the image wet as you are doing this. After you’ve gone over the entire image, you should see your picture fairly clearly. It may seem that you are done, but you’re not! You can take a hair dryer to the image to make it dry faster, or you can wait for it to dry, but when it is dry, you’ll see paper residue on the image.

Step 8:

Repeat step 7, keeping the image wet as you slowly rub the paper off. Repeat until your image is clear from white residue when it is dry.

Step 9:

When your image is clear, and dry, get out your sand paper. Take it to the edges of the photo to remove the straight line. This makes it feel like it is part of the wood. If you painted the edges, the other option is to take a sponge to the edges of the image with the same color to make it blend in. Let dry.

One thing to keep in mind is that it doesn’t have to be perfect! Part of the beauty of these are the rustic imperfections. Don’t beat yourself up if a little something scratches off!

Step 10:

Decide how much you want your image to hang down. Take a pair of scissors and cut a piece of twine. Flip your image over. Take hot glue and make a strip going from top to bottom on the upper left corner. Immediately put the twine over top of it. Then, go over top of it with another layer of hot glue. Repeat on the upper right corner. Let dry.

Step 11:

Lay your image flat on a table. Lift the string upwards as if it were hanging. Take your decorative bow (or any other decoration you choose) and lay it flat on top. Then, take your hot glue and glue it there. Make sure the string is laying as it will be when it is hanging up, or your bow will be pointing towards the ceiling instead of straight ahead. Let dry.

You’ve completed your first photo transfer to wood! These will be perfect DIY Gifts or a nice addition to your home. We hope you’ve enjoyed it. If you have any question about this project or others, feel free to drop us a comment below! Happy Renovation!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Allie Bloyd

December 15, 2015

How To Video: DIY Wood Pallet Shelves

Hi Everyone! This is Allie Bloyd with another awesome how-to for you – wood pallet shelves! As most of us know, wood pallets are pretty incredible. You can make just about anything your heart desires with these versatile boards (and for cheap!). With the holidays coming up, I thought this would be a good project to share. I have made these shelves for gifts, and they were a big hit! The construction is pretty standard, but the fun part is decorating the insides to reflect your personality or there personality of the person you’re giving them too. Lets get started!

Wood Pallet Shelves Materials:

For this project, you will need

A wood pallet
A hand or circular saw
Your stain of choice
Wet wipes or disinfectant spray and rag
Sponge for your stain
Screws
A drill
1/8 bit
Measuring tape
Knobs of choice (optional)
1 yard of burlap
At least 4 decorations. I go for 2 picture frames and 2 other objects.
Safety Glasses

How to build your Wood Pallet Shelves:

Step 1: Cutting your wood pallet

First of all, you need to select a wood pallet that has some character but is still in pretty good shape. We can sell them at Builders Surplus for $9.99 if you’re looking for one. You are then going to need to use a saw to cut it. If you are not comfortable using a saw, I recommend that you find someone who is to help you. Safety first. If you are using the saw yourself, get your safety glasses on. You are just going to make a straight cut right above the second board from the top and bottom.

Step 2: Cleaning your Wood Pallet

After successfully cutting your pallet, you will need to clean it to make sure there is not dirt, grime or cobwebs on it (depending where you get it, you never know what you might find!)
I used some simple disinfecting wipes. I brushed off all the big stuff first and went back and got the smaller particles. It is not going to mess things up if you have a bit left on there like it would if you were painting, which is nice. Stain is much more forgiving, and with a rustic look, old dirt can sometimes work for you!

Step 3: Staining your Wood Pallet

I used Minwax ‘Weathered Oak’ for my stain. It is a nice compliment to the natural color of the distressed wood pallet. I took my sponge, and went over both pieces of my pallet. You don’t have to do this perfectly, the imperfections make it beautiful. The stain is to give it a more uniform look all over, but it is not required, just my personal preference!

Step 4: Cutting your Bottom Boards

This next step also requires a saw, so again, use safety and your best judgement. Take your measuring tap and measure the full width of your wood pallet as well as the width of the bottom opening. One side of my pallet was cracked and missing (which I love!) so I opted to do two separate pieces on the bottom, to make sure I lined it up in the right spot, but most of the time you can just use one solid piece. Outline on your plywood the length and width that you need (2) times, for both of your shelves. Cut them out stain the edges of them with the sponge you used on your wood pallet.

Other versions of wood pallet shelves

Step 5: Securing the Plywood To The Wood Pallet

Now, you will attach your plywood to turn this wood pallet into shelves! Take your drill & screws and secure all 4 corners of your board or boards onto the bottom opening. If you need to touch up any stain, now is the time to do it.

Step 6: Adding Decorative Knobs & Decorations

After step 5, your wood pallet shelves are technically complete, but not in my mind. These shelves are about more than storage, they are about charm and character. I love old rustic knobs, so I took some that I found and spread them out evenly over the front of one of my shelves. Three to the left of the center board and three to the right. I took a sharpie and measured the spaces, and then marked the spots that would make it a proper distribution. Switch your drill to your 1/8 bit and pre-drill all 6 holes. Then, take your knobs and screw them through the holes. Attached your washer & bolt to the back to secure it.
Now, I will position my decorations in my shelves. I like having 2 picture frames to help with the personalization, but you can choose whatever works best for you or your home! I also chose two other decorations, and for these shelves, that was a burlap flower bouquet and a cardboard & sign that I painted with white acrylic paint. I think one large item in each of the “pockets” works well, but again, you can mix it up how ever you like!
After I’ve positioned my wood pallet shelf decorations, I will break out my burlap. I my yard into 4 strips of my desired width. I like to place the burlap behind the items and spread it out to give it a more cozy look.

Below is another set of shelves that I created, where I took wooden letters and used hot glue to cover them in moss. I decorated with some flowers and an old door knob. The options are unlimited!

For more amazing wood pallet projects, check out our Pinterest board, Wood Pallet Wonders!
That’s all on our How-To Tutorial For DIY Wood Pallet Shelves! I hope you’ve enjoyed it. Please check back to see more how-to’s on decorating, installation, crafting, and more! To see how to build a leaning shelf set out of an old door, check out this tutorial!
Builders Surplus is a full service remodeling company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, which comes as a free service to our clients. We sell building supplies ranging from unused surplus, to first quality in stock, to high end custom order and everything in between. We also provide measurement and full installation services (in our Louisville Location, partial in our Newport Location). Our core products consist of kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities (single vanities and double vanities), interior doors, exterior doors, sinks, faucets, granite countertops, quartz countertops, laminate countertops, windows, and more! If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. Happy Remodeling!
Written By: Allie Bloyd

November 25, 2015

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Using Reclaimed Wood on your Kitchen Island

Install Hooks on your Kitchen Island

Add Shelves to your Kitchen Island

Set Some Stools Around your Kitchen Island

Craftsman Style Window – Getting the Look

Reclaimed Wood Flooring – Using Unfinished Wood

Reclaimed Wood Flooring – Roughing It Up!

Reclaimed Wood Flooring – It’s Stain Time

1. Remodeling Ideas – Paint your Interior Doors

2. Add Trim to Your Windows

3. Update your Cabinet Hardware

4. Apply a Different Stain to a Wood Finish

5. Chalkboard in your Kitchen

6. Mirrors on your Closet Doors

7. Build Shelves in your Bathroom

8. A Floor Renovation

9. Install a Backsplash

10. Put in a Pull-Out Kitchen Faucet

11. Liven the Atmosphere with Plants

12. Let there be Light!

13. Use a Barn Door

14. Add Ledge Stone tile

15. Switch out your Countertops

16. Install a new Front Door

17. Apply a Fresh Bead of Caulk

18. Switch out your Door Hardware

19. Lay down Tile on your Front Porch

20. Put on a New Roof