(BPT) - Faced with a tight U.S. housing market, many people are looking to improve the looks, comfort and value of homes they might otherwise sell. Renovating with hardwood is an excellent way of achieving these goals.
ÂBeautifully milled and finished hardwood provides a unique range of colors and textures that no other material truly matches, says Linda Jovanovich, of the American Hardwood Information Center. ÂAnd of course, wood is amazingly durable. Improvements like new oak flooring, walnut paneling, maple built-ins or cherry mouldings are not only stylish but also long-lasting additions to any residence.Â
Here are six hardwood upgrades worth considering for your home.
Invest in solid hardwood flooringÂ
Photo courtesy Armstrong Flooring, Inc.Solid-wood planks have always been the gold standard for residential flooring. You can increase a hardwood floorÂs aesthetic impact with a characterful finish, as Armstrong Flooring does in this dining room. Varying in width and length, the ÂBark Brown hickory boards retain saw marks and distinctive knots for a charmingly rustic effect.
Install hardwood moulding and trimworkÂ
Photo courtesy Susan GilmoreDecorative millwork can turn bland interiors into memorable spaces. MinnesotaÂbased architect Meriwether Felt installed stained-cherry mouldings, trims and casings in this master bath renovation. ÂThe stained wood warms up the bathroom and provides richness. The client asked for a luxurious yet elegant feeling, and cherry fit the bill perfectly.Â
Maximize built-in hardwood storageÂ
Photo courtesy Peter RymwidBuilt-in hardwood solutions tailored for specific storage needs are welcome additions to any home. The perennial problem of where to store wine, for instance, is elegantly addressed in this New Jersey kitchen designed by Ivee Fromkin Interiors. Located for maximum accessibility, the grid of painted-poplar cubbies also creates strong visual interest.
Warm up walls with hardwood planks and panelsÂ
Photo courtesy Andrew PogueCladding blank walls with hardwood planks or paneling can bring warmth, color and texture to otherwise featureless interiors. Cornerstone Architects raise the decorative temperature of this contemporary Texas bedroom by turning the wall behind the headboard into a magnificent expanse of burnished walnut boards and surrounding the flat-screen TV with white-oak paneling.
Replace inferior doors with solid-hardwood stylesÂ
Photo courtesy Matt SilkMany American homes feature painted hollow-core interior doors that donÂt stand up well to wear and tear. Replacing them with well-constructed, solid-hardwood models, like the crisply tailored stained-oak closet doors that Ink Architecture & Design installed in this serene bedroom, can help transform tired, nondescript spaces into handsome show places.
Refresh your kitchen with hardwood cabinetryÂ
Photo courtesy Sterling MasonKitchen makeovers are a very popular home improvement, with new hardwood cabinetry at the top of the list. Created by Henrybuilt kitchen systems for a luxury condominium development in New York City, these solid walnut cabinets are simple and elegant, allowing the natural beauty of the millwork to take center stage. Visit www.hardwoodinfo.com for more about upgrading your home with American hardwoods.