Upgrading your home every now and then is a great way to keep your home décor up-to-date and modern. You don’t necessarily have to undertake expensive home improvement projects to make your home look more presentable or attractive. You can try numerous DIY home improvement ideas or hire a general contractor to take care of things for you. Below is a list of some general home improvement tips that are sure to help you modernize your home with the least possible investment.

Hang Curtains
One of the best ways to improve the appearance of your living space is by hanging curtains. Adding curtains to the windows will instantly give your home a finished, cozier, and a homier look and feel. There are innumerable ways of using curtains. You can either opt for full-length curtains or short curtains that only cover the windows. You can opt for single, solid-colored curtains, or funkier and more colorful, printed curtains. It all comes down to your preferences and what goes the best with your existing home décor. Hanging curtains will immediately add more appeal to your home’s décor.

Hanging curtains is one of the simplest and cheapest home improvement ideas. However, there are plenty of other ideas that you can try.

Get a Fresh Coat of Paint
Both exterior painting and interior painting of your home are important for improving the overall appearance of your home. Hiring professional painters every few years to get a fresh coat of paint is a great way to keep to your home looking neat and attractive. You may get the same color repainted or choose to get a new color every time if you wish.
If you live in North Carolina, looking for the best commercial and residential house painters in Raleigh and Wake Forest NC areas will ensure that your paint job goes a long way!

Change Fixtures
Another way you can improve the appearance of your home is by changing the fixtures. If you’re on a tight budget, you may not have enough resources to get a major home revamp. What you can do is replace old cabinet handles and kitchen and bathroom faucets with newer and modern designs. You can also replace your old lights with fancier ones. It will improve the aesthetics of your home and will help you achieve a more modern-looking home at a fraction of the cost.

Update Your Appliances
Another effective home improvement tip is to upgrade your appliances. Replace your old stove and oven and dishwasher, and get yourself a better looking, more energy-efficient model. Upgrade your laundry room with an energy-efficient washing machine. Newer models of appliances are not just energy-efficient, but are also pretty good-looking! It helps you save on costly home improvement and get a more modern home in a much smaller investment.

Work on the Flooring
You don’t necessarily have to get new flooring in order to make your living space look better. You can always get your existing floors polished, or you can add attractive rugs and carpets. Improving the way your floor looks can literally transform how your home looks!

Closing Word
Home improvement doesn’t always cost an arm and a leg. Following smart improvement tips can help you achieve the desired results with significantly lower investment.

If you want to start with getting your house painted and are looking for reliable paint contractors to undertake the job, you should give Creative Painting Systems a shot. Offering services in multiple locations, including Wake Forest, Youngsville, Rolesville, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Knightdale, it is probably the only company where the owner is at every job site. Whether you’re looking for commercial painters or residential painters, or power washing and pressure cleaning services, Creative Painting is your place to be!

It took only a few days, and presto, I had a new home. I found George, Phyllis, and their painting crew wonderful to work with. The crew was here each morning at a time given the day before. They worked diligently and cleaned their debris before they left each day. Once finished, George walked around the perimeter of the house with his chief painter and me. We looked for any imperfections. I highly recommend Creative Painting  Systems for any home improvements provided by their company. 

~Sharon Gregory

We at Creative Painting Systems love to hear how our clients feel about their renewed space. Thank you Sharon for letting us into your home and trusting in us to make it even better. Your words are kind and we appreciate your confidence in us.

Preparing your home for interior painting is much more demanding than exterior painting as you need to cover up items and move stuff around. To avoid unnecessary hassle when getting your home ready for a paint job, make sure you follow a structured plan. Here’s how you can do that.

Strip the Walls
Clear your walls and remove any and all paintings or wall art from them before the house painters arrive. Be sure to keep the removed items in a safe place outside of the work area. Consider wrapping them up in plastic sheets to keep them safe from dust and grime. If you do not intend to re-hang the wall art in the same place, remove the nail or be sure to ask your painter to remove it so that the hole will get patched up before painting. If you need help removing the items from the wall, we will be happy to do this for you.

Move the Ornaments and Showpieces
Ornaments and fragile decor can easily break if not handled gently. Therefore, make sure you remove all the collectibles and decoration pieces and store them someplace safe. Cover them in a cloth or paper to keep them free of stains and scratches. You should pack up all decorations when you have enough time on your hands so that you don’t rush. Trying to wrap everything up hastily can lead to unfortunate mishaps.

Furniture
Creative Painting Systems will move your furniture for you. We will move the furniture to the center of the room or in an area out of the way, and we will cover your furniture with plastic wrap and tape to protect your furniture from any dust or paint. If you have any fragile or antique furniture that you would rather handle yourself, you can do so prior to the arrival of the painters.

Prepare your Walls
Most residential painters in areas such as Wake Forest, Raleigh, Rolesville, Youngsville, Knightdale, in North Carolina, offer these preparation services. However, some may not. So you must talk to your painters about it at the time of hiring. And if they do not offer the said service, then be sure you do it yourself before the painters arrive.

Make your life easy by preparing your home before getting your house painted. If you want to know more about painting in homes, then reach out to us today at Creative painting. We are the best residential house painters in Raleigh and Wake Forest, NC. Don’t take our word for it, check the testimonials on our website and see for yourself.

According to most experts, homeowners should consider painting their houses every five to ten years. However, the number can vary, depending on the walls’ condition, locality, weather conditions, and the previous paint job.
The question is, why should you consider repainting your home? Well, read this blog post to find that out.

Reasons to Repaint Your House

1. Helps Increase Its Value
   This is increasingly important if you’re planning to sell your house. To ensure your property is sold at the best value, you may want to consider investing a little more into your house than you may already have. One of the best ways to increase your house’s worth, repaint it. Doing so will make your house appear new and fresh.
2. Elevate the Ambience
   Old painted exterior walls can give your house a gloomy, dreary look. Select paint colors that give out the feelings of warmth and affection in your house.
3. Removes Ugly Marks and Stains
   Over time, house interior walls tend to get dirty. They get stubborn stains from water, crayons, permanent markers, ink, and whatnot. You may also fail to remove these stains and marks off the walls. However, one way to turn your walls clean is by repainting them. Make sure you hire the best house painters for an effective paint job!
4. To Change the Look of Your House
   When remodeling or renovating your house, painting your walls anew is a crucial step. The choice of your paint color will largely depend on your room interior design idea. For example, if you want your room to be bold and upbeat, painting walls in bright colors such as pink or orange will help achieve your aim.

If you are currently a resident of Wake Forest, Raleigh, Rolesville, Youngsville, Knightdale, of North Carolina and are looking for painting contractors, consider the professionals at Creative Painting Systems.

Since your home’s exterior is exposed to the outside elements, factors such as the temperature, humidity, and wind can influence when exterior paint jobs should be carried out. This article will instruct you on when is the best time to start thinking about your exterior painting.

The Season
As mentioned previously, outside conditions can influence how your paint job turns out. If you paint in weather that is unfriendly, what you will be left with could be a painted surface with cracks, brush marks, or blotchy patches.
In North Carolina as well as most states, the best seasons for exterior painting are spring, summer and fall. In warmer, more southern states, exterior painting can be done year round, with the exception of rainy and windy days.

If you are thinking of painting your home in the Spring or Summer, NOW is the time to start thinking about it, getting recommendations for painters, and getting your estimates. Most painters have already been scheduling exterior painting for the Spring months, as it is a very popular time of year for exterior painting. In North Carolina, we all know about the “pollen fall” which usually occurs at the end of March or beginning to middle of April. Exterior painting cannot be done properly during the pollen fall. Some people choose to wait until the pollen fall is over as opposed to before, so they don’t have to worry about washing the pollen off of their new paint job.

However, In a nutshell, for exterior paint projects, the weather conditions must be conducive to properly apply the paint to result in proper adhesion and finish. This means temperature and rain, which can fluctuate from year to year, season to season.

Call Early
With what has been said earlier, it should come as no surprise that exterior painting jobs are most in-demand from late April and slows down in late fall when the cold weather begins. It is best to start contacting painting services before the start of spring to ensure that you can lock in the right contractor. Once you find the right contractor, talk to them, you must rely on their experience and knowledge to let you know what is best for your home.

Hire Us for the Job!
If you are currently a resident of Raleigh or Wake Forest, North Carolina, or surrounding areas and need professional exterior painting service, consider the painting pros at Creative Painting Systems Inc.

We will ensure the smoothest, most even finish on your exterior sidings, and we choose only the best quality paints and brushes on the project to ensure your paint job lasts a long while. For a free quote or any queries, feel free to call us at 919-435-6023.

Paint comes in a variety of types and finishes. Interior Paint should be latex paint. We usually use Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore paint products. Our most used paints are Sherwin Williams Resilience Exterior Acrylic Latex Paint, Sherwin Williams Duration Home Interior Acrylic Latex Paint, or Benjamin Moore Regal Select Interior Premium Paint. Most paints come in different finishes, so the finish you want may decide which paint you use.
As far as the sheen or finish you prefer, there are different levels of sheen which will have different benefits. If you are painting a high traffic area, like a playroom or kitchen, you would want to use a satin finish. A satin finish has easy cleanability and does not allow grease to absorb into the sheetrock, it stays on the surface of the paint and allows you to clean off. This is the same finish recommended for a bathroom as the water or steam won’t penetrate the paint.

If you like your finish not too shiny you can use an egg-shell or matte finish. For a finish that will let you wipe off walls without a having a shiny look, we would recommend Duration Home in a matte finish. The higher the shine of the finish, the easier it is to see wall imperfections, so that is something to consider when choosing a finish.

Selecting Colors
If you want a subtle and soothing look, you can stay with the same color throughout the main area of your home. Using a light gray or light beige or light gray/blue color throughout your main space will leave the house with an open and airy feeling, not darkening the space, and gives a calm and tranquil element to your home. It will also make your house feel lighter and more spacious. You can always add a pop of color on an accent wall, or use your curtains and pillows and accessories to add color to space.

If you are looking for a more vibrant look, go to your local paint supplier and look at colors. Painting with cool colors such as blues, greens and purples make small rooms appear larger and airier while colors such as reds, yellows, and oranges will give a room a more vibrant appearance. You can vary the warmth even with a red or yellow by choosing muted shades of those colors such as pink, peach or a buttery yellow. Always put a sample up on the walls before making your decision as to the lighting in your home and other variables might make these colors look different in your home.

To finish everything off, there is nothing like a bright, white semi-gloss trim. When painting trim uses a semi-gloss which will provide a contrasting brightness to the wall finish, adds a pop of shine and a more elegant look to the room.

If you choose to pass this project onto professionals Creative Painting Systems is one such name that offers the best services in town to all customers, regardless of their preferences. Contact them today!

From start to finish, we could not be happier with Creative Painting Systems! George and Phyllis were very easy and pleasant to work with and it is very clear they have the customer's wishes at heart. The price was fantastic and the work was extremely well done. The men who came to do the work were polite, respectful, and very hard-working. They came on time every day, never left a mess, and cleaned up beautifully. I would strongly recommend this company to anyone, and plan to! We will be calling them for any future paint projects!

2020 Predicted Colors of the Year

We’ve put together the top painting manufacturers’ color of the year for 2020.  

	Sherwin Williams Sherwin Williams Introduced their 2020  Color of the Year, Naval SW 6244.  Naval is a rich navy that creates a calm and grounding environment infused with quiet confidence. And while you may think Navy’s been done before – it’s never been done like this. Navy is coming out of its comfort zone with you. 2020 is an empowering year of change that focuses on bringing your best self into the new decade. The next 10 years pave the way for the wellness of the mind, body, and soul – a clean palette for self-nurturance. Giving a nod to Art Deco influences, Naval fuses the striking and bold opulence of Art Deco with the awe-inspiring power of nature – from the infinite night sky to the mysterious depths of the sea – bringing navy out of its comfort zone to usher in an empowering new year and a fresh decade of change. This deep shade evokes a prominent sense of confidence that fuses timeless color with a fresh mix of natural materials and textures that bring navy blue into a new era.
	Benjamin Moore Benjamin Moore has revealed its 2020 Colors of the Year, tapping First Light 2102-70, a soft, rosy hue, as its overall color of the year. Looking to explore the changing concept of home, this color was selected to work with the evolution of home as it moves away from “long-standing post-war ideals” and into a new era rooted in mixes of multigenerational and multifunctional spaces. “We selected First Light 2102-70 as our color of the year 2020 to represent new dawn of idealism, design, and living,” says Andrea Magno, Benjamin Moore’s director of color marketing and development. “First Light 2102-70 reflects a new definition of the home –a shift in mindset from the material to satisfying the core needs in life: community, comfort, security, self-expression, authenticity and, ultimately, optimism.”
	Behr At long last, we finally know Behr's 2020 Color of the Year: A beautiful light green called Back to Nature. The brand describes the color as "calm, gracious, and balanced," and a way to bring the outside in.  "Getting out there in nature also is known to have a huge impact, a positive impact, on our health and wellbeing," Erika Woelfel, Behr's VP of Color and Creative Services said at an event announcing the color. "It also has been shown to improve creativity, boost memory, improve your problem-solving skills." That's exactly why the brand chose Back to Nature: It's all about encouraging people to engage with the Great Outdoors.
	Valspar Earth’s prescription for the chaotic, busy lives we all live is to bring the tranquility of nature and the outdoor world into the home. That’s exactly what we set out to accomplish when forecasting the 2020 Colors of the Year,” says Sue Kim, Valspar Color Marketing Manager at Sherwin-Williams. “Take Mint Whisper, for instance. The crisp shade brings a sense of peace — and nature’s positivity — indoors.” Mint Whisper – This crisp hue brings a sense of peace — and nature's positivity — indoors.    The combination of mint and white keep small spaces feeling light and airy.
	Valspar Bombay pink - We have accepted and embraced pink into our homes. It is being considered a mature, colorful neutral and the perfect backdrop to our home interiors. The tactile blush shade evokes velvet, reminding us that we can still have fun in a sophisticated home. is a mature pink that is confidently cheerful like a spring sunset. It is a sophisticated pink that pairs well with gold accents.

If you are a resident of Wake Forest, North Carolina or nearby, Creative Painting Systems can do the job for you. We’ll help you choose the color and finish of your liking. Give us a call at 919-435-6023 to set up a consultation.

We [Creative Painting Systems] painted the interior of a home. We are loving the new color! The house looks so much lighter and more open. The homeowner customized this color after many samples and searching and it paid off. Beautiful.

Testimonial from the homeowner: We cannot thank you enough! Your team has been phenomenal and very professional and we would not hesitate to recommend your company to our friends and family. You have described the transformation perfectly and it is a completely different house with the color we selected. 

– Tammy H.

Thank you Tammy, it was a pleasure serving you and your home. 

Consult a paint professional to get the job done right. If you reside in Raleigh or Wake County, you can rely on Creative Painting Systems to help you find the best solution for your home’s painted interior.

Bathroom remodels and renovations are not exactly cheap. In fact, Remodeling Magazine Cost vs. Value report published in 2019 suggested that the average bathroom remodel cost comes up to $20,420. Upscale renovations with more frills can raise the cost up to a whopping $64,743.  

Understandably, not everyone can afford this amount for just one bathroom. So does that mean you have to live with the unsightly bathroom for a long time?

No. There are some ways you can renovate your bathroom at a cheaper price point. These small changes can make a big difference, at least until you can save up enough money for a complete professional makeover.

Until then, the following tips for inexpensive bathroom renovations may prove useful:

Get Creative with the Counters

Granite and marble have been popular choices for bathroom and kitchen counters since the Hygge and minimal decoration style became popular thanks to Pinterest. However, these stones are very expensive.

There are two ways you can save on counters. The first way is currently on the rise of popularity, especially among DIY’ers. Instead of a counter, use an old dresser or vanity. The top can be cut off to make space for the sink. Interior drawers can be cut out to accommodate the plumbing. 

If you must have stone counters, get granite or marble with more imperfections. The more visible the imperfections - the cheaper the price.

Limit Tiles

Like stone countertops, tiles are expensive. The price goes up even more if you hire a contractor to lay down the tiles. When you’re renovating, limit the number of tiles you use. Focus on areas where they are a must; such as the floor and shower stalls.

Any decorative tiling can be used as accents along with basic, cheaper tiles.

Buy Used

eBay, Craigslist, and local thrift shops can be a goldmine when it comes to finding used bathroom fixtures. Bathtubs, sinks, toilets, shower stalls, and even faucets are available in excellent conditions.

Etsy and other places also sell repurposed and upcycled bathroom fixtures and accessories that you can be used.

Change the Décor

A deep clean and changing or adding some decorative items in the bathroom can also make a whole lot of difference. Change the mirror, add a painting, a plant, soap dispenser, etc.

Also, change the shower curtains, bathmats, hand towels, and bath towels. Try to find a theme and coordinate everything accordingly.

Redo

There are many things you can make work just by redoing, instead of buying new. For instance, shower fixtures, bathtubs, sinks, etc, can be cleaned, refinished for a completely new look.

Besides that, redoing and freshening up the caulk and grout on the floor and walls can make your floor new.

Paint, Paint, Paint

Lastly, one of the most effective ways to renovate or freshen up a room is a fresh coat of paint. There are so many surfaces in the bathroom that can be made anew by just repainting them a new color.

You can paint the walls and ceiling a neutral color to brighten up the room. You can match the cabinets and shelves to your chosen theme by painting them yourself.

If you have wooden floors in your bathroom and you can’t replace it with moisture-hardy flooring, you can have it painted with protective enamel.

Professional painters at Creative Painting Systems can help you with that. We understand that bathrooms require a bit more care while painting. From choosing the right finish to considering moisture issues, we’ll leave your bathroom looking new.

You can give us a call at 919-435-6023 and we’ll offer you solutions for your Raleigh, NC home.

Driving past neighborhoods with beautiful floral curbs and front yards is always a pleasure, especially in the summer and springtime. Having a beautiful exterior is also helpful when you’re trying to sell your home.

If the curb appeal is successful in making a good first impression, the chances are that more people will want to see what’s inside.

Plants and flowers are a given when it comes to improving your exterior’s curb appeal. Here we have listed a few flowering and non-flowering plants that will spruce up the exterior of your home.

One note before diving into the list: do check the hardiness zone of the plants for your location. Use the plants that have the best shot at thriving, so your front yard looks incredible.

Gerbera Daisies

Let’s begin with some of the most loved flowers - daisies. Gerbera daisies not only look beautiful in gardens but they also make good cutting flowers. This way, you can bring some of the bright colors from your yard inside your home.

While some varieties can be fussy, most are easy to grow in Zones 7 to 10. Also, they bloom profusely in all types of weather. So you’ll have flowers all season long.

Boxwoods

Boxwoods refer to a genus of about 70 Buxus species of evergreens that make great foundation plants. Their bright green foliage also makes a stark background for brightly colored flowers.

They also look incredible lined along driveways and walkways. You can add them to garden beds and borders to give your yard some structure.

Nandina

Commonly known as heavenly bamboo, Nandina is a beautiful flowering shrub that offers curb appeal all throughout the year. The plant is evergreen in Zones 8 to 10 and semi-evergreen in Zones 6 to 8.

While the plant’s airy green foliage looks beautiful all year long, it does bloom flowers in spring. When fall comes around, you’ll see red berries appear. Also, the foliage will develop rich and vibrant shades of orange, red, and bronze.

Hydrangeas

If you want a spectacular show of whimsical flowers, try planting hydrangeas along the borders of your garden beds. When the plant is in full bloom, it will definitely give your curb appeal a bang.

They are perfect for locations around your front yard that gets morning sun and afternoon shade. Different varieties of the plant are hardy in various zones.

Hostas

Hostas are considered one of the hardiest outdoor plants as various varieties can thrive in zones 3 to 9. If you have trees around your yard, plant the hostas around them as they love shaded areas.

You have hundreds of varieties to choose from. Each of them has beautiful foliage and shaded leaves that add a lot of interest to garden beds. 

Annuals

Annuals refer to seasonal flowers that die when their growing season is over. Annuals will allow you to have different colors and looks throughout the year.

Most annual species of bulbs and shrubs have beautiful and bright flowers that make excellent fillers. You can use them in garden beds, flower beds, along the borders, in window boxes, containers, and hanging baskets on your front porch.

Marigolds, petunias, and geraniums are some of the most popular flowering plants. They are easy to grow and add a splash of color to your garden.

Final Thoughts

While plants and flowers are a great way to improve your curb appeal, you can give it a boost by getting your home’s exterior repainted.

Creative Painting Systems can help you find the right match that not only gives your house a fresh look but also make an excellent background for all the plants you put in the front yard. Give them a call at 919-435-6023 to get professional advice for your home’s curb appeal.

When planning a painting project, the first thing to do is find the right painter.  Hiring the wrong painter can cost you money, time and resources. A professional painter needs to have a certain set of skills necessary so that the work can be done properly and safely.

Here are some things to look for when hiring a painter:

 1.  Do your homework – Do a google search to find local painters.Read their reviews and check on community message boards for recommended painters. Talk to your neighbors.  NextDoor is a good app to have to get real reviews from your neighbors on their painting experiences. This is a good way to find painters that you feel are best suited to give you an estimate.

2. Get 2-3 estimates. It is always good to have more than one estimate so you can make sure that something is not being missed, and make sure they are in the right ballpark pricewise.  Also make sure that each estimate is covering the same areas, same type of preparation, number of coats of paint, product of paint being used, etc. One estimate might look cheaper than another, but research might tell you that they are using an inferior paint, or only applying one coat of paint instead of two.  Make sure everyone is giving you a price for the same amount of work.

3. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see how long they are in business and if they have any reports of bad or inadequate service.

4. Make sure they can fit in your schedule. Keep in mind that sometimes it is better to wait for a painter that you feel is your best fit, than finding the one that can do it sooner.  Also, ask how long the project will take. You want to make sure that once they start the job, they stay with you until they are done, and not back and forth with other projects.

5. Make sure your painter provides you with their insurance certificate, and letters of reference from customers.

6. Whether your project is interior or exterior painting, ask questions about what they think is best for your home regarding the type of paint to use, or what application they use.  It is good to understand the depth of their experience and knowledge, and it might determine if they are the right fit for you. In addition, ask about the painters that will be coming to your home, how long they have worked for their company, how much experience do they have.  

7. When you have made your decision on which painter to use, the next step is looking for the perfect color for your project.  Ask your painter for a color chart to look at or ask them which supplier to go to look at for color samples. Put samples up to make sure it is what you want.  Sometimes a color on a chart will look much different on your home, based on lighting and other factors.

The right painters will understand all your requirements in detail and give you an unparalleled experience. Creative Painting Systems is one such name that offers the best services in town to all customers, regardless of their preferences. Contact them today!

The wall color is Anew Gray and the cabinets were painted Peppercorn. Both colors are by Sherwin Williams. Looks great!

This old deck was remove and replaced with Trex Transcend Composite decking. Trex is a green product that used 95% recycled boards, is fade, stain and scratch resistant , has a deep wood grain pattern, and is easy to clean. And it looks great. Call us if you would like an estimate to replace your deck.

This is a Benjamin Moore color called Morning Light. Here it is used in three different areas of the house, in three different lighting situations. It’s a nice light, happy color.

Okay, I am obsessed with our latest renovation! Extra White cabinets, Big Chill walls, new Calacatta quartz countertops and glossy white subway tile backsplash. Love!