>>Jonathan Scott: We’re Drew and Jonathan Scott from “Property Brothers.” [Jonathan Scott, Property Brother; Drew Scott, Property Brother]
And we have also brought in our Property Parents.
Joanne, Jim, they’re the experts. [Joanne Scott, Mom; Jim Scott, Dad]
They’re going to stand in for you guys.
We want to show you a few things you can do around the house
to make it your forever home.
[Property Brothers (And Their Mom and Dad) Design Your Forever Home]
>> Drew Scott: Tell me something that is a frustration for you
for outside your house.
>> Jim Scott: Well, if the parking isn’t close, that’s a frustration
because I have a bad knee.
>> Drew Scott: Right. That's actually what I like here, is there's a roundabout driveway,
so you don't have to worry about backing in and out.
[Make sure your driveway gives you easy access to your door.]
>>You just pull up nice and close to the front door,
and then you pull out.
>> Jonathan Scott: What else? 18 00:00:32,500 - 00:00:33,800 When you see first impression of a home,
what's something that's important?
>> Joanne Scott: OK, I’m kind of an experienced tripper.
>> Jonathan Scott: You don't want to have a trip hazard.
So right here at the front, one of the first things I’d do is
make sure that it’s a nice, level entry right into the house. [Add a smooth incline to create an accessible entryway.]
The fewer things you can stub your toe on, the better.
>> Drew Scott: On top of adding that grade so it’s nice and even here,
having a double-wide door is great for anybody who
needs wheelchair access into the home, too. [Door should be at least 36 inches wide for easy passage.]
And for almost anybody out there, it’s important to build community.
So I also love having a garden out front,
just somewhere you guys can be out here, working your green thumb.
[Plant a garden in your front yard as a social connection to neighbors.]
>> Joanne Scott: Definitely, yes, I love that.
We spend a lot of time in our garden.
>> Drew Scott: Should we get inside?
>> [Jim Scott] Sure.
>> [Joanne Scott] Yes, great.
>> Drew Scott: Is there anything missing that you think this front entry
should have?
>> Jim Scott: More light?
>> Drew Scott: Actually, that's a great point.
You want to make sure your house is well lit.
One, that's a safety thing. But also, two, just for function.
We would definitely put recessed lighting throughout.
[Lighting is important for safety and can make a space feel larger.]
It's very easy to run recessed lighting.
>> It does need more lights.
>> Drew Scott: Just tell me if you can think of anything else.
Jim Scott: Oh, no bench to sit on. >> Joanne Scott: Yes, some place where we can sit down and put our shoes on. [An entryway chair or bench is an inviting and useful addition.]
>>Drew Scott: Exactly, function is so important. I mean,
I sit down to tie my shoes.
So you need to have function, and also on top of that,
it should have a nice runner in here. [Add a rubber-backed runner rug to prevent slips.]
Tile can get slippery, and that’s a really bad thing.
Let's head into the lights.
>>Yeah.
>>I like the fact that it’s a good-size living room.
If we were renovating this house, I would actually level
out the ground here, so that you don't need to have that
sunken living room if it's going to be a trip hazard
for you.
>>If we clean up the ceilings, get an abundance of
light in here, it would feel nice and spacious.
>>There is an element in your living room that I know you
really love when you are sitting down, playing cards
or reading a book.
>>The fireplace.
Don't always just think function. It’s important to think how
you like to enjoy a space as well.
And if you like a fireplace, then put in a fireplace.
Electric units nowadays, you have ones that look like a
gas fireplace, easy to install, and it gives you an ambiance.
Have a look at that shag carpet.
I'm pretty sure that’s trapping a whole lot of
things that will make you sneeze, so if you are someone
with allergies, like myself, I think it’s a great thing
to make sure you have surfaces that are solid surface.
You could put some area rugs in, but something that is easier to clean.
There is so much that could be done here in this living
space, but why don't we move into the kitchen.
>>Oh, OK.
>>OK.
>>No. 1 tip, save money on haircuts and have a low fan
in your kitchen, because this would just trim a little off
the top, and that would be perfect.
>>This is a very closed-in kitchen.
>>Yeah, closed in.
>>What do you think, when you look around the kitchen?
>>If this is a forever home, you want to have counters that
are appropriate for the people that are using them.
>>Yeah, actually that's a great thing.
If you open something like this up, you would have the great
sight line, and when you put in an island, you could have the
breakfast bar at a different height. It just makes it
easier so that there’s options.
Make sure that your appliances are up to date.
You don't need to match the brand, just look for a great
deal.
Technology nowadays is so much better, it can make your life
easier than trying to struggle through old
appliances.
Also, when you are thinking of appliances, wall ovens are
a great option because that is better on the back than going
all the way down for a range to get into the stove.
>>So, what about these cupboards here?
>>Oh yeah, trying to get to the back of a cabinet
>>Yes.
>>can be really hard.
Pulling out a drawer is a lot easier.
I prefer to have drawers, not cupboards like that,
because then I can pull it right out, I get access to
everything instead of trying to get down.
>>This is another area, too. Tile everywhere.
You are working with the sink. What if you spill a little bit
of water? That can be a safety hazard, to slip on the
tile.
Put a little rug, and also make sure you have a
pad underneath. Or you can actually stick it down to the
floor to make sure it is not going to slide on you.
>>I think we all agree, this kitchen has a ton of potential.
But we would also want to do a pretty major renovation.
>>Yeah.
>>Oh, I have more rooms I want to show you guys.
Here is the bathroom.
This is actually a little larger than your average bathroom,
but you want to make sure you have lots of accessibility.
I think it’s important to try and frame in for a water
closet, have the toilet in a separate area, because
that way you can have grab bars with walls on
either side.
This countertop is really really low. I think that would
get sore on your back.
Always think about the height of your countertop.
And it is nice to have a medicine cabinet or some
open shelves that are up at your standing height,
because then it’s easy access for your toothbrush
or your brush or anything else you need to have instead
of bending down to the cabinet.
You can also get toilets a little taller, too. So, really
old homes tend to have low tubs, low toilets.
All of that stuff should be raised up.
I think a bench in the bath here would be a good thing,
and older folks sometimes have trouble stepping over that.
>>Yeah, you have the taller tubs that are therapeutic.
They have the bench inside, and you open the door, sit in and
close it.
Whether you do that or whether you do a shower,
you can also have a bench in the shower.
Think about where the plumbing is in the bathroom as well.
If you keep it where it is when you are upgrading the
space, then you are going to save some money, too.
Just freshening up with a bit of paint and new lighting can go a long way
because you can make it feel like a brand-new space.
What's the most important thing for you in your master suite?
>>Sleeping.
>>The bed.
>>Prime example. The bed is the most used piece of
furniture in your life.
You spend a third of your life on that piece of furniture.
So you have to invest in having a great night’s sleep.
>>If you don't have the budget to spend thousands
to replace your mattress, you can always look at a
mattress topper. That can give you a little bit of added
comfort, whether you need a little bit more of a
firmness or little bit more
soft.
The bed height is a really important thing as well.
A lot of mattresses are thicker, and on top of a box and
on top of a bulky frame it can then mean you have to
jump up to get into bed.
>>Yes.
>>So, what't the ideal height for you?
>>This looks pretty good, right here.
>>You have to look at the bed frame, look at the box
spring, there are different options for low-profile
box springs, or sometimes a bed frame doesn't require a
box spring at all.
Also, to give you a good night’s sleep, a lot of people need
to have blackout shades on their windows. But you have
stylish options nowadays. You don't have to just
get a solid black sheet to put over top of your windows.
You want to make sure your master bedroom feels
inviting and it’s stylish, the way you want to have it,
but it’s also functional.
Thanks so much for hanging out with us. I hope we've inspired
you to make your house your forever home.
>>I’m going to take some measurements because I would
love to renovate this place.