October means pumpkin patches, fall events, and plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy the season. But while you're making your fall bucket list, there's another list you might want to make: the things in your home that give you the ick.
We've rounded up some of our favorite fall happenings in Arlington, Colleyville, Fort Worth, and the Greater Tarrant County area, followed by seven spooky home design icks we'd love to see banished for good.
Whether you're looking for family-friendly fall fun, a genuinely scary night out or just an excuse to get outside, October has plenty to offer around Arlington and Fort Worth. Here are a few local events to add to your calendar this fall.
Boo at the Zoo
Stockyards Spooktacular
Pumpkin Nights
Fright Fest at Six Flags Over Texas
Dance of the Dead at Texas Live!
NRH Pumpkin Point
Sometimes you just need a pumpkin patch and an excuse to take approximately 47 family photos. A few DFW-area spots to check out this season include:
Hall's Pumpkin Farm - Grapevine, TX
Howell Family Farms - Arlington, TX
Pumpkin Patch at First Christian Church - Arlington, TX
Keller Pumpkin Patch & Christmas Tree Farm - Keller, TX
Country Critters Farm - Alvarado, TX
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden - Dallas, TX
Now that we've covered where to go when you want to get out of the house, let's talk about what's happening inside it. Here are seven home design icks we'd love to see disappear for good.
Let's start with one that should probably stay buried in the past: carpet in the bathroom.
Bathrooms are naturally humid, moisture-heavy spaces and carpet can absorb and hold onto moisture, odors and dirt. Unlike a bath mat, you can't just throw the whole floor in the washing machine.
The fix:
Nothing says "haunted office building" quite like a giant fluorescent light above your kitchen.
Traditional fluorescent fixtures can cast harsh light that makes colors look dull and gives a room an institutional feel. Even a beautifully updated kitchen can feel dated when the lighting hasn't kept up.
The fix:
Poorly completed electrical, plumbing and structural work can create hidden safety issues, cause inspection problems, and turn into an expensive surprise when you're ready to sell your home. Plus, you may not even know there's a problem until something fails.
The fix:
Popcorn ceilings have had a very long run but we're ready to let them rest. The bumpy texture can collect dust, making it difficult to clean and make an updated room feel older.
The fix:
None of these issues are necessarily major on their own, but when your house starts sounding like a haunted house every time you walk through it, it may be time to investigate. Sticky doors can be caused by settling, humidity changes or worn hardware. Squeaky floors can result from movement between flooring and framing. Older windows can contribute to drafts, outside noise and energy loss.
The fix:
A hallway might not be the star of your home, but you definitely notice one that's poorly designed. Narrow, dark hallways can make a home feel cramped and disconnected, especially with no light source. And because hallways are all about moving from one room to another, poor layout can affect how the entire home flows.
The fix:
If you're considering a larger renovation to improve the layout of your home, our Design-Build Process walks through what to expect from consultation through construction.
Here's an ick you may not immediately see… but you can definitely smell it. Kitchens and bathrooms generate a lot of moisture, heat, grease and odors. In the kitchen, cooking without adequate ventilation can leave grease and odors lingering and contribute to buildup over time. In bathrooms, poor ventilation can allow excess moisture to become a recurring problem. And if your kitchen or bathroom also happens to have outdated finishes, the whole room can start feeling like a time capsule.
The fix:
When those little icks start adding up (or when the problem involves layout, structure, multiple trades or an outdated space that just isn't working anymore), that's where our Design-Build team can make the process a whole lot easier.
If you're wondering whether your project is a good fit for Design-Build, our FAQs answer some of the most common questions homeowners have before getting started.
And if you're ready to start talking about your own home, contact Medford Design-Build to take the next step.
Whether you're checking out a pumpkin patch, braving a haunted attraction or finally tackling that home project you've been putting off, we hope you make the most of October. Happy spooky season and may your home be free of bathroom carpet, fluorescent lighting and popcorn ceilings!