Tag Archives: home design

eNews, Family Home, Home Design

Cocktail Pool or Plunge Pool: Is It for You?

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A cocktail pool outside a home in the Southwest.

Dreaming of an oasis in your backyard without the expense and maintenance of a full-size pool? Look no further than cocktail pools and plunge pools! These compact water features are gaining popularity among homeowners who desire a refreshing escape with a smaller footprint. But what exactly are cocktail pools and plunge pools, and which is right for you? This article will dive into these miniature aquatic havens and explore why they might fit your lifestyle perfectly. If you want to relax with a drink or take a quick dip to beat the summer heat, cocktail pools and plunge pools offer a versatile and space-saving solution.

Let us explore their benefits, design options, and maintenance considerations to help you decide if these compact water features are the missing piece to complete your backyard paradise.

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DIY, eNews, Home Design

Reviving Your Space with Wall Paneling

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Decorative, wooden wall panels on the wall behind a bed.

Who said that living space should always be neutral? Why should we avoid adding some personality to our space? Sometimes parts of our home such as decor, furniture, and wall color are not always fun and exciting. Fortunately, there are ways to spruce up your living space to make it more interesting. With a little creativity, you can make it a beautiful place to spend time.

The world of design has figured out a way to bring life back to any space by installing decorative wall paneling. This type of wall art is unique and chic, and less expensive than permanent changes in the home. It is a perfect way to ditch the boring old paint and bring some excitement back into your bedroom, living room, or dining area.

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DIY, Family Home, Home Sellers

Surefire Ways to Boost Property Value

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A couple thinking of home improvements to boost property value.

If you’re considering selling your house or a rental property, you may be asking what you can do to increase its value before it goes on the market. Even if selling is not in the cards right now but you are thinking about making home improvements, it is always a good idea to ensure you are getting the most bang for your money.

With that in mind, let us look at five ways to add significant value to your property. Then you can decide which upgrades will be most beneficial for you and your family while also boosting your home value significantly.

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Family Home, Home Buyers, Home Design

8 Tips for Designing a Low Maintenance Home

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Basic side tables near a couch, representing a low maintenance home.

Having a big and beautiful property is a dream that many people have. However, few people stop to consider the upkeep required for that dream to become a reality. Smaller properties or homes with a simplified design can be just as gorgeous!

There are many benefits to living in a low-maintenance home, including spending less time and money on the property. Whether you are looking to  invest in a house or a condo, consider these eight tips for designing a low-maintenance home.

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eNews, Food & Drink, Home Design

Pros & Cons of Refrigerator Water and Ice Dispensers

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A person getting a drink from the water dispenser.

When it comes to buying a new refrigerator, you may be interested in choosing one with a built-in ice and water dispenser. These modern fridge features have become increasingly trendy amongst homeowners in the US and Canada, where cold drinks are a household staple.

Having your own ice and cold water dispenser includes several advantages. They’re convenient to have, easy for people of all ages to operate, and they look great in every kitchen.

However, a refrigerator filtration system isn’t perfect, so it comes with some drawbacks too. If you’re contemplating the installation of a refrigerator water dispenser and ice machine, this post will help you to separate the pros from the cons.

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eNews, Home Design, Homeowners

Garage Doors That Increase Home Value

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By: Bearfoot Garage Doors

new garage doors that increase home value

According to the 2021 National Cost vs Value Report, garage door replacement ranks as the number one most important home improvement project for return on investment. In fact, homeowners that replaced their garage door recouped 94.5% of the cost of the new door in home value. That’s why it’s a good idea to move the garage door near the top of your home improvement list, especially if you want to sell your home within the next several years.

When it comes to upgrading your garage door for increased home value, you need to maximize three factors. These include curb appeal, safety and security, and energy efficiency. If you work to develop these three areas when replacing your garage door, you will see a return on investment with the sale of your home.

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Home Buyers, Home Design, Home Sellers, Homeowners

Use Landscaping to Increase Home Value

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grass, rock, and gravel, representing the how landscaping can increase home value

In the recent years, multiple studies have shown that landscaped homes sell at a higher price than similar homes with poor landscaping. Today this is more accurate than ever, with home sales figures rising 13%, depending on the extent of the renovations to the yard.

Homeowners are developing their backyards and front yards, and the house clean-up boom is driving that engine. However, deciding what to do on your property can be a difficult decision.

Let’s learn more about what improvements are beneficial to increase your home value.

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Home Design

How to Use Color to Add Curb Appeal

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If you’re looking to sell your home, or even just give it a much needed lift, curb appeal is a good place to start. Adding a porch or landscaping the front yard are great ideas, but what many homeowners often don’t consider is the effectiveness of color. A new color to your home’s exterior can completely transform your home from bland and outdated, to attention grabbing and on-trend. Yet you must take some things into consideration before embarking on this project, after all, it could be a worthwhile investment. So, how can you use color to add to your home’s curb appeal?

Tie in color with your home’s architecture

It would be counterproductive to decide on a color without taking into consideration the architectural design and structure of your home. Some styles and colors simply may not work. If the color of your home doesn’t match its original design, it may attract attention for the wrong reasons. There’s always a color palette that works best on each style (usually we wouldn’t use the same colors for a Victorian house as on a ranch). Also, some homes tend to combine two or more colors, while others look a lot better with one single color or just small accents on shutters or trims.

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Home Design

Turning Your Guest Room Into a Home Office

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Nowadays, working from home is more common than ever before. COVID-19 has affected home design in some significant ways, so there’s an increased need to have a home office – a room that will look professional, formal, and functional. Luckily, you don’t have to look for a new, bigger home if you already have a spare room at your disposal. Don’t worry; turning your guest room into a home office isn’t a challenging or complex procedure; you just need a plan, a little bit of time, and some creativity.

Get rid of the big and bulky bed

The first step of turning your guest room into a home office is getting rid of a bulky bed in the center of the room. It probably occupies most of the space, which you can now use in a smart way. If needed, you can have an alternative when guests do stay over – buy a fold-down bed. There are many models on the market, and they are all hinged at one end to store vertically against the wall or inside a closet or cabinet. If you had other items for your guests here, such as linens and towels, find them a place in other rooms of your home. Then, it’s time for detailed spring cleaning and really transforming the space.

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Home Design

Designing the Perfect Breakfast Nook

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Are you in the process of designing your dream home or looking at renovating your current space? Chances are the biggest options or decisions you have to face during the design process are focused on your kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of your home and oftentimes is a big undertaking from cabinets, countertops, appliances and more. Something you might want to consider is a breakfast nook. These unique and cozy gathering spots are a great addition to your kitchen. Here are some tips to creating the perfect breakfast nook for your dream kitchen.

Seating

It may not seem like a big decision, but the type of seating you choose can make or break your breakfast nook. Of course, you want the area to be functional and cohesive with the rest of the home, but it also should be comfortable! This space is meant to be a gathering spot not only for breakfast time but for after school homework or a good coffee chat during a Sunday afternoon. Since a “nook” is meant to be made out of a corner or small space, it often includes benches. But you can always add a large dining chair on the end if you want seating other than benches. When it comes to bench or chair coverings, check out different materials and textures to see the right combination of color, comfort and utility.

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