Tag Archives: home design

Home Design

Is a Smart Home Worth it?

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Smart homes are becoming increasingly popular, as more people are willing to invest in automatic home appliances and systems to make their lives easier and their homes sustainable and more convenient. However, as one might assume, smart homes do come with a set of downsides along with the perks. So, before you introduce any changes, study our list of advantages and disadvantages of turning your home into a smart home first.

Advantages 

Great convenience

Automatic home appliances and systems can be programmed to fully meet all your specific needs. They also enable you to control and check on your home no matter where you are.  In a few simple clicks, you can turn on the heating or turn off the lighting whenever you want. This is why investing in these devices becomes one of the money moves buyers make after purchasing their first home.

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Homeowners

Creating Your At Home Gym

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With COVID-19 shutting down workout facilities around the country, you may be looking for ways to work on your health and fitness inside the safety of your own home. Check out these five tips below to create the perfect gym for you that will make sure you won’t slow down on your goals- open gym or not!

Decide on the Essentials

The first part of creating the perfect at home gym is finding the right equipment. Most of us won’t have the equipment just lying around since you are used to it being provided by your gym, but you only need a few things to make the most of your workout. A floor mat, resistance bands, dumbbells and a jump rope are a great place to start. The floor mat can be used for several different workouts, core strengthening, yoga and more, depending on what you like. Resistance bands or dumbbells can be used for lower and upper body weightlifting. A jump rope is a challenging but fun way to get cardio in.

Of course, if you are just starting our fitness journey and are wanting to start a little easier, don’t be afraid to just use your body weight! This is still an effective way to get yourself moving and stay active without the need for different equipment.

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Home Design

How COVID-19 Will Change Home Design

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Coronavirus impacted the world, throughout workplaces healthcare, recreational time and much more. Home design is another field that may be forever changed due to the pandemic. With many people spending more time at home, homeowners are shifting their idea of a dream home and its necessary features. Here are five designs that may become the new norm in a post COVID-19 home.

The Essential Home Office

As office workers adjusted to working remotely, the need for the home office became apparent. Before COVID-19 many saw the home office as a use for an extra space or bedroom, but not a necessity. Now with entire families having to share a home and workspace under one roof, it is important to have a space where meetings and important phone calls can take place away from distraction. Post Coronavirus homes will need to create a space that can either be in a separate room or a desk area in an already existing room, designed for privacy and efficiency.

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DIY, Home Design

10 Matching Color Ideas to Brighten Your Home

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Color is an essential tool when crafting any kind of interior design plan. Every room in the home should have at least two colors that offer something unexpected, interesting or harmonious. Modern interior decorators have come with lots of wonderful matching color ideas for home decoration throughout the seasons. Whether you are designing a new home or refreshing your current home, these color combos will make your rooms pop!

1. Magenta and Turquoise

This is one option for the homeowner who likes bold looks and isn’t afraid to make that clear. Magenta and turquoise both draw on the same side of the cool color wheel. Yet, they’re different shades and tones. When combined, the result is electric. This is a good choice for a room that needs lots of zing.

2. Cream and Terracotta

Soft cream and light terracotta orange are two colors that make any room feel soothing. Consider this one in your dining room to help guests relax and promote conversation. This is a good idea when you want something with a fresh feel yet comfortable.

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Home Design

How to Reinvest Your Tax Refund as a Homeowner

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After receiving your tax refund, you might be considering some renovation projects for your house. Before you grab a hammer and get started, take the time to research what home improvements will increase your property value. Here are some easy ways to reinvest in your home while making the most of your tax refund.  

Curb Appeal

The landscaping around your house is the first thing people notice about your residence. By refreshing the exterior of your home, you can easily give it a whole new look without spending a large amount of your tax refund. 

One of the fastest ways to elevate the appearance of your yard is to add some flower beds. These simple gardens can include easy-to-grow perennials like purple coneflowers, hostas, daisies, or lilies. If you have a green thumb, you could even plant your favorite herbs to add some leafy greens to your landscaping. No matter what you decide to grow, ensure that it is tough enough to survive the seasonal weather of your region. You don’t want to spend time and money on plants that won’t last through the hot summer months.  

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Family Home, Homeowners

Landscaping Trends to Increase Home Value

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Your curb may be close to the drain, but don’t be confused: Putting money into curb appeal is in no way throwing money down the drain. Homes with better landscaping sell for a higher price — and few people would ignore the kind of value it can add to your home. Depending on where you are and how much landscaping you do, you could be talking about tens of thousands of dollars. Here are a few landscaping trends that increase the value of your home.

Sustainability

The low-maintenance, low-water and eco-friendly yard is not a myth. While a thick, green lawn is always appealing, you can always mix things up with xeriscaping elements or native plants to bring out the best in your yard. Sustainability has become a keyword in the landscaping industry. Clients want to see yards that add to the natural biodiversity of their neighborhoods. Another benefit? A yard that’s easy to keep up is a good selling point for potential buyers.

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Home Design

Wabi-Sabi Home Design

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If you’ve heard the term wabi-sabi, you probably aren’t sure what it is unless you’re interested in home design. 

For those who don’t know, wabi-sabi is not a type of Japanese food even though it sounds remarkably similar to wasabi. It’s actually a Japanese term and a type of Japanese home design, which has become trendy in recent years – but what defines it from other design trends?

What is Wabi-Sabi?

Basically, “wabi-sabi” is a Japanese term that means finding beauty in imperfection, which has become inspiration for a type of interior design. 

In English, “wabi” roughly translates to “rustic simplicity” or “understand elegance,” which is understood as being one with nature. “Sabi” translates to “taking pleasure in the imperfect,” which can be understood as accepting life as it is – imperfections and all. 

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Home Design, Homeowners

Best Instagram Accounts for Home Inspiration

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The internet is full of inspiration from recipes, date night outfits and home design. Whether you are looking to make small improvements, start a full-on renovation or just want some decor ideas to switch up the look of a space, Instagram can be a great resource for ideas and tips. Here are our top five Instagram accounts to follow if you are a homeowner looking for inspiration.

@uglyducklingdiy

With over 16K followers, Sarah with the Ugly Duckling House is based in Atlanta and covers everything from everyday activities with her pups to home renovations and DIYs. This account is perfect for the homeowner that is looking to make their home unique with outdoor features they craft themselves or make their hosted events more impressive with stand-out table settings. 

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Home Design

Upgrading Your Loft for Resale

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When you are trying to sell your home, there are a great many factors that you need to have in mind. A lot of things will influence the buyers’ decision, as well as the price you can get. One of the things that can increase the appeal of your home is – the shape your loft is in. With that in mind, we’ve prepared this article on loft upgrades that will help you sell your property faster and at a better price. Consider implementing them, as doing so will certainly work in your favor.

Bringing in Natural Light

As lofts usually come with sloping ceilings and unusual angles, bathing them in natural light can be tricky. Still, this is an essential thing to do, as a loft without natural light will be much less attractive to buyers. Dormer windows are a good solution to this problem. Not only do they allow for natural light to break in, but they also provide additional headroom. Unfortunately, you may need to get planning permission before installing these windows. Because they change the way your property’s exterior looks like, you could be instructed, for example, that you will have to use sash windows instead of sliding ones, or that the windows can only cover a certain part of your property’s width.

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Family Home, Home Design

Five Outdoor Features That Will Boost Your Home Value

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Home buyers are more than responsive and attracted to open, livable spaces that are both earth-friendly and stylish. Other than energy-efficiency, outdoor living features are another trend that’s changing the landscape of home design. 

Not only do these features optimize the home life of your family, they significantly boost the value of your home as well. So, if you want to turn your property in a home buyer’s dream and future money make, these are the five outdoor features you should consider adding to your home.

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