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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Are you trying to create a contemporary-style living space? It is tempting to think that contemporary interior designs are cold, dark, and overly minimal. But that’s far from the truth! You can create a contemporary-style living space that is comfy and inviting, and at the same time, well-illuminated and neat.
So, what are the crucial elements of a contemporary living space? Let’s dig into them one by one.
Have an open-plan layout
Airy, spacious, and multipurpose open-concept homes are increasingly becoming more popular among homeowners. That’s what contemporary design is all about.
Consider giving completely different personalities to different functional zones to create a bold contrast between them. For instance, match darker walls and wooden fixtures in the kitchen with a bright lounger in the living room to bring in lightness.
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The year 2020 has brought highs, lows and a ton of different trends in fashion, retail and home design. But with 2021 on the horizon, interior design experts are predicting some trends stick around while others stay behind. Check out five home design trends that you can expect to see coming into the new year.
1. Making the Old, New Again
This year you can expect that many of the styles seen in interior design are actually styles from other eras that are making a comeback! As many people are looking for a little bit of nostalgia in their homes, Victorian-era and Art Deco have risen in popularity. Although modern design and clean cut interiors still reign supreme, traditional and historical design can be seen in smaller details or pieces throughout the home, such as floral prints and vintage furniture.
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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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