Tag Archives: home design

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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Home Design

Key Elements to a Contemporary Living Style

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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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Home Design

2021 Home Design Trends

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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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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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