Why You Should Have an Architect Plan Your Home Renovations

When you want to do a little more than refinish your hardwood floors, there’s a reason why a professional architect can be helpful. So, you can hold a measuring tape and hang sheetrock fairly well, and therefore you assume that all home renovation jobs should be done on your home. After all, DIY home improvements are still a big thing with homeowners all over the globe. The professionals at the Chris Doehrmann Architect company don’t just remodel homes so that occupants get more space or access to natural light. These remodeled and renovated homes are adjusted according to personal specifications. 

Have Your Home Redesigned Especially For You

Homeowners who do their own home improvements usually find instructions on the internet and then follow the plans exactly. This means that you’re following someone else’s ideas because you don’t have the experience to create new floorplans yourself. What’s the point of renovating an entire home if it isn’t going to be to your precise tastes? An architect will ask you what you want in your newly designed home, such as more storage space, a guest bedroom, or an open kitchen, before sketching out several concepts that you can have executed within your home. 

Get Modern Home Remodeling Design Suggestions

There’s a big difference between adding on a wing and building on a modern addition to your home. Whether your architect suggests a stone tiled bathroom with a spacious shower or a sitting room made of recycled materials, getting help with conceptual design of your remodeling job will assure that the space is unique and functional. No one wants to have their home remodeled and yet look like it’s 150 years old. Find out how you can have your house updated for less and avoid buying lots of materials and spending too much time sampling looks.

An Architect Can Help You See Yourself In Your Home

When you’re completely honest with yourself about home design and architecture, do you actually know what you like? There’s a lot of homeowners who watch home design shows and see elements here and there that look nice, but they haven’t developed a true design identity. An architecture can learn if you like cool colors and natural materials or if you like things that are shabby chic and made with repurposed supplies. If you are modern and minimalistic, your home renovations should take on your personality as well as your style aesthetic. When you’re busy trying to not bang your fingers with a hammer it can be difficult to focus on design rather than getting the structure right.

If you’d rather have a home that is remodeled in a personal way than a basic, drab, and ordinary manner, go with an architecture firm that specializes in residential homes. Style is personal and you can only do so much to a home with paint and border paper. Have your home structured in a way that meshes with your lifestyle, habits, and family members and work with an architect who wants you and your home to feel like a perfect match in harmony.

4 Home Decorating Trends You Can't Afford To Ignore

Updating your home is a tricky task. You have to be in the right mindset to take on the challenge and stay patient throughout the process. It’s a project to look forward to because of the beautiful outcome, but not all homeowners are comfortable doing it themselves.

That’s why it’s important to educate yourself and study the latest styles. Give yourself time to map out what you like, and highlight the ideas that you believe would look best in your home. The experts are called that for a reason and they do offer up great concepts and tips for you to adopt. See four home decorating trends you can’t afford to ignore.

Navy & White

If you’re unsure of what colors to paint and decorate your home with, you can’t go wrong using navy and white. These are the hues that are making a splash and taking over homes everywhere. Interior designers are even going as far as calling navy the new black. Navy blue is the perfect color for updating your kitchen cabinets or adding an accent wall to a bedroom. It won’t make your room feel small and goes with just about any color scheme.

Look of Luxury

Make it a goal to bring in the look of luxury to your home. Do this by shopping online at retailers like Luxury Decor and find exclusive items you can’t buy anywhere else. This is the place to go for all home interior décor enthusiasts that value quality and uniqueness of amazing home and living accessories. Décor has the ability to quickly transform your home from drab to fab in no time. Guests will be admiring all of your hard work and wanting to know where you were able to locate such wonderful pieces.

Textures

Texture is quite a difficult concept, but follow what the experts suggest and you’ll be able to create the look with no problem. It’s about bringing in items to your home that you can touch, feel and engage with, like a fluffy pillow. Pleating and folding of fabrics and materials is big right now. The softness that you bring into your home creates a sense of comfort and security, which is exactly what you want when you come home from a long day of work in a chaotic world.

Mixed Patterns

Mixed patterns and colors are another trend that’s hitting homes lately. Don’t be afraid to decorate with a little bit of funk and add that surprise factor to your space. For example, select a comforter that anchors the room with a mix of patterns, colors and shapes. Another idea is to include mixed patterns in your area rugs and wallpaper. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but give the new look a chance to work its magic.

Conclusion

When you’re unsure what to do with your home, turning to the latest styles is always a safe option. Theses updates will improve the look of your home and have you loving your new space. These are four home decorating trends you can’t afford to ignore.

Easy Refurb Tips That Can Improve the Look of Your Home

Even when you have spent time redesigning your home, there can be little things that can add a touch of warmth or practicality to it. You have picked out the right colors, chosen fabrics that go well together and even selected nice furniture. However, there may be other things that you need to add. Maybe some home touches that can bring it to life? Here are some simple ways that you can make your home décor even better.

Adding Corner Shelves

When you think about adding storage, you can sometimes miss an area that doesn’t get considered. By adding corner shelves, you are using a dead space that many rooms have, and you are freeing up space elsewhere. You can use shelves that run around the corner of the wall, or those that sit like a semi-circle in the corner. It all depends on how much space you need and the area of the wall you have available.

Family Pictures

Adding pictures of your family can instantly make a room feel more like a home. It doesn’t mean that you have to have shelves of pictures lined up, in fact, you should make your family pictures stand out. Try adding pictures to different style frames to make them individual; you can even repaint them to match your décor. You can even get creative with the way you present your family photos. You can try creating a collage of all your family members and fitting that into a frame. You can get an easy to use collage maker from Adobe Sparks; it will let you add what you want and help you design it.

Add Lighting

You can create amazing looks just be altering the lighting in a room. Instead of having one main light, think about adding some side lamps or some under shelf lighting. You can use the same techniques in every room so that the atmosphere is continued throughout the house. If you have a smart hub, you can even control the lights in each room depending on what you’re doing. You can have them bright if you are reading, or softer for when you want to relax.

Use Natural Light

As well as adding additional lighting, you also need to make the most of the natural light you have. Try not to place furniture against the windows where they can block out the light. You can also change the curtains in the summer to lighter and less bulky curtains so that the light can shine through. It is especially important in rooms where you have chosen a darker color for the décor because you won’t get as much reflected light. Mirrors are also a good way to reflect the light and make the room seem bigger.

If you add these simple techniques, you can quickly transform your home into something even better. You will also have a family feel to it with all of the pictures; you can also add your child’s favourite artwork as well.

Tips for Reducing Your Energy Costs While Making Your Home Look Great

Are you sick and tired of paying those high monthly energy costs? If so, you are not alone. Every year, homeowners just like yourself complain about paying too much for electricity. But only a handful of them actually do anything about it. Today, we are going to learn some tips that will not only help you reduce your energy costs, but also make your home look amazing. 

Replacing Those Outdated Windows

When was the last time you hand your windows replaced with new ones? If it’s been more than a decade, then it’s probably time to think about doing so. Replacement windows will seal up your home and keep the hot air out during the summer and the warm air in during the winter. This will keep your heating and air unit from working too hard thus saving you money. Also, new windows will make your home look great and there are many stylish models to choose from.

Install Stylish Ceiling Fans

Another way to save money on your power bill is by reducing the need to run your air conditioning unit. A great way to do so is by installing ceiling fans in your living room and bedrooms. Each of these areas of the home needs to be comfortable during the summer months. Ceiling fans can provide cool air without the need to crank up the AC. Ceiling fans also add beauty to any room and can even serve as a focal point to an otherwise bland room. There are many big box stores that sell ceiling fans, so finding one that meets your personal style won’t be a chore. 

 

Add Some Elegant LED Lighting

Want to reduce your power bill while beautifying your home at the same time? If so, then why not think about installing some LED lights inside your home? LED lights use less energy than traditional lights and burn much cooler. This will help reduce your electricity costs and keep the inside of your home cool. In the past, LED lights were not very attractive, but these days there are some LED lights that will take your breath away! These lights are easy to install and will only take a few minutes to a few hours to hang. Choose from elegant LED chandeliers, drop lights and many others. The sky really is the limit when you are shopping for LED lights. Also, you can install stylish LED lights on the outside of your home for security and safety.

These are just a few tips that will help reduce your overall energy costs while adding some beauty to your home. With a few simple and affordable investments, you will save a ton of money. Remember that by replacing your windows and installing LED lights in your home, the value of your property will rise. This is great for those looking to sell their home in the future. Additionally, a fan in the bedroom or in the den can cool you down and add elegance to even the most stylishly challenged areas.

How to Settle into a New City in 5 Easy Steps

Moving to a new city is both a liberating and terrifying thing to do. You can start over, begin a new life, and explore a city you’ve never lived in before. There are so many discoveries to be made! Moving to a new city, however, can also mean that you don’t have a solid support system. This can be daunting and even terrifying. Never fret though, because you can settle and love your new home by following these five easy steps:

1. Make Your New Place Yours

A good agent like Power House Real Estate will find you the perfect new home. Once you move in to your new home, your first order of business is to turn that new place into yours. Having a safe space is so crucial when you move to a new city – you need to treat it like the oasis it is. Repaint, fix it up, furnish, and make it yours. You want to feel as comfortable and safe inside your new home as you possibly can. This is very important if you’ve moved to a new city by yourself, but can also be a good bonding experience for families.

2. Get to Know the Neighborhood

The next order of business is to get to know the area around your home. Where are the amenities? Who works there? What are your neighbors like? Depending on the kind of neighborhood you’ve moved into, you can even make a little dish for your neighbors and introduce yourself. The best friends are the ones who live near you, and who better than your neighbors? Make the area you live in feel like home and become acquainted it with and its idiosyncrasies.

3. Get in the Know of What’s Going on Near You

When you move to a new city you lose all the connections and resources that connected you with that city’s events. Before you even make that move, you should start researching influencers, brands, newspapers and magazines that deal exclusively with events and businesses in the city you are going to move to. Get in the know on music events, art events, festivals and other things to do in the city. The more you feel like the city has to offer, the happier you’ll be moving there.

4. Make Friends

This step can be the hardest, but there are friends wherever you go! Your neighbors are a good first step, and then you have the people who you work with. Be friendly with these people and invite them over and out so that you can get to know them better. They will then introduce you to their friends, and so on.

5. Make Memories

No place is a home without fond memories. Go out there and get some! Make friends, explore, try new places, and make the new city home.

Moving can be a very stressful experience, but knowing how you’re going to make this new city your home ahead of time can help ease your worries. Follow this guide to help you get started on settling in and loving your new home.

How to Prepare Your Home for Winter

Winter is coming, and it’s time to start thinking about how to prepare your home for the season. The cold temperatures and unpredictable weather conditions have the potential to cause havoc on your home if you aren’t prepared. Even if you aren’t a planner, it’s time to start thinking about next steps and making sure you’re all set for winter.

Start early and you won’t feel the need to rush. Freezing temps and seeing your breath is a good indication that your home will need to be adjusted if it’s going to withstand the change in temperature. Don’t get blindsided by not doing what’s necessary well ahead of time. See how to prepare your home for winter.

Replace Windows & Doors

New windows and doors may be exactly what you need this year. If you’ve had them for a while and they’re starting to wear and tear, it might be time to accept the fact that upgrades are necessary. Replacing windows and doors will make your home more comfortable and save you money on energy costs. It’s worth having a warm home during the winter season.

Insulate & Caulk

Go around and check your insulation and start caulking cracks and crevices. Do it carefully and slowly so you’re sure to get every inch. Focus on insulating walls and attics. This is an important step if you want to keep the drafts out. In addition to caulk, you can weather-strip doors and windows. This will help keep the warm air inside and the cold air outside. It’s a project you can do yourself and shouldn’t take you too long.

Inspect Gutters & Roof

Remember to look outside and up when you’re preparing your home for winter. The snow and wind will be pounding on your siding and roof somedays. Clean your gutters and remove all of the debris. You want to eliminate all of the fragments so it’s easy for water and snow to flow through. This is also your chance to repair damaged or missing gutters. Get on your roof and repair any leaks and check for loose shingles. The damaged or missing shingles will be cause for concern once storms hit and there’s melting snow.

Check Furnace or Heat Pump

Your furnace is what’s going to keep you and your home nice and toasty during the chilly months. Have a technician come out and inspect it for you so you’re sure the system is clean and in good shape. Do it early so you’re not having to wait in line on the coldest day of the year. It’ll be worth planning ahead to know you’re all set before the bad weather hits.

Conclusion

Even though winter is a pretty spectacle, it can be a brutal season to deal with on a daily basis. It’s hard on people and their homes. That’s why it’s a good idea to take action early and prepare your home for any type of weather that could hit. This is how to prepare your home for winter.