Have you lived in your home for years? Or have you recently moved into an old house in need of some TLC? If your interiors are dated, and the outside of the house needs attention, it’s time to get your thinking cap on, and start planning how to bring your home into the 21st century. You don’t need to revamp the entire house or bring about some kind of TV-worthy makeover. You can tackle jobs step by step, get friends and family to muck in, and achieve incredible results without spending a fortune. Here are some ideas to get you thinking.
Revamping the exterior
Take a good look at your house next time you pull up in the driveway. If you were looking around your house as a potential buyer, what would grab your attention? Would it be chipped paintwork or a drab front door? Would it be an overgrown garden or tatty fence posts? If so, it’s time to make some changes. Replace damaged siding or corroded cladding. Give the door a lick of paint and varnish the woodwork on door and window frames. Mow the lawn, and spend an hour clearing out the flower beds and filling the planters. If you have a white or colored house, consider refreshing the paintwork. If you’re feeling ambitious, this is a job you may want to take on yourself. If you don’t have time or you’re not keen on heights, call in the professionals. Give the porch a good clean, and make it look homely by adding a small table and chairs or some potted olive or bay trees. Jetwash the driveway, and wipe down the garage doors. You’ll be amazed at the difference even minor changes can make.
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Updating your home security
You don’t want to spend time and money renovating your home for somebody to break in and steal your worldly goods. Home security is an issue we should all bear in mind. Even if you think you live in an affluent neighborhood where crime rates are low, your home may still be at risk. These days, there are all kinds of gadgets and gizmos you can buy to protect your home. It’s also possible to link your security systems to your smartphone so you can keep an eye on your house, even when you’re not there.
It’s always better to try and prevent theft than to pick up the pieces after it has happened. Deterrents like CCTV cameras, burglar alarms, and dogs are incredibly effective, and you may also wish to consider adding internal cameras and sensor-operated lighting. If you can make it difficult for a thief to get into your home, they’re much less likely to try.
If you buy a new system, investigate whether it’s compatible with your phone or tablet. Often, you can download an app, which enables you to alter the settings remotely.
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Investing in renewable energy sources
Today, many of us are looking for ways to save money on energy bills, make our homes more energy-efficient, and do our bit for the environment. One way of modernizing your home is to invest in renewable energy sources. These methods of generating electricity tend to be cleaner, and they can also save you a lot of money. If you’re lucky enough to live in an area where the sun shines throughout the year, it may be worth giving solar energy a thought. Solar power uses sunlight to produce energy. You have solar panels fitted on your roof, or in an area of the garden, and after the initial investment, your bills will fall dramatically. In some cases, funding is available for solar energy, so search online. If you’re not eligible, check out prices sourced from Electrical Connection.
Another option is wind energy. Wind power may not always be the best choice, as you need a lot of wind to generate the electricity needed to power a home. If you live in the middle of a city, for example, this isn’t going to work. If you live by the coast or your house is located on high ground, wind energy may be an option.
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Ground-breaking gadgets to buy now
Technology is advancing at the speed of light, and there are new innovations coming to light all the time. If you’re keen to create a state of the art home with all the mod cons, here are some gadgets that may spark your interest.
Wireless, integrated entertainment
Did you know that you can dim the lights, out your party playlist on or start a movie at the touch of a button? Thanks to wireless technology, and the ability to create integrated systems, you can do almost anything using your phone or a universal control pad. You can even set programs to record when you’re not at home or turn the heating on to make sure the living room is warm for when your guests arrive. You can put a relaxing soundtrack on while you’re enjoying a hot bath, or get the party started outside if you’re hosting a barbecue.
If you’re looking for a new TV or sound system, you’ll be spoiled for choice. These days, you can link tablets, phones, consoles, and sound systems to your smart TV, giving you scope to do everything you need instantly without moving a muscle.
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Kitchen paraphernalia
Kitchen tech is all the rage when it comes to designing cutting-edge homes. Fancy a latte when you get up in the morning or a smoothie when you get home? No problem. With the latest coffee machines, blenders, and food processors, you can enjoy the taste of shop-bought products for a fraction of the price in the comfort of your own home. If you’re a gadget fan, take a look through magazines and do some research online. You can order everything from milk frothers and fruit cutters to devices that are designed to produce flawless poached eggs every time.
If you’re fitting a new kitchen, you can add on all kinds of features, and incorporate game-changing additions like counters that can charge your phone and appliances that work when you speak to them. In this day and age, almost anything is possible!
Image courtesy of https://pixabay.com/en/coffee-machine-portafilter-brewing-802057/
Interior trends that will transform your home
You’ve invested in the tech, you’ve got the gadgets, and your home looks great from the outside. So now, it’s time to focus on your interiors. The beauty of interior design is that there are always diverse trends out there. Everyone is different, and there’s bound to be something that appeals to you. You can take elements of different styles and themes and mix them together or be bold with a single trend. It’s completely up to you. If you’re searching for inspiration, here are some likely headline-grabbers for 2017.
Green
Last year, gray and yellow had a moment, and this year, it’s all about green. Go bright in light spaces like kitchens, garden rooms, and living rooms, or keep things muted in the bedroom. Green is a refreshing, revitalizing shade, which can bring life to a room. If you’re not keen on covering the walls with luminous green paint, go for accents instead. You can use storage tins, photo frames, and vases to add color in the kitchen, for example.
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Butterflies
Butterflies are all the rage this year, and there are hundreds of different ways you can incorporate them into your design plans. Go for something simple like printed cushions in the living room or curtains in the bedrooms. If you’re after a more dramatic look, opt for patterned wallpaper.
Clashing prints
If you’re a fan of the laid-back, lived-in look, this is the trend for you. Mix prints and textures, to create a welcoming, homely vibe in bedrooms and snugs. Florals tend to work well in summer while Ikat print is an excellent year-round option. If you’re keen to embrace this trend without creating rooms that are too busy, combine plain, light walls with touches of color. Add printed cushions to bed linen with a different pattern and finish with a statement rug, for example.
Texture
It’s becoming increasingly popular to try and incorporate a range of textures in interior design. For a cool retro-style living room, for example, combine a velvet covered armchair with woolen cushions, a faux fur rug, and textured wallpaper. In the bedroom, mix cotton bedlinen with a satin bedspread and matching cushions and velvet curtains. Layer different textures on top of each other to create a cozy vibe in winter. Scatter cushions on the sofa, and drape blankets and throws over the arms to make an inviting space to curl up with a good book.
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Are you embarking on a renovation project? Or are you keen to upgrade your dated, tired-looking home? If you’re aiming to bring your home into the 21st century, hopefully, this guide has given you some ideas and inspiration. Think about modernizing the exterior and refreshing your interiors, as well as investing in the latest technology. Search online for inspiration, and see what others have done. Inject your own sense of style, and don’t be afraid to mix and match modern with vintage or clash colors and prints.