Thursday, February 14, 2019

Defining spaces in open concept homes


For years now the trend in home design has been towards open concept homes and there seems to be no end in sight for this type of home layout.
While open concept homes have their benefits such as increased light, easier flow and the ability to make a home feel larger than it is, there are some drawbacks – mainly in attempting to define the spaces in your home.
How can you distinguish your living room from your eating area? Your den from the study?
Here are a few ideas:
-        Flooring – Use changes in flooring as a way to distinguish between rooms. This may come in the use of area rugs or choosing hardwood over carpet
-        Lighting – Areas such as the dining space can take advantage of more dramatic lighting to set the tone for the room
-        Paint – Use different paint colors to distinguish between rooms – fun and playful for the kids space or formal for the sitting area
-        Furniture – Arrange your furniture in such a way that it creates cozy spaces. Sectionals can create a built in sitting area. Use sofa tables to transition from the living area to eat-in-kitchen
What creative ways have you used to define the space in your open concept home?
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Friday, February 1, 2019

Conserve Energy This Winter


The groundhog’s prediction could turn this around but for the time being more cold temperatures are forecasted to be on their way.  So what can you do besides crank up the heat? Here are a few ways to save money and stay warm!
1.     Keep your filters clean! Your heating system doesn’t have to work as hard if the filters allow it to function properly.
2.     Make use of a programmable thermostat or manually adjust the temperature to be cooler while you’re away.
3.     Keep your blinds or curtains on south facing windows open to let in some warmth from the sun.
4.     Dress in layers and be sure to always wear socks – or invest in some good cozy slippers!
5.     Heat only the rooms your are in. Close doors or vents for rooms that you don’t use.
With these easy energy saving tips you can save money and stay warm this winter.
What tips do you use to keep utility costs low in the winter?