Design and Decor

15 Simple Ideas to Make a House a Home

February 19, 2021 by Staff Reporter

Your house should make you feel welcomed as soon as you step through the door, but this feeling isn’t something that always happens on its own. Once the movers have left, and the chaos of moving has calmed down, it’s time to start focusing on putting down roots in your new space to help make your new house a home.

There are many ways to invoke the cozy, warm feeling that makes a house a home without a complete remodel or shopping spree. So, whether you just moved into your new home in Boston, MA, or need to personalize your studio in Albany, NY, here are 15 simple ideas you can use so your house can start feeling like a proper home.

1) Create an inviting entryway

The front door and entryway can set the mood of your entire home. After all, it’s the first thing you see when you and your guests first step into your space. Make your front entrance more inviting by keeping it clear of leaves and debris and accessorize with a welcome mat and a few potted plants. Adding a bench or a clothes rack will also help keep your entryway neat and tidy, plus it makes a great first impression. Equally, painting the front door can give your house a fresh, new look in one afternoon. Feel free to choose a fun, contrasting color that aligns with your style.

2) Make your home more zen

Turning your house into a home starts with ensuring that you feel instantly at peace when you enter a room. But if you’re having difficulty feeling relaxed, there may be particular reasons why. If the sight of a messy, disorganized room is causing you stress, you might want to start decluttering and letting go of items that don’t bring you joy. Choosing random decor items to fill up empty spaces in your home can make a space feel cramped, and can add too many contrasts between your wall colors or furnishings. When choosing decor, artwork, or pictures, be sure to pick items that have special meaning to you. By identifying the areas in your home causing you stress, you can begin making your home a more zen space.

3) Improve your living space with home upgrades

Upgrading spaces in your home can go a long way in making you feel more settled. Bathrooms and kitchens are high-traffic areas in a home, so prioritizing home upgrades in these areas can ensure that you’re tackling the places that make the biggest impact. Installing new appliances can give your kitchen a facelift, but if you’re working with a smaller budget, select the most outdated or worn-looking one and replace it. Likewise, swapping out an old showerhead with one that has better water pressure can instantly elevate space and improve the quality of life in your home.

4) Use cozy area rugs to help make a house feel like home

An area rug can instantly warm up a space and make it more inviting. Area rugs can help ground furniture, and an artistically designed rug can also add more interest to a space. When selecting a rug, take the room’s size and arrangement into account. Ensure all of your furniture is on the area rug or at least touching a portion of the rug to give the space a cohesive look.

5) Dress up empty walls with artwork

Blank walls can add an unfinished element to your house, preventing your house from feeling truly lived in. Displaying your favorite pieces of art can act as the finishing element to pull a space together and make a house a home. And the best part is that it’s a budget-friendly way to complete a room. When selecting your artwork, keep the room’s function, size, and decor style in mind. After that, you have the freedom to choose artwork that you love and will be happily displayed in your home.

For living rooms and areas where guests spend the most time, choose a large-scale piece as a focal point or incorporate multiple art pieces into a gallery wall. Pieces with soothing, cool-toned colors and abstract prints are great additions for areas for relaxation like a den or bedroom.

6) Bring nature inside with indoor plants

Indoor plants don’t just add a pop of greenery to a space, they can also breathe life into a dull room. Houseplants help us feel more relaxed and can even improve our home’s indoor air quality. They come in various shapes, colors, and sizes, so if you live in a shady studio in Portland, OR with only a few windows, or a home with lots of natural light in Seattle, Washington, you can still find ways to incorporate plants into your decor.

For home offices or areas with low light in your home, stick to low-maintenance plants like lucky bamboo or succulents. These plants are compact enough to keep on a desk or side table and thrive in shaded areas. To add drama to larger rooms, such as living or dining rooms, money trees or fiddle leaf figs are great statement plant options. Plus, the right planter can add another design element to your home.

7) Keep the clutter to a minimum

Identifying the key areas in your space that you’ll keep tidy will make life in your home more pleasant. It’s easy to believe in the “out of sight, out of mind” mentality when decluttering, but actively keeping your living area clean will allow you to fully relax in your space without being constantly stressed by the sight of messy areas. Instead of stowing items that are no longer used in designated “junk drawers,” take the time to go through and pick out items that no longer have sentimental value, use, or have similar functions to items you already have. And if the thought of decluttering your home is too daunting, consider hiring a professional organizing service to help you get your space in order.

8) Add scented candles or diffusers

A house filled with inviting smells can instantly make a house feel like home. With various candles, diffusers, and scent plug-ins available on the market, there’s no shortage of ways to make your home smell good. Choose your favorite and fill your home with the aroma of sweet vanilla, sharp citrus, or fresh linens in minutes. For more natural smelling scents, you can opt for essential oils, such as lavender or jasmine, which comes with the benefits of being natural stress relievers.

9) Make a house a home by layering the lighting

Lighting plays a significant role in affecting a room’s mood and is an essential design element when making a house feel like a home. If your house feels dark and cramped, you can switch up your lighting by adding and layering light sources to make it feel more warm and welcoming. While brighter lights are needed to illuminate kitchens and workspaces, using fluorescent overhead lighting in living rooms or dens can make the space appear harsh. Instead, opt for ambient light sources that use mellower, warmer lighting. Wall sconces, table, or floor lamps are excellent ambient lighting sources that can cast a warm, cozy glow on any room.

10) Frame your windows with curtains

Window curtains are great accent pieces in a room. Replacing them is an easy way to switch up the room’s look and add a lived-in look to any space in one easy step. Personalize your windows by adding new window dressings to instantly warm up your home and showcase your style. Not only does adding beautiful curtains or shades improve your home’s appearance, they can also decorate blank walls, separate a room into sections, or even create fun little reading nooks in children’s bedrooms.

11) Showcase family mementos or antiques

Make your house feel like home by incorporating sentimental pieces in your decor, such as family mementos or antiques, to personalize your space. As you plan the display locations for your keepsakes, group related items together to help create a cohesive look in your home design. Items such as wedding photos, important documents, or certificates can be grouped in a gallery wall, while trophies or souvenirs can be displayed on a shelf together.

When displaying sentimental photos, pick frames that can protect the paper from damage or fading from uaviolet (UV) rays over time. If you’re planning on including antiques or other precious items as decor, consider purchasing shadow boxes or display cases for them. Cases will protect the objects from harm and prevent dust or grime from settling on the fragile objects.

12) Freshen up your home with a coat of paint

Painting your walls can give your space an instant facelift and can go a long way in refreshing a home. Plus, it’s a great way to customize your home and make it your own. If you’re not ready to undertake an entire painting project, you can pick smaller areas in your home, like a bedroom or powder room. You can even opt to paint a few accent walls throughout your home to warm up the space and give it pops of color.

13) Personalize your shelves with books

A stack of well-loved paperbacks or a decorative coffee table book is a great way to bring personal touches into your home. Books are an easy and budget-friendly way to embellish your decor and can be used as statement accessories to pull a space together. And, the sight of a filled bookshelf can instantly give a room a homey feel. If you have an extensive book collection, use a blank wall in your home to create a book wall by displaying them in a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf. You can also choose books with decorative covers or colorful spines to brighten up your decor.

14) Add warmth with comfy bedding

The right bedding can instantly make your room look decorated and homey if you can’t decorate the whole room right away. If your room has a bold paint color, using neutral-colored bedding can add texture while also creating depth and interest to your space. Alternatively, if your room has a neutral color palette, you can play around with different colors or patterns in your bedding.

When creating the ultimate comfy bedroom, one can’t forget the textiles to transform a bare bedroom. Adorning your bedroom with soft throws- chenille or faux fur are great options – and fluffy pillows can instantly add a cozy touch to any space, making your bedroom feel more welcoming.

15) Finally, make a house a home by setting up a hobby area

Whether your hobby is painting, reading, or even solving puzzles, make room for it. Dedicating a space in your home, like a nook or bonus room, for your hobbies will not only make it easier to do what you love, but it allows your personality and interests to shine throughout your home. Not to mention, having an area to yourself can allow you to concentrate on doing what you love all while making your house feel more like a home.

The post 15 Simple Ideas to Make a House a Home appeared first on Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling & More.

13 Ways to Convert a Bonus Room into Usable Space

February 2, 2021 by Staff Reporter

So, you have extra space but you don’t know what to do with it. While bonus rooms are a great commodity to have, many homeowners struggle to make good use of the space. If this sounds like you, there are many ways you can turn your unused area into a room you’ll never want to leave.

The first step is evaluating your priorities and constraints. If space is limited, a home office or wine cellar are great options. However, if you have the extra space, consider adding the ultimate game room or an in-home photography studio. The possibilities are endless. Now that most of us are spending more time at home, you may be itching to update your bonus room into more usable space or possibly the space of your dreams. Check out the following ideas and get inspired.

1. Get work done in the ultimate home office

Now that work from home has become a normal part of many people’s lives, creating a dedicated home office is the perfect solution to all your privacy and productivity needs. Home offices can provide that much-needed peace and quiet to increase focus and get work done. The latest design trends include bright, clean, sleek, and modern fixes. Installing bookshelves can add depth and character and bringing in office chairs, throw pillows, plants, and rugs can complement your desk to add a splash of color and texture. Of course, you are going to want to make it your own by adding personal photos and small mementos that keep you inspired.

2. Design an arts & craft room that inspires

For the creative in you, an arts and crafts room can act as a sanctuary to fuel inspiration and innovation. Every artist knows the key to a solid art room starts with good organization. Begin by adding built-in shelving and fill them with different-sized storage baskets to fit artist supplies of all shapes and sizes. For spare walls, a mounted pegboard is the perfect piece to keep tools such as scissors, wrenches, or hammers within arms reach. If you love to paint or make pottery, reserve a corner with natural light as you create on your easel or wheel. As you clean up your mess, installing a sink will help wash away all of the extra paint strokes or clay that may have been left behind. Finally, tying the room together with a statement wall can showcase the art you are most proud of.

3. Get creative in an in-home photography studio

From self-portraits to macro photography, having a home studio can save you a lot of money because you won’t need to rent out professional space. If you are a photographer that needs a creative outlet, consider turning your bonus room into a photography studio. Every photographer knows the importance of using natural light. To make your photos pop, installing big windows to let in the sunshine can create the perfect light effect in your photos. If windows aren’t nearby, adding photo umbrellas and softboxes is an innovative way to cast shadows and light contrasts while bringing in that studio feel. For portraits and photoshoots, installing colored backdrops can add a variety of textures and perspectives to your shots. If you are looking for some fun, add a prop bar with masks, wigs, and signs to bring out the wacky and playful side during a photo shoot. To tie the extra space together, creating a photo wall can showcase the shots you are most proud of.

4. Snuggle up with a good book in a cozy home library

If you ever want to get immersed in a story, a home library is a perfect place to do so. There are many different ways to create a reading sanctuary no matter how small or big your extra space is. Built-in shelves can add depth and storage for you to display all your favorite books. If you are looking for a cost-effective alternative, multimedia shelves designed to hold DVD and Blu-ray players can easily hold both hardbound and paperback books. If you don’t have many books, consider supporting your local bookshop and selecting 1-3 of your favorites monthly to begin building a collection.

Once you have organized all your books, adding a reading chair or loveseat can keep you cozy and comfortable as you read the day away. Lighting is a crucial part of any library. No one wants to have a hard time reading. Considering a room with a large window or great task lighting can solve this problem. For some green details, bring in some plants to keep you company.

5. Create tunes in a modern music room

Maybe you want to someday be in the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN? If so, a music room is a practical bonus room solution. The number one recommendation when creating a music room is soundproofing your walls. Using insulation between drywall and adding acoustic paneling can serve as a noise buffer and improve acoustic quality. Once you’ve got the foundations set, bring in your favorite instruments. Adding a piano in the corner can be a beautiful statement piece. Showcasing your string collection of guitars, violins, banjos, a harp, and a ukulele can reveal the inner rockstar in you. Bring it all together with a drum to create catchy beats.

When designing your space, using musical note wallpaper, dark color tones, and even brick can help you achieve a classic recording studio feel. Posters and records of your favorite bands can double as tribute pieces and inspiration. When you are all done playing, installing hooks to the wall can both maximize storage and showcase your favorite instruments. If you are looking for something more sophisticated, add a home music studio to record your own music.

6. Center yourself in a peaceful zen room

Yoga and meditation can be a great way to recenter the mind and focus on your goals. Not to mention, it’s an easy extra space renovation. If minimalistic is what you are going for, consider adding a zen room for all your meditation and yoga needs. To calm the mind, soft colors and pastels can bring about soothing effects that help you focus. Also, bringing in Himalayan salt lamps, air humidifiers, natural wood floors, plants, mirrors, rugs, and cushions can provide comfort and serenity as you take in all the sights and smells. If you want to go all out, a small indoor water feature can create white noise as you mediate the day away.

7. Watch a movie in a stylish home theater

From thrillers to comedies and everything in between, turning your bonus room into a screening room is a wonderful idea for family movie nights, big sports games, or binging your favorite tv show. When creating a screening room, there are many factors you must control. Insulation is key to limit how much sounds travel through the walls. Restricting ambient light is also important so that it does not interfere with video projection or glares onto a flat-screen. If there is a nearby window, installing blackout curtains can solve this problem. For good audio and video quality, surround sound speakers and high lumen video projectors can bring out the best scenes while you watch.

To really bring the movie theater experience into your home, use red velvet wallpaper, sconce lights, and stadium seating with comfy recliners to mimic that environment. Adding a popcorn machine and snack bar will always leave you munching while you immerse yourself in your show.

8. Entertain in a decked-out game room

Having a dedicated space to play is every gamer’s dream. Creating a game room is a relatively easy project that can be customized to fit your preferences. To host a competitive game night purchase shuffleboard, table tennis, or billiards. If you are into the classic arcade feel, pinball machines and old arcade games like Pacman can give your space a retro vibe. For the modern gamer, setting aside an area for a couch and TV is the perfect use of extra space to connect to their favorite video game console. Lastly, who doesn’t love a board games night? Make sure you set aside a corner for chess, Monopoly, or Catan. To really decorate the place, adding neon lights, video game posters, or even license plates can elevate the classic game room experience.

9. Work out in a functional home gym

Gym memberships can be expensive or you may not be able to go to the gym due to the pandemic. Installing a home gym is a great and convenient way to stay active. To create a safe home gym, start by adding large mirrors against the walls so you can check your form and improve technique as you work out. The best thing about home gyms is that they are customizable. Depending on what you need, you can bring in different types of equipment such as squat racks, a dumbbell rack, weight plates, or a weight bench. If you are doing cardio, a stationary bike, treadmill, and jump rope can help you burn off some extra calories. If you are the type of person who gets sweaty easily, install a small air conditioning unit and a towel rack to keep you cool and sweat-free.

10. Relax in a personal massage room

Need a place to go after a stressful day of work? Consider adding a massage room to unwind. Creating a space where you will feel relaxed and your masseuse will feel equipped is key. Add built-ins to store accessories such as towels, stones, cups, and oils. Decorate the space with neutral tones and low lights, and consider adding a noise machine to drown out the world.

11. Preserve your favorite bottles in a wine cellar

For sauvignon blanc, merlot, and chardonnay lovers, a wine cellar is a perfect place to store your wine collection. Depending on the size and technology, wine cellars can range anywhere from $40,000-$100,000. For best wine preservation results, install a system to keep room temperatures cool at around 56 degrees Fahrenheit and slightly humid at around 55 to 70 percent humidity. Systems will vary based on what you are looking for. Top it off with a large double-pane glass-encased wall and a wooden or steel door to showcase your most valuable bottles to all your house guests.

12. Let your kids have fun in a playroom

Ditch the amusement park and create a playroom wherein your kids can let their imagination run wild. Kids playrooms are a versatile option wherein you can create a space that fits their likings. Maybe your kid loves nature? Add an indoor treehouse with a swing and slide so that they can imagine themselves in the jungle. If your kid is into space, decorating the room with stars, rockets, and astronauts can really make them feel like they are on the moon. To complement, small tables are a great addition for toys such as building blocks, cars, as well as coloring books and crafts. When clean-up time comes around, add a cubby bench with boxed storage to hide all unused items. For walls, consider using bright colors, playful wallpapers such as animal or plant prints, or you can even install a mural to draw attention.

13. Create the ultimate teen hangout

As kids grow older, they seek out a place where they can have some privacy and go hang out with their friends. Creating a teen hangout space is a great way to solve this problem. For entertainment, adding a TV and couch can be useful when watching a favorite show or streaming a new movie. If your teen is someone who always gets hungry, consider creating a snack bar filled with their favorite healthy (and unhealthy) treats to satisfy their late-night cravings. One design trend that is becoming popular is a chalk wall. Painting a small wall can serve as a place to draw and sign their names.

*Consult with a professional before attempting to pursue these projects in your home

The post 13 Ways to Convert a Bonus Room into Usable Space appeared first on Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling & More.