Homeowners are constantly thinking of new ways to grow and improve their current property. It’s understandable and warranted, especially if you’re trying to sell your home for profit in the future. It’s also easy to appreciate home upgrades if you want to improve the overall aesthetic of your surroundings.

With more people staying at home in the past two years since 2020 (and potentially moving to work remotely), the demand for home improvement has increased significantly. According to Houzz, the annual increase of demand for home repair and improvement increased 58% in June 2021. What’s more, the market share for the interior design industry is said to have increased by 5.6% in 2021 in the US (https://www.ibisworld.com/).

So, where do you start? Do you begin by banging out the generic upgrades, like repainting walls and cleaning up your curb appeal? Or, do you have a little bit of fun and install a firepit or convert your cellar into a more livable space?

We think it’s safe to say that the generic home improvements are easy enough to think of, so we’ll avoid discussion on those topics today. Instead, we’re going to bring some interesting and fun upgrade ideas to the table, and give you some creative options to take action on. If you keep reading, maybe you’ll find a thing or two that interests you! 

Read to get 6 tips on how to elevate your home experience and increase your home value. The six we will be covering are: irritation system, smart technology, a lovely patio area, a basement, an outdoor firepit, and lastly, a home theatre. 

6 Tips for Elevating Your Home Space

1. Irrigation System

Everyone loves a beautiful lawn, but no one realizes the amount of work that goes into keeping one. That’s why we want to bring up the fact that an irrigation system would come in handy, getting rid of dry grass and hydrating all areas on the property.

These outdoor systems are made so that you don’t even have to think about greenery upkeep in the least. In a study done by Lawn & Landscaping, they found that the top reasons homeowners love their sprinkler system is because of: 1). It’s a time-saver 2). It keeps the lawn and plants looking nice 3). It saves water!

According to Home Advisor, the average cost for an irrigation system can range anywhere from $1,703 to $3,526 so this is an investment. But it can definitely pay off by increasing your home value estimate.  

2.  Smart Technology

As we progress into the 21st century, we’re looking to implement smart home improvements to make our current homes look super appealing in a buyers market. Smart choices point to smart technologies, including but not limited to thermostats, lights, alarms, security cameras, and door locks. Appliances are also becoming smart, which is very beneficial for a lot of homeowners.

There’s something special about having the ability to control mechanisms in the house when you’re not home, and that’s exactly what smart technologies are good for. Fifty-seven percent of Americans say that using smart products in their home actually saves them around 30 minutes of therm time daily.  Statistics show there will be 53.9% of homes that will employ smart technology by 2023, so if your home does not have smart technology, it is definitely lagging behind. 

There is a lot to think about when it comes to smart home technology, so consider stopping by your local Lowe’s or Home Depot to ask some questions and learn more. Places like Costco can also carry a variety of smart technology for a good price!

3. Patio

If you’re looking to install an awesome gathering area outside the house, look no further. Heed

our suggestion and get to work on a patio upgrade. Expanding the seating area on the patio can

be included in the improvement, too.

You can go one of two ways here. Focus on a metal or glass table surrounded by chairs for

optimum seating and eating arrangements. Or, get comfy cushions on outdoor couches to lounge with family and friends. Maybe even choose to set up a spot for a grill and/or TV.

People are currently looking for outdoor furniture that has the same type of comfort as indoor furniture. With families hosting more family gatherings and dinners, demand has increased significantly for outdoor furniture.

4. Basement

Transitioning the lower level of your home from basement to living area is quite a time consuming process, but it’s totally worth it in the end. You technically don’t have to focus on making it a living room or an additional bedroom; you can also lean towards creating additional storage space if you’re out of it with the current floor plan you have.

The best part about improving your basement is that, more often than not, you will not need planning permissions to edit the interior. Planning permissions are primarily used when structural changes are taking place. As long as you already have electric, gas, and water (if applicable) in the basement, all you have to do is build around it and there you have some additional living space.

What’s more, basement conversions allow you to fix any areas you may have overlooked beforehand, such as mold or unwanted pests. According to Nerdwallet, a finished basement that is turned into a livable space can take between $6,500 to $18,500, but has a return of investment of around 70%! 

5. Fire Pit

Installing a fire pit outdoors is definitely a home value booster; this people pleaser will help bring sales in when you’re ready to sell the place, and in the meantime, you’ll definitely enjoy the addition.

Plus, fire pits do make it easier to have outdoor gatherings almost year round – the chilly fall months welcome the use of a fire pit, and some s’mores, of course.

In a survey done by Homelight that was answered by thousands of realtors, a fire pit design came up top as a most desired background improvement (54%). For the midwest, that percentage rises up to 59%! The numbers don’t lie, so if you are considering a fire pit, take the plunge!

6. Home Theater

Home theaters are all the rave today; they’re much more comfy and cozy for movie watching, especially when being compared to that of a public movie theater. With the rise in smart home technology, increase in at-home streaming, direct-to-home movie options options, and people wanting to stay home for health reasons, a home theater is a perfect alternative! Think about it: you’re able to cuddle up in any loungewear you prefer, eat all the snacks you want and drink all the drinks you desire for more than half off a theater’s price! It’s a win-win scenario.

To get yourself started, gather supplies like a projector, receiver, and media player. The rest will fall into place once you begin putting the setup together. 

If you want to make your home theater experience even more luxurious, you can contact a local home theater contractor to build a custom home theater for your home. A typical dedicated home theatre costs $10,000 – $30,000 to install and will increase a home’s value by $6,500 (projectorscreen.com). Once it’s perfect, you’ll cozy up in the theater all the time.

Conclusion

We have talked about six key ways you can increase your home value. These 6 areas are: an irritation system, smart technology, a lovely patio area, a basement, an outdoor firepit, and lastly, a home theatre. 

It is important to look at your unique home and see what your family values most: if it is time outdoors, maybe a patio would be a great option. If it is movie time, consider a home theatre. Find ways to make your house feel more like ‘home’!
Lastly, if you need any interior design support and you are in the Greater Tampa Bay area, contact us! We would love to support you to bring your vision for your home to life!

The term “living room” may soon become a misnomer. Today’s open-concept floor plans are making the living room really more of a “function” zone for entertainment, relaxation or conversation. This means fewer walls and hallways, and a direct line of sight to other parts of the home. Not surprisingly, this shift from “dedicated” rooms also hails new trends in “living room” design and décor. Here are five elements that many interior designers agree on for what’s ahead in living room design that you can adopt in your own space to be on-trend.

Customization

Individualism will reign in the ‘20s, homeowners desiring a uniqueness that reflects their own personality and sense of being special. There’s an increasing appetite for one-of-a-kind pieces, in furniture, accessories, light fixtures and millwork. Living room spaces will favor sleek, modern designs that are free of clutter, making use of cordless lamps, wall sconces and portable “statement” lighting to banish cords and switches from sight. Keep an eye out for these kinds of items when putting together your design plan.

Nature and Wellness

Increased focus on mental and physical wellness is having a big influence on home design. People wantmore from their living spaces, and seek an environment conducive to physical and emotional comfort. The concept of home as sanctuary and a place of respite and healing is being embraced, and connecting to nature helps foster that. Houseplants, whether decorative or medicinal are making a comeback in home décor. Look for naturally woven materials when shopping forfurniture and upholstery,such as rattan, hemp, grasscloth, cane, and jute.

Hand Crafted Excellence

There’s a renewed interest in craftsmanship and handmade goods, perhaps signalling a shift away from mass-market furnishings and accessories. Custom pieces are being commissioned from local craftsmen, for an end product that celebrates both uniqueness and a high artistry. Unusual materials and shapes are making standard pieces anything but standard. When scouting for your next area rug, look for unexpected, organic shapes and textures of rugs, and think of them as art pieces for your floor.

The Ultimate Entertainment Space

Comfort and functionality are familiar buzzwords in modern interior design. Spaces are much more multi-purpose now, and need to accommodate many different activities; sports enthusiasts and gamers may need to co-exist in one living room. Fortunately, today’s TV screens hang unobtrusively on walls, staying out of design’s way, as do new 3D, Laser and Gaming projector systems that offer sports fans and gamers alike spectacular picture and sound. With these innovations, consider that screens no longer have to be a focal point in your living room. Let your fireplace regain its rightful place, without the TV as a crown.

Ethics and Sustainability

As we become more and more eco-conscious, purchasing decisions are being based on a sense of ethical responsibility to choose sustainable materials. Items made from recycled components and responsibly harvested resources like bamboo and acacia wood are in demand.

Whatever style you’re going for, personalization is the key to today’s interiors. Choose colors that make you happy and reflect your individuality; going bold doesn’t have to mean garish. Play to your living room’s strengths and characteristics. A large room can hold large furniture, and big walls can command big artwork. Use low-backed sofas and chairs in low-ceilinged rooms, and vice versa in those with highceilings. Mash-ups are “in”, so mix cold with warm, rough with shiny, and stay away from matchy-matchy. Furniture pieces, pillows and other accessories in your home can be as individual as the people who live there, and complement each other with their own uniqueness.

Looking to know how to create the perfect reading nook? Here are four best ways to design one that suits your room’s needs well. Although a reading nook primarily serves the purpose of a cozy corner for reading time. The best type of reading nook can be used as a personal space for having quiet tea time, engaging with your gadgets, playing with your pets, and even taking a nap. That’s one of the many reasons why it should be built with extra care, calling attention to each detail.

This is the job of a professional interior designer who knows how to create the perfect reading nook without making it look out-of-place. Here are a few ideas for styling an ideal dreamlike reading nook:

Creating the Perfect Reading Nook

Looking for the best place to set up your mellow reading corner is the toughest part of the job. The following ideas will give you a push start on what you may want for your home:

Reminder – ‘Pick a Relatively Secluded Spot’

The first thing to remember while picking a spot is that you should decide on a space that is a comparatively quieter and less-crowded area of your home. Setting up a reading nook in a high-traffic zone is the fastest way to lose its functionality.

1. Create a Window-Seat Haven

Natural light is considered the best source of lighting when it comes to a reading corner, and the window seating is as comfortable as it gets once you properly stage the area. 

Seating Arrangement

For creating the perfect reading nook, you can incorporate soft padding on your makeshift window bench. Throw in many cheerful pillows and cushions for a welcoming effect, and you have got the basic structure out of the way.

Lighting

The next step is to set up lighting for night-time reading. You can install an overhead bulb, a pendant lamp, or a fancy tabletop-type lamp in the reading nook.

Furniture and Accessories

If your window seat has some space, you can try out some creative things to make it more inviting. For instance, you can attach a small bookshelf on one side of the wall so that all your books are within easy reach. 

You can decorate the wall with reading time quotes and frames. Place a small table for placing a cup, reading glasses, and your extra essentials. If you don’t have space for a table, you can add a fancy tray on one side of your makeshift seat for this purpose.

2. Bean Bags: In the Ways of Sun Rays

As discussed in the previous section, natural-light spots can work effectively as an ideal reading nook. If the windows in your home don’t allow enough space to set up a reading nook, you can always choose a space where the sun rays hit the right angle.

Seating Arrangement

You can style up the sunlit reading nook with a bright-colored bean bag. The natural light tends to spruce up your space with liveliness when you add radiant shades in the ways of sun rays. If you have space for more than one bean bag, you should go for two with distinct colors. It will create a zesty outlook to your room.

Stuff the bean bags with a cushion or two as well. You can look up a few designs for cushion holder covers so that you can use them for keeping your books secured while you are away.

Lighting

Adding a long-stand curved lamp beside the bean bags can be a marvelous addition to your warm, cozy corner. However, there is a vast collection of all kinds of lamps, so you should research them first before you make up your mind about a particular choice. 

No matter which lighting source you decide on, make sure they complement your bean bags’ theme.

Furniture and Accessories 

A small floor wood-shelf can provide you an excellent way of decorating your nook with photo frames, books, and personal accessories. 

3. Make a Mean Corner Scheme

Make each corner a story by fashioning your room’s corner into a large reading nook. This is how you can do it:

Seating Arrangement

You can try filling up your empty corner with a chaise lounge, an assortment of cushions, bean bag, or a simple, comfortable chair. Make use of popping yet royal colors like bottle green and navy blue for making your styled corners come to life.

If you decide on a simple chair with cushions, adding an upholstered stool in front would also work splendidly as it will give you the perfect way to lean back and enjoy your time comfortably.

Lighting

Pendant lamps and standing lamps are the best choices for lighting up your corner reading nook. For styling the space adequately, select the lamp covers that match well with the seating arrangement.

Furniture and Accessories

A corner space offers you the best opportunities for creating a short library section on the wall. You can install wall shelves, floor shelves, or a small coffee table to your little heaven and adorn it with your favorite books. You can also enhance the furniture with some attention-grabbing artworks and decorative items.

4. The Perfect Hang Out On the Hanging Nook

You can also hang a hammock in your room to create the perfect reading nook. It can either be hooked in a room’s corner or center, depending on the room’s structure. Throw some cheery and soft pillows and cushions to make it more comfortable and voila! You have a uniquely styled reading area, which can be used as a perfect nap-time corner as well.

As there wouldn’t be any extra furniture with the hanging nook, you can cover your cushions with the holder covers for keeping your books. 

Lighting 

Add an overhead light so that you can hang out on the hanging nook, read your books and magazines without putting any pressure on your eyes.

From color scheme selection and floor plans to create the perfect reading nook, Hauz Studios has the best interior design services to provide in Tampa. We consider it our responsibility to give you a space that is both appealing and functional simultaneously. For further information, you can contact our team and hire your preferred home stylists today.