CondoNewBuild | Page 98

NATIONAL DESIGN EDITOR GLEN PELOSO HAS SELECTED WHAT HE THINKS WILL BE POPULAR IN CONDOS THIS YEAR! When it comes to a new condo, things are changing. As spaces get smaller and more organized we find that some of these innovations are must-haves for our condos. The Home Depot www.homedepot.ca WI-FI AND HOME AUTOMATION Wayfair, www.wayfair.ca BUILT-IN MULTIPURPOSE This table mechanism allows folks to use one space for multiple purposes. It is a shelf when you need it to be, but it can extend to be a work space or a space for a dinner party. In smaller spaces, one room may need to act as living, office and dining. Products like this allow for that flexibility. Home automation technology and WI-FI enabled communication has changed the way we design spaces. With screens that only need to be plugged in vs hard-wired, automated blinds that help to ad- just the room temperature by curtailing the amount of sunlight coming in through large windows, auto locks, thermostats, cameras, unwired sound systems and more, the design of your condo can be cus- tomized to you. Even things like Google Home and Alexa have removed the need for a place to put remotes. Full Length Hanging Wayfair, www.wayfair.ca CLOTHES DRYING Rotating Rack Upper Hanging Wrinkle Free Lower Hanging Foot Control White Home Products, www.rotatingclosets.com With a push to eco-friendly systems and limited space, a simple drying rack that mounts to the ceiling, allows people to dry clothes both gently and energy free. With limited space on the floor, the normal “rack” ver- sion is difficult to use and store but this ceiling mounted version, makes it disappear to the ceiling when not in use. CLOSET ON AUTOPILOT I love this automatic closet. The space it consumes is long and narrow as opposed to long and wide. Typically, closets require a long opening to be able to see and access the clothes we have. Because the closet is automated, the opening is narrower and the clothes come to you, just like at the dry cleaner. EXPERT ADVICE Selecting a paint color for any room in your home can be a challenge. The endless possibilities and the thousands of color combinations can leave a person staring indecisively in front of the paint swatch display. Here’s a little piece of advice. If you don’t wear the color, you won’t like it on your walls. Head to your closet and draw inspiration from your wardrobe. If you still feel uninspired, try something different and paint a small section of your wall in your chosen hue before painting the entire room. This will give you the opportunity to see the color first hand before committing.