SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
Decorating Trends
Decorating has never been so customizable. Focus on your inner
self and what makes you feel calm, relaxed and comfortable in your
home. This year is all about self-care and bringing happiness into the
home.
• Bring in the green: Plants not only add a pop of color to any
room, they also improve air quality and purify the air. Choose
plants that are easy to grow and maintain for a foolproof way to
freshen up a room.
• Geometric patterns: Farther down on the trends list for 2017,
geometric patterns crept up to #1 on the list of trends in home
decor this year. Add these unique patterns with tiled floors,
backsplashes, or shower stalls. Too permanent? Try adding a funky
wallpaper or piece of art to the walls. Fabrics are also a simple way
to add interest to a room and can quickly be changed out when a
new trend comes along.
• Wood treatments: Aligning with the need for connecting back
to nature, earthen treatments, like wood and stone, are allowing
homeowners to reconnect with their roots. Organic materials are
also making their way into home decor.
• Metallics: Brass is the “new and now” metallic. Gone are the days
of rose gold and slowly fading out of the spotlight is copper. Silver
metallics remain a favorite to many, both for accent pieces and
hardware.
• Intense paint colors: Deep hues are trending in 2018,
bringing pops of color to all rooms of the house. While too
much of a good thing can make it feel like it’s midnight in the
middle of the day, use deeper colors for a dramatic accent wall
or as a modern backsplash.
Home Office Space Ideas
An uptick in self-employment and flexible workplace settings
are allowing home offices to become one of the most-used areas
in the house. But dedicating an entire room to an office may not
always be doable. Be creative when designing a home office and
look for underutilized spaces. Clear out space in a finished attic
for a desk, chair and some added lighting. Better yet, shut the
door for some real quiet time. No attic space? Dedicate a wall in
the basement as a workspace by adding a small area rug under
a desk to warm up the room. Be sure to schedule laundry at a
different time to avoid distractions. If all else fails, a niche in the
family room can be a dedicated space to get work done. With
the right accents and furniture, any area can make the perfect
home office.
• Less is more: It’s impossible to have a clear mind with a
cluttered workspace. Keep home offices simple to avoid the
desire to keep unnecessary papers and books piled on top
of a desk. Create a home for everything on your desk. Set
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CRANBERRY ❘ SPRING 2018
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