SPECIAL SECTION : Spring Home Renovation Guide
of your bed . Properly adjusting drapes , which is easy to do with smartphone control , can also help manage energy consumption by regulating solar heat .
Kitchen — Wake up to your favorite morning beverage without drowsily scooping and pouring . A smart coffee maker can make the right amount of coffee at just the right time through simple settings on your smartphone .
Family Room — Cue the movie setting with dimmed lights , blinds lowered and the TV powered on . Hosting a party ? Count on your custom entertaining setup with lighting in all your guest-friendly rooms , lively music playing on your whole-home sound system and a lower temperature to keep things cool as the party heats up .
Bathroom Upgrades for Style
Makeover ideas to spruce up a small bathroom or plan a full renovation .
Home upgrades are all about adding comfort , convenience and beauty , and the bathroom is no exception . It may be the smallest room in the house , but these ideas for enhancing the most functional features of your bathroom are sure to make a big impact .
Whether your goal is a spa-like oasis or simply bringing a new level of sophistication to this all-important room in your house , there are a few key areas to focus your attention .
Sink : More than just a bowl for capturing water when you wash or brush , the sink can actually be a statement piece within your bathroom . More traditional options range from decorative self-rimming to sleek undermount styles , while vessels in all shapes , sizes and materials lend an artistic flair . Wall-mounted sinks reflect a trend toward floating vanities and today ’ s pedestals are anything but boring .
Toilet : Keeping a sparkling clean bathroom is now easier with the new American Standard ActiClean self-cleaning toilet , which also offers stylish design and affordability . The ActiClean combines the power of revolutionary VorMax flushing technology with a fully integrated selfcleaning system , eliminating the need for in-bowl or in-tank cleaning solutions . A convenient flip-up door on the tank ’ s top houses the control panel for the cleaning system , which is activated at the user ’ s touch for a one-minute Quick Clean or 10-minute Deep Clean cycle . The toilet tank and bowl feature EverClean , a permanent finish that inhibits the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria , mold , and mildew on the surface to help the toilet stay cleaner longer . The system , which operates on four AA alkaline batteries , runs independently from the normal toilet-flushing operation , meaning the toilet will always flush , even if the cleaning cartridge or batteries have run out . Additional features include a slow-close lid and anti-slip bumpers that lock the seat in place .
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