HOME IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
needs to be a little larger for your needs. If this sounds familiar, a
home addition may be the perfect solution for making life a little
more comfortable.
The great thing about a new room is that you can plan it exactly
the way you want it. If you’re adding a family room or game room,
why not build a fireplace as well? This will quickly make it the
most visited room in your house. If you’re adding a bedroom
either for visiting parents or a returning college student, why not
include an ensuite bath, which will increase your home’s value as
well as make for more enjoyable visits for your guests.
As with any work done in your home, make sure that you do
your homework before contacting any contractors. It’s a good
idea to obtain estimates from three different contractors before
deciding which one to use. It helps to be as specific as possible
in your choices in order to get the most accurate estimates. Use a
spec sheet to ensure that you are giving all three contractors the
same exact information.
Using local contractors is another great way to ensure that
you’re getting someone with a good reputation in the community.
A good idea is to attend home shows where you can actually meet
the contractors face to face. It’s easier working with someone
when you have a good rapport.
The most important thing to remember in any home design
project is not to be too focused on the bottom line only. Many
times the lowest price does not result in the best‑quality job. Do
your research to find the best person for your particular project. ■
4 INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS FOR 2020
Don’t be caught with designs that were “so last decade.”
Enter 2020 in style with some trends and tips that
are leading the new decade, focused on comfort and
sustainability with a touch of modern technologies.
• TREND: Paint Colors of the Year – Each year, paint
companies release their picks for colors of the year.
Think pinks, greens, and blues for 2020, with rosy
shades to update neutral walls and navy blues to create
relaxing spaces.
TIP: Before painting an entire room, paint a small part of the
wall and watch how natural light falls during each part of the
day. The sunlight will affect the colors you choose.
• TREND: Sustainability in Design – Reusing materials
in new designs isn’t a novel idea, but this year, designs
are incorporating more materials that are perceived as
humble, such as rattan, plywood, and jute. These types
of materials can be recycled and are biodegradable,
maximizing positive environmental impacts.
TIP: Incorporate sustainable design trends like Wabi-Sabi,
meaning perfectly imperfect, which encourages reimagining
and loving the existing pieces you have in your home.
Incorporating nature, something inherently imperfect, through
wood, natural stones, and plants is an easy way to embrace
Wabi-Sabi.
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• TREND: Wallpapered Walls – You may find yourself
removing wallpaper, only to replace it with more
wallpaper! Bold-patterned designs can create a
statement wall, or busier patterns can be used to
decorate a half bath.
TIP: If you’re not sure you want to take the plunge into
committing long term to wallpaper, try removable wallpaper.
You can easily remove, reposition, and reuse it throughout
your home.
• TREND: Technology in the Home – Love it or hate it,
technology will be ever-present in our homes; and with
an increase in the opportunity for people to work from
home, housing our technology has become a design
opportunity. Large media consoles are becoming a thing
of the past as technologies get smaller or completely
digitized. Storage options are turning more display
friendly (think open shelving) to act as another design
element for your home.
TIP: Personalize your spaces to your needs. Have a dining
room but need a home office? Repurpose the space according
to your needs. Add in a desk and a relaxed seating area,
creating a comfortable, yet creative area for you to work.