SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
like it’s midnight in the middle of the day, use deeper colors for
a dramatic accent wall or as a modern backsplash.
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
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 aside a
space for writing utensils, notebooks, and hardware that is neat
and tidy. A filing cabinet is best to organize papers and store
supplies.
• Multipurpose surfaces and furniture: Finding multipurpose
furniture for small office spaces is key for optimal use of space.
Mobile furniture makes packing up after a long day of work
a breeze. Use wall space as storage, with desks that fold back
into a wall mount. Avoid purchasing furniture that looks like
it would be found i n an office. If you’re utilizing a room for
several different purposes, shop around for furniture that
complements the look of the entire room.
Home trends are shaping up to add comfort and value to
homes. Focus on accenting natural features both inside and
outside. Smart homes look to be the future, but these innovative
technologies will bring a new dynamic to homeownership, with
challenges of maintaining security being top of mind. Find a
balance in your home-decorating style by adding features that
bring out the very best in you and your family. Whether it’s a pop
of color in your kitchen, or a fantastic feature in your backyard,
make your home your own this year. ■
PENN HILLS
❘
SPRING 2018
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