Mixed materials , textures and technology are just a few of the major home trends in 2018 . Homeowners are foregoing selling and updating their current homes with fresh ideas and innovative technologies . Thinking of upgrading a room or two ? Check out 2018 ’ s trends in home features and furnishings .
SMART HOME
The Internet of Things , or IoT , refers to a growing network of devices that allows objects to connect and exchange data . These devices are increasing at a rapid pace throughout many industries . Wearables allow consumers to track their steps and keep a closer eye on their fitness , and connected cars are equipped with internet access to send information to manufacturers or , as seen on the streets of Pittsburgh , to drive themselves . The smart home is one of the most popular and accessible markets for IoT application .
• Everything is connected : This can include heating and cooling your home , turning on a light with a simple command , locking your front door from work , even checking to see if you have milk in the refrigerator from the grocery store . These are all features that make up a smart home . The list continues to grow , with ways to track and monitor everything in your home . Devices are learning how you live — when you get up and when you leave for work — and can adjust room temperatures , turn off lights and safeguard your home . All of which can be monitored from your smart device .
• Energy tracking devices : These devices connect to your electricity meter to monitor how much energy you ’ re using , from tracking appliance usage to providing recommendations on how to save on energy . If cutting down on bills is on your list for 2018 , a household monitor or individual appliance monitor may be just what you need .
• Residential electric vehicle charging stations : Growing in popularity , hybrid and electric vehicles need somewhere to charge up before hitting the open road . These charging stations are accessible at home , allowing you to charge from a typical household socket . With advancing technologies , higher voltage charging stations are available to charge a car as much as four times faster than a typical charging station .
• Importance of keeping IoT devices secure : IoT devices are growing exponentially , and security features aren ’ t necessarily keeping up . There are only a few regulatory standards set in place for IoT devices , elevating risk for security breaches . It ’ s important to always authenticate your devices with unique usernames and passwords .
OUTDOOR
Outdoor trends for 2018 are focusing on using nature to nurture . From flower gardens and modern green spaces to reflection pools and water features , outdoor spaces are bringing serenity to your home . Create an outdoor living area that calls you in with cushioned sectionals , accent pillows and outdoor rugs that are inviting and functional . Add a focal piece such as a fireplace or fire pit to add warmth and a relaxing ambiance to the space .
• Patios that add style : When choosing your concrete style , less is more . Paving in sections allows you to add interest to the space . Whether it ’ s using a combination of concrete and grass , or concrete and gravel , add depth and dimension by varying shapes or sizes of concrete sections .
• Back decks get a facelift : Decks are getting a lot of love and attention this year with more people wanting to spend their time entertaining outdoors . Add multiple levels to a deck to create separate spaces for dining , cooking , and relaxation . No room for adding on to your deck ? Get the same effect by grouping different types of furniture together to create distinction between the spaces . Water features are also making a splash this year . Small whimsical fountains have a calming flow of water to bring serenity to any area . Looking for more ? Create your own outdoor spa , with a hot tub integrated into your deck design .
• Trends in landscaping : With homeowners spending more time outside , ambiance is important . Whether you have a sprawling lawn or a quaint space for outdoor living , creating a welcoming space can be easy . Smaller areas should make use of multipurpose features , such as container combinations , arranging multiple plants into one pot to add interest and depth . No grass ? Add green to the space with a plant wall and succulents , requiring little maintenance and minimal space . Have a lot of space to work with ? Think about planting many of the same type of plant to create a community garden . This way you ’ ll only need to manage one type of plant , rather than tend to the distinct needs of several types .
WINDOWS / DOORS
Homeowners are veering toward natural , clean looks this year , focusing on bringing the beauty of the outdoors into the home . Bright , airy rooms are trending in all areas of the home , from living rooms to bathrooms — the more natural light , the
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