5 Ideas for Home Office Color Schemes

We hope you like the products we recommend. Just so you are aware, Freshome may collect a share of sales from the links on this page.
When designing a home office, it’s common to get completely focused on what you’ll put in it and where everything should go. You might worry about what kind of desk you should get, how many chairs you should have, if you need a sofa and how the shelving will work in the space. These are all important considerations. However, another large part of your home office is the color scheme. The color scheme will define the look and feel of the space, so it’s important to think about it as you plan or redesign a home office. Below, we’ll look at home office color schemes for some inspiration.
Home Office Color Schemes White Office

White is a classic go-to for any room. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

White Monochrome in Home Office Color Schemes

If you want your office to look modern, you can’t go wrong with a white monochrome color scheme, like in the photo above. White monochrome color schemes give an open feeling of airiness, making them work well in home offices. Since you might be spending so much time in there, the last thing you want is for the space to feel cramped after a while.

And because white opens up a space visually, it’s also a solid choice for small space home offices. Also, white has a clean look that tends to not go out of style. If you want something basic and clean, white might just be your choice in home office color schemes.

Home Office Color Schemes Wood Style

The neutrals in rich woods match other neutral elements in the space. Image: pics721/Shutterstock

Rich Wood Neutrals

Another option is rich wood and other neutral shades in home office color schemes. You can see in the photo above how rich wood gives a feeling of luxury. If you want one of those home offices that looks like an executive suite, consider going with wood textures in the flooring, paneling and furniture.

The photo above also shows how well rich woods combine with other neutral tones in the carpet and furniture. Wood layers well with rich visual textures, as you can see in the floor rug and chair off to the right. Also, small accents like the wrought iron lamp and wall sconces add classic appeal.

Home Office Color Schemes Blue Neutrals

Blue really does go with anything, including this home office space. Image: Artazum/Shutterstock

Blue and Neutrals

Yet another idea for home office color schemes is to combine neutrals and blue shades. You can see in the photo above how doing so creates a transitional home office, meaning it isn’t likely to go out of style. Stark black cabinetry creates a modern appeal against the open white walls and ceiling.

The blue shades help round out the space by giving it some color. However, it’s a muted gray-blue, so it doesn’t overwhelm the space. It also shows that blue can go with anything. In this case, you might notice how the blue shade fits with the textured carpet and rich wood piece in the center of the room.

Home Office Color Schemes Colorful

Get a classy, colorful look by combining bright neutrals with bold colors. Image: Africa Studio/Shutterstock

Bright and Colorful

If you enjoy plenty of color in a space, you can achieve that without looking like your office is a child’s bedroom. You can see in the photo above how bright colors combine with a white neutral backdrop. The colors pop all the more, while the white adds a modern appeal.

The photo above also shows how you can incorporate color into a home office in easy ways. You simply need to add some bright pieces to some open shelving, like the picture frame, file box, binders and cactus pot. You basically create one of the monochrome home office color schemes, then layer on colorful objects spread throughout the office.

Home Office Color Schemes Deep Red

Get a burgundy shade in a home office by choosing an accent wall. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Deep Red

There’s something about a deep burgundy that just screams home office or study. You see the shade in classic libraries often, so that might create the shade’s connection with spaces where you’re ready to focus. It’s both bold and grounded, so it adds a nice sense of balance to a space. There’s little to hate about burgundy in home office color schemes.

The photo above shows how easy it is to incorporate this shade into a home office. A simple accent wall with the shade can define the whole space. Combining burgundy with neutrals like white and black shades keeps other elements from competing with the accent wall. A nice touch is the added pink rug, chair and curtain, which complement the red wall without overpowering it.

The post 5 Ideas for Home Office Color Schemes appeared first on Freshome.com.

Onyx Is The New Marble And Here’s Why

We hope you like the products we recommend. Just so you are aware, Freshome may collect a share of sales from the links on this page.
There’s a new stone that’s taking over marble’s popularity — and it’s onyx. Are you wondering what the difference is between onyx vs. marble? Onyx is actually a type of marble and it has many of the same properties. The difference is the stunning patterns and veining in each slab.

Onyx comes in varying degrees of patterns and a rainbow of stunning colors. Many of the most popular onyx colors — like jade, mint, light pink and warm tan — work well with today’s on-trend colors.

onyx vs. marble

Dusty pastels and earth tones are the hottest colors at the moment and the warm tones of onyx stone tie in with the look. Image: Philipp Shuruev/Shutterstock

An interesting quality of onyx is its lack of opacity. Onyx is more translucent than marble, making it a great stone for lighting or for creative purposes like a backlit wall or surface that casts a glow and enhances the stone’s patterns.

onyx decorating ideas

A panel of onyx was backlit to cast a glow and display the intricacies of the stone. Image: T_A_P/Getty Images

Considering onyx vs. marble? Here are some onyx decorating ideas that can help you incorporate onyx in your next home design. We even have some onyx home accents in stores now that you can add to your space to bring some unique texture to your room.

Pastel Onyx Decorating Ideas

You’ll find onyx in pinks, lavenders, tangerine, pale blues and celadon-like greens.

different between onyx and marble

An onyx wall adds texture and high luxury to a room. If you’re on a budget or renting, consider onyx-patterned wallpaper instead. Image: Philipp Shuruev/Getty Images

onyx home decor

The cool, smooth surface makes a great table or counter. Just remember to give it the same care you’d give marble since both stain easily. Image: Philipp Shuruev/Getty Images

onyx decorating ideas and onyx home decor

A dramatic pink onyx bathroom gives this large space a modern yet art deco flavor. Image: snorkulencija/Shutterstock

Warm-Toned Onyx vs. Marble

If you find marble a little cold in hue, the classic earthy shades of onyx may be a refreshing option, especially when paired with crisp white or greys.

onyx decorating ideas

Onyx may be a better choice for a bathroom or kitchen if your space feels too flat or cold. Image: tulcarion/Getty Images

onyx bathroom decor

Your powder room may be small but can be dramatic. This one features onyx mosaic tiles, countertop and a vessel sink. Image: T_A_P/Getty Images

onyx kitchen countertops

Gold is one of the most popular tones of onyx and works with nearly any home design style. Image: Corinne Labastrous/Shutterstock

Neutral Onyx Colors

If you’re looking to add texture without the warm tones, you’ll find onyx patterns featuring black, cool beige and pale greys.

onyx tile

This bathtub backsplash is understated and neutral, but still interesting, thanks to the onyx tile’s veining. Image: Food Travel Stockforlife/Shutterstock

onyx or marble?

For a dramatic effect, try adding some black onyx to a room. The white veining is high contrast and looks like a piece of art. Image: Philipp Shuruev/Getty Images

onyx decorating ideas

How’s this for a dramatic dining room setting? Image: Philipp Shuruev/Getty Images

onyx vs. marble decorating ideas

A grey onyx bathroom looks contemporary and unique. Image: Vadim Ovchinnikov/Shutterstock

Onyx home accents in stores now:

onyx vs. marble decorating ideas
onyx vs. marble decorating ideas
onyx vs. marble decorating ideas
onyx vs. marble decorating ideas








 

The post Onyx Is The New Marble And Here’s Why appeared first on Freshome.com.

Hidden Fire Dangers in Your Home

In the U.S., fire departments respond to one fire every 88 seconds, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Cooking is the most common cause of home fires and smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths. But there are many other ways that you could inadvertently start a fire. These are some of the hidden fire sources in your home.

batteries

Don’t store batteries near metal. Image: Mariva2017/Shutterstock

Batteries

All batteries pose a fire risk, even those with a weak charge, according to Craig Gjelsten, VP of Operations at Rainbow International, which restores damage caused by fire, water and mold. Gjelsten says that 9-volt batteries are the biggest fire culprit. Since their terminals are in close proximity, they can easily short. “I recommend a battery storage case or just leave batteries in their original packaging instead of lying around loose.”

Gjelsten also recommends storing batteries standing upright and placing electrical tape over the ends of each battery — regardless of the battery type. Other tips include not storing batteries in metal containers or placing them near keys, steel wool or other metal objects. “Also, be sure to store 9-volt batteries separately,” Gjelsten says.

damaged

Check for dust bunnies around sockets. Image: NothingisEverything/Shutterstock

Damaged electrical equipment and dust bunnies

If your electrical equipment is damaged, it can easily overheat and result in a fire, according to Tom Wallace, a Certified Master Inspector at Home Check Inspections in Riverview, FL. “It is important to regularly inspect the electrical equipment in your home for damaged or frayed cords and plugs,” Wallace advises.

You may be thinking that you’d know if you had damaged or frayed cords and plugs. But that’s not necessarily the case. “Power or extension cords hidden behind a bed or table that are repeatedly knocked against can become worn out,” explains Bill Timmons, Marketing Manager of Residential Products at Legrand. He also warns against walking over cords — for example, under carpets or on your hardwood floors — since this can also result in damage.

And don’t forget the dreaded dust bunnies. When they form around electronics, sockets and heaters, Gjelsten says they can ignite and start a fire. “Regularly vacuum dust near outlets, wires and appliances, including crevices and areas behind furniture,” he says.

coffee maker

Turn off your coffee maker when it’s not being used. Image: John Kasawa/Shutterstock

Coffee makers

“Your coffee pot could overheat and start a fire,” says Battalion Chief Raymond Williams of the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service Department in Birmingham, AL. He says coffee pots with plastic components can get too hot if you forget to turn them off. Although most coffee pots with digital clocks have an automatic two-hour shut off, that’s still plenty of time for them to overheat. Also, several years ago, Kenmore recalled 145,000 coffee makers due to faulty wiring. So, to be on the safe side, don’t leave your coffee maker unattended and manually turn it off when you’re not using it.

flammable liquids

Use care with flammable liquids. Image: Elder von Rabenstein/Shutterstock

Flammable liquids

It’s probably no surprise that gasoline or kerosene can inadvertently start a fire. “These flammable items should be stored away from heat sources in appropriate containers,“ says Wallace. “The containers should be labeled and easily identifiable.”

However, there are other flammable liquids that can also start a fire. For example, a woman in Texas opened a bottle of nail polish remover and left it near a candle in an unventilated room. The bottle ignited and she suffered third-degree burns.

soft surface

Keep laptops off of soft surfaces. Image: Twin Design/Shutterstock

Laptops

If you’ve ever held your laptop in your lap for an extended period of time, you know it can get very hot. However, you might not have known that it can actually catch on fire. “Laptops can get pretty hot during normal operation. When placed on a blanket or similar surface, the batteries can overheat and cause a house fire,” Gjelsten says. He warns against leaving your laptop on any type of soft surface. If you don’t have a home office or desk, consider using a laptop stand.

lilght fixture

Use the proper wattage for your light fixture. Image: Darin Echelberger/Shutterstock

Light bulbs

Are you familiar with the term “overlamping”? It occurs when the light bulb wattage is too high for the lamp, and Gjelsten warns that overlamping can start a home fire. For example, if you use a 75-watt bulb in a 40-watt lamp, you’re overlamping.

“If the fixture is unmarked, stay under 60 watts to be safe,” Gjelsten says. He also advises caution with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). “Avoid using CFLs when the base of the bulb is enclosed by the fixture, such as with track and recessed lighting,” he says. “If your CFLs are burning out early and they’re brown at the base when removed, the bulbs are overheating.” Gjelsten recommends a cooler option, like LED.

dryer maintenance

Perform preventive maintenance on your dryer. Image: Good moments/Shutterstock

Dryer vents

While you’re sprucing up your laundry room, don’t forget to clean your dryer vent on a regular basis. You should empty the dryer lint screen before every load, according to Dave Lavalle, Founder of Dryer Vent Wizard. “While the dryer vent and duct system carries the air and lint outdoors, some of it gets trapped in the lint screen,” he explains. And since lint is very combustible, he says the screen should be emptied before every load. “Also, on a quarterly basis, clean the lint screen in soapy water,” he adds. That’s because detergent, fabric softener and other materials can build up and create a transparent film.

In addition, you need to check the vent cover on the home’s exterior to ensure that there’s no mulch or bird/rodent nesting materials. “Lastly, check the flexible tube-shaped transition duct that connects the dryer and the duct,” Lavelle says. Every other month, he recommends checking behind the dryer to ensure the transition duct hasn’t been crushed or broken.

paper pile

Don’t let paper pile up. Image: Nongnuch L/Shutterstock

Other hidden fire sources

Gjelsten also warns that if you leave stacks of newspapers and magazines too close to a heat source, they can ignite. “And if you use heating blankets and pads, do not place the cord between the mattress and box spring,” he adds. Gjelsten also advises against using these heating items on anything but the lowest setting.

“Also, throwing that unused bag of charcoal in the closest storage closet is never a good idea.” He says that damp coal can ignite and start a serious fire. Instead, Gjelsten recommends storing the bag in a metal pail or garbage can with a tightly closed lid.

The post Hidden Fire Dangers in Your Home appeared first on Freshome.com.

What is a Transitional Bathroom and How Can You Get This Look?

The transitional bathroom is the most popular bathroom design style, according to the 2019 Bathroom Design Trends report by the National Kitchen + Bath Association. And according to trend spotter Elle H-Millard, Industry Relations Manager at the NKBA (and also a cast member on season 2 of HGTV’s Design Star), the transitional style is projected to remain the most popular style for the next three years.

But what is a transitional bathroom and how can you get the transitional look?

transitional bathroom

Easily accessible spaces are a trademark of transitional design. Image: Dit26978/Getty Images

A mix of two styles

A transitional bathroom can have several meanings, according to Joan Kaufman, Licensed Interior Designer and President of Interior Planning & Design in Naperville, IL. “Most commonly, transitional refers to the style that is between traditional and contemporary,” she says. “The style would be more clean lines, yet not overly contemporary, with a warm, comfortable feeling that is not too cold or sleek.”

Easily accessible spaces are a trademark of transitional design.

Easily accessible spaces are a trademark of transitional design. Image: deliormanli/Getty Images

Easy access

However, Kaufman says a transitional bathroom can also refer to a design that allows homeowners to age in place. “This means accommodations are made to the bathroom to increase safety and provide supports without being completely ADA.” For example, she says grab bars are added to the shower area and close to the bathtub. She adds that these bathrooms may include handheld spray showerheads “with the valve controls at a lower height. And the tub would have a lower profile to aid entry/exiting.”

In some designs, homeowners remove the tub and replace it with a shower that includes handheld sprays and a bench seat. “Mirrors and other fixtures will be mounted low enough to be viewed from a seated position and/or wheelchair,” Kaufman says. Another popular feature is under-toe kick lighting. “Having toe-kick lighting on a motion sensor is an added benefit,” Kaufman explains.

Showers may hold 2 (or more) people.

Showers may hold two (or more) people. Image courtesy of Case Design and Remodeling Charlotte.

Stylish safety

However, this is not your grandparent’s bathroom. “A transitional bathroom is both attractive and safe and can make your life comfortable, regardless of your age or physical ability,” according to Chelsea Allard, VP of Design at Case Design/Remodeling in Charlotte, NC. For example, she says those grab bars are decorative and can coordinate with your faucet suite. “Not only can they prevent a dangerous fall, but they can also be used as towel bars,” Allard says.

Likewise, those bench seats and handheld showers can also serve a dual purpose. “Benches can act as a foot prop for shaving your legs as well as being a seat if you are unable to stand due to an injury,” Allard explains. And those handheld showers are convenient if you need to bathe while seated, but she says they also make it easier to clean the shower or wash your dog.

“Comfort-height toilets are easier on the knees — but they are also great for tall users. And single handle or touch-activated faucets are great for people with arthritis or for people who just want a more convenient experience,” Allard says. Touch-activated faucets are just one of the 2019 bathroom technology trends being incorporated in transitional design.

Chandeliers add a touch of elegance.

Chandeliers and sconces add a touch of elegance. Images courtesy of Dawn Totty Designs.

Uber stylish

Another reason transitional bathrooms are so popular is the sheer beauty of the design. Bathrooms today are transitioning from a place of basic necessities to a space of luxury, according to Interior Designer Dawn Totty of Dawn Totty Designs in Chattanooga, TN.

“With today’s fast-paced lifestyle, designers and homeowners are implementing luxurious features such as chandeliers, saunas, free-standing tubs, beautifully papered walls and heated floors,” Totty explains. “It’s a spa-like place that they can escape to, but without the inconvenience and expense.”

Wood grain cabinets and floating shelves are natural warmth.

Wood grain cabinets and floating shelves add natural warmth. Image: in4mal/Getty Images

Storage and workspace

H-Millard notes that the cabinets and vanity in transitional bathrooms are quite distinctive. “We’re talking free-standing, built-in or floating styles, with recessed panel facing and plenty of drawers,” she says. This bathroom style commonly uses wood grain, painted wood and mixed materials with decorative hardware.

GRAFF Incanto Rose Gold Faucet.

The GRAFF Incanto Rose Gold Faucet. Image courtesy of GRAFF.

Countertops, sinks and faucets

“In transitional bathrooms, countertops and sinks tend to be quartz, quartzite, granite or marble,” H-Millard says. White porcelain and cast iron are popular for sinks, and undermount sinks are a common staple.

Transitional bathrooms incorporate the latest faucet design trends. “Faucets can be motion, touch-control or manual and are typically nickel, chrome, stainless or rose gold,” H-Millard says. Popular finishes for transitional bathrooms include polished, matte, brushed and satin.

Safety doesn’t have to be boring.

Safety doesn’t have to be boring, as you can see with the Trinsic Bath Collection. Image courtesy of Delta.

Flooring

Popular flooring options in transitional bathrooms include ceramic, porcelain or stone tile, according to H-Millard. Other options include luxury vinyl, ceramic wood or marble.

“Using matte-finish tile flooring is a great way to decrease the likelihood of slipping, without sacrificing style,” Allard adds. Durable flooring is particularly important when designing the perfect kids’ bathroom.

Valspar Fragile Blue.

A bathroom painted in Valspar Fragile Blue. Image courtesy of Valspar.

Colors

Since color choices are important, transitional bathrooms have a light and relaxed feel: whites, grays, beiges, bones, blues – and also silvers. “One good choice for a transitional bathroom is Fragile Blue, which is crisp and clean,” explains Sue Kim, Color Marketing Manager at Valspar. “It is a sophisticated white with a tint of blue, and its freshness creates a luxurious, spa-like environment, creating a room you never want to leave.”

Valspar Gotham Gray.

A bathroom in Valspar Gotham Gray. Image courtesy of Valspar.

Another option is Gotham Gray. “This color adds a dose of drama to your transitional bathroom space and brings carefully-selected fixed features to life with clean elegance,” Kim says. Just make sure you follow the 10 commandments of painting to achieve the desired result.

The post What is a Transitional Bathroom and How Can You Get This Look? appeared first on Freshome.com.

How to Light Your Hallway

light your hallway 5

Don’t let hallway lighting be an afterthought. Use this guide to light your hallway well. Image: Svet_Feo/Shutterstock

Lighting is important. Interior designers, real estate agents and staging pros will all tell you it’s true. If you want your home or apartment to feel inviting, it needs to be well lit. That’s pretty straightforward in most of your home. You put a lamp on your nightstand. You hang a pendant above your dining table. But what about the smaller, trickier spaces? Specifically, how do you light your hallway well?

Because hallways are so narrow, they present two problems. First, the minimal available floor space necessitates a certain kind of light. And, of course, it’s the harder type of light. You can’t simply place a lamp here. When you need to light your hallway but keep walkways clear, mounted lighting is your only option.

The other hallway lighting challenge results, again, from the hallway’s narrow design, which can make it feel claustrophobic. Your hallway needs to be thoroughly and brightly lit. Otherwise, it risks feeling too confined.

But don’t worry. There are solutions to both of these problems. The need for maximal free floor space might force your hand in choosing certain types of lighting, but there are still plenty of good options available. And you can easily fend off that claustrophobic feeling by mounting lights at strategically placed locations throughout your hallway. Use this guide to get all the details you need to light your hallway beautifully.

light your hallway 3

The style of lighting you choose will shape the feel of your hallway. Image: Jodie Johnson/Shutterstock

Choosing your lighting

Most hallways are designed to be wide enough to allow a single person to move through them comfortably — and not much else. If your hallway is wide enough to accommodate a console table, count yourself lucky. For those of us with hallways that need every available inch of width to feel comfortable, wall- or ceiling-mounted lighting is the way to go. With these options, you keep the walkways open but can still wash your hallway in a warm and inviting glow.

Pendant lighting

Pendant lights can make a statement in your hallway. Find one that really catches your eye and hang it to transform what would have been a very forgettable space. Pendant lighting is best for hallways with high ceilings. Otherwise, a low hanging fixture could induce that sense of claustrophobia you’re trying so hard to avoid.

Wall sconces

You don’t necessarily have to rig something to your ceiling to light your hallway. Sconces can help you provide ample lighting without ever needing to pull out more than a step stool to change the bulb. This type of lighting is best for wider hallways, though, since the sconces will protrude from the walls, encroaching on the space of your hallway walkers.

light your hallway 1

Can lighting may be simple, but it’s effective. Image: Svet_Feo/Shutterstock

Can lighting

Sometimes the simple solution is the right one. Can lighting is an easy and effective way to light your hallways. Since the fixtures themselves will probably go largely unnoticed, this lighting style works with virtually any home style.

Track lighting

If you want to add an architectural feel and give yourself highly customizable lighting, track lighting delivers. This style is ideal for industrial and contemporary spaces.

Mixed lighting

Who says you can’t have it all? You can mix and match these lighting types to find the ideal way to light your hallway.

light your hallway 4

Place lights strategically to make your hallway feel bright and open. Image: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Placing your lights

Now that you’ve chosen your light style, you need to make sure you have enough of the light itself to make your hallway feel sufficiently lit. Here are a few quick and easy tips to help:

  • Place lights every eight feet, at least. Smaller lights with lower-wattage bulbs should be placed more frequently.
  • Draw the eye down the hallway by placing a light close to either end.
  • If you’re choosing sconces, place them high on the wall to draw the eye up and make the space feel open. Otherwise, you risk that whole medieval, torch-on-the-wall-of-a-castle vibe.
  • Stand at both ends of the hall and check for dark spots. Make sure the light stays consistent and doesn’t dip in brightness between light fixtures. Brighten shadowed parts of the hallway as needed to keep the space feeling open and inviting.

That’s it! You’re now ready to light your hallway like a total champ. And, sure, your guests may never notice what a great job you did. But they’ll also never feel like they’re traversing through a cavern when they’re walking down your hall.

The post How to Light Your Hallway appeared first on Freshome.com.

What is a Barndominium? Could It Be Your Next Home?

Barndominium Color Ideas

Choosing the right paint color for every room of your barndominium is easy when you’ve already created the perfect color palette. Image courtesy of PPG – Modern Farmhouse Palette.

You may be new to the barndominium style, but this pretty and practical home style is gaining in popularity. Barndominiums, nicknamed “barndos,” got their start as a practical living option. Many farmers and ranchers created a loft area above a working barn so that animal caretakers could stay close by.

Today, the popularity of barndominiums has evolved into luxury homes and vacation rentals, especially in upscale rural areas with ranch land and vineyards. Fixer Upper’s Chip and Joanna Gaines remodeled a barndominium on their show, creating a social media buzz about these unique homes. Most barndo construction uses a steel shell, then adds tons of interior customization options.

Entertaining is a breeze with large doors and windows that flow outside. Image: Mint Images/Getty Images

The Advantages of a Barndominium Home

There may be no ‘typical’ barndominium, but most share a few key advantages:

  • Simplicity: Barndos are often built as a shell with simple interior framing.
  • Construction Time: The popular metal shell construction goes up quickly.
  • Durability: Metal barndos withstand the elements and have a longer life than most standard home-building materials.
  • Flexibility: Barndominiums can be configured for living or work/live space.
  • Indoor/Outdoor Lifestyle: Rollup doors and large windows encourage indoor/outdoor living.

Designing the Interior of Your Dream Barndo

One of the barndo features owners like best is the flexibility of the interior layout of their new space. Some rooms will require a specific location due to plumbing and other utilities built into the home. Beyond that, though, the interior layout can be customized to your needs.

Plan your essential needs first, like square footage and how each room will be used, before you start your interior layout sketch. Knowing how you’ll live in your home is essential to a comfortable design. Barndominiums work best as an open concept home, often with a loft area above. 

The structure of a barndo encourages indoor/outdoor living. Rollup doors, big windows and wrap-around decks can give a feeling of spaciousness to your interior living space. 

Bring the outdoors inside with dramatic windows in your barndominium or open concept home. Image: hikesterson/Getty Images

Interior Design Tips for This Open Concept Home

A barndominium is truly an open concept home, so tips and ideas for an open interior layout definitely work here. When you’re decorating a barndominium or great room in any home, color becomes your easiest and best tool for defining space. To unify a large, open space, a colorful stripe that runs the perimeter of the room is a great trick that helps it look more intimate. Accent walls are still very much in style and can create a focal point in a large open space. And don’t forget, ceilings can be accents walls, too.

Furnishing the main areas of a large barndominium can be a challenge, but there are a few tips that make it easier to get a balanced look.

  • Choose Large Furniture: If you are furnishing a big, open space, using large furniture, like sectionals and oversized chairs, can fill the space without looking too busy.
  • Create Areas Within the Space: Grouping furniture together for conversation or eating areas prevents the “furniture store” look from which many open layouts suffer.
  • Use Color to Unify: If you’re grouping furniture within your barndo great room, stick with one color palette across all the areas you’re furnishing. That way, your colors tie everything together.

The HGTV Fixer Upper Barndominium Episode

HGTV’s Fixer Upper tackled a barndominium in Season 3 for a family looking for acreage and a unique home. Chip and Joanna Gaines reimagined a 1980s barn that already had an apartment upstairs. Their remodel used the upstairs apartment and the stable area downstairs to create a two-story, 2,700 sq. ft. home.

The Fixer Upper floor plan created a large upstairs kitchen and living room. Family bedrooms and an indoor/outdoor gathering space for entertaining complete the downstairs floor plan, including a 17-foot custom dining table for entertaining. The owners listed the totally remodeled barndo for sale in 2019 with a 1.2 million dollar price.

The post What is a Barndominium? Could It Be Your Next Home? appeared first on Freshome.com.

Zillow Offers is a New Way to Sell Your Home

Zillow polled their readers and uncovered that “homeowners want a faster, simpler selling option.” Zillow Offers is their answer. The service by Zillow basically buys your home on your schedule in as little as two business days (if you qualify).

zillow offers

Zillow wants to make the home selling process fast and simple. Image: PureRadiancePhoto/Shutterstock

How Zillow Offers Works

The process starts online with a simple questionnaire to answer basic info about your home, like:

  • The number of bedrooms and bathrooms
  • Square feet
  • Major changes you’ve made that aren’t in the public record
  • The date by which you’d like to sell

Next, you’ll submit current photos to help the agent price your home accordingly.

If your home qualifies, you’ll receive an email offer within two business days. This is a cash offer! You then have three days to respond to the offer or it expires.

zillow instant offers

According to Zillow, you’ll receive an offer via email in two business days. Image: fivepointsix/Shutterstock

If you accept the offer, a Zillow Offers Advisor will schedule a home inspection and recommend a licensed real estate agent to represent you, if you don’t have one already. Zillow may reduce the price after the home inspection if the home wasn’t represented as they expected or if it needs repairs. You can refuse their revised offer if you don’t like it.

Once you sign the sales contract, you can close on your home sale anytime between five days and 90 days — your choice.

online home offer tools

This new service streamlines the home selling process. Image: Stasique/Shutterstock

Zillow Offers is currently only available in certain markets: select zip codes in Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Raleigh and Riverside. They plan to add Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, Orlando and Portland by fall.

home selling apps

According to this image from Zillow, it looks like the service will expand to include offers from other investors. Image courtesy of Zillow.

Should You Use Zillow Offers?

This is a great no-obligation service if your home has been listed for a while and not getting any offers. Or if you’re in a hurry to move and don’t have the time to wait for the listing, open houses, offer negotiations and closing process of traditional home sales. Or if you need cash fast.

It’s too soon to know if Zillow’s offers are competitive with the actual market. But since the whole process is no-obligation, it wouldn’t hurt to try it out.

The post Zillow Offers is a New Way to Sell Your Home appeared first on Freshome.com.

4 Ideas for Creative Stepping Stone Pathways

If you’re looking for a timeless addition to your yard, consider stepping stone pathways. These add a rustic, natural element that is great for the outdoors. They’re also very versatile in style. Many stepping stone pathways are part of a zen style, as these types of yards make great use of stone elements. Stepping stones can also be set into grass for a more rustic and aged look. Or they can sit in more modern and neat gravel displays. Plus, many of these styles go well with water features. So take a look below for some inspiration for stepping stone pathways. You may just be installing a new pathway before you know it.

Stepping Stone Pathways Zen Garden

Naturally cut stepping stones work well in classic styles like zen. Image: Sakarin Sawasdinaka/Shutterstock

Zen Stepping Stones

As touched on above, zen styles and stepping stone pathways were made for each other. You can see in the photo above how well stepping stones work against sand or gravel designs. The stepping stones give an additional visual element among all the light gravel. Also, by choosing darker stones to sit on the light gravel, you can create some visual interest in the garden area.

Stepping stones are also a practical element, as the pathway allows you to travel across the garden without disturbing the sand or gravel patterns. Also, stepping stones with natural textures keep the space looking classic and organic.

Stepping Stone Pathways Water Feature

Stone pathways work well over water. Image: Rigamondis/Shutterstock

Water and Stepping Stone Pathways

Stepping stones also work beautifully when used alongside a garden water feature, like a backyard pond. Stepping stones were a classic way to get across rivers, creeks and other small waterways, so this is another way to create a classic and rustic element in the backyard.

You could go a couple of different directions with this idea. You could create a more clearly defined trail with larger stepping stones, like in the photo above. It’s also common to see widely spaced stepping stones in backyard ponds. These are more for show than actual use, but they give a romantic and slightly adventurous feel.

Stepping Stone Pathways Grass Style

Place stepping stones deeper if you want them to integrate with the grass. Image: Paolo Omero/Shutterstock

Set-In Stepping Stones

Another idea for stepping stone pathways is to place the stepping stones into the soil so that grass grows around them, or even over them in some cases. That gives the look that the stone pathway is very old, adding some rustic appeal. Choosing stones with deep textures also makes the stones look old, and stones with a natural cut to their shape further add a rustic look.

Placing the stones in a mosaic pattern also gives tons of visual interest. Stepping stone pathways like this are good in natural-looking gardens, leading to pool areas or bridging the gap between patio spaces, as a few ideas.

Stepping Stone Pathways Clean Modern

Gravel and stepping stones can create a clean, updated look. Image: Yatra/Shutterstock

Gravel and Stepping Stones

Not all stepping stone pathways need to look rustic. The clean gravel stepping stone pathway in the photo above is so organized that it has a modern appeal. The colored gravel gives the look some visual texture and helps the neutral stepping stones pop. This style goes well in garden spaces where the plants are clearly defined and organized themselves, as the photo above shows.

The stepping stones themselves have an attractive design of small stones encased in concrete. This style reminds us to feel free to make our own stepping stone designs, since they’re fairly simple to create. That way, you can have a customized and artistic look in the garden.

The post 4 Ideas for Creative Stepping Stone Pathways appeared first on Freshome.com.

HomeAdvisor’s 2019 Report Reveals Popular Spending Trends

The new State of Home Spending report by HomeAdvisor provides a treasure trove of information regarding the habits and behaviors of homeowners relating to home improvement spending, home maintenance spending, and home emergency spending.

Misha Fisher, Chief Economist for ANGI Homeservices (which owns HomeAdvisor), provides insight on the report.

Improving and remodeling are more popular than upkeep projects for homeowners.

Improving and remodeling are more popular than upkeep projects. Image: Breadmaker/Shutterstock

Homeowners spend more on home improvement than home maintenance

When taking out their wallets, homeowners are more likely to spend money to improve their space, rather than tackle a maintenance project. “For every dollar they spend on home maintenance, homeowners spend an average of five dollars on home improvement projects,” Fisher says.

In 2018, homeowners spent an average of $7,560 on home improvement projects. “They spent an average of $1,105 on home maintenance projects, and $416 on home emergency projects,” according to Fisher.

Some states spend significantly more on projects.

Some states spend significantly more on projects. Image: Breadmaker/Shutterstock

States spending the most and least on home improvement

Residents in Massachusetts, Hawaii, Rhode Island and Maryland are among the states that spend the most on home improvement projects. “On the other hand, West Virginia, Wyoming, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Maine are some of the states that spend the least amount on home improvement,” Fisher says.

Home improvement spending is up by 17.5% from 2018. Fisher attributes some of this to an increase in consumer wages, and a cultural focus on design aesthetics. “Also, the cost of skilled tradespeople is rising, and there are better (but more expensive) home improvement tools,” he says.

Everyone wants a renovated bathroom.

Everyone wants a renovated bathroom. Image: plusONE/Shutterstock

What are homeowners improving?

Rooms are the most popular home improvement choice. “Among these remodeling projects, bathrooms remain the overwhelmingly popular choice across all generations, likely in part because of their comparatively cheaper cost relative to kitchens,” according to Fisher.  Many homeowners are incorporating 2019 bathroom technology trends. “A bathroom renovation usually costs $10,352, and most homeowners spend between $5,957 and $14,832.” While a small or medium-sized bathroom ranges between $3,500 and $7,000, he says that a master or large bathroom could cost more than $13,000 to remodel.

Besides remodeling rooms, other popular projects include installing new appliances, replacing the roof, and refinishing hardwood floors.

Replacing windows can increase energy efficiency. Image: onzon/Shutterstock

Replacing windows can increase energy efficiency. Image: onzon/Shutterstock

Motivation to complete projects

Among generations, millennials are more likely to complete a home project to increase the home’s resale value. “Also, while baby boomers and Gen X are more likely to want to ‘modernize” their homes, millennials and the Silent Generation say they want to improve aesthetics and design,” Fisher explains.

When homeowners turn their attention to fixing parts of the home, they’re replacing or repairing areas that are damaged, decaying, or defective. Fisher says they’re most likely to focus on the following projects: a new roof, a new HVAC, new fencing, building a deck, new gutters, replacing windows, and new siding.

Roof repair is one common emergency home project.

Roof repair is one common emergency home project. Image: Radovan1/Shutterstock

Emergency home projects

One out of every five homeowners reported the need to complete an emergency home project. Examples of home emergency projects include fixing hail damage to the roof or replacing a failing hot water heater. “Homeowners who live in areas prone to extreme weather events spend the most money on emergency projects,” Fisher says. Texas, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana lead in this area, as a result of tropical storms, thunderstorms, flooding and hail.

However, you might be surprised to find out that an older home doesn’t necessary mean you’ll spend more in the event of an emergency. “The owners of a 100-year-old home spend an average of $370 less on emergency home repairs than the owner of a brand-new home,” Fisher says.

Millennials and more likely to conduct research via the internet.

Millennials and more likely to conduct research via the internet. Image: one photo/Shutterstock

How homeowners research costs

When researching home improvement costs, there are stark generational differences. For example:

  • Millennials: 77% use the internet, 64% check big box stores, 30% ask a previously used contractor
  • GenX: 74% check big box stores, 70% use the internet, 23% ask a previously used contractor
  • Baby Boomers: 60% check big box store, 58% use the internet, 35% ask a previously used contractor
  • The Silent Generation: 50% check big box stores, 32% ask a previously used contractor, and 25% use the internet

The post HomeAdvisor’s 2019 Report Reveals Popular Spending Trends appeared first on Freshome.com.

How to Choose the Right Home Security System for Your House

Ensuring the safety and security of your home is serious business. When it comes time to install a home security system, there’s no doubt that you’ll want to be sure to pick the right one. So what should you be looking for when you decide which security system to buy?

With that question in mind, we’ve laid out a few of your biggest considerations below. Read them over so you can feel confident that you know how to keep your family safe.

home security system

Home security systems have evolved far beyond the basic alarm. Image: Sami_lelya/Shutterstock

Wireless vs. hardwired

Traditionally, security systems have relied on analog phone lines to provide you with around-the-clock connection to your security company. While companies still offer these types of systems, you may want to think beyond them. Hardwired phone lines are becoming increasingly rare these days and may soon be totally obsolete.

Instead, your real choice is between a connection that’s through your wifi or cellular network. Ideally, you should choose a model that has the capacity to connect through either method. That way, while the bulk of the monitoring happens over wifi, you’ll still be protected if your network goes down.

monitor

It’s important to consider who you ultimately want to be responsible for monitoring your home’s safety. Image: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock

Professional vs. self-monitoring

Luckily, if the idea of being watched over by a corporate security company doesn’t appeal to you, you now have the option to opt out. So-called self-monitoring security systems allow you to take overseeing the safety of your home into your own hands. With these systems, you receive an email or a text message when a threat is detected. Deciding what step to take next is up to you.

However, if you prefer the idea of having someone there to watch your back, you can always go the traditional route and get a professionally-monitored system. Just be aware that receiving 24/7 professional monitoring usually comes at an extra cost per month.

features

Think about which additional features you might want your security system to include. Image: Grzegorz_P/Shutterstock

Consider additional features

Thanks to new advances in technology, a home security system is now capable of doing much more than sounding an alarm and alerting the authorities. Are you looking for a more comprehensive approach to security? You may want to invest in a system that includes some additional features, such as:

Video monitoring

Most smart home security systems offer a video monitoring option. With most video monitoring packages, you place cameras around the perimeter of your home, which you can then check in on from an app. Some security packages allow you the option to upgrade to indoor monitoring, as well. Other systems include an option that allows you to see who is at the front door each time the doorbell rings.

Light/lock controls

The next feature to consider is having the ability to control the locks on your doors and/or your lights with just a tap of a button. Typically, you control these tasks via an app. Some systems also give you the opportunity to control other aspects of your home, including your HVAC system.

Sensors

Some home security system packages include motion-activated sensors. Exactly what these sensors can do may vary. Sometimes they can be used to turn lights on if motion is detected. Other times, they’re part of the system that allows you to unlock your door from afar.

The post How to Choose the Right Home Security System for Your House appeared first on Freshome.com.