 Choose Dual-Purpose Furniture Opt for pieces that serve more than one function, like a desk that doubles as a vanity or a daybed with storage drawers. Wall-mounted desks or fold-down options also free up floor space when not in use. Use Vertical Space Install shelves above the desk or bed for books, decor, and office supplies. Tall bookcases or vertical organizers maximize storage without expanding your footprint. Create Zones with Layout & Decor Define your workspace with a small area rug, wall color, or lighting to visually separate it from the sleeping area. Even a slim screen or curtain can give the illusion of two distinct areas without taking up much room.    Offering a flat rate home office design for just $450, details here.
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 Loving these moody bathrooms in grays and blacks with a hint of natural elements for warmth. All images via Pinterest here.    When it comes to boosting the value of a home, many people focus on kitchens or bathrooms. But outdoor upgrades can play a big role too. A well-kept garden, clever use of outdoor space, and practical features can all make a strong impression on potential buyers or simply improve daily life for those staying put. Making smart updates outdoors doesn’t just make your home look nicer, it can also create extra space that’s useful all year round. From private work areas to secure storage, the outside of your home can offer far more than just a place to sit on sunny days.  Source: Unsplash (CC0)
Create a usable garden space Buyers love outdoor spaces that feel like an extension of the house. Think of areas that make it easy to relax, dine, or entertain without a big budget or major project. A neat lawn, well-placed seating, and simple lighting can really help shape the space. It doesn’t need to be fancy. Just having a few spots for sitting, some greenery, and a tidy layout can make it feel like a second living room in warmer months. It’s all about making the area feel welcoming and lived-in. Add functional and flexible workspaces As more people work from home, there’s been a growing interest in garden office ideas. Turning part of your garden into a quiet place to work is something that adds both function and appeal. It gives people a break from the main house and creates a private zone that can be used in different ways. Garden offices can be as simple or high-end as you like, and they suit everything from home businesses to schoolwork. They also show that the property has the flexibility to adapt to changing needs, which buyers really notice. Think about hidden spaces Outdoor upgrades aren't always about what’s seen. Some people are now looking into underground bunker pods as a unique way to add secure and practical space. These pods can be used for storage, emergency planning, or even as extra work zones that stay hidden from view. They're a long-term investment that can be fitted out for different uses, all while keeping the garden above free and uncluttered. Though they're less common, they offer a sense of privacy and safety that some buyers or homeowners really appreciate. Boost curb appeal with thoughtful touches Simple updates at the front of your home can make a big difference. A fresh coat of paint on the door, updated lights, or adding a few plants near the entrance can all help. These are low-cost ways to make the place feel more welcoming. Even small details like clear house numbers or a clean path to the door help shape first impressions. It might not seem major, but it’s one of those things that can gently tip buyers in the right direction. Make the upgrades work for you While adding value is great, it’s also important that these changes make life better now. Whether it’s having extra storage, a calm spot for morning coffee, or a place to work without noise, these outdoor upgrades should bring comfort and ease. If done thoughtfully, the changes won’t just benefit daily routines–they’ll contribute to the overall home value boost when it's time to sell. In short, a usable and attractive garden often stands out more than people expect.  1. Prioritize Safety First
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While a safe home isn’t necessarily a beautiful home, being safe is much more important than arguably any other design priority. Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be a binary, and knowing your family is safe, protected and well-served by the household is arguably a vital priority in itself. As such, improving the fire safety of your household, espeically if it has multiple floors, long corridors and converted spaces, is important. There are some main targets to hit here. First, you want to limit the chance of a fire breaking out entirely. Second, you want to ensure a fire can’t travel well if it does break out, and third, you need to ensure you can evacuate in confidence if a fire becomes uncontrollable. Let’s explore some suggestions for achieving that, below: Consider Access & Exit Routes It’s a little surprising how many houses don’t have a clear fire exit plan, especially ones with basements or attic conversions where exits aren’t so obvious. In a real emergency, people don’t tend to make the most rational choices after all, they just want out, and fast. That’s why having clear access routes is so important, and also doing small fire drills with your family ever so often. But design matters most. If you’ve got basement rooms, for instance, it’s not enough to just have a small window down there, it needs to be something someone can actually climb out of. In this case, window well covers come in handy, because they protect the exit from getting blocked by debris, ice, or heavier snow, and also help keep it functional as a way out. Use Self-Closing Fire Doors Where Appropriate It’s unlikely you want your home to feel a hospital ward, so adding industrial adding big bulky doors probably isn’t your dream aesthetic. But self-closing doors don’t have to be ugly if implemented right, as there are plenty of styles now that look just like standard doors. The point isn’t to seal everything off like a vault either, it’s just to slow things down such as if you’re leaving the house for a weekend. A fire that’s kept in one room is easier to deal with than one that spreads through the whole house in under five minutes. So even if you only use them between high-risk areas like the kitchen and hallway, or the garage and living space, it’s a smart idea. Think Through Materials & Belongings If you ever get the chance, do a slow walk through your house like you’ve never seen it before and ask what is flammable and how fire might spead. A pile of coats behind the door might help to accelerate a fire for instance, and that’s not great if you need to open that door in a hurry. The extension lead with six things plugged into it next to the curtains is probably a bad idea too. In general, fire safety often comes down to these little things that we might not think twice about usually. You don’t need to throw everything out or live like a minimalist, but it helps to rethink how flammable your space really is and make slight adjustments if you can. With this advice, we hope you can improve the safety of your home in the best way.  Picture Credit: CC0 License How many times have you considered the best ways to make the most of the space your property has to offer? You’ve probably designed every interior room carefully for precisely this purpose, and may even have considered an extension for the same reasons. But, have you ever considered taking your space-finding quest up a few levels? While they were once the reserve of inner-city apartment buildings, rooftop decks are becoming a hot business in the broader home design stakes this year. In fact, we can’t get enough of these home additions thanks to benefits including their impressive views and their introduction to a more Spanish-style, laid-back way of living. There’s just one problem – you may have no idea how to make a rooftop deck work with your home. Luckily, there are some pretty hot rooftop deck trends to take your inspiration from right now, and we’re going to consider the best of them in this article. The Benefits of Designing a Rooftop Deck There are a whole load of benefits to enjoy from jumping on the rooftop deck home trend, the best being –
# 1 - Natural Wood Decking Rooftop decks that are way up high are generally exposed to the elements. As a result, they require far sturdier materials than you might get for a floor-level setup. That’s why homeowners this year are loving hardwood materials for their rooftop decks. Not only do hardwoods like ipe and teak look great, but they’re also generally UV resistant, and able to withstand water exposure. Ipe is especially high in moisture resistance, making it great for areas that see a lot of rainfall during the winter months. Alternatively, the best heat resistant hardwoods include oak and walnut. In each instance, hardwoods are designed to last without risk of warping or splintering. There is some risk that your hardwood may discolor over time, but you can either lean into this weathered look or simply treat your decking using oil-based protective products. Either way, this is a low-maintenance option that’s sure to look great on your rooftop deck for a long time to come, without a great deal of effort from you. # 2 - Multi-Functional Seating Apartment rooftop decking areas typically span entire buildings, but few homeowners are keen to opt for the same look. Instead, rooftop deck designs for standalone properties typically focus around small areas of an existing roof, or may be positioned between property windows. As such, while this is still definitely a space-creating addition, you’ll need to get smart with design features to make the most of that space. And, multi-functional seating is one of the best ways to achieve that goal. Of course, to some extent, this is true with any decking area, where seating solutions like storage chests and l-shaped designs have long been popular. However, you may want to take that benefit even further on your rooftop deck. This year, we’re especially seeing an influx of multifunctional built-in seating solutions, many of which are made with the same hardwood materials as the decking itself. As well as serving as additional storage, seating solutions like these can double as planters to help boost overall appearances, or as statement pieces that both look great, and serve a functional seating purpose. # 3 - Rooftop Pergolas If you live in an all-adult, remote household, options like glass barriers can be one of the best ways to create a sleek rooftop deck with stunning views. But, if you live in a more built-up area, or have children at home, rooftop pergolas may be a far preferable option. With well-positioned pergolas in place, your rooftop deck can become a real oasis, especially if you trail those pergolas with plants or create a kind of living roof. Simply think hard about how you use pergolas, which could easily create separate rooftop deck zones, such as play, seating, and dining areas. You could also add a more exotic vibe to your rooftop deck by trailing curtains down each pergola leg, or installing lanterns to the top of your pergola. These lanterns could then ensure you’re able to utilize this outdoor space at any hour, for entertaining, relaxation, and more. # 4 - Rooftop Pools (or Showers)  Picture Credit: CC0 License
If you really want to delve into luxury with your rooftop deck design, then it’s well worth incorporating a suitable pool design into this space. Rooftop pools could see you swimming right up close to the sunset, or leaning out to look at that great view, and they have the added benefit of doing all the right things to your property value. Infinity pools are an especially popular design choice here, as they can create a sense of seamlessness with the skyline. Other popular designs include above-ground pools and space-saving circular pools. If you don’t fancy or think you have space for a rooftop swimming pool, bear in mind that rooftop showers are also hot stuff right now. Already popular in many Mediterranean countries, rooftop showers are simple to install, attractive, and sure to provide some of the best showers you’ve ever taken in your life. Simply seek a large rain shower head with copper pipes that are less likely to rust in the rain, and attractive shower screens that are in keeping with the rest of your deck. Whatever water-based design addition you choose, it’s worth sticking with ipe hardwood decking for this purpose, as it’s the least likely material to suffer under constant water exposure. Conclusion Whether you’ve always liked the idea of a rooftop deck or you’ve never considered it until now, we’re set to see this design choice a lot more often in the coming years. From small deck seating areas to whole-roof, pool-clad setups, there’s certainly a lot to gain from considering what a rooftop deck has to offer your home. While these design trends are undeniably the hottest at the moment, bear in mind that the best rooftop deck for your home will be one that fits with your existing interior style. That way, you can ensure a brand new outdoor space that will soon feel like a seamless addition to the property you already have. Whether you entertain here or simply like to sit out with the doors wide open on a hot day, it’s guaranteed to quickly become a space you love.  One of the strangest things about moving house is that it’s probably the time when your home is in the best condition it’s been in for years. You finally get around to doing all the jobs you’ve put off for ages, and it’s because you want to sell your property. This is related to a concept called curb appeal, which is where you want people to have the best possible first impression of your property. People look at the house they’re going to buy with a critical eye, and you don’t want them to look around and just see future jobs to do. Freshen the Paint Job One of the first, and easiest things you can do is to freshen the paint job. This might mean repainting the walls entirely and, if you have a bold and very personal style, you could consider changing it to a more neutral color. This isn’t as fun, but it is easier for other people to see how they can put their own stamp on it. But what if you don’t have the time or the need to completely repaint the walls? In this case, either find the old bottle of paint or get a small bottle of the same color. Then you should retouch the corners and any parts of the wall that are scratched or chipped. This makes it look like a fresh coat of paint, but with much less time and effort. Lawn Maintenance Speaking of curb appeal, you should pay attention to the exterior of your home. A neat backyard can massively impact how people view your property, even though they will have to maintain it yourself. It’s easier for them to picture themselves enjoying a backyard with a neat lawn if they don’t have to imagine cutting through a load of overgrowth first. While it’s nice to do your garden up, the most important thing is that it looks neat and manageable. Minor Repairs It’s a good idea to do a walkthrough and look for minor repairs that, while they don’t bother you, might put off a potential buyer. For example, replacing a door handle is simple and cheap, but it can make your doors look and function like they’re brand new. Make sure to oil any squeaky or stuck hinges as well, so people don’t spot potential problems as they inspect your home. Keep a sharp eye out and imagine you’re a potential buyer. Get a Contractor For some problems, you will need to hire a handyman for the best results. A handyman can handle most basic repairs, as well as some that are more complicated. They have the tools to do so, as well as the knowledge and skills you might not have. This will prevent you from doing a poor job and potentially causing more problems. A handyman is also ideal when you’re short on time, because they can get things done more quickly, allowing you to sell your home.  Living and designing in Southern California we get to experience a lot of Spanish architectural influences. It's amazing to be currently working on a 1920's Spanish Revival project - an authentic gem. In the process, I've been researching a lot of Spanish tiles - both interior decorative and exterior. Here are some great finds for exterior terracotta tiles:
 Designing a small entryway requires maximizing space, enhancing functionality, and creating a welcoming atmosphere. Here are some key design tips: 1. Use Space-Saving Furniture • Wall-mounted shelves: Great for keys, mail, and small decor. • Slim console table: If space allows, choose a narrow table with storage underneath. • Bench with storage: A compact bench with hidden compartments provides seating and organization. 2. Optimize Wall Space • Hooks or a peg rail: Hang coats, bags, and hats to keep the space clutter-free. • Mirrors: Reflect light and create the illusion of a larger space. A round or oversized mirror works well. 3. Choose Light Colors & Reflective Surfaces • Light, neutral tones like white, beige, or soft gray make the entry feel open. • Glossy or mirrored accents help bounce light around the space. 4. Add Functional Storage • Baskets & bins: Store shoes, umbrellas, and other small items. • Wall-mounted mail organizer: Keep important papers tidy. 5. Define the Space • Rug or runner: A small rug adds warmth and helps define the area. • Statement lighting: A pendant light or stylish wall sconces add character without taking up floor space. |
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