Saad Shafiq, Author at UltraHome

Working and Benefits of Geothermal Heating

Are you looking for energy efficient, more eco-friendly temperature regulators for your home?
Geothermal heating solutions offer convenient and productive temperature control for homeowners.
Generally, these are available in the market as geothermal pumps and cooling & heating systems. They
keep your house warm and comfortable.

What is Geothermal Energy?

Geothermal energy is heat captured or extracted from deep inside the earth’s crust. We use it to track
the temperature in homes, offices, and industries. This renewable and pure form of energy is available
in different extraction sources including mines, underground channels, etc. As part of sustainable
development, energy conservation, and a greener environment, most nations across the globe are
making use of this purified energy source to reduce their dependence on other sources of energy like
fossil fuels.

Geothermal Heating Pumps

Geothermal pumps offer high efficiency. Because manufacturers design them only to transport cool
fluid or heat and push it toward the ground. They regulate the temperature in your home. Since
geothermal energy mostly depends on the temperatures in underground channels, the pump pushes
this energy to bring it above ground level that helps set the temperature to your desired reading. You
might think of geothermal pumps as recently introduced gadgets in the market. On the contrary, these
have been in use for decades. Almost 50,000 US homes install these heating and cooling systems every
year. This is evident as per recent stats by the US Department of Energy.

Different Types of Geothermal Solutions

Geothermal pumps use a ground-loop system design with the same operating dynamics. However, there
are different types of ground-loop models that you can classify into two core categories. These include
open-loop and closed-loop. The design makes use of the pump to push liquid or fluids through tubes
traversing an underground area and the surface.

Open Loop Geothermal Heating System

We do not commonly use an open-loop system for household temperature control because it is costly.

The open-loop system requires you to have an ample source of water. Using abundant water supply, the installation works by extracting heat from a deep source like a well. The pump pushes the water through the tubes or pipes, captures the heat and then redirects the water inflow back to the well or water source. Contrary to a closed-loop system where the fluid keeps circulating throughout the system continuously, an open system only makes use of fluid circulation when you need to extract heat.

Closed Loop Geothermal Heating System

If you are looking for the most reliable and cost-effective geothermal pump, you should opt for a closed-loop system.

closed loop horizontal geothermal heating — Image by: Deq

Horizontal-loop models within this category are best for residential applications. Ask an expert to install a closed-loop pump in your house. It will entail installing a piping system within the surface and underground with a height of about 4-6 inches. If your pump system comes equipped with a ‘Slinky’, coiled design, then you do not need to install tubing that goes deep underground, as it requires less surface area.

Closed loop vertical geothermal heating system — Image by: Deq

With a Vertical-loop system, the installation entails the use of uncoiled tubes looped deep within the underground channels. The implementation of this system is rather costly and requires drilling deeper holes than the trenches in a horizontal loop system. We drill these holes 100-400 feet deep in the earth’s crust. It allows the pump to transfer heat through these thinner, single tubes. If you own a small
house with less surface area to dig up a wider trench, we advise you to go for a vertical setup.

Closed Loop System – Pond/Lake

A closed-loop pond/lake system works by transferring heat extracted from the water source using antifreeze fluid and the water’s temperature.

closed loop pond lake geothermal heating — Image by: Deq

The water from the source passes over an evaporator copper coil and plastic pipe headers installed deep in the ground, as it pushes up towards the ground. This water-based system is the most inexpensive pumping system available to homeowners. It makes use of a deep-water source like a lake or pond. You do not need to go for costly drilling if your nearby water source is deep enough to push geothermal heat up toward the ground. It is also easier to use and install because it relies on the uniform temperature of the water to generate heat and provide temperature regulation.

Benefits of Geothermal Heating

Cost Effective & Energy Efficient

The primary benefit of a geothermal pump is its cost-effectiveness for a long period while offering
energy conservation. We encourage homeowners to install these systems in their homes. Because, they
promote a greener, healthier environment reducing unnecessary utility bill expenses and the use of
energy resources. These pumps do not need any electricity to run compared to a traditional gas
powered furnace. According to the Department of Energy (DOE) in the US, a reliable geothermal pump
from a trusted brand can cut energy consumption by almost 25-50%, when compared to a standard
HVAC solution. While it may look expensive, there are affordable setups like closed-loop systems that
use water sources. An ideal pump that heats up a 1500 square-foot house will cost you anywhere
between $30-50 a month.

Longer Life Span & Safety

A geothermal pump is easy to install and very safe for heating or cooling with an average lifespan of
about 2 decades. As per DOE, the infrastructure existing underground may work efficiently for up to 50
years. On the other hand, a hand pump would last even longer than 20 years with minimal upkeep &
repair expenses. These pumps are also safe because the underground pipes are protected using strong layers. There is no combustion or gas involved including any onsite emissions in the extraction or
pushing process for geothermal heating. It happens specifically if your power source is renewable
energy like hydroelectric, water or solar. This is safer for use in homes with an eco-friendly surrounding.

The Flip Side

There are a few drawbacks to the geothermal pumps but their benefits largely mask the disadvantages they offer to homeowners. These type of climate-control solutions usually require expensive installation that is a bit difficult with the underground tubes layout and infrastructure, especially for closed-loop systems. With a heavy amount invested in your geothermal pumping layout, do keep in mind that the installation may require you to regrow your garden, lawn or redo any part of the area such as the pond that you utilized in the digging process or the tubing layout. If there is any power outage, you may also have to rely on an alternative power backup to meet your heating & cooling requirements.

Ideas & Guides

For the Best Home Value; Invest in Landscaping

By Saad Shafiq January 3, 2019

Ideas For The Best Home Value

The numbers are in: Landscaping is the most profitable way to update your home. Various research on property in South Carolina has determined that improving a landscape from average quality to great quality can increase home value from 10 to 12 percent. This means that while remodeling the kitchen, converting attics, basements or garages and replacing doors and windows can recoup some of your costs in the form of home value, every penny spent on landscaping will come back your way when you sell your property.

However, not every homeowner is a natural landscape artist. If you need tips on how to improve the exterior of your home in 2019 — and beyond — read on.

Levels of Sophistication

the best home value — Image by: Liveworkgermany

Your first goal should be to honestly and accurately assess the level of sophistication in your current landscape and then work to elevate it. In the survey that identified landscaping as paramount to home value, researchers understood three sophistication levels, which included:

• Foundation planting only. Foundation planting consists of beds of plants along a home’s foundation. Typically, these plantings aren’t especially creative or unique; they will usually consist of common shrubs. Often, homes like this also boast an unadorned lawn.

• Foundation planting with one or two island plantings and trees. Island plantings are beds of flora that are unattached to the foundation plantings.

• Foundation planting with adjoining beds, several large island plantings. The more numerous and the larger the island plantings, the more visual interest the landscaping has.

When asked, most homeowners and homebuyers place the highest value on high sophistication in the landscape design. However, merely installing more planting spaces isn’t enough to attract positive attention to your home. You might also improve the value with the following considerations:

Less Lawn, but Still Lawn

Modern homeowners understand better than previous generations the work required to maintain a lawn. Tasks like lawn fertilization, watering, mowing and aeration take knowledge and skill as well as the proper tools and sufficient time, most of which the average homeowner lacks. As a result, few want to cover their entire property with grass. Still, most homeowners are accustomed to the look and function of a lawn and expect to see at least a small green patch somewhere in the landscape. You should include grass somewhere in your landscaping designs, but it shouldn’t dominate, which will scare away informed investors.

More Trees, but the Right Trees

Trees according to your house — Image by: Baltimoresun

Trees are one of the few additions to a home that appreciates over time. Homebuyers love the look and feel of tall, old trees, but trees only grow big and age well when they are properly planted. If you plan to stay in your current home for at least 10 years, you will get the best value by installing young trees now. Over time, they will grow to look magnificent, but you won’t spend a fortune on older trees that need professional planting. Then again, if you expect to sell this property soon, it might be worthwhile to buy larger trees now, to give homebuyers what they want sooner.
Additionally, you should pay close attention to the features of the trees you put on your property. According to a survey of homebuyers, the best homes boast a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees. This means that only some trees on your property should lose their leaves, reducing homeowner yardwork needs.

Well-placed Lights Increase Home Value

best home lighting for better home value — Image by: Badenpools

Lighting is one of the most overlooked aspects of landscaping. Many homeowners believe the lights from their home or streetlights provide enough illumination in their yards, but the truth is that well-placed lights can alter the atmosphere of the landscape and add visual interest.

At the very least, you might consider installing Malibu lights, which shed light along pathways to help guests navigate the landscape safely. Typically, Malibu lights are solar-powered, which means you don’t need to worry about wires or plugs in your landscaping design.

Other Odds and Ends Affecting Home Value

Best Home value house — Image by: Cfhrealestate

Proper landscape design requires plenty of groundwork, so to speak. You should research your regional climate and test your soil to understand what types of plants will grow. Also you should plan your irrigation system, so you and future owners won’t need to water the landscape manually. It might be worth your money to consult with a professional landscape designer, who can guarantee a cohesive and attractive yard. Then, you can customize slightly with landscape décors, such as lawn ornaments, patio furniture and the like.

Home Improvement

Home Decoration: 5 Best Ideas To Renovate Your Home

By Saad Shafiq November 20, 2018

Best Ways To Decorate your Home

Decorating ever wanted to test it, but hesitated due to time limitations or spending budget issues. The next suggestions won’t provide immediate results, but most importantly match any kind of spending budget.

1. Transforming the design of The Walls

wall style for elegant home decoration — Image by: Home Designing

Using a brand new colour or transforming the texture, can provide the area a totally fresh visual appeal and that could be the only designing modification that’s needed. The simplest choice is to paint, and with the colour options available, the solutions are limitless. An additional thing to consider could be the wallpapers; the only issue you might have is selecting a style. If however, only a something extra is required an easy stencil design could do just fine. These ideas may be used either separately or in pairs with one another.

2. Check out Your Windows to get a Totally New View

unique window style for innovative home — Image by: Usualhouse

Modifying your draperies is just about the simplest of any decorating tasks. The options vary from designs which include tab-top, drapes, shears and cafe, backgrounds of colours, stripes and floral, materials including cotton, silk, velvet or lace. Probably the most affordable is ready-made; they’re very inexpensive therefore providing you with the chance to make modifications more frequently.

3. Collectibles give a personal feel to home designing

Image by: Pixabay

Collectibles could be something concerning 3 or more of the identical thing, or items which are associated. This could comprise of ceramic dolls, Christmas towns, collector dishes and who can resist all those lovable little faces of Boyds Bears. Perhaps things with a timeless feel like tin lunchboxes, dessert jars fire up unique reminiscences of childhood.

4. Upgrading the Furniture

Elegant funiture for home decoration — Image by: Home Designing

Among the simplest ways to do this is by using slipcovers; they are available in a large collection of colours and designs. Items like end dining tables, crates and chairs could be refinished to get a fresh look. One of the ways is by using paint. Choose a colour to match up with the room or select something vibrant and unique. An alternative choice is always to use stain, staining comes in numerous shades; they could are also available in colours.

5. Add-ons help make your decorating full

Beautiful additions for home decoration — Image by: Home Designing

A few of the more usual are rugs, paintings, table lamps, cushions and comfy throws. Things for your kitchen make gorgeous additions, for instance; storage containers, tableware, dishtowels or ornamental bottles. Put in a little whimsy with large porcelain figures like roosters, or even the cute pigs having chalkboard menus. Bathrooms are one more area for lovely accessories such as ornamental soaps put into a basket or bowl; bath towels are available in numerous colours and styles now that they alone are excellent add-ons. Finally, don’t forget candles.

Bathroom

Power Shower: 3 Handy Installation Tips

By Saad Shafiq October 27, 2018

There is little doubt that the bathroom is one of the most important parts of the home. It should be a space where you can go to relax and refresh yourself, so it can have a huge impact on how you feel. It means that when it comes to home improvement, this is always an area that is worth some extra thought and consideration. One of the best improvements that a homeowner can make is to install a power shower. Those who have them installed will testify that the high-pressure spray is the only way to feel completely refreshed, it is much faster to shower, and it can be incredibly invigorating. How do you install one? Below are the steps to follow so you can install a power shower in your home.

What Is A Power Shower?

First, it is important to define exactly what this type of shower is and why you should have one. A power shower combines water from both hot and cold water supplies, with a thermostat controlling the temperature. There is usually a pump inside the box on the wall which can boost the pressure for greater water pressure which is better and faster for feeling brand new and reinvigorated.

Getting Started

You need to turn off the electricity and select where the unit will be positioned and mark the areas where the pipes and cable will go. Next, you will need to scan for cables and wires within the wall before any drilling can commence. Cables should be buried vertically or horizontally in the middle of the switch and unit.

Installation

You will then need to drill holes to connect the water supply and turn the water supply stopcock off and let the cold water run dry so that you can connect a copper pipe to the rising main. You will then need to reconnect the rest of the pipework,and it is a smart move to install a stop valve so that the water can quickly be switched off in the future.

Final Stages

Next, you will need to reconnect the cold water and attach a hosepipe over the end of the pipe. You should then flush the new pipe to see if there are any leaks and check that everything works as it should. This will complete the shower installation, and you will then be free to enjoy this amazing showering experience and admire your handy work. If you have any issues with the installation, it is worth enlisting the help of a specialist.

A power shower can transform your bathroom and even your entire life. There is nothing quite like stepping into the shower first thing in the morning or after a long day; the increased water pressure feels amazing, and it can also help you to feel much more refreshed and invigorated than before. Installation can be straightforward and done by yourself, but many people will feel more comfortable having a professional carry out the work. Either way, this is one of the best upgrades that you can make to the bathroom and should be considered by every homeowner.

Home Improvement

Causes of Residential Water Damage

By Saad Shafiq July 27, 2018

Owning a house is in most cases a great thing. Having a property of your own and being able to do whatever you want there.

However, home ownership is also a responsibility. You need to take care of your house, no matter if you consider it a loved place or a wise investment in the future.

Water damage is just one of the situations you need to keep your eye out for because it can cause quite a lot of damage. What’s particularly problematic about water damage is that sometimes you don’t even notice it before it has already done a lot of damage and caused you financial and material damage.

KIC Restoration Inc. experts offer a brief overview of the most common causes of water damage in homes that you need to be on a lookout for.

Leaky Pipes

There are a lot of pipes going through our homes, leading to every room you want to have water in. However, for one reason or another, these pipes can burst and cause a lot of problems. More often than not, you will be able to detect a problem quickly.

Image By Pixabay

Some people avoid older houses because they expect that the plumbing system won’t be able to keep up with the modern lifestyle. However, it is always good to have an inspectionor ask the previous owners if they have done any work on the pipes.

Pipes rupture mostly due to the deterioration of the material, particularly on the joints, but the cause can also be clogs or high pressure and temperature of water in the system. The pipes outside your house can also be susceptible to damage from freezing and thawing.

Accidents

There is no underlying problem here, jut the clogging which causes the toilet or the bathtub to overfill and cause a flood in the house. Even though it is not considered as serious as other potential issues, it can still do damage to your house, and you still need to take it seriously.

The same thing goes for appliances which use a lot of water, like washing machines and dishwashers. You know the cause and how to stop it, but you do have to act quickly and have the consequences dealt with as soon as possible.

Flash Floods

If your home is in an area which is prone to flash flooding or if that has happened before, you may want to consider flooding insurance. The bottom line is that you can’t really do much to prevent the damage if a flash flood happens.
What you can do is be prepared for a bad situation and ensure that you have some kind of a financial backing to rely on.

When moving to a new house in a new town, this might be a good thing to research before you decide to buy the house and live there.

Roof Problems

Finally, if the roof of your house is not protecting it properly, your house may end up flooded even though everything else is functioning great with your home.

Take a close look at the gutters on the house. If they seem problematic and unsafe, you can try them out by hosing some water into them. The gutters should divert all of the water from your home.

Another roof issue are cracked or missing roof tiles. Even though you may not see it at first, roof damage can cause a lot of flooding and mold problems for you in the future.

Water damage is a very serious problem, but if you take care of your house and have regular maintenance done to it, chances are that you will be fine.

Hotels

These Are the Most Common HVAC Issues That Might Make Your Summer Harder

By Saad Shafiq July 10, 2018

The hotter the summer gets, the busier your local HVAC repair company like Action AC is likely to be. The reason for that is mainly that homeowners usually wait until it’s too late. After all, you’ll feel more motivated to fix your air conditioner if it’s over 100 degrees outside even if you’ve been putting that off for a while.

The second reason is that the hot and humid summer weather increases the likelihood of something going wrong inside your air conditioner. This is why companies encourage homeowners to schedule routine maintenance before the onset of hot temperatures. In some cases, replacing your air conditioner is a better alternative than repairing it.

That’s something you should definitely handle before the summer.

In this article, we’ll list some of the most common issues likely to affect your air conditioner during these hot summer days.

Low Refrigerant

Contrary to what most people believe, running your air conditioner does not deplete its refrigerant reserves. However, leaks in the coils and the refrigerant lines do allow the refrigerant to slowly escape, ultimately leaving your air conditioner low on this crucial component.

This leads to a low refrigerant charge. If the air conditioner does not have enough refrigerant it will have a hard time cooling the air in your home. This will cause it to run longer, consume more energy, overheat and in some cases break down.

To fix this issue, an experienced technician should detect and seal the leaks. Then they will add a fresh supply of refrigerant.

Obstructed Air Flow

There are several reasons why the air flow in your air conditioner might be obstructed. One of the most common issues technicians deal with is vegetation growing around the outdoor unit, preventing the heat from escaping. This could quickly lead to overheating and will definitely cause your air conditioner to run inefficiently.

The second common issue experts are faced with are dirty air filters. Homeowners’ rarely think about replacing the air filter, but the more your air conditioner runs the dirtier the filter gets. This ultimately leads to a filter so dirty that it completely blocks the air flow. This is why it’s important to replace it at least once a month during the summer or however often your user manual suggests.

Finally, if you’re having a problem with dirty filters, it’s also worth to inspect your coils as they tend to get dirty as well. Having clean coils means the air can keep moving freely over them, cooling your home efficiently.

Electrical Malfunctions

Some of the electrical parts of the HVAC are more susceptible to damage during the hot summer days. For example, be careful when using the weed whacker around the outdoor unit, as it can clip the wires or damage the fins.
The capacitor is the component most susceptible to damage. If your unit is not properly maintained, it could easily overheat from the increased workload or exposure to the sun.

Compressor Breakdown

The issues mentioned on this list are usually easily fixable, but if not taken care of promptly could lead to the most common and most serious issue on this list: compressor failure. Poor airflow, overheating, electrical issues or low refrigerant charge could all push the compressor over its limits, leading to its complete breakdown.
That is why you need to get in touch with a licensed repair company as soon as you notice any signs there might be something wrong with the air conditioner such as uneven cooling, unusual sounds or anything else out of the ordinary.

Image by Pixabay

Compressor failure could be really expensive to repair, which is why you should have your air conditioner frequently checked, at least twice a year during the spring and summer before periods of extensive use.

Home Improvement

5 Common Ways Termites Enter Your Home and How to Get Rid of Them

By Saad Shafiq April 26, 2018

Termites are known as colony pests, which are of five different kinds. Their main source of food is cellulose, so each house faces the risk of termite attack. The main types of termite we usually find in our homes are Formosa, cone head, dry wood, subterranean and damp wood. Termite attack not only ruins your home, it can ruin your pocket too. The excessive damage caused by them sometimes require costly repairs.

We have a wrong perception that cold weather can hamper the termite’s activities, but, termite activities do not depend on weather. Certain things attract them towards our house.

In Houston Texas, especially in the eastern region homeowners regularly face this problem. During spring when the termites mate they move to new areas where they can create new colonies. So, pest control in Houston is quite a profitable business, if you are having trouble in finding good pest control services in Houston, you can google and get many results for pest control houston.

Here are some actual circumstances which attract termites:

Cellulose and Wood Material: Termites usually depends on newspaper, firewood, lumber and various other cellulose materials to feed themselves.
Blocking of Termite: Make sure you are not storing most of this stuff in areas that are easily accessible to termites (like the foundation of your home). Throw away all of the decomposed firewood as well as lumber, because these things are a heaven for termites to live.
Storage Units: This area is another perfect habitat for termites. Here they can easily feed themselves well and can access other areas of your storage units easily.

Some blocking tips are:

Instead of using wood make sure you are using a metal stand for your storage unit.
Put the unit away from your wall.
Dark, warm, places: Moist, dark peaceful places are preferred by termites, like crawling spaces or air condition etc.

Some preventing measures:

By arranging frequent home inspection as well as evaluating your home for sources of moisture, you can lower the level of moisture at the crawling spaces inside your home.
Clothing: Your laundry room needs some focus too. Clothes are usually prepared with a cotton material, that has cellulose, one of the main attractions for termites.

Averting Options:

When you are decorating your laundry room, make sure you have put the laundry little above the ground as well as away from the wall.

Soil is full of moisture: Moisture is something which attracts termites a lot. Generally, you can find quite a lot of moisture in the soil where the foundation of your home exists.

Some Averting Tips Are:

Make sure you are trying your best to keep the soil next to your foundation dry by replacing all the flaws in your pipes as well as your faucets. Ensure that your house has a good drainage system and well-functioning splash blocks, gutters etc. Install your irrigation and sprinkler in such a way that it has very minimum water accretion near your home foundation.

Various things like cardboard boxes, buried scrap, tree stumps, untreated fence posts etc. can get infected by termites, so frequent inspection of your foundation, structure, porches are highly recommended. However, there are various products available in the market for effective termite treatment. However, you need to use it carefully especially if you have kids or any animals.

Here are some indicators of termite affliction, which might help you to get some ideas:

Getting mud tubes (almost the size of a pencil) installed in places where your home meets the ground, or you can put them near other likable food sources like sheds or trees etc.
Finding abandoned wings near closed doors or windows.
Looking for signs of wood destruction behind or even below the surfaces, like floors or on walls combined with a maze-like tunnel layout in woods. Also, you need to look for tiny holes in plaster or even in the drywall to confirm a termite attack.

Featured Image Source: Flickr

Home Exterior

Easy to Use Pest Control Tips at Home with the Terminix Professionals

By Saad Shafiq January 25, 2018

Professional Pest Control:

If you are dealing with a pest control problem, the best thing to do is call a trained exterminator. Terminix has been in the business of pest control for over 90 years and employs professionals for all kinds of pests. Here are some of the top pest control tips for working with Terminix:

Getting In Touch:

Terminix has a great, easy-to-navigate website that can help you get in touch with a professional in your area. The website also offers plenty of other useful information to help you prepare your home for the exterminators.

The Initial Visit:

In some cases, a Terminix professional may schedule an initial visit to assess the situation before formulating a plan of action. Terminix has pros who can deal with a variety of pests, but the process itself will vary depending on the nature of the pest and the size of your home. Terminix also offers free estimates and can perform a home pest inspection to help ensure that your home is protected.

The Process:

The process will vary depending on the type of pest in your house. If you have cockroaches, for instance, a Terminix professional will spray your home. If you have raccoons, traps can be set or other methods employed to get the critters out of your home safely. Ranging from bugs to rodents, there are many unwanted guests that Terminix can help rid your home of.

Follow-Ups and Protection:

Image by Flickr

In addition to your service, Terminix also offers a variety of home safety measures to ensure that the pests will not return. This can include securing chimneys and drain pipes. If you’ve had unwanted critters move into your home, you can be sure that the pest is as good as gone when you turn to Terminix.

Home Exterior

Try Before You Buy: Reasons to Get to The Humble Open House

By Saad Shafiq January 18, 2018

Are you building a house but overwhelmed by the choice on offer? Design blogs and Pinterest are valuable sources of information but after you’ve gotten a few ideas, step out and visit some display villages and open houses. Its great to see ideas like décor and finishes in action so visit a mix of established homes and display homes that are for sale. By getting a feel for a variety of spaces, you can begin to compare different design concepts (or lack there of), different fixtures and use of colors.

Image by Pixabay

A primary aspect to look out for is block orientation, so aim to visit homes that have a house facing a similar direction to what you intend to build – this can play a large role in the use of natural light. Take note of light wells, sky lights and other things that have been built in to suit the specific orientation. On this note, investigate how these homes regulate their thermal mass. Air-conditioning and artificial heating may be on your wish list, but you can improve passive solar design beyond the minimum standards at the design stage so you rely less on electricity to regulate temperatures. Whether it is keeping a home warm in a cold, snowy winter or allowing for adequate fresh air circulation in summer, you want to be able to get into bed of an evening without blasting the ducted or split systems.

Image by Pixabay

Another thing to take note of is storage options including utility rooms such as broom closets, wet rooms, wardrobes, laundries and even butler’s pantries. Your new home may not necessarily have all of these features, but knowing what they can offer and seeing them in the flesh is a good way to begin assessing your needs in a new home. A busy, outdoor family for example may benefit from a wet room with access to the front or rear outdoor area to ensure that dirt and sporting equipment need not be carted through the house. Another handy space to think about is called a command center. Unless you don’t mind having a hall or entry table that becomes a little bit of a dumping ground, having a space dedicated to miscellaneous items that accrue during the week is very useful. Ideally find a set time each week where random paperwork and odd bits and pieces will be sorted through, addressed, or disposed of.

Image by Pixabay

While display homes can lack in the décor department, you can still get a sense of paint and room configuration from even the most minimalist or generic of designs. Established homes, however is where you really see a diversity in styling. Take note whether certain rooms stand alone or if they all blend with the rest of the home. Neither is right or wrong, but knowing your preference will save you money when it comes to styling your own space. Perhaps color accents are used throughout the house or even certain fixtures like door handles or types of shelving. Happy designing!