Guest Post - 5 Ways to Balance Space and Style in Your Home

Now that the market is more active than ever, consumerism is at an all-time high. Thanks to bright entrepreneurs and the latest technological advancements, businesses across all sectors are continuously able to produce a myriad of products. While the constant entrance of new goods may be a good thing for the economy, rapid consumption has led to a lot of people buying too many things.  

If you’re living in a small home, having too much stuff can be a bit troubling. Considering that your space is limited, fitting everything in your apartment while making it look appealing can feel like such an impossible task. The good news is, you can solve this issue by taking note of some simple design tips.

To help you fit, say, your breakfast equipment with your other home essentials, our guide will teach you how to create sensible spaces without sacrificing your desire for a stylish home.

1. Live and breathe minimalism

The first step to balancing your home’s function and appeal is to tweak your mindset. Now that buying products can be done as quickly as a click, you’ll need to practice restraint and prevent yourself from impulse shopping. While an online sale may tempt you to splurge, make it a point to ask yourself if you truly need the things you’re getting. 

The best way to avoid a messy home is to prevent clutter from filling it. With this in mind, practicing minimalism is ideal since it will keep your space tidy and help you save up for more important items. 

2. Designate zones 

One good way to know which item goes where is to designate zones. Keeping your work essentials in your bedroom may be convenient, but it can eventually lead to a messy living space. Creating partitions will help you specify where a particular piece of furniture should be placed, and this can be productive in several ways. Other than giving your home a stronger sense of order, assigning a certain function to an area will make a huge difference in your overall productivity.

3. Remember that smaller isn’t always better

People who live in an apartment tend to settle with smaller furniture and belongings. While going for tinier pieces can let you save up a great deal of space, it can have the opposite effect on your home’s overall ambiance. Too many cups, tables, and knick-knacks can create visual clutter and this can prevent you from making your space look clean.

With that said, always remember that smaller isn’t always better. As long as you measure the things you’re buying and space things out in advance, you shouldn’t hesitate to buy big furniture and other statement pieces for your home. A big couch in your living room will look and feel a lot better as compared with dozens of small chairs just scattered around.  

4. Follow a specific color scheme

Following a color scheme doesn’t necessarily solve your spacing issue but it can make all the difference in your home’s atmosphere. Matching colors can add a sense of unity within all your household items and spice up your apartment significantly. Paired with excellent lighting, this should help you emphasize certain areas of your home and make your living quarters look a lot bigger.

5. Purchase multi-functional furniture

When selecting furniture, make sure that the pieces you’re buying can serve multiple functions. Tables that have drawers, couches that have storage areas, and coffee tables with hidden compartments are ideal since they all reduce the number of things in your home. At the same time, getting pieces that are upright or vertical will significantly increase your floor space and allow you to store your belongings more efficiently.

Try these tips and let us know how it worked for you!

Author Bio

Marla Mendoza is the Marketing Manager of Filigree. She has been handling the marketing and communication initiatives for the high end brand of Filinvest Alabang Inc. Prior to managing the brand, she was in charge of focused residential and township developments. Marla has been in the marketing industry for over 10 years both in the hospitality and real estate industry.

Alternatives To Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring exudes class and elegance and is the preferred flooring choice for many. They also happen to be very expensive. So, let us take a look at some of the alternatives to hardwood flooring.

For those of you who are familiar with the topic, you realize that hardwood flooring is a top pick, yet hardwood doesn't work for all conditions nor all budgets. In this way, I needed to give my main 3 options in contrast to hardwood flooring. A part of these alternatives will settle issues or concerns you may have with hardwood (for example water/dampness) and a few areas, and some will save you a lot of money… and some will do both. 

Likewise, in the event that you are a good DIY-er, you might have the option to set aside cash by installing these items yourself. 

Low Cost Alternatives to Hardwood Flooring 

There are numerous reasons that hardwood may not work for you. It could basically be that you need a more affordable other option, or an item that you can install yourself so you can get a good deal. Or on the other hand, you may require an item that is waterproof or impervious to humidity. Or on the other hand, you might be installing in an area where strong hardwood isn't exactly supported, or there may not be sufficient tallness for strong hardwood. Or then again, you may have a solid subfloor and simply need an item that can go straightforwardly on top of it. 

Along these lines, below are 3 flooring choices you can utilize. Furthermore, practically every one of them can look like hardwood, and most are more affordable. 

1. Luxury vinyl plank flooring (or designed vinyl planks) 

This is quite possibly the most imaginative item this decade, and I totally love it as it looks so acceptable and is so adaptable. Luxury vinyl planks (at times called Engineered vinyl planks or luxury vinyl) are planks that closely resemble genuine hardwood, yet they are WATERPROOF! Indeed, waterproof! Thus, they are extraordinary for zones in the house that may get humid or somewhat wet (for example kitchens, cellars, powder rooms). 

2. Wood look tiles 

These have been around for some time and are an incredible alternative on the off chance that you need a wood look, yet in addition need something waterproof. They've gotten very famous, so they are currently around in an assortment of shades, surfaces and styles. Some even look rusty or handscraped. 

They are a top choice for some in kitchens, gateways, mudrooms, restrooms and cellars. They are particularly well known in warm atmospheres as they keep your space cooler in the hotter months. In cooler atmospheres, they can be cold on your feet, so these tiles are normally installed in more modest territories or over radiant heat. 

In case you're searching for grays or white washes, these tiles furnish incredible alternatives as they start with a white base, so they can get a genuine clean white or dark look (contrasted with hardwood floors which are additionally testing to restore gray given the yellow and pinkish tones in genuine hardwood). 

In the event that you have a solid subfloor that is even, tiles are moderately simple to install as they can go straightforwardly on top of cement. Also, in case you're keen on introducing a lot of  warmth, tiles are the best flooring surface for this as they lead the warmth best (and accordingly are generally effective). 

3. Laminate flooring 

Laminate floors benefits are more affordable than hardwood, so in case you're truly going for "inexpensive," this is the best approach. Laminate flooring is interactive (so it's a drifting floor) and can be installed effectively on top of tile or solid flooring (as long as you add an underlayment). 

If you don't mind, note that laminate floorings are NOT waterproof. Truth be told, they quickly retain dampness – like a wipe or cardboard. They also range vastly in quality and costs. The more costly ones look better and are more solid, yet they do cost more… and by then, you are presumably better moving up to an item like luxury vinyl planks which are waterproof… or genuine hardwood flooring. 

Yet, most laminate flooring that you'll see, particularly in big retail stores, are on the lower end, and they don't hold up so well (they regularly delaminate), and they look and sound more phony. Be that as it may, as I stated, in case you're searching for the least expensive alternative, this is the best approach. In case you're searching for the best worth alternative and can spend somewhat more, I'd urge you to think about other different choices.

Tips for Creating More Kitchen Storage

Many similarities exist between homeowners and renters when comparing some of the common issues that both groups face. One of these problems is the difficulty in finding a way to organize everything so that it properly fits within the home. This is especially challenging in a room like a kitchen that constantly has items filtering in and out with such regularity. Here are several tips for creating more kitchen storage.

Use Hooks

Hooks are good for hanging more than coats in the kitchen. They can be used to hang things like potholders and mugs to allow for additional storage in the drawers and cupboards where they would otherwise reside.

Built-in Cutting Boards

The inclusion of a cutting board into the countertops can be a great addition for many homeowners. Not only does it allow for a much simpler storage solution, but it also adds functionality to a space that might be otherwise underutilized.

Add a Spice Rack

A spice rack is a great addition to any kitchen because it performs three important roles. The first is that it creates additional room in your cabinets. The second is function because it is easier to find your spices. Lastly is the aesthetic appeal of the spice rack.

Use Risers

You can use risers on your counters and in your cabinets to add vertical storage. Risers make it easier to keep items separated and easier to grab from a stack.

Baskets and Bins

Baskets and bins work great for decoration and function within a kitchen. They keep items organized in the pantry and on the countertops, helping to reduce clutter.

Use Countertops

One of the most common kitchen mistakes people make is not taking full advantage of their countertops. Try to remember the “work triangle” compromised of the sink, refrigerator, and oven, which is where we spend most of our time when working in the kitchen.

Door Hangers

Door hangers can be added throughout the kitchen to add storage to the back of the cabinet and pantry doors. These can hold things like pans or lids in your cupboards as well as providing additional storage in your refrigerator.

Lazy Susan

The addition of a small lazy Susan to your pantry or kitchen table does everything from keeping spices from overtaking an area to allowing easier access to your drawers. It can also be used under the kitchen sink to make finding cleaning products easier.

Throw Things Away

No compilation of tips for creating more kitchen storage would be complete without advice on throwing items away. Stay on top of expiration dates for the food in your kitchen. The same goes for any medication that is kept in the room. Lastly, pitch any cooking or baking materials that appear cracked, broken, or that are no longer being used.

New Plumbing Features You Can Add to Your Kitchen to Increase Value

As you know if you’re at all familiar with real estate, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms when it comes to determining the value of a home. Today’s buyers are looking for convenience, aesthetic appeal, and modern features. While countertops and cabinets get a lot of attention, plumbing fixtures are just as important aspect of a contemporary kitchen. From washing dishes to cooking a meal, all the typical tasks in a kitchen require water and proper drainage. That’s why, if you’re looking to create a more valuable kitchen, these plumbing features are a great place to start.

A Drain in the Floor

Kitchens are subject to plenty of spills, and sometimes it can be a real pain to clean up a mess. When your kitchen has a drain in the floor, you’ll no longer have to get down on your knees to wipe up a spilled liquid. All you’ll have to do is splash some water on the floor and then use a mop to push it down the drain.

A Stop Tab Beneath the Kitchen Sink

You never know when something could go wrong with your dishwasher or pipes. When a sudden problem arises, it’s nice to have the option of shutting down the water to your kitchen. A stop tab might not be a flashy improvement project, but it will undoubtedly increase the value of your home.

A Retractable Hose Within the Sink

Cleaning pots and pans becomes a lot easier when you’ve got a retractable hose with a high powered sprayer. This is a basic amenity that many buyers will expect your kitchen to have. Once you’ve gotten accustomed to using one, no kitchen sink will seem complete without it.

A Food Waste Disposal System

Whenever you’re cleaning up after a meal, a decent amount of food waste winds up in the drain. In a typical kitchen, this waste must be scooped up and thrown in the trash, lest it block the plumbing system’s narrow pipes. A disposal system is an awesome feature that seriously changes the equation. It’s a major project that often requires the installation of wider drainage pipes, but it makes cleaning dishes a whole lot easier.

These projects will make your kitchen more functional and increase the value of your home. Call in a local professional in residential plumbing, and you’ll have a revamped kitchen in no time.