Guest Post - Getting the Most Out of Your Small Space

The average house size in the U.S. is growing. In the early 1970s, the average size was 1,660 square feet. As of 2015, that had jumped to 2,687 square feet for newly-constructed homes. But, many people are still moving into smaller, pre-existing homes. Some are even downsizing and jumping on the tiny house trend. 

If you’re one of those people, getting the most out of your small space is important. Living a minimalistic-yet-functional lifestyle is completely possible, even if you’re short on space. 

To make the most of your space, there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind. Thankfully, you don’t have to be a design expert to bring these tricks to life. With a bit of time, effort, and creativity, you can get more out of your small space – and may even make it feel bigger. 

So, what can you do to maximize your minimal space?

Making Your Space Functional 

To get the most out of your space, it needs to be both a functional and stylish reflection of your personality. This means choosing the right way to arrange your furniture and decorate. One of the best ways to do that is to consider the natural flow of each room. 

Consider practicing Feng Shui for your small rooms. The principle of this practice focuses on the connections between people and their spaces. The idea is that the way you arrange a room can affect things like: 

• Your relationships

• Creativity

• Prosperity

• Wealth

Some people don’t necessarily believe in those principles, but the practice of Feng Shui can make a room more functional. For example, putting your dining table in the center of the room can add a more open, flowing feel. Turning the backs of the chairs in your living room away from doors can allow people to see a bigger space with more open opportunities when they walk in. 

In addition to organizing your furniture and decor the right way, the colors and designs you choose for each room can make a difference. Using different shades of the same color in a room can make it seem bigger. Painting your ceiling a darker color will draw people’s attention upward and make the room feel higher. 

When you allow your design preferences to mesh with functionality, you can create more inviting, open spaces throughout your home – even if some of those “tricks” only provide the illusion of more space. 

Setting Up a Successful Storage Space

The last thing you want is a small space that is cluttered and disorganized. Having things on the floor or out of place can make any room seem smaller and doesn’t allow you to utilize it to its full potential. Even your basement can quickly become a more functional area of your home if you choose to rethink the way you store things. 

When you know how to store things the right way, you can continue to make smart purchases that bring you joy. You don’t have to give up everything just because you’re dealing with a small space. Instead, consider where you’ll put new items and how they’ll contribute to your existing space. Practice mindfulness with your purchases, especially if you are a collector, and ask yourself a few questions, including: 

• Am I getting a good deal?

• Will this item increase in value?

• Will it bring me joy?

• Where will I put it?

• What will I have to get rid of to make room for it?

By purchasing things that are valuable to you in some way, you’re more likely to store them practically. That might include building shelves or cupboards. You might even have an organization system somewhere with bins and boxes that are neatly hidden away to free up more space. It’s also a good idea to think outside the box – literally. When you don’t have much space, getting creative with your storage solutions can be a lifesaver. Try things like: 

• Hanging items on walls

• Making vertical cabinets

• Using “hidden storage” furniture

• Sliding things under furniture

You don’t have to give up a certain lifestyle or things that you want just because you have a small space. When you’re willing to make a few changes and be creative about your storage, decor, and design, you can get the most out of your small space and be perfectly content with what you have. 

Author Bio: Noah Rue is a freelance writer.

Roofing Trends Gaining Popularity in 2021

Roofing trends are all about to change in the next few years. Whether you’re building a new home or looking to update your roof, be sure to check out some of these new trends and technologies to see which look is best for you!

Solar Energy

Many families are moving toward solar energy roofs that will power homes. Solar panels can work for many homes, but they are especially great for areas with high levels of sunlight or hot climates. They can heat water and even cool down your home on hot summer days! 

Green Roofing

Green roofing is a popular choice for homeowners in 2021. This style of roofing involves covering your existing roof with vegetation. The plants can grow in the strong layer of your roof and get all of the sunlight they need.

Green roofs are very sturdy and can withstand quite a bit of weight. They are also very aesthetically pleasing and can add value to your home. If you’re looking to build a new home or update your roof, consider green roofing!

Metal Roofing

Metal roofs are already popular with homeowners. However, in the next five years, we’ll see an even greater demand as they become more accepted. Thanks to their durability and innovative designs, metal roofing has been used across all styles of homes for several decades.

They are a stylish and more energy-efficient option for those who want a roof that lasts longer than many other roof materials. Consider looking into this if you want a unique roof for your home.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles have been popular for years and are still going strong. Since they’ve been around for a long time, roofers are getting more creative with these to make them a little different every year. According to experts, new asphalt shingle products will be water and mold-resistant with added durability as well.

These shingles won’t only reduce wear-and-tear, but they’ll also stay beautiful longer than ever before. We can expect to see even more innovative designs of asphalt shingles in 2021 and beyond.

Cooling Technology

Cooling roofs are becoming very popular in 2021. If you’re building a home or hoping to update your roof, consider this new technology. The cooling effect comes from a special material that can block infrared rays and absorb sunlight. This factor makes your roofing surface cool and allows your AC to run less, thus saving you money!

There are a lot of exciting new roofing innovations on the horizon. If you’re building or remodeling your home, be sure to plan for these trends, as they will surely change how we approach roofing in the future.

Want a New Look for Your Home? How to Switch Up Your Roofing

You realize that the roof of your home is one of the first things that people notice about the home when they drive up to it. If you are interested in giving your home a new look, you should know that simply changing the roof can affect the look of the whole place.

Consider New Shingles for the Roof

If you are thinking that you might be selling your home soon and you want to change the look of the place first, simply changing out the color of shingles on your roof can help with things. Whether you are changing your home for yourself or potential buyers, purchasing shingles in a color that is different from the one currently on your home can make the home look like a new place.

Consider a Metal Roof Option

There are many metal roofing options, and metal roofs not only change the way that a home looks but they are durable and easy to maintain. You might consider putting a metal roof on your home to give it an updated look, and you can choose from different colors and materials when it comes to the metal roof option that you use.

Look Into Clay Roof Tiles

If you want your home to stand out from all others in your neighborhood, you might consider putting clay tiles on the roof. This is a roofing option that gives a home a look that is unique, and clay tiles come in reds, browns, and grays. You can find tiles that will look right with the siding on your home, and you should know that clay tile roofing can help regulate the temperature inside your home.

Make Sure You Are Using the Right Roofing Team

If you have decided that you want to give your home a new look by changing up its roof, you need to make sure that you have found the right team to handle the job. You need to make sure that the new roof will be installed correctly and that those you are hiring know how to use the specific roofing material that you have chosen for your home.

A new roof is a good idea when your old roof has started to get worn out or when it is damaged, but a new roof is also a good idea when you simply want to change the look of your home.

Guest Post - 5 Creative Café Décor Tips That Will Help You Create a Wonderful Ambience

Cafés are often the places where people go to spend time with their friends and loved ones, enjoy some delicious coffee and food, or even spend time working in a pleasant environment. For these reasons, it’s only logical that your café needs to be more than just a simple eatery; it has to be a comfortable and inviting space any customer can enjoy. To that end, here are some of the best café interior design tips that will allow you to create the ideal atmosphere in your space:

Think about the layout

Before you start thinking about the decor, you need to consider the intended layout of your café, as good space planning is essential for ensuring your customers can freely and comfortably move throughout the interior. So, make sure the café doesn’t feel overcrowded, taking into account the table placements, the seating arrangements, as well as any order and pick-up queue spacing.

For instance, features of modern industrial styles often include minimal furniture that is spaced out as sparsely as possible, and that might be a great inspiration for any functional café interior. Another thing you might want to consider is creating some private nooks and corners, thus catering to both the social and the more private customers.

Select the right color palette

The color palette of your café interior is another aspect that could greatly impact both your customers and the overall atmosphere in your space. To choose the most ideal color scheme for your interior, it would be best to ask yourself what message you wish your café to convey, and how you would like your customers to behave in your space.

For example, if you’re looking for a calm and soothing look that’s still warm and inviting, a neutral color palette in lighter hues could be a great choice. If you wish to make your café more cheerful and fun, on the other hand, brighter shades like yellow and orange can be wonderful options, being good appetite stimulants as well.

Invest in quality furniture

Furniture is an incredibly important aspect of café interior design, as it allows you to create a stronger and more cohesive decor theme, while also relating the theme to your customers more efficiently. For instance, if you’re aiming for a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere where customers could work or chat for hours, sofas and lounges combined with cozy armchairs might be the best option.

On the other hand, if you own a more Italian-style café where customers are expected to stop over for a quick cuppa, wooden chairs, bar stools, and smaller square tables might be a better option. No matter what you choose, it’s always recommended to invest in high-quality pub furniture that is as durable as it is attractive, to ensure your café decor looks perfect for years to come.

Opt for good lighting

Regardless of the overall theme or the design of your café, lighting is a crucial aspect of any interior, helping to create the desired mood and ambiance, apart from providing comfortable light for reading, chatting, and eating. For that reason, including as much natural light as possible is always advised, which could be achieved by opting for glass doors and windows at the entrance of your café.

For the evenings or those interiors that don’t have the option of including plenty of natural light, soft and warm artificial lighting is always advised. When it comes to fixtures, you could choose the perfect chandelier as the centerpiece, and then pair it with smaller wall lights or recessed lighting for a cozier atmosphere.

Consider the ambiance

While anything from the lighting to the colors and the decor might help to set the right mood, there are some additional aspects you could include to create the perfect ambiance. For example, accessories such as decorative pillows and throw blankets, or even smaller area rugs, could all add a touch of coziness and warmth to your space.

Background music can also be an important factor in creating the right atmosphere, helping to make your customers happier and more relaxed, and your employees more productive. For instance, rock music might help to raise appetite and encourage customers to leave faster, emptying tables more quickly, while soft classical music might help to increase the desire for sophisticated drinks and refined foods.

Creating the perfect atmosphere in a café can often be a difficult task. But as long as you find the right balance between the necessary interior design aspects and the message you wish to convey, your customers will surely have a positive and pleasant experience in your café.

About the author: Mike Johnston is an experienced blogger and editor with a background in creative writing and digital media. He’s a regular contributor to numerous online publications where he writes primarily about real estate, construction, home improvement, and interior design.