Design trends this year included bold, rich paint colors and great textures. Those elements are the perfect base for gorgeous Christmas decor.

Keep reading for three simple ways you can incorporate some great Christmas decor trends this year.

Add a Pop of Color

Purple made a splash on runways this year and you can bring this fashion trend into your Christmas decor with a few accent pieces. Combining purple balls in matte tones along with glittering gold decorations will add a fresh twist to your winter look.

Add Warmth with Candles and Layers

Use lighting, candles, and textures to add warmth. Christmas lights with gold tones will warm up windows and candles add ambiance on window sills and tables.

Add a cozy feeling with rugs, blankets, and pillows with a variety of textures.

Nature-Inspired Decor

A popular Christmas decor trend this year involves using natural elements to add texture and interest to any room. Use wood, burlap, and other natural elements for decorations that are on-trend and classic at the same time.

Check out this post from The Design Tourist for inspiration!

(This post is brought to you by New Leaf Cabinets.)

Budgeting for your kitchen remodeling doesn’t have to be a bad situation. And you certainly don’t have to break the bank to get it done. Many people assume that they have to spend upwards of $20,000 for a kitchen remodeling, but the truth is, you can enhance the appearance of your kitchen on the cheap—without compromising quality of the kitchen’s integrity. If you’re looking to make some changes in your home—and increase your home value—here are six budgeting tips for a kitchen makeover.

Create a Budget

This first tip may seem like the most obvious one, but it’s the tip that’s most often ignored. Sticking to a budget is much harder than you think. Some homeowners falsely assume that, because they’re buying and remodeling inexpensively, they don’t have to keep up with the costs. But as you might have already learned from going to low-cost department stores like Target, the little things add up. Take a look at your income, your bills, and decide home much you can afford to spend. Use budgeting apps to help you keep track of your budget along the way.

Be Smart About Your Backsplash

Your backsplash is functional and visually appealing. After all, a tiled backsplash can prevent you from having to spend thousands replacing walls that may become water damaged from condensation and grime in this area. Depending on your kitchen, this is an area where your eyes might be naturally drawn to. One of the most important budgeting decisions you’ll make is choosing what tiles to use. High-end tile will, of course, cost more money, but you can save by purchasing a tile product that has been discounted, answering ads on seller marketplaces like Craigslist, or purchasing the leftover tiles that weren’t use for a different project.

Don’t Forget About the Lighting

The lighting in your kitchen can completely change the ambiance of your space. Overhead lighting should be bright to help you concentrate on your kitchen’s cooking areas. Under-cabinet lighting is also a great addition that won’t hurt your budget, but will prove very effective and functional in your kitchen.

For your primary lighting source, consider track lighting over recessed lighting, which costs more and is a time-consuming, laborious project. Because holes will need be cut into the ceiling, you’ll have to consider the costs of adding electrical wiring—and the hidden costs associated with repairing the ceiling.

Think About Your Counters & Cabinetry

Choosing the perfect kitchen cabinets and counters isn’t easy, as these are the focal point of your kitchen. When guests walk into your kitchen, they make first impressions based on this. As such, it should be a priority in your remodeling efforts. If you already have good cabinetry, you could simply add new doors and hardware and retain the frame. You could also save money by painting or spray painting your current doors, and simply installing new hardware pieces.

A good paint job always makes an incredible difference. For outdated cabinets that are still in good condition, consider painting them white and then priming them with a semi-gloss. White cabinetry also makes a space feel bigger and brighter than it actually is.

When you’re trying to save money, it’s important to know when to renovate and when to replace. “A full renovation of cabinets involves removing the cabinet frames and starting from scratch,” says New Leaf, a maker of kitchen cabinets and countertops in Tacoma WA. “Of course, this will cost more, but it’s often necessary when you realize that simple coat of paint won’t hide the damages and wear and tear of your cabinetry.”

Work With Your Plumbing

Each time your move your appliances, you’re likely going to add another $5,000 to your budget. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, do your best to work with your current layout—especially when it comes to your piping and utilities. You may, however, choose to decide on new appliances, which can complement all the changes that you’ve made to the kitchen. Many department stores offer stellar appliances on credit, and of course there are warehouses where you can find cheaper, high-quality appliances, too. This property blog will help you on more cool kitchen remodeling ideas.

Add or Renovate an Island

An island can do wonders for the overall appearance of your space. It doesn’t interfere with the preparation areas, creates more seating, and is also great for having help in the kitchen and turning the space into an efficient cooking area and social space. If your kitchen is already equipped with an island, you can give it a new look. If you want to install an island from scratch, you can expect to pay anywhere between $800 to $5,000—but it will likely be a worthwhile investment. To save a bit of money, consider using a butcher block countertop instead of traditional granite and the more expensive stone options.

(This post is brought to you by G&B Tile and Plaster.)

Let’s face it: it’s easy to get bored with your backyard. Unless you have a particular knack for gardening, you might stop taking care of your yard entirely. But it is possible to bring your backyard back to life and turn it into something special. Here are a few ways to revitalize the prime real estate behind your home.

Build a Pool

Imagine the perfect American home.

If you placed your abode in the West or the South, there’s a good chance it includes a pool. It’s a sign of luxury. Having a pool is also an easy way to connect with your friends and family during the hot summer months.

A pool is also a huge expense. Building a pool on your property will increase its value but you won’t see that money until you move out. You’ll have to take care of the initial cost upfront.

You need to search for pool plaster companies until you find one that can boast features like best replastering process available hydroblasting with a 40,000 PSI UHP Water Jetting Machine.

Add Rocks

A desert-style landscape not only looks amazing, it’s easy to maintain. (Leaving you with more time to lounge by that pricey pool.)

To complete your backyard style change, consider adding rocks. There will be an upfront cost, but you’ll save money and time over the years when you don’t have to mow your yard.

If you want to get the ultimate rock look, think about hiring a professional landscaper.

Get Social

To fall in love with your backyard, you need to create new memories. Make the most out of your space by hosting a BBQ or party. Invite your friends and family over and have a blast.

And don’t wait until everything is “perfect” to enjoy your outdoor spaces—you can have people over at any stage of your backyard development. People who love you won’t care what your property looks like. They’ll want to hang out with you.

Hire a Professional

Sometimes, you need a professional touch to get the results you want. A professional landscaper or gardener can completely transform your outdoor space. There are a couple of different ways to go about this.

If your backyard needs a complete overhaul, your best bet is to hire a landscaper and plan for a big project. You may never work with this person again after the work is complete. You’re not looking for someone to maintain your yard, just to make changes that you can’t make on your own.

If you’re happy with the way your yard looks overall but you’re battling problems like creeping weeds and dead grass, you can hire a crew to come a few times a month to keep everything in line.

Decorate

Great lighting, patio furniture, decorations will liven up your backyard. You may find some treasures for a bargain at garage sales and online shops.

If you have kids, you can focus on things like swing sets, basketball hoops, and tree houses. Some of their favorite childhood memories may be made in your back yard.

Don’t let concerns about a lack of design skills keep you from making your backyard into one of the best parts of your home.

Trust and proven expertise should be the most important factors when choosing professionals to work in your home– and if you are facing a major remodel project finding the right general contractor can make all the difference.

Taking on a “Fixer Upper”

When my husband and I purchased a house on an acreage, about 50 minutes from Boise, Idaho, we knew there was a reason we got a great price: It needed to be fully renovated before we could call it home.

At the time we were living in Taiwan and preparing to move back to the US the next year. I immediately started doing my homework to figure out how much this was going to cost– and hoping I would manage to find the right people to do everything that needed to be done. One of my first moves was to price out kitchen cabinets and countertops at Ikea. (That’s a chain store you can find all over the world!) I was in the process of trying to get prices on installation when I decided to send Trudy Mallon, with Mallon Homes, a message asking about the average price of a kitchen installation in the Boise real estate market. Her estimate for the entire project was similar to what I had calculated materials alone would cost. We scheduled a meeting to go over the house to discuss our needs and wants during our next trip to the US.

Expertise Makes a Difference

We jumped at the chance to have Tim and Trudy Mallon take a look at our home for two reasons: 1) We’d met them through church years ago and know they are passionate about their work. 2) We’d enjoyed touring their homes during the annual “Parade of Homes” in the Boise area. What we didn’t realize is how quickly an expert could tell us what needed to happen– and what it would cost.

The house came with a 1,200 square foot attached garage– with a wooden floor. Because of the construction method used we weren’t convinced cars could safely drive into the garage. In his first walk through the house, Tim was able to tell us how that space could be turned into a master suite, laundry room, office, and oversized two-car garage with a cement floor.

We immediately saw the value in having a plan to make the house fit our needs (and wants), add value by improving the layout, and avoid having to build a separate garage.

Making Smart Customization Choices

When it was time to pick out interior finishing materials for our home, we took advantage of our builders’ expertise while selecting options that appealed to us. We started by looking at the standard finishes used by the builder and then picked a few special items we wanted to upgrade– and found other areas where we could select a less expensive option so we could stay on budget.

Shopping in December allowed us to get a deal on some materials– like travertine tiles for our master bathroom. We chose a granite our builder was able to get at a steep discount. We also cut costs with some of our lighting choices and splurged on decorative tile for backsplashes.

In the end we spent the same amount we expected originally (when we had intended to do some of the work ourselves) but got a home with nicer finishes than we originally expected.

Do you live in the Boise area or plan to move here soon? If so, be sure to check out the Boise Parade of Homes. And no matter where you live, please comment below let me know where you find your inspiration!

(A big “thank you” to TruGreen for sponsoring this post!)

Even in a seller’s market, you’ll want to take a strategic approach to make sure your home sells as quickly as possible—and for the best price possible.

There are four key elements you can take into consideration when preparing to sell your home.

Curb Appeal

A good first impression will likely have a major impact on whether potential buyers even bother to take a closer look. Most buyers will form a first impression within seconds(seven, to be precise), and this means that how the front of your house and yard looks is crucially important. Things that might help include painting, putting in a new door, adding lighting, and taking care of your lawn.

Timing is Everything

Next on the list is timing. If at all possible, try to put your house on the market during the peak selling months in the spring and summer. Many buyers like to shop when the weather is nicer. Many parents also try to time a home purchase and move over the summer months so their children can be in a new school district before the next academic year starts.

During the fall and winter months, the housing market tends to slow down as kids return to school and the days grow shorter.

Look at Your Neighborhood

Sometimes things that don’t belong to you can have an impact. Cleaning up common areas around your neighborhood can also make your home look more attractive.

Make a Good First Impression Inside the Front Door

As we all know, kitchens can sell houses. However, when it comes to that quick sale, your hallway can be even more important. This almost relates to curb appeal and those first impressions that visitors get as they enter your home. Your hallway is most likely the first thing they will see, so keeping this spacious, free of clutter and in general good condition should be at the top of your to-do list.

(This post brought to you by North Coast Financial Inc.)

Great home staging can make all the difference between a disappointing experience listing a house for sale and experiencing phenomenal success in today’s home market.

Whether you are selling your family residence to upgrade or need to make the most out of your investment property financing, learning to make a home attractive to buyers is well worth the time commitment and reasonable expenses incurred.

Take a look below for some areas you may want to focus on to make the most of your listing.

Exterior and Curb Appeal

In the real estate market, first impressions are incredibly important. Thankfully, proper landscaping can make a huge difference. Be sure to trim back overgrown trees and replace tired plants. If needed, invest in fresh sod.

Also consider whether it would pay to resurface a cracked driveway, add an off-street parking area, and repaint or replace fencing. Don’t forget to also consider the condition of house numbers and the mailbox. Some simple and inexpensive changes can make a big difference.

Make Sure Flooring is in Good Condition

Take a critical look at the flooring. Professionally cleaning, stretching, or replacing carpets may be necessary. Refinishing wood floors will also greatly improve the overall appeal of the house when potential buyers step through the door.

Upgrade the Kitchen

Since it is the heart of the home, the kitchen is one of the best areas to invest in prior to selling a home. That said, be carefully to invest strategically since the sky is the limit when it comes to the amount of money that could go into a kitchen renovation. Smart money can be spent giving it a fantastic facelift by replacing hardware, painting cabinets, and updating lighting.

Renovate Bathrooms

Potential buyers are also attracted to homes with clean, comfortable, bathrooms. Consider replacing an old vanity, cleaning grout, updating hardware, and replacing an old toilet seat. You may also impress budget-conscious home buyers with new fixtures including eco-friendly taps and shower fittings that will conserve water.

Focus on Lighting

A dark, depressing atmosphere is likely to turn away potential buyers. Consider ways to make the most of available natural light and consider investing in new fixtures to give dark areas a light and airy atmosphere.

Maximize Storage

These days home buyers are likely to prefer homes with great storage areas. This is especially important if you’re trying to sell a small house. Great shelving can make even a small home extremely functional—and help buyers imagine how the home could be the perfect fit for their family.

(A big “thank you” to our friends at Get Assist for sponsoring this post!)

The red and orange leaves of autumn are falling as cooler temperatures swallow up the last warmth of summer. With a little hard work, the same yard that hosted backyard cookouts with children running across the lawn can be transformed into an entertaining hotspot during the fall months.

Seating

Why let cooler temperatures drive you inside when you can create warmth and fun outside? How could you make your outdoor space just as inviting as your living room? The solution may be found in comfortable outdoor seating. Purchase a few outdoor couches and chairs where guests can lounge and converse. Make sure you design your seating layout so that small groups of people are encouraged to talk to each other.

 Fire Pit

Consider purchasing or building a fire pit. In the fall fire pits can be ideal gathering places for guests who get chilly. They’re also a built-in party activity. Who doesn’t enjoy roasting hot dogs and smores over an open flame? Check out this website to get some creative recipe ideas that will work for your fire pit.

There are so may things you can do around a fire pit. Try stargazing on a clear night or hosting a game night. Put up a sheet and host an outdoor movie night or organize a cider tasting party complete with appetizers. Be sure to have extra pillows and blankets on hand for guests to use.

Landscaping

So much can be done to maintain and enhance your outdoor space in the fall. Give your lawn one last cut before colder weather sets in. Rake your leaves and shred them to create some free mulch. Check your driveway and your walkways for cracks in the concrete or asphalt and fill them. Apply a sealant to protect these areas from the rain and freezing temperatures. Water your evergreen trees so they don’t risk dehydration in the winter. If you feel like you don’t have the time or the energy to stay on top of your yard maintenance check out Get Assist to find a local professional near you.

Lighting

There’s no reason to come inside when the sun sets. String lights are a festive addition to any outdoor space. Landscape lighting can be added to illuminate walkways and driveways. Outdoor lanterns can add light in dark corners. Don’t party in the dark invest in some quality outdoor lighting.

(A big “thank you” to our friends at SeaLife Cameras for sponsoring this post!)

It’s already August, which means the summer season is flying by. Your Instagram is living proof of what you’ve ticked off of your summer bucket list. It doesn’t matter if you’ve accomplished a decent amount of your to-do or if you haven’t even started yet, there’s still time to amp up your feed! Here are 7 things to take a picture of before summer’s over:

1. A frozen treat

What better way to cool down in the summer than with a frozen treat? Whether it’s a scoop of ice cream melting between two humongous cookies, a nostalgic popsicle from a passing ice cream truck, or a frozen margarita in a fishbowl glass, these summer treats certainly make for a Grammable moment. Capture your frozen delight with a cityscape background or against a white wall for contrast. Make sure it’s a quick photo so it doesn’t melt too quickly!

2. A sunset

It’s always special when you can catch a sunset. We’re in the dog days of summer right now (these hot, sultry days are based on the heliacal rising of the Sirius star), which means you can find some gorgeous sunsets across the United States. Head to a local waterfront to capture the perfect sunset photo. The best part? No filter required.

3. A boat shot

Nothing says summer like taking a ride on a boat. A cool breeze in your hair, the smell of the salt water, and a drink in your hand. When you’re in the depths of winter reminiscing on warmer days, snapshots from boat photos are the ones you’ll look at longingly.

4. Under the sea

Whether you’re snorkeling in the Caribbean or taking a dive in the pool with your friends, get your hands on a SeaLife Camera and snap an underwater photo. These cameras take clear images of photos you wouldn’t be able to capture otherwise. From colorful coral to your best friend’s cannonball, you’ll be guaranteed triple digit likes with an underwater shot.

5. Candid snapshots of your friends and family

Switch up your feed from photos of your summer self and scenery. Instead, post a candid of your friends and family. Catch them while they’re enjoying summertime fun like fishing or swimming. These photos are more natural and more fun to look back on, capturing memories you may not have even realized were being created.

6. The book you’re reading

Book clubs are extremely popular, especially on social media. Many people have been sharing their summer reads with their friends and followers. Snap a photo of your book cover, then share a short synopsis of the book and why you like it. Use the right hashtags so that other bookworms will see what you’re reading.

7. A scene from nature

Not everyone is close to the coast, but that doesn’t mean there is a lack of scenic summer photos to capture. Whether it’s a park, local lake, mountain range, or flower bed, there’s plenty of natural beauty all around you in the summertime. A photo of one of these landscapes adds vibrant imagery to your feed. With outdoor photos, the right lighting is key to taking your photo to the next level.

(A big “thank you” to our friends at American Home Shield for sponsoring this post.)

If you have bought or sold a home recently, you’ve likely stumbled across the term “curb appeal”.

Suffice to say, this is that special something that makes homes sell. And even if you don’t plan to put your home on the market great curb appeal can make your home the pride of the neighborhood.

Thankfully, it’s also often simpler—and less expensive—than big changes and repairs that are sometimes needed for long-term maintenance, or carried out courtesy of home warranty coverage.

Instead, you can focus on small changes that will have an out-sized impact.

Make Your Front Door Welcoming

One thing that you will notice with curb appeal is that you can go as far as you want in a bid to perfect it. In the case of this first suggestion, you can go all-out and buy a completely new door, or you can just add a fresh coat of paint to your existing one.

Both are going to make a monumental difference to your curb appeal, for the simple reason that this is the first thing that people look at. Don’t be a afraid to get a little adventurous with the color either—often an eye-catching color will draw attention for all the right reasons.

Transform Your Night-Time Curb Appeal with Lighting

If you have any sort of yard, don’t hesitate to install lighting. Of course, you shouldn’t be going overboard at this point. Going with big lights will likely spoil the effect.

The trick with outdoor lighting is to be as subtle as possible. This might mean adding some tiny lights alongside the path to the front door, or even concealing a light in a tree just to enhance the effect.

Refresh Your Walls

Again, this really is one of those cases where you can go as far as your enthusiasm and budget allows. If you aren’t limited by home owner’s association restrictions, consider the best options for your home’s exterior. Adding stucco, applying a render, painting, sandblasting, or simply power washing can make a huge difference.

Considering the fact that this is the element which is the largest in relation to curb appeal, getting this right should be one of your top priorities.

Spruce Up Your Windows

Something else that is going to take up a large portion of space is your windows. Make sure window coverings look as attractive from the outside of the home as they do from the inside. Premium shutters or quality blinds can provide an immediate boost to curb appeal.

(A big “thank you” to our friends at Skutchi.com for sponsoring this post!)

Transitioning from an office setting to a remote working position can be an exciting yet dramatic change that you’ll want to make sure you’re well-prepared for. Once you’ve concluded that working from home is the best choice for you, your next step is creating a home office that will encourage productivity and efficiency. Design a space that makes you feel comfortable and you enjoy being in. The right workspace will help inspire you to produce your best work. The following tips will help you to do just that.

Location is everything

Where you decide to create your home office plays a major role in the design of your workspace. Location determines, the size of your office, amount of privacy, natural light, how much or the size of the furniture that you buy, the amount of storage and shelving the space allows for, and maybe even the temperature of the room. Choose your location wisely and carefully.

The type of work you do should determine the size of the space you need. For example, if most of your work is done online and you have very little need for storage space such as writing or graphic design, your office could be a smaller, private space with a big window near your desk to inspire creativity.   

Outfit Your Space

You’ll also want to consider everything you’ll need to effectively work in your home office.

This includes the necessary technology, supplies, backup, organizers and storage, additional seating, proper lighting, and specialized tools.

Comfort is key

Comfort is a key factor to ensure high levels of productivity, which is why it’s a key element to be considered in your home office design. The comfortability of your space is determined by everything from seating and furniture to less obvious elements like lighting and temperature. You may not even realize how important light and temperature are until you’re attempting to get work done with an excruciating headache from the glare of those bright, overbearing ceiling lights and trying to type emails while wrapped in a blanket.

The color of your office is also something to carefully consider. The right color can make a small space feel bigger and inspire creativity. And the wrong color can give your workspace a dull, dreary feeling. Consider carefully how the colors you choose may play a role in determining your mood and productivity.

Functionality

Never sacrifice form for function. The functionality of your workspace determines how efficiently you’re able to work. For example, your space should be well-organized, and your most important supplies, files, and technology should be easily accessible from your desk. Prioritize your layout in a way that makes sense (i.e. don’t put your phone or printer on the other side of the room if you use them regularly). There should be a place for everything and everything is in its place.

Inspire yourself

Inspiration comes from your furniture, décor, and overall style of your office. Choose a theme that compliments the rest of your house. If your house has a rustic, farmhouse style, utilize wooden accents and refurbished furniture. For a contemporary, modern look, invest in artistic décor and furniture with metal accents. I recommend adding life and color to your space with plants and bold décor with pops of color. There are plenty of inspirational themes and style options for your office space.

Your home office should be a place where you don’t mind spending eight or more hours a day working in. In fact, you actually enjoy being in that particular room of your house. After all, this is better than the alternative of being crammed in an office cubicle, right? Enjoy the comfort and creativity of your personal space designed just for you.