Want your home to look beautiful, but don’t have the funds to hire professional decorators? No need to fear, there’s plenty you can do yourself without breaking the bank! Here are a few points to bear in mind if you’re new to decorating and want to have a go.

Colours and Theme

Before diving in with your decorating, spend some time beforehand on the planning stages. This helps to keep everything looking cohesive, and you will get the best result at the end. Scour blogs and Pinterest for rooms you like the look of, picking out different colours, design features and other elements that catch your attention. Have an idea of the kind of colours and the overall look you want to achieve at the end, this saves you purchasing things that don’t look right and wasting your money. Opting for all neutral walls is your best bet if you are unsure. They will make the room look light, bright and airy and you can bring in colour with home accessories. Paint ceilings and woodwork such as skirting boards and doors in a brilliant white for a super fresh and clean look.

[Photo courtesy of ATBO/pexels.com]

Painting

It’s always advisable to try out a few paint samples on the walls before investing in a big tin. The colour of the walls underneath and the light in the room will affect how it looks once it’s dry so don’t just take a chance. Once you’ve chosen a colour to get a few samples in different shades and paint them onto the wall so you can see which looks best. Start by ‘cutting in’ which is going around all of the edges of the room neatly with a paintbrush, and do the rest with a roller which is quick, easy and gives a smooth finish. Be sure to cover your flooring with old sheets or painters dust sheets to protect it, take your time and do a second or even a third coat if it needs it. Be sure to let each layer fully dry before moving onto the next.

Wallpaper

Adding some wallpaper to the feature wall in your room is a good way to bring in personality, and is good for those who are new to decorating since it’s a smaller area than a whole room. If you’ve never wallpapered before watch a tutorial online first. Follow the techniques carefully, and ideally have another pair of hands to help you. If you’re unsure, you could use repositionable wallpaper, that way if you make a mistake it’s easy to correct. And if you’re renting it’s easy to remove at the end of your tenancy. If you’ve painted the other walls in a light, neutral colour the wallpaper is where you can be a bit bolder. You could go for a bright or bold colour, a statement design or just keep it subtle if that’s more your style.

Do you do much decorating yourself at home, or do you usually call in the professionals?

DIY projects can be extremely fun and at the same time, they give you the opportunity to save lots and lots of cash. Since the economic recession took its grip, a lot of people have been considering completing tasks in the home rather than employing a contractor. Here is your chance to save huge amounts of cash!

If you are considering doing any kind of DIY projects, you need to read this essential guide. This guide will help you save lots of time with each project, but will also ensure that each project is completed to the highest standard possible.

Plan

The first thing that you need to do before you begin is plan the project. This means ensuring you have the right tools, deciding when you will have time to complete the project and even sourcing materials.

If you plan in advance, you will save a lot of time. For instance, if you don’t have all the materials you might find that you are going from one DIY store to the next, just to pick up odd washers and valves. By ensuring that you have ordered all of these items online before hand, you could end up saving yourself a few hours.

[Photo courtesy of StartupStockPhotos/pixabay.com]

Organize

Once you have planned your project down to every single fine detail, you need to think about organising your work space in a methodical way. Before you begin get all the tools out that you need and place them where you will be using.

Do the same with any materials that you have purchased. If you don’t organise your work place before hand, the job will end up taking a lot longer. Of course, if you are doing things like painting or plastering, you will want to cover up all the windows and carpets to ensure that they don’t get damaged or dirty.

Complex Tasks

The next thing to consider is whether or not there are any individual complex tasks that are part of this project. This might include things such as pipe bending and soldering, carpet fitting or high level plastering.

If you can see any part of the job being extremely complex, it might be worth calling in an expert. Although it will cost money, it will save you lots of time. An expert is likely to take half the time to complete a task in comparison to you, simply because of their experience. They are also likely to complete jobs to a much higher standard.

[Photo courtesy of alluregraphicdesign/pixabay.com]

Tooling

You will need to buy or rent the correct tools for the job. Don’t try and complete a DIY project without the correct tools. If you do you are going to do one of two things; damage materials or take extremely long to complete the job.

There are some expensive tools that might make jobs run a lot more smoothly and a lot faster. For instance, if you are trying to fix a leak in a pipe that is underground, you can use GPR scanning to locate the leak rather than ripping up the floor.

[ Tagged In ] DIY, DIY Projects, Home DIY, Home Improvement, Home Tools, House Improvement, House Tips, House Tool, Project

Here’s a bit of a shocking fact for you – over a period of 30 years, a house and its contents could need as much as 50% of it repairing or replacing from the position it was in at the beginning of this period of time. Let’s face it, you have to be one of the unlucky ones if you are going anywhere near 50% and over if it’s not a house that you have bought as a do-up project, but the figures mainly come from what resides inside the house itself rather than the upkeep of the building.

So, what are the things that fall under the replacement category and what is the recommended lifespan of each thing – are you being shortchanged or are you long overdue a replacement?

[Photo courtesy of Markus Spiske raumrot.com/pexels.com]

Flooring

Good, solid wooden flooring can last centuries. Tiled flooring can, too – you can see it houses and churches in the United Kingdom that have lasted through several Kings and Queens and could probably tell a lot of stories … if they could talk. Planned care and restoration of both wooden and tiled floors can help extend the lifespans for future generations to appreciate. Laminate, lino and carpets are another matter entirely – if you are over the 10 year recommended threshold for the longevity of these products, then you should probably start looking at Online Carpet Sale and other such sites to keep your flooring in tip-top condition.

[Photo courtesy of  WDnet Studio/pexels.com]

Household appliances

All appliances have different recommendations as to how long they will last. A vacuum will last you up to 25 years if serviced and cared for, yet you may think of replacing it a lot sooner to keep up with the increasing demands of both efficiency and productivity.  Everything else pretty much has an average of 10-15 years – so your washers, dryers, dishwashers, microwaves etc should keep going for a fair while, but you may find that they will either go on a lot longer or cut short a lot sooner than expected; it’s always one or the other!

[Photo courtesy of  WDnet Studio/pexels.com]

Fixtures, fittings and furnishings

Paint will naturally start to lose colour/chip or peel away/look grubby over the years. Sometimes it can last for a good while,but it’s always worth acknowledging that a touch-up every couple of years will help it to stay in a great condition and look fresh. Hands on walls, especially where people are holding on for stability or pushing against things such as light switches, will always leave a mark; you can’t ever guarantee how clean a person’s hands are. The recommended lifespan of paint is just 7 years – yet you’d be hard pressed finding someone who actually makes the effort to redecorate their whole house that often. There are new trends in paint on the market, with wipe-clean options available for those marks that start appearing. Keep it in a good condition and you can probably exceed the lifespan and laugh in the face of the grim reaper when he comes round and starts picking away at your walls!

As we roll into 2017 and are really getting through winter noticing that spring is peeking over the horizon, we may have had a moment to reflect and take stock.  Winter is good for that and spring is the season of sorting and preparing for the year ahead.

[Photo courtesy of Miguel Constantin Montes/pexels.com]

This is a great time of year for looking at our home and self and considering how we can maximize our enjoyment of the summer.  This is when we want to be making the most of every moment socially.

Perhaps you have noticed your heating hasn’t been working as efficiently as you’d have liked over winter or you remembered that your air conditioning wasn’t quite pulling its weight last year.  Repairs in peak season can be more costly as there is more demand on time and although there are great companies offering One Hour Heating and Air call outs, you could benefit from thinking ahead and getting things sorted now.

[Photo courtesy of Unsplash/pexels.com]

The months before spring is also a perfect time for preparing your garden.  Taking the time to sow the seeds now will have you reaping the benefits.  Perhaps your lawn needs rolling or you noticed a lot of weeds as you closed the outside of for winter?  If it’s still a little cold for you to get green fingered, it could be worth considering using a gardener.  This time of year is mainly about maintenance for professional gardeners and you are more likely to find a better deal at this time of year, giving you a real head start before you venture out there yourself.

The new year’s resolutions may have come and gone but it’s really time to consider how you want to feel and look at the start of summer.  Working on your overall health now and taking the time your body needs for lasting and positive impact is far better than hitting the gym or started a fad diet during the 6 week run up to your holiday.  Think beyond the beach body and focus on the you body.  Slowly increasing the level of exercise you take will make it easier to sustain and just a few tweaks to your diet or eating habits every week will have you ten steps ahead of everyone else.

[Photo courtesy of Stokpic/pexels.com]

Booking your vacation well ahead of time is also a great way of saving money and stress as the year rolls on.  January usually offers up lots of flight or booking sales however if you missed the boat on that, getting ahead of time and making smaller payments over the next few months will help take the sting out a little.  You will notice a reduction in cost when booking in the first couple of months of the year as the travel industry sees a sharp fall in clients during January and Feb.  Make the most of this and give yourself a real treat to look forward to.

Spring cleaning isn’t just about getting the duster out and clearing away the clutter.  It is a time for regeneration and preparation.  So think ahead, learn from last year and make 2017 a calmer, more organised year for you and your family.

While the theory of a ‘spring clean’ seems, at first, quite old fashioned. In reality, there’s quite a lot of benefits to having a proper tidy up. Spring cleaning also means finally getting around to those more mundane household chores like giving your skirting boards, ceilings and even window sills a good wash!

Organize Kitchen Cabinets

[Photo courtesy of 148 Straith Street Staunton/flickr.com]

You’d be surprised how muck and grime can get into your kitchen cabinets over a few months, let alone an entire year. This is a somewhat arduous task so you may want to set aside an afternoon where you’ll be fairly undisturbed. First, either pile whatever was in the cupboard onto the clean worktop or put down newspaper on the kitchen floor. Next, use soap and water or, if you prefer, a cleaning spray to clean inside making sure you get right into the corners as that’s where dust and dirt accumulate. If you placed wallpaper, old DIY trick, down to protect the shelf you might need to replace it as over time it’ll fade and tear.

Go Through Your Closets

[Photo courtesy of m01229/flickr.com]

Keeping clothes in pristine condition not only helps to preserve colour, shape and even fabric quality but it also stops them getting ripped or torn. Take the time to assess every, and we mean every item in you and your kid’s wardrobes for any alterations needed. Have each member of your family create three piles consisting of clothes they want to keep, donate and throw away as well as any old underwear and socks they wish to get rid of. For some reason children love to keep ripped, faded and buttonless clothes so don’t push too hard if they really can’t bear to part with something. Items that can’t be donated or recycled should be bagged up ready for collection by a same day rubbish removal service.

Defrost Your Fridge Freezer

[Photo courtesy of Julien Belli/flickr.com]

One of the more laborious household tasks that invariably leads to children asking for ice cream or popsicles is cleaning the freezer. Once a year it’s vital that your fridge / freezer enjoys a thorough deep clean to remove up any ice build up, maintain shelf cleanliness and toss away any spilt or loose food that’s fallen into the drawers. Defrosting and resetting your fridge also gives the system a chance to reboot, spot any temperature problems and highlight any faults with the ice machine. Don’t neglect surfaces, doors and seals plus cleaning those trays where you keep sauces and even the little light inside as it all attracts bacteria.

Clean Your Washing Machine

[Photo courtesy of Phil Long/flickr.com]

While most new washing machines perform admirably, as your trusty nine-kilo appliance gets a little older your clothes may start to smell slightly. Any musty, or mildew-like smells can mean your machine itself needs washing. An excellent way to give it a thorough clean is to pop some vinegar and bicarbonate of soda onto a cloth and give it a good scrub. Be careful that when you do not to damage door seals or the drum edge as they can be quite delicate. For an extra thorough clean select a hot wash cycle, add any cleaning agents and simply wait thirty to sixty minutes.

Most people think that getting their house ready for kids is as simple as creating a nursery. While it’s true that you will need to take some time to get your baby’s new room all ready, there are also a few other aspects of your home that you will need to sort out. All of this preparation is key in turning your house into a comfortable family home. Not sure how to get your house ready for kids? Here are some things that you will need to do before your first little bundle of joy arrives!

[Photo courtesy of bedrck/pixabay.com]

Don’t Forget The Changing Station

Okay, so you new baby’s nursery is all ready! It’s got a crib, cute decor, and a good selection of toys. But have you also remembered to add a changing station in there? This small area is a dedicated place where you can change the baby’s nappies. Most parents forget about adding one to their nursery, which is unfortunate as it can quickly become the most important part of the entire room. To prepare your changing station, you can add either a changing table or mat. Make sure you have opened nappies and wipes close by at all times as well. When you are changing your baby, there will be a lot of mess and having all your cleaning materials opened and ready to go will be a godsend! So make sure you aren’t completely focused on your baby’s sleeping arrangements; you also need to change them too, remember!

[Photo courtesy of KathrinPie/pixabay.com]

Pack The Freezer

This point is most important for the first few months of your baby, but if you remember to keep your freezer well stocked while you have children, it can really help you out when you have little time to prepare meals! Be sure to pack your freezer with lots of portions of meals such as lasagnes and stews. That way, you can simply take out as many portions as you need for dinner, defrost them, and reheat. You will have little time to prepare freshly home-cooked meals once the baby arrives, but stocking your freezer can help you stick to a healthy diet and not have to rely on ready meals all the time!

Create A Child-Friendly Garden

When you are trying to make your house into a family friendly home, it is also important to head out into the garden and make sure that it is safe for children. One of the main things to do is to make sure there are no poisonous plants out there. Young children will be exploring every inch of the garden once they are able to walk. To make sure they don’t put anything poisonous in their mouth while your back is turned, de-weed your garden and only add safe plants. If there are any water features or ponds in your garden, you should cover these with a net so that your kids won’t fall into them. It is also a good idea to dig up any hard flooring, such as stone patios or wooden decking. These could be dangerous if your kids are running around on them, so it’s worth replacing them with soft lawn. If your kids fall over on a lawn, they won’t hurt themselves quite so much!

[Photo courtesy of sof_sof_0000/pixabay.com]

Safeguard Your Kitchen

Imagine momentarily leaving your toddler in the kitchen for a brief minute and returning to find they’ve emptied out all the lower-level cupboards and spread cereal all over the floor. This may sound like a complete nightmare, but it very often turns into reality. I’m sure that most parents have had to clean up after their kids have made a major mess in their kitchen! Thankfully, there is one way you can prevent this from happening. You just need to make sure your kitchen is fully childproof. And one of the best ways of doing so is equipping all the cupboards and drawers that are within reach with childproof locks. You can find these in most baby stores as well as online.

[Photo courtesy of Connoman/pixabay.com]

Rid Your Home Of Pests

All parents want their home to be as clean as possible. A clean house is one that is free from any germs and bad bacteria that can cause various infections and illnesses. There is one main sign that your house may not be quite as clean as you want it to be. And that is if there are signs of pests or vermin living on the property. For example, if you find some rat or mouse droppings somewhere in your house, you might have a vermin problem that you need to deal with. Similarly, you could find signs in your kitchen of an ant infestation. Don’t panic if you think you do have some unwelcome housemates living with you; you can always call in a pest exterminator. You can find the contact details of your nearest exterminator online on their website.

Find More Storage Space

Think you and your partner already have a lot of things? Well, you can expect that to almost double once the baby arrives! Even though your baby will be tiny, they will need a lot of things! Most parents buy lots of clothes in various sizes. This is because babies grow so quickly, so it is very useful having plenty of spare clothes ready for them to wear once they grow. Because of this, you will need to have a lot of storage in your house for your kids. You can, of course, add lots of cupboards and chests of drawers to the nursery. But it is also a good idea adding some storage elsewhere. For instance, you could invest in beds that have drawers in the base. If you need to buy some more furniture for storage, you can always find it fairly cheaply on sites such as eBay and Craigslist.

[Photo courtesy of StockSnap/pixabay.com]

Add Some Color

These days, most of the big interior styles and trends are all about very chic decor choices. For instance, the most popular color shades at the minute are cool silvers and bright creams. These sure do look great, but they aren’t exactly the most child-friendly colors. Once you have kids in your house, you will want it to be as bright as possible for them, and the best way of doing that is adding some color to your decor. You can still do this with a stylish interior design that is based on silvers and creams, though. You just need to add colorful pieces of furniture and artwork. These great injections of color will really help to make your house feel like a cozy family home!

Smooth Your Edges

One of the main causes of accidents around the home for children is sharp edges and corners. You will find that toddlers will walk around without really looking where they are going, and could end up knocking into the edges of tables and shelves. If these edges are particularly straight, they could end up feeling very sharp. To make sure your kids don’t hurt themselves too much, it could be worth smoothing the edges slightly with some sandpaper. Alternatively, you could always treat yourself to some new, round-edged furniture!

As you can see, getting your house ready for the arrival of children requires quite a bit of work on your part. But it will all be very worth it in the end! It will help your home feel a lot more comfortable than it once was, and you and your family will be very happy indeed! So what are you waiting for?

It’s in every story. The prince climbs up the to the tallest tower of the castle to rescue the princess and they live happily ever after. Well, your little girl may not need to be rescued by a handsome prince, but she absolutely does need a room at the top of the tower that is just for her! Having a daughter is like having a whirlwind tornado that has pink and glitter all over it. Sure, you get the girls out there who prefer to go for a more neutral look, but given the chance, most little girls will have a unicorn themed bedroom, complete with real life unicorn, please.

[Photo courtesy of Sarang/wikipedia.org]

For older girls, privacy is so key and so sharing with younger siblings isn’t always the easiest thing for them to do. Sometimes, lack of space causes there to be a room share which can then cause friction and solving this problem isn’t easy. If you’re lucky enough to own a home with a loft space that’s currently covered in boxes and could possibly use a shout to termite control, then you do have a solution ready!

A loft conversion is a big job but if it would mean your tween daughter having her own space she can call her haven, it could be very worth it! It’s a big job, so what should you remember when converting your loft into the princess tower it could be? It all depends on the structure of your roof.

• Have someone come out and measure up the loft for you, including the headspace, to get a good idea if you could even begin your planning to convert the space into a bedroom.
• Get a quote for the reinforcement of the floor. You’ll need to change it over so you actually have somewhere to put a bed and furniture.
• How much space do you have for skylight installation? You’ll need to make sure you have enough room to allow for natural light. Sometimes you can so a dormer loft installation over the ‘room in roof’ loft conversion, which is more expensive but doesn’t require you to make any dramatic changes to the roof.
• Gather quotes for electric, heating and lighting installation as well as a staircase being put in.

[Photo courtesy of webdesignonlineschools.com]

Like we said, it’s a big job. Once it’s completed, your daughter could add her own touch for the decoration. Make it a project you can do together and sit down and decide colours, posters, light shades and bedding. You want her to have her input to the bedroom; after all, it’s her space. A project of this size may require planning permission and you should also get some advice from the fire station nearby as they can fit fire alarms for you in the extra room you’ve just acquired.

Not only will you have made your daughter’s day and given her a sense of independence, you’ll have potentially stopped sibling scraps by splitting up the younger one from the older. Peace at last, indeed!

What is it that makes a house feel like home? The people, the decor, or the accessories? It’s probably down to individual tastes, but living in a homely, personalized house is important for our sense of well being, belonging, and relaxation. There is a whole host of different things you can add to your home if you think it still needs a homely touch, from books to rugs, and everything in between.

1. Sentimental photographs

There’s nothing more comforting than being surrounded by people you love, so when they can’t be there, make your home feel special and personal to you by filling it with beautiful pictures of your nearest and dearest. It immediately adds a sentimental edge, which can be both reassuring and grounding.

2. Cozy rugs

Whether you have hardwood floors or carpets, nothing quite says comfort like rugs. Layer rugs of different textures and patterns to create a really comfortable look – faux sheepskins are especially great for this. Bedrooms and living rooms have never been cozier.

3. A fire

Is there anything more romantic than snuggling in front of the fire in a room you love? If your home is fireplace-less, you’re seriously missing out, and this needs rectifying immediately. Check out the fireplaces on this blog to choose one which fits your decor, and see how much difference a fire can make to the comfort of your living room.

[Photo courtesy of Counselling/pixabay.com]

4. Soft layers

Without rugs, blankets, throws, and cushions, homes can see quite sterile, with lots of straight lines and sharp edges. Layer fabrics to soften these harsh lines. It works in any room – dishcloths in the kitchen, towels in the bathroom, fluffy blankets in the bedroom, and you can really go to town with cushions and throws in the living room. Soft layers can really make a house a home and add a sense of luxury.

5. Feature walls

Painting all four walls in neutral colors might be the easiest to coordinate, but it’s not pushing your style to the next level. Consider creating a feature wall as a focal point in a bedroom or living room. Dark or bright paint, wooden cladding, or even a curtain wall all act as a point of interest, making the room feel cozier and more unified in style.

6. Reading nook

Every bookworm’s dream is a reading nook, and every home should have a library, so why not combine the two, while also making use of a little space that’s always been forgotten before? All it takes is a few book shelves, a wall lamp, and loads of comfy cushions to create the reading nook of your dreams.

7. Fairy lights

The soft twinkle of warm fairy lights can make a space really relaxing in the evening, but can also add classy elegance to any space.

8. Something fluffy

Every home needs something fluffy to curl your toes into on a cold winter’s evening. Whether it’s a cat, a fluffy cushion, or a faux sheepskin rug, it immediately brings the home to next level cosiness. Throw in a fluffy housecoat and slippers, and you’ll never want to go outside again.

Fill your home with beauty and things that you love, and you’ll see that making a house a home is as easy as pie.

Part of the excitement of taking a break is that feeling you get when you step into your hotel room for the first time. Just one night spent in the right hotel can lift your spirits, give you a great night sleep and even bring you closer to your partner.

If you have children at home, you’ll know how important it is to create a zone that is peaceful, tranquil and above all tidy! The bedroom is the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see at night. So it makes sense to create a place of luxury and class here. It might be worth reviewing Is It Practical To Create A Room Just For Relaxing In after reading this post.

[Photo courtesy of Living Rooms London/flickr.com]

You don’t need a huge budget to make a few changes to a bedroom. One of the most important things about this room is, of course, the statement bed.

Hotel beds are always dressed to impress. Think minimal when it comes to choosing your bedding. White sheets will entice you to crawl in. They look clean and calm. Adding a plethora of cushions may seem pointless when you’re just going to throw them off at bedtime, but every time you step into your room, you’ll feel a sense of pride. You might even start leaving the bedroom door open for your guests to see!

Hotels tend to offer a simple white dressing gown and the fluffiest towels you’ve ever buried your face into, this is probably why people often ‘borrow’ them!

Instead of cluttering up your dressing table with make up and cuff links, leave your surfaces bare placing a couple of neatly folded gems like these bath towels on show, perhaps with your favourite body lotion next to them.

[Photo courtesy of  Thomas Cotton/pexels.com]

A well upholstered chair. There is something wonderful about having a seemingly pointless chair in your room. However a chair placed by a window with a good book laid next to it always entices you to read and even if you don’t get the time, simply knowing it’s there will remind you of the relaxing peace a quiet read can give you. Try reupholstering and painting an old one.

Well hung, contemporary frames with large white mountings and photos of your fondest memories or things you love can have a huge impact on a room. Waking up in the morning to see your kids smiling back at you, kick starts your day the right way. Unlike a miss mash of slightly off centre frames. Be precise.

[Photo credit Abigail Ahern]

Finally, lighting. Lighting can change a room completely. Instead of switching on your ceiling light, invest in a statement lamp like these from Abigail Ahern. If your budget won’t stretch to that, consider something soft which creates an amber warmth. Place in the corner of your room and let it work it’s magic.

It’s time to see your bedroom in a new light. Make small, well considered changes. It’s not about impressing other people. It’s about impressing yourself. Lying in your bed, surrounded by luxury.  

What is a modern home? For many people it’s the decor, for others it’s the location and to some, it’s the technology. A modern home can mean a couple of things, but it’s usually a combination of all of these. Whether it’s contemporary furniture and experimental decor or a smart home that can read your temperature and adjust the thermostat automatically, there are hundreds of technological and artistic advances that have turned the home into more than just a home.

[Photo courtesy of Life of Pix/pexels.com]

The Smart Home

A home is considered smart when it can adjust all of its functions to suit the owner automatically or via a control system. For example, a fridge can be considered “smart” if it has a display on the front that can show what’s inside, monitor temperatures and even order groceries. It’s not a dream or science fiction either. There are smart fridges that people can buy right now which come with all sorts of gadgets and gizmos to take some of the most annoying tasks of managing a fridge out of the way and either automates them or makes them easy to manage.

In addition to smart fridges, there are also smart entertainment devices that can be linked together to create a seamless entertainment experience. For example, you could be watching a film on your smart television but the kids might want to play on their games console which is hooked up to the living room TV. In this case, you can simply head to your study or bedroom and turn on the TV and connect to the same network and services to resume watching your film while the kids play their games. Blogs like Smart Future are great resources to find out the latest and greatest technology advances that people are adding to their homes.

[Photo courtesy of Unsplash/pexels.com]

The Contemporary Home

A contemporary home should consist of just one thing: ultra-modern design. Most contemporary homes aren’t created by mixing and matching Ikea furniture, but instead, they’re created by hand with custom-built pieces of furniture that mold to the contours of the house to create specially designed rooms that ooze style and function. Contemporary homes are all about minimalism, style and practicality. Think big designs such as living rooms that are illuminated with powerful but concealed ceiling and wall lights. Open-plan houses are popular in contemporary housing as well.

For example, one piece of contemporary furniture that’s on its way to becoming a modern staple is the wireless charging bed stand. It’s a simple concept: a piece of furniture that also acts like a modern wireless charging dock. The idea is that it should look sleek, fit with the decor, and have functionality built into the desk. When you’re ready to go to bed and you need to charge your phone, there’s no need for cables that are dangling from the bedside table or anything; you simply pop your phone on top of the bed stand and it will start charging. These devices are incredibly creative and can be expensive to make, but with more technological advances they will start to become more commonplace and as a result, cheaper to build.