In our previous blog about the lumber market, we have the impact of lumber prices on the cost of building homes due to pandemic.  Due to the instability of prices in the lumber market new home construction in some areas in North America reached a record-high increase of $20,000. With these in mind, it is only a must for home builders to review their overall operation to help homeowners avoid paying unnecessary costs that might result from inefficient construction methods by home builders. 

In this three-part blog series, We identified the must-avoid construction mistakes that may arise before, during, and after construction. We believe that identifying these mistakes will not only be helpful to the homebuilder but also to the homeowners and realtors as well. Keep reading to be aware of the ten must-avoid mistakes before home construction.

Ten must-avoid mistakes before home construction

This mistake is usually the number one enemy of building a successful home. Since the whole construction process depends on the expectations defined beforehand, being realistic with the terms set, designs given, specifications shared, and timeframe provided could definitely help make sure that the project on-hand is done efficiently so that the client will be happy and satisfied. 

This advice may sound cliche, but reminding you of using the  S.M.A.R.T. goal could help make any home construction plans realistic and achievable. 

Not communicating could reflect how homebuilders handle their internal affairs. Clients can quickly determine if the team is not communicating internally. In one of the reviews made by a client on a famous platform regarding a particular home builder, she perceived that the home builder is disorganized internally. She found this out because whenever she gave a list of deficiencies to one person, they found that the rest of the team was unaware. Even if the home builder created a nice design for her home, the headache and frustration she felt whenever she tried to get information from the team are not worth it. 

Because of what the client experienced, the company's overall credibility was affected. 

Communication is critical to make any project successful, positively impacting the client's satisfaction and the homebuilder's overall performance. Make communication a habit before, during, and after any home construction. 

3. Not gathering the entire team from the start. 

Even if you have the best set of skilled and professional home builders, failure to gather them together from the start may only result in sub-standard outputs. For example, the contractor’s exceptional architect may fail to provide his best skill in rendering if his priorities and goals are not aligned with other homebuilders' tasks. Assembling the team before starting the home construction should be kept in mind. Gathering the team together before the home construction enables you to fully convey the homeowner's goal, which can eventually help you synchronize the overall home construction.

4. Assuming that the client is 100% aware of the project’s whereabouts

Homebuilders should ensure that their clients know the project's whereabouts, including each person's role in their team, particularly the point person they can contact for all their home construction-related concerns. If they failed to introduce their team correctly, their client could mistakenly communicate with the subcontractor, who is there to do the job given by the construction manager. If such happened, problems born out of miscommunication may occur, creating more issues later on. Once the client knows the whereabouts of the contracts and whom to contact,  home builders indirectly assure their clients that they have chosen the right builder for their dream home. 

5. Failure to allocate enough time to the design and programming process. 

The efficiency of execution once the home construction begins relies on the accuracy and carefully thought about details laid out on a  blueprint. It is, therefore, crucial to spend sufficient time in programming the necessary systems needed to achieve an efficient operation and method of building the home. Allocating adequate time in the design process also has equal importance. Doing these things allows the team to fully grasp the plans, learn and follow the scope of work, assess risks, create high-quality designs and carefully review their work against the given standard and expectations. 

If the homebuilders failed to select the proper and high-quality materials, even the most beautifully designed home could look terrible, and worse, could never come into reality.  Aside from these, the reputation of the product supplier and, more importantly, the contractor's credibility will be affected. Upon choosing materials, it is highly recommended to look for CCMC marks or materials approved by CCMC (Canadian Construction Materials Center). Homebuilders must also consider climate peculiarities and risks. In this case, incurring higher costs is acceptable as long as the materials selected are high-quality, fire-resistant (if possible), and industry-recommended. Climate peculiarities and the type of land where the house will be built must also be considered. If builders fail in this task, the home may not stand long enough for homeowners to get back what they have invested. After all, homes are made to last as long unless unexpected and great earthquakes occur, which seemed impossible for homes to withstand.

A good home builder knows that "timing" plays a vital role in arriving at the best decision. Not making the right decisions on time could make expenses heavier. For example, if the home builder plans to source a particular material at the time of the week when the demand is high, prices of materials may slightly increase—incurring additional costs even if it's minimal could significantly impact the budget of the whole project negatively. 

Those home builders who don't make timely decisions in sourcing materials may also experience delays in the construction schedule due to traffic congestion or unexpected problems in logistics due to typhoons and other uncontrolled phenomena. 

To avoid these problems, home builders must carefully think about timely decisions, making the whole construction process move smoothly.  



This mistake could arise, mainly if the homebuilders don't make timely decisions. As explained previously, costly delays often occur when home builders are not careful in setting timeframes. Such delays leave the contractor with no choice but to pay for the costs of their mistakes using their own pockets. To avoid such problems, home builders must consider adding a 5-10% contingency fund to their quotations or, much better, make timely decisions. 



9. Implementing a modified plan for house construction that requires customization. 

Homebuilders who plan to settle on a modified existing plan for a new project requiring customization will definitely be in trouble. Those contractors who do so may save some money initially but could later encounter problems, especially if the owner's expectations are not met. Before getting started with the construction of custom homes, home builders must make sure to get their client's approval.  In some cases, where the client is open to beneficial and cost-saving suggestions, that may be the only time you provide them with a modified plan. Just explain to them that the original plan for their custom homes may slightly be changed upon implementing the modified one.

10. Taking one move after another too quickly


Almost every client longs to see their home done entirely. However, overly speeding up the process to help them get this dream quickly can only result in more extended waiting periods, especially when plans are assumed to be ok without thinking about them twice or even thrice. Fast-track construction is only advisable when the project is carefully studied; if not, the risk of rework is very high. Based on a study, rework and change orders are more frequent when tasks are set on a fast-track schedule. The same source stated that based on a technical report by US Federal Facilities Council (2007), 33% of fast-track projects have claims for delay damage. In contrast, consecutively scheduled tasks have 7% only, 26% below the fast track projects. 

The must-avoid home construction mistakes mentioned earlier like not gathering your entire team, failure to allocate enough time, choosing the wrong materials, forgetting to communicate, and the rest of the mistakes could all arise because of this mistake -- taking one move after another too quickly. Therefore, home builders are encouraged not to take quick action, especially if it's unreasonable. This will ensure that the project starts and ends smoothly and is lighter both for homebuilders and their clients. 

Setting the bar beyond reality, forgetting to communicate, not gathering the entire team from the start, assuming that client is 100% aware of the project’s whereabouts, failure to allocate enough time in the design and programming process, choosing the wrong materials, not minding the timing, not introducing contingency fund, implementing a modified plan to a house construction that requires customization and taking one move after another too quickly are the 10 must avoid construction mistakes that homebuilders should avoid before starting any home construction project. 

Complete this 3-part blog series to find out the must-avoid mistakes during, and after home construction to learn more.  

The spike in demand for home construction resulted in skyrocketing prices of construction materials that impacted homeowners directly. Homebuilders can’t afford to make any mistakes! 

Homebuilders can’t afford to make any mistakes!

Must-avoid construction mistakes by single-family home builders - Part 1: Before the construction

Notice that some areas of your home start to wear out --warping on floors, cracked walls, termite infestation, etc. 

Wants to create more space for your growing family and home needs

Desires to update your home to the latest house models that are not only stylish and comfortable but also healthy 

Can tolerate the chaos and disruption brought about by home remodeling

Then, you are living in the most appropriate time for a home renovation!

And since we introduce this idea to you, let us help you get started by sharing the latest renovation designs that bagged recognitions from the largest and most prestigious award-giving bodies in the US this year!

Your inspiration: 2021 winning home renovation designs

For this category, we’re delighted to show you the Gold winner of Qualified Remodeler’s “Whole House more than $700,000” category: 

Whole House Renovation by Clark Richardson Architects

The photos below show the before and after look of the living room of Qualified Remodeler’s “Whole House more than $700,000” category winner. 

Clark Richardson Architects did the winning design shown above from Austin, Texas. The original square footage of the house was 3.633 sq ft, and when it was renovated, it became 4,215 sq ft. 

Based on the source, the house initially had outdated finishes, blocked views,  and a configuration that prevented spatial interaction. Clark Richardson rearranged and updated the private spaces to resolve this to provide comfort, luxury, and spatial efficiency. They installed a sliding door to add in more light, removed a wall, relocated the fireplace to add intimacy. 

Another part of the house that we would like to show you is the house exterior. Based on Qualified Remodeler, Clark Richardson Architects established a  transversal axis that created communication among the three principal communal spaces of the home: living room, dining room, an,d kitchen. The remodeling allowed for a greater appreciation of the river below and the hills beyond.

We're done with the whole house category. Next, a winner from another category, from another award-giving body. Let's have the..

For this category, we have chosen to showcase the 2021 National/Regional Award Winner of the “Residential Exterior Over $200,000” category from the National Association of Remodeling Industry (NARI). 

Residential exterior from a house in Shakopee, Minnesota by Mom’s Design Build

Initially, this home had a beautiful wood-panel pub that led to a deck barely big enough for a grill based on NARI. Since the clients wanted to open the room to a much more substantial deck to accommodate larger gatherings and integrate the indoor and outdoor living spaces, Mom’s Design Build installed a wrap-around Ipe deck that has a striking pergola fitted over half of it. They also introduced mechanical louvers, disappearing screens, efficient heaters, and a privacy wall that’s perfect for fending off insects and other undesirable things.  They also added wide, bi-fold doors to integrate the pub with the house’s new and greener outdoor space. 

Wouldn't this look nice for your Burnaby backyard? 

Here are more photos from NARI that you can take inspiration from for your future backyard renovation.

For this category, we have chosen to showcase the 2021 National/Regional Award Winner of the “Residential Interior Over $500,000” category from the NARI.

Interior from a house in Merrick, New York designed by TimeLine Renovation & Design

According to NARI, this renovation is year-long. Timeline Renovation and Design’s floor plan included three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, a laundry room, and an office. 

Notice how the remodelers upgraded the oak floors by reclaiming them.

In the kitchen, the remodeler installed two-tone custom kitchen cabinets in high-gloss white lacquer and walnut. 

Which part of this house interior renovation would you like to see in the renovation of your Port Moody property? 

In this category, we like to showcase these two beautiful kitchen renovations because we’re afraid you’ve missed them! Here they are, the 2021 National/Regional Award Winner of the “Residential Kitchen Over $150,000” category from NARI (1st), and the “Master Design Awards: Kitchen $75,000 - $150,000” from Qualified Remodelers (2nd). 

A remodeled Kitchen from Columbus, Ohio by Griffey Remodeling

This house in Ohio is a 103-year-old traditional home which has seen several renovations throughout its lifetime, including the image shown above. It was the home remodeled in 1970 which included a stair-stepped ceiling and laminate cabinets. However, according to NARI’s site, the current family who lives in the home wants to change their home to an open floor plan which complements their historic home so they could easily entertain. After the renovation made by Griffey Remodelling, the remodeled kitchen now features hickory cabinets, a custom, painted and glazed island with leathered granite countertops, commercial grade appliances, and a custom copper hood. 

A Remodeled Kitchen from Brooklyn, N.Y. by Behin Ha Design Studio & Suzumori Architecture

This renovation was part of a whole-house renovation where the owner wanted to relocate the kitchen from the garden level to the rear extension of the parlor level of the house, which had been originally used as a bedroom according to Qualified Remodeler. That particular move set the more cozy mood for this area, allowing Behin Ha Design Studio & Suzumori Architecture to enjoy informal meals from the natural light passing through the transom windows. 

The remodeler equipped the kitchen with plenty of custom ash wood finish cabinets mixed with contrasting black metal open shelving to accommodate the storage needs of the owners. 

Which among the upgrades you’ve seen feels an excellent addition to your next kitchen renovation? Well, since some experts said earth colors would trend next year, featuring a hickory cabinet in your kitchen next year sounds interesting! But if you’re more into neutral tones, why not get inspiration from the latter. Both renovations totally look elegant and classy. 

Do you often have problems with your bathroom? Like leaking skylight windows, shortage in storage, or a low or no-threshold shower? Well, these homeowners from Plano, Texas, have the same problems too! So they got the service from BRY JO Roofing and Remodeling to renovate their bathroom.

The Renovation turned out well and bagged the award for the “Residential Bath $50,001 to $75,000” category from NARI. Here’s how the bathroom looked after the renovation. 

To create a transition between the wet and dry areas, an heirloom custom marble accent wall was installed on the countertop while a honed marble was used on the floor.

As per Qualified Remodeler, Bry Jo Roofing and Remodeling utilized different geometric patterns, materials, and textures in renovating the master bathroom. Take a look at the photos below to check the designs they used. 

Since the clients wanted more storage space for their bathroom, the remodeler installed modern bathroom cabinets, as shown below. 

Award for winning bathroom renovation doesn’t end there! In this category, we prepared two awesome examples because we simply can’t resist how fantastic the changes on their bathroom were right after the renovation. Here is the second one, the winner of Qualified Remodeler’s “Master Design Awards: Bathroom $50,000 - $75,000” this year: 

The Bathroom initially looked like this: 

According to Qualified Remodeler, the 1980s western-style bathroom turned into a contemporary Japanese onsen. 

The renovation performed by Sockeye Homes began with quite a challenging task of cleaning the existing bathroom that had a separate tub and shower space—both with small tiles. Do you have the same style in your bathroom too? Don’t worry. While those small tiles could be challenging to take out, nothing is too hard for remodelers. 

Aside from cleaning the tiles, the remodeler re-arranged the existing space to create a sizable wet-room area per the owner’s request because the Japanese-style bath requires users to clean off before getting into the tub.

The result, a large wet room concept with sufficient space and a contemporary feel.

In this category, here’s what we’ve got you, the 2021 National/Regional Award Winner of the “Residential Landscape Design/Outdoor Living $100,000 to $250,000” category from NARI.

Residential Landscape Design  by Livit Site + Structure, Inver Grove Heights-Minnesota

As per NARI, the owner of the landscape shown above wanted to create multiple entertainment spaces suitable for both sophisticated entertaining and outdoor family s’mores nights. In addition to this, they wanted to keep the yard big enough for the kids, friends and teammates, add much needed storage for outdoor furniture and equipment, but be maintenance-friendly. 

To follow what the owners wanted, Livit + Structure put an outdoor dining area, a sunken living room, an outdoor entertainment area, and additional storage space built with all of the home’s current architectural features.

A recognizable outdoor living space that distinguishes the home amongst its neighbors and tied in with its existing aesthetic like how the owner wanted it to be.

The landscape was also upgraded with a fabulous fireplace that’s perfect for s’more’s night, which the owner wanted!

Would you like to have an outdoor living space where you and your friends can gather while seeing your kids? It’s possible, get inspiration from the renovation of the landscape shown above. Who knows it could fit well with your Coquitlam property? 

Are you looking for some fresh basement renovation ideas? Here’s the winning design that bagged NARI’s “Basement under $100,000” award. If you’re planning to have some basement renovation, take inspiration from this remodeled basement from a house in Arlington, Virginia, by Alair Homes. 

Basement Under $100,000, Designed by Alair Homes 

The basement was furnished with beautiful built-ins, and clean spaces make this a dramatic transformation.  The radiant heat through the newly-installed fireplace was one great addition too! With Alair Home’s renovation, the clients have achieved their dream of a bright, light-filled space that doesn't feel like a basement. (NARI)

We hope you had fun checking out all these 2021 Winning Renovation Designs from two of the most prestigious award-giving bodies in the field of Renovation. While these are for the National Association of Remodeling Industry (NARI) and Qualified Remodeler which is based in the USA, many of these concepts would work in your Port Moody home. So, which designs inspired you the most? Here are some tips to get you started: 

Now that you’ve learned the winning home renovation designs, your next step is to

Pick the designs that fit your taste. Consider the ones that don’t only look good but also the ones which are comfortable and healthy. 

Contemplate if your would-be investment is good enough for a resale value just in case you decide to sell it in the future. 

Search for the best way to achieve the design you want-- DIY or hire a home builder?

See if the cost is reasonable and attainable. To give you an idea of the current home renovation cost, here’s our blog about the general cost of home renovation (insert link).

Seek advice from a professional or seasoned worker if possible. Hey, we can help you with this!  

Compare and analyze what you’ve searched and heard to see which one seems best for your home renovation plans. 

Share your plans with your households so they can also prepare, stay informed and help you in your decision. 


Home renovation is one of the most thrilling events of home living. Make it as enjoyable and memorable as possible by following our tips and reading more blogs that induce your excitement for it. Here are a few of our recommendations: 

The role of design elements in making your home function-driven

If you’re someone who notices that some areas of your home start to wear out --warping on floors, cracked walls, termite infestation...

2021 winning home designs for your home reno next year!

"Maximalism is all about saying yes to the items that make your heart sing and bringing them into your home whether they match or not. Mixing materials and styles make for an interesting home, bringing surprising elements in that your guests might not expect."

 - Barbeline Lusandu, textile designer and founder of Barbeline London, HouseBeautiful

2020 paved an incredible year for home renovation and design because government-mandated restrictions kept people from moving from one place to another. As more and more activities were encouraged to be done at home, people began to think of new ways to make their home living meaningful, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. Reports published by HomeStars in their 2020 Special Reno Report found that 57% of Canadian homeowners did one or two major projects on home renovations. Commonly sought improvements ranged from bathroom renos to additions and overall structural improvements that maximize living space and make homes more functional based on the report.  

Most likely, this contributed to the trending interior designs this year that I will share in a little while. Keep reading to get the latest ideas in the world of interior design this year.

The first on our list is the return of the Maximalist -- bold accents, striking patterns, and flashy displays. Well, they weren’t gone at all. They are just around the corner, waiting to get back the spotlight from the rule of minimalism. And that year has finally come! Fast forward to 2021, more homes welcomed layering, texture, pattern, motif, and repetition (see The Rise of Maximalism in Design by Imagine-Express).

In his statement from the site, The Spaces, Luke Edward Hall, mentioned how maximalist interiors provide an escape -- where one can lose themselves freely. That is probably the reason why more people have learned to love it. It offered a way to express their personality through acceptable forms in a pandemic era.

Mixing different themes with maximalism is possible! It can be perfectly paired with different themes -- retro, classic, tropical-inspired, all these types of styles work wonders with Max. 

Those with nostalgic sentiment could go for retro-styled home designs like the one below. 

The achromatic white wall was elevated with eclectic shelves and a sideboard decorated with various retro-style elements like graphic prints, record player, rattan basket, plants, and many more. Meanwhile, the eye-catching Victorian carpet on the floor is paired with sofas that perfectly blend with the pillows' hues of purple and blue and throws on geometric patterns, which give the entire living room a 1970s vibe.

If you like the vibe that that maximalist retro-styled living room is giving, it's now time to display some meaningful compact items on your shelves, buffets, or sideboards. And don't forget to invest in your couches because retro-styled interiors are meant to create a cozy and heartwarming atmosphere.

While retro seems inviting, not all maximalists may go for it. For some maximalists who find an escape through representational and sequential arts, comics and pop art-inspired rooms could be a good idea. 

Aside from featuring the works of visual artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, this type of visual art blends incredibly with expressive and bright colors like the scarlet tomato background of the interior above. Meanwhile, notice how contrasting the surrounding decors are. In this type of style, the mirror, sofa, pillows are meant to contend with the background to exude peculiar beauty energy. 

If you want to try this type of design, you may opt to consider some more features like good room lighting, vinyl stickers, and furniture with unusual shapes and colors. 



On the other hand, for those who love the 1920s vibe, art-deco-inspired embellishments, and bold geometric prints, a Great-Gatsby inspired design like the one below is highly recommended.

This type of interior is often characterized by a conspicuous display of wealth and glamour. This Art-Deco-based design utilizes luxurious wood furnishings, accent chairs, sleek, linear, geometric patterns, bold and rich colors to represent youths' exciting and lavish lives in roaring twenties. If you were captured by the romantic drama that inspired the revival of this 1920 style,  leaning into opulent furnishings and modern designs is advised. 

Maximalists who love summer getaways all year round may opt to go for interiors inspired by distant shores. Simply incorporate watercolor paints featuring South Sea Island arts that vary from deep inky tones to soft aqua that give a tranquil vibe. Integrating colors that showcase Hawaiian landscapes can also be considered. 

Which among these styles fit your maximalist persona? Retro, Gatsby, Comics and Pop Art, or Tropics?

Are you ready to say "yes" to Max? If yes, then getting the right materials to ensure your home’s prepared for this overhaul is highly encouraged. Think about your home space, is it ready for Max?

This post is the first in our four-part web series about Interior design trends that became popular this year.  See this link to know which one comes on our list.  :)

Design that resonates with your wildest dreams, vibrant personality, remarkable life journey, and desire for elegance takes the spotlight once again on the most unexpected era we have never imagined. Max is finally back!

Home interior of popular environmental advocates

Over the years, society has become more and more environmentally conscious.  Such events led to a rise in the consumption of eco-friendly products like organic foods, reusable food storage bags, non-disposable water bottles, compostable cutlery, and bowls, non-toxic skincare products, biodegradable dental floss, and many more. Consumers’ love for the planet didn’t stop in patronizing such products -- they even extended it in their abodes by ensuring that their house interiors represent their advocacies. With the advent of the pandemic, their love for mother nature inspired many people to emulate their works seen through their social media platforms. There are notable influencers who maximize those ideas in their living spaces, some with millions of followers. To catch a glimpse of those ideas, check out the photos below: 

Most of the photos share one common ground; they include plants. Anyone who goes green always makes sure to have plants in their home furnishing. Plants do a lot of wonders in one’s house. Continue reading to discover those wonderful indoor plants and the type of wonders they do in one’s home. 

In the 1989 report published by NASA in association with ALCA, high concentrations of indoor air pollutants such as cigarette smoke, organic solvents, and possibly radon can be reduced significantly through air-purifying plants. The following plants are mentioned in the study: Areca Palm, Snake plant, Gerbera Daisy, Chrysanthemum, Chinese Evergreen, Rubber plants, and Poinsettia. 

When placed strategically inside a house, these plants could bring out the perfect look for any home design. An example is the plants from the modern kitchen overlooking the patio as featured below.

With added creativity, some plants can even be used to accessorize home furniture like the perfectly-placed eucalyptus on a round mirror below. 

Eucalyptus doesn't just provide beautiful embellishment to home furniture; its leaves, once dried, are known for being a great source of antioxidants, particularly flavonoids, which can protect our body from oxidative stress and free radical damage, according to Healthline. The oil of eucalyptus can also relieve stress because it contains eucalyptol which has been found to possess anti-anxiety properties. Another plant that provides a refreshing scent that can lighten anyone's mood is Lemon Cypress, AKA Goldcrest. The branches of this plant exude a powerful lemon scent when you brush against them or crush their foliage. Lemon Cypress has subtle and lasting yellowish-green leaves that make the plant appear cute and relaxing to see. These plants are best placed in your working area or sleeping room. However, take note that the latter requires a substantial amount of sunlight. Full sun to partial shade outdoors or direct sun indoors that lasts from five to six hours are needed (The Spruce). 

Due to pandemic, most of us spent 8 - 10 hours on the computer and you may consider adding these types of plants near your working area: 

These indoor plants absorb harmful radiation, which is beneficial to work-from-home professionals. Make sure to keep at least those plants in your area to mitigate the risk of cancer and other related diseases. 

 A small word of precaution: not all of us have a green thumb. Also, some plants may contain allergens, and soil may expose you to harmful pathogens, so make sure to conduct some research to save yourself from unnecessary effort and keep you and your family safe as much as possible. 

 There's not much need to worry for those who have trouble with plants because being eco-friendly is not limited to having them at home. If you want to keep up with this trend, here are some more ways to get you started: 

"...so products don't end up in a landfill in five years" 

-- based on a statement made by Sheree Vincent, certified Green AP by the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) (Furniture Lighting & Decor)

As a certified Green AP,  Sheree Vincent highly encourages the usage of materials like wool, linen, organic cotton, formaldehyde-free glues, and finishes, and LED lighting. Aside from having plants, these products have green attributes that make one's interior eco-friendly. 

Choose low VOC products as much as possible

VOC or Volatile Organic Compounds are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids such as paints and stored fuels. VOCs include various chemicals that can cause eye, nose, throat irritation, shortness of breath, headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and skin problems. Exposure to higher concentrations of this compound may negatively impact the lungs, liver, kidney, or central nervous system. (HealthLinkBC)


This is a recommendation made by Anita Lang, principal of IMI Design, in her interview with Iconic Life. According to her, the idea of people carrying their possessions as a curated collection reflecting their life's journey is not only better for the Earth because it also makes the design better and more interesting. Lang seeks to preserve her clients' belongings by repurposing, repainting, or reupholstering them. 

 Whether you are seeking to home more indoor plants or employ the tips mentioned above, make sure to seek their best possible use to optimize your home living in 2021. Integrating these tips into your interior design does not only make your house looks fresh and modern, but it also creates a better and healthier environment for you and the people around you. 

Considering the current situation of our world today, this trend is definitely worth a try!

This post is the second in our four-part series about interior design trends in 2021. To discover which designs are included on our list, check out the first part here. In this link, we have tackled the third part, so please don't miss it too!

Such events led to a rise in the consumption of eco-friendly products like organic foods, reusable food storage bags, non-disposable water bottles, compostable cutlery, and bowls, non-toxic skincare products, biodegradable dental floss, and many more.

Make your home living worthwhile by going green!

Over the past year, eating outside has been one of society's most loved activities. The sentiment and fun that it gives become an excellent therapy that eases one's stress. However, pandemic restrictions took out those times as the government imposed much-needed lockdowns to stop the spread of the covid virus. People needed to stay home, and eating out became the least thing to do. This pandemic, however, gave birth to home ideas that people haven't explored in the past years, which paved the way to create innovative home features that suit best for 2021's home living. 

This year, more people have chosen cooking as their new hobby. Based on an online survey conducted by Hunter (Sabre's Consumer PR Agencies for 2021), 54% of Americans are cooking more, 38% enjoy cooking as much as ever, and 51% of the surveyed Americans will continue to cook more often even after the pandemic. Considering these changes, the world of interior design and home renovations prepared new and modern interiors for Americans' kitchen and dining areas to complement those new home living hobbies. Check out some of the hits when it comes to styling one's kitchen this year. 

Next on our list are wider and decorative windows. Covid may stop us from going out, but it could not prevent us from appreciating outdoor views by shifting from concrete walls to full-scale walls of windows that allow sunlight to flow freely throughout the home while providing first-class views. 

Over the past year, we have grown into a more health-conscious society, and this 2021 home feature perfectly matches that style as such types allow us to feed our skin with the much-needed serotonin in the comfort of our own home. This style doesn't only bring much health; this also suits eco-friendly homeowners who value energy conservation brought about by natural sunlight during the daytime. 

Pandemic has indeed limited people's movement, but it hasn't stopped digitalization from accelerating. Globally, the rate of growth in the average share of products and services that are partially or fully digitalized rose by 20% from Dec. 2019 to July 2020, according to Mckinsey. As seen from the graph below, among the three regions cited, North America ranked 2nd to Asia, which saw a 23% increase in digitalization in six months. 

The reported increase is mainly contributed by healthcare and pharma, financial services, and professional services. While these advancements are rarely seen in the construction sector due to covid restrictions that impacted their supply chains, home builders cannot be stopped from upgrading your 2021 to a new level. This goal is made possible by installing highly advanced home techs like the following: 

Some examples of appliances can monitor and control the indoor air quality and a motorized louvered system-like structure to control the amount of sunlight entering your outdoor living space. Examples are Panasonic Cosmos Smart Fresh Air System, Blueair Blue Pure 211, Dyson Pure Cool Air Purifier and Tower Fan, and LG PuriCare 360° SmartThinQ air purifier.  

To secure your family, home builders can help you by strategically installing high-resolution security cameras like the one below.

 A Sea.Pcmag recommendation, Arlo Pro 4 Spotlight Camera (Editors Choice) is "a high-resolution, weather-resistant security camera that not only captures motion-triggered video but casts a bright light on whatever is moving around on your property. It installs in minutes, delivers detailed 2K video with color night vision, and provides accurate and intelligent motion detection." 

You may also consider installing smart doorbells like WUUK Smart Antitheft Doorbell and motion sensor devices like Kangaroo Motion + Entry Sensor. These types of devices ultimately give you peace of mind because the latter allows you to track the movements of people who enter your house from the main door to the kitchen. In contrast, the first one tracks your visitors with its AI facial recognition system as well as the people who don't ring the doorbell. In addition to these, it can also detect motion which is really a beneficial addition to its great function.

On the other hand, if you want a smart tech gadget that can do more aside from providing security, try SensorsCall CareAlert well-being monitor. Aside from motion, sound temperature, and air quality detection, this gadget allows you to communicate with your loved ones at home without a phone. See this link if you're interested to know more. 

Watching your favorite series will be more enjoyable with smart home entertainment systems that can ideally bring you an amazing home theatre experience. Anker Nebula Capsule is a great find if you’re looking for a projector that could display a theater-like video up to 100 inches across. 

Meanwhile, for those who are eyeing to get the best sound bars and speakers, Sonos Playbase Wireless Soundbar and Streaming Speakers could be an excellent pick. This plug-and-play speaker enhances the audio experience by delivering the best quality audio that can make you feel like they’re approaching you from all angles. 

To help you create a relaxing ambiance in your bedroom, placing Sleep Number 360 smart bed is highly recommended. This bed incorporates biometric sensors that help you improve the quality of your sleep.

Automating your home seems pretty reassuring; however, such convenience comes with a cost. But thank God!! 2021 has brought us another breakthrough in power conservation. With Powerhouse Dynamics' Total Home Energy Management program, you can keep track of your power consumption, which could help you allocate your budget properly. This energy system can also help you deal with associated costs and carbon footprint by the minute, which works wonders for the environment too!

To control all your smart home systems, get any of the following: Amazon Echo, Google Nest Hub, Wink Hub 2, Samsung SmartThings, Apple HomeKit. These are Techradar’s lists of the best home automation systems. These devices provide convenience as most of them allow you to control all your smart gadgets, regardless of brand, via voice command. Hubs (another term for automation systems) can also provide music and information about traffic and weather reports through its cloud-based service connection. To know more about the details, click this link. 

2021 has brought many innovative home technologies, and all these devices and more can definitely make your home living better. These smart home gadgets are good finds that will be useful even after the pandemic, so think about having these advancements on your home before 2021's over!

If you think you've learned about all the must-discovered home features, then take a look at the last home feature on our list because this is definitely helpful for you. I'm talking about...

In an era where you could fully automate your home functions, there should at least be a private space to provide for your self-care needs -- an area free from wifi and other intelligent devices. A place where you can enjoy reading books or doing a hobby that doesn't require any digital device. A place where you can exhale and relax comfortably, A place you can explore and be creative, productive but well-rested, and be fully expressive yet remain at ease. Privacy is expensive. But when you're at home, this is something you should not pay for.

Home features that provide privacy, home automation, comfort and relaxation,  and fantastic food experiences are the features you should never miss to make your home living in 2021 unique and extraordinary. Actually, there could be more! Any home feature that gives you joy, encourages peaceful life, develops your talents, hones your skills, and keeps you reminded of beautiful memories should be considered too! Don't miss having them :)

home features that suit best for 2021's home living. 

The pandemic era has made homes more valuable to everyone like never before. From being a simple source of comfort and relaxation to becoming the center of one's day-to-day activity, the house has indeed become an exciting place to live in. To complement this thrilling experience, 2021 launched some of the most unique and advanced home features that you should not fail to see!

Home features in 2021 you wouldn't want to miss! 

Choosing the color for your home’s exterior and interior is vital. Often, 70% of the ambiance that one can feel is attributed to the hues of the room. Colors can do a lot. It could set one’s mood, change one’s perspective, and a lot more. For example, deep blue encourages efficiency and light blue gives a sense of peace. Yellow increases focus while red deepens passion. Colors don’t have to be extreme to get the message across. Orange can be used to expand one’s thinking, but it doesn’t mean that all your walls should be painted to a jack-o-lantern shade of orange. It could be an accent piece such as a thinking chair, a pillow, or a lampshade. 

According to the chart above by CoSchedule, orange portrays energy yet is inviting and friendly. It is a balanced color. Color can make us feel happy or sad. It can make us feel hungry or relaxed. It’s crucial for you to know the psychological effect color has on an individual and the intended room or place that color will encompass. 

Color influences Men and Women Differently

Hallock’s study on gender-based color preferences showed that women preferred softer colors over brighter colors while men chose otherwise. Among all the colors included, blue tops the list as the most preferred color, 57% from men’s and 35% from women’s. See the pie charts below for a more detailed analysis of these gender-based color preferences. 

In another study, in terms of color mixtures, findings revealed that men liked achromatic colors like shades of gray or pure colors. Men find these colors along with forest green, brown and beige, blue (from light, medium to navy blue), bright yellow, black and white attractive and appropriate with their modern home designs. 

Meanwhile, women preferred tints and bright colors. Most adult girls like lighter colors that include blue and white, pink, light gray, or shades of a blue-green color palette. According to research, about 15% of women go for light gray for their interior paints because it is elegant, modern, and calming. The other 15%, on the other hand, prefers cream and bright yellow, 11% likes blue, and for another 9%, tints of red, pink, and lavender seemed best.  

More than 30% of women go for white and off-white for ceiling and wall painting purposes because of its proven impact on creating spacious, fresh, and modern interior designs.

Different Cultures drives different color emotions

A single color can have different meanings across different cultures. White is a typical wedding and celebration color, but for those with an Asian background, it represents a color of mourning. But then why do we still have all-white kitchens in design and why is it popular? Well, white in that case has a completely different meaning … sterile and clean or pure. Plus add another color and then white becomes the backdrop. 

They say blue is the color of calm across all cultures. With all that said, there are some general rules for applying color universally and some of which are given below: 

In combining home furnishings, wall paints, and home decors with different colors, one must note the set of color combinations that should be used to give the room a cohesive, finished look. One way to determine the color combination is to pick the room's accent color ahead of time. Accent color refers to the pops of colors that catch one attention immediately upon entering the room. It could be any color that stands out from the color of the surroundings, like sets of decorations and home furnishings in red hues on a white wall paint or a group of white decorations on an interior painted with blue. Accent colors could be vivid and bold colors like yellow, orange, and red or more toned-down colors such as gray, brown, or darker shades as long as it is strategically combined with the other colors. Examples of proven accent color combinations are gray and blue, which induces a peaceful and calming ambiance, or brown and pink  to achieve an environment-friendly look that looks chic and decent like the photos below: 

Aside from deciding upon which accent colors to use, another way to combine colors properly is by taking into consideration the colors that provide maximum contrast against another. Contrasting colors are colors that are directly across from one another on the color wheel and they are also known as complementary colors. Blue beige and red-orange is an example given by the color spectrum below. 

Combining the colors shown above creates a fresh and lively effect perfect for creating a stylish look in one’s home. If you’re curious about how these types of combinations look like, take a peek at some of the photos below:  

Because there are many sets of colors, interior designers may find it hard to pick a color palette that fits well in one’s interior. Good thing, the color wheel exists. Designers use them to define spaces and compile color schemes. But how do designers use them? 

Continue reading to discover some more color rules employed by interior designers to create winning color combinations for everyone’s home.

This rule utilizes warm and cool colors in one's design. Vibrant colors like red, orange, yellow as well as the neutrals like brown and tan are considered warm colors. Meanwhile, cool colors are seen on the other side of the spectrum. Some of which are blue, green, purple, and gray. Take a look at the photos below for examples of how designers incorporate this in one's home interior. 

Choose three colors and pick which one of them--normally the most neutral or subdued hue will be used to cover 60% of the room.  The other color which is normally bolder takes up 30% of the space and the boldest shade will be used for the remaining 10% of the room. Take a look at the photos below for example.

Like the 60-30-10 rule, this scheme also employs three colors but they were utilized in a different way. The rule is using two out of three primary colors and the third one will be a mix of the two. For example, they have chosen red and yellow then the third dominating color should be orange. See the photo below for example. 

Let’s start with the infamous “dress.” Way back in 2015, the dress became a polarizing viral topic.  Some people saw the dress as a white and gold dress, while others saw the dress as blue and black. Well, actually, the dress has only one version, and it’s the blue and black dress, but still, individuals from each camp could not see eye to eye and frantically sought to understand why they saw one set of colors while others did not. 

Your eyes can be tricked into believing it is one or the other by the lighting and background colors around the dress. A paper published in the Journal of Vision explained the science behind the dress’s shifting colors. “When your brain tries to figure out what color something is, it essentially subtracts the lighting and background colors around it,” or as the neuroscientist interviewed by Wired Magazine says, tries to ‘discount the chromatic bias of the daylight axis.’ This is why you can identify an apple as red whether you see it at noon or at dusk.”

For those who find the notion of having shifting interior colors fun, harnessing the power of this color trick is recommended. Take, for example, the interior of Chromaflair, a compact home office and bathroom renovation inside one of the penthouses at 56 Leonard Street. White/green marble finishing were used to design the attached bathroom. Still, when you take a closer look at the marble when sunlight passes through the blue glass in a geometric pattern, the marble’s color is seen differently compared to the color of marble that is not covered with the blue glass. 

The room’s name, “Chromaflair,” probably came from the name of a unique and multi-layer pigment flake that has the same name. These pigment flakes give paints, coatings, plastics, textiles, and packaging the ability to change color depending on the angle at which it is viewed and the angle of incidence light. Currently, there are seven standard colors offered by VIAVI Solution, and the names of these pigment flakes were inspired by the color seen at approximately 0° and 45°, respectively. 

Another color trick is using combinations as seen below. It almost resonates with the first example; however, the color changes are not as drastic as the previously mentioned dress in this article. These sets of color combinations can only trick how you perceive the brightness of the inner circle’s color depending on the background color. This color trick strategy is made possible through the concept of Color Context. Notice how the yellow color of the inner circle on the upper left changes as its background color changes from bright yellow to bright red. 

Another example would be the image below. The chess set may appear as if the upper chess set is white and the bottom set is black. Well, actually, both groups have the same color. The background just changed. 

Color tricks that employ color context ideas are perfect with home decors. Take a look at the plant's color on a blue wall versus the color of the plant on a white wall. See how the background color makes some difference in the color of the plant. 

I hope you find this information valuable and interesting! Colors play a vital role in how we perceive our home. Thus it is crucial to consider how colors impact emotion and behavior and how it influences gender and cultures. Knowing the proper color combination and the various rules in using them is beneficial too. For those who want to get a little artsy, incorporating color tricks using the different color concepts is highly recommended. Color tricks will not only induce creative imaginations, but they are also helpful in creating a joyful vibe as long it is done correctly.

Try to consider the end-user of the space and incorporate this while you're selecting your next theme for your home. Ultimately it's your place, and you can decide to have it just the way you want it to be. 

Colors can do a lot. It could set one’s mood, change one’s perspective, and a lot more. For example, deep blue encourages

Adding yellow increases focus, while hints of red allude to passion. However, when combined with some color tricks ideas, such impact may suddenly change!

Color tricks that change the perception of your home!

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." 

This was a famous statement by Arts & Crafts Visionary William Morris. While it already created a significant impact in the industry, particularly through his student Frank Lloyd Wright, who expanded on the idea "Form follows function," it became even more meaningful fast forward to 2021 because of the month-long lockdowns that have been implemented in the previous year. Every home in 2020 became each one's version of its own office, classroom, cinema, gym, and many more. However, not all homes are tailored to function like those places, thus making most of us rethink our house designs.

"How can your home office make you feel like working?"
"Can your patio make you celebrate life's goodness?" 

"What can you do to transform your kitchen and dining area to stimulate appetite?"

"What design best fits your closet to make you feel ready and energized?" 

All these questions will be answered as we share with you some elements of design and how they could be perceived. By the end of this article, you already know which elements perfectly suit certain parts of your home for these areas to function effectively. 

In our art appreciation class back in the day, most professors taught about the seven elements of design-- color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value. These elements must be carefully considered in planning any type of design, particularly a premise' interior. However, in this blog, we have chosen to expound on elements that we think will be more useful and familiar: color, lines, and shapes. 

Visual artists use these elements to achieve their goal to express their emotions or convey a message to their audience. We can use the same elements in designing different parts of our home, but it is with utmost importance to be familiar with the impact of these elements. Let's have the first element, which is color. 

Take a look at the list below to know the moods associated with different colors. 

If you want to stimulate vibrancy, excitement, appetite, or desire to take action, choose red. Check the photo of the living room below for a sample. 

This color is known to bring creativity, energy, and spurs youthfulness and enthusiasm. Like red, orange stimulates vibrancy and fun. According to the site, BourneCreative, the orange color can do a lot. It helps in decision making, enhances happiness, confidence, and understanding. It also stimulates mental activity and increases oxygen supply to the brain which helps improve cognitive function in the elderly. Take a look at the sample bedroom below and see how it impacts you. 

A happy and youthful color that exudes hope and positivity. Helps increase one’s focus and allows one to make quick decisions. Try yellow in your next home office renovation or living room. On the other hand, according to Carlson Wagner, former director of Wagner Institute for Color Research, you should never paint a nursery room yellow because it makes babies cry. At the same time, in adults, it results in shortness of temper. See the photo of the living room below, for example. 

Conveys peace and safety. This color incites balance and relaxation. Although sometimes, it depends on the shade, mint green, blue-green, apple green works best; avoid neon if you want a relaxing ambiance. Consider the photo below to discover how relaxing the green living room is! 

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