In today’s world, we depend on technology. We thrive by pushing the boundaries of what we can do with it. It started with computers and the internet, now it is phones that can keep us connected through more than just voice. We can take photos, voice chat, record videos, and surf the web. We also now have the option to power our homes proving that remote power is the future of design in more ways than we may realize today.

Where Technology Takes Us

Already people are turning to the idea of smart homes. We like knowing that we can watch over our home from work. We want to know that we can turn the lights on or control the heat inside of our home while we are on vacation or returning from it. The ability to see who is knocking on your door or delivering a package. It makes us feel safer. It is this that will, in the future, encourage more builders to focus on building new homes to be smart homes.

Your Home, Your Way

New homes will likely have all the things we want in today’s homes. They will have smart lights, smart thermostats, refrigerators, and all the other “conveniences” we depend on. Most may even have the option of a remote start generator. This type of generator is fully equipped with remote start so that you do not have to go outside during a storm to turn on the power in your home.

Welcome, Home!

How much will you love having a home that you are in total control of? For most people, it is the unimaginable come to life. Technology, unlike anything we could have imagined 10-years ago, can make things outstandingly simple for our future selves.

Are you ready to step into your future home?

When tackling home improvements, you can always expect expenses that can quickly become pretty extreme. The bathroom and the kitchen are usually the two most expensive areas to work in, because they are the areas that usually require more than a coat of paint and new flooring. If you look beyond the “fixtures” and appliances that belong in those areas, the kitchen can easily become the most expensive because of the fact you need cabinets and counters. What you may not consider is that you can save money and create your own amazing countertops.

The Cost of Countertops

In most areas, the average price for something like granite countertops is going to average $40-$60 per square foot, just to buy the slab, but some different types of granite could easily cost you more. It depends on the thickness of the slab you want and various other things. Considering most homeowners want a ton of counter space in their kitchen area for food prep and storage, the cost to replace old counters can end up through the roof. For this reason, there are many homeowners who are opting to ditch the traditional countertop. They are getting creative and discovering new ways to build their own. Doing so not only cuts costs, but it allows them to have something truly unique.

DIY Countertops

Most countertops that you purchase are slabs of stone or something similar. Instead of going with the traditional, you can get creative within your home. A lot of people are choosing to use concrete to create their kitchen counters, but there are also those who use wood slats and stones, floor tiles, regular tiles, and more. They simply find cheap materials and think outside of the box on how to make their kitchen counters look amazing. Can you imagine having a counter that is covered in solid colored tiles with a mosaic around the edge or one that is done using different colors of wooden slats? Perhaps you would prefer cement with stones that are laid in such a way as to create a pattern. You can do anything you want, but you will have to learn how to protect the counter tops.

Protecting Your Creation

DIY counter tops are perfect for helping you save money on kitchen remodels. It also allows you to create something that is truly unique to your home. This is why you have to protect what you have created. The best way to do this to use epoxy, but many homeowners often spend more time wondering how to epoxy countertops than actually using it. The truth is, epoxy isn’t something you should dread working with. For the most part, it is very simple to use if you follow the instructions on mixing and pouring it. It will add a protective layer over the counter to ensure that your creation will last for many years to come. It will also help your counter to avoid stains, resist burns, and more. As a bonus, when you are done expressing your creativity, you will have a countertop that you are proud to show off.

When you are hoping to improve the comfort and style of your home, you should never underestimate the power of lighting. You should put lights in a room that reflects the overall purpose of a room. As a rule, lighting in the bedroom should be soft and more soothing, whereas a light in the bathroom needs to be bright. Therefore, there are a lot of new lighting ideas for baths and bedrooms available for you to consider if you want to match the right “mood” with the room.

Bedroom Lighting Options

Your bedroom light should cast a softer glow than any other room in your home. Therefore, rather than ceiling lights, which tend to be very bright, most people opt for simple lamps or wall scones around their bedroom. A lamp is a great option if you frequently read in your bedroom before you turn in for the night. They can cast a soft light around the room but provide enough light for you to read by. Wall scones are better for around the room lighting, unless you opt to use an adjustable scone near the bed which may cast directed light toward what you are reading. Wall scones near the bed can also save space on your night table for your alarm clock, body lotions, or anything else that you feel needs to be kept close to the bed.

Bathroom Lighting Options

Bathroom lights should be bright enough to ensure that you can put on your makeup without worrying you will look like a clown when you step out into the bright sunlight. This will also ensure that you can shave and not have to worry about missing a lot of stubble because you cannot see it. Poor lighting can also make the room feel unappealing. To counter this, you can install a two light vanity fixture over the vanity or use wall scones on each side of the mirror. For overall lighting, you can install recessed lighting fixtures to ensure that the room is bright, but that there are no harshly lit areas.

Trending Now

In large, master bathroom areas, many people love the look of chandelier style lights. They are effective at brightening up the bathroom, but if you hook it to a dimmer switch, you control the amount of light. A lot of people also enjoy having wall scones or bars that cast the light downward over the bathroom vanity and of course, recessed lighting is always a popular light style. For smaller bathrooms, wall scones are often enough lighting to make it easy to get dressed in the morning, but not enough that there is a blinding light. Often in a small bathroom, a scone on each side of the vanity is enough light, especially if you have a clear shade over them. In bedrooms, the trendiest things include having a ceiling light for getting dressed by and more subtle lighting around the room for quieter times. In virtually all bedrooms, the theme is relaxation. The lighting you choose for your room should be no different and if you want to further increase the comfort, choosing frosted shades, low wattage bulbs, and other things can all create a haven for you.