Luxury Housing Trends & Home Improvement Ideas

The laundry room or mud room is an ideal spot for an indoor dog kennel, because a dog door can be cut into the exterior wall to allow your pet the comfort of the indoors and excitement of the outdoors. Using plexiglass on the dog door and kennel door can ensure that your dog gets a view of everything.

When you have guests over or if there is a loud celebration going on, your dog will have a safe place to retreat. Plus, if you’re worried about accidents when you’re away, preserve your carpets and put your dog in the kennel for a couple hours until you return.

Another wonderful amenity to add to your mud room is a hand-held shower hose or sprayer, because you can wash your dog with ease. It can also come in handy when you need to rinse off muddy shoes or fill up a watering can to hydrate your indoor plants.

A window greenhouse or garden window is a compact and inexpensive way to gain the benefits of a greenhouse within your home. So those plants that would otherwise die outdoors when fall and winter set in can now thrive inside your home. Plus, a greenhouse is beneficial in any climate.

Greenhouse Windows by Tru-Frame come in vinyl or aluminum windows and can easily replace an existing kitchen window. To enable ventilation, these windows have side opening windows as well as fully adjustable tempered glass shelves. In addition, this design has a Low-E2 insulated glass roof, which reduces heat and ultra violet rays that can compromise your plants. Although stock colors are white and almond, other colors are available too.

These windows can also display other items such as vases, knickknacks and small pictures. So it can be a display case for people inside or looking from the outside of your home.

Is there anything particular you enjoy collecting? Maybe woven baskets, throws, dolls, vases or seashells are your interest. Even if you have a large collection of a certain item, you can display it in your home in a way that doesn’t consume and clutter the room.

Larger items such as vases and glass bowls can be displayed in a shelving unit. If you have vases in a variety of colors and shapes, choose a simple unit that will not detract from the handblown glass. Woven baskets can be hung from the ceiling, and blankets can be neatly folded and featured on a tiered rack that can rest in the corner of a room.

For small items like seashells, a cabinet with small shelving compartments is best. All you need is a hot glue gun and you can safely secure your treasures. The Sea Shell Display Glass Top Rattan Coffee Table pictured below has 23 compartments underneath the table glass, which can be used for sea glass, seashells and other beach finds.

Your kids are only little for so long, but a themed playroom can keep their imagination young at heart. Plus, instead of distracting from your home, this playroom can enhance your living space.

If your den is a dumping ground for toys, it’s time to change things. Most likely this room is also a catchall for other items as well that might not be safe for your children to be around. By creating a giant playpen with a fenced-in section, you can keep your eye on your children and ensure their safety. The fence can create a division between a playroom and an adult lounge so the room is more functional.

Some themes you might consider are a travel hub (maps and other transportation accessories), Hawaiian luau, under the sea, secret garden and peaceful forest. Pieces you might want to have in the playroom might include a table and chairs, cubby holes or plastic containers, dry erase or chalk board, bean bags or lounge chairs and a rack or closet for costumes.

Clutter can quickly build up in your garage, and before you know it, you can barely have room to park your cars. Creating order to this area of your home will enable you to access your sports equipment, tools and cars.

Built-in cabinets are an easy way to store your basketball ball, skis, roller blades and even your gardening tools. Cabinets will give you more space where you need it most. Also, a bike rack can immediately restore order and prevent your children from leaving their bicycles where they don’t belong.

To reduce clutter on the floor, you can install hooks for hanging extra bike tires, rims, holiday decorations, etc. If you’re a handy person, also install a sturdy worktable and supply shelves. This will enable you to have a work zone where everything is in its place.

Lastly, brightly colored storage bins can cheer up the space and motivate you and the family to keep it clean.

Creating a workspace in your kitchen or off of the kitchen is a way to ensure that your finances are taken care of. When you lack an organized and ready to use workstation, you’re likely to forget important dates and lose bills.

In order for a workstation to be acceptable in the kitchen area, it has to be organized and functional. Reusing a vintage desk is a way to save money and create your finance station. Office supplies can be stored in the drawers, or if the desk doesn’t have drawers, you can hang holders on the wall above the desk.

Another way to keep your desk neat is to install basic wall-mounted shelving, because a variety of items can be stored here. For example, stylish file boxes can be placed on the top shelf then books and a holder for due bills can be on the lower shelf where they are readily accessible.

Extra refrigerator drawers in the kitchen are a convenient touch so you have more storage space and the opportunity to keep certain foods extra chilly. These Sub-Zero refrigerator drawers can make your life easier when preparing meals at your kitchen island.

Since the drawers are built into the counter, you barely know they are there. Model options include custom panels and classic, platinum or carbon stainless steel hardware. Here is where you can store your bottled beverages for easy accessibility. Also, if you want to make sure you and your children are getting two servings of fruit every day, this is the perfect place to keep them.

Sub-Zero has variations of these drawers too. For instance, you can have a built-in wine cooler or refrigerator doors that are more transparent. These refrigerators can go into any room such as your theater, gym, family room, etc., so don’t assume that you’re limited to the kitchen.

Painting, sculpting, ceramics, piano, flute, guitar…whichever type of art you’re into, you should have a special place in your home for it. Even if you have to make ceramics out of your garage or play the drums in your attic, it’s comforting to know that your home welcomes these talents.

If you’re remodeling the attic so a drafting table and easel fits, a few skylights on the northern portion of the ceiling will provide ideal lighting. Also, make sure that there is enough room to be comfortable (at least 70 square feet of floor space).

The swanky piano room below has included a variety of textural elements, which can inspire your creativity. For example, there is a faux fur rug under the piano, patterned upholstered chairs and ornate wood detailing on the table.

Regardless of which room in your home you have available to convert into an art studio or music room, it’s important to have pieces of visual interest as well as a window into the outside world.

Unfinished wood furniture lacks interest and color, but pickling is a technique you can use to stain the wood. This method can be used on wood, wicker or sisal items, and because the stains are transparent, you can still enjoy the natural wood grain.

What you need to accomplish this look is fine sandpaper, an oil-based stain, a soft cotton cloth, a steel wool and polyurethane sealer. First, you need to sand the wood then apply the stain with a cloth. After the stain dries, rub the wood with the steel wool and finish the wood with the sealer.

The red, green or blue wood furniture can be used on the porch, and you can alternate the different colors on certain areas of the furniture to make it more interesting. A wicker mirror and end table make excellent accessories for you or child’s bedroom. This is an inexpensive improvement you can do to your furniture that doesn’t require too much time.

Creating a romantic bedroom doesn’t have to mean buying new furniture and remodeling the space for a fireplace. There are simple elements that you can add to evoke a romantic atmosphere.

Deep, rich accents of color in the bedding or walls provide a dramatic effect. In addition, the warmer tones of plum, brown, red and green create a cozy space that feels too good to leave.

The curtains also have an effect on the room. Billowy curtains soften the windows but also allow some natural light to flow in. If you prefer a Victorian style, try rounded-rod curtains, which puff at the top and flow out.

Small accessories such as bookends, pillows and lamps can also romance the room. For instance, illuminated glass-block bookends can provide a soft glow. Also, fuzzy blankets and large throw pillows are a luxurious touch.

Simple decorations in a bedroom such as a vase of flowers or new lampshade can create a different vibe.