How to Add Lavish Charm to a New-Build Home
The influx in new construction is great, but it can also mean that sometimes luxury new-builds have a similar feel to them, particularly when they’re all built in a single neighbourhood. If you’re like most buyers, you want your home to stand out and have character, whether it’s a rich, old-world feel or a contemporary opulence. Here’s how to make your new-build stand out: Upgrade your finishes. Elevate your home with luxurious finishes in the kitchen and bathroom, or anywhere you want a little more upscale character. Think marble countertops, hand-scraped hardwood flooring, lush carpet in the bedroom or brass fixtures in the bathrooms. Opt for statement lighting. Great lighting has two perks: the right lighting can make a room seem bigger or more opulent, while the light fixture itself can add an element of character. Instead of sticking with boring track lighting or a standard flush mount, look for a chandelier or pendant that makes a statement and incorporates beautiful materials. Look at unusual architectural features. Nothing says boring like a cookie-cutter layout. Dress up plain walls and ceilings with some extra features, such as coffered ceilings, crown molding or wainscotting. This can be done after you move in, but if you’re buying pre-construction, you may also be able to negotiate some of these with the builder. Don’t forget that your furnishings will also help set the tone in a home. By decorating in a style that speaks to your values and aesthetics, you can help your new home feel like a true luxury retreat.
5 Ideas for an Improvised Headboard
When you’re prepping your home for sale, you might not have the time or resources to buy a new bedframe and headboard if you don’t have one already. But do you need one? Here are five fast ways to create an alternative headboard that will still give your bedroom a finished look before the buyers come. Use wood for a rustic look. There are lots of ways to use wood to create a temporary headboard. Whether it’s slabs of reclaimed wood mounted on the wall or a light-coloured sheet of plywood for a minimalist Scandinavian look, you just might find you have all the materials sitting around in your basement! Prop up an oversized piece of art. This is an easy and versatile trick that really allows you to match your new “headboard” to the style of your room. Whether it’s a bold black-and-white abstract piece or an oversized piece of framed wallpaper in a neutral pattern, you’ll find there are endless options. Put up a shelf instead. This works especially well in small spaces! A minimalist shelf, either wall-mounted or a floor unit, can be a great way to sneak in some extra storage and finish off the space above your head. Use stick-on decals. If you think decals are just for kid’s rooms, think again. Online you can find stick-on decals that fit every kind of style, from urban and minimalist to lush and botanical. They’re also a great way to dress up an unadorned wall. An oversized wall mural can be a great headboard substitute too. Hang a textile. To add some texture and warmth to a room without a headboard, try hanging a textile above your bed. This could range from a macramé wall hanging to a contemporary-patterned rug, to an artful tapestry.
Small Space Ideas You Can Pull From
The truth is, not every luxury home can be spacious. Many condos are compact in size. Alternately, a more sprawling home may have a smaller space on the property to work with, such as a carriage house or in-law suite. The good news? Just because your space is small, doesn’t mean it can’t be luxurious. If your furnishing a small luxury space, borrow these tricks from luxury campers, R.V.s and yachts: Opt for barn or pocket doors. If you need to close off some rooms in a smaller space, know that sliding barn doors or pocket doors take up less space than a traditional swing door. Alternately, heavy drapes on a sliding track can be a dramatic, plush way to separate spaces, especially in a studio space. Look for built-in sofas. To see how a small space can be comfortable as well as compact, look no further than the built-in sofas commonly found in yachts and campers. They’re sleek and comfortable, while taking up less space than a traditional couch. Look for creative wall space in the kitchen. Kitchen storage doesn’t have to be all about cupboards. Sometimes you can get use out of unusual spaces if you look hard enough. Consider hanging hooks or racks underneath cabinets to hang mugs or wine glasses. You might want to look at using magnetic strips on the wall to store knives or spice jars, too. Make your sink and stove do double duty. For the truly compact spaces, a wooden or marble stove and sink cover can be a great way to make more space. When placed over top, they allow you more temporary prep space, plus the ability to hide dishes if unexpected visitors pop by. Opt for wall-mounted lamps. To make the most of limited floor space, keep your lighting limited to minimalist ceiling-mounted fixtures, or wall-mounted scones for reading or extra task light.
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