Adding to or remodeling your house is one of the most exciting and creative processes you can go through. But with all that responsibility comes pressure to make informed decisions that will last. How can you make sure to get the right design for your lifestyle, stay within your budget and maximize the return on your investment? Start with a great design for every room in your house — including the bathroom.

Bathrooms, whether big or small, should always be well thought out and carefully located, and should function with multiple users in mind. We’re long past the era where there was one bathroom for every three bedrooms in the house, and everyone had all the time needed to use it. Today’s bathrooms need to be beautiful, use space efficiently and serve the users functionally. Avoiding common design blunders, can help you be happier with your bathroom for the long haul.

No View Out

No one likes a dark, damp bathroom with bad circulation — it’s no fun spending time in a space like that. If you’re building or relocating a bathroom, try to site it on an outside wall with windows.

If windows are not an option, installing an operable skylight can allow for the fresh air and natural light needed to make the space feel comfortable.

A Clear View in From Public Rooms

Whenever possible, avoid locating the bathroom directly off one of the home’s public rooms — like the kitchen, living room or dining room.

This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to put in a long hallway, but create some sort of formal separation to break up the line of sight. The last thing you want is to be sitting in the living room with a glass of wine and looking straight into the bathroom at the toilet.

Making It All About the Toilet

Avoid making the toilet the first thing you see in the bathroom, and avoid any sightlines to it from adjacent rooms. If you can, put the toilet and shower in their own room while keeping the sink separate. This allows someone to take a shower while someone else gets ready at the sink. The wall between the two rooms adds only a couple of inches to the overall size of the bathroom but doubles the room’s functionality.

Curbed-Shower Enthusiasm

A curbless shower makes a bathroom feel bigger and look cleaner — plus, it’s very practical for aging-in-place homeowners, since it adheres to universal design principles.

This look is fairly easy to achieve in a new bathroom or a remodel — just make sure you mention it to your architect or contractor prior to construction.

Thinking Bigger Is Better

That’s right: Bigger isn’t better; better is better. Whether you’re designing a large master bathroom in your dream home or trying to figure out how to squeeze in an extra bathroom for your growing family, the most important aspect of your new bathroom is that it has a great design that functions efficiently for your specific lifestyle.

The truth is, great design is less about how a bathroom looks (although it’s always nice when it looks fantastic) and more about how it works. Great design translates to a house that functions better, costs less to build, is more efficient to maintain and gets you more for less.

The biggest color trends for 2022 include an autumn bouquet, pretty pastels and a step back into the ’70s

Blood Red

As if to perfectly illustrate the theme, the most prominent colors on the stands composed a natural autumn bouquet. This palette appears on furniture, accessories and finishes with hues running from red to yellow by way of burnt orange and terra cotta. These individual shades bring a lot of warmth into an interior, with a few pleasant surprises, like blood red.

Terra Cotta

The autumnal composition begins with a shade that has been talked a lot about for the last few years: terra cotta. The shade is still very much present in international collections, appreciated for its direct connection to the earth, bringing us back to nature.

Burnt Orange

New this year, burnt orange completes this spectrum of warm colors, bringing with it a dose of nostalgia and a return to the decor of the ’70s.

Elizabeth Leriche, director of the eponymous style agency, says, “The lifestyle of this era is well loved, doubtlessly because the young generations are nostalgic for these happy years when everything was permitted. There is a desire for a less formal, more relaxed and more convivial lifestyle”.

Brown

Brown fits naturally in this ode to autumn, as it is a pleasant, neutral and relaxing shade. It is also expressed in the choice of materials, with natural fibers, leather, and darker woods than we have gotten used to in the last few years.

Warming Yellow

Pantone selected it as the Color of the Year 2021: hopeful, optimistic and joyful, yellow is by no means an afterthought. It made its appearance on the autumnal palette with softer, warmer and more muted shades than Pantone’s Illuminating, with tones like mustard or pastel yellow.

Klein Blue

Yellow is combined, in moderation, with another color that had a big comeback this year: Klein blue which is another hint of the return to the ’70s.

Mauve

Another surprise is that mauve and violet have returned to the forefront in decor. Unexpected, but seductive in daring combinations with the other bold shades, like Klein blue or yellow.

Moss Green

What would reconnecting with nature be without a notable presence of green, the best representative of the plant world?

In the coming season, the trend is moving slightly away from pine green and sage and turning rather toward moss and lichen shades. In other words, tones reminiscent of the interiors of the ’70s, which are combined with burnt orange to really commit to the period.

Brown to Beige

Balancing all of these striking colors is a very natural and natural palette composed of ecru, beige, stone grey, taupe and brown. In other words, very organic shades, related at once to the earth and the mineral world, which can be used to create a soft and relaxing atmosphere.

Pastels

Likewise responding to this need for softness in interiors, once again pastel tones are on the forefront, particularly pale pinks. They are part of a more general tendency towards less saturated colors than the ones we’ve seen over the past few years.

Color Blocking

More than the colors themselves, the real novelty is the way they are combined in a big revival of color blocking, which is so representative of decor from the ’80s and ’90s. Colors no longer match, but clash as contrasting solid colors within the decor.

Putting a new paint colour on the walls is one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to transform a room. But where do you start if you haven’t already picked out a colour? An interior designer or colour consultant can help you hone in on the general colour you want, such as yellow, gray, white or green. A pro can also advise you on the specific paint colour to choose.

But before you commit, it’s worth considering which colours you truly love.  Here are some practical suggestions that will have you feeling more colour-confident in no time.

Visit Your Closet

Whatever you do, don’t just head straight to the paint store to browse through the paint chips, or you risk being majorly overwhelmed. Of course, if you’ve already done this, you’re not alone.  Before you go to the paint store, you really want to narrow down the colours. Even before you pick up the swatches.

But how do you narrow down a colour in the first place?  Examine your wardrobe. Look in your closet and see what colours you wear often. You are going to gravitate toward certain colours that look good on you. What better way to look great in the interior than if you paint what you look great in?

Browsing your wardrobe can also help you come up with ideas for accent colours. For instance, if you tend to wear a lot of blue and often pair it with khaki, tan leather shoes and silver jewelry, perhaps those colours could be a theme for your home. You could translate that theme to your living room with blue walls, soft leather furnishings, and gray or silver for other accents like the rug and toss pillows.

Unearth Your Happy Memories

What colour was your room growing up?. What colour makes you the happiest?

Inspiration can come from anywhere. Maybe your grandmother’s kitchen was yellow, and you have great memories of traveling with her. Maybe you saw this great shade of blue when you were traveling in the Caribbean, and it calms you.

If no colours come to mind from your memories, try getting out a photo book from one of your favorite trips and seeing if any colours speak to you. As you go about your days, visiting restaurants, shops and even other people’s homes, pay attention to which colours you’re most drawn to.

There are no real rules about colour. You really have to know what moves you and not be influenced by what other people like and what other people say.

Envision the Feeling You Want

So you’ve decided to paint your room blue. How do you narrow down which blue? It can be helpful to think about the feeling that you want to create in the room. If you’re seeking a cozier feel, choose a blue on the darker end. If you’re going for a more serene vibe, a lighter, perhaps sea blue may be better.

As you’re drawn to shades of blue, pay attention to whether you prefer blues that tend toward lavender, green or pure hues. Knowing the undertones of the shade you’re selecting is useful for coordinating with trim and accessories. A good designer will be able to identify these undertones and help you select a paint that works with your furnishings.

You’ll also want to keep in mind whether your paint colour should have cool or warm undertones — and again, a designer can be invaluable in helping you identify these subtleties. If you’re starting from a blank slate, a cool gray or a warm gray might suit you equally. But if you already have furniture and accessories in warmer hues, you may want to choose a warmer tone that complements what you already have.

Seek Inspiration

Browse the internet, magazines etc for general colour and style ideas, and tone and value inspiration — meaning light or dark or medium. But keep in mind that the way colours read on your computer screen or mobile device probably won’t be the way they read in your room, where they’ll be affected by the amount of light and even the landscaping that the light is coming through.

If you fall in love with a colour online, go out and select a swatch and bring it home before committing. Even colour chips won’t be exactly how the paint colour will appear, so it’s important that you actually test out the paint on your walls.

Tip: As you’re browsing for inspiration, look for rooms that are similar in size and shape to the one that you’ll be painting; that way, the effect will be more similar.

Narrow Down Your Options: No More Than Four Colours

Once you’ve settled on a general colour, your designer can save you a lot of time by suggesting a few excellent paint colour choices and helping you choose the best option among them. However, if you like to be more involved in the selection process, you might head to the paint store and pick out several chips and bring them home. Then it’s time to winnow them down.

Say you come home with eight shades of blue. Lay all the swatches out and compare them to each other. You will start to see the subtle differences between each colour. Some of the blues lean toward green or aqua. Some are a denim shade. Some have a funky undertone that you just don’t like at all.

Winnow down the options to three or four colours. You can tack the colour chips to the wall of the room you’ll be painting, or use a sheet of paper as a neutral background. Keep in mind as you make your comparisons that the paint chips will appear a bit darker on a light background, and lighter on a dark background. Often, after comparing the paint chips to each other, it will be pretty clear which colour is going to work.

If you still aren’t comfortable with the colour options, you could consider taking away all but one option and looking at each colour individually. As you assess the colours, consider how each option will look with the elements of your room already in place and that you’re not willing to change.

Put Paint Samples Right on the Wall

Once you’ve chosen your three or four final colours, it’s time to test them. It is better to paint the wall than the sample boards the paint store sells. This is not just because it’s more economical. You need to paint at least a 1-by-1-foot square on all four walls, some designers recommend painting an even larger area -  at least 3 by 3 feet. Paint on the wall because that’s exactly where it’s going. You’re painting over a previous color.

Place the paint samples side by side on the wall. They should still be lined up because you still need to compare and choose based on the process of elimination. Again, if this is overwhelming for your eye, you could consider looking at them apart.

It’s also important to make sure the sample you purchase has the finish that you’re planning to use - matte, eggshell, satin, high gloss - because that can also change the way a colour reads. Many stores sell the sample-size cans only in the matte finish. You may want to consider buying a full quart to get the true effect.

Look at the samples on the wall at various times of day, and try different types of lighting to see how that may change the colours. Live with the colours for a few days. When a clear winner emerges, you’re ready to paint the walls.

These suggestions for decorating, remodeling and adding storage will help your home stand out in the market.

Unless you are designing your forever home, you are probably concerned with resale value when discussing renovations big or small. A home is often a person’s largest asset, so design upgrades are not only an aesthetic decision but a financial one as well. Here are some design tips that have been the most beneficial in helping houses stand out from the pack.

Make the Room Feel Bigger

Selecting and placing furniture that fits the scale of the room can go a long way in making the space feel larger than it actually is. While the actual square footage of a house will, of course, directly affect the price, perception is a powerful thing. If you can make a room feel more spacious, buyers will likely see more potential in the house.

Not Everything Has to Be New

Don’t be afraid to keep a home’s traditional elements. It’s impossible to please every potential buyer by selecting one particular style or trend; staying honest to the home’s roots can pay dividends.

Add Custom Closets

A large, functional walk-in closet will add value to any home. It’s a luxury that really excites potential buyers. Prices for installing a custom closet vary widely, but finding an affordable solution that still has a high-end look is not too difficult if you do your research.

The Kitchen Is King

If you’re going to spend money on your home, you’ll get no better bang for your buck than in the kitchen. Whether you’re an avid cook or more likely to order takeout on your way back from work, you use the kitchen for eating, drinking and storage. Even minor upgrades, such as updating light fixtures and hardware, will add value to your home.

Storage: The More The Better

There is no such thing as too much storage. It’s important to provide ample storage for multiple purposes. Under the stairs is an ideal area for pullout storage for tall items like ladders that won’t fit in standard-height closets.

A Fresh Coat of Paint Can Do Wonders

Painting is the most cost-effective way to freshen up a space. Freshly painted rooms feel updated, clean and crisp, without leaving a major dent in your wallet. When selecting paint colors, try to avoid anything too bold, as neutrals tend to be a safer choice in homes for sale.

Try to Be Energy-Efficient

Buying a home comes with many other costs beyond the sale price: closing costs, moving fees and energy bills are just a few examples. Try to offer potential buyers energy-efficient options. They can be as small as CFL or LED lightbulbs or as big as installing solar panels on your roof.

Bathroom Updates Provide a Big Return

Bathroom upgrades are second only to kitchen updates in providing a great return on investment. Since bathrooms are usually the smallest spaces in the home, a little bit can go a long way. Consider replacing outdated vanities, changing light fixtures and updating hardware.

Hire a Professional Organizer

It’s amazing what a little help can do. A professional organizer can help you create a clutter-free home. The money spent on hiring a pro for just one day will pay off when potential buyers see an organized home that feels larger and more manageable. Buying a house can be stressful, especially for first-time buyers. It might be subconscious, but a well-organized space may help to lessen that stress.

Add Curb Appeal

First impressions count. Keep the front yard tidy, water the plants and do the updates that need to be done. Peeling paint and cracked exterior walls do not make a good first impression. If you’re adding new plants, try to select ones that are low-maintenance.

This fairy-tale phase of a home remodel is the tail end of any major project.The Honeymoon and Midproject Crisis have passed and the Renewal of Vows has given you the strength you to continue, now we’re finally, and gratefully, just about to wrap up the ups and downs of remodeling. You are almost at the Happily Ever After phase.

Moving back into a house after remodeling can be a bit like being in love. Are you not excited to use all your new appliances or plumbing fixtures? Are you not giddy about coming home to your pristine new bathroom, kitchen or living room? Don’t deny it — you’re probably even talking to anyone who will listen about your new space.

During this Happily Ever After stage, the work is finally done! At last, there are no more nail guns and saws and vacuums making noise in your house. After months of destruction and disarray, it’s time to move back in and enjoy your home, sweet home. And though most of this phase is just you at last having the chance to enjoy the fruit of your general contractor’s labor, there are a few odds and ends that your contractor will be taking care of to make sure your Happily Ever After really lasts forever.

Cleaning 

This should happen before you move back into your home. Since day one of demolition, dust and debris have been thrown into the air and, much to your contractor’s chagrin, have crept into other places in the house that weren’t touched in the remodel. Now’s the time to do an all-inclusive clean. No, the cleaners won’t do your laundry for you, but they’ll do just about everything else, from polishing the floors to dusting the ceiling fans. The end-of-project clean is like a cleansing spa day for your home.

Final Walk-Through 

The last walk-through ensures that you are completely satisfied with everything — and I mean everything — in your home. This is where you will have the chance to sit down and bring up all the odds and ends that you feel need to be addressed. This can be anything from “this faucet isn’t on straight” to “there’s a scratch on the new fridge” to “my shower isn’t draining correctly.”

Contractors may vary on when they hold a final walk-through, it’s usually scheduled after the homeowners move back in and have a chance to use the new space. Your contractor should’ve caught just about everything during his or her own informal walk-throughs throughout the remodel, but sometimes there are items that just don’t come to the surface until a house is lived in.

Warranty Begins 

Most builders and remodelers have a warranty for their projects. The length and amount of coverage can vary, but what remains constant is the promise to stand behind their work for any unforeseen circumstances that arise and need addressing. 

[If you’re looking at contractors right now, ask them about their warranty. This can be very telling of how they conduct their business. The more that contractors are willing to warrant their work — or the longer the warranty — the more effort they will put into getting the job done right the first time.]

For some contractors, the warranty formally begins after the final walk-through is hosted and the last payment is received. After that, some will stand behind any light fixtures that fizzle, appliances that break, tiles that come loose — you name it. In an ideal world, everything would work right the first time, and it would work right forever. In our world, however, there are bad manufacturing batches and recalls and oversights that may need to be taken care of. Fear not. If you have selected the right remodeler, these issues will be handled.

What else is involved? Absolutely nothing. Take a deep breath, look around at your new place and smile, knowing that it’s all yours, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do you part.