Ever wish your living room was as stylish as those you see in home-decorating magazines? Or, are you getting ready to sell your home and want a living room buyers will love? By applying the principles of home staging, you can transform your living room into a space both you and potential buyers will love.

Step 1. Start by rearranging the furniture. Maximize the spaciousness of the room without losing that intimate feel. Group seating for easy conversation. A big no-no: Lining up furniture along the walls. Another pitfall: Having too much furniture for the size of the room. Consider removing a piece (or two) to create space if the room feels cramped or lacks flow.

Step 2. Clean every surface. Use a rug cleaner to remove dirt and stains from carpet and upholstery. If furniture needs to be replaced but buying new is out of the question, slipcovers are a good option.

Step 3. Eliminate clutter. Clear off horizontal surfaces and store necessary items in attractive containers. Baskets or bins can be a great way to tidy up quickly for unexpected visits. If you’re staging for yourself, remember that less is more. Display only the best family photos and most treasured keepsakes. If you’re staging for sale, pack away your personal items.

Step 4. Consider color and details. Light, neutral furniture makes a room feel open, while dark, richer colors cozy up a space. Add pops of color and texture with pillows, throws and artwork. Coordinating these accessories help unify a room. Aim for a designer feel — cohesive, but not “matchy-matchy.”

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

The modern farmhouse style is one of today’s hottest trends in residential design. The style mixes classic farmhouse basics with modern, industrial and rustic accents to create homes that are both cozy and uncluttered. Is a modern farmhouse living the life for you?

What defines a modern farmhouse interior

Traditional farmhouse style, with its liberal use of wood, color and vintage furnishings, has long been popular. Several years ago, Chip and Joanna Gaines of the HGTV program Fixer Upper updated farmhouse style with modern, minimalist touches, and the popularity of the design took off.

Today’s modern farmhouse style creates uncluttered rooms with an urban edge. The style is defined by open, spacious rooms with plenty of windows providing natural light. Wide wood-plank flooring and natural wood beams traversing overhead characterize the style, as do barn-style doors and walls covered with plank siding known as shiplap. Light fixtures and other design elements often have an industrial feel.

Contrasts of light versus dark play a significant role throughout the modern farmhouse. Shiplap walls, shaker-style kitchen cabinets and trim are often painted white. White subway tile backsplashes look clean and fresh against butcher block or dark granite countertops. Dark-stained floors and black metal elements such as light fixtures and window frames provide contrast throughout the house. Where walls are Sheetrocked, they are painted in soft neutrals such as cream or gray.

Modern farmhouse kitchens often feature open wood or metal shelving or cabinet doors with divided glass. Appliances are stainless steel. Apron-front sinks are commonplace, and hardware is generally dark.

The light vs. dark contrast continues in furnishings. Light neutral fabrics — no bright colors or bold patterns — contrast with dark or black-painted wood. You might see black barstools cozied up to the kitchen counter, or a white distressed dining table with contrasting black chairs. Textural elements such as rugs woven from natural fibers, chunky knitted throws and rattan or wicker seating add warmth to modern farmhouse rooms. Surfaces are left uncluttered. Vintage pieces contrast with modern metal furniture to create cozy, comfortable rooms that appear to have evolved over time.

The outside look

Modern farmhouse exteriors are usually covered at least partially with plank wood siding or board and batten, often painted white with contrasting black-framed windows. Front doors, painted a muted color or made of contrasting natural wood, pop against the white siding. Gabled rooflines complete the look.

Premium prices

With their surging popularity, modern farmhouse style homes may be priced a little higher than other designs. If you’re the seller, you could reap a premium.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

The latest buzzwords in home interiors: bright, cheery and simplified. Say “hello” to white cabinets and light gray walls and “so-long” to dark woods and moody colors.

1. Cabinets painted in light, bright colors, often in white, are seeing a resurgence. Another popular trend is the open shelving look. Typically this look is coupled with white subway tile, a farmhouse sink and a gooseneck stainless steel commercial-grade faucet. Cabinets with glass doors also are popular.

2. Dark granite countertops are being replaced by lighter quartz surfaces with more subtle patterns in both kitchens and baths. The effect is a brighter, cheery look.

3. Hardwoods are still in fashion, but with a darker stain and so-called hand-scraped look, providing contrast with the lighter cabinets and counters. In bathrooms, larger tiles in soft grays are popular with white cabinets and quartz counters.

4. Wall color trends are toward light grays and “greige,” a mixture of beige and gray. These colors blend well with owner’s furnishings but have a little more style than the standard “builder beige” that was so often seen in new homes of the 90s and early 2000s.

5. implification is the overriding trend in bathrooms. Garden tubs are out, replaced by bigger showers with seating. Also popular are larger custom tiles with an accent strip of contrasting smaller tile, inset spaces for shampoos and soap, multiple shower heads and frameless doors. Cabinets and counters follow the same trend as kitchen counters and cabinets with brighter looks and simple lines.

6. Lighting. Of course, all the bright colored cabinets and counters in the world can’t overcome dim lighting. Large windows and skylights are the way many homeowners today are letting the sunshine in. In older homes, owners are knocking out walls, opening up the floorplan, and spreading natural window light throughout the home.

Homes built between 1978 and 1995 often have plumbing made of polybutylene, a leak-prone material that is no longer used in construction. What is polybutylene, what problems does it present, and what does replacing it entail?

How poly-b plumbing came to be

Polybutylene, or “poly-b,” pipes and fittings were hailed in 1978 as a terrific alternative to traditional copper plumbing. Copper is difficult to work with and can be expensive, but poly-b was lightweight, flexible and could be assembled with screw-together connectors instead of soldering. Poly-b plumbing systems saved home builders money, both on materials and in labor cost.

Years after poly-b was installed, it turned out that the piping degraded when exposed to the chlorine in treated water. As a result, the joints that connected sections of the poly-b pipe would crack or develop pinhole leaks. Pipe failure happened most often within 20 feet of a home’s water heater, where the combination of heat and chlorine spelled double trouble for poly-b.

Poly-b leaks that occur out in the open are easy to spot and stop quickly. But leaks inside walls or in concrete slabs can cause substantial damage before a homeowner realizes there’s a leak. Once these defects were discovered, class-action lawsuits were filed against poly-b manufacturers, and in the mid-1990s, U.S. and Canadian building codes began disallowing poly-b.

Identifying polybutylene plumbing

Homes built between 1978 and 1995 likely contain poly-b plumbing unless it has been replaced. If you’re considering the purchase of a home built during that era, check the house’s listing ad or simply ask whether it had poly-b plumbing and, if so, whether it has been replaced. A home inspection during the sales process may also reveal its presence.

Poly-b has two identifying characteristics. First, it generally is gray. Some poly-b is white, however, so the second way to spot it is by the coding stamped on the piping. Poly-b is coded with the letters “PB” followed by numbers.

Preferable plumbing options

Copper, which became very popular nearly a century ago, is still a viable plumbing material. Copper plumbing is more expensive than other alternatives, however, and acidic water can cause it to develop pinhole leaks. Cross-linked polyethylene, or PEX, is a lightweight, extremely flexible plastic plumbing that doesn’t have the deterioration issues of poly-b. Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride, or CPVC, is another plastic plumbing that is strong and easy to work with. CPVC is now widely used in construction.

How much does replacement cost?

Now that poly-b has been off the market for more than 20 years, it has steadily been replaced in homes nationwide. But if your house has poly-b, or you are considering buying a home with it, that may affect your ability to obtain homeowners’ insurance. Insurance agents usually ask about poly-b when they learn that a home was built during the relevant period. If the home has poly-b plumbing, the company may require you to replace it before agreeing to ensure your house,  or it may charge an unusually high premium for water damage coverage.

Replacing poly-b generally costs between $3,000 to $25,000 CAD and $1,500 to $15,000 US, depending on the size of the home, the number of stories, the material used for replacement and the number of plumbing fixtures in the home.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. The article was revised from HOUSEOPEDIA’s original article.

Since your bathroom is where you prepare to meet the day, good bathroom lighting is essential to looking your best. Here’s how to illuminate this important part of your home.

Areas to be lit

Three areas in your bathroom need appropriate lighting. The most important is the vanity. Good lighting is crucial here, since the vanity is where you shave, apply makeup, fix hair and brush your teeth. Vanity light fixtures should cast light evenly without creating shadows.

The shower and bath are next in importance for good lighting, followed by the water closet-toilet area. While not essential, additional accent lighting can add ambiance.

Vanity task lighting

If space allows, the ideal light fixtures for the vanity area are wall sconces set on either side of the mirror at eye level. These cast light evenly on each side of the face. If a sconce’s shade opens downward, the opening edge should be positioned just below eye level. If the shade points upward, the edge should be positioned just above eye level. Avoid shadows by using a frosted shade with clear bulbs or a clear shade with frosted bulbs.

Sometimes space does not allow for side sconces in the bathroom. In other situations, sconces on either side of a wide mirror over a double sink vanity will be too far apart. Your best option in these situations is over-the-mirror lighting.

Shower, bath and toilet

The most common bathroom lighting fixtures for the shower and toilet areas are overhead recessed lights. Where the bathtub is separate from the shower, you can illuminate it with overhead recessed lighting or wall sconces. A chandelier over the tub or centered in the bathroom can provide both drama and pleasant ambient lighting.

Light fixture materials

Brass, brushed nickel and chrome are popular choices for bathroom lighting fixtures and work with a wide range of design styles. For the sake of continuity, light fixtures should be made from materials that match or coordinate with other metal finishes in the bathroom.

When choosing bathroom lighting, look for “damp-rated” fixtures made to withstand the humidity of a bathroom.

Fluorescent and LED light bulbs will generate little to no heat, and the cost of using them is less than half that of incandescent bulbs.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Safety needs to be the first element in a child’s bathroom design, but don’t forget to add a splash of fun. Knowing how quickly children grow, keep versatility in mind, allowing for quick and easy changes.  From babies to teens, here are some ideas for creating bathrooms kids will love.

Let them have a say

Children often have strong ideas about what they like and don’t like, so take them shopping with you. Allow them to pick a theme or color scheme from among several choices the adults in the house can live with. Go with neutral paint and tile colors, giving the kids a wider range of choices on things like shower curtains, towels, and soap dispensers.

Giving children ownership of some of the design elements will mean they’re more apt to use the space and help keep it tidy.

Bathroom safety features

For babies and toddlers, bathrooms need to provide a safe place to bathe and learn personal hygiene. Install cabinet locks to keep cleaning supplies, medicines, and other necessities out of reach. Consider a toilet lock as well, as some children are fascinated with the water. Since kids can slip and fall in a wet tub, look for a non-slip mat to place on the bottom. A thermometer will help parents avoid too-hot or too-cold baths.

Storage in a kids’ bathroom

Young children typically enjoy bath toys, which can eat up valuable space otherwise used for necessities like towels, washcloths, and shampoos. For small bathrooms, a “toy catcher” that hangs on the wall with suction cups will save space and keep them accessible. Make sure to have a stool handy so little ones can reach the faucet without climbing. Use color-coded towels and storage bins so each child can easily distinguish their items from their siblings.

Transitioning through the years

Young children typically prefer bright, happy colors in bold patterns, while teens may gravitate toward more muted tones. As the bath toys and stools disappear, you may consider adding a book or magazine rack or extra storage for all those skin, hair, and makeup products that come with the teen years.

Changing towels, shower curtains, and rugs are quick, inexpensive ways to update. For bolder, but still affordable changes, consider painting the vanity, and replacing the mirror or light fixture.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.

Great kitchen countertops are a key ingredient in a top-notch kitchen that is both warm and inviting, yet also functional. Here’s a quick guide to the most common material types, their strengths and weaknesses.

The current king: Granite. For the last fifteen years, granite has dominated the kitchen counter market. It is a tough, durable stone and there are seemingly endless patterns and colors. It is highly resistant to scrapes, cuts and stains, but it can chip, though choosing a rounded edge will minimize the chances. The only periodic maintenance is redoing the clear seal on it.

Quartz and quartzite. Quartz and quartzite counters are rising in popularity. What is the difference between the two? Quartz is a manufactured material made of an aggregate of quartz crystals and a polymer bonding adhesive. Quartzite is cut straight from the earth. Quartz is sealed and periodically needs resealing, whereas quartzite needs no sealer. With both, the look is elegant and unique. Both are also highly resistant to scratches and stains. Silestone is a similar product made with quartz and is extremely popular. However, some professionals have concerns that hot pans can cause damage to the bonding material.

The elegance of marble.  Another beautiful, natural stone look is marble, lending an elegance to a kitchen. It is more prone to scratching and chipping, and like granite, needs periodic resealing to protect it from staining.

Concrete.  If you’ve ever liked stained concrete floors you might like the same look with concrete counters. They are, however, more prone to scratching and staining.  They can settle and develop hairline cracks.

Recycled glass. This style takes recycled pieces of colored glass and binds them together into unique patterns for a gorgeous look. The pieces can be pea sized or finely ground. It is resistant to heat and scratches but stains can be absorbed by the bonding material.

Bamboo. If you are looking for a wood counter, consider bamboo. It has a very nice look. Bamboo grows in almost limitless abundance worldwide so it is environmentally friendly. It is a hard wood but nevertheless can scratch, burn and stain.

Butcher Block. Like bamboo, it makes for a beautiful wood counter, but it is very prone to scratches and stains.

Solid Surface. For some time, solid surface countertops such as Corian ruled the marketplace. Recently taking a back seat to granite and quartz, solid surface still is a great option for its resistance to stain, scratches and fading. This acrylic polymer is solid all the way through and is available in an array of colors and patterns. Damage can be repaired easily with light sanding or gentle scrubbing.

Laminate. Though it fell out of favor over the years, laminate has been improved by manufacturers. It now comes in gorgeous looks and the telltale ugly seam lines at the edge have been rounded to be far more appealing. Resistant to stains and heat, it is nevertheless prone to scratching. The price is right, as laminate is the cheapest of the counter choices.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract.