Design and tech trends are constantly changing and evolving. Within a mere decade, trends that once represented the cutting edge in home style and contemporary living can become seriously dated! Remember sound-activated light switches? Tea-making alarm clocks? I rest my case!
If your home is more of a time capsule than a palace of modernity, now might be the time to give it a makeover. Even older properties can easily be brought into the 2020s – and you don’t necessarily have to break the bank to do so either! If you’d like to know how, read on …
We’ve compiled a list of 10 clever ways to modernise your home. That’s right, with just a few well-placed adjustments, your dated dwellings could be transformed into a home of the future. Let’s get to work, shall we?
Get Smart with a Smart TV
Today’s smart TVs allow you to watch a slew of entertaining channels – from drama, to music, comedy, films and much more – with no need to connect an aerial or pay for an ongoing subscription! Better yet, the range-topping models also offer extra features such as gaming and web browsing.
But, of course the main selling points of smart TVs are their crisp, pin-sharp screen and cinematic sound. Give one a try at your local electronics outlet and you’ll see exactly why a smart TV should have pride of place in every modern home.
Upgrade Your Windows
Contemporary living is as much about efficiency as it is about style. And, when it comes to windows, new windows are purpose-made to cut heat loss and deliver superior energy efficiency compared to older models.
Furthermore, modern windows come in a variety of smart configurations, including reversible, flush fit and tilt-and-turn to name just a few. There’s also an excellent choice of designs and frame styles to choose from, with options to complement just about every decor style you could think of.
…And Your Window Dressings
While we’re on the subject of windows, if your current curtain decor is putting your home in a time warp, maybe it’s time to switch to something a little more modern. Silk or linen curtains may fit the bill here. Or, if you’re considering investing in some blinds, Roman, Roller or Vision blinds could make a practical and attractive addition to your home.
Change Up Your Kitchen Cabinets
There are two ways in which you could modernise your kitchen cabinet. The first option is to don your overalls and give them a fresh coat of paint. Providing your cabinets are in reasonable condition, this should give them a new lease of life. The (more expensive) alternative is to rip your cabinets out, start afresh and install a brand new set that’s more befitting of a modern home.
In 2021, wood-stained kitchen cabinets are as popular as ever. When it comes to colour schemes, if you choose a cooler tone, such as gray, blue or white, you’re unlikely to go wrong!
Stay Connected with a Smart Wi-fi Mesh Router
To many of today’s homeowners, a reliable Wi-fi connection is almost as important as having running water. The emergence of the ‘work from home’ era has made stable Wi-fi a more important utility than ever before. Unfortunately, standard routers often have a rather limited range, which can create ‘dead spots’ in certain parts of homes. In these areas, the Wi-fi signal is too weak for any connected devices to work effectively.
To get around this problem, we would recommend investing in a smart Wi-fi mesh router. These powerful, intelligent routers can help ensure connectivity throughout your property, whilst doubling up as a ‘home automation hub’ that makes it easier for you to control and set up all your smart tech!
Invest in Bathroom Tech
If you thought that bathroom technology hasn’t moved on much in the 21st century, think again. In fact, there’s a whole host of clever bathroom devices on the market as we speak.
Waterproof Bluetooth speakers enable homeowners to listen to their favourite music and podcasts whilst having a soak in the shower or bath. Smart scales allow you to track your BMI over an ongoing period and can even be paired with your Fitbit app. With the very latest in fitness technology at your fingertips, it’s never been easier to challenge yourself and achieve a new personal best!
Recruit a Robot Vacuum Cleaner
A robot vacuum cleaner is no longer a sci-fi fantasy. You really can assign floor and carpet cleaning duties to an AI-powered robot vacuum cleaner. Some of the higher-spec models on the market can create maps of their cleaning routes, which over time will allow them to take more efficient routes to save time and clean more effectively.
Although current robot vacuum cleaners perform better on bare floors, the more sophisticated models can also tackle carpets with relative ease. Robot vacuum technology has seen considerable advances in recent years, so it’s fair to expect that we’ll see even smarter models in the not-too-distant future.
Create More Space with Under Stair Storage
Unless your residence is a grand mansion, it’s easy to run low on space in your home. However, by making the best use of the space that is available, you can make your home seem just a little roomier. One way to do this is to add an under-stair storage space.
So long as your home has a staircase, the unused space underneath it can be used to add drawers, shelves or a storage cupboard. All this extra storage space can be used for your books, shoes, toys, coats, umbrellas – and just about anything else that would normally clutter your living space. With a convenient under-stair storage space, it should be easier to keep your home neat and tidy too!
Go ‘Open Plan’
Open plan homes, with fewer walls have become increasingly popular in recent years and are one of the most popular contemporary home design trends. Many older homes feature more rooms than their modern counterparts, at the expense of space. Simply changing up the layout and removing an unnecessary wall here and there could make your home more spacious – and introduce more natural light to boot!
With that said, before breaking down walls, you should consult with an experienced builder to avoid inadvertently hitting any load-bearing walls!
Add a Garden Office
The demand for garden offices has grown exponentially since 2020 – the ‘test case’ year for remote working! The idea is simple – a comfortable, fully-furnished, distraction-free working space, tucked away from the busy family home.
Although a garden office represents a significant investment (building costs typically range from £5-20k), if you spend a lot of your working week at home, having one built could be well worth the cost.
Thank You for Reading and Happy Modernising!
We hope you found our article helpful and now have plenty of inspiration for how to modernise your home. No matter what you ultimately decide on, we wish you the very best of luck with your home renovation efforts!