Tag Archives: improvements

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12 Remodeling Projects That Offer the Best Value at Resale


The home remodeling boom continues, as homeowners leverage their equity to take on a range of house projects, large and small. But are they choosing the best projects to help boost their home’s resale value?

A fancy kitchen upgrade or bathroom renovation may have a significant impact on potential buyers. But for projects that recoup most or all of their cost, owners should think smaller, according to the newly released 2025 Remodeling Impact Report, conducted by the National Association of REALTORS® and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Swapping out the front door for steel, for example, is likely to get the most bang for the buck.

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Future-Proofing Bathrooms


Check out family-friendly showers and “future-proofing,” and what the latest home trends tell us about people’s approach to bathing.

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Designers Offer Outdoor Space Tips

When it comes to tackling your outdoor living spaces, it’s always important to think about how they function for daily use, entertaining, and year-round living. Selecting the right materials that can stand up to the weather (and pollen!) is also key to a long-lasting outdoor spot.

Here are 7 secrets that’ll help you make the most out of your outdoor living area—plus a few extra tips—from Southern interior and landscape design pros.




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Curved Furniture Softens Interiors


Interior designers are embracing a range of trends for spring 2025, including furniture with softer outlines, buttery yellows, polished nickel accents and customized kitchens with unique materials.

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3 Design Trends to Make Your Listing Cozier


Color, texture and patterns make for more playful backgrounds in unique, cozy spaces. In home staging, you can still embrace this hot trend, even without getting too wild.

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Kitchen Paint Trends in 2025

Homeowners are embracing bold and rich colors for kitchen paint in 2025, moving away from traditional whites and neutrals.

While warm whites and classic neutrals will always be a kitchen staple, this year we’ve seen more colorful kitchens than ever before. It’s almost like homeowners are shunning the strict rules of resale value and allowing their personality to shine in the more functional areas of their homes. But we also understand that painting your space a striking sunshine yellow or verdant green isn’t for everyone—this is why we tapped top interior designers to reveal what kitchen paint color trends their clients are actually asking for right now.

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How to Create a Productive Study Space at Home

With summer coming to a close, we’re back to the season of early mornings, school buses, backpacks, and busy schedules. As your family prepares for the academic year, now is the perfect time to create a productive study space that keeps your kitchen counter free from overflowing homework and school supplies.

Here are four tips for setting up an inspiring study area that blends comfort, functionality, and personality to boost focus and motivation.

1. Create a comfortable workspace

After a long day in the classroom, the last thing your child needs is an uncomfortable study environment.

To maximize comfort while prioritizing work efficiency, invest in a cushy chair with good back support. Add a cozy throw blanket as cooler weather approaches. Up the ambiance with a calming scented candle and soft music – like songs from minimalist, classical, piano, or low-fi genres – to maintain focus, enhance relaxation, and avoid distraction.

2. Stock up on supplies

Fill desk drawers with pencils, pens, markers, sticky notes, paper, flashcards, and notebooks. This can make for interactive note taking, and will help ease stress when it comes to last-minute projects and assignments. Keep school supplies organized with things like drawers, bins, pencil holders, and a file organizer.

It’s no surprise that technology has become increasingly prominent in the classroom. According to a 2023 survey from ZipDo, 89% of K-12 teachers incorporate educational technology in their classrooms daily. Therefore, consider making technology more efficient in the study space. This could include adding extra chargers, headphones, extension cords, a printer, or even a computer monitor to make switching between tabs seamless, especially when studying for a big test.

3. Ensure good lighting

Good lighting is essential to productivity as well as mood. Ensure your child’s study space is well-lit to help them stay focused and energized while completing their homework. Place the desk by a window for natural light and add a lamp nearby to brighten the area at night.

Consider color-changing lightbulbs that easily adjust from bright white light, which is energizing and enhances focus, to warmer, yellow-toned light, which creates a relaxing atmosphere for winding down after study sessions.

4. Personalize the space

A designated study area that reflects your child’s personality can make a significant difference in their productivity and contentment. Make it an enjoyable place they love spending time in – and check with them while decorating so they have a hand in curating their special space.

Add floating shelves to display photos, favorite books, inspirational quotes, achievements, and artwork. This keeps the desk area free of clutter while still showcasing their personality. Hang up a calendar or planner nearby to help keep track of assignments and deadlines. Then, add fun elements like pops of color, wallpaper, house plants, and more. The key is to create a zone that’s both organized and inviting, combining creativity with efficiency.

Looking for an A+ home of your own – one with ample study space? Contact me today!




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How to Create the Ultimate Staycation Spot at Home This Summer



Staying local this season? Here’s a few ways to create a lovely staycation in your own yard.

Summer is a favorite time for a relaxing vacation – and avoiding plane flights or long car rides can create an even more restful experience. For many, the perfect destination is the closest one: Home.

Consider these ways to create the ultimate staycation spot in your own yard this summer.

Level up lounge chairs

Chances are, you’ll want to spend a lot more time in your yard if your outdoor furniture is comfortable. Grab some resort-like lounge chairs or upgrade upright chairs with weather-proof cushions.

Other ideas? Opt for a hanging egg chair, traditional hammock, or swing. Sway about as you soak up the sun, catch some ZZZs, or get lost in a good read.

Get shady

Having a way to spend time outdoors without getting too much sun is important. Try implementing an umbrella or shade covering over your designated lounge space.

For a more permanent solution, consider adding a pergola in your yard. Not only do they provide some coverage by day – especially with cover functionality built in – but they can also be a good place to hang string lights for a twinkle at night.

Add games galore

Your outdoor space can be a place of rest – or, it can be a place of competitive fun. This summer, set up your favorite games (depending on how much space you have to work with) and host a game day with family and friends.

A few classics:

• Badminton
• Cornhole
• Kan Jam
• Giant Jenga
• Croquet
• Spikeball®
• Kubb

Find a fire pit

Spend summer nights cozied up around a fire in your very own yard. Whether it’s wood burning or gas, a variety of sizes and shapes can fit various spaces. Tabletop options work for those who want the essence of a bonfire – but on a micro-level.

Be sure to abide by local fire regulations and implement best safety practices when using your fireplace.

Stock up on summer supplies

When you’re on vacation, you may seek out your favorite sweet snacks. So do the same thing on your staycation! Stock the freezer – or patio cooler cart – with your favorite summertime treats, like ice pops, ice cream sandwiches, refreshing beverages, and more. Or, DIY the ice cream parlor experience at home with pints in fun flavors, cones, and toppings. Plus, if you have a fire pit, don’t forget to grab all the fixings for ooey-gooey s’mores.

Other essential supplies include sun protection (SPF cream, hats and visors, etc.), bug repellant spray (or citronella candles), unbreakable dishware, grilling supplies, and pool floats if applicable.

Decorate

Time to set the scene for a seasonal oasis. In addition to the string lights mentioned above, find fun ways to add color and personal flair to your outdoor oasis. Add a weatherproof rug to help frame a seating area, and add bright hues with potted flowers dotted about.

Doing some yard maintenance will freshen up the space, too, like regular mowing and watering of the lawn, and plucking of weeds from garden beds. Plus, add a fresh coat of mulch or rocks, or even new bushes and plants, to change up the overall look. In some places – like dryer climates – some people opt to xeriscape their yard, saving on water usage and getting creative in the design process.

Looking for a new home this summer? Contact me today!




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Looking to Xeriscape Your Yard? 3 Steps to Execute a Drought-Friendly Design

In drier climates, some people ditch the grass and get creative with other natural elements. Find out ways to save on water and spruce up your home’s outdoor space.

Nurturing a luscious lawn can be a difficult task, especially for those who live in dry climates.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average American family uses 320 gallons of water per day – and 30% of that goes outdoors, for purposes like watering the lawn. Many homes in the nation’s driest climates – especially in the Southwest – devote 60% of their household’s water usage to outdoor purposes.

Although arid environments provide harsh conditions for a vast array of flora and fauna, many desert-area communities have strict limitations on using water for landscaping purposes. That’s one reason for the popularity of xeriscaping, an artful landscaping design requiring significantly less water usage than a traditional lawn.

Looking for a lower-maintenance option for your yard? Here are a few steps to consider:

1. Make a plan

Each and every outdoor space looks different. Assess your yard’s needs and determine the best plan for transitioning to a less-water-dependent environment. Some homeowners choose to xeriscape a full front yard or back yard, while others opt for keeping partial grass and repurposing select spaces, like garden beds.

Tip: Observe how the sun moves across your yard throughout the day, taking note of places that receive the most natural light. This can help determine where certain plant species may thrive better than others when you arrange the new elements in your yard.

Planning in advance can also dictate where to group specific plants together depending on their water usage needs. Though xeriscaping requires less water than grass, the plants you choose will likely still need semi-regular watering depending on their unique parameters.

2. Choose resilient plants

It’s essential to find plants that survive in xeric conditions. Cacti and succulents are popular picks – with hundreds of yard-friendly options to choose from.

One way to cover vast areas of yard is with ground cover plants, which are short in stature but quick to sprawl across an open space. Plenty of these plants, like those in the phlox family, are known for blooming vibrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, blue, and yellow. Other popular options include dianthus, creeping thyme, and star creeper, just to name a few. Many ground plants still need regular watering (especially during prolonged dry spells), but far less than traditional grass.

And, speaking of flowers, a sampling of popular desert-dwelling bloom variants include coneflower, lavender, tickseed, and some types of poppy (among many others). Not only do flowers like these require little water compared to wet-climate alternatives, but they also can add splashes of vibrant color to any outdoor space. Plus, these blooms – along with countless others born to thrive in dry places – are perennial, meaning they grow back each year and won’t need to be re-planted.

Head to a local gardening center and ask what plants and flowers are native to your area. Not only might some of these be great choices for your xeriscaping journey since they’re built to last in your area, but you may also find some that can benefit members of the local ecosystem, like butterflies, pollinating bees and other essential bugs.

3. Don’t forget: rocks rock!

Rocks can add dimension to any outdoor space. You can use larger rocks to frame garden beds and line walkways, creating an aesthetically pleasing design or providing value by steering passersby away from prickly plants. Plus, smaller rocks, gravel, and mulch can fill larger spaces and surround plants. This type of coverage makes it more difficult for pesky weeds to thrive.

If you’re looking to save on water and shake up the appearance – and function – of your outdoor space, consider switching to a drought-tolerant design.



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9 Ways to Add Value to a Home For Sale Through Upgrades

Help your home appear updated and move-in-ready to prospective buyers with these tips from Curbio.

While you’re living in your home, you may find its value is tied to the memories created with the ones you love.

As soon as you list your home for sale, the meaning of “home value” immediately changes. It’s time to pack up those memories – along with your dishes, lamps, and sofas – and focus on all the ways to make your home appeal to as many buyers as possible.

It can be overwhelming deciding where to start on improvements before a move. So, here are nine spots to focus on for value-adding updates that are sure to be big wins – helping make your home the move-in-ready listing today’s buyers are looking for.

1. Give your landscaping some love

It’s not just what’s on the inside that counts. First impressions make or break a home sale, and increasing your curb appeal goes a long way towards boosting that initial impression. Tend to your garden by mulching, cleaning up your edges, and pulling the weeds. Remember that low maintenance landscaping is often most appealing to buyers, whereas complicated topiary and finicky plants can scare them away. Even if your would-be garden space is small, planting some easy-to-maintain perennials can really spruce up the outside.

2. Update fixtures

Sconces, chandeliers, and pendant lights are opportunities to modernize and change the feel of your home without undertaking a huge project. Simple, classic designs in timeless metal finishes are great choices because of their mass appeal, and small pops of color or unique pieces can add lots of character if used sparingly throughout the home.

3. Invest in appliances

Updating your home doesn’t just apply to design – it applies to ease of use and lack of future maintenance, too. Equipping your home with modern appliances is a must-do if you’re thinking about a potential home sale. They help underscore a turnkey experience for buyers, and they can be well worth the cost of investment.

4. Make needed repairs

Don’t overlook the non-glamorous updates and deferred maintenance if you’re hoping to maximize on your investment with your home sale. Potential buyers need to have confidence in all facets of your home or they will not be able to envision themselves living there. That means everything needs to work the way it should: faucets that don’t leak, decks that don’t sag, doors that open according to code, etc. Start by checking up on your roof and HVAC system, and move your way down the list in search of necessary repairs.

If HVAC repairs sound expensive, don’t be alarmed! Curbio has a fix-now-pay-at-closing financial model, meaning sellers never pay out of pocket until closing.

5. Finish unfinished spaces

If you’ve been waiting for a reason to finish your basement, before selling is a great time. If you have a space in your home that doesn’t serve a specific purpose or function, it can be a red flag in the eyes of a buyer. Your home value may skyrocket just by clearly defining each space throughout the property. Try converting that catch-all room to an extra bedroom or home office and transform an unfinished basement into a family den.

6. Focus on your kitchen

Kitchens, without a doubt, are the heart of the home. That means that they are typically the first space potential buyers consider when evaluating a home purchase, and kitchen investments are some of the best kinds you can make to increase your home value. First, ask yourself:

• Is my kitchen functional?
• Is my kitchen spacious?
• Is my kitchen sleek?

Next, focus on the areas of improvement that will maximize your home’s value. If your kitchen is relatively new, consider smaller upgrades like fresh hardware. On the other hand, if your kitchen is dated, in need of love, or under-functional, you should seriously consider a kitchen renovation to help your home compete with new builds and win the hearts and minds of buyers.

7. Open your floor plan

A spacious, open living area is a desired feature in today’s real estate market. Floor plans with lots of walls and too many separate rooms tend to inhibit a communal feeling and often lack natural light, which can be detractors from your home’s value. Consider opening or removing some of the non-load-bearing walls in your home to form an open floorplan within your living space.

8. Create an outdoor experience

If your backyard is just a patch of grass, that means it’s full of potential opportunity to increase home value. A covered patio, pergola, fire pit, or an outdoor eating area are all great ways to set the scene for an experiential outdoor lounge space – and appeal to buyers. Who doesn’t want a place to roast s’mores, stargaze, and grill out?

9. Transform your bathroom into a spa

Self-care is in, and that means buyers are looking for bathrooms that emulate a spa. Incorporating spa-like finishes will help your bathroom feel luxurious, relaxing, and indulgent. That could entail adding sleek finishes, a soaking tub, and a light, airy color palette.

Now that you’re informed on what updates to complete before listing your home, it’s time to get started! Curbio is a turnkey solution that provides full-scale project management for every pre-listing project, no matter the size or scope. Plus, sellers never pay out of pocket – 100% of the project costs are deferred until closing. Your real estate agent can request an estimate from Curbio free of charge, with a same-day response. Contact me today to get started!