10 Innovative Design Ideas For Your New Home
Adding unique design ideas to your home can give you great features that can save you time, energy and even money down the road. It can also add to your comfort and maybe even help you resale one day. Consider adding some of these ideas to your home plan.
1.) Indoor herb garden - Indoor plants have many benefits, including cleaning the air of pollutants. Indoor herb gardens are trending with vertical gardens being very popular. This puts your favorite herbs at your fingertips without having to go shopping. You also know where they came from and it can save you money.
2.) Underfloor heating - This is an energy-efficient way of warming a space. It operates at a lower temperature than conventional heaters, so it requires less electricity. It warms from the ground, so there's typically less heat wasted. There are two types:
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Hydronic (water-based) - usually slower to work but cheaper to run.
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Electrical - generally works the opposite; faster but more expensive.
3.) Heat-rejecting windows - Low-emissivity (low-E) windows are glass panes coated in a special film that is better at rejecting radiant heat than standard glazing. They can keep your home from over-heating, helping you save on air conditioning costs. They also block UV light, so your furniture won't fade as quickly.
4.) Smart home devices - Automate your home devices with a hub, such as Google Home, to control functions through voice commands or on your smartphone. You can control lighting, door locks, security cameras, thermostats, robot vacuums and even your coffee machine. These systems can save you energy and money in the long run.
5.) Solar power - There are two ways to use solar for energy.
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Battery storage - Stores excess energy for use later, such as at night, or during a grid outage.
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Evacuated tube solar - Water heating accounts for about a quarter of all household electrical costs. This system harnesses the sun's rays to cost-effectively heat water. Cold water flows into a solar collector, typically on the roof, where the sun's heat is transferred into it. It then runs into a storage tank for use in your home.
6.) Rainwater capture system - Can be used for watering gardens, flushing toilets, showering and even drinking. However, many authorities suggest using the local utilities for water that is to be consumed, as it is more carefully filtered.
7.) Efficient water fittings - Never buy a tap without a fitted aerator. Aerators mix water with air as it comes out, meaning the tap uses less water but still feels high pressure. These can be retrofitted if you do have a faucet without one. Shower heads can also make a difference in your flowrate and can save water and money.
8.) Low-VOC paint - Volatile organic compounds (VOC) can cause some people to experience discomfort or other health issues as it dries. Low VOC paint contains less of these compounds, but the texture is often rougher than regular paint. Look for "non-toxic" or "natural" on the label. Also, look for 5g/L or less of VOCs.
9.) Extra storage - Walk-in closets and built-in bookshelves are highly popular with new home builders because they maximize storage capacity while minimizing floor usage. Another good example to save space is adding a home office and bookshelves under a staircase.
10.) Flexible spaces - These areas can easily be converted from one purpose to another. An extra bedroom could easily be used as a guest room, craft room, media room, or study, depending on your needs at the time.
