Here are some of the top home projects for 2021…

Custom Organization

Spending more time in your home means having it work how you need it, no matter which room you’re in at any given moment. That’s why more and more designers and builders are integrating innovative storage areas into the home to help keep everything conveniently in its place. Top organization areas in the home include:

• Kitchen pantries

• Bedroom closets

• Media centers

• Garage and laundry areas

• Office spaces

Built-in storage is recommended for these spaces to avoid losing items and save time when you’re in a rush. After all, the last thing you want is to have lost your favorite pair of shoes in the abyss that is your closet or not be able to find an ingredient you need in the pantry for tonight’s dinner. With custom organization features in your home, you’re able to stay on top of your day.

Energy Efficiency

As we strive more and more to help save our planet, it’s no surprise that homeowners are ditching traditional appliances and opting for energy efficient varieties. Not only are these types of appliances more eco-friendly, they help to lower energy bills, which saves you money. From energy efficient washers and dryers to ovens, refrigerators, microwaves, HVAC systems and more, you’re able to make your home run smoothly, while doing your part to protect our planet.

Wallpaper Accents

Have we told you that wallpaper is back in style? A new trend for 2021 is accentuating areas of the home, such as laundry and bathrooms with wallpaper. It’s time to add some excitement to these often mundane areas of the home with trendy prints, pops of color and interesting designs. Say good-bye to unsightly floral prints and hello to sophisticated marble designs, geometric patterns and more to help liven up certain areas of the home.

Outdoor Living Upgrades

It’s true…Southwest Florida homeowners spend a lot of time outdoors, enjoying our exquisite tropical backdrop and tranquil ocean breezes. That’s why if your outdoor living area could use some love, there’s no better time than now to give it the revitalization it needs. From new pavers to an upgraded pool, adding in an outdoor kitchen to enhancing the seating arrangements, tackling your outdoor living space now means being able to enjoy it to the fullest later.

Other Home Projects for 2021

We’ve touched on just a couple of options if you’re looking to get the most out of your home in 2021, but if you’re searching for even more ideas, try the following:

• Enhance your master bath into a spa-like oasis.

• Maximize productivity with a dedicated office space.

• Open up your kitchen to be able to create more culinary wonders.

• Add in surround sound and a projector screen to your living space for the ultimate movie night.

Whether you’re looking for a space to wind down and relax, a productivity hub or the best of both worlds, these home projects can help you take your home to the next level in the new year. Isn’t it about time to make your home work the best for you and your family? Let 2021 be your year for maximum enhancement of your space

The Gulfstream Homes team can’t wait to help you with your home projects for 2021! Call (239) 254-1664 or visit www.gulfstreamhomes.com to get started!

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The post Top Home Projects for 2021 first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.

Here are some exciting features for a second home.

Rest & Relaxation

Your primary home may be a bit more functional; however, your second home should offer more relaxation elements. This is your space to rest and unwind, to get away from reality for a bit, so make sure you keep that in mind during the design process. A spa ambiance in the master bath or a reading room with panoramic windows to let the natural light in are perfect features to incorporate into your second living space. Make this home more about you. Include the relaxation features that you desire, so that you can make the most out of this space.

Entertainment Destination

Entertaining guests? A second home is perfect not only for more relaxation, but more fun as well. Consider adding the following into your home to amp up the entertainment level:

• Double kitchen island

• Open floorplan with easy access to the outdoor living space

• Outdoor kitchen & seating areas

• Pool & spa

• Home theater

Adding these features will help make your second home ideal for entertaining without having to lift a finger to set up.

A Separate Guest Suite

You may have more guests visit you at your second home and having separate living quarters for them can be ideal. Having a place just for guests helps them to settle in more and be more comfortable in your home. They can relax and unwind, unpack and relax with ease without feeling like they are in the way. Plus, you’ll be able to limit the noise in your main living areas if your guests have their own space. This is especially convenient for vacationers who want to stay up late, catching up. You’re able to make that early tee time and they’re able to have some fun without any interruptions or disturbances.

Second Home Goals

What you desire from a second home depends on you. You may want this space strictly as a relaxation getaway or you may want to be able to entertain family members and friends who come to our gorgeous Southwest Florida paradise to visit. No matter the reason, your second home deserves to be designed how you’ve always envisioned. After all, when it’s time to sit back and relax, it doesn’t hurt to do that perched atop a lounge chair, sipping a glass of wine and enjoying our beautiful tropical backdrop.

The Gulfstream Homes team is excited to help you build the perfect second home in Southwest Florida! Call (239) 254-1664 or visit www.gulfstreamhomes.com to learn more.

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The post Exciting Features for a Second Home first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.

Plush Furniture

Gone are the days of flimsy plastic chairs lining your patio. This area of the home is going in a new direction. Expect to see more plush furniture donning these spaces, providing the comfort level and relaxation homeowners desire. Enjoy the tranquility of nature as you lounge in an over-sized chair, made from fine materials. Just because you’re outdoors, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the finer things in life. Innovative fabrics are making their way onto the scene, like indoor/outdoor woven materials and even performance velvet.

Outdoor Kitchens

Since we get to take advantage of beautiful weather all year long, why not enjoy it outside with your guests? The days of being stuck inside while you prepare a meal for your guests are over. It’s time to get out there and entertain! Sleek outdoor kitchens make it easy to enjoy the scenery, while you cook a perfect meal. Built-in kitchens are becoming increasingly popular in backyard patio areas. Simple to maintain and available with many upgrades, you’re able to personalize it how you desire.

Pools & Spas

There’s nothing like taking a dip on a balmy night here in Southwest Florida, and depending on how large of an area you have to work with, you can make that a reality in your home. Pools and spas are key focal points in any backyard patio area. Try incorporating a water feature or a fire pit for added style in the space. Create that relaxing atmosphere that you’ve always wanted by adding in a few small details.

Entertainment Areas

Outdoor living areas are beginning to mimic rooms in the home. Living areas are filled with plush sofas, complete with a cozy fireplace and the outdoor kitchen ties into the space as well. Other stylish additions to this area of the home include:

• Water-resistant curtains and shades

• Light pieces or sconces

• Cabanas

• Artwork

The possibilities are endless! Making your backyard patio into another living area is key to enjoying life to the fullest in paradise.

Your Outdoor Paradise

Create something that impresses and matches your unique style. Work with the space and see how you can outfit your backyard patio to complement it. Keep these ideas in mind when you’re looking to add that little extra kick of style to the home, and remember, this is your space. Design it how you want it. After all, you’ll be the one enjoying it for years to come.

The team at Gulfstream Homes is ready to design the perfect patio for you! Call (239) 254-1664 or visit www.gulfstreamhomes.com to get started today!

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The post Backyard Patio Ideas first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.

Prepping the Space

Your lawn deserves a little TLC. Clean up your yard by raking if needed, pulling up old weeds, getting rid of fallen palm fronds and assessing your soil. Toss old or moldy patio furniture and pool toys. Next, start to think about what flowers will bloom best during the spring season and will tolerate our steamy SWFL climate:

• Egyptian Star Flowers also known as Pentas
• Begonias
• Periwinkles
• Rain Lilies

Of course, there are more flowers than listed that bloom during the spring but any of the flowers and plants listed above will add the right amount of color. After deciding which flowers you want, figure out where you would like to plant them. What would go best and where? Whether in the front yard, back yard or both, the flowers’ spring bloom will be sure to liven up the space.

How about those bulbs?

If you have landscape lighting, check to see if you need to replace any bulbs. If you don’t have outdoor lighting, maybe consider getting some string lights or lanterns. Stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s have the perfect assortment of landscape lighting. Some other great outdoor light fixtures are:

• Path lights
• Spot lights
• Deck lights
• Low voltage or solar lights

Get creative with your lighting. Hang them above a grotto if you have one or line the deck of your pool area. With path lights, you can set them up to guide people to your front door or outside to the patio area. Deck lights can be used to give that area a brighter look so when you host a party, it won’t actually feel like you’re in the dark.

Patio Furniture and Décor

Comfortable and homey patio furniture is all the rage. People want to feel as comfortable sitting outside as they do inside. Now, many home furniture and decoration stores such as Home Goods, Pier 1 and Target have a wide variety of options for outdoor furniture. If you want to make your backyard feel comfortable while helping it stand out, look into these:

• Sectionals
• Chairs & ottomans
• Colorful accent tables
• Chaise lounges and hammocks

Most outdoor furniture has customizable cushions and pillows. If your house or backyard has a theme, find the colors to match or start over and try something new. Online home stores such as Wayfair and Overstock are great places to look for furniture and décor. 

If you’re looking to revamp your landscape, now is the time to do it. Not everyone was born with a green thumb so if you’re looking to make some changes to the outside of your house, you could always hire a landscape design service.

The home building professionals at Gulfstream Homes are ready to get to work on your project. Call (239) 254-1664 or visit gulfstreamhomes.com to learn more.

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The post How to Add Spring Color Into your Landscape Design first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.

Carve Out the Space

It’s important to map out your backyard, especially if you are working with a custom home builder on a new home. If entertaining guests is going to be something that you plan to do often, keeping your builder in the loop is crucial. Work with them to design the position of your home on the lot and figure out the flow of the backyard. It’s important to create enough space for entertaining; you don’t want your guests to feel like they can’t move around freely. You also want to be sure to have enough privacy, either by implementing a custom privacy fence or by planting trees to help create the feel of a private backyard oasis.

Make It Comfortable

One of the key aspects to keep in mind when entertaining is guest comfort. Many homeowners work with their builders to implement various items into their backyards to make guests feel at home, including:

• Comfortable furniture
• Covered lanais
• Firepits for chilly evenings (yes, we get those occasionally!)
• Activities, such as shuffleboard or volleyball courts

Keeping your guests comfortable and entertained is important when hosting a backyard party. You also need to be sure that your backyard works for you as well. Incorporating an outdoor kitchen or BBQ area makes it easier to stay connected to your guests while you’re cooking. It eliminates the need for being forced to stay inside to prepare food, while your guests are outside.

Adequate Conversation Areas

Having the room and privacy for guests to have independent conversations with other guests is an important aspect to consider when planning your backyard. Create areas for guests to sit and socialize with other partygoers, including comfortable chairs and tables, so your guests can have a place to set their beverage while they chat.

Mood Lighting

There’s nothing better than socializing with friends and family amidst twinkling lights, feeling the salty air on your skin. What better way to create that feeling than with the beautiful glow of lanterns or café lights? The glow of these decorative, yet functional lights sets the mood and makes your guests feel comfortable and interested in their surroundings.

The Perfect Backyard

Remember, whether you’re building a new custom home or working with an existing home, if outdoor entertaining is important to you, keep these things in mind when you’re planning your next get-together. Don’t forget about aesthetics and guest comfort, and you’ll be on your way to becoming the perfect host. If you’re ready to build the perfect home with a backyard that’s perfect for entertaining, call the experts at Gulfstream Homes at (239) 254-1664 or visit www.gulfstreamhomes.com.

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The post How to Build a Backyard That’s Perfect for Entertaining first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.