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Lighting is a defining feature in our living environment, and, like virtually every other aspect of the home, it has received the smart treatment. While smart lighting might sound gimmicky at first, the reality is that it can provide serious advantages. If youre on the fence about upgrading to a high-tech light system, here are a few ways that it can improve your daily life.

Boost Your Energy Levels
Believe it or not, there are a variety of ways that smart lighting can help you feel more energized. These days, you can set most systems to align with your circadian rhythm and mimic natural light throughout the day, meaning the lights gradually brighten in the morning as youre waking up and slowly dim in the evening before you go to bed. Research suggests this may help to improve your sleep quality and naturally end your sleep cycle in the morning, leaving you feeling fresh and ready to seize the day.

Energy Efficiency
If you want to make your home more eco-friendly and lower your energy bill, the good news is that smart lighting systems tend to use significantly less energy than traditional lights. In fact, an energy-efficient LED bulb, which these systems use, can run on anywhere from 25 percent -80 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb and last up to 25 times longer. You can even use smart sensors that turn the lights on when someone is in a room and automatically turn off when its empty.

Take Control
Being able to control your lights via your smartphone is an extremely handy feature. For starters, you can turn the lights on as soon as youre in the driveway and avoid the unsettling feeling of entering a dark house. When youre on vacation, youll never have to worry if you forgot to turn all the lights off and, even better, you can turn them on at night for an extra layer of security when youre away.

Mood Lighting
Lastly, smart lights are an excellent way to set the tone for any occasion. You can have specific settings for a moody dinner party that lends a touch of warmth to the atmosphere or task lighting that you can switch on when curling up with a book for the evening.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

A high-end home should be able to improve your wellbeing. These days, there are plenty of new technologies geared toward this, like cutting-edge air and water purification systems. But equally sought after are saunas and steam rooms, which have been used for thousands of years. For many affluent homeowners, a private steam room or sauna is more than just a luxury, as it delivers numerous benefits to ones mental and physical wellbeing. Following are a few reasons why you may want to put this on your list of essential features in your next home.

Improved Cardiovascular Function
According to a 2018 study by the Mayo Clinic, regularly using a sauna (4-7 times per week) has been linked to improving blood pressure and reducing long term risk of cardiovascular disease. While you may not have time to get to your fitness club to use one several times a week, having a sauna in the privacy of your own home makes it significantly easier to incorporate into your routine.

Calm the Mind
Many people find that a quick steam room or sauna session helps to relax and leaves them in a better mood. In addition to the fact that youre forced to unplug and be with your thoughts,due to the fact that the elevated temperatures stimulate the release of endorphins, you leave feeling energized.

Post-Workout Recovery
Everyone gets sore after a difficult workout, but heat therapy is widely regarded as a means of diminishing that. Steam rooms, in particular, are a chosen method among athletes to relieve muscle soreness and recover quicker. So if you already have a home gym, you may want to add this feature to improve your post-workout routine.

Relieve Cold Symptoms
This time of year, theres nothing worse than the common cold knocking you out of commission for a few days. The good news is that evidence suggests that heat therapy can help boost the immune system, as well as relieve cold symptoms by clearing the sinuses and breaking up congestion in the lungs. Its hard enough to get out of bed when youre sick but having a steam room or sauna at home can have you on the mend in short time.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Many houses are not energy efficient, which causes homeowners to pay much higher utility bills than they should. The roof is one of the most common problem areas. If your heating and electricity bills are too high, or if your roof is damaged and needs to be replaced, installing a new roof made from more energy-efficient materials can help you significantly lower your utility bills year-round.

How Does the Roof Affect Energy Bills?
Insufficient insulation and damaged or missing shingles can lead to high winter heating bills. In the summer, a roof thats unable to reflect heat can cause the attic and upper floor of a house to heat up, which means air conditioners will have to work harder to cool the house.

Replacing your roof with one thats better at reflecting heat and installing plenty of insulation can substantially lower your utility bills. Roofing materials that carry the ENERGY STAR label are energy efficient.

Which Roofing Material Should You Choose?
Asphalt is the most commonly used roofing material because shingles are inexpensive and easy to install and maintain. They are also available in a variety of colors and designs. On the other hand, asphalt shingles can be damaged by wind, storms, and algae and are less energy efficient than some other materials.

Metal roofing is energy efficient because it can reflect heat away from the house. Metal panels and shingles are relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

Tile roofing is best suited to warm, dry regions since it reflects sunlight and absorbs moisture. Slate roofing is dense, energy efficient and long lasting. Tiles made of slate, clay and concrete are often pre-treated to reflect heat. Non-treated tiles can be covered with a reflective coating after installation.

Shake shingles can improve energy efficiency by increasing air circulation inside the house. Many homeowners choose them because of the attractive appearance of the wood as it ages. Shake shingles are durable enough to stand up to strong winds and storms without being damaged, but they require a lot of maintenance, especially in regions that get a lot of precipitation or that are very humid.

In a warm climate, a light-colored roof is a good choice because it can reflect more heat than a darker one. In a colder region, a dark-colored roof may be preferable because it can absorb some heat from the winter sun and reduce the burden on the furnace.

Is It Time to Replace Your Roof?
If your roof is damaged or worn out, its most likely not energy efficient, and youre probably spending more than youd like on monthly utility bills. Replacing your roof with a new, more energy-efficient one may be expensive up front, but it can allow you to enjoy years of consistently lower heating and cooling bills. Have your roof inspected by a professional. Ask for advice on whether to replace it and, if so, which type of material to choose.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Creating the right look in your home can bring a huge sense of accomplishment, but we all know that home decor can get pricey quickly. Thankfully, a little paint and some creativity can be just the thing you need. Grab a paintbrush and get to work on these pieces in your home you never knew you could paint.

Old Appliances

Stainless steel paint can give even dated appliances a huge refresh for a small investment. If your fridge is in great working condition, but its aesthetic is stuck in a bygone age, a little elbow grease and a paintbrush may be just what you need to get your kitchen looking fresh and modern.

Countertops

If your kitchen needs an update, but youre not ready to invest in a renovation, you will be astounded at the transformation that can come from painting dated laminate countertops. Find a tutorial online and gather your supplies, or opt for the easier route by purchasing a countertop refinishing kit. Kits come with the primer, paint and the tools necessary for the look, as well as polyurethane to cover and protect your hard work against wear and tear. Use a sponge and various shades of paint to create a granite look, or create swirls of white and gray shades to mimic marble.

Flooring

Lend your hardwood some extra sophistication by using a black or navy paint to add a border on the perimeter of your floor. For a modern farmhouse feel, opt instead for a cream or white. Want to refresh an outdoor area rug? Simply paint it! A new design will lend a pop of color to your outdoor seating, and since outdoor area rugs are rarely known for their soft texture, theres no reason to be concerned about the mildly rough feel of the dried paint.

You know how much of an impact a simple coat of paint can have on your walls, and now its time to apply the same concept to unexpected pieces and witness a transformation in your home.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

We all define luxury real estate in different ways, but if theres one constant expectation that affluent homeowners have, its that your residence should cater to your lifestyle. Whether youre a young professional looking for a house where you can start a family or a retiree purchasing an expansive property where generations can come together, there are specific characteristics that youll need to consider in order to find the perfect dwelling. Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind when searching for a property that meets your lifestyle.

Consider Your Passions
Whatever it is that youre passionate about, your home should be a gateway to pursuing this activity. If its cooking and entertaining, you need a professional-grade kitchen with lots of space for hosting. Or perhaps youre a wellness enthusiast who likes to take good care of yourself, in which case you need a state-of-the-art fitness and wellness area. There are endless features to be found in luxury homes these days, but its necessary to identify the ones that are most important to you.

Location, Location, and yes, Location
Okay, this one will come as no surprise, but its significance cannot be overstated when it comes to lifestyle. Do you want to be downtown where youll be close to all the fine dining and high-end shopping or are you more likely to seek open spaces with hiking and biking trails? Our immediate environment has a profound effect on our lives and the location of your home will play a major role in how you spend your time.

Adequate Accommodations
If youre planning to start a family in the near future or enjoy having house guests, then it might be wise to purchase a home with an extra bedroom or two. For those who regularly host friends and relatives, you may even want to have an in-law suite or separate guest house.

Productive Environment
You also want your residence to be a place that fosters productivity. That could mean having a home office where you can escape from distractions or simply an open layout with lots of natural light that makes you feel energized. Everyone has different habits and rituals, so take the time to pinpoint what makes you productive and prioritize those features.

Published with permission from RISMedia.