HOT Blog
Lagom l A Happy, Balanced Design
Create a happy balanced life in your home Are you familiar with Lagom? Lagom is a Sweden concept in which there's not too much or too little in your home. The idea is to create a happy, balanced life, and this is why it's becoming very popular among...
Entryway and Foyer Ideas l Make A Great First Impression
Make A Great First Impression With These Entryway and Foyer Ideas The entryway or foyer is the first thing your guests see when they enter your home. It's also the first thing you see when you come home after a long day. This is why you want to make sure...
Black Cabinets: Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets
Create Your Ideal Look With Black Cabinets Black is not an uncommon color in kitchen design, especially when it comes to your cabinetry. You can pair black cabinets with different countertops, backsplashes and walls to create the look you have in mind....
Waterfall Countertops: Enhance Your Home
Enhance Your Modern Home With Waterfall Countertops If you're looking to design a home that is both stylish and trendy, then you may want to consider a waterfall countertop. It creates a sleek, minimal look that is perfect to enhance your modern home. Waterfall...
Cement Tile Flooring For Your Home
The Pros and Cons of Cement Tile There are many homeowners who choose cement tile for their home, similarly, you may be thinking of switching to cement tile yourself. Use the following guide to learn the pros and cons of cement tile. Gallery of photos for...
Solar Products For Your Home: Living a Greener Lifestyle
Live A Greener Lifestyle With Solar Products For The Home If you're looking for ways to live a greener lifestyle, you can look into ideas for the exterior of your home. One idea is to upgrade to solar products, such as panels, tiles and roofing. You are still...
Staircases: Stunning & Creative Ideas For Your Home
Staircase Ideas l Stunning & Creative Your staircase is useful for going up and down a story, but how would you like to put it to new use? You may be wondering how you can increase the usage of a staircase, but the answer is storage. That's right, with a bit...
Small Spaces: Smart Design Ideas
Design Ideas For Smaller Spaces Whether you live in a tiny home by choice or you're waiting to buy a bigger house, you do not have to feel discouraged when fixing up a smaller space. The great thing about interior design is you can find a style for a room...
Wood Tone Flooring: Adorn Your Home
Adorn Your Home With Natural Wood Tone Flooring In 2018, the trend of dark wood floors has been declining in many homes. Homeowners are looking to brighten their home with lighter toned wood floors, and they are using a matte finish to make their wooden...
Hidden And Secret Doors For Your Home
Add A Hidden Door To Your Home With These Ideas There is a good chance you have heard of hidden doors in movies and books. You may have even imagined what it would be like to have your own hidden door. What if you were told it is possible to have a hidden...
Kitchen Backsplash
Enhance Your Kitchen With Your Backsplash There is nothing like a backsplash to add a little pizzazz to your kitchen. You can choose from a wide range of colors and patterns to fit your interior. However, the wide selection of backsplashes can be...
Mixing Metals in Your Home: Change Up Your Style
Change Up Your Style By Mixing The Metals In Your HomeFor many years, it has been a trend to use the same metal finishes throughout a room or the entire house. Nowadays, the trend is to mix the metals throughout your home. It's a great way to create your own...
Lighting: The Jewelry Of Your Home
Use Lighting As The Jewelry Of Your Home There is more to lighting than just being able to see in your home. You are adding a sparkle to your design. A finishing touch known as the jewelry of your home. The glow, fixtures and placement all play an important...
Neutrals: Creating Your Own Look
Create Your Own Look With Warm Neutrals Neutral shades such as gray, charcoal and stark white have been found in homes for decades. While cooler neutrals are still in style for many homeowners, there has been a rising popularity of warmer neutrals over the...
Kitchen Banquette Ideas
Stylish Ideas For Your Kitchen Banquette Kitchen banquettes are becoming a trend in many homes. It's a place to serve meals and entertain guests, but it's also a place for reading and doing homework. A banquette offers comfortable seating with an...
Bonus Room. Make Your Attic Awesome!
Turn Your Attic Space Into A Bonus Room For years, your attic has had a reputation of being a scary place. Those who are not afraid simply use it as a place to store old and seasonal items. It may be a room you only visit every few months for cleaning or...
Green and Greenery In Your Home
Ideas For Adding A Touch of Green To Your Home Green is a color that is popping up in many homes. The soothing vibe of this color is what cemented its place in home design. You can easily add green to your home with paint, accessories and greenery. The key is...
Hygge Creating The Trend In Your Home
Creating The Hygge Trend In Your Home Many homeowners are turning to the hygge trend. What is the hygge trend, you ask? It's a trend that creates a warm, cozy vibe in your home. Use the following ideas to add the hygge trend to your home. Gallery of photos...
Create Different Vibes With Black Windows
Ideas With Black Windows. There are many homeowners who use traditional white windows in their homes, but you do not have to stick with tradition in your own home. How would you like to adorn your home with black window frames? It changes up the vibe in your...
Master Ensuite For Your Home l Five Benefits
Five Benefits Of A Master Ensuite There was once a time when an ensuite was only used for washing, but now it provides a personal escape when you need a break. It's still a place to wash and groom yourself, but it's also a place to soak in the tub after a long...
Wallpaper Trends l Decorate Your Home With The Latest
Decorating Your Home With Wallpaper Wallpaper is a great way to add color or pattern to your space, and you do not have to worry about the mess that comes with painting. All you need to worry about is choosing a design that fits your vision, such as a modern...
Best Messy Kitchen l Add One To Your Home
Messy Kitchens There's a new trend among homeowners, and that trend is a messy kitchen. You may be thinking, "Why would I want my kitchen to be messy?" A messy kitchen is the modern version of a butler's pantry. So what is the purpose of a messy kitchen? Think of it...
Statement Ceilings I Create A Focal Point
Making a Statement Ceiling There are many ways to create a focal point in a specific room, but have you ever thought of making a statement with your ceiling? Statement ceilings are becoming a trend in many households. Shapes, textures and even windows can...
Privacy Fence Ideas That Are Attractive and Functional
Privacy Fence Ideas Comfort and privacy are the two most important elements of your home. These elements are just as important on your deck or in your backyard. This is why many homeowners are turning to privacy fences. You can enjoy the solitude without...
Kitchen With A Splash of Color l 5 Colors
Personalize Your Kitchen With A Splash of Color It is no secret that an all-white kitchen is one of the biggest trends today. You can pair a variety of accessories or appliances with your white palette, and there is something about it that adds a sparkle to...
Lower Level Basement Remodel l Five Ideas
Basement Remodel There is nothing like the experience of remodeling your basement. A space that was once used for storage is being transformed into a space for relaxing, entertaining or hobbies. Of course, you need to figure out how you want to use your basement. Are...
Colored Grout l Create Beautiful Designs
Create Beautiful Designs With Colored Grout There is a new trend taking over the world of home design, and that trend is colored grout. What was once an ordinary part of tiled surfaces is now creating gorgeous patterns in kitchens and bathrooms. Are you...
Kitchen Shelves vs Cabinets
Kitchen ShelvingWhen remodeling your kitchen, you are going to find yourself deciding between open shelves and cabinets. While both are popular choices among homeowners, open shelves have been taking the world by storm for years. Transparent ShelvesThere are several...
Loving Your Laundry Room
Love Your Laundry Room If you are like many homeowners, you are not fond of laundry day. The thought of carrying your laundry to the washer, looking for the right detergent and finding space to fold everything is draining. However, doing the laundry does not have to...
Fire Pits For The Backyard
Light Your Night With A Fire Pit A fire pit is a very cozy addition to your backyard. It is great for roasting marshmallows or hosting a gathering. The best part is you can build the fire pit on your own. Use the following guide to build a fire pit that is just...
DiscoveryList
DISCOVERY LIST Starting a new project is both an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. You have an idea that could improve the style or function of your home, but now you need to come up with a plan to bring your vision to life. It is easy to feel discouraged...
Encourage Learning and Discovery With These Backyard Designs
Backyard Designs to Encourage Learning and Discovery It's no secret that your children learn through play. The key is to get them out there and show them how beautiful our world can be. Your backyard is a great place to let your children get up-close and personal with...
Terrazzo
What is Terrazzo? Terrazzo is a composite material designed for floors and walls. It is made of elements such as marble, granite, glass or quartz, and it is poured with a polymeric, cementitious binder or both. The material can be precast or poured into place. The...
Sidewalks
SIDEWALK IDEAS Your exterior is a reflection of your interior, so it is important to make sure it is presentable. The sidewalk leading to your door is the first thing your guests notice when they pull up to your home. You want to make a good impression on your...
Discovery List | Helping You Plan For Your Home Project
DISCOVERY LIST Starting a new project is both an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. You have an idea that could improve the style or function of your home, but now you need to come up with a plan to bring your vision to life. It is easy to feel discouraged or...
Sheds
Do you have an unused shed in your backyard? Maybe it is a space to collect odds and ends, but it does not serve a specific purpose. You can give your shed a purpose by turning it into a functional part of your home. Here are several amazing uses for your ordinary...
Mudroom Ideas
Mudrooms In The Home As the seasons change so does our clothing, with that so do our mudrooms. A mudroom can easily turn into a disaster zone while a well organized mudroom can be control central. If you are ready to create an organizational space for your...
Sunrooms
The sunroom is a perfect solution for adding functionality, value, and space to your home. Sunroom does not only provide many sources of entertainment but also increase the value of your home without affecting your pocket too. Sunrooms are affordable because they are...
Outdoor Kitchen Ideas
An outdoor kitchen is a place outside of the house where an individual can cook and prepare a meal, and clean up after. People use it to entertain, perhaps an outdoor party or just to save energy. Outdoor Kitchens Outdoor kitchens make for entertainment. It makes it...
Curb Appeal
The Importance Of Curb Appeal For The Home In most of the markets across the country, supply still exceeds the demand for household sales. While the focus is often shifted to what can be improved on the inside of a home, many sellers neglect the outside of...
Front Door Ideas | The First Impression
Your front door should serve as an ambassador for your home, welcoming guests and giving them a “first look” into the style and personality of what waits on the other side of the entry. Use color, glass and architectural details on your front door to showcase your...
27 Beautiful Designs To Boost Your Guest Bathroom
Photography Tarina Lyell / Interior design Matt and Kim Di Costa http://www.adoremagazine.com/blog/top5bathroomtrendsfor2017 This clean and bright bathroom really makes an impact. It's easy and affordable to change the look of the room by adding color with...
Pantone Interior Colors of 2018: And the Winners Are …
Greenery is so 2017 – see what hues are hot for the home in the New Year Frosted Almond and Ruby Wine will be among the breakout stars that the Pantone Color Institute predicts will be popular in homes in 2018. People will gravitate towards metallics, anything...
Dark Paint Sees the Light
Move over, off-white: These 6 tips help dark colors give interior walls a lush, modern feel. Dark interiors inject a bold confidence in any space. A foyer with a dark wall color adds a unique, almost mysterious ambiance. It’s eye-catching in ways that a neutral color...
Flooring Trends: A Step in a Modern Direction
Tile ‘rugs’, wide planks and blond wood are still going strong heading into 2018 Inlaid tile “rugs” are having a moment, popping up as a stylish and unexpected design element in new and renovated homes. Wide planks and blond wood are also taking flooring to a new...
French Doors Open Up a New Look in Showers
The latest trend in bathrooms adds elegance and beauty to a standard shower Even though French doors are incredibly popular, when someone spots a dining room or bedroom outfitted with them, admiration generally follows, as if the doors are special and rare. While...
For the Love of Farmhouse Sinks
With its variety of materials, patterns and shapes, the traditional farmhouse sink has found its way into modern kitchens, too Farmhouse sinks, also known as apron-front sinks, used to be just a practical choice for washing large pots and pans or your dog. But they’ve...
Universal Design for All
Often been associated with senior citizens and the disabled, universal design offers benefits to people of all ages and abilities Imagine a world where people with different physical abilities could use the same shower stall or kitchen faucet without compromising...
How to Organize Your Bedroom Closet
Give it a makeover that creates more space for all your clothes and shoes
Lighten Up: Making a Dark Home Brighter
There’s something about a light-filled space that’s comfortable and welcoming and makes you want to spend time there. Subconsciously or not, it feels healing to be surrounded by light. But if you’ve got a dark home where shadows overtake sunshine, the...
5 Remodeling Mistakes Everybody Makes
Remodeling is a big undertaking, and homeowners aren’t typically well versed in it. No one wants to make a mistake that will be costly or delay a project start or end date. To help your renovation project stay on track, here are five of the most common errors that owners make and how to avoid them.
Add a Little Electricity to the Home
Wired up: Structured wiring makes your home one giant, functioning device. So your refrigerator, stove, microwave – and wine fridge – all are on the same page.
9 Best and Worst Kitchen Upgrades
If you’re going to spend money on a renovation, you should get the most out of every dollar. Some kitchen innovations are worth every penny, but others? Not so much. Here are 6 on which to splurge on and 3 to avoid: BEST UPGRADES 1. Coffee system More than a simple...
9 Reasons Now is Time to Winterize
Before the weather gets nippy, take care of your heating system, roof, windows and more Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or someone who’s had a mortgage for decades, getting your home ready for the cold winter months is a must, but it’s best to do while it’s...
How Adding A Fireplace To An Existing Home Is Easier Than Ever
As cooler weather approaches, consider cozying up to a flickering flame. A pre-fabricated fireplace can be installed in any home with little hassle. Got fireplace envy? As Fall weather approaches it means the holidays are close behind. A hearth and mantel...
5 Home Improvements Worth Every Penny
If you’re thinking of doing some upgrades, count on these all-star projects to add value to your home You probably have dozens of home improvements that you’d like to do, but budget limitations prevent you from fulfilling every walk-in-shower or family-room-addition...
Why Smart-Home Technology Is A Wise Investment
A guide to smart home devices that can make your house safer, more efficient and more convenient By Erik J. Martin They say you’re only as smart as the company you keep – or the home you equip with smart technology, for that matter. Indeed, today’s...
6 Things You Must Have in Your Man Cave
Man Cave must-haves are all about comfort, convenience and a custom feel. A flat-screen TV, an Xbox and an awesome sound system are three essentials for any man cave. But there’s more to outfitting a guy’s go-to hangout than the latest electronics. Things like...
How to Live Through a Kitchen Renovation
A short survival guide for first-timers The fridge is in the dining room, the waffle maker’s in the basement, and your favorite sauté pan? You’ve got no clue where it is. Welcome to a typical kitchen renovation! It can be frustrating to live in a home where nothing is...
Today’s Top Design Trends for Your Remodel
From velvet sofas to bright green walls -- what’s hot right now If you’re thinking of injecting your home with up-to-date decor, check out these trends, which are fresh and fun and guaranteed to give a look all its own. Best yet, you can pick just one or two ideas to...
9 Ways to Make a Tiny Bathroom Look Bigger
How mirrors, paint, and tile can make a bathroom “grow” Your bathroom may be small but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a room that looks and feels cramped. We’ll let you in on design ideas that trick the eye into thinking the bathroom’s got more square feet...
6 Crucial Insurance Tips For Your Remodel
Be sure your homeowners insurance coverage is adequate before, during and after your remodel It's a little like eating your vegetables when you were a kid. You know you need to do it to keep healthy, but it's not your favorite thing to do (or eat). Today's topic is...
How To Ease The Stress of a Remodel
Remodels will create stress but there are ways to keep your project running smoothly We get it. Taking on a remodel adds stress to your life. Deciding who's going to do the work, whether your project is a true DIY or you're hiring the professionals. Working the...
How To Make Your Decor Reflect Your Personal Style
What's Your Decor Style? You Already Know The Answer When I had my interior design company, one of the biggest challenges for my clients was feeling like they had to make their home look just like the decor they saw in a magazine. OK, so I'm dating myself here. Yes,...
How To Choose the Perfect Counter For Your Kitchen
Not Just the Look, But How They Function is Key to Choosing Your Kitchen Counters When Matt and I bought our classic 1930s stucco five years ago, we were happy that a good amount of updates had already been done to the old girl. Some we liked, some we didn't. One...
Top Things to Consider Before You Begin Your Bath Remodel
Considering a Bath Remodel? You're not alone. Second only to a kitchen remodel, a bath remodel makes up more than a quarter of all renovated spaces among homeowners who tackled a remodel project in 2016, according to Houzz. And though bath remodels usually come with a...
6 Ways HomeOnTrack Will Help Your Next Home Project
We created HomeOnTrack to help you, the homeowner, move smoothly through your next home project, no matter the size or scope. We've worked in the home industry for more than two decades. We have personally built, remodeled, flipped and re-stored several homes...
How to Design A Home Office That Works For You
OK, so it is your office and you need to go there to work. Nevertheless that doesn't mean your home office can't be full of your personality and style. You'll be more productive and relaxed surrounded by items that make you smile. For instance having a view to look at...
How To Get Your Lighting Plan Perfect The First Time
Shedding Light on your Electrical Walk-Through Your electrical walk-through is one of the most important steps to customizing your new home. This will happen once the walls are framed. You'll meet with the electrician and possibly your contractor and "walk-through"...
Top Things To Consider When Choosing Your Building Lot
Location, location, location -- you've heard it before. Where your home is located is a top priority for many reasons and can directly affect your home's value, among other factors. So when you're ready to choose a lot to build your home on, consider the following:...
How To Manage Product Decisions When You Don’t Agree
Ok it's true, building a new home or remodeling an existing one comes with its challenges. We view our homes as a safe place, somewhere to escape the busyness of our lives. When that haven is in limbo it can be truly stressful. Which in turn affects our relationships,...
How To Get Your Dream Home And Stay Within Your Budget
Allowances and Working With Your Project Budget Just like when you received a certain amount of allowance as a kid, when you build a new home, your contractor sets your product allowances. These are incorporated into your overall budget. Getting a good grasp of how...
How To Choose Your Light Fixtures Like A Designer
Both functional and full of personality, the lighting fixtures you choose serve a true dual purpose – they reflect your style and light your home. Obviously, lighting touches every room of your home and we’ll be covering those specific areas in our HOT Topics. We...
How To Work With Your Building Contractor Like A Pro
Keys to the Contractor Relationship OK, we're all about enlightening here at HomeOnTrack so here goes ... it may be surprising to some, but the relationship you have with your contractor will be one of the closest you will ever have -- good or...
6 Things to Consider when Choosing Your Appliances
So many options to choose from, we know. All the same finding just the right appliances for your home and your family will bring you much satisfaction. It can be overwhelming because of all the options. We feel the best place to start your appliance selection process...
How to Finance Your Next Home Project
There Are Financing Options Available For Your Remodel Most all of us are aware of financing options for mortgages if you're building a new home, but what about those remodeling projects? Obviously there are inexpensive projects that give you a lot of bang for your...
7 Top Kitchen Trends in 2017
What's Trending in Today's Kitchens? At HomeOnTrack we love to keep you informed and in-the-know about all things about your home. Therefore we found some terrific information on what's hot in kitchen colors and design that we'd like to share. "It is a robust survey...
5 Quick and Easy Ways To Update Your Bedroom In A Weekend
I've been guilty over the years of neglecting one of the most important rooms in my home when it comes to decorating -- my bedroom. Far too often it has gotten the short end of the stick, way down on the totem pole compared to the "public" areas of the house: the...
How To Paint Your Walls Like A Professional
So you're ready to tackle that painting job you've been avoiding -- Congratulations! You are about to make a huge impact on your living space without a ton of risk or cash. Updating paint colors in your home can be one of the most rewarding, gratifying and easiest...