January is the time, if you haven’t already, to protect your home from harsh winter weather and get a jump-start on your top projects for the year. Make the most of your month by clearing space in your home, boosting warmth and dreaming up plans for the year ahead. Here are 13 to-dos to give your home a little midwinter TLC.

Things to Check Off Your List in an Hour or Less
Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. With more heater use and wood fires in the fireplace, it is especially important during winter to make sure those smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. Use the test button on each device, and change batteries as needed. Organize the board games. When bad weather has you stuck indoors…

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Maison & Objet, the twice-annual international meeting of decoration, design and lifestyle professionals, returned to the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center. The design fair showcased the main colors that will illuminate tomorrow’s furniture, coverings and accessories collections. The palette of new products at the show was earthy and natural, bringing back into fashion the flagship shades of 1970s design in a retro-futuristic atmosphere. 1. The Return of Brown

Brown, which has been off the radar for several years, is making a comeback this fall, bringing with it all the nostalgia of the ‘70s. Warm, it is found mainly in tones of fawn and caramel. The fall collection by Dutch brand Dutchbone is proof of this, as the hue is used on…

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It’s easy to love weekend mornings (who doesn’t love a leisurely start to the day?), but weekday mornings don’t need to be rushed through. In fact, by reclaiming a bit of time for yourself in the morning, your workdays can begin on a note of inspiration, creativity and pleasure. The sun is up, the birds are singing, and the French press is full and hot. Choose from these 14 ways to make the most of your mornings, even if it is Monday. Lousso Designs & Co Inc 1. Get Up 30 Minutes Earlier Than Usual

You can improve your morning within the current time frame you have (try any of the ideas that follow), but if your mornings tend to be a frenzied rush, it really is worth it to get up a bit earlier. Half an hour is long enough to feel as…

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If you want to know where home design is headed, just follow the enthusiasm. We asked dozens of design and remodeling pros what gets them excited lately, and their responses reveal a snapshot of popular colors, materials and features on the rise. Here are five design trends you can expect to see more of in the coming months. GONTERMAN CUSTOM HOMES 1. Warmth

By far, the word we heard most from designers was “warmth.” Warm tones, warm woods, warm and welcoming spaces — homeowners are craving warmth. You see this manifest in a shift from cool whites and grays to warm off-whites, tans, beiges and creams. Earthy tones and organic colors are popular as well. “Lots of browns,” designer Lauren DeBello says.

These palettes help create…

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Creating a stylish living room requires a balancing act of color, texture, fabric, pattern and scale. Designers know how to turn the knobs on each to get the best result. Heather Wren Interiors 1. Touches of Green and Lavender

Designer: Heather Parker and Wren Caples of Heather Wren Interiors
Location: Atlanta
Size: 288 square feet (27 square meters); 16 by 18 feet

Homeowner’s request. “Our client has a young family and she wanted a living room space for her family to gather that reflected her personality and functioned for her family,” designer Wren Caples says.

Special features. “We drew the space to scale and decided on two sofas facing each other with swivel chairs that work well for conversation,” Caples says. “We were able…

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As the air turns crisp and the leaves change from green to amber, red and gold, you may find yourself wanting to linger a little longer on the porch and savor that glowing autumn light. From clusters of candles to cozy wool blankets, here are eight ways to help create a comfortable, welcoming porch that says, “Fall is here.” Cathers Home Furniture + Interior Design Tuck Wool Blankets Around Lounge Chairs

Plaid wool throws folded neatly atop the seat cushions of lounge chairs look crisp and cozy. And when you want to enjoy your porch just a little bit longer in the evening, all you need to do is pull up a blanket and snuggle in.

KTG Design Go Wild With Candlelight

Why stop with just one or two candles…

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We spend so much time in our homes that it’s important that they bring us joy. Follow these inspiring ideas to spread a little happiness in your home. Granite State Cabinetry 1. Let In the Sunshine

Nothing will lift your mood like sunlight beaming in through your windows. To make sure that your home gets its full quota of rays, keep the glass clean and free from streaks and finger marks.

To clean the outsides, it’s often best to call in a professional, but the insides are easy to do yourself. Use a dry brush to sweep away dust from the frames, then sponge the glass with soapy water. Finally, remove the water by making S shapes on the window with a squeegee. Windows need to be cleaned at least twice a year. Don’t think yours are…

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Built-in bookshelves, saturated color schemes and plump armchairs create cozy spaces made for enjoying books.

Searches for “book nook” are up 69% this year, while searches for “reading corner” increased 45%. Whether you have so many books you need a rolling library ladder or you simply crave a place to relax with a good novel, you’ll find inspiration in these eight cozy reading rooms. 1. Books From Floor to Ceiling

The idea was to make this newly constructed home in San Antonio, Texas, feel like it had been there for decades. Bradshaw Designs and Al Jones Architects took deep green library shelves from the floor to the high ceiling.

When choosing the materials, patina was key. Chicago brick on the walls and chimney, a limestone…

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Find out which option is the ideal partner for your shower-bath combo.

If you don’t have the space (or budget) for a separate shower enclosure and bath, you’ve probably decided on a combined shower-bath. But should you go with a shower curtain, or choose a glass shower door or panels to enclose it? Some of us might gravitate toward the softer look of a colorful piece of waterproof fabric that can be changed at will, while others might love the no-nonsense efficiency of a sheer pane of glass.

To help point you in the right direction, here are five benefits each of shower curtains and glass doors.

Shower Curtains

They soften surfaces. Great swaths of fabric (waterproofed or backed with a water-resistant liner) can temper the…

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Listening carefully, not overpromising and being transparent with homeowners can help your projects run more smoothly.

Trust is important in any professional relationship. Home remodeling pros need the trust of their clients to work effectively and complete standout renovation projects. And without good working relationships, issues are harder to resolve and miscommunications can turn into serious delays. Lead With Patience

Building trust with a client begins at the first interaction. Whether it’s through email, over the phone or in person, it’s important to make a good impression from the start. Most clients don’t have a solid understanding of design and construction, so being patient with them is key. Let them know you have good…

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