SPECIAL SECTION HOME IMPROVEMENT
typical household socket. With advancing technologies, higher
voltage charging stations are available to charge a car as much
as four times faster than a typical charging station.
• Importance of keeping IoT devices secure: IoT devices are
growing exponentially, and security features aren’t necessarily
keeping up. There are only a few regulatory standards set in
place for IoT devices, elevating risk for security breaches. It’s
important to always authenticate your devices with unique
usernames and passwords.
OUTDOOR
Outdoor trends for 2018 are focusing on using nature to
nurture. From flower gardens and modern green spaces to
reflection pools and water features, outdoor spaces are bringing
serenity to your home. Create an outdoor living area that calls
you in with cushioned sectionals, accent pillows and outdoor
rugs that are inviting and functional. Add a focal piece such as a
fireplace or fire pit to add warmth and a relaxing ambiance to the
space.
• Patios that add style: When choosing your concrete style,
less is more. Paving in sections allows you to add interest to the
space. Whether it’s using a combination of concrete and grass,
or concrete and gravel, add depth and dimension by varying
shapes or sizes of concrete sections.
• Back decks get a facelift: Decks are getting a lot of love and
attention this year with more people wanting to spend their
time entertaining outdoors. Add multiple levels to a deck to
create separate spaces for dining, cooking, and relaxation.
No room for adding on to your deck? Get the same effect
by grouping different types of furniture together to create
distinction between the spaces. Water features are also making
a splash this year. Small whimsical fountains have a calming
flow of water to bring serenity to any area. Looking for more?
Create your own outdoor spa, with a hot tub integrated into
your deck design.
• Trends in landscaping: With homeowners spending more
time outside, ambiance is important. Whether you have a
sprawling lawn or a quaint space for outdoor living, creating a
welcoming space can be easy. Smaller areas should make use
of multipurpose features, such as container combinations,
arranging multiple plants into one pot to add interest and
depth. No grass? Add green to the space with a plant wall and
succulents, requiring little maintenance and minimal space.
Have a lot of space to work with? Think about planting many
of the same type of plant to create a community garden. This
way you’ll only need to manage one type of plant, rather than
tend to the distinct needs of several types.
WINDOWS / DOORS
Homeowners are veering toward natural, clean looks this year,
focusing on bringing the beauty of the outdoors into the home.
Bright, airy rooms are trending in all areas of the home, from
living rooms to bathrooms—the more natural light, the better. By
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NORWIN ❘ SPRING 2018
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