Real Estate Information Archive

Color is a powerful tool that can affect our mood, energy and well-being. Different colors can evoke different emotions and feelings, such as happiness, calmness, excitement or sadness. In this blog post, we will explore how to use color to boost emotion and well-being in your Albuquerque home.

First, let's look at some general guidelines for choosing colors for your home. According to color psychology, warm colors such as red, orange and yellow are stimulating and energizing, while cool colors such as blue, green and purple are soothing and relaxing. However, this does not mean that you should paint your entire home in one color scheme. Instead, you should consider the function and purpose of each room and choose colors that match the desired mood and atmosphere.

For example, if you want to create a cozy and inviting living room, you might opt for warm colors such as beige, brown or burgundy. These colors can make the space feel more comfortable and welcoming, as well as stimulate conversation and social interaction. On the other hand, if you want to create a serene and peaceful bedroom, you might choose cool colors such as lavender, blue or gray. These colors can help you relax and unwind, as well as promote restful sleep and reduce stress.

Another factor to consider when choosing colors for your home is the amount of natural light that enters the space. Natural light can enhance or diminish the effect of colors, depending on the time of day and the direction of the windows. For example, if your room faces east or west, it will receive more sunlight in the morning or evening, respectively. This means that warm colors will appear brighter and more vibrant, while cool colors will appear duller and darker. Conversely, if your room faces north or south, it will receive more consistent light throughout the day. This means that warm colors will appear softer and more muted, while cool colors will appear clearer and more vivid.

Therefore, you should choose colors that complement the natural light in your room, rather than clash with it. For example, if your room receives a lot of sunlight in the morning, you might want to avoid bright yellow or orange walls, as they might be too overwhelming and intense. Instead, you might opt for a softer shade of yellow or peach, or a neutral color such as white or cream. Similarly, if your room receives little natural light, you might want to avoid dark blue or purple walls, as they might make the space feel cold and gloomy. Instead, you might choose a lighter shade of blue or lavender, or a warm color such as pink or coral.

Finally, you should also consider your personal preferences and tastes when choosing colors for your home. After all, you are the one who will live in it and enjoy it every day. Therefore, you should choose colors that make you happy and reflect your personality and style. You can also experiment with different combinations of colors and see how they affect your mood and well-being. You can use color swatches, paint samples or online tools to visualize how different colors would look in your home.

Color is a wonderful way to express yourself and create a beautiful and comfortable environment in your home. By following these tips on how to use color to boost emotion and well-being in your Albuquerque home, you can transform your space into a place that inspires you and makes you feel good.

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Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

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Congratulations on your new home in Albuquerque! Moving presents an opportunity to holistically design your home's interior. Mismatched decor can make a home feel disjointed, like people talking past each other. Follow these tips to smoothly transition your furnishings during your move.

Planning

The first step is to survey the territory:

• List any furniture or decorative elements (like rugs or framed art) you are keeping from your prior home.
• Consider design aspects you can choose, like wall color, textures and lighting. Also take into account existing aspects that will impact your planning.

If you have a treasured family heirloom that will be moving with you to your new home, consider how your future furniture purchases can complement it. Take a moment to reflect on why this heirloom is meaningful to you. If it no longer sparks joy, feel free to pass it on to someone who will cherish it.

Preparing

Before painting, consider the furniture and overall interior design. For example, if you plan on a bold red sofa, choose neutral wall colors to let it stand out. Making paint choices too early may clash with furniture and decor you add later. It's best to finalize the furniture first, then select wall colors that complement the furnishings and create harmony.

When refinishing wood floors, consider how the floor and molding colors will visually interact with the rest of the interior design.

Prioritizing

Though acquiring all your furniture before moving in may not be feasible, prioritize purchases based on your family's needs. If you have children, buying a dining table and chairs should be a top priority, as this gathering spot can help the new house feel like home right away. Let the kids have input on decorating their rooms too - giving them a say can ease their transition.

Purchasing

Consider furnishing each room with major pieces from the same designer's collection, as they are designed to coordinate. Once you find a piece you love, explore other offerings from that line to build a cohesive look.

Rather than mere gimmicks capitalizing on a celebrity's name, celebrity furniture brands are carefully designed to evoke the mood and emotion most linked to that star. A great deal of work goes into creating a cohesive, evocative style for the entire line.

Getting Help

Rather than hiring an interior decorator, you can find free online tutorials on interior decorating and design that provide helpful guidance.

Your new Albuquerque home is just waiting for your vision and the opportunity to create your own world. Take your time and don't make rash decisions. Making the right choices now will help you create a home that will be your refuge for years to come.

HOT ALBUQUERQUE LISTING OF THE WEEK

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Learn More!

Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

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During the current Coronavirus outbreak, one of the only islands you're likely to see is the island in your Albuquerque kitchen, so why not make that island great?

You might be dreaming of having a kitchen island that is spacious and functional. Therefore, if you're planning to design an island or just playing around with the idea in your mind, the following tips can be of use.

Which Appliances Should Be in Your Island?

It's probably a good idea to put at least a few of the more functional items in your kitchen island. Besides saving space, it also makes things easier as you design the rest of the kitchen. 

A sink on the island is probably a good place to start. While it isn't exactly an appliance, you certainly use it all the time when you're in the kitchen. Your island should have a sink if you plan to prepare a lot of food there. 

Having your sink next to your dishwasher is a good idea, so you might want to include your dishwasher in your island. An island should have a wine or beverage cooler as well as a microwave. Pull-out refrigerator drawers are also available on some islands. 

It's possible to add your cooktop to your island, but you'll need to consider venting, so some people prefer not to do that.

How Much Storage Do You Want?

Once you know what appliances will go in your island, you can start thinking about storage. You should at least have a few pull-out drawers in an island that will be used for food preparation, as well as a place to store cutting boards.

Counter Height

Consider who will sit at the counter and how they will sit when deciding the counter height. If you intend to have barstools, they will probably be 36 or 42 inches tall. A two-level island can also be designed. One level might be higher for barstools, and the other might be lower so you can do prep.

If you have a 36-inch bar, it’s seating that’s somewhere between a typical barstool and a table.

Island Size

You need to think about not only what you want the island to achieve, but also the surrounding open space when choosing its size. The ends of the island should have at least three feet of floor space. At least 42 inches of space should be available on the sides for working and seating.

Usually, three feet is the ideal width for an island if you have enough room. When designing an island, proportion is crucial. Making sure that it flows well with the rest of your kitchen is important.

Once all the basic elements have been covered, you can move on to the fun parts. Which countertop material should you use, for instance? An island with a waterfall countertop, with stone or another solid surface cascading seamlessly from one end to the other, can be very beautiful. 

Consider lighting as well. You can make a statement above your island with pendant lights. When you have an open-concept layout, the design of your island is even more important since it is likely to be the focal point of your entire living space. Make it practical, but also fun.

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Wonderful Mossman home in the desirable Uptown area. Beautiful refinished original hardwood floors. Renovated kitchen, with satin finished granite countertops, ample cabinets and island. Two open living spaces, a generous sized dining room, 3 bedrooms. Both bathrooms have been updated. Separate laundry room. Designer Paint colors throughout the home. oversized 2 car garage, room for storage or workshop. Large backyard. Refrigerated Air. Roof replaced in 10/2020. This home is a true Gem.

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Contact us today to help you buy or sell your next home in Albuquerque. Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

For a while, many Albuquerque home owners had lost interest in dining rooms. Formal dining rooms didn't get decorated or even used since homeowners weren't motivated to do so. 

But that may be changing. The dining room has lost its footing over the years to expanded kitchen eateries and admonished for its lack of use, but the formal dining room is making a strong comeback.

Make your dining room stand out with these tips.

The right table

It's all about scale. An improperly sized table can throw off the whole room. “When choosing a dining table shape, consider your room's dimensions, how many people you'll typically want to seat, and your entertaining style,” said Wayfair. “Don’t forget, removable leaves allow you to adjust a table depending on the size of your dinner party.”

Color 

Adding a personal touch to the dining room makes it a great place to showcase your unique personality. You can be bold with those walls and use a deep, rich, vivid, or saturated color. You can also choose a wallpaper that catches the eye. Wallpaper has been in vogue for a while now, and the dining room is the ideal base for pretty patterns.

Lighting

Make a statement with a chandelier. Where else but the dining room? But that's just the beginning. 

“Ideally, you should choose bulbs and fixtures that produce between 200 and 400 watts, but the real key is layering: make sure to use a mix of lighting sources including floor lamps, wall fixtures, candles and windows (Yes, natural lighting counts too!),” said Pottery Barn. “The shape of your light fixture is also important. Choose a shape that complements your dining table. For example, hang a rounded fixture above a round table and choose an oval or linear fixture to hang above longer and rectangular tables. Finally, consider the size of your space. If you have a large dining room, go big and bold with an extravagant chandelier. If your space is smaller, smaller hanging pendants will achieve a similar effect without taking up too much space.”

Seating

Combining comfort and class is the way to go. Make sure you pay attention to the seat fabric as well. Here's another chance to show off your flair. 

It is also important to use a high-quality fabric. If you have young children, you may need to consider the fabric's porosity. Top choices include microfiber and leather. A busy pattern also works well because stains won't show up as easily. 

Add a rug

“Round out your dining room design with vibrant area rugs,” said Better Homes and Gardens. “Anchor your dining set with a colorful area rug that harmonizes with your palette and decorating style. Area rugs should extend at least 2 feet beyond a table's sides to accommodate occupied chairs. An 8x10-foot area rug is a good fit for most dining sets. Introduce kicky slipcovers, graceful draperies, fabric lampshades, eye-catching artworks, framed mirrors, and cool collections that counterbalance your furniture's heavy forms and hard edges.”

Contact us today to help you buy or sell your next home in Albuquerque. Looking for the perfect home for sale in Albuquerque? Our easy-to-use home search tool can help you start the process. Join us twice a week on our blog for more real estate advice and great reasons to buy a home in Albuquerque and the surrounding area. Follow us on Facebook for the latest Albuquerque real estate updates.

HOT HOME LISTING OF THE WEEK!

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Contact the Sandi Pressley team for additional details! 

Get your Morning Inspiration with the Sandi Pressley Team