Many people love to update their home, especially if they recently purchased it or simply haven't made any changes in a while. Home improvements are a great way to modernize your Pittsburgh home and update its style and functionality.
Here are a few ways you can update your home (and how we can help you really transform it).
1. Declutter
Less is typically more when it comes to contemporary design. Many modern homes have lots of open space; your design and accessories should be simple and clean, with limited accessories. Choose purposeful décor — like furniture with hidden storage space, which minimizes clutter and complements the modern aesthetic. You can declutter by removing unnecessary knick-knacks and bulky furniture so that you can open up the space.
2. Repaint Your Walls
Next is dealing with your walls. Remove outdated wallpaper and prep the area so that it's smooth and ready to paint. Many homes choose neutral colors, like off-white, since they match just about anything.
Don't be afraid to add some of your personality into the room with a colorful accent wall. You can paint it one solid color or choose a simple, minimal pattern to achieve a contemporary look.
3. Replace Your Windows
Replacement windows are an impactful way to update the look of your Pittsburgh home. Your windows may be outdated, worn down or have less functionality than you'd like. Replacing your windows is a great way to switch up the style of your windows and, in turn, the entire look of your home.
Choose simple windows to achieve a contemporary look. This can be as simple as removing your window grilles or going with a different type of window, like one that has more glass space.
For example, casement windows have unobstructed glass space and still provide ventilation. This can help your home get a modern look while preserving its function — so that you can still enjoy the cool Pittsburgh summer nights.
You can also take on a more significant home improvement project by replacing your walls with rows of large picture windows to create a wall of glass. Adding large picture windows this way makes your home feel larger, brings in lots of natural light and enhances its modern curb appeal.
Many updated homes have energy-efficient, sustainable features. A lot of older windows have single-pane glass, which is not energy-efficient. At Pella, we have many options and innovations — like double- and triple-pane glass — to provide outstanding energy efficiency, which can help lower your utility bill and keep your home comfortable year-round. Plus, this can also help with noise reduction, making it a great fit if you live in a more crowded Pittsburgh neighborhood or near downtown.
For example, this Warrendale, PA home has old, white windows that weren't energy efficient. The homeowners wanted to modernize their home, so they decided to replace their windows. We installed black fiberglass and wood windows to achieve the style they wanted, all within their budget. The black windows, which are trending in the modern home aesthetic, created a beautiful look and are a stark contrast to their old white windows.
Double-hung windows are a type of window featured in many different styles of homes throughout Pittsburgh and work well in many different rooms, like your bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living room. Double-hung windows are easy to use and can provide amazing functionality and style. They open from the top and/or bottom, helping you maximize airflow. Plus, each of the sashes tilt inward, making it easy to clean your window's exterior. Double-hung windows are versatile and can fit with a wide range of home styles, from traditional to contemporary.
For example, this State College house needed to have a drafty old window replaced with one that matched the rest of their home and was more energy efficient. Our Pittsburgh team installed a vinyl double-hung window to achieve these goals. The newly installed double-hung window offered more functionality and performance than the old windows and effortlessly matched their home's style.
4. Renovate Your Patio
Another commonly updated area on Pittsburgh homes is the patio. One way to achieve this is our patio doors. Our sliding patio doors are our most popular option, known for their ease of use and large glass space. These doors are versatile in style and offer many benefits.
For example, this Erie, PA homeowner was looking to update their patio door. They wanted to increase energy efficiency, functionality and style. Our team was able to do all three. The newly installed sliding patio door helped improve the home's overall energy efficiency, and the interior wood finish added warmth to the house. The sliding patio door also featured between-the-glass blinds to conveniently control the amount of light entering their home.
Along with sliding doors, we also have multi-slide patio doors. These larger sliding glass doors can help blur the lines between indoors and out and help you create a beautiful, modern indoor-outdoor space for entertaining guests.
5. Choose Stylish Window Treatments and Light Fixtures
Now that you've replaced your windows, it's time to talk about window treatments! There are various types, textures and styles of window treatments, but with a contemporary look, you'll want to keep it simple. Change out heavy, patterned curtains to light, neutral sheers. If you're a modern homeowner that wishes to maximize the natural light coming into your home and showcase the sleek lines of your window frames, you may even opt to go without window treatments.
While windows bring in a ton of sunlight, light fixtures are still necessary. You can change ornate or bulky light fixtures for simple, sleek pendants and chandeliers. Another way to achieve a modern look is with industrial-looking light fixtures. Choose black fixtures if you're looking to make a bold statement.
6. Combine an Open Floor Plan with Contemporary Furniture
Open floor plans are very popular. The living room, dining room and kitchen are commonly done without walls separating them.
Once you've opened up your living space, you can start updating your furniture. Again, think about colors — choose neutrals with pops of colors or bold accents. You want to choose the room's focal point and arrange your décor and furniture around it. For example, you can place two couches around a coffee table with flowers or angle your sofa and a loveseat towards your home's fireplace with a television mounted above. The possibilities are endless.
Updating your home can mean a lot of things. Still, one popular home improvement project that can update your home's energy efficiency, style and functionality is replacement windows and doors.
At Pella, we've got you covered with classic double-hung windows for functionality to modernizing your patio with sliding glass doors, and much more. Schedule your free in-home consultation today to get started on transforming your Pittsburgh home!