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From Layout to Livability: Designing With the Future in Mind

November 20, 2025 0

Ever walk into a house and wonder if anyone actually tried living in it first? Odd hallways,
awkward kitchens, and bathtubs squeezed next to laundry closets were once normal. But
after years of remote work, shifting family needs, and rising costs, those design choices
don’t hold up.

Today, homeowners want more than style. They want homes that adapt, support real-life
routines, and stay useful through change. With multi-generational living on the rise and
financial decisions becoming more complex, design now has to think long-term.

In this blog, we will share what it really means to design with longevity in mind and how to
spot features that offer long-term value.

Rooms That Flex With You, Not Against You
The living room that used to just house a couch and a TV now doubles as a conference
zone. The guest room is suddenly an office, a classroom, and sometimes even a workout
space. People learned quickly that a space without flexibility is just square footage you pay

for but can’t use. And when every square foot matters, financially and functionally, you
need layout decisions that evolve.

Think about how many homes were built with the idea of a “formal dining room” that’s used
three times a year. Meanwhile, there’s no place to take a work call that isn’t next to a barking
dog or a running dishwasher. Good design makes space work smarter. Pocket doors,
soundproof nooks, multi-use zones, these things are no longer luxuries. They’re essentials.
This shift also makes financial planning more layered. When people commit to large
expenses, they want their homes to serve multiple purposes for years to come. That’s why
conversations around home mortgage loans aren’t just about what you can afford today, but
what your home needs to support over time. A smart layout can reduce the need for future
renovations, saving time, money, and disruption later.

Design That Thinks About Aging, Yes, Even Yours
Nobody wants to think about getting older while house shopping. But designing for future
comfort doesn’t mean giving up style. It just means thinking ahead. Wide doorways, no-step
entries, and first-floor bedrooms aren’t just useful for accessibility. They’re useful when you
sprain an ankle, have guests with mobility issues, or want to avoid the stairs with a newborn
in one arm and groceries in the other.

Aging in place has become a top consideration for many homeowners, especially as housing
costs rise and adult children return home. Planning for versatility now can prevent stressful
adjustments later. Swapping traditional tubs for walk-in showers, adding lever-style door
handles, and installing lighting with smart controls are all low-profile upgrades that offer big
benefits in the long run.

These features also add value to your home, making it attractive to a broader pool of buyers
should you choose to sell. A space that works across generations has more staying power
than one designed for a narrow phase of life.

Outdoor Space That Works All Year Long
Gone are the days when the backyard was just for the grill and a few plastic chairs. Today,
outdoor spaces are expected to be livable, durable, and ready for almost anything. From
enclosed patios to edible gardens to tool sheds that double as quiet escape pods, the best
yards do more than look green. They function.

Designing with the future in mind means creating outdoor zones that shift with the seasons
and the needs of your household. Covered patios can serve as outdoor dining rooms in the
spring and become a rainy-day play area for kids in the fall. Raised garden beds aren’t just
trendy, they give you control over part of your food supply, which has become more
relevant with every grocery price hike.

And then there’s energy use. Thoughtful landscaping can reduce cooling costs by shading
your home naturally. Smart irrigation systems save water and adapt to your local climate.
Solar lighting is efficient and low-maintenance. None of this is flashy. But in the long run, it’s
the difference between a backyard that drains your wallet and one that adds daily value.

The Storage Problem No One Talks About
You don’t realize how little storage your house has until it’s too late. Seasonal gear, extra
bedding, school supplies, emergency kits, where does it all go? Clutter isn’t just a visual
issue. It affects stress levels, daily routines, and how effectively you use your space.

Built-in storage can change everything. Under-stair drawers, attic platforms, wall-mounted
shelving systems, and mudroom lockers keep chaos in check and increase resale value.
Future-focused design means thinking beyond the closet count. It means building in function
without sacrificing flow.

This also applies to the garage, which for many people, is a place to store everything except
the car. Strategic design turns the garage into a workspace, a mini gym, or a prep zone for
garden projects. It doesn’t have to be a full conversion. It just needs to have a plan.

Technology That Serves, Not Complicates
Smart homes sound great until you need a password just to turn on the lights. Tech is only
helpful when it fits into your routine. Thoughtful integration means choosing systems that
support your lifestyle, not control it.

Security cameras, smart thermostats, leak detectors, and lighting automation all offer peace
of mind. But they should be installed with flexibility and privacy in mind. Systems that update
easily, work across devices, and don’t require weekly troubleshooting are the ones worth
investing in.

Design That Buys You Time and Sanity
At its core, designing with the future in mind is about reducing future stress. You’re not just
creating a home for now. You’re creating a space that’s ready for whatever your life decides
to throw at you next.

That might mean building in an extra room before you need it. It might mean choosing
materials that clean easily or last longer. It might mean placing the laundry room near the
bedrooms instead of the garage. These aren’t flashy upgrades, but they solve real-life
problems.

The best part? Most future-ready design choices are invisible once installed. They don’t
announce themselves, but they save time, effort, and money year after year. And when
you’re already juggling the demands of family, work, health, and finances, those wins count
for a lot.

So before you start your next home project, ask yourself what your space might need not
just next month, but next decade. Build for real life. Build for change. And above all, build
something that still makes sense when life doesn’t.

🧀 Calling All Cheese Lovers: Meet the Holiday Gift That’ll Change the Way You Store Cheese Forever

November 4, 2025 0

Are you a cheese lover like me? Because if there’s one thing I take seriously, besides hot cocoa season and holiday playlists, it’s cheese. Brie, cheddar, gouda, chèvre… I love them all. But nothing breaks my heart faster than opening the fridge and finding a sad, moldy wedge hiding in the corner of the drawer.

We’ve all been there. You buy a gorgeous piece of cheese for a charcuterie board, wrap the leftover in plastic wrap “just for a few days,” and next thing you know, it’s dry, slimy, or covered in fuzzy green spots.

So why does that happen?
It’s simple: cheese hates plastic. Conventional plastic wrap suffocates it. Because it’s non-porous, moisture gets trapped inside, creating condensation that leads to mold, weird smells, and a serious flavor downgrade.

Enter my new kitchen obsession and favorite holiday find: Formaticum, the ultimate cheese storage solution that will make every cheese lover smile (and every fridge a little happier).

🌿 Why Formaticum Is a Game-Changer

Formaticum was founded by true cheese experts who wanted to help us store cheese the right way, the way cheesemongers and professional affineurs do. Their bags and papers are specially designed to let cheese breathe, keeping the moisture balanced and preventing mold, dryness, and waste.

Think of it as the difference between storing your cheese in a plastic bag (ugh) versus giving it its own little eco-friendly cheese cave (yes, please).

Even better? These bags make a fantastic holiday gift for the foodie or adventurer in your life, the friend who brings the cheese board to every gathering or the traveler who picks up wheels of cheese from every farmers market they visit.

🎁 My Favorite Formaticum Picks for Holiday Gifting

🧀 Classic Cheese Storage Bags ($17.50 / 15 count)

Made in France and designed just for cheese lovers, these are the perfect intro set. They’re reusable (until butterfat stains show through) and make storing leftovers effortless. I’m planning to wrap a set up with a wedge of brie and a small honey jar for the perfect hostess gift.

🌎 Zero Cheese Storage Bags ($19.50 / 10 count)

These are for the eco-conscious cheese aficionado (hi, that’s me). They’re compostable, biodegradable, and recyclable—made from white greaseproof paper and brown vegetable-waxed paper to create the perfect breathable micro-climate. Ideal for aged cheeses and charcuterie.

♻️ Reusable Cheese Storage Bags ($19.50 / 10 count)

These sturdy, reusable bags keep cheese fresh and flavorful longer. They’re made from calcium carbonate and polyethylene, so they’re fully recyclable while still letting cheese breathe. I love that they feel like a small step toward less plastic waste in the kitchen.

🧺 A Gift That Keeps On Giving (Literally)

Cheese consumption skyrockets during the holidays, wine nights, grazing boards, after-dinner bites, so why not make sure every wedge stays as perfect as the day you bought it?

Pair a pack of Formaticum bags with a few specialty cheeses, a small wooden knife, and maybe even a jar of fig jam or olives. Tie it all together in a reusable basket, and you’ve got a thoughtful, eco-friendly gift that any host or food lover will adore.

It’s elegant, practical, sustainable, and deliciously different from another bottle of wine (though let’s be honest, you can totally include that too).

🥂 For the Love of Cheese (and the Planet)

Formaticum is more than just a product, it’s a way to honor the cheesemaker’s craft, savor every slice, and reduce waste. Plus, with their professional-grade wax-coated paper, Italian cheese knives, and other accessories, you can easily build a beautiful cheese care kit for the foodie in your life.

So this holiday season, skip the gimmicky kitchen gadgets and gift something that brings pure joy to the cheese board. Because with Formaticum, every bite tastes just as the cheesemaker intended, rich, flavorful, and full of life.

Now that’s a reason to say cheese. 🧀✨

Learn How to Budget Your Green Lifestyle

February 2, 2022 0

Many people want to live a greener lifestyle. However, they may think that it is too expensive. When they see the expensive equipment and food, they get discouraged, thinking they can’t do it. About 38% of respondents to a Harris Interactive poll said they’d be afraid of eviction, showing that people need to put their money toward important things. However, it is possible to budget for a green lifestyle. Here are some ways to do so.

Take Care of Your Body

Living sustainably includes caring for yourself physically and mentally. Green living should involve healthy food, lots of exercise and rest, and regular doctor’s appointments. Everyone should see a doctor once a year to make sure that they are doing well. By maintaining your health, you use fewer resources and avoid expensive medical bills.

Buy Used

Shopping at secondhand stores is a great way to live a sustainable lifestyle. Green living involves reusing things, something you might already be doing if you are on a tight budget. Many of the items at secondhand or thrift shops are still perfectly usable. They may even include some of the trendier green living items you’ve seen on social media. Do some or all of your shopping secondhand and you’ll be contributing to keeping the environment clean and healthy while also staying on a budget.

Involve the Whole Household

If you live with other people, get them involved in your green lifestyle as well. Not only will it be easier to sustain with their support, but it will also be financially beneficial. This can work for any living situation, including roommates and families. Half of American adults are married, meaning they likely have the emotional and financial support of their spouse. By combining resources, your household can afford the more expensive aspects of green living. It also means you can support each other as you establish new ways to live healthily, keeping you motivated and on track.

Shop Local

Whenever you can, buy as locally as possible. Not only will you support small businesses, but your purchases will also require fewer resources to get to you. This is a great way to get involved in sustainable business practices. However, local shops can sometimes be more expensive too. If you’re on a budget, don’t try to buy everything at your local farmers’ market or small shop. Instead, make a cost allowance list and buy what you can.

Have Realistic Expectations

Having realistic expectations of what you can do is an important part of green living on a budget. You shouldn’t try to live a perfectly sustainable life. It is not a realistic prospect, especially if you also have to pay attention to your budget. Instead, do what you can. Be realistic about your abilities and prioritize the things that mean the most to you. If you go into green living with the expectation of perfection, you’ll burn out. By doing the best you can, you accept that you will still have to do some non-sustainable things to survive. Knowing this as you begin will help you avoid the guilt and burnout that can come from not reaching your idealized expectations.

Green living is possible for everyone, even if you have to do so on a limited budget. If you go into this new lifestyle knowing what to expect, you’re much more likely to succeed. So make sure you prioritize where you’re spending your money and taking care of yourself. Consider these tips and apply them to your life, either gradually or all at once. Either way, they will help you take steps toward a green lifestyle.

How to Reduce Your Waste and Start Living a Greener Life in 2020

December 9, 2019 0

Whether you like it or not, it’s become apparent that Americans really need to embrace going green. And while U.S. businesses are starting to embrace eco-friendly methods as a means of appealing to consumers and keeping up with the competition, protecting the planet typically starts at home. In fact, Americans threw out over 258 million tons of municipal solid waste (or discarded trash) in 2014. A separate study estimates that Americans throw out seven pounds of trash per person every day — or 2,555 pounds of materials per person every year.

But unnecessary waste doesn’t merely refer to garbage. We also regularly waste electricity, water, and heating energy without a second thought. Whatever your green goals, there’s no better time to tackle them than the new year. If you want to make good on your environmental resolutions in 2020, here are some simple ways to reduce waste and start living a greener life.

Let There Be (LED) Light

Reducing waste doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. Start by switching out your traditional lightbulbs for LED ones. The U.S. Department of Energy maintains that LED lighting has the potential to reduce nationwide energy usage by nearly 50%. By using LED bulbs, you’ll need less energy to light your home, lower your monthly bills, and end up saving money in the long run (as LED bulbs last longer than incandescent bulbs).

Of course, you should still make an effort to turn off lights when you leave a room or go out of the house. If you’re going away, invest in a timer so you don’t waste too much energy while you’re gone. Be sure to unplug electronics and appliances while you’re at it, as these can drain energy sources even when they’re not in use. These steps are simple enough once you make them a habit — and since you’ll be financially benefitting at the same time, they’ll be easy to remember.

Pay Attention to H2O

We tend to take water for granted, but this precious resource needs to be protected. For one thing, you should make an effort to locate and fix any leaks. If an undetected leak continues for a year, you could waste thousands of gallons and approximately $164.50 (or more, in some cases). Even if your home doesn’t have any plumbing leaks, you’ll still want to be more cognizant of your water usage. Be sure to run the washing machine or dishwasher only when full, as this will save water. Keep in mind that washing in hot water will require more energy, so washing your clothing in cold water is a good idea when possible. Of course, you’ll need to use hot water when washing dishes, but make sure to shut off the faucet when washing by hand. You should also consider taking shorter showers and turning down the temperature on your water heater. Data shows that 15% to 25% of all energy consumed within a home is due to a running water heater. You can probably stand to lower the temperature (it should be no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit) to save energy without sacrificing your comfort.

Get Ready For Winter

Winter has only just begun, but you’ve probably started feeling the effects in your home. You might already be cranking up the heat — and if your home has leaks or cracks, your HVAC system is probably working harder than necessary. It’s a good idea to keep your thermostat on the lower end in order to save energy. But if heat is escaping, you’ll have a hard time being comfortable. If you haven’t already, make an effort to seal any vulnerabilities to keep the warm air inside. You might also consider adding extra insulation or upgrading your windows. And while the winter isn’t an ideal time to get a new roof, choosing the right roofing material can help you save as much as 30% on your home’s energy needs. In other words, you might want to get started on the process now and at least schedule an upgrade to prioritize greener living in 2020. You might also want to take this opportunity to have your HVAC system serviced, as you may be able to avoid problems this season if you’re proactive.

Be Smart When Shopping

Water and energy waste are big problems, but food waste should also be a major concern. The USDA estimates that 30% to 40% of the nation’s food supply is wasted. That means most Americans need to be more intentional in how they shop, how they cook, and how they eat. Organic is typically best in most cases; in SEO, it’s over five times better than paid search ads, and it’s usually the higher-quality option in the grocery store, too. But if you’re not using that organic food and end up throwing it away, that’s a huge waste.

It’s a good idea to stick to a list and buy only what you need. If you plan out your meals in advance, this can help you to prevent impulse buys and make sure you use everything possible in the fridge. Try to stick to multi-purpose items that can be used in a variety of ways throughout the week, rather than specialty ones that might be allowed to go bad. Whether you prep your meals each Sunday or cook every night, mapping out how you’ll shop and eat can help your family reduce food waste next year. While you’re at it, bring your own reusable grocery bags to go plastic-free and make sure to invest in reusable food storage containers. In general, cut down on single use plastics at home to reduce the other items you’ll throw away.

Repair or Buy Used

Another good way to reduce waste is to take stock of what you already have. If you have a piece of furniture that’s seen better days but is structurally sound, you might consider having it professionally cleaned or repaired. It’s recommended that you have upholstery cleaned once a year anyway (though you should try to ensure the cleaning methods used are eco-friendly!), but you might even consider having a piece reupholstered with vintage fabric or fixed using reclaimed wood. Appliances and electronics may also be repairable, so don’t be so quick to throw them out and buy new. Shoes and clothing can often be fixed, as well, particularly if the problem is something like a zipper or a heal. By having these items repaired, you’ll be able to keep them out of landfills, save money, and support local businesses.

While it might not be realistic for your family to get your waste production to zero, it’s simpler than you think to reduce it. By keeping these tips in mind, you can go a lot greener in 2020 without much effort.

Why A Green Kitchen Remodel Is Worth the Investment

July 14, 2017 0

For many parents and homeowners, remodeling is a dreaded subject. It is something to be avoided and decried as too expensive, too time-consuming, and too difficult while the kids are still young. In fact, that aversion to change is likely why 47% of Americans haven’t updated their home decor in the last five years, with 9% having neglected it for more than a decade!

But remodeling is the best way to make your home feel more like an extension of who you and your family are. And it is the best way to increase the value of your home should you ever want to sell. That’s why many parents decide, reluctantly, to take remodeling one step at a time.

Among the more popular starting remodeling projects is the kitchen remodel. People remodel their kitchen for a number of different reasons: some want a more open floor plan, others want to improve the efficiency of their kitchen, and some just get tired of the ugly wallpaper that came with the house. For many people, the fact that even a minor kitchen remodel, done right, has an average return on investment of 82.7%.

But if you are in the market for kitchen remodeling, consider opting for greener options when selecting your design components. Not only will you have the satisfaction of leaving a smaller footprint on the planet, but it might even help to increase your home’s resale value.

According to Realtor.com, 61% of homebuyers in 2017 will be below the age of 35. As millennials continue to represent more and more of the housing market, they will bring with them their own tastes and desires, such as sustainable offerings. In fact, nearly 75% of millennials are willing to pay higher prices for sustainable products, more than any other generation.

Items such as sustainable kitchen cabinets, flooring, and countertops can make your kitchen look stunning and reduce the environmental effect of your remodeling project significantly. But even if you spend all your free time watching HGTV — all six minutes of it between tucking your child in bed and falling asleep on the couch — it can be hard to know what exactly is or is not sustainable.

We’ve put together a few quick tips to help you pick the right, sustainable materials for your kitchen remodel.

Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinets are a great place to start your search, considering the majority of cabinets are made from wood. Make sure that your wood is either reclaimed or can be certified as sustainably harvested. Also be certain that they use formaldehyde-free glues.

Countertops
For countertops, look for materials that are recycled or at least made of sustainable materials. Some of the coolest options on the market are made of recycled glass and cement before being finished to look like limestone. You can also find a number of interesting counters made from wood reclaimed from old barns and other buildings.

Floors
While linoleum often gets a bad rep, it is a great option for environmentally friendly floors. Made from biodegradable materials, this durable flooring comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Cork is also a popular option, and it is made from wood that is carefully monitored to maintain available supplies.

There is more to consider, of course, such as energy-efficient appliances and the smaller touches like efficient LED lighting. But if you can find sustainable options for these three components, then you are already ahead of the curve.