Keeping up with the latest home decorating and design trends isn’t easy. One minute something is all the rage, and then passe the next.

And how about conflicting design recommendations…how do you know which you can trust or even where to start.

Don’t despair.  We’ve done some homework for you so you can see consensus opinions over where home design is headed over the next year or so.  Maybe you’ll like them, maybe you won’t.  But they’re at least worth considering if “trendy” is your thing.

Black Kitchens – Think of it as the all-white kitchen’s alter ego. More and more homeowners are embracing dark or black tones for kitchen cabinetry. Pair a black overall theme with white countertop, light flooring, and gold hardware (still the rage) for the perfect blend of modern and timeless.

Terrazzo – Once the go-to flooring option in airports, schools, and hospitals, terrazzo is making a big comeback. Expect to see this material re-imagined for just about every room of the house, from kitchen counters to coffee tables.

Colored Grout – Tile is an easy way to create an eye-catching focal point…even more so when you combine colored grout with tile of contrasting colors. Consider the possibility of a white subway tile backsplash with blue grout for a vintage-inspired kitchen. Or black tile with white grout for a modern, contemporary look.

Artisanal Elements – Anything that is (or looks) handcrafted is considered artisanal.  From throw pillows and blankets to a handcrafted chair or wall decor, the artisan-inspired look will feel right at home now and going forward.

Warm Neutral Colors – Gray has held onto the title of the “it” paint color for several years now but is fast giving way to warmer, more neutral options like taupe and beige.

Tweed – This tightly woven wool has a rich, sophisticated feel, and is perfect for upping the style factor in any space. Plus, it plays well with other fabrics so you can effortlessly mix and match pieces.

The more you improve your home, the greater the need for home security. Burglars are attracted to homes where they can see service trucks outdoors day after day…they sense a ton of valuable items indoors.  To help protect what’s yours and keep it out of the wrong hands, contact Now Security Systems today.

If you’re like most homeowners, part of your basement is for storage. But even a well-finished basement can be prone to temperature fluctuations, dampness…even mold. These conditions can be harmful to many of the items that you might be tempted to keep there but shouldn’t.  Take the following, for example:

Antique Furniture – If you need to store a piece of furniture, see if a friend or relative has room for it inside their home. Extreme temps and exposure to moisture can cause would to warp, swell, and shrink. Plus, if your basement is below ground, it can attract insects and small rodents that can turn your treasured pieces into their home-sweet-home.

Precious Memories – Want to hang onto years of photos, special birthday cards, or your child’s handprint turkey from preschool? Store them in an air-tight container above ground prevent photos from sticking together and artwork from buckling.

Clothing and Linens – Keep clothing and linens in tightly sealed plastic containers and store them in temperature-controlled spaces. For added protection, toss in some silica gel packets to prevent moisture damage.

Firewood – Firewood stored in a basement can easily rot from moisture. Store firewood on an elevated area away from your home to deter insects and other critters from making their way indoors.

Food – Because basements can be prone to temperature variations, even non-perishable food items can become compromised.

Important Documents – Don’t store important documents such as property deeds, birth certificates, and tax records either. Your best bet is to store important papers in a locked fireproof box.

Fire Hazards – Never store propane tanks and other potentially flammable chemicals in the basement as they pose a fire hazard when exposed to heat from your water heater, furnace, and clothes dryer.

Basements are often overlooked as part of home security systems. Is yours as well protected as it could be from burglars, fire, and carbon monoxide leaks? Contact Now Security Systems today for a free in-home analysis of how we can improve home security in your basement and elsewhere.

In life, some rules are meant to be broken, or maybe just slightly bent.

Well, that very same adage applies to interior design. While there may be an art to designing that Pinterest-worthy space, sometimes the best-designed rooms are a result throwing a little caution to the wind. So, whether you’re working with a blank canvas or want to breathe new life into an existing space, here are 5 design rules just begging to be broken.

Always hang artwork at eye level. This rule is best suited for rooms with about 9-foot ceilings and for art that’s 30 inches tall or less. If you’re working with bigger art pieces and higher ceilings, hanging the art at eye level can make the room look out of kilter. Your best bet is to visually divide the wall into horizontal thirds, then place the top of the art toward the top of the middle third.

Never decorate with fake plants. When we think of fake plants, we often think of those faded, dust-collecting floral arrangements at great Aunt Esther’s house. But fake plants have come a long way. Now, if you’re lucky enough to have a green thumb and abundant natural light, by all means use real plants. Otherwise, give faux-florals and greens a chance.

Never mix different colors or finishes. Gone are the days of matchy-matchy woods or metals throughout a house. Instead of getting hung up on matching, think about how the pieces in a room work together as a whole. The goal is to create a cohesive, intentional look.

Don’t put large furniture in a small space. Granted, if you’re living in a 500 square foot studio, filling it with large, bulky pieces won’t leave you with much room. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for doll-sized furniture, either. Choose the piece that’s most important to you. If you dream of a large, cushy couch, skip the massive side tables and opt for floating end tables. If a king-size bed is your priority, use ender bed storage or a closet organizer for clothing instead of adding a large, bulky dresser.

Never face the back of a sofa toward the door. Generally, this is a great rule. However, if you’re working with a large room, you might need to create a couple separate seating areas to make the space feel more intimate. In this case, place a sofa with it’s back toward the entry, add a sofa table, and build from there.

Here’s one rule, however, that should remain intact:  protect what you own. And that means, in part, having a home security system you can trust managed by a company you truest just as much.  For more information, contact Now Security Systems today.

When you look around your house, you’re most likely to spot the items you’re looking for and ignore everything else. That assumes your eyes even connect with the built-up clutter from years gone by.

Oh sure, you might occasionally find a random $20 bill left in a pocket last used long ago. But such discoveries are rare. What you’re more likely to find is stuff you can’t believe you have, never remember acquiring, or wishing you hadn’t.

Whatever their previous worth might have been, here’s to start purging to put more organization back in your life.

1. Old Holiday and Birthday Cards – Find a special place for those you just can’t part with and recycle the rest.
2. Wrinkled Gift Wrap – Recycle wrinkled wrapping paper and toss flattened bows. Then, keep what’s left and place it in a storage container.
3. Movies and Books – If you can’t remember the last time you watched that DVD (or VHS) or read that book, pass it on to someone who will enjoy it.
4. Expired Food and Spices – Go through your pantry and kitchen cabinets and toss any spices or canned and packaged foods past their expiration date. Consider using a shelf organizer that will allow you to see most of the items in your cupboards, so you can use them up before they go bad.
5. Cookbooks – Save copies of your favorite recipes and pass those unused cookbooks onto friends or family who might see them with different taste buds.
6. Take-Out Menus – Most everything is online these days, including the take-out menu for your favorite hole-in-the-wall restaurant.
7. Mysterious Keys – Still haven’t figured out what that key on your key ring opens? Unless you or someone you know can transform it into funky jewelry, it’s probably time to recycle it.
8. Old Formal and Business Wear – There are several great organizations who will take bridesmaid dresses, prom dresses, tuxedos, and business attire off your hands and pass it onto someone in need.
9. Old Prescription Glasses – Chances are, your prescription has changed a few times over the years. So why are you still holding onto that old pair you KNOW you’ll never wear again?
10. Old Cables, Cords, and Chargers – We all have a drawer full of old cables and charges. Keep those you need labeled and organized in a media box and recycle everything else at an electronics store.

Another great thing about purging is that, in most cases, your eliminating one or more fire hazards.  Not that a fire can’t start anyway, but why push that envelope? If that’s a concern of yours waiting to be addressed, contact Now Security Systems for a free in-home security analysis and recommendations on where to install fire and CO detectors, and how many you might need.

Every home should be a source of comfort, security and safety.  But many are not.

While you and family members might see it as a retreat following a long day of work, school, or play, others may see it as an easy target for mischief and crime. One step you can take to protect your home and family is to install security lighting. With so many lighting options available these days, you’re sure to find a solution to fit your style, needs, and budget.

Here are some tips for stepping up home security:

Analyze the exterior. Even if you already have security lighting installed, grab a paper and pen and walk around your property at night. Look for areas that might be vulnerable and make note of dark spots. Are there easy access points like window wells that are hidden? Shrubs where an intruder might hide, or large trees that provide access to windows?

Analyze the view from the inside. Head back inside and look out each window from various angles. Is something blocking your view? If someone were on your property (front, back, or sides) could you see them?

Consider your property line. If you have larger acreage with trees or a wooded area, you also have more places to hide. Consider lighting the perimeter of your property to make it more difficult for an intruder to get near your home.

Improve lighting in dark areas. Now that you know which areas are most vulnerable, choose the right type of lighting for each space. Up-light a front entrance with sconces on columns on either side of the front door. Use path lights to brighten up dark walkways around your home and garage. Or use a combination of both to add security and external beauty.

Control your lighting system with timers. A beautifully lit home and property is less-appealing to a potential intruder as it offers fewer places to hide. So, whether you’ll be gone for the evening or the week, the more occupied your home appears, the better. While you’re at it, add timers to your interior lighting. You can even turn your TV on, which will cast movement around a room and out the window.

Another way to protect home and family is with outdoor video cameras with internal monitors. Now Security Systems can install the right system and monitor it from our control center so we can alert proper authorities should an incident occur whether you’re home or away.  Contact us today a free in-home security analysis and proposal.

Pretend you’re a kid again.  Winter rolls around and one day, by accident, you’re walking in your socks, touch a metal door handle and zap…static electric shock.  You tell your Mom about and explains the phenomenon as best she can.  Then you snag your older sibling to see if they’ve discovered the same sensation in the same way as you.

Cutting to the chase, sooner or later you start to see the humor in it.  You know, like rubbing a balloon across your head to make your hair stand up on end.

Now, back to the present day. Where static electricity isn’t fun anymore.  It’s annoying and it hurts. What can you do to make it stop?  Here are a few effective means.

First, you can have a whole-house humidifier installed. It adds just the right amount of moisture to your home.  And a home that’s less dry is less prone to static electricity. 

Here’s what else you can do:

• Don’t drag your feet. Static electricity is created when you drag your feet across a carpet.
• Use antistatic mats. Place these in all entryways and other high traffic areas.  Antistatic mats prevent static electricity from charging and causing you unnecessary shocks and pain.
• Use dryer sheets. Why get zapped when you pull sheets or towels out of the dryer when you can now avoid it.
• Use lotion on your hands and feet. If you can’t moisturize your home, you can at least can moisturize your body.

Reducing static electricity is one more way to safeguard your family during our long, dry winters.  Contact Now Security Systems today to learn how we can help too…24/7.

Dollar wise, there are generally two ways to view a home improvement project: as a needed expense, or an investment toward future resale value.  But what if a home upgrade could deliver short- and long-term savings while still improving the looks and value of your home?

Here are five such examples:

New faucets: New faucets are a simple enough change and relatively inexpensive. More than that, most come with built-in aeration to reduce water consumption.

Replace the showerhead: Adding a new showerhead can liven up the look of your bathroom and reduce water consumption even more.  A rainfall showerhead, for example, covers more of your body which makes for faster showers. 

Dimmer switches or motion sensors: Instead of constantly reminding your family to turn off lights when they leave a room, install motion sensor switches that will automatically turn off lights for you. Dimmer switches also save money by providing only as much light as you want.

Redo the backsplash: This is a weekend project and, depending on the material, one you might be able to handle yourself.  That’s one way to save money. Longer-term, a new backsplash will help protect your wall moisture damage.

Walls/windows: Patch holes in walls, seal windows to prevent air leaks, and grout floors adjacent to thresholds. Each of these projects is relatively simple, helps improve your home’s energy efficiency, and keeps pests out for a little added peace of mind.

Another upgrade that adds value to your home is a modern and effective home security system, one that’s professionally monitored 24/7. For more information and a free in-home consultation, contact Now Security Systems today.

Houses are boxes of different shapes and sizes. Homes are where people live, interact, grow, develop, experience joys and sorrows, and so much more.

In that sense, life makes a house a home all by itself.  But life doesn’t know how to decorate or otherwise jazz things up.  People do that.  So, if your house is starting to look ordinary or stale to you, now’s a great time to get creative and restore a fresh sense of “home”.

Make it Functional

If you love to cook and do it often, why put your favorite utensils or dishware away when you can make them part of your décor and liven things up in the process.

Rearrange Your Furniture

What it was goes here was suddenly placed there?  Well, you probably would have to complete the job to make every piece look like it was meant for its new space. Besides looking different, your room might even end up looking larger.

Display Your Wares

Whether you’re an avid collector or simply have treasured items, it makes no sense to keep them tucked away behind closed cabinet doors and drawers. Bring out the decorative dishes, bowls, pitchers, the muffin tins and rolling pins. Bring out whatever it is that you collect and display them proudly.

Color Your House Perfect

Your favorite colors are green and blue? Go for it! Especially since no one is making you stick with off-white and tan.  Nothing makes more of an immediate impact than color.  But not just on your walls.  Throw in some added color with throw pillows, new window treatment, pillow cases in the bedroom, and so on.

Introduce Fresh Flowers

Fresh flowers are more than a nice decorating touch. They can help brighten your spirits too.  So can house plants, for that matter.  In fact, certain kinds of house plants attract and devour airborne bacteria to help improve the quality of your air.

You know what else makes a house a home? A feeling of absolute security, inside and out. If you want help in making your home burglar-free while beefing up your defenses against a potential fire, contact Now Security Systems today for all the help you need.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and resulting injuries.

While you can’t anticipate or prepare for every possible cause, there are numerous preventive measures you can take to help keep your family safe.  Here are several for your consideration.   At the same time, implementing a few added precautionary measures might just help prevent a fire in your kitchen:

• Stay alert. Don’t use the stove or oven if you are sleepy or under the influence of alcohol.
• Don’t leave cooking food unattended. Stay in the kitchen while cooking or baking food. If you must leave the kitchen, ask a responsible adult to keep an eye on things until you return.
• Use a timer when baking or roasting food as a reminder to check on it at regular intervals.
• Keep oven mitts, kitchen towels, wooden utensils, food packaging, or anything else that can catch fire away from the stovetop.
• Clean cooking surfaces often to prevent grease from building up.
• Keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by carefully sliding the lid over the pan, then turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
• In case of an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy n or near your kitchen.
• If you can’t safely fight the fire, leave the house immediately (closing the door behind you to help contain the fire) and call 9-1-1 from a safe location.

Now Security Systems also can help protect your home and family by installing a smoke detector near your kitchen and in other key locations.  We also offer 24/7 monitoring so we can get you the help you might need quickly and reliably. Contact us today for more information and a free in-home security consultation.