Month: September 2022

4 Design Ideas for Your Condo Home Office

Posted on by LLCR Staff

If commuting during rush hour just isn’t for you (and your work schedule allows), you might be considering a condo home office. While most home ‘offices’ during COVID’s lockdown were pretty make-shift, it might be the perfect time for more intentionality in creating a space in your condo that’s simply for work.

Outfitting a home office is a fun challenge because it requires you to consider both design and functionality. As you approach an aesthetic to this space, consider what it will mostly be used for within the context of work: if your job requires you to spend most of your time on the phone, that might require a different set-up than a career that involves a lot of reading or designing on a screen. 

Whether that be turning your bedroom into a home office or even creating work-from-home space for two, once you have an understanding of what you’ll need out of your condo home office, consider these four tips to make your space as useful and enjoyable as possible.

4 Design Ideas for Your Condo Home Office

  1. Make the desk your favorite part. No matter what you’ll be doing in your home office, your desk will undoubtedly be the centerpiece of the room in terms of scale and design. Consider how the look of your desk will influence the rest of the space; and for that reason, you might opt for a more unique desk to ensure that the rest of the decor fits naturally. Desks also offer many different functions, such as standing/sitting, vanities and spaces for hobbies, so choose this piece of furniture wisely.
  2. Consider an accent wall. If your job requires you to spend most of your day on video calls, an accent wall can become a built-in Zoom background while keeping your space bright and unique. From patterned wallpaper to a gallery wall of frames, the options for accent walls are endless and can be tailored to any taste or budget.
  3. Add inspiration. What inspires us varies greatly from person to person. For some, a sports player or quote motivates them; for others, art or past travels might evoke inspiration. No matter what gets you out of bed in the morning, incorporate a visual element of your muse into your office – not only will it make you enjoy the space more, but it will motivate you as you use it.
  4. Plan for rest. Even though offices are spaces dedicated to work, incorporate a physical reminder of rest into your design by including a couch or lounge chair. Having an additional seating option outside your desk will provide you with a different way to use the room, and will ensure that you build breaks into your workday.

No matter how you want to design your home office, the Luxury Living team can partner with you to find the condo and office space that fits your needs, job and lifestyle. Reach out to us today to get started!

If you’re looking for more interior design ideas for other areas in your condo, follow the link below.

Condo Interior Design Ideas: A Room-by-Room Guide

5 Steps to Designing Your Condo Bedroom

Posted on by LLCR Staff

Whether you’re in the process of buying a condo or are already a proud owner, there’s something to be said about updating your space to ensure it matches your needs and personal style. No room is more important to consider for a refresh than your bedroom: not only is it the most private space in your condo, but it’s also meant to be a room for rest and relaxation.

5 Steps to Designing Your Condo Bedroom

As you approach these changes, keep reading for five steps to designing your new condo bedroom.

  1. Start with a design quiz. Before you begin planning or purchasing anything for your bedroom, take a moment to consider what your personal style actually is. Do you gravitate towards a modern look, or are you more bohemian? Are you maximalist or minimalist? Take a style quiz online, and pay attention to the design-oriented social media accounts you follow – both of these clues will help you create a style framework to operate in.
  2. Consider your budget. Depending on the level of updates you’re hoping to make, changes to your space can get pricey (especially if they involve work that you outsource, like painting or re-wiring). Knowing your budget before you begin will ensure you make the updates you want without breaking the bank.
  3. Sketch your layout. Play architect and draw the layout of your room, including your bed and any existing furniture. Try your best to draw things to scale, and use a couple of sketches to “rearrange” the room so you can understand how pieces will fit together without actually having to physically move anything. This is an especially important step if you’re planning on buying new furniture!
  4. Start with the big pieces first. Create your to-do list starting with the biggest changes first, such as any painting or big furniture. These bigger changes set the aesthetic tone for the rest of the room: by making these changes first, you can make sure that the rest of your decor matches.
  5. Hone in on personal touches. Since your bedroom is such a personal space, make sure that you’re incorporating pieces that are unique to you, such as photos, books and nostalgic items.

If these ideas have you thinking about the condo of your dreams, the Luxury Living agents are here to help in every step of your buying process. Reach out today to get started.

Need more interior design ideas for your condo? Click the button below for our room-by-room guide!

Condo Interior Design Ideas: A Room-by-Room Guide

Find the Condo Living Room Design That Fits Your Style

Posted on by LLCR Staff

When it comes to condo living room design, there is a multitude of style options. Use this guide to find what suits you best.

5 Condo Living Room Design Ideas

  1. Modern– If you find yourself living in a sleek high-rise condo, you can carry out this polished look in your own living room by embracing a modern design. A monochromatic color palette, clean lines, minimalism, natural materials, and natural light mark modern design. This style works very well in an open concept room with floor-to-ceiling windows. If you’re considering this route, consider limiting your living room decor and selecting low and long furniture with neutral colors.
  2. Industrial– This aesthetic thrives in urban loft living. Since lofts already boast an industrial look and feel, it’s strategic to follow suit with the rest of the design components. An industrial condo rocks the raw and edgy look. Industrial designs typically feature dark colors and minimal additions to the space, along with exposed beams, brick, and light fixtures.
  3. Scandinavian– This Nordic-inspired home design is a perfect marriage between beauty and functionality. A Scandinavian-inspired living room exhibits a minimal, clean, and cozy feel. It also focuses on simple lines and light spaces, devoid of clutter. Scandinavian colors tend to be neutral and monochromatic – bright, warm whites with black and tan – with pops of color used as accents. Plush pinks, gray blues, and colors rooted in nature, like sage, are frequently used in this design. Natural and organic materials also mark the Scandinavian style. These homes are often full of wood, lightened to fit with a neutral color palette, cotton, wool, and plants.
  4. Farmhouse– This design has gained traction over the years, especially thanks to HGTV. Consider this condo living room design if you’re looking to accentuate or bring out your units rustic charm. It’s a style that prioritizes simplicity and practicality. While farmhouse inspiration is typically drawn from rural and older styles, it also blends in modern comforts for a stylish and comfortable finish. A farmhouse living room may boast a mix-match of furniture and textures while sticking with natural materials and natural color palettes.
  5. Mid-Century Modern– As the name implies, this design gained extreme popularity from about 1945 to 1965. However, recently mid-century modern has made a comeback. This crisp vintage design helps create a warm and nostalgic aesthetic. While the design is more simple in nature, it’s not afraid to embrace a pop of fun color and texture in the mix. Wood furniture remains a key element in this style, especially teak, Rosewood, and oak. The decor within this design also tends to feature simple geometric lines without frills. Metal, glass, and vinyl are also often incorporated.

While these condo living room designs are a great starting place for sparking inspiration, the list is not exhaustive. Not only are there more design styles out there, but you are also never limited to sticking with a single design. Your condo should feel like home, reflecting your style and preferences. You may even find yourself combining elements from various designs to incorporate in your living room.

For more on condo interior design, check out our room-by-room guide below!

Condo Interior Design Ideas: A Room-by-Room Guide

Condo Kitchen Design Ideas for a Contemporary Style

Posted on by LLCR Staff

When condo owners – new or seasoned – opt for renovations, one of the first places they often start is the kitchen. As the heart of most homes, this room sets the design tone for the rest of the space while serving as a functionally important gathering space and food prep area. 

If refreshing your kitchen is high on your wish list, you might consider opting for a contemporary style. For one, this type of style lends itself well to appliance upgrades that are aesthetically pleasing yet useful. Additionally, contemporary style bodes well for condos in the city, as it plays off the urban landscape surrounding your space. 

Read on for a few contemporary kitchen design ideas for your condo:

  1. Bright, white motifs – As you tackle a kitchen upgrade, a great place to start is countertops and cabinets. By making these bright and white, you’ll flood the space with reflected light while making your kitchen feel bigger and more open.
  2. Stainless-steel appliances – Stainless-steel appliances aren’t just beautiful – they’re also highly functional and durable, ensuring that your new updates will have lasting power.
  3. Rich wood accents – Contemporary style shouldn’t feel cold. In fact, as the most important room in a condo, a kitchen should be warm and inviting. As you incorporate neutral elements and stainless-steel accents, adding wood accents such as barstools or a table will keep your space warm and balanced. 
  4. Brass – A subtle way to keep a contemporary look timeless is through brass accents such as cabinet pulls or knobs. This small element will add color to your kitchen through the use of a material that’s sophisticated yet subtle.
  5. Sculptured lighting – One of the finishing touches to a kitchen is your lighting. To truly showcase a contemporary look, choose a fixture that’s structured and, ideally, made from a metal material. This will cap off your larger design elements and drive home the style you’re trying to convey.
  6. Minimalism galore – A hallmark quality of contemporary style is minimalism – which, in a cluttered space like a kitchen, can be hard to achieve. As you work through updates, consider storage hacks that will remove as much stuff from countertops and visible spaces as possible – this will keep things neat and tidy, and have the added benefit of storing your everyday wares within arm’s reach.

No matter how you plan to upgrade your space, our licensed team of professionals would love to work with you on finding a condo – and kitchen! – that’s right for your needs. Reach out to us today to get started!

Looking for more interior design tips and ideas for your condo? Follow the link below for our comprehensive room-by-room guide.

Condo Interior Design Ideas: A Room-by-Room Guide

What Costs Do You Owe at the Closing Table?

Posted on by LLCR Staff

When you think of the cost associated with purchasing a home, the actual mortgage and down payment are probably top-of-mind – but as you budget for this life milestone, it’s worth considering the other costs associated with closing.

What Costs Do You Owe at the Closing Table?

Once you’ve worked with your agent to find the home that’s right for you, the final step in the process is to actually close on your new home or condo. When you come to the closing table (whether in-person or virtually), there are a few line items you owe as a buyer that might be surprising. These costs vary, but are essentially processing fees you pay your lender.

Generally speaking, closing costs can be anywhere from 2 – 6% of your loan amount. These fees vary by transaction and state; according to Rocket Mortgage, the average closing cost (including taxes) in the state of Illinois is $6,529.74.

While the line items may change depending on your lender, seller and state, these usually fall into a few general buckets.

Property-specific costs

  • Appraisal fee: this fee covers the cost of a professional appraiser who assesses the true value of your new home and ensures it’s move-in ready.
  • Home inspection: similarly to an appraisal, a home inspection ensures that the home is in good enough shape to live in. If a home inspection turns up any troubling information, you may be able to renegotiate your contract or even back out entirely.

Loan-specific costs

Loan-specific fees could include an application fee, attorney’s fees and a loan origination fee, which goes directly to the lender for the costs associated with preparing your loan. If you choose to work with a mortgage broker, you’ll owe them a commission (around 0.5% – 2.75%) on your loan amount. 

Mortgage costs

Depending on the nature of your mortgage, some lenders require up-front mortgage insurance and/or application fees. If you’re working with the Federal Housing Administration or Department of Veterans Affairs, you’ll pay guarantee fees to those agencies.

Property taxes and insurance

You can expect to pay a few months’ worth of property taxes at closing, in addition to homeowners association (HOA) fees and insurance premiums. In some cases, you can opt to pay your HOA fee in a lump sum up-front.

Our team is here to guide you comprehensively through the home or condo purchase process, and can answer any questions about closing costs throughout your buying journey. Reach out today to get started or follow the link below to learn more about our process!

Learn More: The Homebuying Process

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