Tackling a Home Reno? These Are the Features You Need in 2021 (and Beyond)

Change is good, but – when it comes to renovating your home – it can also be a bit overwhelming. When you’re planning a home reno, the goal is to balance features that enhance the functionality of your home, while also adding plenty of style. From updates that blend contemporary design with sustainability to design details that are totally on trend (and totally practical), we’ve rounded up 10 of the features you’ll want to integrate into your home for 2021 – and beyond.

modern living room with clean windows and blue couch

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Window Work

Windows are the best way to let in natural light for a bright living space – but they can also be a source of wasted energy and lost heat in your home. Replacing old windows with shiny-new energy-efficient versions instantly refreshes the look of your home while saving resources (and money) in the long term.

industrial-style bathroom with oval bathtub, grey tiled floor, brick wall and big window

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Warm Feet

Your home is your sanctuary, so adding features designed to make your mornings a bit more luxurious is an investment in your property – and yourself. Installing heated floors in the bathroom, laundry room or any space that could use a cozy finish gives your time at home an extra comfy boost.

white toilet with bidet seat in blue-and-grey bathroom

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Comfort and Cleanliness

Could your bathroom time use a little refresh? When it comes the bathroom, smart renovations are about more than just gloss. Adding features that enhance your home’s hygiene bring elevated comfort to your everyday life. Bidets create a more eco-friendly and sanitary bathroom experience – and a bidet seat like the Advanced Clean 2.5 SpaLet Bidet Seat With Remote Control by American Standard makes it simple to integrate the functionality into your home. Designed to fit most conventional elongated toilets, the self-cleaning SpaLet Bidet Seat features a dual nozzle for front and back water cleansing, heated seat and warm air dryer – all controlled via an easy-to-use remote.

white freestanding oval bathtub in tiled bathroom

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Capture Curve Appeal

Want to transform your bathroom from functional to fabulous? A freestanding tub in an oval shape is visually a modern art piece for the room – and a relaxing bath in a curvy soaker tub instantly brings an element of luxury to any day of the week.

modern white kitchen with new stainless steel fridge and stove

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Go Energy Efficient

Older appliances don’t just look clunky – they also use a lot of electricity and water, which adds up to wasted resources and money over time. If you’re purchasing new appliances (whether to replace broken pieces or as part of a larger renovation), look for energy-saving models that are eco-friendlier.

modern grey double-bowl sink with water running and green peppers in luxe black

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A Stylish Sink

When you’re renovating your kitchen, it’s not all about the cabinets and counters. Upgrading the sink can dramatically refresh the room’s look while offering key functional benefits like longevity and durability to the space. Blanco’s Performa Cascade 1.5 Bowl Undermount Silgranit Sink, for example, is made in Canada from a high-quality granite composite material that resists heat, scratches and stains. Available in seven colours, the sink gives your kitchen a luxe look that’s also incredibly hard-wearing and long-lasting.

modern white kitchen with wooden countertops and woven pendant light fixture over kitchen table

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Woven Light Fixtures

Light, airy and a touch beachy, woven fixtures are lighting up today’s kitchens and dining rooms – with good reason. Whether made from rattan, bamboo or wicker, woven-style lights bring visual interest and texture to spaces that love a lot of light.

Modern white and wood kitchen with breakfast bar and stainless appliances

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Honey Hues

From flooring to cabinets to bathrooms, the natural look and feel of wood is making a huge comeback in home design. When planning your renovation, consider choosing honey-hued woods like teak or lighter-toned oak or beech wood.

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Handles-Free Design

There’s something to be said for less is more, especially when it comes to clean-lined kitchen design. Choosing kitchen cabinets with minimal (or even no) hardware ensures a modern feel that naturally looks less cluttered.

modern white-and-blue kitchen with wooden ceiling beams

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Beam Me Up

If you’re incorporating wood into your home reno, don’t forget to consider where the wood comes from. Aesthetically pleasing and eco-conscious, reclaimed wood details are a stylish and more sustainable way to add a natural feel to your kitchen renovation – whether in ceiling beams, on countertops or in your flooring.