Beat the winter blues with your modern home

Seven modern elements to brighten up your winter

Even in the sunny state of California, winter can be a dreary season. Between too-early sunsets and chilly evenings, it can be enough to make you want to stay inside for months. The good news is you can enjoy a bright and cozy modern home all year round thanks to upscale amenities, thoughtful architecture, and energy-efficient technology.

Read more about seven elements Clarum incorporates into our clients’ custom homes to beat the winter blues.

Rooms with natural light

Since the sun makes briefer appearances in winter, it’s a good idea to capitalize on whatever sunlight you do have. When planning your custom home, work with your builder to orient your house so that light enters it in the most optimum way. Not only will the natural light create a pleasing ambiance, but you can also cut your heating costs by 10 to 20 percent with this strategy.

Energy-efficient windows

Windows not only add to the aesthetic appeal of your home during the gloomy season, but they are also crucial to proper thermal insulation. Talk to your builder to determine the best ways to select energy-efficient windows – he or she can help you to understand energy performance ratings and the latest technology to inform your decision process.

Lush wool carpets

Wool isn’t only for socks and sweaters during the colder months – the material works great for flooring in your modern home as well. The material itself is comfortable on the feet, non-toxic, and also has a highly-insulating nature. Its ability to limit the transfer of heat or cool air in your home saves energy and puts less of a strain on your HVAC system.

Sleek fireplaces

A fireplace is a classic way to warm up your home, but today’s versions look much different from the past. This feature serves a dual purpose of function and beauty – modern fireplaces often omit mantels to create a minimalist aesthetic, and are framed with striking materials such as slate, marble, or other interesting textures.

In-home movie theaters

What better way to spend a winter night than enjoying a relaxing movie theater experience without leaving the comfort of your home? Today’s in-home theaters incorporate technology such as dimming lights and flush high-definition screens, and striking architecture like beautiful wood accents and stadium-style elevation. With all these amenities, you’ll be happy to skip the lines and enjoy cinema just steps away.

Nighttime-friendly outdoor spaces

Don’t let the cooler evenings and occasional rain keep you from enjoying nature – you can design outdoor spaces that can keep you comfortable and allow you to get some fresh air. Incorporate features into your modern home such as eye-catching fire pits and covered patios to keep the fun and relaxation going all year-round.

Spa bathrooms

Your bathroom can serve as an elegant sanctuary where you can relax from the elements outside. Modern bathrooms incorporate spa-like elements such as heated towel warmers, deep soaking tubs, chic lighting, curbless steam showers, and electronic controls that allow you to preset temperature, sprays, music, and more.

Create cheer for the whole year

By incorporating these contemporary comforts into your design process, you’ll always look forward to the winter season. Rain or shine, make the cooler months unforgettable in your modern home.

To learn more about Clarum’s approach to building high performance homes, click here or give us a call at (650) 322-7069.