Now that the holiday season has ended, it’s time to welcome the new year into your home by incorporating more neutral decor! 2024 design trends stipulate that this time of year is about muted shades and soothing patterns. Seasonal scents and plush linens also bring warmth and an inviting ambiance into your home. At Paran Homes, we’re excited to build high-quality, new single-family homes in Georgia and offer our homeowners helpful tips to design their new house into the home they’ve always dreamed of.

Use a Neutral Color Palette for Your Decor

To make your new home stand out this year, incorporate rich colors like terracotta, navy, lavender, or eucalyptus into your decor and lighting. Typical neutral colors like beige, taupe, gray, cream, brown, black, and white complement primary and secondary hues can also be used to create a seamless look. Pops of calming colors give your design style an edge and ensure your home is welcoming for your family and friends.

Incorporate a Variety of Seasonal Scents

There is no better feeling than opening your front door after a long day and smelling the fresh scents brewing in your diffuser and wafting around your home. Distinctive scents like cinnamon, pine, eucalyptus, and bergamot evoke a winter ambiance and bring the natural fragrance of the outdoors into your house. Using a diffuser is also safer than burning candles or incense. It can add a unique visual element with rotating colorful lights and puffs of white vapor and even simulate musical notes or songs versus a typical wall plugin.

Opt for Comfortable Linens and a Cozy Appeal

Snuggling with plush blankets, faux fur throws, and soft cushions is a must-do during the winter season, and integrating these elements into your home invokes warmth and comfort. Take inventory of the rooms in your home where you typically relax and try to add more cozy items. A fuzzy beige or oatmeal-colored rug, chunky knitted throw blanket, and collection of hand-woven brown baskets will make any area a delight to spend time in.

Add Dimension and Light With Mirrors

A thoughtfully placed mirror can make a small room look almost double its size because of the illusion of additional space! Consider adding this popular visual element to your home to wow your guests. Creating perceived space also helps to reflect natural light and bring in a homely, comforting glow.

Flex Your Green Thumb Indoors

It’s true; you can still have a vibrant indoor plant nursery in the year’s cold months. The winter is a great time to be innovative and experimental with your plant displays. Shop for seasonal flowers like pansies, amaryllis, or winter roses to bring natural beauty indoors. Don’t forget to place your other fall plants near the window or under a grow light so they can get as much sun as possible and stay alive through the winter. Slow down on watering and fertilizing, and don’t hesitate to prune the pots for any dead or decaying stems and leaves.

Bonus Tip: Your Pets Want to Snuggle Too!

Your furry friends may tote their natural coats for warmth, but burrowing in warm pillows and making biscuits on fuzzy blankets is their favorite pastime in the winter. Besides integrating neutral linens, consider making their spaces more winter-themed, too! Place a large pet bed in the corner by the fireplace for your dog, drape a blanket on your cat tree stand, and add neutral-colored crocheted toys to your rabbits’ playpen to do the trick!

Make this the year you’re excited to spend more time indoors with winter designs that provide comfort, impress your family and friends, and add extra personality to your home. For more helpful tips and ideas for new homeowners, check out our Instagram! Happy New Year from Paran Homes!

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we know you want to focus on finalizing your travel plans, cleaning your home/preparing it for guests, and double-checking your grocery list. With so much to prioritize, you may need to prepare additional dishes and drinks for a holiday dinner you’re proud to host. Paran Homes wants to help make your holiday enjoyable this year with five easy last-minute Thanksgiving recipes your family will love.

Many families spend hours in the kitchen cooking delicious recipes for Thanksgiving dinner but forget to make a special drink to pair with their meal. This year, your guests won’t just devour what’s on their plate. They’ll come back for seconds and thirds of this crowd-favorite brew!

Sparkling Apple Cider Punch

Mix equal parts sparkling apple cider and ginger ale. Add a splash of cranberry juice and garnish with apple slices and cranberries.

Do you want to spice up your canned cranberries this year? We’ve got the perfect easy recipe to satisfy your taste buds.

Cranberry Brie Bites

Place small squares of Brie cheese on top of mini phyllo cups. Top with a dollop of cranberry sauce and bake until the cheese melts. To infuse your cranberry sauce with extra flavor, consider adding one or more of these sauces and seasonings you may already have in your pantry – maple syrup, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, whole cloves, citrus zest, and star anise.

You can prepare this popular vegetarian dish in many ways with different vegetables, faux meat, cheese, tofu, tempeh, and grains. Try this recipe this year to ensure everyone is satisfied at your dinner table.

Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers

Fill bell peppers with a mixture of cooked quinoa or rice, black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and spices. Season generously with your favorite mix of herbs and spices, and add black pepper and salt to taste. Bake until the bell peppers are tender, and garnish with basil leaves to add another pop of color to the plate.

Did you really celebrate Thanksgiving unless you ate something pumpkin-flavored? Instead of a pumpkin pie, try this classic cheesecake for a satisfying spin on the flavor.

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

Mix cream cheese, canned pumpkin, sugar, and pumpkin spice seasoning in a bowl. Taste the ingredients as you mix to get the desired flavor. Spoon the mixture into a graham cracker crust and refrigerate until set. Keep the cheesecake in the fridge for at least 8 hours for clean and sturdy slices. The end result is a delectable, hassle-free dessert that will likely become a yearly staple in your family!

Another delicious sweet treat is always welcome at the Thanksgiving table! Here’s a recipe that adults and kids alike will love!

Caramel Apple Tray

Cut slices of apples and spread them evenly across a baking sheet. Top the apples with sweets such as caramel, chocolate chips, nuts, small candies, or sprinkles. To add more fun to the dish, separate the toppings into small bowls and allow your guests to create their own custom flavors.

We’ve got you covered every Tuesday with tips to make your homeowning experience enjoyable! Follow us on social media to stay updated on our amazing tips and advice. From our Paran Homes family to yours, have a happy Thanksgiving!

Now that “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” don’t let winter prep get you down. This month is the perfect time to get your home ready for the chillier days ahead. From buying winter clothing and gear to insulating your pipes to prevent a burst, Paran Homes has 5 tips you need to get prepared and keep your new home snug and stylish throughout the season.

Stop the Draft!

Along with the cold weather comes the windy season. A cozy evening watching holiday movies with the family can be ruined when cold drafts throughout the house keep the temperature at nearly freezing temps. Preventative measures like investing in attic insulation, adding door socks, and installing window caulk are top ways to winterize your home and will help keep the cold out!

Reverse Ceiling Fans

It might feel counterintuitive to put your fan on during the winter, but hear us out! Set your ceiling fans to rotate clockwise to help distribute warm air throughout the rooms in your home. Hint: most fans have a small switch on the side of the motor that makes this step easy. Remember to use a sturdy ladder or stool to reach the fan, and consider asking someone to hold it to ensure you don’t fall while you make the switch.

Service Your Chimney

Chestnuts roasting by the open fire can only happen this year if your chimney is clean of soot,  creosote, and debris. Small animals like raccoons, birds, and squirrels can also get trapped inside. If you have a fireplace, have it cleaned and inspected by a professional to ensure it’s safe to use. Consider converting to ventless logs for extra credit!

Protect Pipes from Freezing

A pipe burst can turn a calm day at home with your family into total chaos. Don’t let it happen to you this winter! Insulate pipes in unheated areas of your home to prevent freezing and potential bursts. Make sure you take care of the exterior areas of your home, too, by covering sprinkler spigots and draining garden hoses.

Stock Up on Winter Supplies

Disaster doesn’t have to strike twice this year. When inclement weather descends, ensure you have essentials like rock salt, shovels, and emergency supplies on hand. A case of batteries, flashlights, oil lamps, and a first aid kit should always be in your home in case of an electrical power outage or health crisis.

Bonus: Clean Gutters and Downspouts

One of the worst emergency repairs a homeowner can face is needing a new roof. This can be especially taxing in the winter when cold breezes and freezing temperatures make home maintenance harder to complete. To avoid any potential water leaks and roof damage from clogged gutters, remove leaves and debris to prevent clogs and ensure proper drainage.

With these 5 tips, you’ll be one step closer to keeping your home safe and sound this winter. If you’d rather prepare for the cold season in the new home of your dreams, check out our available new homes! Contact an agent today for more information.

What do you see when you look under your kitchen or bathroom sink? Around the half-used box of garbage bags, squishy dishwashing pods, and reusable rubber gloves, you will surely find a collection of colorful plastic bottles housing familiar household cleaning products. Most people buy products because it’s what they’ve always used. That nostalgic smell of Pine Sol© and Clorox© can be hard to shake off, but what if you tried a more environmentally friendly and safer choice instead of using these chemicals? 

There’s no need to scour the internet for ideas; Paran Homes has the DIY fall cleaning recipes you’ve been searching for so you can breeze into the season feeling fresh and clean. 

Ensuring that your entire home is ‘spic and span’ is a priority for most homeowners. With so many options and surfaces needing attention, finding one cleaner that does it all can be challenging! Here are a few recipes to get you started on your home this season. 

All-Purpose Cleaner

1 cup water

1 cup vinegar

A few drops of essential oil (e.g., lavender, lemon, etc.) for a pleasant scent

Stainless Steel Cleaner

Equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle

A few drops of olive oil for shine 

Fabric Freshener

2 cups water

One tablespoon of baking soda

10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil 

Bathtub Drain Cleaner

1-gallon boiling water down the drain

1 cup baking soda

1 cup lemon juice or vinegar

Cover drain for 30-45 minutes

Slowly flush the cleaner with another gallon of boiling water

Window/Glass Cleaner 

1 cup water

1 cup distilled white vinegar

10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil 

One More Helpful Tip 

Now that you know a safer way to clean, your kids can join in on the fun! Because these recipes use safe ingredients like water, essential oils, and vinegar, you can involve your older children in cleaning up. Watch what they do, demonstrate how to clean specific areas, and explain which DIY cleaner works best. You can even include them in the recipe creation if you want to go the extra mile. 

Keeping your home clean this season is easy using these tips from Paran Homes! We’re always here to help our homeowners and prospective homebuyers find the home of their dreams and keep it looking great. 

Contact us today to schedule a tour and ask about our Breeze Into a Paran Home promotion.

August is back-to-school month in Georgia! At Paran Homes, we know it’s an exciting time for you and your family. It’s also a great time to start goal-setting and making your intentions clear regarding what standards you’d like to set for the school year. 

Is your little one starting school for the first time this year and needs to understand that their daily routine will have the most transformation? Or are your children older and only need a box of pens and a new backpack to get started? Are you planning to foster better communication with your child’s teachers and coaches about upcoming dates and important events? 

Whatever your plans are for this school year, we know change can be challenging. That’s why we created a short list of tips to get you excited about completing your tasks and prioritizing what’s most important. 

Communication is Key

It is vital that as a parent you stay informed about important dates, events, and any changes in school policies so your family can be prepared for the day. Communicating with your child’s teachers/coaches by scheduling parent-teacher conferences, or sending an email can be the difference between a slight misunderstanding and a complete due date mishap. Keeping communication consistent and open is especially important for last-minute school closures, updates to policies like the Dress Code and Student Code of Conduct, and potential emergencies. 

Re-establish Routines

No matter how old your child is, they will still have an adjustment period from their summertime schedule to their school schedule. Help your child transition into school by gradually adjusting their sleep schedule and meal times. Make sure to set boundaries for when they can grab snacks, play outside, and complete chores. This will allow them to re-establish or define their routines so their assignments are finished and the goal for each day is achieved. 

Check School Supplies

We know the school supply aisles in office stores and supermarkets are packed at this time of year. Before you load the kids in the car, double-check the supply list the school provides to ensure they have the necessary items before the first day of class. Additionally, for older students, don’t forget to review the syllabus from each of their teachers to ensure they have what they need for each course. Remember, making sure your child has what they need helps them stay prepared for assignments and projects that can affect their grades and keeps them on track with their peers. 

Encourage Emotional Support

Although you might be ready to get your child out of the house and back to full-time learning, going back to school can be both exciting and nerve-wracking for kids. Offer emotional support and reassurance to ease any anxiety they may be feeling about going back to school. Make sure you take the time to listen to their concerns, big or small, and provide advice if necessary. Sometimes just being heard and understood can do a world of good for kids, and it helps them feel more confident about communicating how they are processing an upcoming change. 

Going back to school doesn’t have to be stressful this year for you or your family. Keep these tips from Paran Homes in mind as you prepare for the next shift in your routine! And if you’re looking to upgrade your home this school year, contact us today to schedule a tour and ask about our new homes!