Choosing the Perfect Neighborhood for Your New HomeDeciding where to live is almost as important as picking your future home. After all, your new neighborhood is more than a physical location. You're joining a new community. It's a big deal.Every family is different, so it's important to keep those unique needs in mind. Here are a few tips to understanding what matters most to you and your family – and choosing the right neighborhood to fit.Make a Neighborhood WishlistYou might already have created a wish list for your dream home. Now, do the same for your ideal neighborhood. While you might not be able to find everything you want in a neighborhood that matches your price point and location, this exercise helps you figure out what's most important.Ask yourself questions like…    •  Do I want a busy, more active area?    • Does my family prefer quiet streets and secluded houses?    • How important is it for us to be near parks?    • How close would we like to be to restaurants?       To shopping areas?    • How close would we like to be to a fitness center,       church, library, or the local community center?    • How far are we willing to commute to work or school?    • Do we need to be near public transportation?    • Do we want dedicated bike lanes?    • Should the neighborhood have other families like ours?    • Do we want to be physically close to our neighbors?    • Do we want a close-knit community?Get to Know the Schools in the AreaFamilies are particularly interested in learning about the schools in the area. A good school can make or break a neighborhood for many people with children. Consider looking into class size, student performance, graduation rate, and transportation. Plan to move to an area with a school that fits your children's needs and your family's lifestyle. Even people without children can look at local school systems as an indicator of the neighborhood. Separate Rooms with Curtains Who said curtains are only for windows? Install rods toward the ceiling and use drapery to separate rooms. But remember, the fabric you choose is to create subtle visual separations, not block out the rest of the house. Use material that isn’t fully opaque so light can still filter through, and that sense of openness remains.Consider a Non-Permanent BarrierIf your floor plan doesn’t have many built-in divisions, such as an inset ceiling or sunken room, you can always add a non-permanent one. There are benefits to each type of non-permanent barrier, depending on what you’re looking for. A classic folding screen can add a nice decorative touch. The bonus of a folding screen is it’s portable, so you can put it away or move it to another area. A decorative wood or metal divider might be more permanent but add a dramatic accent to any space.Consider Crime RateYou can find out the crime rate in just about any neighborhood simply by searching online. It's a good idea to check out an area's crime rate, especially if you're not familiar with it at all. Keep in mind, a higher crime rate in the past doesn't mean the neighborhood isn't safe. Only look at current crime rates.Depending on the city, you can likely find very detailed crime reports online. You can also reach out to the local police department for information about the neighborhood you're considering. You can also find out if the neighborhood community is actively involved in managing the area's safety.Take A Walk Around the NeighborhoodYou've found a neighborhood that matches most of your criteria. The best way to get to know the area is by walking around! Pay attention to the amount of greenery (in yards and boulevards) and the level of traffic. If your family enjoys going on walks together, make a mental note of how easy it is to travel by foot – are the sidewalks in good shape? Is there enough space to walk comfortably?You can also use this time to meet the people living in the area. You can learn a lot about a neighborhood just by striking up a conversation while out and about.Understand Housing Value – and Your BudgetOnce you've selected a neighborhood or two, look at the homes in the area. Pay attention to the lot sizes, the typical square footage of homes, and the age. Find out the value of places in the neighborhood and talk to your real estate agent about the neighborhood's history.You can check websites like Zillow to see housing costs as well as purchase history. This information can give you an idea of how much home values have changed over time – and how much they might change in the future. You can also get a sense of how tax rates have changed in the area.Then, figure out if you can afford the area based on your budget. Be sure to add those property tax values to this amount. You don't want to pick an ideal neighborhood if it means compromising on your dream home, so keep that in mind.Finding the ideal neighborhood for your dream home isn't always easy. But by taking a few precautions and planning, you're well on your way to joining the perfect community. 

6 Easy Ways to Separate Areas in an Open Floor Plan Homes with open floor plans tend to be airy and filled with light. Instead of moving through rooms separated by walls, you can flow through these spaces, moving from one area to the next. There’s a problem with all that openness, though. If you don’t create separate spaces, it can feel like one big, chaotic room with many purposes. And that’s not what you want.In this article, we offer six ways to create distinct areas in your open floor plan. The goal isn’t to destroy the floor plan with walls or harsh dividers. After all, you’re living in an open concept home for a reason. Instead, you can use patterns, colors, and furniture to create visual divisions between each area.Create Different Zones by Arranging FurnitureOur first tip might be the most straightforward and obvious. Arrange your furniture to create natural divisions between areas, such as your kitchen and your living room. Turn your couch or chairs so their backs are facing away from the focal point – your TV, fireplace, bookcase, whatever. This creates a direct visual line that separates this purposeful living space from the rest of your home. Repeat this in each area – kitchen, dining room, den – to define specific zones in your home.  Use Area Rugs to Separate SpacesYou can find area rugs in just about every shape, size, and color. Use area rugs in your living space, quiet reading corner, family room, wherever! Area rugs contrast with the rest of the flooring to create an immediate, visually distinct setting. Make sure the rug you choose matches the rest of the furniture in this area and is the right size for the space. You don’t want to have a huge rug that encompasses more space than your couch or chairs.Separate Rooms with Curtains Who said curtains are only for windows? Install rods toward the ceiling and use drapery to separate rooms. But remember, the fabric you choose is to create subtle visual separations, not block out the rest of the house. Use material that isn’t fully opaque so light can still filter through, and that sense of openness remains.Consider a Non-Permanent BarrierIf your floor plan doesn’t have many built-in divisions, such as an inset ceiling or sunken room, you can always add a non-permanent one. There are benefits to each type of non-permanent barrier, depending on what you’re looking for. A classic folding screen can add a nice decorative touch. The bonus of a folding screen is it’s portable, so you can put it away or move it to another area. A decorative wood or metal divider might be more permanent but would add a dramatic accent to any space.Designate Spaces with ColorIf you’re looking to create visually distinct areas while maintaining the flexibility and flow of an open concept, color is your friend. Pick a color for each space and weave it into your furniture, artwork, area rugs, and other decorations as much as possible. Don’t opt for a bold, solid color on everything, or you’ll be drowning in it. Instead, incorporate the colors you choose into patterns or subtle accents on furniture or rug fabric.Divide Areas with Shelving or Closed StorageMaybe you want a bit more than the back of a couch to separate your living area from your dining area. Shelving or closed storage works great for this!If you want a more dramatic division, opt for a tall open wood or metal shelving unit. You’ll maintain the openness of the space while maintaining separation. You can use open shelving to store everything from books to dishware and plants. Fill the shelves as much or as little as you want for the level of openness you desire.If you’re looking for something more subtle, closed storage cabinets can provide that visual line without completely closing you off. You can also opt for a bookcase or taller cabinet to create a more solid division between the two areas.Your open concept home should feel relaxed and livable, not unstructured and chaotic. You need to create separate areas to lounge on the couch, quietly read a book, cook a meal, and entertain guests. And by following these tips, you can accomplish all of that without having to build a single wall!