Malta Development Blog

You may think of a bench as merely a seating area, but it can be so much more than that. Imagine a functional, sometimes upholstered seat that not only heightens the aesthetics of any room but also doubles as storage space. Add decorative pillows to give it a cozier feeling. You won't want to leave your new furniture addition. Here are some ideas on how you can incorporate multifunctional benches into your home.
 
Store Important Documents: Let's face it, filing cabinets aren't exactly the most aesthetically appealing pieces of furniture in a home. Although they work well in an office setting, the industrial, steel (or metal) look doesn't make one feel warm and cozy. If you want a more attractive and inviting storage space, why not make a storage bench specifically designed to hold files? Personalize it with a cushion on top in any pattern of your choice.
 
Put Toys Away: If you look close enough, a bookcase can also become a versatile bench-and-bin combination. A bookcase's large openings can make excellent cubbyholes to fit toy-filled bins. Choose from canvas bins, plastic bins, or even woven baskets-- anything to match your playroom decor. Once your children outgrow their playroom bins, recycle and use them for storage in the garage, laundry room, or bedroom.
 
Stash Serving Trays: For those who love to entertain and throw fancy dinner parties, storage can quickly become a problem. Where to put all the serving trays, plates, placemats, and tablecloths, when the guests have left? A banquette bench with drawers underneath can be the perfect solution to your storage issues. Not only do banquette benches act as comfortable nooks on which to perch while you eat, but they also function as a secret repository for your dinner party supplies.
 
Enhance Your Mudroom: Mudrooms are a gateway from the outside world into your warm and comfortable home.Improving your mudroom can start with a versatile DIY shoe bench addition. Build a shoe bench with larger compartments for boots and smaller ones for more compact footwear. Now, the next time you walk through the door, you can leisurely sit down and stash your shoes.
 
Stash Bedroom Knick-Knacks: There's nothing better than coming home after a long day at the office and relaxing on a sturdy and comfy reading bench. It is a dedicated relaxing space, whether you use it as a reading nook or a window seat. What would make it better? Add cubbyholes underneath to store your books, shoes, clothes, or anything you don't need readily available.
 
These practical furniture additions just go to show how a bench can transform into just about anything you want. Whether you want it for storage, relaxation, or aesthetics, the bench has it all. Now all you have to do is decide how many you want in your home.

Most home buyers aren't very well-versed with real estate jargon. For example, there's a lot of confusion out there about what differentiates a "luxury home" from a "mansion." While there is no clear-cut distinction between each, there are a few telltale signs that can help you tell them apart.
 

Even though you may think that these luxury features add value to your home, think again. These amenities may seem like they'll fulfill your wildest fantasies but in reality, they don't quite deliver enough impact for the price tag. Read on to find out which amenities you could do without.
 
High-end Stove: Unless you have aspirations of becoming the next Gordon Ramsay, you don't need a gourmet kitchen stocked with the latest and greatest chef equipment, especially a high-end stove. Top-of-the-line stoves can go for as high as $20,000. These professional-grade models are designed for heavy usage, far beyond the needs of the average household. Industrial stoves often include additional ranges and multiple ovens, which take up space and add to your electric bill.
 
Pot Filler: The only reason to ever buy a pot filler is to eliminate the need to carry a large pot of water from the kitchen sink to the stove. And even then, when it comes time to dump the water, you're going to have to lug the pot to the sink. A pot filler's swiveling faucet is conveniently placed right next to the stove so you don't break your back carrying your pot across your kitchen, but is it worth it? Probably not.

Long gone are the days when people flocked to a movie theater in droves. Nowadays, everyone can watch movies (even some that haven't been released) from the comfort of their own home. Because of this, the movie theater experience is lost. That's where home theaters come into play. But if you've never set one up, you may be wondering where to begin. You must consider the cost and technical aspects of your home theater components. Since the electronics market is flooded with options, this may be harder than anticipated.
 
We're here to make your home theater addition easier. Read below for more information on amenities and the subtlety of placement.
 

Learn more about how to create the ultimate home experience.

The world is full of distractions. It's hard to find a good place just to sit, think, and study. For some, a home office is the one place where they can accomplish tasks uninterrupted. A home library further elevates this distraction-free thinking space. It makes your office more cozy and comfortable. Although a study space needs to be mainly functional and utilitarian, you don't need to sacrifice style. Here are a few design ideas that might inspire you to set up your library inside your home office.
 

When thinking of kitchen countertops, most people don't put much thought into the sustainability of the materials. Often, researching the source of materials to ensure sustainability can be difficult and time-consuming. Luckily, a few industry-independent organizations do the research for you to ensure the eco-friendliness of such products. As far as materials go, there are plenty to choose from that speak to your specific style and environmental sensibility. While no countertop material has zero impact on the planet, the following materials do their part in being kind to our planet without sacrificing style.
 

As your lifestyle and situation change over time, you may find you need more space, different amenities or simply a better home location. Although you may not need to relocate right away, you will need to make periodic home improvements to suit your lifestyle and fully enjoy your home. Whether you're welcoming a new member to the family or remodeling an empty nest, it's never too early to start thinking about increasing the value of your home. Here are some value-adding home additions for every stage of your life.
 

These innovative phone apps sync up with home accessories to control practically every electronic device in your house.

Smartphones are becoming more powerful every day, so much so that we now live in a world where we can automate our home's electronic devices from across the globe. These home automation apps help save you money and make your life easier. From light bulbs to thermostats, connect all your smart products to a central hub and control them with a tap or swipe of a finger. Increase your home's IQ with these innovative apps.
 

Many people have fallen in love with the idea of living in a historic home. New England is awash with older homes that feature great historic details -- people dream of the day that they’ll be able to buy one. After making their dream purchase, however, too many buyers discover that their new home is a nightmare.

Purchasing a new home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make.

Even if you’ve bought and sold homes in the past, every new real estate venture needs to be treated with the same care and consideration that you would give to any other investment decision.