Explore articles on excitable home enjoyment, well-crafted holiday hosting, meaningful life improvement, and more. FairSquare Group Realty makes appreciating your home simple.
Lifestyle
The Peacefulness of Empty Space: How Moving Can Be an Opportunity to Reset
Moving presents us with an opportunity to rethink our interior use of space and design from scratch. The concepts of neuroarchitecture, negative, space and hygge can help us to create the peaceful space that we long for.
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Lifestyle5 Tips to Keep Your Home “Show Ready” Without Breaking a Sweat
Whether you are selling your home, or you have in-laws who like to show up at your door because they were “in the neighbourhood”, having your home in “show ready” condition doesn’t have to be a cumbersome task. Follow these 5 tips for success! -
LifestyleAre Open-Concept Homes on the Way Out? How the Trend Emerged and Where it Might be Headed
Open-concept floor plans have been the going trend in North American home design since roughly the 1960s, built around creating a free flow of activity among families. But with many Canadians working from home as a result of the pandemic, we’re beginning to see the chinks in that concept. -
LifestyleCreate a Captivating Reading Nook and Cozy Up
Read more books by creating a captivating reading nook. Elements of a reading nook include quiet space, adequate lighting, comfy seating, an end table, and a bookshelf. -
LifestyleAdd Value (and Joy) to Your Home by Adding a Pollinator Garden
Landscaping adds value to your home, to your pride of ownership, and to your outdoor enjoyment. Why wait till you’re ready to sell to add “curb appeal”? Investing in a pollinator garden now will build equity, give you years of enjoyment, and sustain a variety of pollinators – it's a win-win-win! -
Lifestyle5 Benefits of Adding a Home Office to Your Backyard
Working from home and longing for the perfect designated space? Consider adding a backyard office! This investment comes with many benefits from increased productivity to adding value to your property. What are you waiting for? -
LifestyleHow to Give Your Garden a Spring Glow-Up
This year, why not take things to the next level? You can make this space even more magical and impactful with a few easy changes. Here are our top tips for giving your garden a glow-up. -
Lifestyle6 Ways to Live More Sustainably at Home
Have you been thinking about incorporating more sustainability into your life this year (and beyond)? If so, you’re in good company. A focus on sustainability in the home is one of the top trends for 2022. And we’re big fans of this trend! Here's six easy tips to shift your habits. -
LifestyleOur 2022 Interior Design Forecast: 6 Trends to Watch
You may also be wondering how to prepare your home after your New Year's resolutions. If you’re keen to find out what interior design trends will look like for the coming year, we’ve got you covered! Here are 6 trends to watch in 2022. -
Lifestyle12 Magical Holiday Movie Homes to Inspire Your Décor This Season
As much as we love the touching storylines, comedic scenes, and nostalgia galore in these movies, we also enjoy admiring the homes featured in these classic flicks. We’ve put together our top 12 favourite holiday movie homes to send some serious inspiration your way this season. Enjoy! -
LifestyleHow to Make Your Home More Energy-Smart for Winter
As the colder weather settles in, many of us find ourselves spending a lot more time indoors. That means it might be time to start thinking about using energy more efficiently and implementing some energy-saving tools and technology into our homes. Here are a few ways to take control of your energy. -
LifestyleHow to Decorate for Halloween If You’re Selling Your Home This Fall
You’ll want to consider keeping things tasteful both inside and out to avoid scaring off potential buyers. Lean towards “festive fall” vibes rather than “scary haunted house” if you catch our drift. Need some guidance? We’ve put together some of our favourite tips. -
LifestyleHere’s How to Transform Your Primary Bathroom into a Spa (and Up Your Property Value, too!)
Is there anything more enticing than seeing the words “spa-like primary bathroom” on a property listing? We don’t think so either. We’ve put together our top low and high-budget ideas to help you transform your primary bathroom into a spa sanctuary. -
LifestyleIt’s Time to Reclaim Your Pandemic Spaces - And Here’s How to Do It
As we look toward a return to (somewhat) normalcy, people are beginning to return to work and kids are heading back to school. It’s the perfect opportunity to reclaim your living space and ensure you maximize each area. Here are a few easy tips and tricks to do just that! -
LifestyleSummer heat got your garden down? Here’s how to spruce up your curb appeal for the fall market
Even though shorter, cooler days are in the not-so-distant future, that doesn’t mean it’s time to throw in the trowel. There is plenty that can be done to freshen up your garden for the fall season. Here are some great ways to create a fall-friendly garden that is certain to boost your curb appeal. -
LifestyleWhen to DIY vs. When to Call a Pro: A Handy Guide for Jobs Around the House
Ever found yourself in a DIY home project and wishing you’d never started? While there are many projects around the house that you can successfully tackle yourself, there are some you should steer clear of. So put down that hammer and find out when to DIY and when to call the pros instead. -
Lifestyle6 Ways to Bring Cottage Life to Your Backyard
Cottage prices have skyrocketed over the last year. If you don’t have a cottage and aren’t in the market to buy one anytime soon, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the cottage lifestyle without leaving home. Here are six ways to do just that over the August long weekend and beyond. -
Lifestyle6 Fence Alternatives to Consider as Lumber Prices Continue to Soar
Many people dream of that iconic white picket fence encircling their dream home. But what happens when there’s a heftier-than-usual price tag attached to that fence? Read on for 6 alternatives that are just as striking. -
Lifestyle7 Ways to Make Your Backyard Your Happy Place
We’re spending more time at home than ever before, and now that the weather is warming up, our backyards offer some much-needed space to stretch out in and enjoy! To help you create your own backyard happy place, we’ve compiled seven ideas with something for every budget and skill level. -
LifestyleGood ’Hoods: Best Calgary Neighbourhoods for Families With Kids
When you’re looking for a place to grow your young family, only the best will do. Luckily, Calgary offers plenty of great spots with quiet residential streets, nearby parks and schools, and even a dash of culture! Read on to discover three of Calgary’s top neighbourhoods for families with kids. -
LifestyleShould You Move After Retirement? 5 Questions to Help You Decide
If you're retired or are about to retire, you might be thinking about moving. With no more commute and so much flexibility at your fingertips, the world is your oyster! But selling your home is a big decision, so we've put together 5 questions to help you decide if it's the right move for you. -
LifestyleGood ’Hoods: Best Toronto Neighbourhoods for Entrepreneurs
Planning to cultivate your million-dollar idea in Canada’s city of dreams? With a diverse population of over 2.9 million and resources for every stage of your startup journey, Toronto is a mecca for entrepreneurs. Here are our picks for the best Toronto neighbourhoods to set up shop! -
LifestyleGood ’Hoods: Best Toronto Neighbourhoods for Young Professionals
The largest of Canada’s urban areas, Toronto is tailor-made for the energetic and enterprising. If you’re looking for a neighbourhood to call home, these three downtown districts are attractive targets for young professionals making their debut on the Toronto scene. -
LifestyleHow Baby Boomers Could Change the Real Estate Market in Winnipeg
Baby boomers in Winnipeg represent about a quarter of the population, and 90% of them are home owners. But as they advance into their retirement years, what changes can we expect to see in the real estate market? It all depends on whether they choose to age in place or sell. -
LifestyleGood ’Hoods: The Best Edmonton Neighbourhoods to Retire In
Yes, it can get cold in Edmonton, but this celebrated cultural destination has a lot to offer people of retirement age. If your idea of “settling down” involves indulging in the spice of life, here are our top picks for Edmonton neighbourhoods to retire in. -
LifestyleGood ’Hoods: Top Toronto Neighbourhoods for Families With Kids
In the city of Toronto, you’ll find a variety of smaller neighbourhoods especially attractive to families with kids. Of course, there are some perennial favourites that spring to mind, but we’re featuring three lesser-known options that have a plenty to offer you and your little ones. -
LifestyleSelling after the Holidays? 5 Tips for Storing Kids’ Toys
If you’re selling your home this holiday season and you’re a parent, the influx of new toys just delivered from the North Pole can cramp your selling style. To get your home ready for buyer showings in the twinkle of Kris Kringle’s eye, here are some of our favourite toy storage tips. -
Lifestyle5 Tips for Keeping Home Showings Clean During Messy Weather
When you’re selling your home, showings for buyers can be scheduled without much notice, which is why it makes sense to keep your house in show-ready condition. But how do you keep things spick and span when you’re battling winter weather? It’s all about minimizing the mess before it starts. -
LifestyleCOVID-19 Safety Tips for Before and After Home Showings
With COVID-19 infection rates on the rise in Canada and open houses banned in some regions, is it wise to list your property and allow buyers and their agents to come inside for showings? With the proper attention to government regulations and smart safety measures, it can be. -
LifestyleAre Open-Concept Homes on the Way Out? How the Trend Emerged and Where it Might be Headed
Open-concept floor plans have been the going trend in North American home design since roughly the 1960s, built around creating a free flow of activity among families. But with many Canadians working from home as a result of the pandemic, we’re beginning to see the chinks in that concept. -
LifestyleInspiring Thanksgiving Tablescapes to Wow Your Nearest and Dearest
Just because your Thanksgiving dinner will have fewer chairs around the table this year, doesn’t mean you can’t still blow your loved ones away with a stunning fall tablescape. Show your dinner guests how much you appreciate them with a talblescape to feast their eyes on! -
LifestyleCreate a Captivating Reading Nook and Cozy Up
Read more books by creating a captivating reading nook. Elements of a reading nook include quiet space, adequate lighting, comfy seating, an end table, and a bookshelf. -
Lifestyle5 Silver Linings to Spending More Time at Home
Just a month ago we were working in offices, eating at restaurants, meeting up with friends, and definitely not washing our hands for 20 seconds countless times a day. Times are tough to say the least, so we need to look at the silver linings to help get us through this. -
LifestyleA How-To Guide on Working from Home with Kids
Canadians are practicing “social distancing” as a prevention measure to combat the COVID-19 outbreak. This major change has caused many people to work from home – and often with kids in tow. -
Lifestyle5 Tips for Hosting a Last-Minute New Year’s Eve Party
If you’ve been tasked with throwing a last-minute New Year’s Eve party, don’t sweat it! Here are some tips for hosting a great party without the stress. -
Lifestyle5 Home Tasks to Tackle from Now Until the New Year
We all know that glorious time between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. It is a time filled with leftovers, sale shopping, and quality family time. If you’re looking to be productive during these six days, we recommend you tackle these five tasks. -
LifestyleA Must-Read Guide: 7 Days of Prep Before Hosting Christmas Day
Preparing to host loved ones on Christmas Day is a special task that can be a bit stressful. There is lots to prepare: presents, food, cleaning, and taking a moment to yourself to soak in the holiday cheer (and have a shower). By laying out a plan of attack one week in advance, you can rest assured -
Lifestyle5 Festive Tablescapes to Up Your Christmas Dinner Game
Get inspired to up your Christmas dinner game with these beautiful tablescapes from these amazing bloggers. -
Lifestyle5 Tips to Keep Your Home “Show Ready” Without Breaking a Sweat
Whether you are selling your home, or you have in-laws who like to show up at your door because they were “in the neighbourhood”, having your home in “show ready” condition doesn’t have to be a cumbersome task. Follow these 5 tips for success! -
LifestyleHome 101: How to Give Off a Warm Welcome in Colder Weather
Whether you’re hosting guests for an autumnal feast or you simply want to channel warmth in your home, appealing to the five senses is a great first step to making your home exude a warm welcome in the colder months. -
LifestyleHome Renovations Meet Baby: 3 Home Renovations That Are Baby-Friendly
Sometimes things collide. You may be in the middle of home renovations, when surprise, a little bundle of joy will be entering your lives in a few short months. There is no need to stop the renos, since you’ll want to get this out of the way before the baby comes. -
LifestyleChic DIY Halloween Décor That You Can Make This Weekend
Step up your Halloween décor game with these chic DIY projects from these “spooky” bloggers. -
LifestyleGuest List, Menu & Décor: Tips for Hosting Your First Thanksgiving at Your New Home
One of the thrills of owning your own home is getting to play host to your family during the holidays. Follow these easy tips for hosting your first Thanksgiving with grace. -
LifestyleLetting go of Emotional Attachments When it’s Time to Sell Your Home
Because ‘home’ is such an emotional concept, sellers sometimes struggle to let go. Make selling your house easier - here are three strategies for severing emotional ties when it comes time to sell.
On December 1, 2021, Purplebricks rebranded to FairSquare Group Realty. Blog articles published before this date were created under the Purplebricks brand but remain the property of FairSquare Group Realty.
In January 2019, ComFree Commonsense Network Brokerage rebranded to Purplebricks.