Search results for "Reduce efficiently" in Home Design Ideas

This single family home sits on a tight, sloped site. Within a modest budget, the goal was to provide direct access to grade at both the front and back of the house.
The solution is a multi-split-level home with unconventional relationships between floor levels. Between the entrance level and the lower level of the family room, the kitchen and dining room are located on an interstitial level. Within the stair space “floats” a small bathroom.
The generous stair is celebrated with a back-painted red glass wall which treats users to changing refractive ambient light throughout the house.
Black brick, grey-tinted glass and mirrors contribute to the reasonably compact massing of the home. A cantilevered upper volume shades south facing windows and the home’s limited material palette meant a more efficient construction process. Cautious landscaping retains water run-off on the sloping site and home offices reduce the client’s use of their vehicle.
The house achieves its vision within a modest footprint and with a design restraint that will ensure it becomes a long-lasting asset in the community.
Photo by Tom Arban

This single family home sits on a tight, sloped site. Within a modest budget, the goal was to provide direct access to grade at both the front and back of the house.
The solution is a multi-split-level home with unconventional relationships between floor levels. Between the entrance level and the lower level of the family room, the kitchen and dining room are located on an interstitial level. Within the stair space “floats” a small bathroom.
The generous stair is celebrated with a back-painted red glass wall which treats users to changing refractive ambient light throughout the house.
Black brick, grey-tinted glass and mirrors contribute to the reasonably compact massing of the home. A cantilevered upper volume shades south facing windows and the home’s limited material palette meant a more efficient construction process. Cautious landscaping retains water run-off on the sloping site and home offices reduce the client’s use of their vehicle.
The house achieves its vision within a modest footprint and with a design restraint that will ensure it becomes a long-lasting asset in the community.
Photo by Tom Arban

Tying multiple floors together using 6”x36” dark grey wood-looking tile, laid on a staggered patterned worked well with the tile and concrete floors next to it.
Two-toned cabinetry of wired brushed hickory with a grey stain wash, combined with maple wood in a dark slate finish is a current trend.
Counter tops: combination of splashy granite and white Caesarstone grounded the display. A custom-designed table of ash wood, with heavy distressing and grey washed stain added warmth.
Show custom features:
Arched glass door cabinets with crown moulding to match.
Unique Features: drawer in drawer for pot lids, pull out drawer in toe kick for dog dishes, toe space step stool, swing up mixer shelf, pull out spice storage.
Built in Banquette seating with table and docking station for family meals and working.
Custom open shelves and wine rack with detailed legs anchor the three sides of the island.
Backsplash rail with spice rack, knife and utensil holder add more storage space.
A floating soffit matches the shape of island and helps lower the showroom ceiling height to what would be found in a normal home. It includes: pendant lights for the snack bar, chandelier for the table and recess for task lights over the sink.
The large triangular shaped island has eleven foot legs. It fills the unusual space and creates three separate areas: a work space, snack bar/room divider and table area.
Find the right local pro for your project

Featuring a sleek, clean-face design and a modern, smooth refractory-lined firebox, the WRT4820 adds a touch of sophisticated elegance to any room.
Aesthetics
Smooth refractory-lined firebox creates a contemporary appearance that exudes style.
Single rectangular black door allows for an unobstructed view of the fire.
Streamlined
Meets EPA Phase II-certified and Washington State emissions requirements (3.7 gr/hr).
55,000 BTU/hr* effectively heats up to 1,500 sq. ft.*
Airtight combustion chamber delivers maximum efficiency to ensure steady home heating.
Double-air combustion features two controls that allow you to customize the heating of your home, including:
Main control for variable heat output
Air boost for faster ignition
Ease of Operation
Efficient air wash system keeps the glass clean, reducing the hassle of maintenance.
Heat-resistant handle stays cool to the touch.
Burn time is approximately 6–8 hours for long-lasting comfort.
Required Venting
6" ASHT+, S-2100+, HT6000+, HT6103+ or AC Chimney
Design Versatility
Choose between the clean-face panel kit* for a more contemporary design or the louver kit for a traditional look.
*Requires gravity air distribution kit
EPA-CERTIFIED FIREPLACE COLLECTION
EPA-certified wood-burning fireplaces from Superior are expertly designed and crafted from over 30 years of experience creating high efficiency EPA fireplaces. You can count on a lifetime of warmth from our fireplaces with the added bonus of responsible burning.

The Guemes Island cabin is designed with a SIPS roof and foundation built with ICF. The exterior walls are highly insulated to bring the home to a new passive house level of construction. The highly efficient exterior envelope of the home helps to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool the home, thus creating a very comfortable environment in the home.
+ Architecture: H2D Architecture + Design
www.h2darchitects.com
+ Interior Design: Karlee Coble Interiors
+ Built by: Carlisle Classic Homes
+ Photography: Chad Coleman Photography

The Rosebury Farm project by Squared Architects is a thoughtfully planned residential development located on the edge of suburban London, designed to balance contemporary living with a strong sensitivity to its rural surroundings. Set within a green belt context, the scheme consists of a collection of individually designed homes that follow a self-build or custom-build approach, allowing for variation while maintaining a cohesive architectural identity.
The design emphasizes integration with the landscape, using staggered building forms and carefully arranged massing to reduce visual impact and preserve key views across the site. Natural materials and a restrained palette help the homes blend into their environment, while features such as green walls and planted areas reinforce the connection between architecture and nature.
Internally, the houses are designed with flexible, open-plan layouts that support modern living, prioritizing natural light and spatial fluidity. Sustainability is a core principle throughout the project, with energy-efficient strategies and environmentally responsive design choices embedded from the outset.
Overall, Rosebury Farm represents a contemporary yet context-sensitive housing model, combining architectural quality, environmental awareness, and a community-oriented approach to residential development.

FLA XT is a fully automatic bio fireplace equipped with an external fuel tank and a control panel. It emits no smell and no smoke. The fireplace can be operated with a single remote control or mobile devices. Connected to any given Smart Home System installation, FLA XT allows the customers simple use and gives unlimited control.
FLA XT in a stylish black colour fits both modern and classic interiors. Its external fuel tank is hidden in the tailored BOX XT and can be easily pulled-out for replacement or refuelling. This efficient solution reduces the frequency of refuelling and significantly elongates the burning time

Green Hammer worked with the client and real estate agent to find a home to renovate to their goals and budget. This 1930’s Alameda house had a robust structure, but the interior was a series of compromised disjointed remodel projects. The clients wanted a contemporary design that could blend with the historic neighborhood. In addition to creating an elegant contemporary design, we air-sealed, added deep insulation, and integrated heat recovery ventilation to reduce energy consumption by 80%.
Bookmatched kitchen countertop made from Douglas fir slabs reclaimed from Tualatin. Dining room table compliments countertop with live edge bookmatched design from the same Douglas fir tree. Kitchen cabinets are painted FSC certified maple. Bathroom cabinets FSC certified alder. Custom woodwork by Urban Timberworks.
Photography: Jon Jensen

The Arcadia Louvered Roof enhances the beauty of any style home and provides the flexibility of having an open roof when the weather is good or a solid roof to keep the rain off your patio when the weather turns bad.
Eco-friendly Construction
The Arcadia system is made up of recycled aluminum making it an extremely Green product. It is also eco-friendly, helping consumers save on passive solar heating and cooling.
We Think Green
Arcadia is proud to continue the company's tradition with its approach to Environmental Innovation. From the choice of lightweight materials and lean production methods to the efficiency of its drive system and designs, Arcadia is committed to operating as a more sustainable business and reducing its overall environmental impact.
High-quality Building Materials
Each Arcadia system is a work of art, constructed with care and attention to every little detail.
Our system is powered coated, extruded aluminum with stainless steel components giving us the most durable louvered roof on the market today. From our superior drive system, which is UL & CE certified, down to the stainless steel tex screws that secures the system together. Nothing but the best!
Our low-maintenance components eliminate painting, staining, and waterproofing of traditional shading structures. Using powder-coated aluminum construction prevents warping, cracking, and corrosion.
Photographed by: Roger Chafin

Louisa, San Clemente Coastal Modern Architecture
The brief for this modern coastal home was to create a place where the clients and their children and their families could gather to enjoy all the beauty of living in Southern California. Maximizing the lot was key to unlocking the potential of this property so the decision was made to excavate the entire property to allow natural light and ventilation to circulate through the lower level of the home.
A courtyard with a green wall and olive tree act as the lung for the building as the coastal breeze brings fresh air in and circulates out the old through the courtyard.
The concept for the home was to be living on a deck, so the large expanse of glass doors fold away to allow a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoors and feeling of being out on the deck is felt on the interior. A huge cantilevered beam in the roof allows for corner to completely disappear as the home looks to a beautiful ocean view and Dana Point harbor in the distance. All of the spaces throughout the home have a connection to the outdoors and this creates a light, bright and healthy environment.
Passive design principles were employed to ensure the building is as energy efficient as possible. Solar panels keep the building off the grid and and deep overhangs help in reducing the solar heat gains of the building. Ultimately this home has become a place that the families can all enjoy together as the grand kids create those memories of spending time at the beach.
Images and Video by Aandid Media.

Automatic clean. Absolute freedom.
Fully automated cleaning
Cleans smarter with advanced AI Action
Vacuums deeply with 5,300Pa* of powerful suction
Delivers up to 60 days of hands-free cleaning
Automatically cleans and dries its mops
L10s Ultra combines leading robotic cleaning technologies, like auto-emptying and automatic mop cleaning, to deliver an outstanding, hassle-free cleaning experience.
Auto-Empty
Mop Self-Cleaning
AI + 3D Navigation
5,300Pa Suction
Mop Lifting
Set it and
forget it.
Automate your day-to-day cleaning and come home to just-cleaned floors that smell and feel good. Stop spending so much of your time cleaning and start enjoying your home.
Automatic dust collection, mop-cleaning and drying, water-refilling, solution-adding, fast mapping, and path-planning combine to make fully automated home cleaning a reality.
Efficient, intelligent cleaning,
just as if you were doing it yourself.
AI-powered navigation ensures your whole home is cleaned efficiently and effectively,
reducing missed spots, repeated cleaning, getting lost, or getting stuck.

This LEED Platinum certified house reflects the homeowner's desire for an exceptionally healthy and comfortable living environment, within a traditional neighborhood.
INFILL SITE. The family, who moved from another area of Wellesley, sought out this property to be within walking distance of the high school and downtown area. An existing structure on the tight lot was removed to make way for the new home. 84% of the construction waste, from both the previous structure and the new home, was diverted from a landfill. ZED designed to preserve the existing mature trees on the perimeter of the property to minimize site impacts, and to maintain the character of the neighborhood as well as privacy on the site.
EXTERIOR EXPRESSION. The street facade of the home relates to the local New England vernacular. The rear uses contemporary language, a nod to the family’s Californian roots, to incorporate a roof deck, solar panels, outdoor living space, and the backyard swimming pool. ZED’s careful planning avoided to the need to face the garage doors towards the street, a common syndrome of a narrow lot.
THOUGHTFUL SPACE. Homes with dual entries can often result in duplicate and unused spaces. In this home, the everyday and formal entry areas are one and the same; the front and garage doors share the entry program of coat closets, mudroom storage with bench for removing your shoes, and a laundry room with generous closets for the children's sporting equipment. The entry area leads directly to the living space, encompassing the kitchen, dining and sitting area areas in an L-shaped open plan arrangement. The kitchen is placed at the south-west corner of the space to allow for a strong connection to the dining, sitting and outdoor living spaces. A fire pit on the deck satisfies the family’s desire for an open flame while a sealed gas fireplace is used indoors - ZED’s preference after omitting gas burning appliances completely from an airtight home. A small study, with a window seat, is conveniently located just off of the living space. A first floor guest bedroom includes an accessible bathroom for aging visitors and can be used as a master suite to accommodate aging in place.
HEALTHY LIVING. The client requested a home that was easy to clean and would provide a respite from seasonal allergies and common contaminants that are found in many indoor spaces. ZED selected easy to clean solid surface flooring throughout, provided ample space for cleaning supplies on each floor, and designed a mechanical system with ventilation that provides a constant supply of fresh outdoor air. ZED selected durable materials, finishes, cabinetry, and casework with low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and no added urea formaldehyde.
YEAR-ROUND COMFORT. The home is super insulated and air-tight, paired with high performance triple-paned windows, to ensure it is draft-free throughout the winter (even when in front of the large windows and doors). ZED designed a right-sized heating and cooling system to pair with the thermally improved building enclosure to ensure year-round comfort. The glazing on the home maximizes passive solar gains, and facilitates cross ventilation and daylighting.
ENERGY EFFICIENT. As one of the most energy efficient houses built to date in Wellesley, the home highlights a practical solution for Massachusetts. First, the building enclosure reduces the largest energy requirement for typical houses (heating). Super-insulation, exceptional air sealing, a thermally broken wall assembly, triple pane windows, and passive solar gain combine for a sizable heating load reduction. Second, within the house only efficient systems consume energy. These include an air source heat pump for heating & cooling, a heat pump hot water heater, LED lighting, energy recovery ventilation, and high efficiency appliances. Lastly, photovoltaics provide renewable energy help offset energy consumption. The result is an 89% reduction in energy use compared to a similar brand new home built to code requirements.
RESILIENT. The home will fare well in extreme weather events. During a winter power outage, heat loss will be very slow due to the super-insulated and airtight envelope– taking multiple days to drop to 60 degrees even with no heat source. An engineered drainage system, paired with careful the detailing of the foundation, will help to keep the finished basement dry. A generator will provide full operation of the all-electric house during a power outage.
OVERALL. The home is a reflection of the family goals and an expression of their values, beautifully enabling health, comfort, safety, resilience, and utility, all while respecting the planet.
ZED - Architect & Mechanical Designer
Bevilacqua Builders Inc - Contractor
Creative Land & Water Engineering - Civil Engineering
Barbara Peterson Landscape - Landscape Design
Nest & Company - Interior Furnishings
Eric Roth Photography - Photography

Residents of Bishop, California have seen many benefits from installing a 7.56 kW LG & ENPHASE system with the help of Green Home Systems. The project was completed in less than a month and has already made an impact on the local community.
Green Home Systems has been providing unparalleled solar solutions at the most economical price and best customer service in the industry for decades. They specialize in providing customized renewable energy solutions to meet individual needs and goals, all while ensuring performance and durability guarantees and excellent customer service.
The customer was looking for a way to reduce their utility bill, take advantage of government incentives, and utilize utility company incentives. After extensive research, they decided that Green Home Systems would be the perfect choice for their home solar installation project.
The customer chose Green Home Systems due to their wide selection of solar panels, performance and durability guarantees, and excellent reputation. The team inspected the roof and then got started on the installation process. The project was completed quickly and efficiently thanks to Green Home System's expert craftsmanship.
The results of this project have been impressive - increased home value, reduced carbon footprint, and increased property value are just some of the positive outcomes that residents are seeing from their new solar panel system installation. In addition, they are now taking advantage of competitive pricing which has allowed them to save money on their monthly utility bills as well as receive credits back from the utility company for unused power generated by their new system.
At Green Home Systems we strive to provide our customers with the best service possible - from our knowledgeable staff to our competitive pricing - we put our customers first every time. We are proud to have been able to help this Bishop resident go solar and make a positive impact on both their wallet and environment through renewable energy solutions.

Phase one of this Littleton, Colorado, backyard landscape renovation focused on reducing sod and creating a more intentional, water-wise outdoor environment. The design was carefully personalized around the homeowners’ goals while considering the health and long-term needs of the property’s existing mature trees.
New landscape edging and decorative boulders add structure, dimension and natural texture throughout the yard. A balanced combination of mulch, river rock and planting beds complements the home’s architecture while reducing lawn area and helping create a lower-maintenance Colorado landscape. Two new trees and additional plantings were thoughtfully integrated with the existing landscape for a cohesive, established appearance.
A stepping-stone garden path now leads through the mulched planting area, adding both function and visual interest. The irrigation system was also updated to support the redesigned planting beds and encourage efficient water use. At the front of the home, custom seasonal porch containers provide welcoming color and a polished finishing touch.
Completed in July 2026, this first phase establishes a strong foundation for the property’s continued transformation. The homeowners are taking a thoughtful, phased approach to their Littleton landscape design, with a custom outdoor kitchen now underway as the next step in creating a personalized and functional outdoor living space.

Automatic clean. Absolute freedom.
Fully automated cleaning
Cleans smarter with advanced AI Action
Vacuums deeply with 5,300Pa* of powerful suction
Delivers up to 60 days of hands-free cleaning
Automatically cleans and dries its mops
L10s Ultra combines leading robotic cleaning technologies, like auto-emptying and automatic mop cleaning, to deliver an outstanding, hassle-free cleaning experience.
Auto-Empty
Mop Self-Cleaning
AI + 3D Navigation
5,300Pa Suction
Mop Lifting
Set it and
forget it.
Automate your day-to-day cleaning and come home to just-cleaned floors that smell and feel good. Stop spending so much of your time cleaning and start enjoying your home.
Automatic dust collection, mop-cleaning and drying, water-refilling, solution-adding, fast mapping, and path-planning combine to make fully automated home cleaning a reality.
Efficient, intelligent cleaning,
just as if you were doing it yourself.
AI-powered navigation ensures your whole home is cleaned efficiently and effectively,
reducing missed spots, repeated cleaning, getting lost, or getting stuck.

Automatic clean. Absolute freedom.
Fully automated cleaning
Cleans smarter with advanced AI Action
Vacuums deeply with 5,300Pa* of powerful suction
Delivers up to 60 days of hands-free cleaning
Automatically cleans and dries its mops
L10s Ultra combines leading robotic cleaning technologies, like auto-emptying and automatic mop cleaning, to deliver an outstanding, hassle-free cleaning experience.
Auto-Empty
Mop Self-Cleaning
AI + 3D Navigation
5,300Pa Suction
Mop Lifting
Set it and
forget it.
Automate your day-to-day cleaning and come home to just-cleaned floors that smell and feel good. Stop spending so much of your time cleaning and start enjoying your home.
Automatic dust collection, mop-cleaning and drying, water-refilling, solution-adding, fast mapping, and path-planning combine to make fully automated home cleaning a reality.
Efficient, intelligent cleaning,
just as if you were doing it yourself.
AI-powered navigation ensures your whole home is cleaned efficiently and effectively,
reducing missed spots, repeated cleaning, getting lost, or getting stuck.

Our Recent Project: Bow Window Installation in Orland Park, IL
Looking to add charm, natural light, and value to your home? Bow window installation in Orland Park, IL, is the perfect solution. At Perfect Windows & Siding, we specialize in crafting elegant, custom bow windows that enhance your home’s beauty while improving energy efficiency.
Bow windows are a standout feature for any home, creating a panoramic view with their curved design. Whether you're updating a classic style or modernizing your space, our window contractors ensure precision and excellence in every installation.
Why choose Perfect Windows & Siding? We’re a trusted window company with years of experience in window installation and window replacement. Our team works closely with you to select the ideal materials and design, offering options that suit your taste and budget. From durable vinyl to elegant wood finishes, we have something for every homeowner.
Replacing outdated windows with bow windows not only elevates your home’s aesthetic but also boosts its energy efficiency. Our windows are designed to minimize heat loss and reduce utility bills, making them as practical as they are stunning.
Ready to transform your home? Contact us today for top-notch bow window installation in Orland Park, IL. Let our skilled team of window contractors help you bring your vision to life!
Call now to schedule your free consultation. With Perfect Windows & Siding, your dream windows are just a call away!

Phase one of this Littleton, Colorado, backyard landscape renovation focused on reducing sod and creating a more intentional, water-wise outdoor environment. The design was carefully personalized around the homeowners’ goals while considering the health and long-term needs of the property’s existing mature trees.
New landscape edging and decorative boulders add structure, dimension and natural texture throughout the yard. A balanced combination of mulch, river rock and planting beds complements the home’s architecture while reducing lawn area and helping create a lower-maintenance Colorado landscape. Two new trees and additional plantings were thoughtfully integrated with the existing landscape for a cohesive, established appearance.
A stepping-stone garden path now leads through the mulched planting area, adding both function and visual interest. The irrigation system was also updated to support the redesigned planting beds and encourage efficient water use. At the front of the home, custom seasonal porch containers provide welcoming color and a polished finishing touch.
Completed in July 2026, this first phase establishes a strong foundation for the property’s continued transformation. The homeowners are taking a thoughtful, phased approach to their Littleton landscape design, with a custom outdoor kitchen now underway as the next step in creating a personalized and functional outdoor living space.

Phase one of this Littleton, Colorado, backyard landscape renovation focused on reducing sod and creating a more intentional, water-wise outdoor environment. The design was carefully personalized around the homeowners’ goals while considering the health and long-term needs of the property’s existing mature trees.
New landscape edging and decorative boulders add structure, dimension and natural texture throughout the yard. A balanced combination of mulch, river rock and planting beds complements the home’s architecture while reducing lawn area and helping create a lower-maintenance Colorado landscape. Two new trees and additional plantings were thoughtfully integrated with the existing landscape for a cohesive, established appearance.
A stepping-stone garden path now leads through the mulched planting area, adding both function and visual interest. The irrigation system was also updated to support the redesigned planting beds and encourage efficient water use. At the front of the home, custom seasonal porch containers provide welcoming color and a polished finishing touch.
Completed in July 2026, this first phase establishes a strong foundation for the property’s continued transformation. The homeowners are taking a thoughtful, phased approach to their Littleton landscape design, with a custom outdoor kitchen now underway as the next step in creating a personalized and functional outdoor living space.
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