7 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Your First Home
CARMA STAHNKE
Free Yourself From Clutter With Today’s Minimalist Design Trends
KIMBERLY QUEVEDO
Acluttered home can make even the most familiar rooms feel smaller and less enjoyable – but today’s minimalist design trends offer a way to simplify your space while keeping it welcoming. Create a home that feels lighter the moment you walk through the door by combining calming neutral hues, natural materials and light, multifunctional furniture and a few meaningful accents – all while boosting your home’s resale value.
Start With a Softer Color Palette
A minimalist home doesn’t have to feel stark. Soft whites, creamy beiges, warm grays, muted clays and earthy taupes create a soothing backdrop that reduces visual noise. This calming palette brightens rooms, makes walls recede and creates a steady foundation where every space feels intentional and serene.
Use Natural Materials and Light to Open Space
Once your palette is in place, natural textures
add depth without adding clutter. White oak, walnut, limestone, linen and wool bring softness to a room while keeping the overall look streamlined. A solid-wood dining table, a linen throw or a rug can make a space feel layered and inviting without relying on extra décor. Light also plays a major role in minimalism. Shades, glass interior doors and mirrors help natural light travel farther and visually expand the space. When light moves freely, clutter loses its dominance and rooms feel more open.
Maximize Storage With Multifunctional Furniture
Minimalist design works best when everyday items are thoughtfully placed out of sight. Multifunctional furniture is one of the most practical ways to manage this. The minimalist design goal is to control what you see. You can incorporate lift-top coffee tables to hide remotes and chargers, bed frames with drawers to reduce closet overflow, entryway benches with concealed storage to keep clutter out of sight and floating vanities to keep
counters clear. Even a single storage ottoman can conceal blankets, toys or seasonal décor. When clutter disappears, your home feels lighter.
Add Personality With Meaningful Accents
Minimalism means selecting your home’s character carefully. Instead of displaying many small items, focus on one or two high-impact pieces that define the room. A framed print, sculptural lamp, textured area rug or handmade ceramic piece can anchor the space without overwhelming it. These accents add personality while preserving the airy energy that makes minimalist design so livable. Minimalist design trends create spaces that feel open, grounded and genuinely livable. When your home is light and clutter-free, everyday life feels easier – and the look never goes out of style.
NOTES
Warm, cozy and delightfully sweet, these hot cocoa bombs are an easy treat for a cold winter's day. It’s an impressive treat that will delight kids and adults alike.
INGREDIENTS
Hot Chocolate Bombs
• 22 ounces semisweet chocolate chopped
• 1/2 cup baking cocoa
• 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
• 6 tablespoons vanilla marshmallow bits (not miniature marshmallows)
• Optional: Sprinkles, colored sanding sugar and melted candy melts
1. Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1 minute; stir. Microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until chocolate is melted and smooth, 1-2 minutes longer.
2. Add 1 tablespoon melted chocolate into a silicone sphere-shaped mold (2-1/2-in. diameter). Brush melted chocolate evenly inside molds, all the way to edges, rewarming melted chocolate as needed. Refrigerate molds until chocolate is set, 3-5 minutes. Brush a thin second layer of chocolate in molds. Refrigerate until set, 8-10 minutes. Place remaining melted chocolate into a piping bag fitted with a small round decorating tip; set aside.
3. Remove chocolate hemispheres from molds. In a medium bowl, whisk together baking cocoa, milk powder and confectioners' sugar. Place 3 tablespoons cocoa mixture into each of 6 of the chocolate hemispheres. Top each with 1 tablespoon marshmallow bits.
4. Pipe a small amount of melted chocolate on edges of filled hemispheres; carefully adhere empty halves to filled halves, pressing lightly to seal, using additional melted chocolate if necessary. If desired, decorate with optional ingredients. Refrigerate until set. Store in a tightly sealed container. Place hot chocolate bomb in a mug; add 1 cup warm milk and stir to dissolve.
HOME TRENDS: JANUARY STAGING SECRETS TO MAKE YOUR HOME FEEL BRIGHT IN WINTER
Winter listings can be a challenge, but January is also an opportunity. With fewer homes on the market and motivated buyers actively searching, the right staging can help a property stand out. The key to successful winter staging is making a home feel bright, warm, and inviting—despite shorter days and colder weather. Start by maximizing natural light wherever possible. Keep window coverings minimal, open blinds fully for showings, and make sure windows
are clean to let in as much daylight as possible. Light, neutral wall colors help reflect available light and make rooms feel larger and more open.
Layered lighting is essential during winter months. Combine overhead fixtures with table lamps, floor lamps, and accent lighting to eliminate dark corners. Warm-toned bulbs create a cozy glow that feels welcoming rather than harsh, helping buyers imagine comfortable evenings at home.
Decluttering becomes even more important in January. Heavy winter coats, boots, and holiday décor can quickly make entryways feel crowded. Clear surfaces, streamline furniture, and create simple storage solutions to keep spaces feeling calm and functional.
Incorporating seasonal texture adds warmth without visual clutter. Soft throw blankets, neutral pillows, and textured rugs can make living spaces feel cozy while maintaining a clean, buyer-friendly aesthetic. Stick to a consistent palette of whites, soft grays, and warm beiges for a fresh winter look. Finally, don’t forget about scent and comfort. Subtle fragrances like citrus or fresh linen feel clean and uplifting, while a well-heated home ensures buyers linger longer during showings.
Thoughtful January staging shows buyers that a home is well cared for and inviting year-round. With the right approach, winter listings can feel just as bright—and just as desirable—as those in peak spring season.
$423,991
$756,856 1,228 993 27 123
$575,000 407 239 6,051 3,494
Market Insights
Spokane Countyexperienced a slight decrease in the average sale price, lowering to $399,000 marking a 2.2% decrease compared to December 2024. The median sales price saw a slight increase of 1.8%, settling at $423,991. The current inventory rose in a big way to 1,228 listings, an notable increase of 19.9% from the previous year. This represents a 3.3-month supply, an increase from December 2024, still indicating a seller's market. Residential closed sales also decreased by 4.0%, totaling 407 transactions. Additionally, the median days on the market increased to 27 days.
Annual residential sales is up from year’s level, up 1.5%, totaling 6,051 sales.
In similar fashion, Kootenai Countyshowed increased price performance, with the average sale price raising to $756,856 reflecting a 24.1% increase from the previous year. The median sales price had an increase of 8.5%, reaching $575,000. Inventory in the area decreased by 10.7% to 993 listings. Residential closed sales saw an decrease of 8.8%, with 239 transactions recorded. The average days on the market increased to 123 days. Annual residential sales in Kootenai County are up 4.6%, totaling 3,494 transactions so far this year.
As interest rates fluctuate and the market anticipates changes throughout the year, it's crucial to