Be in the know

Spotlight Home and Lifestyle offers you real value and insights into design, renovate, and build projects through our helpful articles that provide Peterborough County home and cottage owners with news, views, tips and how to’s that help lead you onto the path of success for your next project.

Person reading a book
Smart home automation

What is smart home automation?

A smart home utilizes technology to automate everyday tasks around your house such as turning lights on and off, adjusting the temperature of your home, making sure your doors are locked when you go to bed, and so much more…

Home renovation blueprints with paint can and paint brush

Top 5 Home Renovation Projects in Canada in 2021

Considering renovating your home or cottage in Peterborough or Kawartha Lakes? Here are the top five home renovation projects Canadians planned to do in 2021.

Kitchen being renovated

5 Things to consider when renovating your Peterborough or Kawartha Lakes kitchen

Transform your existing kitchen into the kitchen of your dreams.

Guest Room

4 Things to consider when planning a guest room

Need some extra space for guests or family? Here are four things to consider when planning your new home or cottage

Net Zero Home Buckhorn Ontario

What is a Net Zero Home?

Did you know a Net Zero Home is up to 80% more efficient than a home built to conventional standards and is comparable in cost?

Rendering of contemporary home

How much home do you need?

Did you know: today’s houses are approximately 30% larger than homes built in the 80’s and 90’s and almost twice as big as houses built in 1960 or earlier?

Rendering of a contemporary home

3 architectural styles Ontario home and cottage owners love

With dozens of home styles to choose from it can be overwhelming. Discover three popular architectural styles Ontario home and cottage owners love.

Modern laundry / mudroom

7 things to consider when designing your laundry room

There is one room in every home that gets used every day and often doesn’t get the attention it deserves - the laundry room. Here are 7 things to consider when designing your laundry room.

Vacant Land

7 Things to consider when purchasing land for your new home or cottage

Dreaming of building a custom home or cottage? If you don’t have property to build on, here are seven things you’ll want to consider before you purchase land.

Home Office Design

8 things to consider when planning your new home office

Planning to work from home? Here are 8 things to consider when designing your new home office

Cost to build a home or cottage

How much will your Peterborough home or cottage cost?

You've decided to design and build a home. There's just one questions left - how much will it cost?

Home Contractor Talking With Clients

Thought Starters: New Home or Cottage Design-Renovate-Build

If you have decided to build a new home or cottage, or renovate your existing home, there are a lot of considerations to make.This is especially true if you have never gone through the process before!

Couple working on home budget

New Build or Renovation - Eleven Tips For Determining A Budget

Establishing a budget can be a daunting task, but it is a critical piece of information for you and your contractor. Understanding your budget parameters is just as important as determining the scope of your project.

Cover of How Much Will Your Home Or Cottage Cost To Design And Build
Featured Guide

How Much Will Your Home Or Cottage Cost To Design And Build In Ontario, Canada?

Discover the five things you need to do to accurately determine the cost of your new home or cottage, and how to avoid the big budgeting mistake too many people make.

Learn more