Melonwood Homes - Villas, Apartments and Flats in Kochi

Transforming a home is easy with few thoughtful interior designing works. But many consider this as a costly affair and thus ignore it due to budget constraints. With the help of some creativity and cost-effective ideas, it is possible to convert your home into one that matches your dreams. Here are a few cost-effective ideas to decorate your home: 1.    Cane furniture A classy yet elegant choice of furniture piece, cane furniture is a budget-friendly alternative for those expensive leather or wooden furniture. You can also use traditional cane pieces to decorate lawns, sit-out areas or balconies for a unique look. 2.    Curtains Using curtains will help add a look of grandeur and make sure that you choose ones that go in sync with the wall colours and furniture shades. Play with colours, patterns and fabrics in order to add a different appeal to your rooms and being an economic option, you can get the best ones with ease. 3.    Greenery Add the much required touch of greenery

An easy way to stay close to the nature is by setting up a landscaped garden at home. Through the selection of right plants and gardening material you can easily design a fabulous landscaped garden. You may incorporate your favourite elements like a flower bed, fountain, climbers, flower pot, etc. Follow these easy tips to design your own landscaped garden at home:   1. Selection of plants Choose plants for your garden depending on the prevailing weather conditions. For places with humidity it is advised to avoid growing Mediterranean plants and for those dry inland zones, avoid rainforest plants. The best way to start setting up a garden is by growing a small flowerbed and gradually expanding it.  2. Wider berth Establish a wider berth for the garden giving adequate space for plants to flower and grow. While constructing a pathway make sure there's enough space for people to walk also.   3. Patio and desks Ensure that you have enough number of desks in the garden consid

Having a dedicated space for each member at home is necessary. Be it for children, artists or professionals they need their own space to study or work peacefully. Designing a study room from unused space in bedroom, corners or guest room is a smart way to accommodate everyone’s needs within the available space. Follow these simple tips to convert any unused space at home into a study room: 1.    Colour Use shades that sets an ambience to study, relax and focus like lighter shades of yellow, green and blue. These colours are said to evoke a feeling of peace and calm that helps you achieve daunting tasks of assignments and paperwork effortlessly. 2.    Furniture Choose furniture that are comfortable and ergonomic to accommodate long working hours with maximum comfort. The table size should be able to hold all essential materials. Those with drawers and closed shelves are ideal to store documents and stationery items. 3.    Lighting Select a combination of natural and artifi

Home décor has seen various developments and the modern version of it is all about incorporating nature-friendly elements to follow green living. Interior designers mostly focus on increasing the greenery at flats and apartments to add freshness and to set a relaxing and calm ambience. Here are the top must-have trends for your apartment: 1.    Indoor plants A popular trend in home décor is using indoor plants to bring greenery to interiors. Indoor plants are a smart option to choose a life that is closer to nature. You can place potted plants, small herbs and climbers on kitchen windowsills or balconies. 2.    Vertical garden One of the most practical option in setting up greenery in flats and apartments in spite of space constraints is installing vertical gardens. By adding a green cover on the wall or a green façade, it employs effective utilisation of space. You can also use discarded bulbs, bottles or small glass vases as substitutes for heavy pots. 3.   

Indian real estate is always regarded as a high investment avenue for NRIs with multiple investment opportunities due to flexible payment schemes, fruitful returns, luxury properties of global standards, etc. NRIs should take optimum advantage of the situation by ensuring to choose the right investment by adhering to all procedures in order to harvest a good deal. Here are a few key areas to be focused by NRIs to make a wise decision regarding investments: 1.    Buying and selling An NRI can buy or sell property in India either by being physically present in the country or by granting Power of Attorney to a trusted member without coming to India. 2.    Home loans NRIs are eligible to avail home loans in India though the procedure and documents would vary according to residing country. Loan tenure ranges from 10 to 15 years while the amount would depend on factors like age, income, education, etc. Setting up NRE (Non-Resident External) account is advised for the purpose of finan

The rising energy bills are a concern for everyone, especially during summer season when the heat is unbearable which calls for using appliances more. In such situations, effective action should be taken to curb this increase in energy consumption in everyday life. Follow the below-listed tips to control the energy consumption at home: 1. Energy-efficient appliances Invest in energy-efficient appliances to reduce the electricity bills even though it would come at an expensive price tag initially. Buy appliances that has energy efficient rating as per the guidelines of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). Replace incandescent bulbs with CFL or LED to save energy. 2. Proper Insulation Heating and cooling systems add up almost 40 percent of the total electricity bill at home. Through proper insulation of the house, it is easy to ensure the effective working of these systems. Also, ensure that there are no cracks in doors, windows and walls for the entry of hot or cold air fro

The decision to buy a home comes with so much of confusions and the first one would be whether to choose a stand-alone house or an apartment. Deciding between the two options is critical as this decision lingers upon you for a lifetime. Here are a few key reasons to convince you why to choose apartment living over a house: 1.    24x7 safety Safety is a top priority for everyone and people wouldn’t choose a remote area for their home. Apartments are installed with high-end security systems to give alerts during any mishaps to their residents. Be it the 24x7 security guard service or the electronic security devices, your safety is not an issue and also, there are plenty of neighbours to help you out in emergency cases. 2.    Galore of amenities Buying a house just gives you ownership for a piece of land but does not give you access to swimming pool, gym and much more. Apartment living offers multiple amenities and entertainments of best class quality within its premise. 3.    So

Millennials constitute a major chunk of the earning class in our country and their preferences, decision-making and consumptions are closely tracked by various industries. One such sector is real estate industry where millennials are well-focused on as they make home buying choices. Here is an analysis of things Millennials look into while choosing a dream home: 1.    Lively Location Millennials seek a happening location where everything can be accommodated to meet the needs for living life. A home that has close proximity to major happening parts of the city is preferred. A strategical location with malls and other key transportation facilities is considered to be ideal. 2.    Smart Homes Millennials are tagged to the tech-savvy generation and they don’t shy away from using smart technology. Having great affinity towards home automation systems, video door phones, sensor alarms, etc. and considering the level of comfort and convenience along with style, they look out fo

It’s not just about the visual appeal but a home should always smell good to be welcoming. Along with the cleanliness and hygiene part of homes, a good fragrance should linger inside to set the right ambience. Here are a few easy steps to turn your home into fragrant and welcoming space: 1                 Diffusers One of the easiest methods to add aroma to your home is by using diffusers. Add water and a few drops of your favourite essential oil to it. Switch it on and set a relaxing atmosphere to unwind yourself after a long tiring day.         Scented candles Scented candles create a soothing ambience along with its sweet fragrance. They are long-lasting and the scent spreads well if placed thoughtfully at corners or near the windows. A much more cost effective method is to use incense sticks. 3      Potpourri Make a DIY potpourri at home with your family by combining some dried herbs, flowers and leaves and place it in a decorative pot by adding a few d

Upgrading homes are constant nowadays with the technological advancements all around the world, to give us smart living spaces. And with the rise in cost for innovation activities, people have been influenced to plan such a home that can accommodate future requirements. Here are the key methods to future-proof your home: 1.    Design for the future Most of the homeowners consider only the near future while ignoring the long-term requirements. Designing for the future will give flexibility to accommodate any emergency situations like unforeseen prolonged illness or a life-altering accident. Also, the age of its inhabitants must be considered and plan a home that suits their needs and requirements of safety and accessibility. 2.    Increase storage All the homeowners tend to pile up things over time and if your home is not ready to accommodate all these things, it leads to cluttering. Make efficient use of every corner of the house, be it a vertical space, adding full height cabine

Looking forward to add that much required extra charm to your home? Place these few house plants to de-stress, purify the air and moreover cast an appeal to your home! 1. Indian Tulsi Holy basil or tulsi is always recommended to be grown at homes because of the several benefits it has got to offer. From purifying the air, improving the quality of air to embracing the plant for its numerous medicinal properties, tulsi can be easily maintained at home. It can be kept near windows so that it gets proper sunlight every day. 2. Bamboo plant Give your home, especially the living space, a touch of tropical feel with bamboo plants. This helps in purifying and improving the quality of air. Easy to store and maintain, it can even be placed in a tray with pebbles and water. 3. Aloe Vera The “Plant of Immortality”, Aloe Vera is a distinctive-looking plant loaded with vitamins and minerals which are ideal for your skin health. Growing them at home enhances the quality of air and also,

Real estate investment in residential properties assure effective returns and it is highly regarded as a wealth maximizing opportunity. For a successful investment flats, apartments and residential projects, it is vital to consider certain parameters like connectivity, proximity to social infrastructure, etc. Here are a few guidelines to help make the most out of real estate investment: 1.    Learn more about the property cycle to identify the entry point in real estate sector correctly. 2.    Understand in depth about the government issues leasehold titles. 3.    Ensure the quality of development to assure that you gain healthy returns and also to refrain from bad investment options laid forward by depressed market. 4.    An investor must be aware of the gain in capital and stamp duty amount to be paid. 5.    Verify development plans and statutory approvals and do a close scrutiny throughout the investment cycle. 6.    Check on the credibility of the developer and their past tr

Buying an apartment could be a hasty affair when you are on the run to manage various activities of the purchase and registration process. The rights entitled to an owner must not be overlooked while buying an apartment. From the time when it is being booked to handing over the property, the home owners must be aware of their basic rights to ensure a transparent process while purchasing that is free from discrepancies. A few key things to be noted while booking an apartment includes: 1.    Letter of allotment Developer should issue letter of allotment as soon as the booking is confirmed. A receipt of any advanced paid or initial payments should be obtained. 2.    Payment schedule as per construction Prior to signing the agreement, a prospective homebuyer is entitled to a payment schedule that sets a date for each milestone to be achieved during the course of construction which must be adhered to by the builder. A construction-linked payment plan can be vouched as a basic right of

The modern real estate has been impacted by the preference on nuclear families rather than joint families. Priorities of prospective home buyers have been redefined based on the property size, neighbourhood, facilities and social infrastructure. Below listed are the key factors to be considered by a nuclear family during home search: 1.    Security Security is considered to be of utmost importance especially in families where parents leave behind their children or elderly back at home for work. Implementing round-the-clock security and surveillance system has become mandatory in residential projects owing to the aforesaid reason. 2.    Space utilization A well-designed residential space that provides optimum utilization of space is considered to be a favourite among nuclear families. Compact and space-efficient living spaces are preferred by nuclear families as it meets their requirements and is also a worthy investment. 3.    Healthy environment Modern homebuyers look out for cle

The latest concept that is favoured in interior décor industry, eco-friendly window installations are popular due to its inclination towards green living. As an economic and durable option, eco-friendly window installations are used to refurbish modern apartments and homes due to several reasons. Here are the key reasons to consider opting this eco-friendly installations: 1.        Environment-friendly Eco-friendly window installations help in saving energy while being a nature-friendly option too. During summer season, they reflect heat outside and during winter season, it helps in maintaining the temperature inside the room normal through the principle of insulation. 2.        Convenience Even under a drastic climatic change outside, its impact will not be felt indoors in the presence of these installations as they neutralise the temperature. And its inbuilt feature to reduce the difference in the hot and cold makes it air temperature-friendly. 3.

Most of us finance our new home with the help of home loans and therefore, it is vital to know about the interest rates and the differences among them. Here is a guide to help you decide a better repayment plan that does not clash with your monthly budget: 1.        Fixed Rate of Interest Here, the interest rates will be fixed for the entire tenure of the home loan. This helps in planning repayment ahead as the amount to be paid per month will remain constant. An added advantage of fixed interest rate is that the RBI policy changes on interest rates will not affect the rates belonging to this loan type. The disadvantage of choosing this type is that it includes bank charges that are slightly higher that other loan types and also a drop in general interest rates due to various policies does not let us obtain its benefits as the interest rates remain fixed. 2.        Variable Rate of Interest Variable rate of interest or floating interest rate are those which

When looking for a new home whether for residential purpose or as an investment choice, many consider a second home for many reasons. What are the benefits of investing in a second home? Investment choice Investing in a real estate residential property brings you great returns in a short span of time.   In the case of a second home, it is an affordable investment choice. Tax benefits The home buyer can avail tax benefits on the interest payment of the home loan in the case of investing in a second home. Retirement or vacation home A second home is a great investment choice for one who plans to settle at his native place after retirement. The investment in a second home can also be in the form of a vacation home in an ideal location to enjoy your holiday with your family. Source of steady income One can generate extra income apart from the long term price appreciation by renting it out the property. Melonwood Greens is one of the top-rated luxury resi

Home loans are the most feasible option to finance a home. Banks offer various schemes and benefits to prospective home buyers. While choosing a bank for loan, conduct a proper research on the policies of a bank, their interest rates and loan process to avail maximum benefits out of it. Following are a fewtips to choose the best bank for a home loan: 1    1. Loan process Check a bank’s loan process and analyse the time they require to verify the credentials of the builder and sanction the loan. Ensure that the bank does an exhaustive review regarding your loan eligibility and other conditions involved, as it proves that the bank follows a robust process without any loopholes which could become a trouble in the future. 2   2. Hidden costs The terms associated with the loan should be clearly communicated to the applicant by the bank and should educate them regarding all the costs involved in it which includes legal charges, valuation charges, prepayment charges, proces

Everything is smart now – phone, television, airconditioner and what not. The technology you use is smart and now it’s time to make your home smart too. With best tech companies all around the world constantly innovating new technologies and home products aimed at enhancing and making life easier, it’s high time you switch to a smart home. Here is how a smart home can help ease your life: 1.     Smart Home Security From digital locks to door locks to surveillance cameras, install these smart devices to secure your family and home. Door locks are now made keyless with technology and integrated with smart home; indoor and outdoor cameras are installed to monitor your home at any time from your smartphone. 2.     Smart lighting Imagine having a lighting system that functions according to your daily reactions, dreamy isn’t it? Smart lights are those that brighten and diminish as per your requirements with just a click. 3.     Smart energy consumption Control yo