Tips to Consider When Remodeling Your Kitchen
One of the most exciting home improvements home addition contractors or homeowners can undertake is to plan and design a kitchen makeover. For your project to be a success, you need to consider several tips. These tips include: Functionality Once you’ve decided on a design, the next thing to consider is how you’ll use your kitchen. Do you enjoy cooking fancy meals, or is this mostly a place for quick, casual dining? It is critical to understand your lifestyle and culinary habits. Consider the kitchen workflow, ensuring the stove, sink, and refrigerator form a suitable triangle for quick meal prep. Your kitchen layout should be determined by how you use it, as well as the type of appliances and accessories you want to include, such as lighting, storage, workstation, and seating. This will assist you in determining which dream kitchen changes are required for your and your family’s routines. Choose appliances that complement your culinary habits and lifestyle. You should go for energy-efficient units to save on energy and cut your utility bills. Energy-efficient units are not only good for the environment, but they can also save money in the long run. When choosing the appliance, consider upgrading or replacing any current appliances, such as the refrigerator, oven, stove, dishwasher, microwave, or range hood. You should also consider the price of installation and maintenance for your equipment. Layout and flow Kitchen arrangement is critical because it defines how easy or difficult it will be to move and work there. When designing a remodel, consider and optimize the existing layout to produce a useful and efficient kitchen. This includes looking at the work triangle and the location of other important features like cabinets, counters, and appliances. You also should consider the kitchen’s natural traffic flow and ensure there is enough room for mobility. Evaluate how you now use the space and find any pain points or areas of inefficiency. A well-planned kitchen should have a logical flow that reduces the distances between major work zones. A great way to choose the layout is to picture yourself in the kitchen and think about how you use it throughout the day, creating a flow chart to evaluate how the space is used at different times. You should keep pots and pans within arm’s reach, organize your utensils for convenient access, and keep your spice rack a simple turn away. You can go with various layout options, including L-shaped, U-shaped, galley, island, and peninsula. You should also consider whether walls, doors, or windows should be relocated or removed to provide additional room or light. Pay attention to the kitchen layout and how it connects to adjacent spaces. An open-plan kitchen design, for example, might encourage a fluid flow between the kitchen and dining or living areas, encouraging a sense of togetherness. Style and aesthetics Next, examine your kitchen’s aesthetics and design. It should reflect your unique style while remaining visually consistent with the rest of your home. Consider the color schemes, materials, and design components of your kitchen. Your kitchen’s style shows your personality and taste, so you must choose an overall design and […]
Read more
Types of Home Additions You Can Take Advantage Of
For most people, home is where they unwind and bond with family. That means it should be comfortable and relaxed. That said, sometimes the home needs to be more spacious and have all the amenities you need to feel relaxed and comfortable. To remedy that, you can incorporate some home additions that will be aesthetically appealing and functional. What are some of these home additions? Check these out given by home addition contractors: Sunroom There’s just something magical about natural lighting. It can uplift your mood and make your space airy and more spacious. However, sometimes your windows do not allow as much of this lighting as you would want. Fortunately, you can add a sunroom to your home to help bring in more natural light to your space and provide an ideal space for outdoor viewing, indoor gardening, and general relaxation. A typical sunroom will feature a lot of glass, large windows, and sliding doors that will maximize the entry of sunlight into a space. Family room As the name implies, this is a space added to your home to cater to family activities depending on your circumstances and needs. Adding a family room to your home gives you extra living space. This can be particularly beneficial if you have a growing family or need more room for relaxation and other activities like gaming, watching movies, or hosting family gatherings. Master suite Who wouldn’t love a little more space and luxury in their bedroom? You can achieve that by adding a master suite to your space. Typically designed to provide a retreat for homeowners, this kind of addition will often include a private bathroom with supplementary amenities to create a functional and comfortable living space. The highlight of a master suite is the bedroom, which is often larger than the other bedrooms in the house. It can hold a queen or king-sized bed and furniture like nightstands and dressers. Another common feature would be a walk-in closet that offers ample space for shoes, clothing, and accessories. Garage conversion With a garage conversion, you transform an existing garage space into a different functional area within your home. This can be a cost-effective way to gain additional living space without needing a major home addition. By converting your garage to a recreation area, office, or bedroom, you get to repurpose underutilized space and add functionality to your home. That said, it takes careful planning, attention to detail, and compliance with local building codes to ensure a successful and legally compliant conversion. In-law suite Also known as a granny flat, accessory dwelling unit (ADU), or mother-in-law apartment, an in-law suite is a separate living space within a home or on the same property designed to accommodate aging parents, extended family members, or guests. This home addition provides a private and self-contained living area while allowing for proximity to the main residence. Typically, this home addition will include a bathroom, a bedroom, a living area, and a kitchenette equipped with basic appliances like a microwave and fridge, providing a decent space for the occupants. So, if you want to be close to your […]
Read more
Home Addition Process
Does your house appear to be getting smaller? If your family has spent too much time crammed together, you’re expecting a new baby, or you need extra room for the home office or hobbies, you should get extra room. If relocation is not an option, expanding your home’s square footage is the right way to go about it. How do you go about doing it? How do you go about planning a successful house addition? This article outlines the process you should follow in building a home addition: Define your goals The first step in designing a home expansion is determining your goals. You might get the inspiration for your house expansion from the internet or a magazine. Before you proceed, determine the function of the home expansion. Are you increasing the square footage of your home to improve its worth or to create a quiet refuge for yourself? You must determine the size, layout, and materials you will use in the design and construction of your home addition. If you aren’t sure about the reasons for doing the construction work, work closely with experienced home addition companies. Ask the right questions. You must ask the right questions to get the correct answers for your home addition project. To help you out, here are a few questions to consider: a) What will the price be? You must research and obtain a broad estimate of how much house additions cost in your area before considering the specifics of your property and the extension. With this information, you can make a spending plan for your project. b) Will it be worthwhile? A preliminary estimate of the project’s cost will be useful because you can compare the prospective advantages to the expense. If you want to increase the value of your home, a costly extension project may not be worth the money. Discuss your home improvement with a local realtor to determine the influence it will have on the total worth of your home. On the other hand, if your goal is to increase your and your family’s living conditions, you can rationalize the project expenses. Many people are ready to incur the expenditure if they want to stay in their homes for an extended period of time. c) How much of an impact will the addition have on the arrangement of your home? Analyzing how the house addition will affect your home’s current layout and flow is vital. For example, adding a new level to your home will require stairway construction. d) Do you have enough room for a home addition? Determine how much space your current home layout allows for future extensions. You should also contact your local zoning office to learn more about setbacks in your area. Always stay on the good side of the zoning regulations to avoid problems with your local authorities. e) Is a house addition your sole choice? Rather than constructing an entirely new structure, you might be better off making the most of your current home layout by recycling rooms and shifting walls. Take time to understand the different types of home additions There are plenty […]
Read more
Home Addition Ideas
You can transform your home in a variety of ways through additions. You can use an extension to extend an existing kitchen to make place for an island, construct an extra living room, or even add a new floor to the house to accommodate changing needs. You can even build an extra story or a sunroom to enjoy the weather and your backyard view from the inside. To inspire your home additions journey, here are ideas given by home addition companies you can use to your advantage: Connect old and new. You can seamlessly connect your home’shome’s old and new sections. When making the new addition, maintain the architectural coherence between the existing and new structures. The design, materials, and finishes should all complement one another to create a unified look. You also should choose exterior finishes that match or nearly resemble the existing structure, such as siding, roofing materials, and paint colors. This will help visually blend the house’s old and new sections. It’sIt’s vital that you consider the traffic and flow patterns in your home. Ensure that the new addition integrates seamlessly with the old plan, providing a natural transition and minimizing disturbance to general circulation. Try and integrate pieces from the old space into the new expansion to maintain interior design continuity. Remember that consistent flooring, trim, paint colors, and consistent architectural features can help unify the overall design. Expand the kitchen Expanding your kitchen as a home addition can be a terrific way to create extra room and improve your house’shouse’s functionality. Before you build the addition, you must determine why you require additional kitchen space. Consider considerations such as extra countertop space, storage, seating areas, and the ability to accommodate new appliances. This evaluation will assist you in prioritizing your requirements and guiding the design process. You should work with an architect or a kitchen designer to develop a layout that meets your demands while blending in with your existing home. Consider the traffic flow, appliance placement, storage possibilities, and overall appearance. The kitchen layout should enhance efficiency while also creating a seamless connection with the rest of your home. To maintain consistency, choose materials, finishes, and fixtures that match the existing kitchen or your home’shome’s overall aesthetic. All important considerations include cabinetry, worktops, flooring, backsplash, and lighting. Aim for a unified design that seamlessly blends old and new features. Use a competent contractor or a team of pros for the best outcome. Maintain open lines of communication and make regular site visits to track progress and resolve any possible complaints or adjustments. Create a master bedroom. If your master bedroom isn’tisn’t living up to its name, a home addition might be a great way to increase its size. Begin with examining the structural needs of the bedroom extension. You should ascertain that the existing foundation, walls, and roof can support the additional addition. If necessary, hire a structural engineer to check load-bearing capacity and provide recommendations on any necessary adjustments. You should incorporate windows, skylights, or glass doors to increase natural light in the larger primary bedroom. This will not only improve the visual appeal but […]
Read more
Tips to Ensure Your Home Addition Blends Seamlessly with Your Home
Home additions are an excellent investment that allows you to enjoy additional space. While this is the case, home extensions are complicated jobs, whether you’re extending outwards or upwards. For the perfect look, besides hiring experienced home addition contractors, you need to ensure that the new addition blends seamlessly with your home. To make this possible, you need to consider several tips that include: Start with the foundation Every home addition has a solid foundation, and the floor and roof lines or elevations must match. It’s also critical to ensure that the foundation is deep enough to be strong. The depth requirements vary by region and are determined by the local weather. If you build over the frost depth, the addition will shift independently of the main structure when the ground freezes and thaws, potentially causing foundation concerns. Furthermore, you must ensure that the foundation is adequate for the soil type in your area. Again, failure to do so may result in shifting issues for your new addition in the long run. You must ensure that your home additions match the foundation utilized in the original structure. If your current home is built on a slab foundation, the addition should also be built on a slab foundation. Any addition should also be if your original foundation is a crawlspace foundation. The addition will be robust, level, and seamless from the ground up. Consider the exterior finishes. Begin from the top and work your way down. Every feature on the existing home, including trim, windows, siding, doors, hardware, and paint colors, should be replicated in your room addition. Matching exact finishes in a historical home might be more difficult, especially if some elements are no longer in production. Home additions do not have to match exactly, but they should always be complementary in the following ways: The roof—Your addition’s roof should closely resemble the rooflines of your current home. This includes the pitch, soffit type, overhang, eave depth, rafter size, and spacing. It also implies that you may need to contemplate a completely new roof. Older shingles on an existing home may be discolored, making matching shingle tints on a room addition difficult. If your roof is beginning to show signs of wear, now might be a good time to replace it entirely. Siding and other external accents—Keep an eye out for siding colors. If your current siding has faded, the new siding on the home addition will not match. Using the same color and trim style can help tie the two structures together. Brick and stone exteriors can be more difficult to repair, but there are inventive methods to mix and match finishes that still look attractive and flow well together. The idea is to select complementary colors and finishes. Windows and Doors—It’s getting easier to obtain custom windows and doors that fulfill current Energy Star ratings and building requirements while also being available in historical measurements and designs that may match those on your old home. At the same time, precise matching is sometimes simple to locate, so consider designs that complement the existing style. Consider replacing outdated products with […]
Read more
Ways to Increase House Space Without Breaking Bank
If you are looking to increase the size of your house but don’t have a large budget, there are plenty of ways to go about it. These ways, as given by home addition contractors, include: Enclose the patio It will take a lot of effort to enclose a patio. Putting up walls, a roof, and a foundation, but if done right, it might become additional square footage. When doing the encasement, ensure it feels like a part of the house and is accessible from within. If you don’t want to take on such a large job, another alternative is to build a screened-in patio. Before you proceed with the addition, determine how you will use the contained space. Knowing the intended purpose will influence your design choices, whether it’s a dining space, a lounge, a home office, or an entertainment room. To avoid being on the wrong side of the law, check with your local authorities to see if the enclosure project requires any permissions or approvals. Always follow the building norms and regulations to ensure a safe and legal makeover. Finish the basement Unfinished sections in a house, regardless of level, are not included in computing the square footage of a home. So, if your basement has stud walls and bare concrete floors, you should think about finishing it. Before beginning the project: Determine whether the basement is suitable for finishing. Look for any signs of moisture, leaks, or structural damage. Check that the area has enough ceiling height and complies with local construction codes. Remember that finishing the basement may necessitate changes to your HVAC system, electrical panel, and plumbing connections. Consult a specialist to handle any necessary changes. Finish the garage It’s a Catch-22 situation. Finish your garage if you wish to add square footage. However, for your garage to be considered square footage, it must no longer be a garage. Even if you don’t want to go all out, you can build the garage of your dreams while still parking a car. Remember to seek the advice and expertise of professionals, such as contractors or architects, throughout the process. They can guarantee that the project complies with building codes, offer structural guidance, and assist you in achieving the ideal look for your finished garage. Enclose your porch Enclosing a porch, like enclosing a patio, can increase the square footage of your home. For the best outcome, ensure that the porch is heated, feels like a part of the house, and is accessible from within. To easily decide on the enclosure type, determine how you will use the covered porch. Will you use it all year as a sunroom, a home office, or something else? Understanding the goal will help you make design decisions. When it comes to the enclosure type you can go with, there are plenty of options. They include windows, screens, or a mix of the two. Windows give superior insulation and weather protection, while screens provide ventilation and a more open appearance. Choose the option that best fits your needs and budget. Add a small kitchen Consider expanding the size of your kitchen […]
Read more
Tricks to Reducing Wastage When Renovating
While remodeling a house can be extremely fulfilling as it makes the house livable and improves its appeal giving you an easy time selling it, there is always the issue of wastage. There is no shortage of waste materials at a renovation site, from shattered drywall and excess boxes to decrepit appliances and leftover materials. The unfortunate thing is that you spend money on these items, so every time you let them lie to waste, you waste them. Can you do a condo remodel or any other renovation project without wasting a lot? Well, the good news is that it’s possible. To help you out, here are tips you should follow: Sell the excess As much as you might try to be as economical as possible, it isn’t easy to accurately anticipate what you will require for a project ahead of time. Thankfully, you can ensure that any extra is not wasted by finding another purpose for it in the community. You can resell or give away unwanted items on Facebook using the Marketplace option, or by posting in specific groups such as Buy Nothing or Take My Shit. The NextDoor app also has a section for free and for sale items where you can post the items left behind after a renovation. You can also try local community groups that might be interested in purchasing your stuff. Consider the organizations near you and what they might require, then call out to inquire before delivering the goods. For example, a club that assists low-income neighbors with house repairs may require extra bathroom tiles, whereas a children’s support group may want excess paint and decals for classroom decorating or crafts. Buy what you want Nobody wants to get home, start a project, and then find they must return to the store for more paint, tiles, or whatever. However, overbuying a product, such as paint, is far more prevalent than underbuying, and only some are used. Though it may be tempting to shop in bulk to take advantage of lower prices and save on future excursions to the store, only buy what you need. A great way to ensure you don’t buy more than you need is to take your time and analyze the items you need. A great way to do it is to get quotes from different companies and buy only what is necessary. Work with an expert Homeowners might need help understanding their alternatives for decreasing remodeling waste on larger projects. A lot of times with construction, I think people feel a little bit like it’s outside of their control in specific ways because there aren’t many obvious resources for where to find that information. But feel free to ask your contractors if they agree with you on decreasing waste and how they intend to do so. Working with a skilled professional with a plan is crucial to achieving zero waste or coming close. Regarding construction materials, work with experienced pros to help you do all kinds of cool things with leftover materials, such as repurposing countertop remnants in a powder room or a home bar. Use secondhand products or […]
Read more
Home Renovation Projects That Turn Buyers Off
If you are looking to sell your house, there are several tricks you can use to boost your home’s value, such as planting trees, adding a bedroom, and so on. However, some projects might diminish their worth. There is a narrow line to tread when renovating, and if any of these three large projects are on your wish list, you should reconsider. These projects, as given by home addition contractors, are: Personalizing bathrooms too much Having an extra bathroom in your home will increase the house’s value and attract more buyers, but you risk putting prospective buyers off when you overdo it. Your bathroom is the most private area of your house, so it is tempting to gut and redesign it to suit your preferences and requirements. But, pause and carefully consider this idea before continuing further since it is rare that most purchasers would share these precise likes and demands. A good rule of thumb is to avoid painting your bathroom with unique colors such as blue, orange, pink, etc. A good way to do it is to use plain colors that attract many people. You also should avoid installing plenty of bathroom accessories with a particular design as they might be a turnoff. If you aren’t sure about your limitations, get the input of a professional. Many opinions exist, but research indicates that many buyers will want to view at least one bathroom with a bathtub before putting in an offer on your house. So it’s always wise to have a bathtub in your bathroom. Although the use of big shower stalls has been on the rise and is enticing to many purchasers, if you want to appeal to the broadest audience possible, you should leave at least one tub in your bathrooms. This is because many people love a soothing soak, and those with children and pets know that bathing them in a tub is simpler and safer. Demolishing walls Open-concept houses have their fair share of positives but aren’t attractive to everyone. If your home has several walls and you are considering demolishing any of them, proceed cautiously. Removing a wall between your kitchen and dining area may be a no-brainer for you and any future purchasers since a bigger eat-in kitchen is quite practical. But, if your renovation plans entail demolishing walls to lower the number of bedrooms, this will likely be less attractive. It is essential to have enough bedrooms to accommodate everyone in the family (and their hobbies, such as working from home in a quiet area). Upgrading your kitchen with high-end equipment and fittings Kitchens are another crucial element of a house, and if you’re an active home chef, you may yearn to replace your 1980s equipment with a high-end convection oven and granite countertops. While this is understandable, you should proceed cautiously as you might put prospective buyers off. Even if a prospective buyer enjoys cooking, a high-end kitchen might be scary ( if you’ve priced your property higher to compensate for your invested money). The right way to do it is to paint your cabinets, match your (non-fancy) appliances, and […]
Read more
5 Home Renovations that Don’t Need Building Permission
If you want to make changes to your home, you might not have to ask your local government for permission. But that’s only true if your project fits what are called “permitted development rights.” With permitted development rights, you can make changes to your home or add to it without getting permission. Which home addition projects can you undertake without requiring approval? Here they are as given by home addition companies: Loft conversion Most loft conversions don’t need planning permission, but you must follow building regulations. Most of the time, you don’t need the approval to convert, but depending on your loft conversion, you might be required to get approval. To meet the approval exemption requirements, the extra space’s total area can be at most 40 cubic meters for terraced houses and 50 cubic meters for detached or semi-detached houses. This allowance includes not only the extra space you add with this loft but also any additions, like an extension, that were made in the past. But you don’t have to do this if you live in a flat, a maisonette, a listed building, or a conservation area. Conservatory Most of the time, you don’t need planning permission or to follow building regulations to build a conservatory. But you probably won’t be able to build without permission if: Your house is in a conservation area, national park, or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The conservatory doesn’t sit on the ground. Your house is a row house or has been added to it. More than 15%, or 70 cubic meters, will be added to the size of your home (whichever is greater). Garden room In the past few years, garden rooms have become more popular. This is often because they have been proven excellent places to relax, host guests, or do hobbies. Most garden rooms don’t require planning permission. Since they are considered outbuildings, you can build one if you follow some rules. Like loft conversions, if your home is a “listed building,” you won’t have the right to change it. If your home is in a National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a conservation area, or a World Heritage Site, or if it’s a flat or a maisonette. Porch A porch adds space to your home but can do much more. When done properly, it makes your home more secure by putting a barrier between your front door and the outside world. It can also be an excellent way to keep the cold out of your home. Most porches are built with “permitted development rights” as long as: From the outside, the ground floor doesn’t have more than three square meters of space. Nothing would be higher than three meters from the ground (you should measure the height the same way you do for a house extension). No part of the porch would be closer than two meters to the house or the road. Doors and windows replacement If your new windows and doors look the same as the ones you already have, you won’t need to get permission from the city to replace them. But if it’s […]
Read more
How Can I Reduce The Cost Of Building An Extension?
As much as a home extension increases the size of your house, making it more functional, it can get expensive. When your pockets are bottomless, the cost of constructing an extension isn’t an issue, but when you are on a budget, you have to watch every coin. Are you wondering how to reduce the cost of building a home addition? Here are valuable tricks you can use as given by home addition contractors: Consider a smaller extension It goes without saying that when you build a smaller extension, you require fewer materials and less labor, which saves you money. While you save money when you build a smaller extension, you should ensure that your new extension meets your family’s needs and provides you with the space you desire. To ensure that you get an extension that is the right size for your needs, work with an experienced planner who will help you get the maximum value for every meter you build. Go with simple extensions. The same way you should avoid larger extensions than you need is the same way you should stay away from complex ones. To save money, avoid clever angles, curved walls, or cantilevered structures, as they will cost more to construct. They also might require expert skills that you might not have. Hire an affordable contractor The contractor you hire can go a long way toward determining the cost and quality of the extension you build. One major mistake that people make is to hire the first contractor they come across. This is wrong. The best way to do it is to contact a few contractors and compare their quotes. As you compare the quotes, pay close attention to what the quotes cover. An ideal quote should have the technical plans, architectural plans, schedule of works, structural designs, and so on. It also doesn’t hurt for the quote to have a list of all the items you need for the project and their pricing. Go through the quotes with a fine comb, then decide the one that makes the most sense. You can even save more money by hiring a design and build contractor. This professional can handle both the design and construction of your extension. Such a contractor will save you money, as they will design the extension with cost-saving measures in mind. Stay away from premium materials. There are many materials you can use for an extension; some are cheaper than others. As much as you would want to install premium materials that look good and last for a long time, you should avoid them when you are on a budget, as they tend to be expensive. Instead, you should go for cheaper alternatives that do the same job. For example, you can use wood instead of brick or concrete in your extensions. Do some of the work yourself. You can save some money by doing some of the work yourself. For example, you can do the work yourself instead of hiring a contractor to do the painting. As much as you save money doing this, you should note that you can easily end […]
Read more