Design Tips for Every Room

Every room of your home deserves to be thoughtfully designed for your everyday life. We asked our design experts for a few key tips they share with clients as they work through the design phase, and here’s what they had to say.

DESIGN TIPS FROM INDUSTRY EXPERTS

FOR YOUR KITCHEN REMODEL:

1. Remodeling the heart of your home is a large undertaking, as you need to consider storage, finishes, appliances, fixtures, layout options, upgrades, counters, and so much more behind the scenes. It’s important to establish priorities for your new kitchen. Do you need more storage? Counter space? Seating? An improved layout? Make note of what you like and don’t like about your existing kitchen.

2. One upgrade we almost always recommend is undercabinet lighting. It’s a subtle, reasonable investment that makes such a huge difference, not to mention it makes food prep easier and provides great ambiance early in the morning or late in the evening.

3. Think about what smaller appliances you use on a daily basis so your designer can include them in your redesign. Larder cupboards are great for baking or coffee stations to hide those appliances when not in use, even built-in island appliances work well.

4. Investing in well-constructed, storage-packed cabinetry will keep your kitchen functional and beautiful for years to come.

FOR YOUR BATH REMODEL:

1. Heated floors are a must-have if you’re hoping to achieve a truly relaxing space, especially in the Midwest with our long periods of cold weather. If you are not a fan of heated floors, a mounted towel warmer is a fantastic option too!

2. If you have a jetted corner tub that you’re ready to part with, replace it with something more functional. Expand your shower and include a glass panel instead of a curtain to make your space feel larger and more open.

3. If you are considering aging in place, a zero threshold shower (curbless) is a great option. There are plenty of shower bench options and niches available as well to keep your shower accessible and organized for all.

4. Having a space in your home to unwind is crucial in any and every stage of life. You deserve a space to relax. Investing in your bathroom will absolutely be worth it!

FOR YOUR FINISHED BASEMENT:

1. Remodelers across the country have seen a significant uptick in requests for custom basement spaces – entertainment hubs, offices, home gyms, wet bars, and more.

2. Luxury basements are a huge selling point for long-term resale, especially ones with dedicated playrooms and custom entertainment areas. Remodeling your basement now means you get to enjoy living in the space with your family but also benefit from the resale value years down the line.

3. Achieving the look and layout you envision for your basement can be tricky with the HVAC and other mechanicals that come with a basement remodel if you don’t work with an experienced team. Partnering with a skilled design & construction team means you don’t need to worry about the details of your layout and wishlist yourself. You have a team to sort out those items for you in one seamless design.

4. Structural posts cannont be relocated in most cases, but there are plenty of options to clevely discuise them. Consider wrapping your structural posts in decorative panels, drywall, or even painting them to match the surrounding palette. This will make the rest of your basement feel more upscale and finished.

FOR SPECIALTY SPACES:

1. Specialty spaces like laundry rooms, pantries, home offices, and mudrooms have become popular for homeowners to pack both functional design elements and fun materials in otherwise forgotten spaces. 

2. Because specialty spaces tend to be smaller, take the opportunity to have fun with your material mix. Use a fun tile or cabinet color to make the space reflect your style. Wallpaper is especially popular at the moment!

3. If you don’t have a dedicated mudroom, that’s okay! Converting a closet into a built-in catch-all space can be achieved by knocking it out further and installing storage cabinetry and a boot bench.

FOR OUTDOOR SPACES:

1. Think about how you want your outdoor living space to feel while you’re using it. Do you want to feel like you’re inside? Outside? A happy medium? There are many options for outdoor living spaces, and answering the question of how you want to feel while you’re using it will help achieve the best design solution.

2. You can achieve a dedicated room outside without having to do a full addition – a pergola or intentionally-designed firepit area with some string lights can be cost-effective ways to achieve a comfortable outdoor living space.

3. Don’t forget your landscaping plan! Finishing your outdoor living spaces with trees, flowers, shrubs, rocks, and even a water feature will make your outdoor space look polished.

FOR YOUR ADDITION PROJECT:

1. Whether you’re considering a 2nd-story, bump-out, or multi-level addition, think about how you will use your new space and what custom features would make the extra square footage worth it. Do you need another bathroom? More space for your kids to play? A suite for the in-laws?

2. Your addition needs to be a seamless transition between your existing home and new space, both inside and out. Consider this during the redesign process and the details you include in your new addition.

3. Developing your addition plans with a designer who works in tandem with an architect will save you both time and money during the design phase of your project. You’re more likely to get everything you want in your finalized design instead of working with a designer and architect separately.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

If you need help designing your space, we’re here to help! Our design team can help you establish priorities, select finishes, and ultimately find a design solution you’ll love for many years. Learn more about our Common Sense Remodeling process here, or schedule a time to meet with one of our designers.