If you’re like many homeowners, you may have thought about developing an outdoor living space at one point or another. However, if you’re also like many homeowners, you’re not quite sure what an outside living area should contain. The good news is, there is no right or wrong way to create the perfect outdoor space for you and your family. That said, many outdoor spaces contain some of the same characteristics.

Common Elements of Outdoor Spaces

Though your outdoor space should contain elements that mesh with your wants, needs and lifestyle, many patios, decks and backyards have certain features in common. Those elements are as follows:

• Activity and lounge areas
• A furnished patio, kitchen and dining area
• A beautifully designed landscape that includes a nice balance of grass, concrete tiles and flowers

That said, do not feel constricted by the common elements of outdoor living spaces. Your home is your biggest investment and, because of this, you should feel free to dictate the design of your lawn until it is as unique as your needs.

How To Decide Which Elements Work Best for You

When determining which features to incorporate in your outside living area, consider your family’s needs and lifestyle. For instance, a family that enjoys spending hours after work outdoors together may benefit from an outdoor space that contains a full kitchen and dining area. A couple that desires romantic alone time may make use of a secluded patio that contains a fire pit and love seat. A young family with young children may enjoy an area that includes a kitchen, dining area, patio furniture and a playground.

When working with a landscape designer, don’t just refer to magazines and neighbors’ yards for inspiration for your outdoor living area, as doing so may just leave you disappointed in the end result. Instead, consider your own unique needs. The right landscape designer should be able to help you bring them to life.

Your home should be the place you look forward to coming to after a long day of work. It should serve as a relaxing space for you and your loved ones while providing you with the shelter and comfort you need. However, there can be times when your home may start to feel a little cramped and you’ll want to consider adding an addition to give you more space to move about. If you’ve never completed a major home renovation before, here are some tips to manage a successful addition project.

Where to Expand

You may realize that you need more space, but aren’t quite sure yet where to expand. Take a look at your current space and decide where you feel the most cramped. It could be you need more bedrooms to accommodate a growing family. Or, perhaps, you don’t have enough bathrooms in your home for everyone to get ready in the morning. Some of the most popular rooms that receive additions are kitchens, bathrooms, and family rooms due to their everyday use. Determining exactly how you want to expand is the first step in executing a successful renovation project.

Who Will Complete the Work

After deciding what rooms you want to expand, your next step will be to determine who will do the work. Your best option for success would be to hire a professional to complete the work. Home Additions are often complex and should be handled by skilled hands. Not only will they help ensure that the project is handled correctly, but they can also give you guidance and best practices on how to complete the work.

How Much You Want to Pay

Additions are typically considered major renovations, which means you should be able to afford the capital needed to complete the project. The last thing you want is to have a half-finished project because you didn’t budget properly. Consider how much you’re willing to pay for your addition. You may not be able to afford to add everything to your home all at once, so start small.

These helpful tips can ensure a successful home addition project.

If you’ve had the same living room set up for years or your bedroom arrangement brings you down, it’s time to change things up. Redecorating your space can bring positive change to your overall mood and wellbeing. However, redecorating can be a monumental task if you don’t have the time or the knowledge to create your unique vision. Read our top three reasons to hire interior design services.

1. Expertise

An interior designer is a trained professional who went to a school or completed a certification program in which they learned theories of design. That means that while you may have a rough idea of what you like, your designer will instinctively know what furniture or upholstery will look good in a specific space. They will be able to advise you on furniture shape, color schemes and arrangement.

2. Unique, Custom Design

You are a unique person with specific tastes. When you contract interior design services, you are essentially paying for a consultant to help you bring your aesthetic vision to life. If you have specific likes or desires for the look of your space, your interior designer will help you find the right pieces and offer advice on placement and flow of the room.

If you are completely lost and aren’t sure what your personal aesthetic is, your designer is there to guide you. An interior designer will ask questions to help you figure out what style most suits you and your space.

3. Save Money

Many assume that hiring an interior designer will make their redecorating project needlessly expensive. However, the opposite is true. Hiring an expert designer can help you save money because a designer has local connections with furniture and upholstery stores meaning you can take advantage of any discounts or inside knowledge they may have. Your designer will also get you the right pieces the first time meaning you don’t buy things that won’t make it into the final design, and you don’t lose money on DIY mistakes.

If you’re ready to bring new life to your space, contact an interior design expert. Your designer will work with you to create a unique space you love on a budget you can afford.

Whether you’ve decided to remodel your home to spruce up your living space or you want to add value before you sell, an architectural designer is your best bet to get your project done on time and on budget. Architectural design differs from interior design in that an architectural designer will develop a detailed plan to structurally remodel a home through construction projects. Here are the top reasons you’ll want an architectural designer in your corner.

1. Deep Knowledge of Design and Experience

It can be tempting to take on a home remodel as a DIY project. However, DIY remodels can often go awry or over budget. Turning to a professional designer means that you’re working with someone who has experience in both design and construction, so the job gets done right the first time.

Additionally, because these professionals are trained in design theory, they can offer guidance on what will make your house look its best. Whether it’s optimizing the flow of rooms or helping you get the correct distribution of light, an architectural design professional knows tips and tricks you may not have thought of.

2. Pragmatic Design Plans

Sometimes in the excitement of imaging a dream home, it’s possible to go overboard and go for remodels that are too complicated or overly ambitious. An architectural designer has the expertise to draw up plans that are realistic. It also gives your remodel an overall strategy so you’re not throwing out ideas to see what sticks.

3. Designers Take Care of Logistics

There are a lot of logistics when it comes to home remodels. Your designer has connections with construction companies and other design firms, and they can handle all of these moving parts on your behalf. They also will take care of finding the right materials in the right quantities which can be a real headache if you don’t have much experience.

Home remodels are time consuming and can be logistical nightmares for the unexperienced. Hire an architectural design professional for peace of mind that the job is being done right.

Whether you’re building a brand-new home from scratch or doing a gut remodel of your existing residence, you can create the home of your dreams with custom home design services. Many shy away from such services thinking it will be too expensive to fit their budget. However, with the right architectural design firm, you can find affordable solutions for your custom project. Here are some of the top reasons to choose a custom home.

1.  Stand Out from the Crowd

Over the last few decades, housing projects have become more homogenized and cookie cutter to save on costs and get homes up quickly. When you opt for a custom home design, your home automatically stands out from the crowd with personalized details. This not only gives you a space you love, it also adds value to your home.

2.  Time Saver

Contrary to popular belief, working with a team on a customized home can be a time saver. Your project is managed and under construction from the time you hire your team until the project is completed. You don’t have to worry about going to open houses or bidding. Once your design is in place, the project will move quickly.

3. Control Your Layout and Appliances

Perhaps the most attractive reason to opt for a custom home is that you get full control over what features and appliances you want, as well as your ideal floor plans. Having this kind of control is not just great in terms of getting the aesthetic that you want, choosing these features and materials can help you keep costs at a manageable level. When you work with an architectural designer, you can also use their insider knowledge and local connections to get the best price on unique goods and materials.

If you thought building a dream home was relegated to those lucky enough to appear on HGTV, you can rest assured that custom home design is well within your reach. Contact an architectural designer to get the plans in place for your dream home.

With the amount of time you spend in your home, you want to thoroughly enjoy your space. However, if there are changes you want to make, it can be difficult to know how where or how to start. There are several ways in which architectural design can better your home.

 

[Read more…]

Although owning beachfront property is not achievable for everyone, it a dream shared by many people. Having a place of your own to enjoy the cool ocean breeze and a quick trip to the beach can feel like paradise. If you’re ready to make this collective fantasy a reality, there are several steps you need to take to design the custom beach house you’ve always envisioned. Luckily, you won’t need to stress about designing your home on your won. Getting the help of an architectural design professional is the smartest way to ensure your new home or tropical getaway is as perfect as you always hoped.

 

[Read more…]

Building a new home can seem like a daunting task, especially if it is your first time. There are so many different aspects to consider when determining the house you want. It is critical when thinking of the style and look you want to achieve, to find a home architect that is going to represent you and ensure that your needs and desires for your property are met.

 

[Read more…]

When it comes to designing architecture for your home or other property, it is often best to seek a professional based on what you want and wish to implement. There are a number of professionals out there who deal in this industry, such as the architect and building designer. While both kinds of professionals overlap in many areas, there are a few key differences between them, such as credentials and education, as well as similarities, such as passion and area of expertise. It is best to understand these differences before deciding which to use based on your preferences.

 

[Read more…]