Building a custom home allows the buyer to play a major role in the design process and create a living space that accommodates every possible want and need. While budget restraints hinder many from taking this route, there are steps you can follow to get the custom home look in any space — no matter the age or condition of your home.
- Alter the floor plan to feature an open concept design and custom features.
If your home is on the older side, the floor plan may be less than favorable. Traditional homes tend to feature many divides, while more modern models boast a natural flow of light and an open concept floor plan. Even if your house was built decades ago, you can still achieve the layout you love by simply knocking down a few non-load-bearing walls. Break down borders to join your kitchen, dining room and living room. This will create a spacious, airy “great room” that will make your main living quarters feel larger and appear more modern. Additional custom features, such as a window bench or breakfast nook, can be achieved with minimal construction and really add a homey, custom feel to your home. Speak with your contractor about how you envision your new floor plan so that you can set realistic goals and get the best results.
- Upgrade finishes to transform the look of any room.
Take away the finishes and your home is really nothing more than walls and floors. By upgrading the main finishes, you can make any room feel custom made. If you’re remodeling on a budget, start with the most permanent finishes. Kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, hardwood floors — these are the big-ticket but long-lasting additions that will have the most impact. If you have more money to spend, light fixtures, sinks, faucets and hardware (knobs, pulls, etc.) are all important details that can further enhance your home. While many of these improvements are solely surface fixes, they make a remarkable difference. Once incorporated into your current design, your home will instantly seem newer and more modern.
- Be creative with design elements.
Thinking outside of the box is what makes a home unique and gives it that custom feel. Don’t be afraid to try something new, like open shelving in the kitchen or hardwood paneling on your bathroom walls. Seek inspiration from interior design magazines or images of celebrities’ houses, which feature some of the most elaborate custom homes in existence. Even though replicating these high-end designs wholly may be unrealistic, they can serve as a guide to which home improvements you should make. Find a balance between fabulous and functional. While some interesting design additions could really complement your home, others may skew more towards outlandish. It’s important to consider the rest of the room and home when choosing tile, paint colors, furniture and other design elements. Before bringing a design idea to life, ask yourself, “Do I love this look for my home or do I just love this look?”
Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen of your dreams with our 100% free kitchen design service. We offer all wood, semi-custom kitchen cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free, with standard features like soft closing doors and drawers, and 6-way adjustable steel hinges. We give you more and save you money! Visit our website to see our beautiful products today!