Life, Styled
When you first moved into your property, you took the time to come up with the perfect design for a space you’ll call home. However, over time, circumstances change, and so do people. And, now, you’ve found yourself in a situation of wanting to change things up a bit. If you’re wondering how to tell it’s time to redesign your home, sit tight and let us walk you through all the major signs.
It’s getting a bit crowded
The house may seem too cramped now that your family (or lifestyle) has expanded since you purchased it. Or, your children may have reached an age when they need more personal space. If you and your loved ones are constantly bumping shoulders, it may be time to hire an architect to assist you in either reconfiguring your home’s layout (by, say, knocking down some walls to make rooms more open) or building an extension (if you have space on your lot to do so).
You and your partner may benefit from rearranging and creating separate spaces. No matter how much you love each other, experts say that it’s good to incorporate each of your personalities in different spaces because:
- It’s a healthy way to preserve individuality
- You’ll both have a much-needed time for yourselves
- This won’t tear your relationship apart (it will only make it stronger)
You’re not making the most of it
A guest room that hasn’t been used in a decade can be collecting dust. Or perhaps you use your dining area exclusively for festive dinners. The best thing to do with large amounts of wasted space at home is to put that room to good use. You may build a spacious master bedroom fit for a king by knocking down a wall that separates the current master bathroom from a seldom-used guest room.
If you seldom use your formal dining room, you can consider knocking down the wall that separates it from the kitchen. The resulting open space would be ideal for hosting guests and would provide extra usable kitchen space.
The way you use your space is not working anymore
Are you irritated when preparing a meal because you lack sufficient counter space? Do you have too much stuff and not enough space to put it? If your house isn’t conducive to regular activities, you may want to consult an architect to determine the reasons and explore potential improvements.
If you need additional room in your kitchen for food preparation and cleaning, you might remove some walls and install a bar. Who wouldn’t want a fancy-looking bar on their property? Perhaps you’d like a built-in TV stand in front of the living room fireplace or several spacious walk-in closets. Whatever the case, consult professionals about it and make your property your dream home again.
Is your house outdated? It may be time to redesign your home
Perhaps it’s the kitchen’s linoleum flooring or the bathroom’s 30-year-old bright brass fittings. Is the fireplace in your living room a relic from the ’60s? Have you got dark-stained cabinetry that makes your kitchen seem like a cave?
If you think your house is falling behind, a renovation is probably in order. Whether it’s a whole kitchen renovation with new, white cabinetry and brushed nickel hardware or a living room update that includes a new stone-veneer fireplace, plush new carpeting, and neutral paint throughout, don’t be afraid of change now and then. Once you rejuvenate your home, you’d be surprised how refreshing it can be.
Don’t hold on too tight to old furniture
When you see your old, worn-out sofa, you probably see all the good memories that you made on it. However, those fond memories often don’t look quite as nice with the new, modern furniture. You don’t have to put it in the trash, though! You can contact a reliable storage professional and ask them to help you pack your furniture and put some pieces away into a storage facility.
Improve the quality of life and increase the value of your home
Renovations can be costly, particularly if you plan to undertake major projects, such as building an extension or renovating the kitchen. Renovating may be expensive. However, a home equity loan may be an option if you have enough equity in your property to get financing. Contact your bank to discuss alternative home improvement loan options.
If you plan to invest a significant amount in remodeling your house, ensure it will be worthwhile in the long run. Additionally, ensure that you can recover at least part of your investment if you decide to sell. If you decide to sell your home two years after spending $100,000 upgrading the kitchen, you will likely not recoup a significant portion of your investment. A good alternative is to discuss some luxury-like designs on a budget with your designer. With the right help, you don’t have to spend a fortune for your home to look expensive!
Walker WoodworkingYou moved into a house that allows you to have an extra bedroom, or maybe the kids have finally left, and you have a spare room, but now what? We would all agree that it is nice to have a spare bedroom, but should it be a guest bedroom, craft room, home gym, or something else entirely? Extra space is a good thing, but if it goes to waste, it has no value. Take the time to evaluate what you need and what could benefit you the most. A good plan yields excellent results and a space that will benefit you now and add value to your home later. Let’s explore some ideas to help get your creative juices flowing.
The master bathroom is considered a special retreat for the owners, a place of relaxation. Over the years, the design has changed from a garden tub and shower combo to walk-in showers and soaker tubs. Some wonder if both are needed or if one is more essential than the other. We want to explore the pros and cons of each and help you know which one is the best fit for you, or if you should have both.
Greenbrook Design Liver mush. Cleveland County is famous for its liver mush and the festival that has celebrated it for the past 30 years. Due to COVID-19, however, our community had to do some quick thinking to enjoy our yearly tradition still safely. This is how the first-ever virtual liver mush festival was born, and we at Greenbrook Design are honored to be one of the sponsors. Individuals were invited to share a video of themselves preparing their favorite way to enjoy liver mush for a chance to win cash and prizes valued at over $1,000.
The bare essentials. That is how some would describe a minimalist design style, one void of color and personality. A house designed with this style will only have the necessities needed to function, but that is not the case. While it is true that the minimalist style lacks the extra fluff and sparkle of other styles, it is still a beautiful choice for those who are looking to create a space with simplicity. Let’s unpack this style to see if it suits your home.
When you think of creating a unique space or finding extra storage, does your mind go to your stairs? Probably not, but there is so much that can be done with this unique space. Let’s explore what you can do with your staircase to get that little something extra you have been looking for.
Greenbrook Design