Home Improvement Source

Archive for the ‘Home Designer’ Category

Roughly one-third of our day is spent in our bedrooms. Because of this, it is important that sleeping areas are properly planned to provide a most efficient and comfortable space in which to relax. Ideally, each member of the family should have his or her own private bedroom. The size and shape of the bedroom is determined by the design of the home, its size, and the amount of furniture that will occupy the room.

As a minimum, a bedroom should be no smaller than 100 sq ft. This is a room dimension of 10 feet by 10 feet and is considered a small bedroom. Anything smaller than that would begin to rival that of a prison cell. In addition, this space does not include a closet which should be added to the 100 sq ft and not included as part of that total. For larger bedrooms of 12 feet or more, two foot deep closets (interior dimension from front to back) will still allow for a functional bedroom. An average to midsize bedroom (i.e. kids, nurseries, and guest rooms) is somewhere in the area of 100 to 200 sq ft. Ideal sizes would include the following:
10 feet by 12 feet (120 sf)10 feet by 14 feet (140 sf)12 feet by 14 feet (168 sf)12 feet by 16 feet (192 sf) – May be the size of the master bedroom is smaller house plans Read the rest of this entry »

Rooms for dining in a residence vary depending on the dining habits of the occupants. The eating areas may be a cozy alcove or it could be a breakfast nook that is open to the kitchen. In other cases, the dining room may be a large and formal space. You are subject to find at least one of these spaces in the average home. Larger homes may contain dining facilities in all of these areas.

If family gatherings and diner parties are a big part of your activities, then a large dining room is very much in your interest. If you are building a large home, this shouldn’t be much of an issue in terms of creating a large space for this purpose. However, for those of us who will reside in a small to midsize home, this can present a challenge. One way to get around this problem is to create an open floor plan design where the dining facilities (dining table to be exact) can be expanded in an almost unlimited manner into the living area. There is little advantage in having an expandable table if you haven’t the room to utilize it. Read the rest of this entry »

What is the process for designing a new home? What are the steps in competing a new home design? The answers to these questions vary from job to job, but generally include some of the same elements. The first step in contemplating a new home design is to interview and select a design firm. There are many choices and many different prices to choose from when selecting a design team to complete your new home design. Ask about their experience, ask for references, ask if they have designed homes similar to what you are looking for. Also, ask exactly what you will receive for the fees you pay. Read the rest of this entry »

General Thoughts
There are so many general parameters to consider when designing an addition of an in-law-suite: access, zoning setbacks and restrictions, site topography, space requirements, mobility constraints, budget, the list goes on and on. I will try to present a few key design elements below to help guide you through this process. As an architect, I whole-heartedly recommend that you employ the expertise of a design professional when undertaking this task! I also recommend that all, or at the very least most, design meetings involve the homeowners as well as the in-laws. Bringing all of the involved parties together makes for a much more successful project and leads to shared future enjoyment-the goal here! Read the rest of this entry »

Potential homeowners who are actively searching for a viable home design, usually find a good solution in a stock house plan. This is not to say that the plan is perfect; rather, it will likely meet the needs by which the homeowner can live with. If changes are needed, making modest modifications to the blueprints can solve some of these issues. If the changes are simple like changing a door location or window size, your builder can easily mark these changes directly on the plans without any problem during the construction process. Even moving a non load-bearing wall a foot or two isn’t such a big issue. It is the more complex design changes that will require the help of your building designer. Read the rest of this entry »

Most home owners are now changing their preferences from their wooden railings to stainless stair rails. This is because most of them have realized all the benefits that it can bring to the owner and the relatively lesser hassle of maintenance and cleaning. But if you do start to decide for the switch, what are the reminders you should remember?

At the top of the list is the price. In order for you to have great deals on your stainless stair rails, it should be affordable. It should be within the budget range that you decided your home should have! This means you should strike a balance between buying the actual material, installing them, and also the stuff you need for the maintenance. So what costs less when you include all of these considerations is usually the best deal you can score! Read the rest of this entry »

Couples with growing families feel the acute need for extra space all the time. For such families loft conversion offers hope. With new additions to the families comes new clothes, new furniture and new toys. Every single item occupies space which is at a premium. Even with the best of organization, people are often frustrated with having to manage in small cramped places. With the economic situation not being great young families can’t even afford the pleasure of moving to more spacious homes. They have to make do with the little space they have. Read the rest of this entry »

Modular homes have taken an unfair slap in the face, being thought of as nothing more than a manufactured or mobile home. However, this could be further from the case. These types of structures are the same as an on-site build, except that the pieces are made in a factory. Prefabricated homes offer a lot of benefits, which have led to their rise in popularity in recent years.

Flexibility in Design
Modular construction presents an array of choices and design possibilities. Your builder should collaborate with you on what type of design will suit your needs. Have they done a similar home in the past? Or do you need a custom design to meet your expectations? A professional builder will also be able to offer you a range of customization options that meet local and state building regulations. Read the rest of this entry »

Depending on the size of your home, a garage door can represent between 30 and 40 percent of the exterior of your home. This means choosing and installing the right garage door is an important decision, not only in terms of cost, but in terms of appearance and functionality.

What considerations go into your purchase?

There are many considerations to take into account when installing a new garage door include the color, finish, and composition of the door, the strength and durability of the track, the insulation R value, and whether or not there is a warranty available. Check with the installer and manufacturer for warranty information. Read the rest of this entry »

Curtains and window treatments are terrific options when it comes to decorating virtually any room. This is true whether you are buying a new home or re-decorating an existing one. There are many great products in the market today to accentuate your windows. The goal for these purchases is to complement the existing decor in your room.

In some cases, customers use their window decor as inspiration for the rest of the room. There are many considerations that factor into this choice. Personal preference may also be important here. Some people prefer curtains instead of other window treatment ideas. Others are a bit more experimental. Let’s take a look at some of the trendy ideas for decorating the windows in your home. Read the rest of this entry »