Tips in Designing a New Home

When the time comes to develop a home, always take accents and style into consideration when designing the dream. Just like starting an outline, a scope of services or a work schedule, one should know the conclusion before work begins. Media and security systems, lighting, and flooring choices to fireplace locations, and decorative wall finishes; these decisions of the complete home interior aid in establishing the general tone one should seek.

When innovative principles or concepts are thought out, the elements—which embody the abstract concept—should match the style of the exterior home as well. The home’s design should show both interior and exterior detail that corresponds with the family's personal values and interest. One process is beginning a client profile, in the form of an interview, which allows the designer to understand the client’s needs and wants for the new home.

Accents and Styles for the Home

Quality Flooring Options: Wood flooring can beautify any home when selecting a decorative floor treatment of high quality. With different wood choices and stain colors taken into consideration, bamboo or cork offers the most durable and decorative home flooring finish. Many manufacturers and flooring contractors offer more than 20 different colors in both cork and bamboo flooring accessible for the homeowner’s preference.

• Bamboo Flooring: In the case of high traffic areas, early floor wear is an enormous problem, especially if the product is substandard material. Whether the homeowner desires a beautiful look or a durable surface because of use in the home, bamboo is the material for both purposes. A bamboo floor with a coat of high quality protective urethane offers the greatest durability. Manufacturers will specify this protective coating to influence the decision and with good cause.
• Cork Flooring: For flooring that withstands prolonged use, cork is an excellent product for the duration. This practical product prepares an impressive and fashionable floor. The cork is resistant to damage, and easily maintained at the same time. Cork has many uses besides flooring, as it can decorate ceilings and walls. A wall installation can aid in sound proofing and replaces the overused panel affect that is historically popular. Cork is a universal material and is an excellent product.

Matching Wood Flooring: Believed in the past, the kitchen’s wood flooring should match the wooden cabinetry. In reality, one should not match the two products of wood stain. In design, it is ideal to have the two products complement each other because matching can be a difficult task unless stained at the same time. When a designer has the option to use other goods like linoleum or stone, the two products—flooring and cabinetry—do not match, but complement the appearance by finding products that look nice together. Designers will always make sure the wood flooring accents with wood cabinetry, but never attempt to match the two.

Visual Enhancement

Painting and wall covering: Wall finishes have the capability to detail personal interests both in beauty and durability, especially when installed by an experienced contractor. The use of different paint colors or wall paper is taken into consideration, and the wall finish dictates the tones for design. Some painting professionals present more than different color choices in paint, but offer valuable advice in proper product, placement, and quantities. Wallpaper is available in various finishes that create an attractive appearance of cloth, leather, sanded designs, hand-painted patterns, and commercial vinyl. Commercial papers are manufactured in larger sizes set approximately at 54” wide, whereas a standard size varies from 21” to 27” in width.

Lighting Styles and Meaning: One can tell much about a home by the lighting fixtures and the benefits of the lighting use. Lighting affects the mood and the comfort of the home. This effect is caused by the variance of natural lighting, combustible light, and the use of cool or warm tone lamps or bulbs.  There is a purpose for most lights in the home, and a few are task, accent, and direct light or diffused light. These choices give a soft or sharp image to any space or purpose. The sharp or direct light concentrates and draws attention to a specific item or area of the room.

The diffused light floods the space with indirect light that creates a softer look and less eyestrain if used properly. Lighting can enhance or take away from the color of a room by reducing or enlarging the appearance of the space. With this in mind, there are many lighting styles that show off diverse aspects of any room.

Fireplace Options: The use of a fireplace adds immense charm to any home, by giving it that warm and comfy feeling. With so many fireplace designs to choose from, the only limits foreseen by designers are space requirements. Factors to consider with a fireplace are how much heat is needed for the room. This would require information on capacity versus square footage. What fuel source is desired for use? The options are wood, gas, or pellet. Is the fireplace used solely for decoration or will there be food preparation? Depending on use, this will dictate style and capacity.

Specialty Areas or Needs

Kitchen Design: Functionality and style are balanced to a properly designed kitchen. The kitchen displays the homeowner’s personal design style, which creates a satisfying environment the homeowner could be comfortable with daily. The finished kitchen design is the product of a properly executed construction of the most frequently visited space in the home. The balance is important as the kitchen is a safe dwelling for family and friends. Functional attributes such as slow closing cabinetry, storage space of tracked pull-out drawers, and hidden revolving trays; accompanied by stylized woodwork and decorative colors. This well-situated kitchen can result in a kitchen the family will take pleasure in for years to come.

Elderly and Handicapped Design: For many homes, elderly design can become an issue with homeowners as disabilities become more prevalent in the elderly. The largest problem with home design is bathing and dressing. As the homeowner ages, mobility around the home, especially in the bathroom, it becomes difficult to use a conventional bathtub. Walk-in bathtubs are extremely helpful as they provide easy access because of a door and the availability of a seat. These attributes make bathing easier and more comfortable for the elderly. Other benefits of these bathtubs are safety and the relief homeowners can rely on for personal hygiene. Installing a walk-in bathtub is one of the many ideas to apply in elderly design, and others are the use of safety bars, non-skid flooring, a counter top sink, and a raised lavatory.

Deck and Patio Design: The entire property is an extension of one’s home and should be designed as such. Nothing is more peaceful than sitting on a comfortable patio chair or chaise outdoors while talking. This space can be formal or informal, depending on the needs and desires of the homeowner, and decking or informal patios are provided in decorative woods or splinter less composites. Whether the homeowner entertains guests, enjoys barbeques, or watching their children play; decisions are made by individual homeowner interests. Online resources are available to assist in designing and building one’s vision of his or her deck or patio. Like interior wood flooring, decking, and patio materials come in multiple colors and styles and can be purchased through retail stores or local designers.

Dressing Concrete: A simple method in covering lackluster concrete is covering it with a wood deck. There are other applications involving stones sealed in polyurethane or decking tiles. A composite wood tile is a quality material durable and design friendly. These wooden tiles are a speedy and low-maintenance solution and can offer a façade that gives one all the benefits of solid hardwood flooring without the hassle of building a conventional deck. Decking tiles can cover nearly any hard surface, and the homeowner has the option to use them both indoors and out. Some other problems than concrete are damaged brick, cracked ceramic tiles, distressed asphalt, rough wood decking, and compressed gravel.

When crafting a specialty home for the homeowner, developing the home plan is not that easy. Understanding what consists of the client’s needs or lifestyle assists the designer in creating the home a client wants in comfort and serenity. This understanding comes with listening to the client and shaping what he or she asks for in the finished product. As mentioned, creating a client profile, determining desires, providing quality products, and offering valuable guidance, is key to delivering a homeowner’s dream into a reality.

Patrick Tremblay