DESIGNER TIPS ON CREATING YOUR HOME REMODELING WISH LIST
According to a recent study, most people today don't look for perfection when buying a new home. The concept of "move-in ready" seems to be changing. More than half of all buyers today plan to update or overhaul some aspect of their home. So, whether you plan simply to breathe new life into your decor, or you anticipate a minor bathroom redo or a major kitchen renovation, you are not alone.
PLAN AHEAD FOR YOUR REMODEL PROJECT
What is the best way to assure that your remodel project will turn out to be a dream come true? There is simply no substitute for thorough planning, and the best way to begin the process is to make lists. Take a walk through your house: Note what you love and what you hate. Nothing is too trivial to include, whether it's the great backyard view or the way the sunlight spills through the kitchen window early in the morning.
The second step is to think about the way you live your life: On a schedule, relaxed and easy, surrounded by friends and family or only home on weekends?
As you proceed, refine and crystallize your needs as well as your desires. Take the time to write down must have features for your interior renovation; note the need for more storage or display space. Then move on to the wish list: A warming drawer or indoor grill; a steam shower or towel warmers in the master bath? Your wish list may shrink or expand, but you will emerge with a clear idea of what's important, what's possible, and what your finished space will look like.
BEST WAYS TO APPROACH A RENOVATION
• Decide if your planned renovation is an immediate need to correct a fault or repair a flaw. If the timeline is short due to necessity, make an appointment with a design professional at your first opportunity to investigate the options and develop a budget that you can live with. Know that the time you spend "getting your ducks in a row" is by no means wasted. In fact, the early planning may be the most important aspect of your remodel.
• Zero in on the scope of your renovation. It's possible, even if you have an immediate need to repair a leaking shower, for instance, to plan your ultimate renovation in stages. Work with a professional to assure that all work is planned and undertaken in a logical way and don't act until you have a reasonably firm grasp on your final vision. Develop a budget; secure the financing if appropriate and consult with building professionals before ordering materials or scheduling any work.
• Approach your home remodeling logically. The process can be fun; approach it as a new adventure. Spend time dreaming: Explore sites like Pinterest for ideas. Read "real people" stories and get inspiration from pictures posted on Houzz.com. Watch design and decor shows on television. Visit showrooms to "touch and feel" new sustainable materials and learn about the ins and outs of faucets, fixtures, and appliances.
• Develop a rapport and an ongoing, trusting relationship with your design consultant, your sales representative and your contractor. The design team at The Kitchen Master, takes pride in their knowledge and expertise of all interior design and renovation. The Kitchen Master has been helping Chicagoland homeowners achieve their dreams for over 4 decades. As a full-service design and construction company, they can take your project from plans to completion easily and professionally.
You can schedule a complimentary design consultation by calling (630) 369-0500. Your designer will be waiting to help you prepare those lists.
–Ted Kawczynski CKD CBD, The Kitchen Master
