The last few months have been spent working hard on the design phase of some renovation projects we will be kicking off later this month.
After six years in business, we realized our design + build process needed to change. We found that each element, the design and the build, should stand separately, and that by separating each service, we are better able to meet the needs of our clients. We are often asked if we take on small projects and our answer is: we don’t take on projects, we take on clients! Your project could be as simple as a single room refresh or as extensive as a total home renovation. If we believe we are a good fit, we’re up for the creative challenge!
With this in mind, I thought it might be fun to give you a peek into the High Street Homes design phase and share some of our top tips for designing a thoughtful floorplan and a few ways to elevate your home.
Our process always starts with a quick chat on the phone and a follow-up meeting with our prospective clients to see their space, hear about their dreams for home and gather the information we need to get started. Interested? Connect with us!
Then, it’s all about the floor plan! Whether we’re starting from scratch or have walls to work with, we love putting our pencils to paper on creative solutions for our clients’ spatial needs.
advice for designing a beautiful, thoughtful floor plan:
- Lighten up.
My California husband loves a home that feels light and airy and I tend to agree. Natural light is an instant beautifier so we always advise people to incorporate plenty of windows into their plans. Don’t forget that they come in all shapes, sizes and placements. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box!
- Consider your storage.
Our motto around these parts is “Design your Everyday” and storage is where the rubber meets the road on this idea. Storage designed for your needs makes every day better. Do you need a closet for mops and brooms? Would a dedicated craft room encourage you to spend more time on a favorite hobby? Are you a hoarder of books (guilty!)? Inventory your belongings and current storage solutions, ask yourself what you really need and filter your floorplan through this lens.
- Make room to move.
Think about how you and guests move about the house and where potential bottlenecks could occur. We made sure to provide some extra square footage around our back door where the kids are constantly coming and going.
Once we’ve learned about your desires for the space and the floor plan is buttoned up, we go to work planning a design that’s perfect for you!
A few design tips to elevate your home:
- Invest in impact lighting.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. How you use lighting is a great way to elevate your home design. Whether is sconces above the fireplace or dimmers on your dining room light fixture, thoughtful lighting solutions go a long way to enhancing the mood and ambiance you’re trying to create.
- Add a pop.
Whether it’s a bold paint color, wallpapering a powder bathroom, or adding tongue and groove paneling to one wall of a bedroom, there are many subtle and not-so-subtle ways to create interest throughout your house.
- Make storage beautiful.
If you aren’t able to custom-design your cabinets, another great option is painting them a rich color and adding some contrasting cabinet hardware.
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What are you favorite floor plan or design tips for when you’re just starting out on a project? What makes the biggest impact? Leave your thoughts below.
If you’re interested in working with us on your next design + build project, we’d love to hear from you. We’re currently accepting projects for the start of 2019.