Armed with a greater amount of exposure to the building, designing, and purchasing process, savvy home buyers now expect to have more input into the design of their homes, as well as the opportunity to create a more personalized environment.
In the past, marketing professionals, contractors, and interior designers studied the marketplace, decided on the features of the home, then sold it to the buyer. Today, however,
builders are offering a wider variety of options and upgrades.
Establish Your Priorities
Of course, every design option has a price tag. If you walk into the design center and announce that you want your new home to look "just like the model," you may be disappointed to find out the upgrades do not fit into your budget. This process is very similar to that for purchasing a new car. Look at the fully-loaded model first, then decide which features are most important, and within your budget.
Things to Consider:
- What are my family's needs?
- Which items demonstrate quality and value in my home?
- How long do we plan on living here?
- How much time do we spend in the kitchen? (one of the most utilized rooms)
- Which items will create a strong visual impact?
Remember, it is equally important to determine your budget, as it is to establish your priorities. The advantage you have is that the cost of the upgrades are rolled into your final
purchase price and spread out over the term of your loan. You are not making a lump sum purchase.
Select a Design Direction
As model home merchandisers, our first step is to develop a particular design direction for each model. As a home buyer you should do the same. A contemporary environment will include low pile carpet, such as a Berber, with fewer flooring transitions, simple cabinet styles, and monochromatic or neutral paint colors.
In traditional homes you will find wood floors, patterned carpets, more ornate cabinet styles, and elaborate designs and details in stone as well as tile countertops. On the other hand, heavy cabled or textured carpeting, stone or ceramic tile floors, granite counters, and rich, soft background colors are used to create a classic European look.
Generally, the builder's standard interior paint color is very neutral and works well with any flooring and finish choices. Be sure to take advantage of any optional interior paint alternatives they may have. A split finish (where the walls are painted a deeper color, and the doors, casing, and baseboards a lighter one), is a very important option. This
technique accents any woodwork and intensifies the interior. Be sure you have a sample chip on hand when making other interior choices.
A Worthy Investment
Flooring surfaces are one of the most important ways to create the right environment in a home. For that reason, it is important to choose your primary carpet style and color first. This will set the direction for all other flooring selections. Remember, the old rule of wall-to-wall carpeting throughout the house is long gone.
In our model interiors, we often utilize tile, stone or wood in high traffic areas such as entryways, family rooms and hallways. You may also want to consider using tile in your
bathrooms. It will last longer than other surfaces, and can be easier to maintain in areas prone to spills and/or water damage.
Upgrading your cabinets, counters and built-in appliances, is not only one of the best investments you can make, but you will get a great deal of enjoyment from them. Many
builders offer counter options such as stone-like tile, Corian, or granite slabs. However, if they are outside of your budget, you may want up upgrade your back-splashes instead. A 12" x 12" granite back-splash combined with an 8" x 8" ceramic tile counter is an affordable alternative.
Evaluate your builder's flexible floor space options. They may be able to address your own personal needs such as home offices, media rooms or master bedroom retreats. From a design perspective, these can greatly enhance the feel of a home.
The Choice is Yours
In addition to being a savvy buyer, you can also be a savvy designer. You will be much happier with your home if you have a hand in personalizing it, before you buy. Establish your priorities, decide which areas require the most attention, and add what you like that fits in your budget.
Bolster your own design direction or personal taste by adding features such as crown molding, finish carpentry, pre-cast fireplace surrounds, or wrought iron stairways. Ask your builder for information on these details, as well as custom cabinetry and lighting options.
Consider upgrading your cabinets and counters, thereby increasing the value of your home. And don't be afraid to integrate your floor surfaces by using carpet, tile, wood, or even stone. The results will be fantastic! All of these options, when combined effectively, will create a more custom-made interior design.
Design details also really highlight your personal taste. By investing time and effort into the layout, design, and detailing of your home, you will create an atmosphere that will be both functional and comfortable for you and your family for years to come.
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