Some Custom Home Design Ideas
September 9, 2011
A custom home design is perfect for consumers who dislike stock floor plans When you approach a meeting with a custom builder, you should be armed with ideas for designing each room. Challenge a builder to incorporate your ideas instead of giving into pressure to accept designs that don’t meet your needs. Here are examples of ideas you might discuss for the kitchen, bathroom, living room, and dining room:
Kitchen
For the kitchen, ask for a design that accommodates your requirements for custom cabinetry, countertops, windows, appliances, islands, built-in storage spaces, and more. Don’t finalize this plan until you are sure there is enough room for every feature. For example, a chef might request a design resembling a commercial kitchen.
Bathroom
A small bathroom is not a frustration you want to live with after your new home is completed. Ask your builder to create a large, functional bathroom space. For example, you can ask for a room with space for yoga exercises or a private Sauna room.
Living Room
Your needs for a living room will change over time, such as after your kids grow up and leave home. Work with a builder to design a space that can be re purposed in the future. If you are worried, for example, the living room space is not large enough for your kids to play indoors, request a recreation room to be added to the floor plan.
Dining Room
The dining room size is a big question. A builder can create a space small enough for an intimate family dinner or a space large enough for entertaining many guests If you want to include multiple pieces in your dining room, such as a sideboard, a hutch, a china cabinet, and a full bar, you need extra space. You might even need separate alcoves to house these pieces.
Working with a custom builder, you may ask for features you’ve seen in other homes If you get your ideas incorporated into the design for every room, you will not regret buying a custom home.
Tools – Helpful Tips for Keeping Them Organised
September 8, 2011
Today’s handyman is well acquainted with the vast range of products on the market available for home renovations or touch ups. Chances are, the experienced handyman has a system for doing things, which he’s developed over years of experience. On the other hand, the average homeowner that does the occasional “tune-up”, may not be as up-to-speed on products or as organized. Still, every home needs a touch up or tune-up at some point, and there are a few of simple product ideas that anyone can implement to help the job go more smoothly.
It’s amazing just how much time can be wasted looking for lost tools mid-project. If you are the type of person that drives yourself mad by putting down your hammer or screwdriver only to forget where you’ve put it, you might want to develop a system using a few handy products.
Tool Boxes and Bags
A must have, of course is a tool box. Most of us are familiar with the hard covered metal or plastic tool boxes of the past, which came in standard red or black. Now tool boxes are popping up in a whole array of colors and sizes A new line is available in pink specifically designed to appeal to women.
Also popular are soft-sided tool ‘bags” made of durable materials like leather, nylon or canvas. Some “bags” are cleverly called “utility organizers” or “totes”. Each bag has its own individualized combination of pockets, pouches or compartments Handles are of various designs and made of rubber or metal with a moulded foam grip for easy carrying. There is even a bag that is ergonomically designed to evenly distribute weight