It can take years to prepare yourself to spend the time, money and energy making changes to your home. You’ve likely been through the options available to you including selling your home, doing some diy projects to help you limp along or a full custom design created just for you. Read this post to learn about 8 ways to update your home without renovating.

One of the reasons we stay stuck for so long is often because we don’t know how to prioritize our needs. We question our desire for a better layout or a bigger kitchen and then we get sidetracked when we discover leaky pipes.

Whenever a client approaches me with these concerns I immediately recognize the need for clarity. I like to begin by asking about the challenges of the home versus the challenges of your lifestyle and its compatibility with your home. If you’re considering a custom design here are the important topics you should consider and weigh to help you determine whether you simply require a refresh or whether it’s time for a full custom design.

Challenges Specific to Your Home

1/ Your Kitchen/Bathroom Shape or Size is No Longer Sufficient

We all know that kitchens and bathrooms sell a home but the liveability of a home is also tied to those spaces. When our kitchen and bathroom(s) feel like they’re not functioning well for us anymore this will be uncomfortable.

We may have grown our family and the bathroom that was perfect for one person is now overflowing with people every morning. Or maybe we feel a pull to entertain more and a too-small kitchen is likely hindering that goal. This is often the starting point for thinking about renovating. Read this post to learn where to spend your money when renovating a kitchen or bathroom.

2/ You Have Old Systems in Place

If your home is 25 years or older you’ll be running into issues that may have you feeling like it’s time to renovate. Once those older systems start to break down we know it’s just a matter of time before we need to replace them. This is costly but it’s also intrusive and can require walls to be removed in order to access the working parts of the house.

Most of us would prefer to never spend money on things that don’t offer any aesthetic value. Things like a new roof or a new electrical system isn’t chic but it is necessary. If you think your home is starting to fail in its functions, it’s likely time to consider an update to your home.

3/ Poor Traffic Flow

Even in homes where walkways are always blocked and moving from room to room feels awkward and uncomfortable, we rarely stop to assess the traffic flow of our home.

The home you moved into 10 years ago may have functioned exactly as you needed it to. As we age in our homes our life changes and the traffic flow that once worked may start to feel insufficient. This can be particularly true when we include kids and pets into our world. As soon as we feel like we’re all falling over each other the idea of moving or renovating will likely follow close behind.

4/ Signs of Deterioration

We discussed the bigger issues that can occur with electrical issues or leaking pipes but what about the regular wear and tear of a home. Does that leave you feeling like you want to run away or tackle it head on?

Anyone who’s lived in a home that is over 20 years old will realize this is all just part of home ownership. The question is whether to use this as a launching pad for a bigger renovation. These are some of the common signs of deterioration you might be seeing in your own home.

Water damage
Mould
Peeling paint
Aging flooring
Deteriorating cabinetry
Deteriorated exterior finishes

When dealing with issues like these we can determine whether to move ahead it’s time but there will almost certainly be a renovation in your future if you’re dealing with these issues right now.

5/ Your Home Feels Cluttered and Cramped

If you purchased your home alone and then added new family members you may be feeling like the space you once loved is no longer sufficient. Feeling cluttered and cramped in your own space is either a call for additional organization or a sign that a custom design is right. The opportunity to create a space that functions better for your stage of life can bring you many additional years of enjoyment in the same space.

Challenges Specific to Your Lifestyle

1/ You Want to Entertain More Often

So many of us have spaces like eat-in kitchens or dining rooms that aren’t being utilized on a regular basis. If you feel like you are in your entertaining era but your home isn’t in alignment, a custom design might be right for you.

It’s possible to transform your kitchen into an entertainer’s paradise by designing a space that utilizes the underused space and ties it into the place you most need it. That eat-in kitchen that never gets used can be transformed and used for large gatherings.

If the dining room is used only as a storage room it’s not serving you well. It’s easy to design a space where with the removal of a single wall you now have the space to host a large group for book club or craft nights.

If your home is holding you back from doing the entertaining you want to do and yet there are unused spaces, a new design can give you the life you’re dreaming of.

2/ You Have Run Out of Space in Some Rooms

One of the most common frustrations homeowners experience is when they start to outgrow their beloved home. We can feel like we’re bursting at the seams. Sometimes the home itself is too small but sometimes it’s just that our home isn’t designed for our current needs.

This lack of space can’t be dealt with any way other than a custom design. You can’t buy storage solutions to deal with a lack of space. We can design a space that utilizes every square inch of room, opening up walls and creating a space that works for you.

This can buy you time while you save for the larger home but often, families will find that a renovation can transform their beloved home and give them many additional years of enjoyment without moving.

3/ You No Longer Feel Proud of Your Home

If you have lost the sense of being house proud it’s definitely time to address the issue. We should feel excited when we walk through our front door. If that’s not how you feel and instead, you’re feeling embarrassed by your outdated space it’s time for a change.

Sometimes decorating can be the solution to this problem. It’s important to really understand what your issues are. Are you unhappy with the architecture of your home, the layout or is this cosmetic? There are various solutions and once you dig into the core of your dissatisfaction you’ll be able to assess how to move ahead.

4/ Change in Lifestyle

Does your home fit your current life? As we all know, life is ever changing and the home we moved into 10 years before isn’t necessarily going to meet the needs of this new you. The biggest question to ask yourself is whether renovating would make your life easier? This is often an easy yes because a new life will usually require a new home in some form.

Maybe your former office becomes your new yoga studio or the small business you’ve opened operates from one of the bedrooms. Generally a custom design can address all of these lifestyle needs.

5/ Your Home Doesn’t Feel Like You Anymore

Have you ever looked at an old photo of yourself and cringed at what you’re wearing or how you styled your hair? The same feelings often apply to how we see our homes. The home you once loved so deeply may feel old and dated to you.

Maybe you’re ready for a new version of self and this home isn’t part of the journey. Instead of immediately assuming a move is necessary, consider whether this home could be transformed into something that feels like the newest and most radiant version of yourself.

If you’re planning to renovate this year and need a designer, reach out to me. I’d love to discuss how I can help transform your home into your dream home.

Warm regards,

Adrienne