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How to Turn Your Deck Into an Outdoor Oasis

Although 85% of U.S. homes were built prior to 1980 and are in need of improvement, necessary upgrades aren’t limited to your home’s interior. If you’re working with a design build remodeling firm on some whole home renovations, you can’t leave out your outdoor entertaining space. Whether you’ve decided to work with a home addition contractor to create a second-story balcony space or you want to revamp your existing deck and patio, you’ll want to create a sense of privacy, calm, and fun. Here are a few ideas that will help you transform your deck or outdoor space into a total oasis.

Add Pops of Color

You may be drawn to a neutral color palette inside, but you can afford to veer away from that concept once you venture outdoors. Since this space is all about relaxation and socialization, don’t be afraid to embrace some bold hues. By adding some colorful throw pillows, plants, rugs, or hanging lanterns, you can instantly take this space from dull to darling.

Make Things More Secluded

Whether you live close to your neighbors or you simply want to make your deck feel like a completely different world, you’ll want to prioritize privacy. You can make this space feel more intimate by adding frosted glass railing panels, slatted screens, fabric awnings, screen arbors, or even hanging plant baskets to the design. Your design build remodeling team may be able to make some suggestions that can incorporate or mimic elements from your interior renovations to make your property design that much more cohesive. By utilizing these ideas, your outdoor space will feel like your own private getaway.

Select a Variety of Furniture

If you’ve ever gone through whole home remodeling, you already understand the important role furniture can play in the final transformation. Although design build remodeling experts can work wonders with adding space, furniture selection can help you make the most of that space. Regardless of the size of your deck or outdoor entertaining area, you’ll want to select furniture that serves a few different purposes. Ideally, you’ll want to include different heights and that can be easily moved to accommodate different groupings and occasions.

Don’t Forget the Ambient Light

You might plan to spend all day out on the deck, but this space should be all set for evening entertainment, too! By adding some ambient light — in the form of string lights, lanterns, electric candles, or even solar-powered foot lamps — you’ll make this space feel like an exotic escape when the sun goes down. As a bonus, exterior lighting can also ensure the safety of your family and your guests (which means the party won’t have to stop any time soon).

Design build remodeling doesn’t have to be limited to the interior of your home. Whether you’re looking to expand your livable space or create a seamless transition between the inside and the outside, we’re here to help. Contact us today for further information.

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Expecting House Guests? Here’s What They’ll Notice (And What You Should Upgrade)

Owning a home is a rite of passage for many of us. And if you love to play host or hostess, you might see your home as a means to entertain friends and family on a regular basis. When you welcome loved ones from every corner of the globe, you know your home needs to be in tip-top shape. However, you might not see your home as your guests do. You may have already become accustomed to your property’s quirks, but visitors might feel these shortcomings translate to a lack of hospitality.

If you really want to knock the socks off your guests and make an incredible impression, you need to pay attention to the areas that really matter to visitors. Whether you’ve invited your in-laws to stay for a week or you’re making your guest room available for one night, here’s what your visitors will notice — and what you should discuss with your design build remodeling contractor.

Privacy

Privacy is an important factor for permanent members of your household and for short-term guests. Even if you have a close relationship with those who come to visit, you still need to have some physical barriers to ensure they feel comfortable in your home. If they feel like every movement or sound can be readily observed by everyone else in the house, they won’t be able to enjoy themselves during their stay.

You may want to talk to your home addition contractor about creating a separate space for guests, particularly if you have visitors who will be staying for a longer period. You might be able to create something like an in-law suite that allows for a separate entrance. Of course, you don’t have to pursue whole home renovations to create a sense of privacy. Installing a new shower curtain, adding window privacy film, or adding a sliding barn door can work wonders.

Lighting

No one wants to stay in a place that feels like a dark cave! If your home has a lack of natural lighting, especially in spaces like the bathroom and kitchen, your guests might feel frustrated. In some cases, this could even pose a safety hazard.

Those who are in the position to add some natural light in the form of windows (or even skylights) might want to talk to their renovation team about this possibility. Otherwise, you’ll need to supplement with additional lighting fixtures throughout the home. Make sure that your guests will be able to comfortably see in front of the bathroom mirror, in the cooking and dining areas, and in the guest bedroom.

Amenities

No one expects you to have the same perks as a five-star hotel, but anything you can do to add more convenience to your guests’ stay can win you some brownie points.

For instance, you might want to talk to your home addition contractor about adding an extra washer and dryer to your basement renovation or second-story addition. Since the average U.S. family does eight to 10 loads of laundry each week, this is a feature that can benefit both your family and your guests. Even a simple set of bathroom toiletries, fresh towels or linens, or an extra bathrobe can make your guests feel right at home.

Storage

If your home is lacking in storage, your family might already be short on space. But you need to make sure you have enough storage for your guests, as well. If all of your closets are overflowing, the guest room is doubling as a home office, and your basement is functioning as a large storage warehouse, your guests are going to feel cramped.

If you simply don’t have enough room for your basic needs, you should discuss a plan with your home addition contractor to create additional spaces for both your family and your guests. And if you’re renovating the bathroom, kitchen, or guest room, make sure to factor lots of built-in storage into the design!

Want to make your home even more welcoming for guests? We can take your space to the next level. Contact us today to learn more.