Homes look so pretty during the holidays! But the holidays also shine a not-so-cheery light on things that you’d like to change about your home, like drafty rooms, cramped spaces, no place for the kids to play while adults chat, awkward guest accommodations, cluttered kitchen counters, and bathroom fixtures that are just plain in need of replacement. It’s no wonder you may find yourself thinking about remodeling during 2016. If that’s the case, January is the perfect time to start planning your remodel — but now is the perfect time to start “dreaming it” with your own home tour.
Start with a Holiday Home Tour – of your own house
Seriously! We know things are wildly busy right now, but see if you can’t set aside just half an hour to walk through you home. Even pour yourself a cup of coffee or a glass of wine! Then, begin your tour as if you were a guest seeing your home for the first time.
At each “stop” on your tour, note the first thing you see and then imagine what would make the space absolutely perfect. No need to worry about how much changes would cost. This step is about dreaming, not budgeting! So free yourself to brainstorm about improvements and don’t place any limits at all on your ideas. Later, when you’re ready to redesign and remodel, we can find ways to translate the ideas you’ve dreamed up during your private holiday house tour into a practical and affordable project.
Let’s begin!
Start outside. Grab your coat and go out the front door to the street. Think about possibilities for the exterior – a new driveway, more gracious walkway or steps, even a facelift for the front with a fabulous porch or formal entry courtyard. In the backyard, what would delight you – an outdoor kitchen, new deck, or sparkling sunroom? Also have an eye to anything that drags down the look of your home, like an old roof, outdated front door or windows, and gutters, siding or brickwork in disrepair.
Welcome yourself home. Even if you usually enter from the garage, take this chance to experience your home as guests do and use the front door. What is your entry like? What would make it more gracious, functional and attractive? Now, give the same thought to the entry from the garage or side door: what would be a dream solution for coats, boots, backpacks, dog leashes and sports gear?
Think luxury in every room. The luxury of space, of sparkling natural daylight, of snug temperatures, of a place for everything. What luxuries would you add to each room? What would you like to fix, replace and totally rethink?
Create all-new rooms. Think “what if”: What if you could have a guest room, a bigger kitchen, a brand new family room, a master suite with a spa-like bathroom…? Again, don’t limit yourself from dreaming just because you can’t imagine where to find the space (that’s our job!).
At the end of your holiday home tour, you’ll be seeing each room with fresh eyes. You’ll be reminded of what you love about your home and have more than a few exciting ideas for remodeling your home so you’ll love it even more.
Even if you’re not thinking of starting your remodeling project for several months, why not share your home tour ideas with us now? That gives us all plenty of time for finding the most clever, creative, and cost-efficient ways to turn all your holiday dreaming into the home of your dreams.