Home Remodeling and Design Ideas
Although many people think that overseeing and budgeting for a remodel is the trickiest part of the equation, the reality is that narrowing down all of your great ideas and planning out the remodel can be even more challenging. Whether you’re remodeling a small bedroom to give it a fresh look or you're changing the entire layout of the dining room to accommodate a growing family, there are countless options to consider and a variety of layouts to get excited about. Discover some fantastic furniture, theme and design ideas that might be perfect for remodeling a bedroom, living room, dining room or patio.
Bedroom Design Ideas
Remodeling a bedroom is an incredibly personal job, because it is often the last thing you see at night before you head to sleep and the first thing you see when you wake up.
Whether the space is for you, guests or a child on the way, be sure to think about the overall style of the room. Select one neutral color and one bold color to incorporate throughout when you're choosing accessories such as curtains, blinds, carpet and bedding.
As far as the layout is concerned, start by choosing the right bed and then imagine where in the bedroom it will go. From there, add in your desired furniture pieces. Starting with the priority item, which is the bed, ensures that you don't overcrowd the room and feel overwhelmed with too much furniture.
Some of the new pieces of furniture you might want for your remodeled bedroom can include a dresser or chest of drawers, a vanity or side tables. If there isn't yet a built-in or walk-in closet, installing one may be a key part of your remodel.
Alternatively, you can purchase a standalone closet that matches the style of your bed.
Living Room Design Ideas
The goal of a living room remodel should be twofold. First, you will want to create a space that is inviting, comfortable and practical enough to meet the needs of you and your family.
Second, it should look great and have a cohesive style that fits in with your own personal tastes.
To achieve the first goal, give some thought to how you currently use, or plan to use, the living room.
Do you and your children snuggle up on the couch nightly and watch movies? Are you more likely to entertain with cocktails than lounge around on a Sunday morning in your pajamas?
Your lifestyle should absolutely be the biggest determining factor in what kind of furniture to get.
Hosts who love entertaining, for example, will do best with a small couch or loveseat and several chairs along with a large coffee table and one or two smaller side tables.
A big family with young children may prefer a large overstuffed sofa that everyone can fit on all at once.
You should also think realistically about foot traffic to make certain there is enough space for people to walk around chairs or get from one end of the room to the other easily.
From there, it is time to think about colors, style and design. The living room should be where you express yourself to guests and create an oasis in your home.
If you're going for a sleek and contemporary look, consider a neutral palette with a pop of color and sharp lines. If you are all about beach casuals, stick with pale greens, blues and white and include some fun nautical touches.
The options really are endless and should, of course, be based on your own personal style and preferences.
Dining Room Design Ideas
Whether you’re remodeling a large formal dining room or a tiny dining alcove with a dinette set in the corner, one thing remains the same: the focal point should absolutely be on the dining table itself.
While planning your dining room remodel, give some serious thought to how many people you plan to entertain on a regular basis. Buying a table that seats 12 might feel like a great idea, but unless you regularly host holiday meals it could end up being a waste of space and your budget.
If you want to add light to the dining room, adding in windows or even an entire bay window on one side could be a great choice. You might also consider a hutch to display china, a sideboard or a bar depending on the space available in the room and your entertaining plans.
Having a general theme for the dining room is often a smart choice for those planning a dining room remodel. Mid-century modern is incredibly popular for dining rooms, so trendy homeowners might love that option.
If you opt to go the more formal route, a glossy wooden table paired with a grand chandelier can look fantastic.
A rustic table and chairs paired with pastel colors, on the other hands, creates a French farmhouse look that many love.
Patio and Outdoors Design Ideas
Transforming the outdoor living space of your home through a remodel can greatly improve the value of the property and even improve your own quality of life.
Consider the weather when embarking on the remodel. In a cold climate, a small patio could be sufficient for the summer months. In a hot climate, a covered space to protect from the sun year-round might be vital.
In areas with drought, think pavers and gravel rather than grass. Some great ideas include building a wooden deck, having sliding glass doors open from the interior living space onto an outdoor patio, building an outdoor kitchen for fun evening parties or having a landscape architect create a flat surface for a big grassy backyard.
Choosing Lighting Types for Your Remodel
Often ignored until the final stage of a remodel, lighting can drastically alter the look of any space. For bedrooms, make sure to include a lamp for reading as well as overhead lighting.
In a dining room, soft lighting can set the mood for a fantastic meal, so a dimmer switch might be a great choice.
Living rooms should be all about variety. Recessed or overhead lighting gives illumination to the entire space, but direct task lighting might be key for reading or working in any given space.
Outdoors, the inclusion of lighting extends the fun beyond sunset and means more safety for you and your guests.
With so many design ideas at your disposal, you can plan to remodel any area of your home and find the perfect furniture and accessories to make it your own.