Design-Build Ideas And Tips
Home Renovation Guide
An inspiring collection of ideas for every room and space of your home.
Creating A Home
There’s more to creating the perfect home than simply owning a house. Your home is an extension of who you are; it’s part of your daily life, the space you come back to at the end of the day, and the place where you gather with your family. Creating the perfect home starts with loving where you live, however, few homeowners find their perfect house ready and waiting for them. But your dream home is only a renovation away.
REASONS TO RENOVATE
Creating the perfect space from your vision is what a home renovation is all about. Renovate an entire home or focus on a kitchen, bathroom, or other room. Construct an amazing master suite that opens up to a balcony with mountain views or a second living space for in-laws or guests. Convert a room into a spectacular home theatre, magnificent library, or relaxing yoga space. No matter what your idea is you can turn it into reality with a renovation.
The Kitchen
The right kitchen can come in any shape, size and style— it’s all about making the most of what you’ve got.
Your kitchen should contain adequate counter space. Soft-close cabinets, abundant lighting and storage space are often desired from a kitchen renovation. That combined with modern amenities and appliances creates an ideal cooking set-up whether you are the designated family cook or a gourmet chef.
Having a great kitchen is every homeowner’s dream. A kitchen that inspires you to create delicious, artful dishes for your family’s enjoyment, that takes the drudgery out of kitchen chores, that gives you a place for fun and social activities – the perfect kitchen is within your reach. The right kitchen can come in any shape, size or style—it’s all about what you want.
Be inspired and start dreaming about what you want in your ideal kitchen.
CHOOSING A THEME
Choosing the right theme is vital to creating a kitchen that will serve you well. The style you select should complement your personality and support your daily lifestyle. Your perfect kitchen could be basic or sophisticated.
Use wood for warmth, glass and metal for elegance, or colours for depth and interest when it comes to cabinetry and accents. Choose your textures carefully. Smooth, flawless surfaces mesh well with an uncluttered, minimalist look, while grainy, natural settings do wonders for a rustic, earthy kitchen.
The goal is to create a space you enjoy.
This space should make you happy for multiple hours a day, is easy to maintain, and acts as a focal point for gatherings.
The style you select should complement your personality and support your daily needs.
Kitchen’s that let in plenty of natural light will invite you to spend time there during the day. They also provide the perfect environment for growing herbs, prepping meals, or working on other projects. Combine plenty of natural light with a light colour scheme to create a warm and inviting kitchen.
LAYOUT LOGISTICS
When you buy a home, you may feel stuck with the existing kitchen layout because of logistical issues such as plumbing, electrical, and structural features. When you renovate, however, it opens up many options to you as to where you want to put plumbing and electrical. You can also adjust the floor plan, which may require structural changes.
Decide for yourself where you want the dishwasher and refrigerator. Create an open floor plan or add a cozy nook where you can eat breakfast or relax and read a book. Make your space easy to indulge in. Then, ask yourself questions such as:
How much counter space do I need?
Do I want a breakfast bar, island, nook, or other eating and working space?
How much space do I need for cabinetry and storage?
Does the room need direct access to the outdoors for grilling, barbecuing, and entertaining?
What sort of unique features do I want in my dream kitchen?
Whatever type of kitchen you choose, it should be a relaxing space that inspires and sparks joy.
Speak to our Kitchen Expert today
The Bathroom
As one of the most frequently used rooms in your home, your bathroom should be a relaxing retreat.
It is a space for hygiene, but also a place where you can rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. Create a separate bathroom for kids or guests, or renovate your master bathroom to create a peaceful, inviting oasis.
When renovating your bathroom, you might be limited by existing walls. When this occurs, there are a few things that can be done. Make a small bathroom appear more spacious and luxurious by using mirrors.
If your bathroom is located against an external wall, bring the light in by creating a large frosted window. Make a focal point with a wall painting, tile feature, or other design.
AMENITIES
One sink or two? A spa or a regular bathtub? An open or separate water closet? You choose your favourite amenities and let one of our experts make it happen. Possibilities include: seamless showers, rain shower heads, spa tubs, heated floors, heated towel racks, soft-close cabinets, custom bathroom storage, efficient air ventilation, and so much more. Do your research, and let’s create the perfect bathroom for you.
ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND
A renovation is a perfect time to make your home environmentally friendly. So don’t miss the opportunity to upgrade your insulation and install water saving faucets and shower heads to conserve water. These and other green renovation tactics will reduce your footprint on the environment and save you money on your monthly bills.
LIGHTING
Lighting can make or break a bathroom. Choose from a range of options including:
Niche lighting
Halogens for accents or task lighting
Ceiling-mounted fixtures or canned lights
Vintage-style pendants
Recessed lighting for ambience
Stylish chandeliers
Energy efficient LEDs are becoming very affordable and technically advanced
You can also add extra windows. Large windows can be used if your lot is already private. High-set windows are great for locations where you are closer to other houses. Frosted windows can provide the soft-glow of natural light without sacrificing privacy in the slightest.
COLOUR STATEMENTS
There’s no limit to the colours you can use in modern bathrooms. From modern grey or clean white to stark black or peaceful beige, a world of colours is open to you. Carry the colour accents through with accessories and functional items such as towels, mats, and shades.
SPeak to our Bathroom Expert today
Living Spaces
WHERE WE LIVE
Humans have been making dens since the dawn of history. Today’s dens and living rooms are nothing like those original spaces, but they still serve the purpose of giving us a place to gather, a hearth, a space to read, make conversation and relax.
Whether your perfect living room is a formal area with high-backed chairs and elegant tables or a trendy pad with oversized couches for seating, renovating will give you the chance to create a living space to fit you.
Consider including a fireplace that can serve as the main attraction of the room. Choosing a fireplace that will work for you is easier than ever.
Choose between gas, electric, or wood-burning. Would you like it to look modern or rustic? Do you want it to be a heat source or decorative? Pick a design that complements your entire living space.
DÉCOR DYNAMICS
Renovating your living room gives you the chance to finally get rid of that old wallpaper, dated finishes, and stained carpet. Open up the space you have and make it warm and inviting.
Before you begin your renovation, think about your options for lighting, built-in features, furniture, flooring, walls, and ceiling. Then tie them all together by discussing your desires with a Design-Build expert.
Set up a free consultation with our design expert today!
Nooks & Storage
Getting Creative with Spaces
Nooks shouldn’t be limited to just the imaginative mind of children, these spaces are for everyone. The little hidden corners, loft spaces and landing areas are the perfect opportunities to create a warm and relaxing spot to read, work or just hang out.
With a bit of creativity, you can utilize dead-space or awkward areas in fun, practical and functional ways. Who doesn’t love to cozy up in a warm, quiet corner with a fantastic book and hide away for hours on end?
Or escape the hustle and bustle of the main areas of the home and retreat into silence and solitude for some self-space, let your imagination run wild!
Shapes and sizes are not so important here, the more obscure and unique the space, the more interesting the nook.
If there is enough room for a chair, couch or even a bean bag, then you’re already off to a great start.
An expansive view can be great, but even a stuffy corner (with a little love) can be the perfect little retreat in any space.
Toss in a couple of comfy pillows, a soft throw, some inspiring art or visuals and a little side table for your warm cup of whatever-you-like (or even incense 🙏🏼)
Ideas for your spaces
Here are a few, often overlooked, spaces that could be your new nook:
Do you have a big window? One that’s just perfect but not being used? A bench underneath or along it could be all it needs!
Any corner! If there’s room for a chair or even a big pillow, that’s all the room you may need.
Empty closets, ideally ones that are long so you can stretch out, but any could do.
Your home office may have an unused corner that is just begging for a little nook.
Garages, mudrooms, attics, laundry rooms, or even the shed could be the perfect little quiet space you’re looking for.
If you can dream it, our design expert can help bring it to life!
Getting functional with storage
There’s definitely no such thing as too much storage! But unfortunately, not all of us are blessed with ample room to hideaway our belongings and organize our lives.
With a little creativity, you can make the most out of your space and pack your entire lives into whatever you do have available.
If your home is overwhelmed with clutter, just take a deep breath, sit back and relax because there are so many ways to declutter and we’re going to show you how.
Gear & toys
Living in and near the mountains usually means lots of gear and toys, which also means you need somewhere to store of these.
Throwing them in the shed isn't always the best option (or even an option), especially if they need a little more care or regular access.
Mudrooms, closets, attics or even unused corners in your home could be the perfect space just waiting to be organized with your things.
One handy home decluttering tip you can use is to ensure that every item you own has it’s own home.
This means that it has it’s own space that it lives and if it is picked up, used or moved, that it will return to this place once done with.
This serves as a good reminder to put everything back in its own home while tidying up, as you will notice empty areas where something should be.
It can also help you to think twice before buying new items that you may not need or have enough room for. Sure, we all love new things but do we always need them?
Here are a few ways to make the most of your storage:
Hanging storage: using racks and hangers opens up a lot of room.
Under table storage: drawers can be filled with odds and ends.
Stackable storage: get organized and create more space.
Under bed storage: utilize the dead space and get creative.
Have an idea for a space in your home?
The Outdoors
Exterior Appeal
Although we aren’t living outside, you will likely see your home from the outside everyday. You want your home to have curb appeal and create good first impressions with friends and family. You want a home that you will say “That’s my home” when you see it from down the street.
MATERIAL MOMENTS
Heavy tile or brick may look wonderful, but they can increase the loads placed on your exterior wall/footings and your renovation company will have to take this into account. Siding is a common material and easy to install, and cost less than other options, but if you’re creating your dream home you might want something with a little more character. Columns can be used to add character to an exterior. If you opt for them, you can create a covered entryway for your home.
COLOUR SCHEMES
If your home is part of a housing community, the colour of your external façade may be restricted by the local homeowners’ association/Strata Corp. You may want to opt for bright colours, but make sure you test the paint first. Often extremely bright colours are too bold.
Fencing and walls play a big part in the exterior atmosphere too. You can paint these walls an accent colour that will complement the main colour of your home. No matter what you do, work with your design team to balance the colours of your home.
Finishing Touches
Landscaping and additional structures, such as a garage or shed, are as important as the house itself when it comes to your home’s external impression.
From carports to workshops to pool houses, making these spaces complement your main home will bring it all together.
Gables, arches, balconies, and patios—from stone masonry to intricate metal work, your exterior’s finishing touches make all the difference to first impressions.
Next Steps
CHOOSing A HOME RENOVATION COMPANY
Choosing a Design Build company is the first thing to do. Look for a company you can trust – a reputable company that offers quality craftsmanship and all the customization you desire. Whistler Builder provides a one stop shop for Design & Build services you can trust.
Start your research online. Look at websites, read reviews, and contact different potential candidates. Search for a company with friendly staff that want to know your needs and desires. A good Design Build company will take the time to sit down with you and discuss your vision and will help turn your ideas into an actual design.
One of the most common concerns (after how much a project will cost) is how long a project will take. The answer? “It all depends.” No two projects are exactly the same, and there can be a lot of different variables. However, the renovation company you choose will take into account your specific expectations when outlining the timeline so you’ll have a good idea of how long your project will take.
UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS
Each project timeline varies according to the overall size of the project, complexities of the approval process, design details, and other requirements of the project, as well as many other influences such as site work, weather conditions, material and contractor availability, the local market conditions, etc., It’s important to understand the process of a renovation before getting started.
It’s best to work with a Design Build company that takes the time to get to know you, your needs and your desires. They should be a company that takes the time to sit down with you and discuss your vision for your home. They should be willing to work through all of the details with you during the design phase.
Want to speak to one of our experts?
