Lenny | Colony Home Improvement

How to Successfully Integrate a Second Story Addition to Blend in With Your Massachusetts Home

August 27, 20150

Sometimes you need more space in your home, but you have no room to build out. When this happens, a Plymouth County home improvement contractor can help you draw up home addition floor plans that make the most of your space by building up. A second story addition in Hingham and the surrounding towns can add up to double the space you already have. However, it’s important to make sure you fully integrate the second story with your current home so it looks natural.

Adding a second story addition should blend in.

A second story addition should look natural.

Talk to Your Contractor

The first step in the process is to find a home improvement contractor that can provide this service. Not all contractors are willing to take on this task. However, when you take the time to choose someone who has experience, you can feel confident your home will look like it was originally designed as a two-story home. Once you find the right contractor, you can discuss whether your home can support a second story and any other preliminary steps that may be needed, such as permits.

Choose the Right Exterior

Integrating your second story addition with your existing floor plan can be difficult, especially if you live in an older home. Siding materials have changed drastically over the years and finding a perfect match may be complicated, especially if your home is made from brick. An experienced contractor may be able to find a match, but if not, you may need to consider changing the entire exterior of your home. In some cases, such as when you have a brick home, they may be able to use vinyl siding on the second story in a way that transitions smoothly and looks natural.

Make sure your home addition floor plans match the rest of your home.

Home addition floor plans should blend in.

A Seamless Transition

Adding a second story naturally requires more than just matching the exterior of the home; the interior transition must also be seamless. For some homes, this means creating a second story that spans the entire first floor. In other situations, adding a second story addition above the garage or one small part of the home may be all that is needed, particularly in size. Your home improvement contractor can help you create home addition floor plans that flow naturally and create the illusion that your home was always two stories.

Building a second story addition in Hingham requires careful attention to detail. Not only does your contractor need to determine if your home is a suitable candidate for this type of renovation, but they also need to complete the project so no one can tell it was added as an afterthought. With the help of a qualified Plymouth County home improvement contractor, your new second floor addition will match both the exterior materials and design, as well as the interior, to create a seamless transition between the old and the new.

If you’re looking for a contractor experienced in second story additions, contact us. We can help you create a plan and get all the necessary approvals to enlarge your home.

How to Choose the Best Kitchen Pantry for Your New Custom Built Floor Plan

August 20, 20150

A great pantry should be part of your custom built floor plan.

A custom built floor plan should include a great pantry.

For those who love to cook, having a great kitchen pantry is an absolute must. When creating a custom built floor plan with the help of an MA home improvement contractor, it’s important to consider the right location and size for this critical element. Before you start working with a contractor for room additions in Plymouth County, be sure to consider these factors to help you make the right decision.

Visibility

While it may seem best to keep your pantry hidden from view, this can create challenges when you’re trying to cook. After all, who wants to keep going back and forth for missing ingredients when they could be within easy reach? Placing your kitchen pantry in close proximity to your cooking area will ensure the functionality you want. If you still want to hide the contents from visitors and your family, consider installing a pocket or accordion door that complements your kitchen cabinets.

Shelving Is Critical

It may seem obvious the shelves can make or break your kitchen pantry design, but some people overlook this important detail. Not only does a quality shelving system create the storage space you need, but it also adds value to your home and will last much longer. Because of the weight of some of the products or kitchen tools you will store here, it’s important to feel confident your shelves will hold up to the wear and tear. Talk to your MA home improvement contractor about making the best use of the space.

Talk to your home improvement contractor about a kitchen pantry.

A home improvement contractor has plenty of ideas for your kitchen pantry.

Consider Hidden Storage

Not everything has to be immediately visible. In fact, your custom built floor plan in Duxbury can include hidden storage to keep small items organized and out of the way, yet easily accessible. For instance, consider installing a drawer in the pantry to place smaller items like notepads, pens, scissors and anything else that typically clutters your kitchen countertops.

Variety Is the Spice of Your Pantry

Installing a few shelves at the same depth and distance apart may look symmetrical, but it won’t offer the type of space you need in your kitchen pantry. The items you will store there will come in many sizes and shapes, making variety an essential element in your shelving. In addition to using shelves, your plan should include wire racks and pull-out drawers to help keep everything organized.

A custom built floor plan in Duxbury and the surrounding areas should include a pantry for your kitchen, especially if you love to cook. This important element will allow you to easily organize everything you need for cooking, keeping it close at hand. When you follow these tips, you will be able to create a functional space that will add value to your kitchen and make it the perfect place to make your favorite recipes.

If you’re looking for an MA home improvement contractor to help with your kitchen pantry design, contact us. We can help you create a custom built plan that takes all of your needs into consideration.

How Many Bathrooms Should You Consider When You Design Your Own Home?

August 13, 20150

Design your own home with the right number of bathrooms.

Consider the number of bathrooms when you design your own home.

Many older homes are known for having a single bathroom that had to be shared by everyone in the home. Today, this idea is practically unheard of in newer construction. When you design your own home in Dover, you need to consider how many bathrooms you want to build in your home. A home improvement contractor can help you make the right choices as you create your custom built floor plans in Norfolk County.

Cost of the Bathrooms

One of the biggest concerns many homeowners have is how much money the project will cost. Even when you design your own home, there are certain elements you may have to decide to eliminate for the sake of using that money elsewhere. However, keeping costs low doesn’t mean you have to get rid of a bathroom you’re planning. You may be able to cut back on your costs by making changes to your plan. For instance, perhaps a half bath will serve the purpose, allowing you to save space and money.

Long-Term Use

The number of bathrooms you add can be determined by how many of your bedrooms have long-term use. Your Dover home improvement contractor can help guide you through the process of making this decision. While it may seem like a good idea to create a separate bathroom to go along with your guest room, it isn’t often a cost-effective choice. Instead, consider placing a joint bathroom between the guest room and a family member’s room so it gets use at all times. There’s no point in spending a lot of money on a bathroom that may only be used once or twice a year.

Ask your home improvement contractor about the number of bathrooms.

Your home improvement contractor can help you choose the right number of bathrooms.

Specialty Use

Another primary deciding factor in choosing the right number of bathrooms for your home is the presence of specialty rooms. For instance, perhaps you have a bedroom or recreation room in the basement where someone may spend a lot of their time. In this situation, installing a bathroom in your basement will make access easier. If you are adding a pool house or a separate apartment above the garage, another bathroom may be needed in these areas as well. In any of these situations, consider whether you need a full bathroom or if a half or three-quarter bath will be suitable.

Many homeowners want more than one bathroom in their home, despite the old trend of one bathroom per home. However, it can be difficult for the typical homeowner to determine how many is appropriate. A Dover home improvement contractor can help you evaluate your needs and make the right choice. It’s always less expensive to add a bathroom during the initial building phases, rather than trying to add one in the future.

If you’re interested in designing your own home in Dover, contact us. We can help you decide how many bathrooms, as well as what other features you want for your new home.

Innovative Ways to Increase Living Space in Your Ranch Style House

August 6, 20150

Your ranch style house plan can increase your space.

Learn to increase the space in your ranch style house plan.

If you have a Brookline, MA, ranch style house plan, you may feel like you are limited on the amount of living space you have. However, with the right home improvement contractor in Norfolk County, you can find new ways to maximize your space and feel more comfortable in your home. Whether you consider room additions or other renovations, you will be able to transform your home into the one you’ve always wanted.

Build Up

One of the best ways to make the most of the space in your Brookline, MA, ranch style house plan is to build up. These one-story homes are often attractive for that reason. However, if you’re looking for more living space, considering a full or partial second story addition can be a great option. You won’t lose any of your yard space but will still add desired square footage to your home.

Open the Floor Plan

An open floor plan may not add a lot of usable space to your home, but it can create the illusion of more room. For instance, as long as the wall between your living room and kitchen isn’t load bearing, you may be able to remove part or all of it to create a larger room. Separating the areas with furniture can give you defined spaces without making the room feel too confined.

Increase your living space with the help of a home improvement contractor.

A home improvement contractor can help you increase your space.

Transform the Basement

Instead of room additions, some ranch style homeowners choose to transform their basement into livable space. The basement is the perfect place for many types of rooms. If you’re running out of bedrooms for your growing family, building one in the basement can be an excellent alternative. You can also create a recreation room, extra bathroom, hobby room and more, all within the space you already have.

Room Addition

A room addition for Brookline and the surrounding towns can still be the right choice, especially if you have a lot of yard space. A home improvement contractor will help you determine if you have the amount of room necessary to stay within zoning regulations and recommend the right location for the addition. This method of increasing your living space allows you to keep your home on one floor.

When you first purchased your ranch style home, you may have had plenty of space, but as your needs change and your family grows, you may be looking for ways to increase the amount of space you have to work with. There are many ideas from which you can choose if you have a ranch style house plan. These changes will help you create the home you’ve always wanted without having to think about buying a new home instead.

If you’re looking for a home improvement contractor in Norfolk County or the surrounding area, contact us. We can help you find new ways to add space to your ranch style home.

What to Consider When Your Home Addition Includes a Master Bedroom Remodel

July 30, 20150

A master bedroom makes a great home addition.

Consider a master bedroom for your home addition.

The most popular room addition when remodeling is adding a master bedroom. Sometimes older homes don’t have a designated master bedroom and the homeowner wants to add the common amenities usually associated with master bedrooms today. For other homeowners, it’s a case where the kids have finally all gone off to college and you have the house to yourself so you want to make changes to accommodate your new living environment. No matter why you are choosing a master bedroom for a home improvement project, here are a few things you’ll need to discuss with your Dover home improvement contractor.

Where Do You Want to Put Your New Bedroom?

The first factor to consider is where you want a new master bedroom. Some homeowners feel like the location of a master bedroom is one of the most difficult decisions they have to make in the process of adding on. It’s important to know how the new room is going to fit in with the rest of the house, both inside and outside. Another important consideration is privacy.

How Accessible Are Doors and Windows?

Once you know where you want the bedroom to be located, the next question you’ll need to answer is how you will access it. Do you want all indoor access, or do you want a door allowing you entry to an outdoor garden or patio? Depending on your answer, you then need to choose the styles of doors you want.

Windows are also important since they provide natural light and a view. You will want to make choices that allow the right balance of light and dark because the room is used for sleeping, but you don’t want it to be dark all the time. Position windows so the view is pleasant. Being able to see into pool areas, gardens or backyards can all provide visual appeal.

Ask your home improvement contractor about a master bedroom.

Your home improvement contractor can add a master bedroom.

What Kind of Lighting Do You Want?

Before you begin your project, it’s essential to determine the type of lighting you want for your master bedroom. You can use windows to provide some natural light, but of course, you’ll need alternatives for when it’s dark. Candle holders, crystal chandeliers and accent lighting are all decorative options that look great in a master bedroom. You can always put dimmer switches in for providing low lighting for more intimate settings.

Do You Want to Include Entertainment Features?

For many people, a TV is an unnecessary feature in a bedroom; for others, it’s essential. Consider whether you want to include a built-in entertainment center. You may also want to think past television and consider including a stereo and other entertainment features for your home addition in Dover.

We can help you decide on the perfect design for your master bedroom addition. Contact us to explore the many options you have available.

Author: Lenny