needham custom built floor plan | Colony Home Improvement

Talk to home addition contractors about garage options.

Should Your MA Home Addition Include an Attached or Detached Garage?

August 22, 20160

Once you have chosen which of the many home addition contractors in MA you trust with your project, the fun part can begin! You and your contractor can come up with a Needham custom built floor plan that includes all of the special touches that will make your house the home you’ve always wanted. The devil, as they say, is in the details. Deciding you want a garage is not enough. You need to decide if you want an attached or a detached garage. Here are three things to consider when making your decision.

Why Adding a Garage of Either Type Is Smart

Once your Needham garage addition is complete, you’ll obviously benefit from having plenty of extra storage space. Being able to store your car out of the elements and away from potential criminals is another benefit. Safe from the elements and vandals, your car will look good and serve you better for longer than it would being parked outside. Additionally, a garage offers opportunities to incorporate patios or decks that can be handy when hosting parties or events. Last but certainly not least? Once you eventually decide to sell your home, you’ll discover a garage will be on the must-have list for many potential buyers.

A garage addition can be a valuable asset.

Pros of Building an Attached Garage

Attached garages are attractive for several reasons, primarily convenience. When it’s raining or snowing, you can simply hit the button on your garage door opener, drive into the sheltered space, park and head inside without getting wet. You can place an extra refrigerator or freezer or even your washer and drier in an attached garage and still have easy access to it. From a cost and construction standpoint, a contractor can incorporate your home’s existing walls and electrical wiring into an attached garage, which is a time and money saver.

Pros of Building a Detached Garage

Arguably, the biggest benefit of a detached garage is it is ideally suited for a rooftop deck or patio entertainment space or garden. With a detached garage, you often have more leeway in terms of how large your structure will be and even what it looks like. When your garage is attached to your house, you’ll need to ensure it is architecturally similar. Another benefit of a detached garage? Fumes from your vehicle’s exhaust system and chemicals you may store in your garage won’t leach into your home. Finally, if you ever decide you want to turn your two-car garage into a three-car garage or add a garage apartment, the process will be much easier with a detached garage.

Are you ready to get going on your home addition? Contact us at Colony Home Improvement. We have decades of experience planning and building amazing home additions in MA. We have before and after photos to share and plenty of testimonials from happy clients. Call us today. You will be glad you did!

Consider adding an island with kitchen remodeling.

home additions, kitchen remodeling

A Kitchen Remodel Modernizes Your MA Home, and an Island Makes It Easy

July 14, 20160

People often say, “The kitchen is the heart of the home.” In many cases, that is entirely true. The kitchen is where amazing meals are prepared and friends and family gather to enjoy them. If your kitchen is cramped, dated or not as functional as you wish it was, you can benefit from a kitchen remodeling project. Here are five compelling reasons a Needham custom built floor plan that includes a kitchen island is the way to go.

1. Provides Extra Storage

A major reason so many MA kitchen remodeling projects include islands is because many homeowners covet additional storage space. You can design an island that includes drawers, shelves and cabinets to store things like kitchen accessories, table linens, kids toys, cookbooks or whatever you like to keep out of sight. Some islands also include slide-out trash cans and recycling bins!

2. Provides Extra Seating

If you’ve never lived in a home with a kitchen island, you may not realize how convenient it is to accommodate guests. Keep stools on-hand and you can quickly accommodate unexpected dinner guests or kids working on a class project. Many homeowners use their kitchen islands for a lot more reasons than just preparing food.

A custom built home plan should include an island.

Consider an island in your custom built home plan.

3. Can Be a Beautiful Focal Point for Your Kitchen

Undoubtedly, one of your main reasons for researching home addition floor plans in Needham is to make your home more attractive. In the kitchen, you can create an island that’s made out of granite, marble, wood, tile or metal. There are options galore for creating an island that will be not only functional, but truly beautiful. Consider it a work of art for the kitchen!

4. Ideal Gathering Place

A huge reason to pursue home additions in MA is to make your space more livable. When you’re comfortable and happy with your surroundings, you’re more likely to invite friends and family over to your home. In the kitchen, an island lets you visit with your guests while you are cooking or cleaning. They can simply pull up a stool and keep you company!

Additionally, an island is a convenient place for your kids to do their homework while you’re making dinner. You can get what you need to get done while still being able to help them when they need it.

5. A Movable Island Delivers Flexibility

Many people incorrectly assume they must have a large, open-format kitchen in order to have a kitchen island. That’s not necessarily the case. Movable islands are ideal for smaller or galley-style kitchens. You can park the island away in a corner when you don’t need it, then wheel it out to provide extra prep space or seating.

If you’re considering a kitchen remodel, make sure you choose a contractor you can trust. Our staff at Colony Home Improvement has decades of experience completing beautiful home additions and remodels for clients in Needham and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to see how we can help build the kitchen of your dreams!

Create a relaxing space with a bathroom addition.

bathroom addition, home additions

Questions You Should Ask Before Starting Your Needham Bathroom Addition

March 8, 20160

Once you make the decision to add another bathroom to your house, you may think the decision process is over. In reality, it has just begun. Before you call your eastern MA home improvement contractor, there are a lot of questions you should have already asked and answered for yourself. Once you are sure of the details, it will be easier to get the Needham bathroom addition completed just like you want. Ask yourself these questions so you can better explain what you want to the contractor.

What Features Are Needs and Which Ones Are Wants?

Some bathroom items are nonnegotiable, such as the sink, toilet and lighting. You may choose different styles for these items, but they are permanent fixtures. The size of the bathroom will have a lot to do with the things you add above and beyond these features. You will probably want to include cabinets, which can be designed based on the available space. If your Needham bathroom addition is upstairs, you may want more cabinet space, whereas a smaller bathroom for guests may not require as much storage space. Make a list of what you really need in the bathroom, and then make a list of what you want. When it comes down to building the addition, it can be a great help if you know what you really require and what you can do without.

Make sure your custom built floor plan includes a functional bathroom.

A custom built floor plan should include a functional bathroom.

What Is the Primary Function of the New Bathroom?

There is of course, an obvious answer to this question. Bathrooms are unique and can serve a variety of useful purposes. For instance, a centrally located bathroom might be used by family members for quick showers, brushing your teeth and hurrying out the door. Some bathrooms are more secluded and used for long soaking baths with candles and soft music. Another factor can be the age of those using a particular bathroom. Small children will have different needs from teens or the elderly. Considering these factors will help you get the right bathroom design.

Should I Choose Energy Efficient Features?

It’s good to go green for the sake of the environment, but it can also be beneficial for your budget in the long run. Discuss using energy-efficient toilets, shower heads and faucets to save on your water bill. You might even consider using a tankless water heater, which can save on your energy bill as well.

Do I Need to Have Ventilation?

If you want to protect your home and bathroom from mold and mildew, it’s a good idea to include ventilation in your plans. Discuss its installation with your eastern MA home improvement contractor. He will know what size you need, depending on the size and style of bathroom you are adding.

Are you ready to see a Needham custom built floor plan for your bathroom addition? Contact us today to discuss the features you want included in your bathroom addition.

Your Custom Build Floor Plan Should Include a Fabulous Closet

December 15, 20150

Include plenty of closet space in your home addition floor plans.

Home addition floor plans should include plenty of closet space.

Next to an amazing kitchen, most women understand the value of having a large, well-organized clothes closet in their home. Many men also see the advantages. In fact, everyone who dresses themselves every morning will benefit from a spacious and structured closet. Not only will this save valuable time in your day, but it will pay off in the increased value of your home.

Whether you’re including a great closet in your custom build floor plans or planning a room addition solely for that wonderfully large closet, here are some things to consider that will help maximize your design.

His and Hers vs. Ours. Many homeowners prefer separate closets that flank the master bathroom. Otherwise, plan on a room large enough for two people to share the space. Walk in closets in custom built floor plans can range from 25 to 100 square feet or larger.

Eliminate heavy furniture in your bedroom. Do you want to maximize your bedroom space by eliminating dressers and vanities? Your closet layout should include ample drawer space.

Your existing closet. Are handbags stuffed into nooks and crannies? Do you have multiple pairs of skirts on one hanger? Does seldom worn ski-wear crowd out clothing you wear every day? Keep these issues in mind when designing your closet layout.

Take an Inventory

The best way to ensure you factor ample room into your new closet dimensions is to take an inventory of your current situation. Measure the length of the clothes rods in your existing closet. Unless your hangers are now spaced two inches apart, plan on adding half to twice that length for rods in your custom closet plan.

Divide your garments into four categories and determine which items should command the most attention in your closet and be the easiest to access and which items can be stored away out of easy reach:

Work clothes and other everyday items
Occasional wear such as formal attire
Off-season clothes
Heavy coats, bulky jackets and ski-wear

Note: Those who live in colder climates typically have more winter wear and often plan for separate coat closets near the front door or mudroom.

Don't forget closets in your custom built home plan.

Your custom built home plan should include closet space.

Built-ins

While putting together your inventory of items for your new closet, consider these options to help you decide the best layout for your built-ins.

Island — A popular feature included in Needham custom built floor plans is a built-in island of shelving or drawers that is either centered in the room or banked against one wall. Islands are a great way to achieve surface space that can be used for many purposes.
Shelving for shoes — If you’re all about the shoes, plan on a floor to ceiling bank of tilted shelving. A shelf that is approximately 22 inches in width will hold three pairs of shoes. If you have many tall boots, you will want to factor in shelves at the bottom to accommodate the height of your boots.
Shelves of varying heights — If you are meticulous about folding your garments, then openly displaying them is right for you. For the rest of us, the best way to stay neat and organized is to stack folded sweaters in deep drawers or in woven bins. Make sure your shelving dimensions will accommodate the height of different sized bins.
Drawers — Items like socks and undies are best stored in drawers. Again, vary the height of your drawers. For example, shallow drawers for socks and deep drawers for sweaters.
Cubbies — These are great for items you’d like to keep visible, such as handbags.

Other Considerations

You may be tempted to completely line all four walls with built-ins. However, if the new closet in your home addition floor plans in Needham will be large enough, you’ll have room to dress and undress in there. Make sure you allow space for these items:

Dual hampers — One for dry cleaning, one for laundry.
Mirror — Positioned to give you a full-length view.
Seating — Can be a small ottoman just for putting on shoes.
Adequate lighting — Overhead, recessed fixtures or even a small window to let in natural light.
Blank wall space — For hanging necklaces, scarves and belts.
Room for bins and boxes — Storing off-season items, such as ski gloves, scarves and hats, on the top or bottom shelves keeps the items you currently wear in full view and within easy reach.

Think of how your wardrobe options will double when you can actually see all of your clothes in a well-designed master closet. You can actually have a place for everything! When designing your Needham custom built floor plans, you’ll want to work with experts who have more than 40 years of experience in design and build projects. Contact us at Colony Home Improvement for a design and construction consultation today.

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