Secrets to Building a Quality Home
Storage and Flexible Living Design Elements
HC Habitation Inc.
Design Element - Storage
Often overlooked, but never underutilized, Storage is the third element of great home design. Typically storage areas aren't on the top of our client's "most wanted" list. However, the lack of storage or storage areas in the wrong places is another painful example of bad design. Let's take a closer look at this important design element:
Main Floor
- Garage: Garage storage can be as simple as space for some basic shelving, to an elaborate storage system all the way up to attic trusses with a pull down ladder.
- Garage Entrance: Storage elements include cubbies for coats and backpacks, drawers in a drop zone for garbage/recycling or cell phones and walk-in closets capable of handling bulky items from Costco.
- Pantry: Walk-in pantries are another example of storage in the right place. Shelving systems can be designed to accommodate just about anything you can imagine.
- Laundry: At a minimum you can add a shelf along the walls of the room and for a more finished look add upper and base cabinets with countertop.
Bedroom Areas
- Linens: A framed linen closet with shelving can hold much more towels and bedding than one built out of a cabinet. Typically, the cost is lower on these types of linen closets.
- Bedroom closets: At a minimum consider double the shelving where possible at secondary bedroom and save room in your budget for a more elaborate system in the owner's closet. Even small walk-in closets with the proper storage system can handle larger wardrobes.
Design Element - Flexible Living
Flexible living areas allow your home to adjust as your life evolves or changes. Children moving out of your home, temporary visitors, crafts or hobbies and a home based business necessitate rooms to serve dual purpose for temporary periods of time.
Main Floor
- Flex room: A room with no set purpose is considered a flex room. Add a closet and egress window and you now have a room that can serve as a guest room too. On the main floor flex rooms are popular for toys, offices, guest bedrooms, music rooms, crafts and even a formal dining room during the holidays. Your bedroom can incorporate a reading nook or even an exercise/yoga area to begin or end your day with stress relief.
- Pantry: With the right space, electrical and shelving- a storage pantry can transform into a work-in pantry. Typically outfitted with a countertop height shelf and outlets, work-in pantries allow you to store appliances and prepare food. You can even add a vegetable sink and the best part is a mess can be hidden with a simple closed door when entertaining!
Upper Level
- Owners retreat: An extra spot can be incorporated to give you the flexibility of a quiet reading or second TV area. Add a desk and now you have an office or homework space. Throw in a hide-a-bed sofa and now you have a guest room too!
Ready to talk about your project?
Set up a 10-minute consultation with our team by calling or clicking the image below — and get clarity before you build.
Key Terms
Value Engineer: The process a builder employs to maximize the value of a floor plan. This includes using customer feedback to improve livability and lowering costs through efficient design elements.
Personalize/Build: The process of personalizing a home and building from a custom floor plan, specifications and scope of work.
Semi-custom: Modifying an existing floor plan to better suit a desired lifestyle.
Budget: A listing of all the items involved in building in order to come up with total price.
Price per square foot: A common misconception. When building a custom home, one size does not fit all, this is why it's impossible to have ONE price per square foot. When we give you a price it is entirely based on your specific needs and wants. You're getting a price for exactly what you want and need and not based on someone else's needs. When a building is solely doing cookie cutter homes and you do not get to choose your finishings or designs, this is where they can give you a price per square foot.
Price: The total price you pay for your new home at the time of completion.
Cost: The operating or ownership cost of living in the home after it is completed.
Financing: Bank loans and other sources of funds needed for building projects. The two types of loans used in new home construction are Progressive disbursements (when building on your lot)
Finishes: The hardware and materials applied to your home in the last phase of a building project. Examples include countertops, light fixtures, floor covering, cabinets, and appliances. (The term stems from “finishing touches.”).
Scope of work: A document that specifies the exact work to be accomplished, including installing the finishes and other materials. Used as a guide for the person doing the work and as a checklist for the builder's quality control process.
Specs: The specifications for the materials used in the build. Used as a reference for producing a budget and ultimately becomes the purchase order for suppliers at the time of construction.
Square footage: The total size of the new home; floor plan area measured in square feet.
Turn Key: When a new home is completed and handed over to a customer completely finished and ready to occupy; no more work is required except to turn the key and step inside.
Disclaimer
This content is a work of advice and opinion. Neither the authors nor the publisher is responsible for actions based on this content. It should be used as a general guide and is not intended as a definitive source on the subject of house building. Moreover, materials, techniques, and codes are continuously changing, and the information here may not be the most current information available.
1250 Rue Cascades, Châteauguay, Quebec J6J 4Z2,
Canada
