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What’s on Your Design Wish List This Year?
Use winter days to begin planning your 2016 projects. Here’s a bit of inspiration to get you started
With the weather not exactly cooperative in many areas, winter is not a good time to complete big home projects — but that doesn’t mean you can’t dream! In fact, winter downtime offers the perfect opportunity to let your imagination run a bit wild, thinking of all the wonderful changes you’d like to make to your home in the year to come. So go ahead, pour yourself a cup of something hot to drink and dream away — whether you’re looking to renovate your kitchen, add more space or define your style, these nine jumping-off points should help get your inspiration flowing.
1. An outdoor space you love to spend time in. Staring out at a bleak winter landscape? Use this time when your garden doesn’t need you to plan a space you’ll love and use. List everything you’d like to be able to do in your outdoor space (dine alfresco, play with your kids) and brainstorm features that will support those activities (a built-in banquette, a tree swing). Keeping your inspiration hunt focused on outdoor spaces that are similar to yours will yield the most useful ideas.
2. A new kitchen. Topping many homeowners’ wish lists is a complete kitchen overhaul. Rather than starting with your budget (of course you’ll need to look at that later), it’s best to start with a vision of the kitchen you really want. There are many ways to save while getting the look of higher-end designs, but if you start without a clear vision, the end result will never be as inspiring as you’d hoped.
3. A master bedroom retreat. Like a getaway within your own home, a spacious master bedroom suite with a few special features (perhaps a fireplace, or French doors leading to a balcony) is something parents especially crave. Keep in mind that more space isn’t always what you need — a reconfiguration of your current setup that uses the same footprint could give you a more beautiful and useful master suite without adding (costly) square footage to your home. Winter is a great time to begin contacting designers and architects; these pros can help create a plan to make the most of your space.
4. Better organization. When the storage and utility spaces in your home are efficiently designed and well organized, life is easier. Having trouble getting everyone out the door in the morning? Perhaps a super functional mudroom would help. Can’t find anything to wear? A smart closet system (especially when paired with some serious decluttering) could do the trick.
5. Help out a small space with tailored storage. In a compact home, storage space needs to work extra hard. If your home has been feeling cramped (but you want to stay put), reworking the storage can be just what you need to make your space feel spacious again. Making over a wall with floor-to-ceiling shelving or cabinetry is a great way to maximize storage. If you don’t have much wall space available, you can still sneak in storage in smaller ways throughout your home.
6. More defined style. Whether you’re just starting out with your first home or have been collecting furniture for years, if your style feels all over the map if may be time to call in a decorator or interior designer. These pros can help you zero in on your style so your space will look and feel intentional and put-together. If a full design service is more than you need, some decorators and designers offer design plans that you can implement on your own.
7. More space. Feeling cramped? Consider carefully whether you would rather spend the money on a remodel or move to a larger home — there are pros and cons to each option. If you decide to stay, begin gathering inspiration for the type of addition you’d like. There are lofts (which can sometimes work with the space you have), second-story additions, finished basements or building out.
8. More personal time. What could be more delightful at the end of a difficult day than retreating to a lovely bath for a long soak? A bathroom remodel can do more than change the fixtures and tile work; it can create ambiance. Depending on your local climate, you may want to add an indoor-outdoor shower (especially great near the beach) or perhaps a sauna (restorative in cold weather).
9. More fun. A pool for summer splashing, an outdoor fireplace for gathering round, a movie projector, a climbing wall — take a moment to daydream about what would make home more fun for you and your family.
Tell us: We’ve covered a lot of ground here, but there’s still a lot more to wish for — share what you’re dreaming of in the Comments.
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A Designer Shares Her Kitchen-Remodel Wish List
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A Designer Shares Her Kitchen-Remodel Wish List
A Designer Shares Her Master-Bathroom Wish List