Remodeling for a Home Office: 5 Key Home Office Tips

Of all the home remodeling projects you can undertake, remodeling for a home office is one with a huge impact on your quality of life. Your home office needs to be a space where you can focus on work, no matter what the rest of your home is like. 

There are home renovation mistakes to avoid that can play into having the right space for a home office. You might want to invest in an additional property structure to create your workspace. The benefits of custom home building can even come into play, with the space to design a home office to your exact specifications.

However you go about it, remodeling for a home office is something you want to plan for with care. These five tips around remodeling for a home office will help you get started.

5. Build Into Your Kitchen

Your kitchen is most likely the area of your home that sees the most use. You cook there, often eat, and gather with friends and family. Who’s to say it can’t also be a home office space? If you want a home office with easy access to everything else in your home, dedicating a part of your kitchen for work is a good option.

4. Have a Dedicated Desk Space

No matter which room you choose when it comes to remodeling for a home office, you need to have a dedicated desk space. If the room you want to use doesn’t have the space, you can knock down a wall. You could also put up a new wall to create a home office. 

3. Transform An Alcove

If your home has an alcove–like a window seat among your types of windows–that’s a space to transform into an office area. Maybe you have a closet that doesn’t see much use or a corner that doesn’t feel like the right space for a couch. If you do, that’s a good place for a desk, some light, and your work necessities.

2. Use Multi-Purpose Space

Sometimes when you’re remodeling for a home office, you don’t have a lot of extra room for the remodel. If this is the case, make use of your multi-purpose space. This could mean having a wall desk in the living room and a chair nearby. It could also be a temporary desktop that you put over the kitchen table. 

1. Choose an Office Theme

One of the most important factors of remodeling for a home office is having a space that feels like an area for work. Creating a dedicated space can be hard, especially in a busy or cramped home. 

One thing you can do, which can be a mini remodel or low impact renovation, is choosing an office theme. From the wallpaper to the woodwork, choose a theme and use it to tie your space together.

Remodeling a Home Office: Where Home and Work Come Together 

Remodeling for a home office is easier when you work toward it with these five tips in mind. When you’re ready for the remodel, reach out to Dhe Best Construction. Our team of home renovation experts can turn your space into a workspace with ease. 

Home Renovation Mistakes to Avoid: 6 Key Tips

When it comes to remodeling your home, there are certain home renovation mistakes to avoid if you want a smooth experience. Whether you’re choosing a fixer-upper, adding additional property structures, or doing home remodels for warm weather, these mistakes will pop up. 

This Dhe Best Construction blog post walks you through six common home renovation mistakes to avoid. When you settle in to start your remodel, keep these in mind to avoid running into pitfalls. 

6. Set an Unrealistic Budget

Home renovations can be pricey. There are budget tools you can use and cost-efficient methods, but you’re still settling into a financial investment with any home remodel. One mistake to avoid is setting an unrealistically low budget. It’s much better to have set aside more money than not enough.

5. Setting Function and Form at Odds

Form and function are two parts of a home remodel that go hand in hand. They should be well balanced. Function should come first for decisions, with form coming in as a check on functional designs. Don’t prioritize one over the other, make sure they work in conjunction together.

4. Disregarding Personal Style for Trends

When you’re planning a home remodel out of the pages of home magazines, it’s easy to get caught in trends. The most important thing to remember is, this is your home. Trends come and go, but your personal style is something you will want to live with through the ages.

3. Getting Ahead of the Process

There are many steps in the journey of a home remodel. A common mistake is getting ahead in the steps. This can lead to decisions that don’t work with the first steps, and anxiety over how much you have to work on. Follow the steps from start to finish, and let the process unfold.

2. Choosing Appliances Too Late

A major home remodel should be based around the largest appliances and essentials. When it comes to appliances, it can be easy to think you’ll find the right refrigerator after you’ve framed your kitchen layout. That will lead to stress. Your major appliances should be chosen as part of the remodel framework. 

1. Buying Cheap Materials

Home renovations are pricey, everyone who has ever gone through the process understands that. What they also understand, however, is buying cheaper options to save money will take more money, effort, and time in the long run. Find your budget, and stick with it, but invest in quality materials. They’ll last longer and make your renovation worth the cost.

Common Home Renovation Mistakes: Renovation Done Right 

These six common home renovation mistakes to avoid will come up in different forms in a home renovation project. When you’re prepared for them, you can move forward with the plan to avoid them. If you’re looking for expert support to help mitigate risks and renovate in the right way, reach out to Dhe Best Construction to work with our home renovation experts today!

 

Additional Property Structures: What To Know Before Building

Building additional property structures, or accessory dwelling units (ADUs) is something every homeowner has the potential to work with in home remodels. From adding a garage to building a secondary living unit, additional property structures come up as you make your home into your dream space.

Additional property structures can serve as an outdoor home addition, or even a benefit of custom home building depending on what you build. In this Dhe Best Construction blog post, we’ll break down what regulations exist around building on your property. We’ll also talk about why additional property structures could be right for you.

Local Regulations

Your local regulations are one of the first things you need to research when you look into additional property structures. There are different rules across the states, counties, and specific zones. If you are part of a homeowner’s association you’ll likely have rules within the association that you need to follow. 

Overall, when you get an idea of an additional structure you’re interested in, check out your local regulations. You’ll want to check them thoroughly before you break ground.

Building Permits

Like local regulations, the building permits you’ll need will vary from place to place. In some locations, for certain types of structures, you don’t need any permit. In others, you’ll need a variety of permits for different types of construction. Those can include permits for alterations, new builds, and zoning permits. 

After you learn about your local rules and regulations, obtaining the proper permits is the next step in adding additional property structures. Your state government website will get you headed in the right direction.

Curb Appeal

One of the benefits of an additional structure on your property is the curb appeal it can add. Home renovations, from new types of windows to unique siding options, add to the overall look of your home. A new structure on the property can add immense aesthetic enjoyment and resale value. 

Resale Value

With the housing market bouncing around, it’s always a good idea to think about the resale value of your home. Even if you aren’t planning to sell maintaining value adds to your potential profits over time, and keeps your home in good shape. The right additional property structures can add resale value beyond your original home footprint.

Entertainment Possibilities

If you’re looking for a reason to build an additional structure on your property, the entertainment possibilities are endless! Whether you’re hosting parties every weekend or you want a chill space for a quiet evening, a unique structure can fit the bill. The benefits of custom home building can apply to a specialty structure built just for you.

Building Additional Structures on Your Property: Building Up and Out 

Building additional property structures can spruce up your home, enhance curb appeal, and give you something new to look forward to at home. If you’re looking to build a new structure, reach out to Dhe Best Construction to start working with our experts today. 

Remodels for Master Bedrooms: 6 Master Bedroom Renovations

There’s never a bad time for remodels for master bedrooms. If you’re looking to spruce up a space for a big impact on your quality of life, your bedroom is a great option. You spend approximately one third of your entire life asleep. The place you sleep should be perfectly curated for comfort when you’re asleep and awake. 

In this Dhe Best Construction blog post, we’ll walk through some of the best remodels for master bedrooms. Of all the home renovations you can do, these are some that will benefit your life immensely from the moment you implement them. These six remodels for master bedrooms will get you started.

6. Build In a Window Seat

Building a window seat into your master bedroom is an excellent option. It’ll help make your master bedroom a place you can hang out in, even when you’re not sleeping. A window seat can add storage space at the same time that it adds personality and design. 

5. Upgrade Your Lighting

Every room in your home can benefit from upgrading your lighting. Some of the best ways to brighten your home are as simple as adding some new lights. If you want something unique for your master bedroom, a skylight will give you new light, and a great view at night!

4. Make a Statement with Artwork

Yes, it’s true, remodels for master bedrooms often include more than new artwork. When it comes to making a statement with artwork, however, there are so many options. You could make a gallery way with some thrift store frames. You could also go big and create a mural on your wall. 

3. Update Your Walls

Updating your walls can be an extremely personal touch. It can start with a new color of paint–perhaps from the 2023 house color trends. You could lean into reclaimed remodeling with reclaimed wood for a statement wall. Ultimately, your walls can be as much of an accent in your master bedroom as you like. It depends on the materials and upgrades that suit your sleep. 

2. Build Out Your Living Space

Several of the remodels for master bedrooms on this list are focused on your living space. If you’re looking to redesign your master bedroom, highlighting that focus is a good option. You can do this with creating a living room space with chairs and a couch. Additional storage space and a fireplace can also help create a living space beyond your bed.

1. Center the Room On Your Bed

Centering your master bedroom around your bed is one of the best ways to give your master bedroom a central focus. Your bed is, afterall, the most important piece of furniture in your bedroom. From upgrading your bedding to creating an accent wall behind the head of your bed, you can create an intentional sleeping space.

Master Bedroom Remodeling: Master Your Sleeping Space 

Remodels for master bedrooms are one of the best things you can do for your home. If you’re looking to start your remodel, reach out to Dhe Best Construction. Our team of home remodel experts can help you find the right balance for your master bedroom. 

Choosing a Fixer-Upper: 6 Fixer-Upper Selection Factors

Choosing a fixer-upper house is something you may relate to for yourself, or because you’re looking to do a home remodel and eventually sell. Whatever your reason is, choosing a fixer-upper is something to be done with care. Not every fixer-upper is built the same, and choosing the right one is of critical importance. Read on for six tips for choosing a fixer-upper.

6. Choose Your Location Carefully

For choosing a fixer-upper, choosing your location is about two equally important factors. One is the factor of the current area. Is it a good neighborhood? Is it developing? 

The second is closely related, but it’s all about the future of the location. This isn’t something you can know for sure. A fixer-upper in a space that is close to an urban center, with great potential for homes, is a good choice.

5. Consider Overall Home Size

When it comes to choosing a fixer-upper, the house you buy isn’t always the same house you’ll end up with. This relates to everything, from paint to materials to the actual layout of the home. 

The rooms may change, but the one thing likely to remain the same is the overall size of the home. A home that could fit a few bedrooms and two bathrooms is a plus, even if the current layout isn’t what you’re looking for.

4. Follow Inspection Recommendations

Following the recommendations of your house inspector is always important, but it’s especially important when you’re choosing a fixer-upper home. If your home inspector says the house has irreparable damage, listen to them. There are many issues you can fix, but there will always be some you can’t and that’s not a good option for a fixer-upper.

3. Consider Cost-to-Fix Ratios

A big part of the impact of buying a fixer-upper falls on your budget. You’ll end up spending more than the initial house cost with the amount of repairs you’ll face through the remodel. When you’re choosing a fixer-upper, make sure you consider the cost-to-fix ratio. If it’s going to be an atrociously expensive project, keep searching for the right fixer-upper. 

2. Plan Your Timeline

A big part of the work of buying a fixer-upper home comes in the timeline of how long you’ll be doing home renovations. It’ll take a lot of time, there’s no doubt about it. When you’re choosing a fixer-upper, planning your timeline, no matter how long it is, will help you have a clear picture of your project.

1. Think About Living or Reselling

There are a few reasons why people choose a fixer-upper as their home option. Typically, either you’re buying it to move in and work toward your dream home, or you’re going to resell. 

Both of these options have benefits and risks, but neither is better than the other. The decision about which one is right for you, however, is something you should have your mind made up on before you buy.

Finding Your Fixer-Upper: Fixable or a Flop?

Choosing a fixer-upper can be a stressful situation. It’s finding a home, checking the possibility of a location, and considering remodels, all in one go. When you’re looking to find a fixer-upper and make the right decisions with fixing it up, reach out to Dhe Best Construction. Our home remodel experts can help you fix up your dream fixer-upper. 

Types of Windows: 7 Types of Windows for Your Home

Choosing the types of windows you want in your home is something every homeowner has the opportunity to work with in a home remodel. When you think about windows, you might not think about the variety of types of windows available. 

From traditional options to unique, exciting choices, you can outfit your home with a range of windows. These seven types are some of the most common.

7. Horizontal Sliding Windows

Horizontal sliding windows are one of the most common types of windows. If you think of a typical home window, with a middle latch and one side that slides open, that’s a horizontal sliding window. There are single and double-slider options. They are often wider than other standard types of windows.

6. Single-Hung Windows

Single-hung windows are a simple and elegant window option. They are a single pane that opens upward, with a vertical slider build. They’re ideal for bedrooms and bathrooms, where you want some light, but not a huge window. Of the options between single-hung and double-hung windows, single-hung options are more cost efficient.

5. Double-Hung Windows

Double-hung windows are the close cousin of single-hung windows. Double-hung windows have a vertical slide opener, with two panes that open. With a top and bottom opening pane, double-hung windows are one of the best options for air circulation in a smaller room. They can also come in hinged styles, as opposed to sliders.

4. Casement Windows

Of all the types of windows, casement windows are one of two types of windows that are typically built to swing open. The opener mechanism is often a hand-crank at the bottom of the window. The entire window can open, unlike many sliding windows. Casement windows are gasketed on all sides, so they are often one of the more energy efficient types of windows.

3. Picture Windows

Picture windows are named quite aptly, as they provide a picturesque view of the outdoors. They can be very large, and they are some of the most versatile windows when it comes to choosing blinds and curtains. Picture windows are most often fixed, which means they don’t open. 

2. Bay Windows

Bay windows are built as an outward extender on a house. They’re often built around a bench or seating area in your home, where you can enjoy the view outside from a cozy space. Bay windows are one of the best ways to brighten your home and create a comfortable area. Usually, the side windows of a bay window open, while the middle portion is a picture window.

1. Awning Windows

Awning windows come in at number one because of how unique they are in terms of window design. Awning windows are one of the two types of windows that most often open with a vertical swing as opposed to a slider. They open up and out like an awning, and work well in bedrooms, and small spaces like the area above a door. 

Different Types of Windows: Curate Your View

If you’re looking to build a custom home or update the windows in your current home, reach out to Dhe Best Construction today. Our team of renovation specialists can help you find the right windows for your space.

Best Ways to Brighten Your Home: 7 Light, Bright Plans

When the warm weather comes around, it’s the right time to find the best ways to brighten your home. These seven home renovations and upgrades are some of the best ways to brighten your home no matter what type of update you want. From light updates to major remodeling projects, Dhe Best Construction can help you bring the light into your home. 

7. Bright Artwork

Bright artwork comes in at number seven on the list. It’s not a remodel, but it can be highly effective for brightening your home. If you’re looking for something simple and changeable, adding in bright artwork is a good place to start. It might even inspire you to switch up some paint on your walls, or add a new window. 

6. Accent Walls

Accent walls are a step above the work level of adding in some bright artwork, but they have a similar effect. If you have a room that doesn’t have much light, adding an accent wall with an uplifting color is a good move. Painting one wall is much easier than painting them all, and it creates a unique art piece that’s built into your home.

5. Stained Glass Windows

Stained glass windows might seem counterintuitive since the colored glass will change the light that comes into your home. When you choose the right colors, however, a stained glass window can be an enhancement on natural light. Another option is to hang a stained glass piece of art in front of a window, to create the same effect. 

4. Pastel Accents

If your remodel goals cover a range, from painting to custom designs, bringing in accents is always a good choice. For the light factor, pastel accents are the way to go. You can choose a pastel paint for your walls, or a pastel shade for your fireplace mantel. The shades will lighten and open your home.

3. Window Walls

A wall of windows is one of the more intensive but ultimately extraordinary options of the best ways to brighten your home. Sometimes one window isn’t enough. Remodeling a wall into a series of windows gives you maximum natural light. A bonus comes in with pastel curtains–and a blackout option for the evening.

2. Skylights

Skylights are a timeless choice from the best ways to brighten your home. A skylight can brighten any room, and create a magical effect in the evening as well. Big or small, skylights bring in light and open your home to natural light and the outdoors. They’re perfectly suited to be a home remodel for warm weather.

1. Bay Windows

Adding a bay window comes in at number one because it can be the most work, but the resulting effect is oh-so-worth it! A bay window in your kitchen, living room, or bedroom gives you extra seating space where you can directly enjoy the sun. It doesn’t get better than that!

Brightening Your Home: Bringing In the Sunshine

The best ways to brighten your home give you natural light every day of the year. Even on rainy days, bright paints and open designs bring in that light feel. If you’re looking to make a change and brighten up your home, reach out to Dhe Best Construction today!

When Should You Update Your Home? 5 Facets of Home Upgrades

When should you update your home? What updates are the most important? Why should you make those updates? Read on to learn all this and more, and prepare for the necessary updates your home needs through the years. 

5. The Upgrade Timeline

The guidelines around when you should update your home cover a lot of ground. The general rule of thumb is to upgrade your home every 5 to 10 years. That applies to any home–newly built, old construction, or anywhere in between. In that 5 to 10 year timeline appliances and structural factors will start to require some upkeep. 

4. Upgrade Order of Importance

When it comes time to consider the updates your home needs, there’s a list you can work from to keep everything in tip-top shape. Some of the main places to start include plumbing, heating, and wiring. Those areas of home repair can cause major problems if you don’t stop problems before they begin. 

Structural work, including floors, walls, and the ceiling and roof, are similar in importance to plumbing, heating, and wiring. Keeping the structure of your home sound will limit the issues you can run into later on. 

Beyond those basic needs, fittings and appliances throughout your home should be on your regular checklist. The list ranges from your refrigerator, which lasts between 10 and 20 years, to a dishwasher that tops out around 10 years. There are plenty of individual items to keep in mind. 

3. Resale Value

When you’re answering the question of “When should you update your home?” There’s a follow-up question of “Why should you update your home?” The immediate answer is: to keep your home safe and functional. On top of that, maintaining your home with regular updates keeps your resale value at a consistent level with the value of your home. 

If you’re planning to sell your home, keeping the resale value at a consistent level with the surrounding real estate is a good plan. Regular updates will help you maintain that value. 

2. Planning Ahead for Upgrades

When you start to think about all the upgrades your home will need through the years it can become overwhelming. To avoid coming up with a massive list of upgrades and feeling unsure, it’s best to plan ahead in manageable steps. 

You can set up portions of your budget for necessary upgrades. You should also have a rough estimate of when you’ll check in with each part of your home to start each project. Having those plans in place will make each upgrade less of a hassle.

1. Safety First

The most important aspect of necessary home upgrades is safety in your home. When you’re deciding whether it’s time to upgrade a specific area of the home or an appliance, ask yourself if it’s still operating safely. If not, or if there’s a question around the answer, it’s time for an upgrade. 

Upgrading Your Home: Safety and Security, Close To Home

When you’re planning your home updates, reach out to Dhe Best Construction. We can help you create a plan for updates and find the best ways to keep your home safe and comfortable. 

Best Fireplace Options: 5 Choices to Make with Fireplaces

The best fireplace options cover a range of questions and choices. When you’re choosing a fireplace, you’re probably thinking about the color, and certainly the heat source, but what else are you planning? How much have you looked into your options to make the right choice in every way?

These five choices to make with the best fireplace options will help you learn more about what goes into choosing the right fireplace. A fireplace serves as the center of the room it’s in, and often as the center of your home. Making the right choices will help you enhance your home with a remodel, and stay warm all year long.

5. Wood, Gas, Electric, or Ethanol

Deciding what you’ll use for the heat source of your fireplace is one of the most practical choices you have to make. With wood, gas, electric, and ethanol, this can be a quick decision, and it should be one of the first ones you make. Many homes have electric fireplaces these days. It’s a good option that’s often the most efficient. The others, however, could be perfect for you and your home.

4. Stone, Wood, or Metal Mantels

The next decision is all about the material of your mantel. Wood is one of the most common. It fits the build of many homes and can be extremely customizable. That said, stone and metal can be exceptional options, with beautiful and unique designs. Choosing your mantel is similar to tiling your bathroom, it’s a matter of taste and functionality.

3. Free-Standing, Built-In, Open Hearth, or Wall-Mounted 

Once you’ve settled on many of the design and function choices from the best fireplace options, it’s time to make some concrete build decisions. Do you want a free-standing, built-in, open hearth, or wall-mounted fireplace? Any of these can be perfect for any home. Built-in is common, but when you’re building from scratch, you can choose whichever option fits you best.

2. Indoor or Outdoor

There was a time when the practice of getting an outdoor fireplace was more focused on fire pits than actual built fireplaces. These days, there is so much you can do with outdoor entertainment spaces. When you’re looking at the best fireplace options, choosing whether you have an indoor or outdoor fireplace is one of the most exciting decisions. 

1. Modern, Classic, or In-Between

Choosing between modern, classic, or in-between design choices is one of the aesthetic focuses of the best fireplace options. It comes in at number one because it covers all of the choices on this list. It’s all about personal choice. It’s also something you should decide early on, because it will have an effect on all your other choices for the best fireplace options.

Choosing the Best Fireplace: Mantel to Hearth Choices

Once you’ve studied the best fireplace options, it’s time to jump in and get started on your fireplace project. Dhe Best Construction can help make your fireplace plans a reality. Reach out today!

Communal Rooms In Home Renovations: 4 Key Communal Spaces

There are many areas of your home where renovations can bring friends and family together and make your house a home. When you’re facing a home remodel, it’s worthwhile to consider communal rooms for home renovations. 

Communal rooms for home renovations can mean something different for every home. There are traditional living rooms, and less traditional but equally delightful spaces. 

These four key communal spaces can have a place in many homes. The question is, which one is right for you? 

4. Living Rooms and Family Rooms

Living rooms and family rooms are the most common communal rooms for home renovations. Odds are you already have a space in your home dedicated as a living or family room. Assuming that’s the case, it’s never a bad time to spruce up that room and make it even more inviting.

You can do a simple paint job, or you could go all out with a fireplace and some new design features. Your living room is the place in your home where you should feel the most comfortable–beside the comfort of your own bed. It should give you peace and comfort, and a place to spend plenty of time with loved ones. 

3. Gaming Rooms

Gaming rooms aren’t unheard of, but they’re certainly rare. You’ll likely be adding one to your home if this is the communal room renovation for you. For people who enjoy video games, the gaming room is often a solo space, or even just an area in an office.

When you make a gaming room communal, it becomes less of a solo venture and more of a place to bring friends. It can be a mix of video and board games. You can decorate it with inlaid shelving for games, and the right built-in lighting for optimal gaming comfort. 

2. Theater Rooms

Theater rooms often get crossed with gaming rooms. There’s a reason for that: sometimes they are a very similar space. That said, having a dedicated theater room is perfect for any home where you can gather to watch movies together. 

If you want to go all out, you can add in theater seating, surround sound, and an intricate TV shelving area. Add in the right ambient lighting and cushy carpeting to complete the theater experience. 

1. Bar and Entertainment Spaces

Bar and entertainment spaces are extremely popular when it comes to communal rooms in home renovations. You can create a full bar space in your home with a bar top, pool table, and dart boards. You could create a lounge atmosphere with the right decorations and lighting. 

Bar and entertainment spaces come in at number one because of how easy they are to achieve. Any current room in your home can be used for this space–well, within reason. It’s an achievable and impactful home renovation. 

Communal Spaces: Living Together, Room by Room

Communal rooms in home renovations are a beautiful way to bring your home together and find time to connect with the people you love. That’s the goal of any home renovation. Dhe Best Construction can help you get there. Reach out today!