How to Make Your Dream Home a Reality
Owning a home is a dream for many people. Owning your dream home takes that to a whole new level. That isn't something that comes without work though. It's possible that you might find your dream home already in existence, but chances are you'll have to do some work to make your dream home a reality.
Find a Home for Your Canvas
Building a custom home isn't always an option, and finding your dream home already built and on sale is a rare occurrence. You are far more likely to find a home that you can use as a canvas to remodel and transform into your dream home. Start by finding a good location. Location is everything in real estate. You don't want to go through all the work and effort of creating your dream home in a dangerous neighborhood or one that is otherwise unsuitable for your household. Take other factors such as square footage, current floorplans, different levels, and landscaping into consideration as well. Keep in mind that the more changes you have to make, the more expensive it will be.
Work With Designers
Once you've found a suitable house, you'll need to get started on the transformation. The first step here is to create plans and a design for the finished product. This can be a huge task that requires a lot of experience and expertise to successfully pull off. You may find it best to work with different contractors and designers to make sure that your plans are feasible and will turn out the way you want them to. These professionals will be able to guide you and point out problems and potential solutions that you would otherwise have missed, simply because they have the necessary knowledge and expertise. They can also help you identify the interior design style you want to incorporate and give you direction as to how to do so.
Hire Professional Landscapers
Just because a property starts with a certain landscaping doesn't mean that you're stuck with it. If you have a different vision in mind for your dream home's landscaping, professional landscapers can help you turn that into a reality. Of course, you could rent equipment and do it yourself, but that takes a lot of time and training to get it done right. You're better off leaving it to the professionals. As long as you can clearly communicate your plans and what you want the end result to be, they can get the job done faster and better than you could on your own. You may even want to consider having them maintain your landscaping for you to keep it looking its absolute best.
Build Attractive Outdoor Features
In addition to general landscaping, build some attractive outdoor features to make the home's exterior as dreamlike as the interior. You might consider adding a deck to the back of the house. An outdoor deck comes with many advantages for having large groups over. It can also be a great place to relax, catch some sun, or practice your grilling techniques. You can also add attractive garden structures such as a gazebo or pergola for some extra shade. If you're into water features, ponds and fountains are worth considering as well.
Demo When Necessary
Sometimes the current floor plan doesn't work for what you have in mind for your dream home. If that's the case, some demolition work may be necessary. This is an area that you may want to consider leaving to the professionals. Some of the walls in the home will be load-bearing walls. Removing them without consideration for the support they provide to the house will compromise its structural integrity. Professionals will be able to tell what walls can easily be removed and which will take more careful planning and construction. If you're set on having a load-bearing wall removed, it can be done. Just keep in mind that it will be more costly.
Remodel the Kitchen
Kitchens are sometimes considered the heart of the home. People tend to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so if the existing one doesn't fit in with your dream home plans, you'll want to remodel it. As with the rest of the house, start with plans and designs. Plan where you want different appliances to go, how much counter space you want, where you want it, and how you want to handle storage space. Then there are different cabinet styles, hardware finishes, and sink styles you'll need to pick from to customize the look of your kitchen. Don't forget to look at flooring, lighting, and backsplash options too.
Overhaul the Bathrooms
The bathrooms are another commonly renovated area of the house. Again, if these aren't already as you want them, you'll need to have some work done. Make sure the bathroom layout makes sense. It's probably not a good idea to have the toilet in full view of the door, for example, or for the vanity to get in the way of the door opening. There are a variety of shower and bath options to choose from as well. As you design the new bathroom, consider how you can incorporate the interior design style you've chosen. That can guide your decorating decisions when you come to that point.
Specialty Rooms
Dream homes often come with specialty rooms that you'll need to plan for. For many, a dedicated laundry room is a must. Having a butler's pantry is an increasingly popular option as well. Home theaters and game rooms are often desirable. Sun rooms that offer the benefits of ample natural light can do great things for occupants as well. If you have special hobbies, you might consider having a room set aside for pursuing them too.
Creating your dream home and making it a reality takes a lot of planning and a lot of work. There are many design elements that need to be considered, and you'll probably have to have some construction work done to get it just right. The end result, though, and the opportunity to live in your dream home should be well worth the effort.
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