REMODELING 101: Common Mistakes

The single biggest mistake people make is to plan and design for a specific function rather than for multiple activities. The result is creating “rooms” that are not used much and spaces that are inflexible and do not adapt well to other uses.

Not only does that cost more money initially (more square footage = $$$), but it continues to cost money into the future in the form of energy and maintenance costs for the life of the structure.

Very few spaces should have a singular purpose, and for most people, that includes exercise rooms, music rooms, libraries, guest rooms, playrooms etc. Even home offices.

The key is to think dynamically, not statically: How do I live in the space? How do I move? When am I there? What happens when I am not?

Another common mistake is to focus on one deficient area or missing component, without considering the totality of the living experience.

So you add storage, enlarge your master bath or redo the kitchen: Great! But often the features and spaces that are left behind because they were “fine” are not so fine when compared to the improvements. All human perception is relative. Nothing is too small, or big or plain or fancy or dark or light or cheap or expensive without being compared to something else.

That does not mean that you have to remodel everything: it means you should consider the entire resulting living experience holistically and then prioritize, consider alternatives and refine the design for maximum present and future adaptability.

For more Common Mistakes, see our BLOG