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Home Additions that “Think Ahead”
Can today’s playroom become tomorrow’s master suite? Can a home office become a private suite for in-laws? Yes, with a “think ahead” approach that can double the value of your home addition.
A home addition is a great way to enjoy the extra room you need today. But with a “think ahead” addition, you also enjoy living space that can easily adapt as your needs change. “Think ahead” remodeling means working with your home addition contractor to design a space that looks beautiful and functions efficiently for you today, yet has the built-in flexibility to serve new functions as your lifestyle and family continue to evolve. Best of all, when you do get ready to repurpose your space, remodeling will cost much less because of what’s already been included in the original home addition.
Here are three “think ahead” ideas to help you explore possibilities for your own home addition.
Home Addition Idea #1: Full house to empty nest
If you have young children, a roomy first-floor playroom is a smart investment that provides plenty of active family time all in the safety of an indoor play space. In terms of meeting today’s needs, this type of home addition should include ample storage for toys, open play space, plus floors and walls that are durable and easy to clean.
What happens once the kids have outgrown the playroom? Well, with a “think ahead” approach, a well-designed playroom can easily be remodeled into one of today’s most desirable home features: a first-floor master bedroom-bathroom suite. To make the conversion as easy as possible, make sure the size of the home addition will function well for today’s playroom and the future master suite. Anticipate how storage space could work for toys now and clothes later. Today’s remodeling might also include a half-bath, but with plenty of room in the floor plan to add a luxurious full bath down the road. When it comes to thinking ahead about your home addition, contractor communication is the key to success.
Home Addition Idea #2: In-boxes to in-laws
  Do you need extra space for a home office? Design it now with a separate entrance (and with an eye toward meeting tax-deduction “exclusive use” requirements), and you will also create a “think ahead” home addition that can later function as an ideal in-law suite. As part of today’s home office remodeling, build in features that will make the space live well now and later help elderly relatives enjoy a safe yet independent lifestyle. For example, consider lever-style handles rather than knobs, hard-surface flooring rather than carpeting, and a bathroom that is (or can easily become) accessible even if mobility is an issue. Design features such as built-ins, a fireplace or a vaulted ceiling can give the office an impressive ambiance today, while giving the future in-law suite a touch of luxury.
Home Addition Idea #3: Homework to workouts
What you need is an extra bedroom and bathroom for the kids. What you ultimately want, however, is a home gym and sauna. By thinking ahead, your home addition contractor can design the immediate extra bedroom and bath the family needs and, once the kids are off to school, convert the space for your own personal fitness club.
No matter what kind of space you need today, let your home addition contractor know what you may want down the road. That way, you can have that future functionality built-in right along with today’s addition. If you’d like to explore how a “think ahead” approach can increase your living space and save you money down the line, please give us a call.
Maintenance Tip: Inspect your Deck for Wood Rot and Cracks
Wood is highly susceptible to the elements. Water, ice, and sun all affect the wood, leaving it warped and cracked. These cracks create pockets to hold moisture, which leads to rot. Clean, re-stain and re-seal your deck every 1 - 2 years to prevent cracks and other damage. Also check for loose boards and protruding nails.
Thanks for the Repeat Business!
We’d like to thank Warren Sampson, Jerry & Ellen Gallagher, and Barbara Weissberger, all previous SilverMark clients, for asking us to do additional projects for them.
  See you next month!
Terry
Terry Streich, President
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