A master design plan for your addition part 2: exterior and interior style elements of an addition

What creates a flawless flow within a home?  A seamless design combined functionality and Beauty.

Last month, I focused on the logical flow of the house, but another element that will add value to your home is the exterior and interior style elements of an addition. Where do you want to add on to your home? Your exterior style elements may have limited options based on building restrictions such as property lines, setback requirements and zoning. Seamless transitions within the interior of your home should also be a high priority. A master plan will help you determine the best place for an addition.

Once you have decided where the addition should be built, look at your entire home's style. It is essential that the exterior view of your home's addition, melds with the original space of your home for maximum resale value and curb appeal. If your home is brick and has a wooden roof, you will want your addition to have a wooden roof and a brick that matches as close as possible. This sounds logical, but many home owners are presented with options of introducing new building materials that will save them money during the remodel. Saving money on materials sounds good, but what will the final product look like? Will it change the style of your home, add curb appeal or create the style you originally wanted? Is it part of your master design plan? If not or if you aren't sure, it may be a smart investment to pay for the materials you initially wanted. Remember, materials are often not the most expensive part of the job but may change the entire design of your home.

Another common issue is adding a roof that is a different pitch or style of the original structure.  Extending the roof is an opportunity to add architectural details for interest and curb appeal such as gables, moldings, cupolas, dormers, porte-cocheres, etc. Into your design as long as it fits into your home's master plan.  Don't settle for a style that doesn't transition into your new space or isn't what you want. There are unlimited options available.

Coordinate your home's existing interior to the new space with moldings, architectural details and building materials. Use the same baseboard styles and crown moldings in the new space that exist in the old space. If you don't have the details in your existing space you want added to your new space, this may be the perfect time to upgrade. Adding extra molding pieces to your existing trim can enhance the details. Match the shape and size of your doors and doorways whether they are arched, squared or paneled. Coordinate flooring materials to complement the design. Having molding and detail continuity throughout your home will merge your spaces.

The best test for a picture perfect remodel is to be unable to determine the difference between the original space and new construction. Ensuring you have a seamless transition will provide you with the most resale value you will have in your home, not to mention the space, functionality and style you always wanted.

Bobby Sanders is a Certified Graduate Remodelor™ (CGR) with an exclusive professional designation designed to emphasize business management skills as the key to a professional remodeling operation.

The CGR designation requires that graduates meet prescribed standards of business practice, possess a minimum of five years remodeling industry experience, have a proven track record of  successful project management, complete a comprehensive education curriculum, and pledge to uphold the program's code of ethics.

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