Your Remodeling Journey: Balancing Needs vs Wants

Embarking on a home remodeling project is an exciting venture that transforms your house into a home that fits you and your lifestyle for the rest of your life! As your architect, I understand there may be a myriad of ideas that may flood your mind. However, it’s crucial to establish a delicate balance between your needs and wants to ensure a successful and satisfying outcome.

Defining Needs: The Foundation of Your Design

Needs are the essential elements that contribute to the functionality and practicality of your home. Before diving into the world of design, you must identify and prioritize your needs. These may include more space, re-organizing the space, and curb appeal. Addressing these needs first will lay a solid foundation for the project and ensure that your home not only looks beautiful but also functions seamlessly.

1. More Space: You may have bought a home in a great location, but you already knew it would be too small to live in. Is the kitchen only half as large as what you are used to? Have you already decided that your clothes may fit in the main bedroom closet, but your partner’s clothes will have to go in the other bedroom’s closet? Will your king size bed simply not fit in the largest bedroom in the house? We typically have requests to add on an Owner’s Suite with Bedroom, Bathroom, and Closet space, or to add on a second living space such as a large Family Room.
2. Space Utilization: Evaluate the functionality of your current layout. Are there any areas that feel cramped or underutilized? Often, you have bought a home that had many small additions over time, or porches and garages that were converted into living spaces. They may have saved money but didn’t focus on the livability of those spaces. Addressing spatial needs is crucial to enhancing the flow and efficiency of your living spaces.
3. Curb Appeal: Both outside and inside, your home may be living in a previous decade. Refreshing the front of the house may include replacing the original windows which leak and don’t function anymore. You might have loved the layout of the house or the location, but not the style of the house. Perhaps the bathroom fixtures and kitchen cabinetry are original, as well.

Navigating Wants: Elevating Your Design Aesthetics

Once the foundational needs are addressed, it’s time to explore your wants – the design elements that will give your home a distinct and personalized character. Wants are the creative aspects of the project that make your space uniquely yours.

1. Aesthetic Preferences: Think about the visual aspects that resonate with your style. Whether it’s a modern, minimalist approach or a more traditional and ornate design, your wants will shape the overall aesthetic of your home.
2. Luxury Upgrades: Consider indulging in a few luxurious touches that will elevate the overall ambiance. This could include large sliding glass doors, custom cabinetry, or vaulted ceilings.
3. Outdoor Living Spaces: If space allows, consider enhancing your outdoor living areas. Whether it’s a cozy porch, a large screened lanai, or a new pool, these additions can significantly improve your quality of life.

An Example of Two Porches

Client A: Although the budget is tight for their addition, they know that they want a front porch, just enough for a porch swing. They’ve lived in the neighborhood for decades, and sitting on the porch is something they enjoy each day. They like to wave at neighbors passing by, and many will stop to chat as they walk their dogs or grandkids. They also like to read out there. 

This Client’s Front Porch is a Need because they can see themselves using the porch. They are very happy with the small porch we were able to include in their project.

Client B: If they can save money elsewhere in their large addition/remodel, they might like a front porch. There are a few neighbors that have had new porches added recently (although they are tiny and too shallow for chairs). The porch would make the front of the house look nicer. There is already a porch, but the Clients don’t use it because it’s so hot on that side of the house.

This Client’s Front Porch is a Want. The priority for their project is the new pool and lanai at the back of the house, where they can envision entertaining friends and grandkids. We will politely steer them to enhancing the front porch they don’t use and refreshing the front of their house in other ways, maybe with new paint colors, new exterior lighting, and moving the front walk. The new pool and lanai project is their Need.

Striking the Right Balance: Collaboration is Key

The key to a successful remodeling project lies in striking the right balance between needs and wants. Collaborate closely with your architect to ensure that the essential needs are met without compromising your desired aesthetics. This means sharing with your Architect how you see yourself using your home. Don’t leave your Architect out of your thoughts and conversations about how you will use that space, decorate it, and buy new furniture but still fit in that antique desk. These are not minor details that are not important; these are just the details that we want to hear.

By clearly defining your priorities and communicating openly, we can work together to create a space that not only meets your functional requirements but also exceeds your expectations in terms of design and style. Knowing exactly how you will use the space helps us design your addition, remodel, or home.

Remember, a well-balanced remodeling project is not only a valuable investment in your property but also an investment in the comfort and joy your home brings to your everyday life.

Reach out if you would like us to help bring your vision to life and create a home that truly reflects your personality and lifestyle.