Whether you feel like you have outgrown your existing space or want to give your home or cottage a fresh new look, custom renovations are one of the best ways to upgrade both functionality and aesthetics.

New furniture and décor can help, but a well-thought-out and professionally executed custom renovation completely transforms a space, breathing new life into a home or vacation property.

Regardless of the scope of your renovation project, understanding how to maximize the benefits and ensure satisfaction with the results is essential. 

Improve Functionality and Appearance with Custom Home Renovations 

Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when planning your own home renovations.

Maximize Your Existing Space 

While renovations can add extra square footage, a more practical and budget-friendly approach is to make better use of the space you already have.

Built-in storage, such as under-stair shelving, pocket doors and custom closet systems can free up floor space and improve organization. Opening up walls can also make a room feel larger and make it more practical for your family. 

Open-concept layouts can be achieved by removing non-load-bearing walls, giving a room a more spacious appearance. Another way to maximize space is to create multi-functional rooms and features, such as building a Murphy bed into a wall to turn a home office into a functioning spare bedroom.

Tailor the Space to Your Lifestyle

It’s always tempting to pick up the latest home décor magazine and point to something that looks nice, but one of the main advantages of a custom renovation is that the completed space is tailored to your specific needs and lifestyle.

Whether it’s an open-concept kitchen that allows you to entertain more guests, a dog-friendly mud room with space to clean your furry friend’s paws, or office space for a work-from-home job, custom renovations allow you to transform your home into a space that works specifically for you and your family.

Keep this in mind during the design and consultation phase. Your home can and should look aesthetically pleasing, but it should also be tailored to your practical needs and preferences.

Boost Your Property’s Value

Custom renovations should enhance your day-to-day life and increase your satisfaction with your home, but it’s also a good idea to consider your home’s resale value when planning the project.

Updating kitchens and bathrooms, or adding new functional space by finishing a basement, can significantly boost your home’s value. 

According to The Journal of Light Construction’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report, even a minor bathroom remodel can recoup 74% of the cost when the home is sold. Likewise, a kitchen remodel can return roughly 36% of the cost, making it a worthwhile investment. 

Adding extensions and renovating an unfinished space, such as a basement, can enhance your home’s curb appeal, potentially leading to a faster and more lucrative sale. The general rule is that additional spaces will add 70% of the cost of renovation to the value of the home.

Think Long-Term

The entire custom renovation process will go smoother if you think long-term. Even if you are working on a single room of your home or cottage, knowing what you want to do with the rest of your interior space down the line makes everything work more smoothly.

You should also consider whether these renovations will be practical for you in the future. Are you planning to grow your family, or potentially downsize as your children move away?

Will the features you’re planning on adding appeal to potential buyers if you plan on selling the property in the future? Even practical concerns, like increased plumbing and electrical demands following a renovation, should be considered.

If you’re unsure about the technical requirements of your renovation, hiring a reputable contractor that guarantees high-quality work is another important long-term decision. Establishing a relationship with a trustworthy, reputable local contractor will deliver a more seamless renovation process if you decide to undertake further work on your home in the future.

Invest in Quality Workmanship

Remember, you’re investing in your home, so quality matters. Choosing a contractor with a reputation for quality and superior craftsmanship ensures that you are satisfied with the work.

Investing in quality also means that the renovation was done according to code, so you don’t have to stress about a home inspection if you decide to sell. Quality workmanship will also help you avoid costly maintenance issues over time.

Trust DeCarli Contractors for Your Custom Home Renovation

Working with an experienced planning and design team makes a huge difference. At DeCarli Contractors, we’ve been renovating and building homes in North Simcoe and Southern Georgian Bay since 2003. Over the past 20 years, we’ve completed hundreds of custom home and cottage builds and renovation projects across the region, earning the trust of our clients.

Let’s talk about how we can help you improve your property’s functionality, aesthetic appeal, and value.