Maybe you have endured years of cramped quarters, a kitchen that never functioned well, and a family room that your whole family doesn’t really fit in.
Very. Frustrating.
Perhaps you have been dreaming of the addition you want to put on the back of your house with sunshine streaming through new large windows, washing over the miles of new counter space in the renovated kitchen, ample space for family gatherings and holiday parties, and maybe a new master suite…..
But as we know, bigger isn’t always better, and over the nearly 10 years I’ve been in business, this is the crossroads where I love to meet with my clients and help them figure out what actually is holding their house back, exactly what is going to make the biggest difference in how their home functions for them, and help them think about their house in a whole new way.
Adding more square footage absolutely can fix many problems and is SO EXCITING, but first, as your devoted House Whisperer, there are things we can consider together to be sure that we are on the right track as we plan your renovation.
First, let’s talk about ALL the rooms in your house and how you are living in them. For example, you may have rooms in your house that are seldom used, are not really furnished, or that you simply don’t like.
Read the following statements and see if they are accurate truths about you and your house right now:
- I (or someone in my family) uses each room in our house at least once a week.
- I feel proud of the rooms I have and feel good when I spend time in them.
- The rooms in my house relate well to one another, and there is a sense of flow throughout.
- I think my house is beautiful and reflects who I am and how I would like to live my life.
- Accomplishing tasks in my house is easy, since the spaces are well organized and well designed.
If you feel that all of the above statements are true of your house, and you are still ready to build on, then I would say it is the right choice. BUT if there are existing spaces that aren’t earning their keep, then that is space that could potentially be re-imagined and repurposed before adding more.
It is always my mission to help you thoughtfully and intentionally improve your house so that you will have something of beauty, value and quality when you are finished–and I think it is often a good thing to question whether or not bigger will be better when it comes to your house. Having a smaller amount of house that delights you with its attention to detail and fine materials can be so much more satisfying that a lot of house that bores you and surrounds you with tons of square footage.
So, is your house the right size for you? Even if it feels cramped right now, it might not be the size that is frustrating you, but rather how well each space is designed and how well it is being used. Take a step back and look at the whole picture, and you might find some creative solutions that can make a huge difference in how your home shelters and nurtures you with the space it already has.
