Flip through the pages of fashion magazines or even home décor publications: It’s clear that mixing patterns is all the rage these days. But that rule does not apply to home additions. When adding on new space to your home, it is best to create a space that flows seamlessly with the home’s existing architecture and style. Of course, you can mix in furnishings and decorative items that contrast colors, patterns and design styles—but newly added space should be designed and built to look as if it was always a part of the original home structure.
Here’s a few tips to achieve that seamless feel:
Consider the roof line. When adding onto the second floor or putting an addition on a single-story home, be sure to follow the existing roof line and pitches. The new space should mimic the same lines of the original/existing roof for symmetry and balance.
Match exterior elements. Source matching shingles, windows,
brick, and siding to create a uniform look to the exterior of the home. Because aluminum siding is no longer available, the job may require re-siding the entire home in vinyl siding.
Create consistent floor height. Floor height should remain
the same throughout the space—no step down. In some instances, removing old tile or subfloor will ensure that the new flooring is flush with the remainder of the home—or at the very least, with adjoining rooms. “Toothing” in wood planks or tile helps to join newly added space with a unified effect.
Match interior trim details. Again, following the existing flow will create harmony in the space: Strive to match ceiling texture, trim profiles, hardware, flooring, and even paint color, to the original.
As with any home remodeling project, the payoff is in the planning. Keep these two rules in mind as you plan your new addition:
Define your goal. Ask yourself what you want out of the
new space before you dig into the project. For example,
I recently had a customer come to us to design and build a 3-season room to create more family living space. We live in Ohio. So realistically speaking, this customer would only use the space May through October. So we asked the question: Did they want to spend the money for a room that would get so little use? Or would they rather spend a bit more to build, and then heat and cool the space all year long?
The customer decided to add on a new great room instead, but with a lot of wondows for the “sunroom” effect. The new space was accessed off the kitchen via French doors, which provided a natural transition from room to room.
Be practical. If you are really wanting a bigger kitchen, is it smarter to add new space to the existing room? Or would it be more efficient and cost effective to redesign the existing kitchen to maximize the space that you have? Removing walls and reconfiguring space can often gain the space you desire without adding on.
Always, taking a few steps back and planning first goes a long way toward achieving your desired effect. And by focusing on the finer details, from roof pitch to interior trim profiles, you can create a new space that meets your goals—and that flows with seamless ease.
The Best is Yet to Come,
Beth Orr Schroeder
