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Small Bathroom Remodeling Ideas That Make a Big Impact

When it’s time to think about updating your home, you often think of the kitchen, the living space, or even additions, but bathroom remodeling has a significant impact on your home. Small bathrooms or powder rooms don’t have to feel cramped our outdated. Through thoughtful design and creative remodeling choices, the bathroom can be transformed into a stylish feature that adds value to your home and enhances your daily routine.

At Flansburg Construction, we’re going to detail some bathroom remodeling ideas that can help elevate the look and feel of the space to give your home a stylish boost.

Consider Upgrading to a Walk-In Shower

A really effective way at expanding the look of your bathroom is by replacing an awkward tub or shower enclosure with a sleek and modern walk-in shower.

Using frameless glass panels helps create a modern and clean look that gives light an easy fixture to travel through, effectively creating a brighter space the feels larger and more inviting.

Consider Smart Storage to Avoid Clutter

When you have limited space in your bathroom, figuring out a way to maximize space while keeping storage tucked away is crucial. Utilizing smart storage doesn’t take up more space and can actually enhance the room.

These options include:

  • Recessed medicine cabinets
  • Shower wall niches
  • Custom shelving
  • Floating vanities with built-in drawers

Let There Be Light

One vital factor at enhancing the look and feel of your space and making it feel bigger without taking down walls is through strong lighting. Minimal lighting makes a space feel cramped, so through a smart light design, it can give the space a larger feel.

Using layered lighting includes:

  • Recessed ceiling fixtures
  • Vanity lights
  • Accent lighting
  • Enhancing natural light elements

Larger Tiles Provide a Spacious Look

While it may seem like an unusual choice, larger tiles can make small spaces appear bigger. It reduces grout lines, which results in a more seamless flow throughout the space. Including the same tiles into the shower can even enhance the space further.

Use Natural Materials & Light Colors

Color has an interesting effect on how the eyes perceive space. If your bathroom is small, using neutral colors, warm white paint, and even softer earth tone can give the space an open and airy feel. When these colors are paired with natural materials like wood and stone, it gives a timeless and spa-like feel.

Save Space with New Fixtures

The modern bathroom is one that’s designed for efficiency. Using newer design elements and fixtures like compact toilets, wall-mounted faucets, slim-profile vanities, and clean hardware can help you maximize the space without cramping the style of your bathroom.

Have a Small Bathroom That You Want to Make Bigger? Let Us Help!

If you’re looking for ways to enhance your powder room and bathroom space without knocking down walls, there are a few design elements that you can consider for a bathroom remodeling project.

At Flansburg Construction, we can help you maximize the space and update the style that makes your compact bathrooms seem much larger and more comfortable.

Get in touch with us today to start planning your new bathroom design!

Home Additions: Is it Better to Build Up or Build Out?

If your home is starting to feel cramped and you’re in need of more space, considering a well-designed home addition can alleviate your concerns, elevate your home, and give you the extra space that you need. It allows you to stay put in a neighborhood you like while expanding your home’s square footage and potential. But is it better to expand out or up?

At Flansburg Construction, we’ve helped countless homeowners design comfortable additions to their home, but on the first floor, and even help constructing a second. Choosing the right home addition option can depend on a few factors. Here’s how to consider whether to build up or out:

What is Building Up?

Building up is simply adding living space above your current home. Whether it’s adding a full second story, expanding part of the second floor, or even building over a garage. There are a few benefits to building up:

Keeping Yard Space Intact

When you build up, you’re not affecting your yard or diminishing space. This is specifically important if you have a smaller lot and need to preserve as much space as possible.

Enhancing Your Views

Building a second story addition can help improve views from your home. It can also help increase natural light into your home, and if thoughtfully designed, can enhance the curb appeal of your home.

Increased Home Value

If you add a second story to your home, it can have a significant impact on your home’s value. The added square footage and space often result in a higher resale value.

What is Building Out?

Building out involves adding space at the ground level. These additions often include family rooms, expanded kitchens, primary bedrooms, sunrooms, and even in-law suites.

Improved Accessibility

Building out is a great option for older homeowners because there’s no need for stairs.

Less Structural Complexity

Building out requires less planning and engineering to the structure of the home and generally has fewer structural demands.

Easier Build Process

Generally, built-out additions result in less disruptions, making it more comfortable for the homeowner.

Flexible Designs

When you opt for a build-out addition, you can create better transitions between indoor and outdoor spaces, resulting in improved functionality.

Challenges of Building Up & Building Out

Building up can be challenged because of the structural requirements, as your home’s existing foundation may not be capable of supporting more weight, which would require more reinforcing. It also requires more construction, which can be disruptive for homeowners.

The challenger for building out is that it results in a loss of outdoor space, effectively reducing the size of your yard. It also may have issues with zoning, and could require additional work to redesign the landscaping and drainage to your property if the addition affects those aspects.

Let Flansburg Construction Help You Expand Your Home

If you’re considering a home addition to help increase the space and value of your home, Flansburg Construction has extensive experience in both building up and building out. If you’re considering your options of whether to go up or out, we can walk you through the process to help you see which option best suits your home.

Reach out to see how we can help expand your home!

Why Spring is the Best Time to Start Your Home Remodeling Project

If you’ve been fantasizing about upgrading your home, picking the right time can make a big difference. You can hire a home remodeling contractor at any time of year, but spring stands out as the ideal season to get started on your project.

There are a few factors that make this time of year ideal for remodeling, so if you’re interested in getting started, it’s the perfect time to do it. At Flansburg Construction, we’ll detail why spring is the best time to get started on remodeling your home.

Near Perfect Weather Conditions

The weather is calm and temperate during spring, aside from a few storms here and there, the weather is agreeable. Mild temperatures and low humidity make it the perfect condition for construction crews and builders to work efficiently, especially when part of these projects is outdoors.

The nice weather helps you avoid delays that are caused by weather and temperature-sensitive materials.

Getting Ahead of the Busy Season

Summer is the time of year where most homeowners choose to have their remodeling completed. Homeowners will often book a vacation or extended trip around their home remodeling so they can avoid some of the hectic activity that comes with construction work.

Since summer often gets booked up quickly, spring is a good time to get ahead of the rush and avoid a surge in demand costs, scarce materials, and difficulty getting permits.

Plan for the Summer

When you choose to have your home remodeled in the spring, by summer, you’ll have a whole new home to show off to family and friends. This is especially beneficial if you plan on incorporating your outdoor living space into the project.

Improved Lighting Helps Make Informed Design Decisions

Spring has longer daylight hours, allowing you to get a better view of the work over a longer day. It can help you evaluate the colors and finished with more detail. It also allows crews to work longer days, which can help your project stay on schedule, or even get ahead of it.

Prep Your Home for Winter

Since the previous months are known for harsher conditions, it’s the perfect time to assess the wear and tear of winter and see how you can avoid it with your remodeling project. The damage from winter becomes readily apparent in the spring, so taking the time to make the necessary repairs or reinforce certain parts of your home can help you stave off winter damage in the future.

Kick Off Your Home Remodeling Project This Spring with Flansburg Construction

If you’ve been considering remodeling your home, whether specific areas like the kitchen or bath, the patio area, or even added an addition, spring is the ideal time to have the work down. The near perfect weather and the calm before summer is the right time to have your home remodeled so you can show it off by summer.

Schedule a consultation with us to get started on your project!

remodeled-kitchen-island-and-cabinets

Top Signs it’s Time to Remodel Your Home

Your home is something that should grow with you. Whether your style changes, there’s new branches on the family tree, or you simply want more functionality to your daily life, remodeling your home can make a major difference.

But it’s not a light decision. It takes time to plan and truly decide if it’s the right path for you. However, there are signs that can tell you that it’s time. At Flansburg Construction, we’re here to help you see if it’s time for you to remodel your home.

Your Home’s Style is Outdated

Design and style evolve over time, but certain elements can make your home feel dated and unfashionable. Closed floor plans in particular feel very dated, as do carpets and loud colors. While the color and carpet are an easy fix, opening the space requires a skilled home remodeling contractor to ensure that the structure remains intact while the work is being done.

You’re Outgrowing the Space

Since your home doesn’t expand, it can feel tighter when you have kids, they are growing, or you run a business from home. One way that you can help utilize the space better is by remodeling it with functionality and smart storage in mind. Open the important areas like the kitchen and living area but include hidden storage to help you maximize your space.

Issues & Repairs Keep Piling Up

If you notice that there are various components to your home that are in need of near constant repair, it could be a sign it’s time to update some of those features. Continuous repairs will add up over time, and while remodeling your home carries its own expenses, it can help put off the need for repeated repairs.

The Space Isn’t Functional

When your home was originally built, convenience and functionality may not have been factored into the plans. The layout may not be great and that can create awkward transitions to other rooms and even diminished natural light, which can be frustrating when dealing with it daily.

A home remodeling contractor and design build firm can take the existing structure and configure it in a way to help improve the functionality of your home.

Energy Bills Keep Getting Higher

While your energy bills fluctuate throughout the year, if they steadily increase, it could be a sign that you’re wasting energy and money. This could be due to having older heating and cooling systems, but it could indicate diminished insulation and potential cracks and gaps in the doors and windows.

You can upgrade your home to be more efficient and cost-effective with elements like energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting, modern HVAC systems, and even energy-saving windows.

You’re Looking to Sell

If you decide that you want to sell your home, but you feel it may be a bit too outdated to attract the right buyers, you can enlist the help of a home remodeling contractor for some much-needed upgrades. Conducting the right remodeling tasks can help you improve the space for the next homeowner while boosting your home’s value.

Is it Time to Remodel Your Home? Let Flansburg Construction Help!

If some of the items listed in this article resonate with you, it could indicate that your home needs an update. As a design build firm, we can work with you to come up with a new design based on the current structure to add functionality and style to your home.

Get in touch with us to start talking about how you can make your home grow with you!

Common Home Renovation Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Getting started with a home renovation contractor can be an exciting time. It’s your chance to transform your space, boost the functionality, and increase your property value. But planning and guidance is crucial because underpreparing can lead to frustration and costly mistakes.

At Flansburg Construction, we’re going to detail some of the most common renovation mistakes and how you can avoid them when it’s time to transform your home.

Establish a Clear Plan

Not having a clear plan is a huge mistake when starting with a home renovation project. Seeing the latest design trends on social media and in magazines can be inspiring, but you need to have a clear vision with how to accomplish the look you want that also helps boost the functionality of your space.

Working with an experienced design-build firm can help turn your ideas into a cohesive plan that factors in materials, layout, budget, and a timeline. This roadmap will be crucial with bringing your inspirations to life.

Lowballing the Budget

It’s important to know that you can have a minimal budget in mind, but realistically, your wants will exceed them. Cutting corners may seem like a great way to save on your budget, but it shows in the end. Setting a realistic budget and working with your contractor can help you understand the upfront costs and avoid surprises during the project.

Sacrificing Function for Fashion

Having a stylish home is important, but if it doesn’t enhance the function of your daily activities, it’s a wasted opportunity. Working with a design-build firm can help you enhance your space with encompassing the flow, lighting, and storage to help transform your space into something that not only looks great but makes daily tasks easier and more efficient.

Working with the Wrong Contractor

Since renovating your home is a big project, you’re probably sending some feelers out and collecting estimates to determine who to hire. One of the biggest mistake is going for a contractor with the lowest bid because it can lead to poor craftsmanship, unexpected delays, and a lack of communication.

It’s important to do your research. Check out portfolios and client testimonials that showcase not only a quality of work, but professionalism as well.

Making Sudden Last-Minute Changes

A major interruption to the progress of the renovation and its completion are change orders. Changing plans midway through the project can lead to disruptions to the timeline, inflate the costs, and even lead to unnecessary stress. Be sure to finalize your design at the beginning. Minor adjustments may happen, but having a detailed plan can reduce the need for costly changes later in the project.

Not Planning for Your Storage Needs

A lot of homeowners overlook their storage needs. If you can factor in your storage in a way that makes your space cleaner and functional, it can add ease into your daily life. Not including areas to hide storage can lead to clutter and frustration.

Sneaking in DIY When You Have a Contractor

After the crew has left for the day, you may want to make adjustments or changes. This is ill-advised because it’s a work in progress, and the team are skilled and experienced. Attempting to do some of the work yourself can lead to delays and damage. It’s work best left for the team that you hired.

Avoid Renovation Mistakes and Bring Your Vision to Life with Flansburg Construction

At Flansburg Construction, we’ve helped countless homeowners with renovations that have transformed their home and added function and liveliness to the space. If you’re currently considering renovating your home or rooms in your house, let us help you establish a clear plan and avoid the common mistakes that homeowners make.

Schedule a consultation with us today!

Tips for Creating Your Dream Outdoor Living Space

Now that the weather is getting nicer, you may be thinking of home remodeling projects to help boost the look and functionality of your outdoor living space. It’s not just a backyard, and with the right design, you can create a personalized retreat, a place to entertain, and make it an extension of your home’s style.

Through thoughtful planning and smart design choices, Flansburg Construction can help you create an outdoor living space that represents your style and is consistent with your home’s design.

Plan Your Vision

What does your dream deck or patio look like? Are you looking to relax and unwind, hold quiet dinners, or host big backyard blowouts? When you know what you want to use the space for, the planning becomes easier. Consider different areas for designated activities like lounging, dining, cooking, and even a play area.

Consider Flow & Function

When you plan the design of your outdoor living space, it can be an extension of your home. Consider how people will move between inside and out with wide doorways and consistent flooring to make it feel like a seamless transition. You’ll also want to factor in functionality so there’s enough room for furniture, walking paths, and even built-in features.

Go for Durable Materials

Since it’s an outdoor space, it needs to stand up to the elements like heavy rain, frigid and sweltering temperatures, and even blizzards. You may want to consider using durable weather-resistant materials like natural stone, treated wood, outdoor-rated fabrics, and composite decking.

Make Room for Shade & Sun

While it’s good to soak in the sun, on particularly hot days, sometimes the shade is a better place to relax. But with your outdoor living space, you’ll want to consider both. You may want to add retractable awnings, pergolas, or even a partially covered patio. These options can offer protection from the harsh sun, or even a spontaneous rainstorm.

Function for Entertaining

While everyone should have a grill in their backyard, you may want to consider an outdoor kitchen. It’s a way to prepare your backyard feast while remaining in a position to entertain. You can even add a bar area with a built-in minifridge to make it easier to accommodate guests.

Smart Lighting Design

The sun is there to light up your patio, but when day turns to night, you’ll have to rely on your outdoor lighting. Choosing the right lighting design can add to the ambiance of the space and even transform it during nighttime entertaining. You’ll want the right overhead fixtures, pathway lights, and even accent lights to create a warm atmosphere.

Incorporate Your Landscape

Your backdoor entertaining space doesn’t have to be all concrete and wood. You can incorporate the surrounding nature into the design to create an outdoor oasis. Using a mix of trees, flowers, shrubs, and planters can create depth and pique the visual appearance of your space.

Let Flansburg Construction Help You Create the Ultimate Outdoor Living Space

If you’re looking to update your home’s exterior and create the perfect place out back to lounge, cook, and entertain, we can help you. As a design-build firm, we can factor in your wants and needs into a cohesive design that will elevate your home’s patio and backyard.

Contact us today to get started!