5 things to Consider when Designing a Renovation

Being two years into the COVID-19 pandemic now, a lot of us have had some extra time at home to imagine some changes we would like to make to our living space. Now that 2022 is in full swing, there’s no better time than now to reimagine your current design and turn your space into your dream home. If you love the idea of renovating your home, but can’t take on a full house remodel, think about remodeling on a room-by-room basis.  Here are 5 things to consider when designing your future renovations:

1. Connection to Nature

2. Prioritize Sustainability

3. Enhanced Outdoor Space

4. Quality for Longevity

5. Multi-functional Spaces

Connection to Nature

Urban communities are often removed and detached from the natural world, yet the benefits of being closer to nature have been widely studied and encouraged. Phase 1 Research Compilation is an Australian Research Council Linkage Project led by the University of Melbourne. It provides precise data on the positive impacts of natural ventilation, natural lighting, good acoustics and indoor air quality on humans. Providing spaces that are open and connected to the outdoors increases mental stimuli, energy and physical comfort levels and this, in turn, increases cognitive ability, attention and memory levels.

However, biophilic design is not just about these basic health and performance requirements. It is also about the innate human need to connect with other living things, with nature.  When considering renovations for your home, consider how to reconnect with these aspects that encourage a healthier living environment. Some ways to achieve this would be to: allow for more natural lighting in dimly lit rooms, improve accessibility to outdoor space, and improve air flow and ventilation. 

Prioritize Sustainability

Remodeling your home with sustainability in mind will contribute to a positive impact on the world.  Making eco-friendly choices during your renovation will improve the quality of life for you and your family and ultimately reduce your bills in the long-run due to less energy consumption. Certain aspects of your home such as windows, doors, roofing, insulation, and HVAC all can have a significant impact on your overall efficiency. 

Glass in particular can be a major player in increasing energy efficiency, when the correct quality is used. Different kinds of glass can affect the thermal transfer between the exterior and interior of your home in different ways.  If you are looking to install glass doors, or operable walls, ensuring that the frame itself is thermally broken is also crucial so the framing does not conduct the outside temperature to the interior. 

Enhanced Outdoor Space

Since we already know that humans desire a greater connection with nature, having an outdoor space that can be enjoyed year round is crucial. While planning and budgeting your renovation, consider enclosing your outdoor area with a louvered roof system in collaboration with glass operable walls. This pairing ensures your space will stay warm and dry, even through the winter months. The louver system as well as the operable walls can be adjusted to suit the needs of the exterior environment, ensuring ventilation or complete closure when needed. 

Being able to use your outdoor space year round is a long-term investment in your mental health and adds significant value to your home.  Imagine not having to haul in your outdoor furniture and decorations every time the weather takes a turn. 

Quality for Longevity

Not all products are created equally, and vary immensely on price, functionality and material. When you are making a significant investment on renovations, both with your time and money, it is imperative to do ample research on which products will stand the test of time.  Natural elements such as wind, snow and rain are all significant factors that will negatively impact cheaper and lesser quality products. What seems to be a cost savings initially, could result in more money spent in the long-run.  

Depending on what environment your home resides in, it is important to consider what building codes and specific natural elements may be a factor.  For example, if you live in a coastal region, it is important to consider the effect moisture and salt may have on a particular product.

Multi-Functional Spaces

A common trend in modern renovations is utilizing space in a more efficient and successful way. A method of achieving this is creating spaces that are multi-functional, meaning they can be easily transformed to suit different situations. An example of this would be to have a multi-functional room, that can be completely open when entertaining a group of guests, or it can be sectioned with a glass partition for privacy when working from home.  Although it is the same room, it can be easily transformed into a completely different space. 

This particular category requires a lot of pre-planning and evaluation of functional gaps in your home. It is highly recommended to have the professional advice of a designer to walk you through different options and present different conceptual ideas.  Companies such as Slide Clear are able to offer advice and product recommendations based on your ideas and design goals.

Looking for a free design consultation? Contact us at info@slideclear.com