Aging-in-Place Home Remodeling Checklist

If you’re like most homeowners, you’ve not only made your house a home by adding furniture, colors, and décor, but you’ve also filled the space with memories.

A house truly becomes a home when we can picture ourselves staying long term. Whether you’ve built your home from the ground up or bought your dream home and are remodeling, there are a few changes you can implement to keep your home safe and accessible as you age.

First, for the overall floor plan:

• Consider making your main living space on a single story, including a full bath
• Get rid of any steps between rooms/areas on the main level
• Hallways should be wide and well-lit
• Add plenty of windows for natural light, but make sure they have easy to operate hardware

Second, consider the kitchen and appliances:

• Add roll out trays and a lazy susan to your lower cabinets
• Consider appliances with easy-to-read controls and at counter height
• Add under-counter seating for work spaces in the kitchen

Read more about aging-in-place home design on our website!

How can a Home Remodeling Company in Ann Arbor Help with Aging in Place?

Our professional designers are passionate about what they do. We’ll help you imagine new ways to live in and love your space! If you’re an empty-nester, we can help you consider aging-in-place principles when renovating that will not only look great, but make your life easier.

Our design team has the knowledge and expertise to help you with home remodeling, and our project managers, carpenters, and tradesmen have the skills to get the job done. At Alpha Design + Build, we believe that a properly designed project is less expensive, completed more quickly, and has fewer cost overruns than a project done “on the fly”. Our process puts you first!

Contact us today to set up a consultation, and start creating your dream home with the help of an expert home remodeling company in Ann Arbor.

Home Design for Aging in Place

What do you love best about your home?

Maybe you have a historic home and love the stories that come with it. If you’ve remodeled and designed your home, maybe your favorite part is remembering the hard work that went into the project.

Multi-generational home design is becoming more and more popular, especially with the passing of the COVID-19 pandemic, where more of us were at home, getting to know our neighbors, and spending time making our homes into our oasis.

Here are some home design tips to consider incorporating into your remodel that will help keep you in your home longer:

1. Wall switches with LED nightlights
2. Pull-down shelving in upper wall cabinets (this avoids the need for a step stool, which can increase the risk of a fall in older adults)
3. LED-integrated light fixtures where bulbs don’t need to be replaced

Read more about aging-in-place home design on our website!

How can a Home Remodeling Company in Ann Arbor Help with Aging in Place?

Our professional designers are passionate about what they do. We’ll help you imagine new ways to live in and love your space! If you’re an empty-nester, we can help you consider aging-in-place principles when renovating that will not only look great, but make your life easier.

Our design team has the knowledge and expertise to help you with home remodeling, and our project managers, carpenters, and tradesmen have the skills to get the job done. At Alpha Design + Build, we believe that a properly designed project is less expensive, completed more quickly, and has fewer cost overruns than a project done “on the fly”. Our process puts you first!

Contact us today to set up a consultation, and start creating your dream home with the help of an expert home remodeling company in Ann Arbor.

Pros and Cons of Natural Materials for Your Home Remodel

Love the look of natural materials?

Don’t love the cost and maintenance?

Looking for a balance between natural beauty and convenience?

Man-made materials that mimic the look of natural elements can expand your decorating options while saving you money. On the other hand, man-made products can require a lot of energy to produce, inflating the carbon cost.

How do you decide which materials to choose for your home remodeling project?

1. Natural stones like marble, limestone, and granite need to be sealed regularly. They scratch easily because they’re a softer stone.
2. Stone tiles can be two or three times more expensive than ceramic tiles, and can cost twice as much to install, in some cases. Additionally, ceramic tiles hold up well against moisture after they’re properly grouted and sealed. 

Read more about choosing the right materials for your home remodel on our website.

Start Your Dream Home Remodeling Project Today

Our local know-how ensures a smooth process. Although Ann Arbor is our home, we’ve been working with building officials in jurisdictions from Jackson to Livonia since 1989. You can be confident that your project will be designed right the first time and will meet local requirements.

Contact us today for home remodeling in Ann Arbor and the surrounding communities! We can help you breathe new life into your space.

Functional Mudroom Storage and Layout

Layout, Location, and Organization

There are many layout, location, and organization options for a mudroom. Ask your home remodeling team about the following:

• One-wall organizers: If you only have one wall, think creatively and design a system that incorporates lots of needs – baskets, hooks, cubbies, and drawers. A bench or a wall unit or shelving and cabinetry work perfect in small spaces.
• Closet systems: With a well-thought-out system inside, a closet can be a good spot to corral all the shoes, jackets, umbrellas, dog leashes and backpacks that get shuffled about. Small decorative touches make a big impact here once you incorporate shelving, hooks, and easily accessible storage.
• Utility and Storage: Often outfitted with a washer and dryer, maybe even a sink, this is a space that can take advantage of storage, with loads of shelving, cabinetry, and countertops to consider.

 Read more about how Alpha Design+Build can create your perfect mudroom on our website!

Choose a Professional Home Remodeling Company for an Easy, Beautiful Mudroom

We’ve designed beautiful, organized mudrooms for many clients, and love helping our clients find new functionality in their homes.

The Design Build method, built on collaboration and communication, unifies the designer and builder as a single entity. Our team includes professional designers, project managers and master carpenters working together to provide beautiful custom living spaces and ensuring our clients have a smile on their face from start to finish!

Add a Mudroom for Extra Space in Your Home

A mudroom is something that you may have not realized that you needed until your family has grown or until you bring home that pet that comes in and out multiple times a day. 

Maybe you need extra space for backpacks, shoes, and outdoor gear. Whatever your needs are, the right home remodeling team can make it happen.  

Plan your Mudroom to Cut Clutter 

Mudrooms can be a key space that make your home more attractive and productive. When designed properly, mudrooms give you a user-friendly space for storage for everything from items for your daily commute to hobbies and pets or sports. 

From a simple bench with hooks above to a large room with extras like a charging station, think about all the options and how they fit into your budget and lifestyle.

Cut clutter by creating different zones in your mudroom like a “go-to zone” by the exterior door for keys, coats, and shoes, and a “laundry zone” around the washer and dryer. You can also create a “pet zone” for storage of food and supplies.

Read more about how Alpha Design+Build can create your perfect mudroom on our website!

Choose a Professional Home Remodeling Company for an Easy, Beautiful Mudroom 

We’ve designed beautiful, organized mudrooms for many clients, and love helping our clients find new functionality in their homes.

The Design Build method, built on collaboration and communication, unifies the designer and builder as a single entity. Our team includes professional designers, project managers and master carpenters working together to provide beautiful custom living spaces and ensuring our clients have a smile on their face from start to finish!

Adjustments for Aging in Place Home Design

If you’re like most homeowners, you’ve not only made your house a home by adding furniture, colors, and décor, but you’ve also filled the space with memories. 

A house truly becomes a home when we can picture ourselves staying long term. Whether you’ve built your home from the ground up, or bought your dream home and are remodeling, there are a few changes you can implement to keep your home safe and accessible as you age.

According to Susan Wright from the AIA New York Chapter Design for Aging Committee, “subtle design choices can have a profound impact on how long you can comfortably live in your own home, without compromising your aesthetic aims.”

Adding these small changes sooner will not only save you time and money in the long run, but it will allow you and your partner to stay in your home longer, which has been proven to help seniors have greater health and happiness outcomes.

Read the full article about adding aging in place elements to your design with a home remodeling company on our website!

How can Alpha Design + Build Help with Aging in Place?

Our professional designers are passionate about what they do. We’ll help you imagine new ways to live in and love your space! If you’re an empty-nester, we can help you consider aging-in-place principles when renovating that will not only look great, but make your life easier.

Our design team has the knowledge and expertise to help you, and our project managers, carpenters, and tradesmen have the skills to get the job done. At Alpha Design + Build, we believe that a properly designed project is less expensive, completed more quickly, and has fewer cost overruns than a project done “on the fly”. Our process puts you first!

Contact us today to set up a consultation, and start creating your dream home.

Design Tips for Aging in Place

Do you live in your dream home?

Do you dream of living there well into your golden years, or passing it down to a family member?

Staying in your home as you age is a possibility when you make design changes to make your home a safe and secure place as you get older.

According to Susan Wright from the AIA New York Chapter Design for Aging Committee, “subtle design choices can have a profound impact on how long you can comfortably live in your own home, without compromising your aesthetic aims.”

Adding these small changes sooner will not only save you time and money in the long run, but it will allow you and your partner to stay in your home longer, which has been proven to help seniors have greater health and happiness outcomes.

Aging-in-Place Remodeling Checklist

First – don’t panic at the idea of making your home accessible! Accessibility can also be aesthetically pleasing, and many of these upgrades won’t be obvious to your guests.

First, for the overall floor plan:

•    Consider making your main living space on a single story, including a full bath
•    Get rid of any steps between rooms/areas on the main level
•    Hallways should be wide and well-lit
•    Add plenty of windows for natural light, but make sure they have easy to operate hardware

Read the full article about hiring a home remodeling company in Ann Arbor to help with aging-in-place on our website!

How can a Home Remodeling Company in Ann Arbor Help with Aging in Place?

Our professional designers are passionate about what they do. We’ll help you imagine new ways to live in and love your space! If you’re an empty-nester, we can help you consider aging-in-place principles when renovating that will not only look great, but make your life easier.

Our design team has the knowledge and expertise to help you, and our project managers, carpenters, and tradesmen have the skills to get the job done. At Alpha Design + Build, we believe that a properly designed project is less expensive, completed more quickly, and has fewer cost overruns than a project done “on the fly”. Our process puts you first!

Contact us today to set up a consultation, and start creating your dream home.

How to Sustainably Remodel Your Home

With increasing concerns around our impact on the environment, many considering home remodeling are looking for ways to not only reduce their carbon footprint, but also make their home more energy efficient.
 

1. Start small: Try to begin with little improvements. Installing energy-efficient appliances and implementing solar technology can increase your home’s sustainability while lowering electric and heating bills.
2. Use light colors: White or off-white walls make lighting more effective and reduce the amount of time lights need to be on. (A residual benefit is that lighter walls can improve your mood when compared to darker walls!)
3. Conserving water in the bathroom: Low-flow sinks and showers are a more sustainable option to go with when remodeling a bathroom. Installing dual-flush mechanism toilets are another way to save water.
4. Re-use and refresh: Repurposing items to reduce waste and increase longevity can be very useful if you are willing to get a bit creative. Home features like cabinets, molding, and light fixtures can take on new roles when remodeling.

Read more on our website!

Our team understands the importance of sustainability in the home remodeling process, and has the experience necessary to guide you along the way in creating a more energy efficient home. Here at Alpha Design + Build, we want to put you first, and will do everything we can to meet your sustainability goals. Contact us today to meet with a designer and take your first steps in environmentally focused remodeling.

Feng Shui Principles for Home Design

What exactly is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui is the historic Chinese process of arranging objects and space in a place with the goal of creating harmony and balance. Achieving proper Feng Shui in a home can revitalize the property and completely change the experience of living there.

When it comes to home remodeling, this can seem like a confusing principle to apply but following these tips will make you an expert in no time:

1. Emphasize natural light: Having well lit rooms and entryways is important for things like mood and energy, but bringing in natural light is even better.
2. Bring in plants: Adding green life to any room immediately improves the energy in a room as well as the air quality.
3. Face beds and desks towards doorways: By always facing a doorway, you are able to be in a more commanding and powerful position. Facing away from doorways leaves more room for vulnerability and unpredictability.
4. Keep rooms clear of clutter: Clean, organized rooms allow for easy, organized thinking. Messiness in general can decrease the Feng Shui of a room, as it can translate to clutter in your head.

Read more about Feng Shui on our website!

Remodeling can be a long process, and it’s easy to keep changing things in your home. With that being said, it’s important to keep in mind what you are trying to accomplish. This could be a more open floor plan, or more entertainment space, or even just a brighter home. With a goal in place, you will be able to improve what matters the most.

Contact us today to talk to our team of designers so you can achieve Feng Shui in your house.