Enjoyable Home Updates in Greater Lafayette That Truly Pay Off

/0 Comments/in , /by

Every homeowner dreams of a space that resonates with their unique personality, meets their evolving lifestyle needs, and stands as a wise investment. The secret? Making delightful updates that not only elevate daily living but also boost the home’s overall value.

For homeowners in Greater Lafayette, the challenge is real. How can you blend modern aesthetics with functionality, ensuring each update is both a joy to live with and a smart financial decision? Many grapple with outdated designs, spaces that don’t align with their current needs, or the absence of modern amenities. The desire for change is palpable, but there’s a lurking fear: What if these renovations don’t offer a good return on investment?

Enter the world of modern home renovations, where every change is a blend of personal taste, contemporary design, and value-driven decisions.

Kitchens: The Modern-Day Hearth

Riverside Construction Remodeling Showroom Riverside Construction Remodeling Showroom - Kitchen pull-out drawer with dishes

In Greater Lafayette and beyond, kitchens have evolved from mere cooking spaces to the heart and soul of the home. They’re where families gather, stories are shared, and memories are made. Open-concept designs turn cooking from a solitary task to a communal event, fostering communication and connection. Innovative storage solutions, like bespoke cabinets and multifunctional islands, declutter and give your kitchen a sleek, streamlined look. And with the rise of smart technology, cooking becomes a breeze, enhancing energy efficiency and safety.

Other Options:

  • Integrated coffee stations
  • Built-in wine racks
  • Touchless faucets
  • Smart refrigerators with inventory tracking

Bathrooms: Your Personal Oasis

Subway Tile Shower

Today’s bathrooms, especially in homes across Lafayette, are more than just functional spaces. Homeowners seek spa-like tranquility with fixtures and fittings that elevate physical rejuvenation and mental relaxation. Universal Design principles ensure accessibility and safety for everyone. Features like non-slip flooring, grab bars, and roll-in showers are not just practical; they’re a testament to thoughtful design. Improved lighting and smart storage solutions make your bathroom a space that truly supports your family’s well-being and lifestyle.

Other Options:

  • Heated floors
  • Digital shower controls
  • Floating vanities
  • Deep-soak tubs with jet streams

Basements: Unlocking Potential Below Ground

basement remodel west lafayette

A finished basement is a treasure trove of potential. For many in Lafayette, it’s about maximizing space and functionality. Whether it’s a personal gym, a cozy home cinema, or a vibrant games room, the basement can bring those dreams to life. Safety and comfort are paramount, with features like egress windows ensuring standards are met while bringing in natural light.

Other Options:

  • Soundproof music studios
  • Children’s play areas
  • Home libraries or reading nooks
  • Craft or hobby rooms

Home Additions: Expanding Horizons

Home addition west lafayette

With the evolving needs of families in Greater Lafayette, home additions offer a solution without the hassle of relocating. From sunrooms to kitchen extensions, additions enhance both living experience and home value.

Other Options:

  • Mudrooms with built-in storage
  • Greenhouses for gardening enthusiasts
  • Loft conversions
  • Outdoor kitchen or BBQ areas

Your home is a canvas, waiting for your vision to bring it to life. Embrace the joy of transformation, the thrill of seeing spaces evolve, and the satisfaction of knowing that every change is a step towards a better lifestyle and a smarter investment. Picture a lazy Sunday morning, the aroma of coffee wafting from your state-of-the-art kitchen, sunlight streaming into your sunroom, and the soft hum of your favorite tune from the basement home theater.

Work with a Design-Build Firm Like Riverside Construction

At Riverside Construction, we’ve been shaping homes in Greater Lafayette since 2008. With a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals in various fields, we excel at listening to client ideas and translating those dreams into reality. We can help you decide on a direction, provide guidance on remodeling and repair issues, and be with you every step of the way to ensure your dream home is achieved.

Contact us now to schedule an initial conversation about your upcoming remodel. We’ll happily answer your questions, listen to your ideas, and work with you to finalize your plans.

How To Choose the Perfect Pantry for Your Lafayette or West Lafayette Kitchen

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

A kitchen pantry is an essential part of the home kitchen and has been for centuries. It provides the extra storage space we all need to keep our food prep surfaces clutter-free and cooking a more harmonious experience.

When choosing the perfect kitchen pantry for your Lafayette or West Lafayette home, you might find yourself wondering which style is best – a walk-in pantry or a built-in cabinet pantry. In this article, we explore both options, delving into their features, benefits, and drawbacks, to help you make the best decision for your next kitchen remodel.

How Will You Use the Pantry?

Before designing your new kitchen pantry, it’s crucial to understand how you will use this essential storage feature. In fact, it’s more than just a simple storage area. As an integral part of your kitchen, it also needs to suit your lifestyle, cooking habits, and aesthetic tastes.

Start by determining what you want to store in your pantry. Apart from food items, this might include appliances, dishes, glassware, and other kitchen essentials.

Think about your usual cooking habits and shopping patterns. For example, do you collect a lot of spices and other speciality ingredients and condiments? Do you shop in bulk? What appliances require specialist storage requirements?

Beyond storage, consider whether you need extra prep space. A kitchen pantry can offer additional food preparation surfaces, which can be particularly beneficial when hosting a big dinner party.

The more specific you can be about your pantry usage, the easier it will be for your professional design partner to help you realize your perfect kitchen.

How Much Space is Available for Your Pantry?

Space is everything when it comes to choosing your pantry style. Walk-in pantries usually require more room than built-in pantries. The layout and size of your kitchen will play a part in what is feasible.

The first thing to do is to measure the available space. Consider whether there’s enough room for a walk-in pantry, which is essentially a room in itself. If not, you may be better served with a cabinet pantry. However, it’s important to bear in mind that walk-in pantries come in all sizes and with intelligent storage options.

If you have a small kitchen, you can customize a built-in pantry to fit into available gaps. Alternatively, there may be ways to enlarge the kitchen as a whole. For example, this can be achieved by knocking down a non-essential wall and expanding the available space into an adjoining room.

Your trusted team of design-build remodeling experts will be able to provide creative solutions that work within your spatial constraints.

Kitchen Remodel

Built-In or Cabinet Pantries

Built-in or cabinet pantries, as highlighted already, are an excellent choice for smaller kitchens, or if adjoining space is unavailable. They feature a cabinet – or a set of cabinets – integrated directly into your kitchen design and offer excellent storage options without occupying a lot of room.

There are a variety of cabinet pantry designs to suit every need and taste. Many are large and tall, and can be used to store anything from food and chinaware to appliances and cleaning supplies. The vertical design allows you to place everyday essentials at arm level, with less frequently used items placed higher up or lower down.

You can also customize built-in cabinet pantries with additional features and inserts, such as pull-out shelves, Lazy Susans, and various organizers. And overall, cabinet pantries are a more affordable option than walk-in pantries.

Pros:

  • Storage is more centralized
  • Storage is more accessible
  • They don’t take up a lot of space
  • Often less expensive than a full walk-in pantry

Cons:

  • Less storage space than in a walk-in
  • They’re an added cabinet expense
  • They can take away counter space

Walk-In Pantries

As the name suggests, walk-in pantries are little rooms you can walk into that are adjacent to your kitchen. They are a highly desired option for many homeowners, offering abundant storage space and extra prep surfaces. Walk-ins also look great and are an eye-catching feature in the kitchen as a whole.

Given the extra space inside walk-in pantries, there’s a lot of potential to add specialist features. These can include coffee stations, room for bulk items, beverage dispensers, baking stations, and even a sink unit.

Among the many benefits of a walk-in pantry, there are several considerations to bear in mind. First, their location can be challenging to get right, depending on your home’s layout and your desired requirements. While having a dedicated room for storage is appealing, it can also lead to inefficiencies if the pantry is far from the main kitchen area.

Given the extra storage features, space, and surface area, larger pantries also require more upkeep.

Plus, walk-in pantries are usually more expensive than built-in pantries.

Pros:

  • More storage capacity
  • Can offer better organization
  • Can easily store larger appliances

Cons:

  • Storage is more spread out
  • They require more space and upkeep
  • They are often more expensive than a built-in pantry

Despite the drawbacks, walk-in pantries are a great option for medium or large homes. With good planning and design, a walk-in pantry can be a game-changer for how you use and enjoy your kitchen. It provides ample storage and organization opportunities that can streamline your cooking, meal prep, and dining experiences.

Which Pantry Will Work Best for You?

The best pantry for you depends on a blend of factors: your lifestyle, kitchen size and layout, budget, and personal preference. It’s ultimately about striking a balance between functionality, aesthetics, and practicality.

If your kitchen has limited space, or you prefer a more streamlined design, then a built-in cabinet can fulfill all your requirements. They can be fully customized to fit seamlessly in your kitchen and according to your storage needs.

However, if your kitchen has the luxury of space and you require a lot of storage and preparation space, then a walk-in pantry will be a perfect fit.

When planning your new kitchen, working with a qualified design-build remodeling firm is always advisable. Their professional designers will guide you through the renovation process, ensuring you choose a pantry that aligns with your needs and enhances your kitchen’s overall design and usability.

Work with a Design-Build Firm Like Riverside Construction

Riverside Construction, founded in 2008, is the go-to professional design-build team that has earned the respect and confidence of discerning homeowners in the Lafayette and West Lafayette areas.

With a professional team of highly skilled and experienced professionals in various fields, we excel at listening to client ideas and translating those dreams into reality. We can help you decide on a direction, provide guidance on remodeling issues, and be with you every step of the way to ensure your dream kitchen pantry and home is achieved.

Contact us now to schedule an initial conversation about your upcoming remodel. We’ll happily answer your questions, listen to your ideas, soothe your worries, and work with you to finalize your plans.

3 Ways to Let the Sun Shine In: Differences Between a Screened-In Porch, Three-Season Room, and a Sunroom

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Spending time in nature reduces stress, promotes healing, and supports peaceful living. But when uncomfortable temperatures or precipitation prevents you from venturing outdoors, you need a protected space that includes natural elements. What better way than with a seasonal room? Three types of seasonal room additions allow you to enjoy the outdoors without going outside. Depending on your needs and your budget, let’s see which one is right for you.

Things to Consider

If you want a space bathed in natural sunlight and cool breezes but are unsure which option to choose, it helps to explore a couple of questions.

How will you use the space?

Do you want a place for you alone to curl up with a good book or movie? Or, do you enjoy hosting the entire family for an afternoon barbeque? And what kind of creature comforts do you need? Running water, power, or heat? Do you want a space to use only during the warmest parts of the year or year-round? Knowing the answers to these questions will help guide you in your design and budget.

Will you add on or repurpose it?

Perhaps you have an existing deck or patio you’d like to enclose. Alternatively, maybe you want to build an addition to your home. Either way, a professional design-build firm experienced in home additions will ask you targeted questions to gather enough information to make recommendations suitable for your home and proposed use. Then, knowing how you want to use the space, how much room you have to work with, and your budget, they can suggest the right plan of action. Not only that, their expertise includes designing the space to fit your lifestyle and personality, so you feel as comfortable in the new space as you do in the rest of your home.

Three Ways to Let the Sun Shine In

Once you’ve decided on a size and purpose and know whether you’ll add on or cover an existing space, it’s time to determine what your new sunny spot will look like. Typically, sunrooms come in three different styles, each suitable for various reasons. But, again, your design-build team will help you choose the option right for you.

Screened-in porch

A screened-in porch is a porch or patio area enclosed with screening. While giving you a clear view of your backyard and allowing for a gentle breeze, screens keep the bugs outside. While a screened-in porch is limited to fair-weather use, the pros of adding one are numerous. A screened-in enclosure is:

  • The quickest and easiest addition project to build
  • Your most affordable option for extending your protected outdoor living space
  • The perfect space to enjoy warm weather protected by the sun’s rays
  • A great place to eat al fresco
  • A protected area to house a hot tub or game table

Depending on the amount of sun and rain exposure, your home’s design, and the square footage, you can furnish a screened-in porch with weather-resistant furniture for dining or relaxing. Additional options include:

  • Added lighting for evening use
  • Electronics to increase the use of the space
  • A gas or electric heater to keep the chill off on cool evenings
  • A television for game day viewing
  • A wet bar for entertaining friends

For a seamless result, keep the overall design of your home in mind when creating the new space. Work with a professional to ensure any changes to the existing deck or patio are fully functional and structurally sound.

Three season room

Canterbury Lafayette Room Addition 3

A three-season room provides more use than a screened-in porch because you have solid windows to protect you from the rain. Choose between vinyl screen covers or single-pane or double-pane windows, depending on your location, intended use, and budget. And while impractical to use the whole year, the pros of adding one abound. A three-season room:

  • Provides more use than a screened-in enclosure
  • Protects from the rain so you can upscale your furnishings
  • Offers more options for locating electronic devices
  • More budget-friendly than a sunroom
  • Can be insulated

A three-season room makes the perfect playroom for small children or spill-over for company. Fill it with plants and other natural elements, and you’ll barely notice the transition to the outdoors. When designing your three-season room, position it for the best views and sun exposure. Also, work with a design-build team to ensure a seamless design that matches the rest of your home.

Sunroom

The final option for letting more sunshine in your home is the sunroom. Also called a four-season room, a sunroom is an addition that includes an expansive view of the outside. One design option for the sunroom consists of a knee wall that allows for baseboard heaters, electrical outlets, and other utilities with continuous, wrap-around glass in the upper portion.

Or, for a more sophisticated style, a sunroom includes a centrally-located picture window surrounded by other large windows and French doors leading to an outdoor living area. Both options give you maximum visibility to the outside while keeping the room comfortable for four-season use. Sunrooms may hit the high end of the budget as a complex renovation project, but the following benefits make it worth every penny.

  • Includes all the creature comforts like HVAC, electricity, and plumbing
  • Fully insulated as any room addition
  • Unlimited options for furnishings, floor and wall coverings, and other design elements
  • Provides a transitional space to the outdoors, with access inside and out

A sunroom can be anything you and your family desire. Taking advantage of the sunlight, filling the room with plants creates a natural habitat for your family to relax, play games, or entertain friends. Confidently choose furnishings that reflect your personality and design style because the space is as protected as the rest of your home.

When you partner with a design-build professional with experience in building sunrooms, they help ensure the best location and position of the room for both sun exposure and the most beautiful views possible. They will also be equipped to advise you on the best options for heating and cooling, floor coverings, windows, and more.

Work With a Qualified Design-Build Firm Like Riverside Construction

If you know you want to include more natural elements in your home but need some guidance, Riverside Construction is ready to help. The award-winning team at Riverside Construction has served discerning homeowners in the Lafayette, West Lafayette, and all of Tippecanoe County since 2008.

Riverside’s go-to professional design-build team specializes in seasonal rooms, kitchen and bathroom remodel, room additions, and basement finishes. They excel at listening to your dreams and making them come true.  They can help direct and guide you and will walk with you every step of the way to ensure your seasonal room is everything you imagined.

View their extensive portfolio of stunning home additions, then schedule a consultation with an expert design-build professional. In the meantime, subscribe to their monthly “Designed for Life” newsletter. It’s full of current remodeling trends and home addition design inspiration.

 

Five Home Renovation Projects Perfect for Summer

/0 Comments/in /by

While summer is the unofficial time for vacations and BBQ’s, it is also a popular time for home remodeling projects. The warmer drier weather makes it ideal to make changes to your home both inside and out. With that in mind, here are five home renovation ideas that are fit for summer.

Refresh or Remodel Your Bathroom

Your bathroom can be a refuge from a stressful day at work, and you’ll find it easier to relax when the bathroom works for you both functionally and aesthetically.

Consider who is going to use the bathroom the most before you start your remodel. For example, if your children mostly use it, you’ll likely want to keep the bathtub instead of switching to a shower. If this is a bathroom used more by guests, you may consider making this room as luxurious as what they’d find when staying in a hotel. If you have an older bathroom, upgrade the shower head and faucets with water-efficient plumbing fixtures to conserve water while improving the look.

Other popular upgrades include heated flooring, a new vanity or sink and extra storage in the form of shelves or additional cabinets. Room for extra towels and other amenities is an especially good idea when remodeling a bathroom with guests in mind. Changing out the tile and painting the walls is a great way to breathe new life into a tired and dated bathroom.

It’s always a good idea to consult with a professional to develop a design plan to help you tie the whole look together.

Give a Room New Purpose

Vigo West Lafayette Craft Room Remodel

Perhaps there is a room in your home that you barely use. It could be repurposed into a much-needed home office or a guest room. If a child has moved out of the house, now could be the perfect time to build yourself a media room outfitted with the latest technology, or an inspirational arts and crafts space.

Do you have an unused room in the basement? Transform it into a fun rumpus room for your kids and their friends to play in. Some homeowners are content to turn an old bedroom into a woman cave or man cave when there is no real need for a home office. Depending on your interests, you might want to turn an unused room into a home recording studio for budding musicians or even a meditation room or home gym.

Install a Sunroom or a Screened Porch

Wouldn’t you like to take advantage of the beautiful weather this summer by spending some time in a space that’s a mixture of outdoors and indoors? You can make this happen by installing a screened porch or adding a sunroom to your home this summer. Make sure to work with a design professional to determine the visual details as well as the construction approach, which could involve glass walls or a traditional framing method.

If you just want to upgrade your patio, enclosing it gives you an ideal place to sit and soak in the view, from bird watching to socializing, all year long.

Change Your Home’s Siding

The siding that shields your house from harsh elements must be inspected regularly for any needed maintenance or repairs. Older siding that has fallen into disrepair should be replaced as soon as possible, and summertime is ideal to do this work before inclement weather returns.

Fix or Replace Your Roof

The lack of rainfall and pleasant temperatures makes summer the best time of year for most roof projects. If it has been many years since your roof was installed or last repaired, now might be the time to hire a professional to fix it. But if you already know you have a leak or you know there has been some storm damage, set aside some time this summer for repairs. For older roofs or those with significant damage, the time to replace it is now.

A benefit of completely replacing a roof instead of just making repairs is that you can also change the entire look of your home by incorporating other exterior improvements. Be sure, however, to consult a design professional to ensure any improvements are made to look like they were originally part of your home. Updating your home’s curb appeal may be just what you need to fall in love with your home all over again.

For assistance in carrying out an upcoming home renovation project this summer or at any time of the year, please call us to schedule a virtual home consultation. Or, sign up for our monthly eNewsletter to stay up-to-date on remodeling tips, design ideas, and the latest in remodeling trends in Tippecanoe county.

Other Informative Articles You May Like:

2019 Basement Design Trends to Watch For in Tippecanoe County

Your Lafayette Home Addition Guide – How To Add Lifetime Value to Your Home

Bathroom Remodels – 3 Budgets, 3 Bathrooms

What do you love about your home?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

I recently ran across the Tour de Lafayette-West Lafayette website.  As I started watching the videos of local homeowners talking lovingly about the unique architectural features of their homes, I was struck by how many of them clearly loved not just their homes but also their neighborhoods.  In some cases so much so that they moved only a couple houses down the street because they loved their neighborhood so much.   Do you love your neighborhood that much?

One of the things that we do at Riverside Construction is to help you stay in your neighborhood by helping you find a way to remodel your home so that it can fit your changing needs instead of going through the complicated process of moving.  You can work with our sales staff and designer to find ways to either add on to your home or make better use out of the space you currently have.  We can help you find ways to make a better floor plan for your home or just update a room that needs some help.  Our goal is to help you remodel your home for life.

If you need help remodeling or adding on to your home feel free to fill out the form found here and we will contact you as soon as we can to see how we can help you.

 

Picture or Rendering?

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Kitchen and RenderingCan you tell the difference between these two pictures?  On first glance both images appear pretty similar.  Read more

5 Trends for 2015

/in , , , , , /by

No one wants their house to look dated. One of the ways that you can avoid this is by making small changes that follow the most forward looking design trends of the year. Following the trends (those things that designers are seeing consistently for years) rather than the fads (those things that hold limited popularity) is the key. Read more

How to prepare to update your home

/in , , , , , /by

With the new year often comes new projects to update your home. Many times the hardest part is taking the first step. Sometimes knowing some easier preparatory steps to take before you call anyone can be helpful. This month we’ve identified some easy things that we would suggest you do as you prepare to update your home. Read more

How to gain more space in your home

/in , , , /by

With the holidays approaching, most of us are looking at our homes and wondering how all our guests will fit or we’re trying to figure out how to make the most of the space we have. Is your family feeling the pinch of a home that doesn’t quite meet your needs? This month we’re looking at three different ways to gain more space in your home.

In general you have three different options when trying to add functionality to your home. You can reconfigure your existing space, add a small bump out in a strategic location or build a full addition to your home. Each option comes with its own benefits and drawbacks.

Read more

How to Avoid 6 of the Biggest Mistakes in Remodeling

/in , , , , , /by

We all know that remodeling usually involves a lot of time and energy.  No one wants to spend more time or money than they need to, but they do want a room they can be comfortable using.  Our goal is to help you avoid making costly mistakes and still get the room you’ve been dreaming of.  Read more