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Full Home Renovations vs New Build Construction: Which One is Right for You?

Stephanie Kratz • Oct 09, 2023

Full Home Renovations vs New Build Construction

Are you considering a major home project, but you’re unsure whether to renovate your existing property or build a new home from scratch? Making the right decision can be challenging, as both choices have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. In this post, we’ll review some key factors to consider before making a decision, the benefits of investing in home renovations, cost comparisons, and the advantages of building a new home. By the end, you should have a better idea of which option best suits your needs

Considerations for Making a Wise Renovation vs New Build Decision 

Before you decide to renovate or build a new home, it’s essential to determine your long-term goals. Renovating your current property can be an excellent choice if you love your neighborhood and want to stay in the area but desire a more modernized space. Building a new home may be the right choice if you aren’t happy with the location of your current home or require more space than your current property offers. Additionally, consider your budget, timeline, and specifics on what you wish to change or build.



The Benefits of Investing in Home Renovations 

Renovating your current property comes with a range of benefits. The most significant benefit is that you don’t have to move from the home and neighborhood you love. Additionally, remodeling a property can be less expensive than building a new one, and a renovation project can often be completed more quickly than starting from scratch. You’ll also have more capacity for customization, so your newly-renovated property can reflect your specific taste and needs. 

 

Working with an Interior Designer to Start Your Home Project 

Whether you decide to go through a full renovation or build a new home, it’s essential to work with an experienced interior designer. Interior Designers have the skill set and know-how needed to optimize your living space and create the flow, ambiance, and atmosphere you're desiring in your dream home. Many professional interior designers specialize in either renovation or new builds, so it's essential to find an interior designer like Stephanie Kratz Interiors who works within the type of project you are planning. 

 

During a home renovation, an interior designer plays a pivotal role in transforming your living space into a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment. They start by understanding your lifestyle, preferences, and needs, all to create a design that is uniquely tailored to you. Through their expertise in space planning and knowledge of design principles, they can reconfigure your existing layout to optimize functionality and enhance flow. They also have an eye for color schemes, lighting design, furniture selection, and other design elements, all of which contribute to the overall ambiance of your home. Furthermore, interior designers have access to resources and materials that may not be readily available to the general public, giving your home a distinctive, polished look. By overseeing the project from start to finish, they ensure that the design vision is executed accurately and to your satisfaction, thus alleviating any stress associated with the renovation process. 

 

Increasing the Value of Your Existing Home with Smart Renovations 

Home renovations can be an ideal way to improve the value of your property without committing to a new build. Renovation projects, such as kitchen or bathroom remodeling, can offer substantial ROI and can increase the value of your property. An experienced contractor can provide guidance on which types of home improvements will have the most significant impact on your property value. 

 

Cost Comparisons for Home Upgrades and New Construction 

When it comes to the expenses of renovating versus new build construction, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Home renovation costs can vary depending on the type of work completed, the home’s square footage, and the cost of living in your area. The cost of new construction will vary widely based on the size of the project, contractor’s pricing and availability, and location. It’s essential to have an in-depth conversation with a contractor and custom home builder to fully understand various factors to determine which option is right for you.


The Advantages of Building From Scratch - Why You Should Consider a New Build 

While home renovations have some advantages, there are many advantages to building a new home from scratch. The most significant benefit is the ability to create a custom home designed to meet your specific needs and wants. It is easier to design and implement modern systems and technology as waterproofing, insulation, decking, and roof tiling by starting afresh. Building a new home lets you begin with a clean slate and allows you to select all of the features that you want in your dream home. 


Engaging an Interior Designer From the Blueprint Phase of a New Build 

Incorporating an interior designer from the very beginning of a new build is an invaluable step that should not be overlooked. It gives the designer an in-depth understanding of the architectural layout, which can inform the design decisions and ensure the end result is harmonious and balanced. Interior designers can provide valuable insights during the blueprint phase, identifying potential issues and offering solutions. They can suggest alterations that enhance the functionality of your home and improve the flow between rooms. They can also collaborate with architects and contractors, ensuring that your aesthetic preferences and practical needs are incorporated from the start. This proactive approach saves time, prevents costly mistakes, and results in a home that is beautifully designed and functional right from the start.



Choosing The Right Option for You 

Deciding between renovating or building a new home can be a daunting decision, but we hope this post has provided some key insights to make the process easier. The truth is that both options come with long-term benefits, and choosing one depends on your specific needs and goals. If you’re still unsure which option to choose, it’s best to meet with experienced interior designers like Stephanie Kratz Interiors to guide you through the entire process, offering some insight and professional expertise. No matter which path you take, taking the time to research and decide can ensure that you get the home you’ve always dreamed of. To learn more about how Stephanie Kratz Interiors can help you with your Home Renovation or Custom New Build, schedule a free discovery call today! 


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Breath Easy with Organic Modern Design

By Stephanie Kratz • 14 May, 2024
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The Hidden Ingredient in Luxury Homes: What Builders Aren't Telling You

By Stephanie Kratz • 10 May, 2024
Building a luxury home is a significant endeavor and can be challenging, but it's also one of the most exciting projects that homeowners take on. With so many different types of home builders available, choosing the right one may become overwhelming and no one wants to end up with a subpar job that doesn't meet their expectations or needs. Additionally, coordinating the design and decoration of the interiors can be tricky, and that's where an interior designer comes in. In this blog post, we'll discuss the various types of home builders and how an interior designer can be beneficial when building a luxury home. 
A living room with a couch , chairs , and a fireplace with a bold white marble design

Unleashing Creativity: Elevate Your Space with Bold Wall Designs

By Stephanie Kratz • 06 May, 2024
Walls serve as blank canvases waiting to be adorned with creativity and personality. One trend that has been making waves in the design world is the bold use of wall prints to transform mundane walls into captivating focal points. Whether you prefer vibrant patterns, subtle textures, or eye-catching graphics, embracing bold wall prints can breathe new life into your space and infuse it with character and charm. Let's explore the art of being bold with wall prints and how you can elevate your interiors with statement walls that speak volumes. Incorporating textured wall prints is another way to add depth and dimension to your space while making a bold statement. Textured wallpapers, 3D wall panels, and fabric wall coverings can introduce tactile richness and visual interest to your walls, creating a multi-dimensional look that enlivens the room. Experiment with metallic finishes, embossed patterns, and tactile surfaces to add a touch of luxury and sophistication to your space. Mixing different textures and finishes can create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, adding depth and complexity to your walls. Bold wall prints offer a unique opportunity to infuse your space with personality and style. Whether you prefer a minimalist aesthetic with subtle graphic prints or a maximalist approach with vibrant patterns and colors, your choice of wall prints can reflect your taste, preferences, and design sensibilities. Consider selecting prints that resonate with you on a personal level, whether they evoke a sense of nostalgia, inspire creativity, or simply bring joy to your space. By curating a collection of wall prints that speak to your soul, you can create a space that feels truly authentic and reflective of who you are. Boldness in design choices allows for personal expression and the transformation of spaces into reflections of style and personality. By daring to be bold with wall prints and art, you can infuse your space with charm, personality, and visual interest, turning it into a dynamic canvas that mirrors your unique taste and creativity. Design/image credit to @artdesignph, @lux.interiors, @tripointehomes, @stephaniekratzinteriors

Organic Forms and Natural Shapes: Bringing Harmony and Balance to Interior Design

By Stephanie Kratz • 29 Apr, 2024
Organic forms and natural shapes evoke harmony and connection to nature. By integrating elements inspired by the natural world, designers create serene, vital spaces. Organic forms mimic nature's curves and irregular contours, softening lines and enhancing visual interest. Combining geometric precision with organic fluidity offers balance and dynamic effects. Infusing rooms with seashell curves, tree bark patterns, and water current lines opens design possibilities, while complementing these with wood, stone, and fabrics adds warmth and authenticity. Evoking elemental themes like earth and air enhances cohesion. By selecting organic elements that resonate with your vision, you can create visually pleasing, harmonious spaces that nurture well-being. When exploring organic forms and natural shapes in interior design, consider evoking elemental themes like earth, water, air, and fire. Each element offers unique opportunities for creative expression and thematic cohesion within a space. For example, earthy tones, rugged textures, and grounding elements can evoke a sense of stability and rootedness, while fluid shapes, airy colors, and breezy fabrics can capture the essence of air and movement. By weaving elemental themes into your design narrative, you can create spaces that resonate with energy, symbolism, and a deeper connection to the natural world. Incorporating organic forms and natural shapes into interior design requires a thoughtful and intentional approach. Consider the overall mood and atmosphere you wish to create within a space, whether it's a sense of calm and serenity in a bedroom, a dynamic and energizing feel in a living area, or a nurturing and inviting ambiance in a dining room. Select organic elements that resonate with your design vision and personal style, ensuring they harmonize with existing decor and architectural features to achieve a cohesive and visually pleasing outcome. Design/image credit to: @base9studio, @trush.design, @stephaniekratzinteriors

Monochromatic Bedrooms: A Timeless Elegance

By Stephanie Kratz • 24 Apr, 2024
Master bedrooms can be transformed into serene sanctuaries of harmony and style by embracing monochromatic color schemes. Selecting a dominant hue and incorporating varying shades and textures within that spectrum creates a cohesive and visually appealing space. In a monochromatic master bedroom, the challenge lies in creating depth and contrast without introducing additional colors. This can be achieved through layering different textures, materials, and finishes. Consider incorporating plush textiles like velvet, soft rugs, cozy knits, and silky drapes to add tactile richness to the space. Mixing matte and glossy surfaces, incorporating metallic accents, and playing with light sources can also help create dimension and visual interest within a single-color palette. Subtle patterns, personalized decor items, and statement furniture allows for more personalization within the monochromatic design. While monochromatic design is often associated with a minimalist aesthetic, that doesn't mean you have to forgo patterns and prints entirely. Introducing subtle patterns like tone-on-tone wallpapers, geometric prints, or textured fabrics can add a touch of visual intrigue to the room without disrupting the monochromatic harmony. Just ensure that the patterns complement the overall color scheme and enhance the cohesive look of the space. By curating a space that reflects personal style and preferences, one can create a tranquil retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation, elevating the living experience to new levels of luxury and sophistication. Embrace the beauty of monochromatic design to transform your bedroom into a harmoniously cohesive sanctuary of timeless elegance and style. Design/image credit to: @mai_saad_designs, @ney_architects, @specterior_designs, @stephaniekratzinteriors

Elevated Bar None

By Stephanie Kratz • 16 Apr, 2024
In recent years, indoor bars have shifted from mere beverage storage spaces to central points for socializing and entertainment within homes. Contemporary indoor bars are versatile hubs for socializing, working, and relaxation, featuring built-in workstations, cozy seating areas, and entertainment systems to cater to various needs. Home mixology trends have led to indoor bars equipped with professional tools and curated spirits, adding sophistication to the setup. Steps to elevate your indoor bar: Luxurious Touches: Incorporate marble countertops, brass fixtures, and velvet bar stools for elegance. Statement Lighting: Use pendant lights or chandeliers to set the mood and highlight key areas. Personalization: Add vintage glassware, cocktail recipes, or memorabilia to infuse personality. Live Edge Bar Top: Install a natural wood live edge bar top for a rustic and inviting look.  The transformation of indoor bars into stylish retreats mirrors evolving lifestyle preferences and design trends. By staying updated on indoor bar design trends and creatively upscaling these spaces, you can create a sophisticated retreat that blends entertainment with charm and personality. Whether modern or rustic, your indoor bar can be a luxurious oasis where you unwind, entertain, and create lasting memories. Cheers to crafting a space that truly reflects your style and enhances your home experience! Design/image credit to @luxmodernliving, @ovadiadesigngroup, @insplosion, @stephaniekratzinteriors
A luxury bathroom with a bathtub and a shower.

Modern Luxury Bathrooms with a Minimal Viewpoint

By Stephanie Kratz • 02 Apr, 2024
In 2024, the interior design landscape is defined by the fusion of minimalism and modern sophistication, reflecting a timeless appeal of simplicity and elegance. Drawing inspiration from the principles of minimalism, today's bathrooms are evolving into serene sanctuaries within the home, showcasing an essential core and a palette of light and natural shades. The minimalist approach extends beyond visuals, embracing the concept of uncluttered spaces and striking fixtures that evoke understated luxury and tranquility. A clean, modern, and minimalistic design can evoke a sense of calm and cleanliness through its reduction of visual clutter and distractions, allowing for enhanced focus on essential elements. This aesthetic approach promotes simplicity with clean lines, ample white space, and limited elements, creating an environment that feels uncluttered and serene, which in turn contributes to a feeling of calm and tranquility. Additionally, the ease of cleaning and maintenance associated with minimalistic designs further reinforces a sense of cleanliness, leading to a more harmonious living or working space. These benefits extend beyond the physical environment, impacting the mental state of individuals by promoting clarity, reducing stress, and fostering a sense of calmness within the space. The integration of sophisticated minimalism in bathroom design extends to artistic lighting fixtures, seamless tech integration, and a serene color palette, all contributing to a modern and fresh look that elevates the functionality and elegance of contemporary bathrooms. From the strategic use of color and texture to the integration of smart technology, the concept of minimalism is redefined to embody a sense of refined luxury and tranquility, paving the way for a new era of fresh, clean, and modern interior design. This approach not only reflects a design ethos but also serves as a lifestyle choice, embracing the essence of simplicity and sophistication that resonates with individuals seeking a harmonious and uncluttered living environment. Overall, the fusion of minimal and modern sophistication represents a transformative shift in interior design, where every detail has been meticulously curated to create an ambiance of timeless elegance and refined luxury. Overall, the interior design trends for bathrooms in 2024 are about infusing nature-inspired elements, embracing minimalistic elegance, integrating innovative technology, and creating a serene, yet stylish, sanctuary within the home. Image Credit to @fancy_house_dubai, @stephaniekratzinteriors, @serosez
A large patio with a dining table and chairs and a swimming pool.

Luxury Patios For Your Personal Oasis

By Stephanie Kratz • 28 Mar, 2024
In today's fast-paced world, the desire for a tranquil retreat within the confines of one's home has never been more prevalent. Luxury patios have emerged as the perfect solution, offering a seamless blend of opulence and natural beauty to create serene and relaxing outdoor oases. These outdoor spaces are designed to provide a haven for relaxation, entertainment, and contemplation, allowing individuals to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life without leaving their homes. The allure of luxury patios lies in their ability to seamlessly merge interior comfort with the splendor of the outdoors. Through thoughtful design and meticulous attention to detail, these spaces exude an air of sophistication while embracing the tranquility of nature. From plush outdoor furnishings to ambient lighting and lush greenery, every element is carefully curated to evoke a sense of luxury and relaxation. One of the defining features of luxury patios is the emphasis on creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living. Expansive glass doors, retractable walls, and open floor plans blur the boundaries between the interior and exterior, effectively bringing the outdoors in. This harmonious integration allows natural light to flood the space, fostering a connection with the surrounding environment and instilling a feeling of openness and serenity.  Design/image credit to @stephaniekratzinteriors, @studia_54, @style.and.grace.interiors, @tollbrothers

Emerald Elegance: Transform Your Space with Lush Hues

By Stephanie Kratz • 19 Mar, 2024
Explore the multifaceted charm of emerald, offering insights into how this color can breathe new life into your interior spaces, elevate your design sensibilities, and captivate the eye with every glance. Emerald exudes a mesmerizing allure that few other colors can match and has long been associated with prestige and sophistication. When used in interior design, emerald communicates a sense of elegance that makes any space feel like a palace. Emerald is a bold color—one that demands attention and makes a statement. But it also has a versatility that allows it to play well with a wide variety of design elements. An emerald accent wall can be the show-stopping centerpiece of any room. Whether you opt for a rich, textured paint finish or a more subdued wallpaper pattern, the emerald focus creates a spatial depth and a point of visual interest that can't be ignored. For those who prefer a more subtle approach, emerald upholstery can be the perfect choice. A plush emerald sofa or armchair adds a touch of indulgence to your living room, while emerald throw pillows and blankets offer a cozy, inviting presence. Accessories and artwork that feature emerald can tie a room together, even in small doses. Think vases, frames, and decorative pieces that highlight the color, or select artwork with emerald as a dominant shade to liven up your walls. Emerald rugs bring warmth and personality to any room, and they work beautifully with both light and dark flooring options. Layering rugs with emerald touches can soften a space and add a layer of complexity to your design. Emerald isn't just a color—it's an experience. It has the power to transform ordinary rooms into extraordinary spaces. Design/image credit to @stephaniekratzinteriors @base9studio @luxxumoderndesignliving and @ovadiadesigngroup

The Joy of Fabric Textures: Velvet, Linen, and Faux Fur

By Stephanie Kratz • 15 Mar, 2024
Texture plays a vital role in designing interiors that are both visually appealing and physically comforting. It adds depth to a room and engages our senses, both visually and through touch that have the power to transform any space into a multifaceted and inviting retreat. Velvet is synonymous with luxury and opulence. Its plush, soft surface appears to change shades when the light hits it, adding dynamic texture to any piece of furniture or accessory. Velvet has a unique way of capturing rich, deep colors, making it ideal for accent items, like throw pillows or an armchair. It brings a touch of sophistication to modern and classical design themes alike. Linen brings an effortlessly chic and natural feel to any space. Known for its breathable quality and beautiful natural weave, linen can add a laid-back, yet refined, texture to your décor. It's incredibly versatile and fits well within a wide range of design styles, from beachy to rustic to modern minimalism. Faux fur imparts an undeniable feeling of warmth and indulgence. Especially in colder months, throwing in some faux fur elements can infuse your space with a cozy atmosphere. This texture is excellent for bringing in an element of fun and playfulness while keeping the look chic. Each fabric brings its own personality and feeling into a room. When combined, textures like velvet, linen, and faux fur can complement one another and create interiors that are engaging and harmonious. Design/image credit to @juli_interiors, @kimberleyharrisoninteriors, @alexanderkozlovinteriors
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