Should You Remodel or Build New? 3 Common Design Questions Answered
Your architecture, building, interior design and landscape questions answered by Valley pros.
Interior Designer - Lynette Willett, Est Est Inc.
The neutral color palette has become so ubiquitous. How do I bring color into my interiors and make them feel livelier without being too heavy-handed? Is there a way to add drama to an earthy Southwestern aesthetic?
Infusing color into a space to give it an added pop without it feeling heavily overdone can seem like a hard balance to achieve. Whether your style is leaning toward Southwest design or modern, the approach can be the same.
The beauty of neutral is that it can be easily transformed by injecting color. Selecting a palette of hues that are complementary to your wood tones, surface finishes or furnishings by additionally blending in color, pattern or texture that are suited to your design style, can create stimulating effects in a room. Being selective in where your impact areas are, what elements you choose to bring in and how you support them by using color, can be crucial to creating a balanced effect.
Here are some strategies:
Artwork: Hang an oversized, bold piece of art above your sofa and complement it with a vibrant sculptural bowl on a central table to draw colors from the art.
Furniture: Use graphically colored pillows on the sofa to tie in with a richly colored velvet chair in the room.
Rugs: Opt for a dramatically multicolored rug and coordinate accessories and art to complement its colors.
Upholstery: Upholster side chairs in a colorful fabric that complements a wallcovering or other elements in the room.
Landscape and Interior Lighting Designer - Janet Lennox Moyer, Janet Lennox Moyer Design
I’m a first-time homebuyer on a budget. I have a modest-sized front and backyard. What are the best ways to enhance a smaller landscape with outdoor lighting?
Landscape lighting can significantly increase the enjoyment of any home, and with indoor-outdoor living in Arizona, it’s nearly essential.
Even if your budget is limited, you can start with basic lighting and expand as your finances allow. The first step is to plan the power distribution. For example, a newly planted tree may be too small to light effectively now, but as it grows in our fast-paced climate, you’ll likely want to illuminate it. Plan where to bury electrical lines for future lighting needs to avoid disrupting established gardens later.
Architect Justin Novak, Hype Studio
What are the key factors to consider when deciding whether to do a large remodel or demo the home and build new?
When you realize your home no longer suits your needs, you have two options: an intense remodel or the daunting fresh start of a new build. Making the most informed decision involves taking into consideration the existing structure, desired layout, available time and, of course, budget.
The existing structure serves as the foundation for your decision-making process. Consider whether you can easily add to plumbing and electrical systems. If so, then a remodel might be feasible without removing existing equipment. But if plumbing and mechanical systems are outdated—or if you are considering adding a second story—a remodel could become cost-prohibitive and disruptive. In such cases, a new build allows you to start fresh, creating a home that fully meets your needs with modern systems and a new, sturdier base.
The next consideration is the desired layout. Are you envisioning an open concept or a completely different room configuration? While a remodel can achieve some layout changes, existing walls and weight-bearing structures can limit your ability to completely redesign the space.
Building new offers complete freedom to create the perfect flow and functionality for your needs. Time is a precious commodity. A remodel, especially a smaller one, can be completed faster and potentially allow you to stay in your home during the process. A large-scale remodel can drag on for months when unforeseen issues arise, requiring additional time for resolutions. Building a new home can sometimes take longer in some cases, but scheduling is more predictable, and accommodations are easier to plan.
Finally, there’s the matter of budget. While remodeling may initially seem more affordable, hidden factors, such as deteriorating plumbing or unexpected foundation problems, can quickly escalate costs. Building new offers more predictable costs, although fluctuations in material and labor prices can still impact the final price tag. Ultimately, the choice between remodeling and rebuilding depends on your specific situation.
SOURCES
Interior designer: Lynette Willett, ASID, NCIDQ, Est Est Inc., Scottsdale, estestinc.com. Landscape and interior lighting designer: Janet Lennox Moyer, FIALD, AOLP COLD, Janet Lennox Moyer Design, Rio Verde, jbluminae.com. Architect: Justin Novak, Hype Studio, Phoenix, hypestudio.design.
