Category: Renovations
Cubbies and Benches
Cubbies and benches are being included in the majority of new homes being built today. A catch-all space to hold coats, shoes, backpacks, keys and much more, this area, often called a mudroom or dropzone, is usually located inside a back door or near the garage. There are endless possibilities to the type of cubbies and benches that can be built. Check out the photos below for some inspiration if you’re thinking of adding a cubby or a bench to your home. We guarantee that once you have this great organizing space in your home, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!
Project Spotlight: Outdoor Living Space Makeover
Bob and Robin loved their home, but it lacked one thing their previous home had – a screened-in porch. They had a deck, but it was small and needed replaced. They decided it was a good time to make the switch to a screened-in porch, which would provide them the outdoor living space they could use for more months out of the year.
The homeowners were aware of Metzler Home Builder’s reputation for quality and had heard of positive experiences from several of their neighbors who had used Metzler’s for renovation projects in their homes. Tim Zehr, Senior Designer and Estimator, worked with them to create a design for their new porch and patio area. The result was a lovely 11 ½’ x 12 ½’ screened-in porch, with TimberTech AZEK decking and white vinyl railing and posts. The adjacent 10’ x 13 ½’ patio was constructed with flagstone pavers and a radius brick border.
Bob and Robin love the way the patio and porch blend into the existing design of their home. They appreciate the quality craftsmanship provided by Metzler Home Builders and the subcontractors that worked on their patio and porch. “Mike and Adam are a talented team and were easy to work with,” said Robin. “They were responsive and ensured the project went smoothly!”
Mudrooms & Dropzones: Great Spaces for the Home
Mudrooms are the perfect way to ensure a clutter-free room. These rooms serve as a transition space where family members can keep purses, backpacks, electronics, footwear, wallets and keys, as well as other items they “grab-and-go” as they enter and leave home.
What are mudrooms and dropzones?
A mudroom is a space that is typically nestled inside an entrance of the home. The word “mudroom” refers to a dedicated space for removing muddy boots and wet clothes before entering the home. But today, these spaces can do so much more!
A dropzone, as a military term, refers to the designated area in which troops or supplies are “dropped” from the sky (via parachutes). Inside the home, a dropzone is a place where family members can “drop” their stuff upon entering the house. Just like a mudroom, ideally, it should be located near an entrance.
Remodeling your home to incorporate a mudroom/dropzone is becoming more of a necessity for busy families. The two biggest benefits include:
Adequate storage: While closets and entryways are traditional places where you’d store jackets, umbrellas and other items, these places are usually not spacious enough to accommodate everything. And they create clutter. Luckily, mudrooms/dropzone are an excellent way to make a dedicated space in your house where you can stash almost anything.
Less clutter: One place where everything can be hung and organized is ideal for a busy family. A mudroom/dropzone is where coats, hats, shoes, sports bags and backpacks can all be stored—instead of near the kitchen table or on the island, which creates an eyesore and unorganized mess.
What does a good mudroom/dropzone include?
Mudrooms are flexible spaces intended to balance functionality alongside style. Consider the following features to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of your mudroom/dropzone.
- If space allows, the mudroom should be big enough to accommodate all family members and pets. You may even consider installing a pet bathing station.
- Install plenty of hooks and cubbies to hang coats, jackets, gloves and other clothing used on a daily basis so you can easily grab it as you leave home.
- Install benches for sitting while taking off shoes or organizing belongings.
- Create a “landing counter” where you can place mail and packages, instead of piling them on the kitchen counter.
- In this tech-savvy area, your mudroom/dropzone is a great spot for installing a charging station to plug in your mobile devices and other electronic gadgets. A dedicated spot like this helps to diminish the clutter in other spots in the home.
- Consider hanging a “must not forget” wall peg board where you can store outgoing mail, bills, to-do lists and face masks.
- Add a hamper to throw in socks or other dirty clothing that lay around your house, as well as damp clothes from swimming or a wet day playing outside.
- Since these floors experience heavy traffic, select a durable floor. Tile or luxury vinyl flooring (LVF) are two excellent options.
- Choose the color of the mudroom to complement the decor of the house.
- Go for an (ideally classy) design that helps you organize the area.
Constructing a mudroom/dropzone
While mudrooms/dropzones are a practical addition to the home, they do not have to be unimaginative or sterile. With the help of a creative design and thorough planning, you can transform an underutilized space in your home into a stunning and functional mudroom/dropzone. As your contractor, we can provide you with the best design options and solutions. Contact us to talk.
The Home Office Re-Imagined for the New Normal
2020 has changed so many things, especially how and where we work. Before this year, many of us only conducted a few hours of business a week at home. We answered emails on our smartphones or did a little work on the laptop while sitting on the couch or at the kitchen island.
McKinsey recently wrote, “…estimates suggest that early this April, 62 percent of employed Americans worked at home during the crisis, compared to about 25 percent a couple of years ago.”
With the shift in how and where we work, a new emphasis on the home office has emerged. Trying to get solid hours of work into a day sitting at the kitchen table simply doesn’t fit our needs anymore. We want a place in the home that limits distractions and is more comfortable.
If you are considering renovating your home to accommodate a home office, here are our suggested four steps.
Project Spotlight: Master Bath Makeover
The master bathroom at Andres and Lauren’s home was in desperate need of a complete renovation. The original owner had built the bathroom with fixtures that were small and at a lower level than what Andres and Lauren preferred, which made the bathroom uncomfortable and not practical. It was also in need of a facelift.
Several homes in Andres and Lauren’s neighborhood had been built by Metzler Home Builders, and they were impressed by the beauty of the homes. They also had a personal connection with one of the family members and could vouch for the quality of the Metzler team and the work they performed.
Kitchen Storage: Now and Later
Is it important to have an organized kitchen?
This is a question that many of us have asked—and answered—these last few months. As we adjusted to a new stay-at-home work/school environment, we have experienced just how functional our home truly is. The kitchen has long been the hub of the home. But as this space continues to be asked to do more, we are seeing how the kitchen plays a vital role in the overall health of our home’s ecosystem. And the more organized it is (based on each family’s needs), the better it functions.
LVP Flooring: An Alternative to Hardwood
If you’ve been in the market for new flooring, you most likely have seen a product called Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP). LVP flooring has gained popularity in the last five years, and more homeowners are installing it in their homes than ever before. Most flooring companies have their own brand, and they’ve kept improving the appearance of the planks, giving them a very realistic wood or tile look. Many people prefer the look of luxury vinyl planks over sheet vinyl.
There are a large variety of planks on the market – from traditional to distressed looks. Plank widths range from 4 ½” – 9” and lengths are 48” or 72”. According to Shirley Lantz, Interior Designer at Wall-to-Wall Floor Covering in Strasburg, PA, there are many reasons this flooring is a top seller. One of the biggest reasons that homeowners choose luxury vinyl planks is the fact that it’s 100% waterproof, making it an excellent choice for homes with children and/or pets. It is easy to clean and can be used in kitchens, laundries and bathrooms without fear of getting water on the floor.
Foundation Repairs Lead to Renovation & Addition
Andy and Lenore purchased their ranch home at an auction. The home is situated on a beautiful wooded lot, and while they loved the house, they also suspected there were some serious foundation issues. Because of this, they decided to combine the foundation repairs into one major project to make the home everything they wanted to meet the needs of their family.
Andy’s parents had a new home built by Metzler Home Builders in 2015 and were very impressed with the company, cost, employees, subcontractors and their final product. Andy and Lenore gave Metzler’s a call and began the design process with Tim. In addition to repairing the foundation issues, they added a sunroom and a deck with a screened-in porch area. They also renovated to include a new kitchen and bath and reconfigured the mudroom.
How to Use Tile in Unexpected Ways
Tile can be a creative expression of both form and function, and its advantages reward home design professionals and homeowners alike. Because tile is available in a variety of sizes, colors, shapes, styles and patterns, it’s one of the most versatile products, too. Tile is a lovely material that, because of its natural resistance to bacteria and easy-to-clean properties, performs terrifically in kitchens and baths, but it is also finding “homes” in almost any location.
Project Spotlight: A Fabulous Facelift & Year-Round Sunroom
Bris and Janet loved their home, but they were ready for a change to the home’s exterior. Specifically, it had a screened-in porch that they wanted to make more usable. They found it to be too cold, too hot or too buggy to be used most of the year. In addition, the house was covered in old aluminum siding which needed to be replaced. They also wanted to remove the shutters but weren’t sure how to make that change on an older home.