Building a house allows you to make its every feature reflect who you are and what you want out of life. However, building new also means you may feel overwhelmed with how much there is to think about. Don’t worry! Lyons will start you off with some questions to keep in mind.
What layout will suit my present lifestyle and future goals?
If you’re building new, there will be no need to worry about knocking down walls to get the layout you want, but this does mean asking yourself now what will best assist you in achieving your future goals. For example, an open-concept layout may allow you to watch your kids play while you’re cooking more easily, and may also be ideal for entertaining, while a more traditional closed-off feel may give you the quiet personal space you crave.
How many stories and rooms make up my ideal space?
As well as thinking about the amount of bedrooms and bathrooms which will allow your family to spread out comfortably, this is also the time to think about whether you need a home office or space designated specifically for your interests (such as a crafts or games room). If you’re building new, you also get to decide how many stories suit your needs. Do you want the bedrooms separate from your living space? Will stairs be alright for elderly relatives? Asking yourself these questions now will allow you to build a home that meets your needs and those of your family.
How much does being green matter to you?
If being kind to the environment is one of your priorities, now is the time to think about how to actualize these values. Lyons offers many products which reduce harm to the environment, as well as keep your heating and cooling costs down. Many of Kohltech’s window options, for example, meet Passive House Requirements. Lauzon, as well, prioritizes sustainability in their flooring manufacturing process. If your go-to is green, now’s the time to come to Lyons ask about your options.
What style will make your house feel like home?
Rustic, modern, minimalist, or traditional? The interior of your home should reflect your tastes and make you feel happy every time you walk through the front door. From the style of light fixtures you choose, to well-placed accent walls, to the right kind of flooring, you can make your house a place of peace and productivity. In the final stages, choosing a colour palette that makes you excited and content will also allow you to customize your house exactly to your tastes.
What layout and features will make cooking or entertaining fun?
Often, when making dinner or preparing for entertaining, small things can make life much easier. Lyons designers will help you design the layout of your kitchen that will work for you, keeping in mind principles that will maximize functionality, such as the working triangle. If built in garbage cans, slow close drawers (so kids can’t slam them), or a wine rack would make your kitchen easier to navigate or more aesthetically pleasing, these features are available through Lyons’ kitchen experts as well. This is also the time to think about your cabinets and countertops, and whether granite, quartz, laminate, or a butcher block would make you proud of and happy in your kitchen. Remember, your kitchen is probably a place you’ll be a lot; it should reflect your style and be functional for you.
How will you heat and cool your home?
Where you’re building your dream house can impact how you heat and cool it. As well as thinking about your windows and doors, if you’re building in a more remote area, you may want to consider alternative heating options, such as baseboard heaters, pellet stoves, and wood stoves. Living in our cold climate, it’s important to consider how to make your house as comfortable as possible.
What exterior cladding works best for you?
One of the great things about building new is that even the exterior of your house can look exactly how you want it to. If you want traditional vinyl siding, stone veneer, or wood siding, you can make it happen, and Lyons has you covered with brands such as Gentek, Shouldice and Fraser Wood Siding. You can also decide between a shingle and steel roof, and if you decide to go for steel, there’s also plenty of colour options available.
Do you enjoy being outdoors?
If sitting outside and drinking your morning coffee gives you the energy and contentment you crave, you’ll likely want to build a deck and entertainment outdoor areas. To have precisely the look you want, consider whether you would like a raised deck or a stone patio. For decks, Lyons Timber Mart offers Sienna Brown Pressure Treated Lumber for nice look, or Trex Composite Decking for a longer lasting deck. Protect your guests by wrapping the deck with a maintenance free railing option, such as Regal Railing’s aluminum and glass railings or Al-Mar’s vinyl railing. Find the paver that works for you from Lyons’ extensive options from Browns Concrete, Oaks Pavers and Best Way Stone. Your deck can both give you a place to relax outside, as well as add to your house’s curb appeal, so this is certainly something to consider when building new. You can also consider other aspects of your outdoor space, such as a fire pit or an inground sprinkler. (Remember, it’s much easier to put in an inground sprinkler when first landscaping your new house than later on.)
How will you use your garage?
Is your garage intended for cars, storage, work space, or do you need room for all of it? This is the time to think about how much space you need in your garage, and whether you want an attached or detached garage. If your dream house includes a well-equipped workshop, it should be part of your new build.
What kind of driveway do you want to pull into at night?
There are many options to think about to make your driveway work for you. You can move beyond the builder basic gravel or asphalt driveway and consider an interlocking stone driveway. Lyons carries many options of interlocking stone from Browns Concrete, Oaks Pavers and Best Way Stone to give your driveway a unique look and feel. Choose from a large format pattern, such as the Appian Stone from Browns; a cobblestone look reminiscent of old Europe, such as Best Way Stone’s Corso Paver; or a paver with the look of worn hand cut granite, such as Oaks’ Colonnade paver. You can also add lighting along the edge of the driveway to welcome you home at night.
We hope this list helps get you started on determining your priorities for your new build. If considering building a new home, you’re also welcome to stop by Lyons to discuss your goals and get the right products. Happy planning!