A Forever Home Renovation
Designing Your Forever Home: A Thoughtful Approach to Renovating
Embarking on a home renovation project is a thrilling endeavour, but the approach you take can vary significantly depending on whether you're transforming a forever home or tackling a quick flip, or shorter term, project. While some improvements might focus on immediate needs and trends, a forever home renovation demands a more thoughtful and conscientious strategy. Writing from experience as someone who’s done both, let's delve into the key considerations and strategies that set these two approaches apart. For context, as I write, my partner and I have been living in our home in Cornwall for almost three years and renovating for fourteen months. When we made the offer on Alpine we knew we were biting off a big project and stretching our limits but we could see a long future here (I told the estate agent I was planning a wedding in the garden, true) and we started having conversations about having a family here, which we sincerely hope comes true. Of the homes I’ve lived in, I instantly felt most settled here and even though it’s pretty chaotic living in a quarter of the footprint whilst it undergoes a transformation, and making such compromises on our lifestyle now, I absolutely adore it. The love we pour into our home is immeasurable. It’s a privilege to be the second couple to own Alpine, trusted to raise potential with an increased layout and improved design. At the moment, I’d still do it again, but I really do think it’s forever.
Long-Term Vision vs. Immediate Gratification
Potentially, when moving into your renovation project you may want to get stuck into replacing the carpets and putting your favoured colours on the wall. I’ve written with caution before about the need to plan before getting started, but if you’re renovating what you think will be a forever home there’s even more need to take your time. Often driven by the desire for a swift transformation, shorter term projects tend to focus on immediate needs and trends, renovators are tempted to make quicker decisions, for instance enjoying a particular colour whilst it’s fashionable as it won’t be their home in five years time. Another example, a homeowner looking to quickly update their kitchen might opt for on trend, colourful cabinets and countertops that were popular at the time. Whilst providing an instant impact, they might not age well or suit changing tastes over the years (we see it often with tiles).
Whereas if you’re embarking on a forever home renovation this invites a more patient and strategic mindset. Warning: patience is required in abundance! Due to the intention to be in a home for many years (or even forever), it’s important to consider the long-term functionality and aesthetic appeal, such as will you still be drawn to the same kitchen in ten years? Of course simple, low cost changes, such as the wall colour can be made over time but the high investment elements of your refurbishment, flooring, tiles, kitchen and sanitaryware should consider longevity. If in doubt opt for timeless design elements and quality materials that will stand the test of time, providing enduring satisfaction, which you can accessorise with more on trend colours if you wish. For instance classic neutral-toned cabinets, durable stone countertops, adaptable tile colours and high-quality appliances could be chosen and accessorised with accents added using on trend prints and colours. This approach ensures that the kitchen remains stylish and functional regardless of evolving design trends.
Investment in Quality
With patience in mind this sometimes means making a decision to wait and invest in a quality material or piece of furniture, it’s also an economic decision when weighing up the chances of needing to replace something later down the line. Whilst tempting to get to the finish result as quickly as possible, when you’re in the middle of renovating, with your homelife upside down, the thought of having to replace or do something again in a short period of time may be enough to wait it out. In contrast when improving a home to live in for a shorter period of time it may not be necessary to have the highest quality, for instance in the example of a kitchen again, you may be happy to fit a luxury laminate worktop instead of quartz to better distribute your budget.
Whilst I am eager to complete our project and start enjoying the hard work, I view our renovation as a long-term investment. The improvements we are making will not only enhance the design and our life here, but also adds lasting value to the property. Prioritising quality involves selecting hard-wearing floors and tiles, and choosing fixtures from reputable brands. While the initial cost may be higher, the longevity and durability of these choices make them a wise investment, reducing the need for frequent replacements and repairs. Couple this approach with timeless design and you’re securing many years of enjoyment in your home. An example of something we chose to wait on was the supply of aluminium sliding doors, the decision, due to material and size, cost us an extra £1800 compared to a slightly smaller PVC option. However, we agreed for the extra time and cost it would be worth it to us.
Personalisation and Customisation
When renovators choose to complete a project quickly this sometimes enforces a limited timeframe, which in turn may restrict the degree of personalisation to the design, whilst availability of resources and speed become key criteria. This can lead to generic and cookie-cutter designs that may not truly reflect unique taste and lifestyle. However this could result in an easy sell property, a refreshed, but blank canvas is highly sought after. On the other hand with a forever home I recommend taking the time to personalise your space. Tailor the design to your needs, preferences, and future aspirations. Customisation ensures a home feels uniquely yours, promoting a sense of belonging and comfort for years to come, if I refer to my own home renovation, (hopefully a forever home), we’ve given thought to access and single story living as in the future (hopefully far into the future), my disability could make stairs too painful. Of course I’ve also opted for my long-standing favourite colour in the kitchen, that’s more fun. Taking the time to personalise involves more planning and seeing the project as a large jigsaw, selecting paint colours, finishes, and fixtures that suit your personality and preferences (it’s much more difficult than taking a blanket approach throughout). You could choose to design custom cabinetry, use unique lighting fixtures, and add personalised spaces, such as a reading nook or a built-in office, all time and financial investments that contribute to a home that feels truly one-of-a-kind.
Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Choices
I admire designers who specialise in sustainability, researching the life of every product and material, how it was made, how it will last and how it will be recycled when it does reach the end of its intended use. Whilst I haven’t been this thorough I have thought more consciously about sustainability with this renovation. I’ve said it before, but I really don’t want to be doing something twice if it can be helped! Sustainability might take a backseat in a quick renovation, where speed and cost-effectiveness remain the priority. A forever home renovation however is an opportunity to reduce your environmental impact and create a healthier living space. Renovators could embrace sustainability by selecting energy-efficient appliances, using recycled or locally sourced materials, and incorporating green building practices. For instance, installing solar panels, using reclaimed wood, and investing in a smart home system to optimise energy usage contribute to a more eco-friendly and sustainable forever home.
Flexibility for Future Changes
Lastly a homeowner undertaking a quick renovation may not consider potential future needs, resulting in fewer opportunities to adapt in years to come. Fixed furniture layouts and limited storage solutions could hinder the ability to accommodate lifestyle changes. Quick tip here, multi-functioning rooms and furniture easily address this! With a home you plan to live in for three to five years you may prioritise your immediate needs over making more expensive decisions. In contrast a forever home is prepared for future growth and changes. By including flexibility into your design to accommodate evolving lifestyles, family dynamics, and technological advancements (USC plugs hello), you will ensure that your forever home remains functional and relevant over the years. Of course in the absence of a crystal ball this is more difficult but planning for the future involves designing spaces with flexibility in mind. For example, a multipurpose room could serve as both a home office and a guest bedroom. Built-in storage solutions and modular furniture also allow for easy reconfiguration as family dynamics evolve (psst L shaped sofas are harder to reconfigure a room or layout than separate pieces).
Approaching a forever home renovation is a unique journey that requires patience, careful planning, and a focus on long-term satisfaction (something you can’t see and rely on imagining). It’s more tiring, weighing up decisions based on information you don’t yet have about your future, it’s more expensive as you become less inclined to compromise on function and design, it’s a longer process as you commit to making a more sustainable choice. However, by investing time, energy, finances, and thoughtfulness into the process, you're not just creating a beautiful living space for today, but crafting a home that will stand the test of time, providing joy and comfort for generations to come.
If you would like some help with your renovation, short or long term home, I would love to help. Transforming a tired property into a treasured home is what I enjoy, just drop me an email to find out how we can work together.
