Giving Your New Home The "Wow" Factor

Kaila Sawlor-Dion, February 6, 2015 | Posted in Build; Tagged Design Considerations, Wow Factor

As excited as you are to live in your new home, you’re probably just as excited to show it off to friends and family. Consider adding some features that will really stand out and make your guests say, “Wow!”

Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Kitchen features:
The kitchen is one of the most popular entertaining and gathering spaces in a home. Combine function and beauty with custom cabinetry, a hard surface countertop, a kitchen island, a backsplash, and natural lighting. 

Vaulted or Cathedral Ceiling:
This style of ceiling extends to a higher point than a standard 8 ft. ceiling, making the room look bigger than it actually is. It can be curved, arched, or otherwise altered for architectural interest. It also allows more room for large windows, letting plenty of natural light into your home.

Trim and Mouldings:
Trim and mouldings can be basic or ornate, adding a personal touch to your home. Points to consider when choosing these features for your home are room sizes, ceiling height, furniture, fixtures, and colours.

Don’t underestimate the number of mouldings that a room can accommodate—many crowns and substantial casings and baseboards can make a room appear higher and larger. Elegant cornice mouldings that highlight the ceiling perimeter create eye-catching detail in focal areas of the home, most commonly in kitchens and great rooms. Adding extra layers, panels, or ceiling details in areas that often only have basic mouldings, such as hallways and foyers, is another way to give your home that “wow” factor.

Elements such as columns (round or square pillars, for instance), arches, fireplaces, window groupings, or beam work can give important entry or entertaining spaces extra definition and elegance.

Staircase:
Depending on the location of your staircase, it may be one of the first features your visitors see when they walk into your home. A great staircase can dominate a room in a powerful and pleasing way. Be creative with your choices! Metal balusters, painted wood balusters, glass panels, and painted risers are ways to make your staircase stand out. Spiral or freestanding designs are an attractive choice, and are very popular amongst homeowners.

These are just a few of the “wow” features you could include in your home. Be sure to ask your builder about special features they have included in past clients’ homes, and ask to see photos. Your builder will have the experience and expertise to transform your vision into reality.

Kaila Sawlor-Dion

Kaila is the Marketing Manager of Sawlor Built Homes. She continuously updates our profile on Facebook, Instagram, Houzz, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest, and is focused on all marketing initiatives.

A third generation family member of Sawlor Built Homes, Kaila joined the company in 2011. She is an active member of the Canadian Home Builder's Association - Nova Scotia Marketing Committee and she continues to update her education and training, intent on becoming an industry leader in new home marketing.