Fall Organization Refresh: Smart Design Features

In the fall, we often return to everyday routines after the hectic or unstructured summer days. This leads many people to think about refreshing the organization in their homes. Home design features can be personalized to fit your lifestyle, and when done effectively, can help with organization and simplify daily routines. At Sierra Homes, we understand that thoughtful design is essential for creating your dream home. Keep reading for some of our favorite organizational design features!

Built-in shelves are both stylish and functional.

Entryway / Mudroom

As the gateway into your home, your entryway plays a key role in preventing clutter and maintaining a tidy space. We recommend exploring some of the following ideas for this area:

• Built-in storage: Built-in shelves or cabinets look stylish while storing backpacks, shoes, coats, and other frequently used items.

• Overhead cabinets: These are perfect for storing less frequently used items like seasonal gear, extra blankets, or cleaning supplies.

• Baskets for small items: Use baskets to easily access small items like gloves, hats, and pet leashes. These can be stored on open shelving, or inside cabinets or cubbies.

• Hooks for coats and bags: Install hooks for hanging items for grab-and-go ease.

• Bench with storage: A bench provides a seat while putting on shoes and concealed storage for other items.

• Shoe racks and trays: Consider adding shoe racks to help keep your shoes neatly organized and contained. Shoe trays can help prevent dirt and water tracking inside.

• Sliding doors: Consider sliding or pocket doors to close off the mudroom when needed. These save space compared to traditional swinging doors, and can help keep the area looking tidy.

• Drop zone or command center: Some people find it helpful to design a command center near the entry, with a countertop, bulletin board, and mail slots.

• Integrated Charging Station: Your command center might include a charging station for phones, tablets, and other electronics. Installing hidden outlets inside a drawer can keep messy cords out of sight.

• Durable flooring: Choose durable, easy-to-clean flooring for this area, such as ceramic tile, vinyl, or rubber. A weather-resistant mat or runner at the entrance is essential to catch dirt and moisture. 

These design features can transform a mudroom into a highly functional space that keeps your home organized and clean, while also serving as a stylish and practical entryway.

Pocket doors can hide miscellaneous items from view when needed.

Kitchen

The kitchen is a high-traffic area where counter space may be limited. The central location of many kitchens in the home also means that they can become a natural dumping ground for miscellaneous items. Try some of these design features to maximize storage space and accessibility in the kitchen:

• Hidden “dumping” area: This handy feature can corral the miscellaneous items that tend to accumulate in the kitchen. A small area enclosed with sliding or pocket doors can hide these items from view for less visual clutter.

• Appliance garages: Create an enclosed space on the countertop with a roll-up or lift-up door, where small appliances like toasters, mixers, and coffee makers can be stored and easily accessed without cluttering the countertop.

• Pull-out storage for lower cabinets: These can be customized to fit various sizes of cookware, making it easy to access heavy pots and pans without having to bend down or reach into deep spaces. 

• Pull-down shelves for upper cabinets: Similarly, install pull-down mechanisms to bring items to a more accessible height.

• Corner cabinet solutions: Use Lazy Susans or swing-out shelves to fully utilize the often-wasted corner space, making it easier to reach items stored in the back.

• Deep drawer dividers: Deep drawers benefit from adjustable dividers to organize and store pots, pans, and their lids neatly. You can also use pegs or custom dividers to keep everything in place.

• Overhead pot racks: Alternatively, hang pots and pans from a ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted pot rack. This keeps them easily accessible and frees up cabinet space.

• Toe-kick drawers: Utilize the space under lower cabinets by installing these shallow drawers, perfect for storing flat items like baking sheets or cutting boards.

• Pull-out bins: Hide trash and recycling bins in a pull-out cabinet, to free up floor space and keep them out of sight. These can be designed with multiple compartments for sorting.

• Under-sink storage: Use sliding drawers or pull-out racks under the sink to make use of this awkward space. It’s ideal for storing cleaning supplies, sponges, and other small items.

• Built-in knife blocks and utensil trays: Integrate knife blocks and utensil trays into drawers to keep these items organized and easily accessible. This also frees up counter space.

• Integrated cutting boards: Design countertops with integrated pull-out cutting boards that can be tucked away when not in use. Some designs include a hole to easily slide food waste into a compost bin or trash below.

These features help maximize storage and make it easier to access kitchen items, making your space more functional and efficient.

Bathroom

Bathrooms provide their own challenges when it comes to organization. Limited counter space combined with few storage options will guarantee a messy space. Instead, try creative options like:

• Drawers with built-in outlets: Install these for hair dryers and other appliances, which can help keep them off the counter.

• Pull-out cabinet organizers: As in the kitchen, pull-out shelves or trays make it easy to access items stored at the back. These can include tiered shelves for stacking toiletries or bins for hair tools.

• Magnetic strips: Install a magnetic strip inside a cabinet door or on the wall to store metal grooming tools like tweezers, nail clippers, and scissors, keeping them easily accessible yet out of the way.

• Recessed shower niches: Instead of bulky shower caddies, recessed niches in the shower walls provide sleek storage for shampoos, soaps, and razors. Multiple niches can be designed for different family members or product types.

• Hidden laundry hampers: Incorporate a pull-out laundry hamper into the vanity or a cabinet to keep dirty clothes out of sight and organized. These can also be divided into sections for sorting laundry by color or fabric type.

• Wall-mounted dispensers: Install these for liquid products like soap, shampoo, and conditioner, to help keep the countertop clear.

• Under-sink sliding storage: Sliding baskets under the sink can hold cleaning supplies, extra toiletries, or small towels.

• Toilet tank tray: Place a stylish tray on top of the toilet tank for items like extra toilet paper, a small plant, or decorative candles, keeping essentials close at hand without taking up counter space.

Thoughtful planning and design can create a more organized and functional living space for you and your household. Feeling inspired? Contact us to discuss your custom home building project, and explore how organizational features tailored to your needs can be incorporated into your design!

Designing for Fun: How to Create the Perfect Bonus Rooms and Entertaining Spaces

Some of our favorite rooms to design are entertaining spaces and bonus rooms. These spaces add extra warmth to a home, helping family and friends gather and enjoy one another. With some thoughtful design beforehand, you can create functional, versatile spaces that make it easy for people to connect, whether for a formal dinner party or a movie night.

Here are some of our favorite features to incorporate when designing these spaces!

Bonus Rooms

Spend time thinking about the intended uses for the room. For example, you may wish to designate floor space for larger game items like a foosball table. These types of rooms often don’t include closets, but we like to add one where possible for easy, out-of-sight storage for games.

Comfortable, modular seating that can be arranged in different ways is key for accommodating different groups of guests. We also recommend considering a couch with a fold-out bed, or a comfortable sectional large enough to sleep on, for visits that stretch late.

Including a kitchenette with features like a sink, mini-fridge, and microwave will keep snacks and drinks handy for guests. Instead of upper cabinets, opt for a shelf for storage, and add pendant lights for ambiance.

Include a kitchenette for snacks and modular seating to accommodate various numbers of guests.

Entertaining Spaces

When it comes to entertaining, many people think first of the dining room, and it is indeed a vital place for carefully considered seating, lighting, and comfort. Our Kennydale I, II and III houses were all designed for entertaining, with the main living areas situated upstairs to take advantage of the nice views and access to a deck.

Extend your entertaining space outdoors with a covered deck and fireplace while taking advantage of the views.

However, also consider other areas that can become cozy and comfortable places to welcome guests. For example, the deck itself can serve as a bonus or entertaining space. By connecting gas lines to the deck and installing heaters in the soffits, we can extend a covered deck’s functionality throughout cooler temperatures. An outdoor fireplace in a covered area can also become a beautiful space for entertaining and relaxing that works throughout the year, not to mention a stunning focal point in your yard.

Lastly, open concept floor plans can make entertaining easier as they accommodate larger groups to mingle together, rather than more traditional layouts. Our Kennydale III kitchen and living areas flow seamlessly together to make use of the home’s stunning second-floor views.

This Kennydale home features an open floor plan on the main level, allowing guests to easily mingle throughout the kitchen, living and dining areas.

By considering these elements, your home can become a vibrant, welcoming space for friends and family alike.

Welcoming Retreats: Expert Tips for Crafting the Perfect Guest Room

Creating a welcoming guest room in your home is easier than you think! With our many years of experience building custom homes, we’ve accumulated a solid list of best practices. Some of these ideas you can use to transform an existing room into one specifically for guests. Others are helpful if you are working on a dream home of your own and want to be sure to plan ahead for those overnight visitors.

If you’re designing an existing space:

• Privacy is key, so aim to provide each guest room with its own bathroom whenever possible. 

• Opt for two twin beds that can double as a king-size bed when needed, ensuring versatility without sacrificing comfort. 

• Enhance the guest experience by incorporating amenities such as a television for entertainment 

• Ensure ample lighting throughout the room for a cozy atmosphere. Consider sconces over the nightstands and corner lamps to supplement any overhead lighting.

• Consider adding stylish storage solutions - like an armoire in the guest room and a basket or stool in the guest bath - to keep the spaces tidy and organized

• Install hooks in both the designated guest bathroom and bedroom to offer convenient spots for hanging towels and personal items

Stylish guest bathroom with double sinks, a basket for used towels, and elegant spa touches

If you’re in custom building or remodeling mode:

• Design the guest bathroom as an attached space, converting this area into a guest ‘suite.’

• If the bathroom is doing double duty as a general guest bath and one attached to the guest room, offer two entrances.

• Plan ahead so the guest room can accommodate two twin beds & sconce lighting.

• Consider putting two sinks in the guest bath, if space allows.

With these thoughtful touches, your guest room will become a haven of comfort and relaxation for your overnight visitors of all kinds.

Has Gray Had Its Day?

While gray has been the most popular interior design color for (at least) the past 10 years, the most common question I hear from clients lately is, “Is gray still in style?”

Homeowners are thinking about whether to transition away from the beloved gray, or to bring in a new color that works alongside the cool neutral. When working with clients to design a new home or update an existing space, we are slowly starting to move into more warm neutrals that will coordinate, as many people own furnishings and artwork that go with a gray palette.

Gray is classic and tends to show up as a useful neutral color, which can work well when balanced with warm tones; just a touch can be nice in almost any space, as long as it is used in moderation and is not the main inspiration for that space. Use gray intentionally and think about how it can enhance your color palette.

When working with custom clients at design showrooms, I have recently noticed the following shifts in the colors:

• Quartz slabs, (once crisp white and cool gray), now feature a mixture of gold or caramel alongside warmer gray veining

• Hardwood floors, (once washed with gray stain on top), are now left natural or stained a deep, wood tone to warm up the space.

• Tile selections, (once limited to concrete looking shades of gray), are now leaning more neutral, beige and warm, or even fun, bold colors

LEFT: Common tile line used in recent years
RIGHT: Newer, warmer tile being used in upcoming houses

• Paint colors, cool grays are being replaced with warm whites and soft beiges

As the trend cycles away from gray, it is not necessary to completely do away with it, but let’s work with it! Bringing in neutral tones, natural elements, or bold colors can work cohesively with gray to freshen up any space.

How To Update An Older Home While Keeping Its Charm

While it may be tempting to completely gut an old house and fill it with all that’s trendy and new, keeping the home true to the era in which it was built will help preserve its charm. Before beginning any renovations, research the styles of the time period to determine what historical features should be kept and which could be updated.

For example, the design elements for a mid-century modern home built in the 1960s to 1970s will differ significantly from those found in a 1930s to 1940s art deco style home. And all the styles of decades past are completely different than the contemporary look of today’s modern homes.

With all the various styles and time periods to consider, design selection can be difficult and overwhelming when renovating. But with many of the “vintage” looks trending today, one can easily find new, similar pieces needed to complete the look. Done properly, you will have the charming look of an old home mixed with new home luxury!

We just completed a design project for a client with a 1960's mid-century modern home who needed new hard surface selections (the original designer hadn't kept with the true aesthetic of the home and took her way over budget). In keeping with the roots of the home, the exterior stone, wood beams, stone entryway, and some wood cabinets would remain in place while other updated surfaces would be added to enhance the original look.

These countertops and tile elements complemented the roots of the home beautifully

We found hard surfaces to match the stone entryway flooring

The result was a timeless masterpiece of genuine mid-century design mixed with modern pieces that update the space in every room. And we saved her over $23,000!

Fireplace Focal Points

Whether designing a new home or refreshing an existing space, it is easy to transform a room by making the fireplace the focal point. Choosing the material for a fireplace in a new home is always determined by the style of the house. Sierra Homes often builds in a contemporary style with high vaulted ceilings. This calls for a dramatic fireplace design (like the bookmatch design featured below) that can range from large format tiles, concrete, stone, or even slabs of porcelain on the face. There may be a hearth and/or mantel depending on the desired look.

For our remodel or design clients, fireplace renovations are the most requested. We have created stunning centerpieces from old, shabby fireplaces that just needed a little TLC – or a major overhaul! The trend is to remove old wood burning fireboxes and replace with gas inserts that appear more upscale and sleeker. Then by replacing the old stone with new material, or whitewashing bricks (like we did in this 1960's ranch home below), we have created an elegant fireplace that becomes the centerpiece of the room.

We removed the bookcase, added shiplap above & whitewashed the fireplace brick in the kitchen

We added shiplap above and whitewashed the fireplace brick for a brighter look in the living room.