Sunroom, Laundry Room, & Home Office Addition

Sunroom, Laundry Room, & Home Office Addition

Recently, Balducci Additions and Remodeling completed a home addition near King William, Virginia. The clients wanted a dedicated laundry room, but they couldn't configure it into their home's layout. Instead of taking away valuable square footage, a home addition was drawn up to make their dream laundry room a reality.

Home Addition Plans

Before Photos

The home addition includes a sunroom, laundry room, pantry, and home office. The addition extends the width of the house and juts out 16' (not including the deck).

Case openings between the addition and existing home

The transition from the existing home to the sunroom addition includes two case openings, one between the original living room and one between the original kitchen.

Sunroom Addition

Sunroom Addition

The sunroom features a pair of triple windows that face the backyard, which allows for lots of natural sunlight and viewing space. The exterior wall in the sunroom has two windows and a door leading to the wrap around deck. Also in the space are light hardwood floors, which complement the light blue walls. These features help to keep the room feeling airy and bright.

Laundry Room Addition

Laundry Room with Drying Rack

Just off of the sunroom is the laundry room. The laundry room is set up "galley style" to allow for easy traffic flow between the sunroom and home office. The washer and dryer are set up below the window, with room for storage to the left and a utility sink to the right.

Laundry Room with Side-by-Side Washer and Dryer

The focal points of the room are the two custom storage cabinets with hanging racks above. The beautiful custom cabinets are Red Oak with a classic gray stain. The cabinets feature 3 soft close drawers to provide much needed extra storage.

Custom Cabinetry in Home Laundry Room

Home Office Addition

Home Office

Just beyond the sunroom is the home office space. The home office features an L-shaped desk, which is framed around two windows to let natural sunlight into the work space. The office also serves as a multi-purpose room with areas for lounging, playing instruments, or watching TV. The home office also has a door that allows for direct access to the pressure treated deck.

Deck Addition

Pressure Treated Deck

The deck addition was a huge focal point of this project; after all, it is about 45' in total! While the pressure treated deck only extends out 8' on the sides of the house, the back portion of the deck is 10' to allow enough room for seating and entertaining areas.

Elevation Drawing of the Addition

Elevation View of the Deck Addition

Want to see more pictures of the sunroom, laundry room, and home office addition? Feel free to visit our Houzz profile.

Want to get a head start on your home addition project? Feel free to contact us for a free in home estimate!

Creating an Efficient Shower Design For Your Bathroom Reno

More and more often, homeowners are choosing to forego their baths for an upgraded shower space. There are hundreds of possibilities when it comes to shower design; however, before designing your space, it is important to answer several questions, including:

• What time of day do you plan on showering?
• Are you hoping to make the shower a relaxing experience?
• Who will be using the shower? Adults? Children? Both?

To put it simply, the shower cannot be an afterthought in design.

Shower Design by Balducci Builders, Inc.

How to Personalize Your Shower

While there are endless ways to design a shower, the main components to keep in mind are 1) who will be using the shower?, and 2) what are their preferences?

If there are several people who use the shower, one way to accommodate everyone's personal preferences would be to incorporate a hand shower with a slide bar to allow for height adjustments for all family members.

Shower Design by Balducci Additions and Remodeling

Want extra personalization? Another way to personalize the shower space is by adding in some (yes, you guessed it) smart technology. There are now smart shower systems available that can connect via iPhone or Android. It allows all users to fully customize anything from lighting, audio, and water consumption and be saved to each user's profile.

In-Home Spa

While bathrooms aren't necessarily growing in square footage size, the shower area is becoming larger. Because of this, a recent trend in shower design is to create a spa-like experience. This is executed by incorporating multiple shower heads and body sprays.

Shower Design by Balducci Additions and Remodeling

Gaining recent popularity in bathroom design are wet rooms. According to Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, the formal definition of a wet room is “a bathroom in which the shower is open or set behind a single wall, its floor area being flush with the floor of the rest of the room and the water draining away through an outlet set into the floor.” Wet rooms convey a spa-like look because of their clean lines and minimal design. Here's a recent blog article on wet room designs.

Other ways to create a spa-like experience in the shower is by including some in-shower seating, or by adding in steam capabilities.

Shower Design for Aging in Place

Aging in place design continues to trend, and it looks like there's no slowing down. The bathroom, and the shower in particular, is an extremely important place to update in aging in place design due to the prevalence of possible injury.

Shower Design with Grab Bar by Balducci Additions and Remodeling

One way to incorporate aging in place design in the bathroom is by installing a low or no threshold shower. No threshold, or curb-less, shower designs are great for those using crutches or a walker. In addition, it can also allow an easier experience when bathing the kids or pets.

Grab bars are a necessity in aging in place design. Luckily, grab bars no longer have to be an eyesore thanks to new designs. There are grab bars on the market that can be disguised a shelf, a towel rack, or even a toilet paper holder.

Other aging in place design ideas include adding hand showers mounted on a slide bar and adding a shower seat that can be folded up when not in use.

Water Conservation

Another reason why showers are growing in popularity is because of their efficiency. Showers are more efficient than baths since they provide hot water longer for longer and are easier to clean up.

Additionally, showers use less water than baths as long as the shower is not running for more than 10 minutes. Luckily, many regions have water conservation regulations; thus, most shower heads that are installed today are low-flow show heads. In the end, showers can save you time and money on heating and water bills.

Trending Materials

A popular option in shower design is to use a glass shower enclosure. This not only keeps the bathroom from looking too dark, it also works to show off intricate tile designs. For larger bathrooms, you could even forego the shower door by adding in a curved tile wall or an L-shaped design.

Bathroom Design by Balducci Builders, Inc.

Currently, popular tile colors for shower areas are white and off-white designs since they offer a clean and contemporary look. Often, more color is incorporated through accent tiles and shower trays.

What about finishes?

Photo: Green Magazine

A recent trend in bathroom finishes are matte black fixtures. Matte black fixtures are perfect for those looking to make a statement in their bathroom design. The industrial/modern feel of the matte black blends with more traditional materials, such as the classic white subway tile.

Photo: Decor Pad

While gold was a huge hit a few years back, recently, rose gold and bronze have been gaining recent popularity. The hues of the rose gold and bronze add a warmer finish on more contemporary fixtures.

Overall, there is a lot to keep in mind when designing a shower, let alone an entire bathroom. Shower design, much like any other design, can be personalized down to the last detail. Thanks to more readily available technologies, the shower experience can be accommodated to any and all users. Additionally, shower design can be focused around aging in place design and easily accommodate multi-generational households.

Are you hoping to create a spa-like shower experience in your home? Feel free to call Balducci Additions and Remodeling to get started on your home's shower design.

Two-Story Home Addition

Balducci Additions and Remodeling recently completed this two-story home addition in Mechanicsville, VA. The clients love to garden and dreamed of a space where they could enjoy their backyard throughout the year.

The project included a two-story home addition off of the back of the home. The addition added on just over 500 square feet of living space from the first and second floors.

Mini-Split System

Our company also installed two Carrier mini-split systems in the addition to provide extra comfort, one upstairs and one downstairs. Mini-split systems, sometimes referred to as split systems or split-ductless systems, are a great option for additions since they provide a cost-effective way to provide heating and cooling. The mini-split system comes with its own thermostat. Thus, you can save money by turning off the mini-split's thermostat in the space if it isn't occupied, while still keeping the AC on in the rest of the home.

A pair of French doors off of the kitchen leads to the first floor of the addition, which includes a bright sunroom. The sunroom features windows on the three main walls. We incorporated picture windows on the wall that faces the backyard to allow for a less obstructed view. The side walls house single hung windows, that can allow for fresh air to come in.

The second floor of the addition features a spare bedroom and walk-in closet.

Right off of the first floor sunroom we installed French doors that lead to a composite deck. The decking material is Trex Tropics composite decking in the color "Tiki-Torch." The attached composite deck juts out 8 feet and provides the perfect place for a morning cup of coffee or simply a place to enjoy the views.

Before and After

To see more photos of this beautiful home addition, please visit our Houzz page.

Wet Rooms - The Newest Trend in Bathroom Design

Have you noticed the recent wet room design trend? Wet rooms as extremely stylish and can add a contemporary feel to your home. According to Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, the formal definition of a wet room is "a bathroom in which the shower is open or set behind a single wall, its floor area being flush with the floor of the rest of the room and the water draining away through an outlet set into the floor." Wet rooms can be created from both small and large bathrooms, downstairs bathrooms, or as part of a master suite.

Photo: HGTV.com

Perhaps, a couple of reasons why the wet room has been gaining recent popularity is due to the sought-after spa like bathroom experience. Wet rooms convey luxury with their clean lines and minimal design. They also allow the free standing tubs with the chance to steal the show.

While many wet rooms have recently been found in luxury and larger bathrooms, they previously started out in lower budget and institutional settings. Over recent years, free standing tubs have become a staple in bathroom design and can perfectly complement a wet room. Free standing tubs are often complemented by floor-mounted tub fillers. These might invite some extra splashes and spillage. While this could cause concern, wet rooms have been professionally waterproofed to avoid any possible leaks leading to water damage.

One of the main challenges associated with wet rooms is figuring out an efficient way to keep certain items dry, including towels and toilet paper. One way to keep water from going everywhere is to install a frameless shower screen placed in front or to the sides of the shower. This allows the room to still feel open, while being able to keep some key areas dry. Another way to keep your wet room dry is by adding under floor heating. Adding under floor heating to your wet room is highly recommended. Not only does it mean that you will have a nice, warm floor to stand on, any standing water from showering will evaporate much quicker.

Photo: Pinterest

When planning any wet room, it is imperative to choose non-porous and slip resistant water-friendly materials. A couple of suitable materials include ceramic and porcelain. Choosing slate, marble, and limestone may not be the best choice since they are porous and would require sealing every few months to prevent water damage.

*Bonus: Although it may be expensive, a great way to create a luxurious feeling is by installing the same materials throughout the floor and run it to the ceiling.

While wet rooms can be a beautiful addition to any home, having the shower and bathtub in the same space may be a personal preference and may affect resale. If you are considering a wet room, or a bathroom remodel, please consult with a trusted contractor first. Balducci Additions and Remodeling is a well-known contractor and has been serving the metro Richmond area for over 30 years. Please contact us to schedule a free estimate.

Concrete Countertops: Kitchen Design Trend

Concrete Countertops

Renovating your kitchen and deciding on a countertop material? Want to avoid the ever popular granite countertops? You may want to consider the latest trend in kitchen design: concrete countertops. Concrete countertops are perfect for those looking for a unique design element in their kitchen renovation design.

Concrete countertops are made from a general purpose mortar mix of three parts sand to one part cement. Every concrete countertop is made in a custom made cast, making it one of a kind. They are often precast in molds to be formed and cured under controlled conditions; however, some fabricators prefer to cast the countertop on the site.

Not sure if concrete countertops can compliment your kitchen's decor? Concrete countertops can perfectly accompany industrial, contemporary, and rustic style kitchens. Concrete can be warm and rustic, sleek and elegant, or very ornate. With the endless customizations, concrete countertops can be suited for almost any style.

Customized Countertops

The main attraction to concrete countertops is that it is completely customizable. Not only is the overall shape custom made, you can also incorporate custom colors and features to make the concrete countertop true to your personal taste.

Custom Colors

Concrete countertops can come in an unlimited variety of colors and have several options of ways to dye it. Colored concrete can be created by integral pigment, acid staining, or dye. Each process creates a completely different look and style, so it is important to speak with your installer and/or project manager to help determine which process is right for you. To keep concrete countertops from looking too sidewalk-like, many installers mix in different colors with the concrete. Others simply experiment with a combination of colors and can even create stunning designs.

Built-In Features

Just as it is easy to incorporate custom color designs in your concrete countertops, it is also easy to add built-ins, such as drainboards and trivets. Instead of choosing a sink from a manufacturer, a one of a kind sink can be set in place with intricate curves and angles added to the design, making it the "wow" factor of the room.

Photo: Concrete Exchange

Personal Momentos

Personal touches can be made by incorporating personal items such as seashells, broken china pieces, coins, or glass pieces, petrified wood, or mosaic inlays.

Maintenance of Concrete Countertops

In order to ensure full enjoyment of your concrete countertop, choosing a high quality sealer is essential. There are two main types of sealers: penetrating sealers and topical sealers. While there is no one perfect sealer, it is important to address your expectations of a sealer and discuss them with your installer or project manager.

Although concrete is rugged and durable, some scratching can occur. While scratching is possible for every concrete countertop, darker colors are more susceptible. Thus, it is important to steer clear of aggressive cleaners and to avoid too much scrubbing. This can eventually wear down the sealer.

While concrete countertops may be considered trendy, we don't expect them to go out of style in the near future since they are an overall neutral material. Not only is concrete becoming a popular countertop material, it is also gaining popularity in other parts of the kitchen and in the bathroom. Concrete is being used as floor tiles in the kitchen, and as a seamless vanity top in the bathroom. The possibilities are endless when it comes to concrete.

Laundry Room Renovation Design

While kitchens and bathrooms are the most popular home renovation projects, the laundry room is beginning to become a sought after renovation area. Long gone are the days of having the laundry room hidden from the rest of the home. Nowadays, laundry rooms are now integrated into home design, instead of being thrown into the floor plan as an afterthought.

Location Changes

Over the years, laundry rooms have gone through several transitions. First, they moved out of the basement and onto the main floor. Still, they were often neglected and placed in the mud room or garage. More recently, they have been making a move to the second floor, or close to the bedrooms. Oftentimes, laundry rooms will be located nearest the master bedroom, or even part of the master closet. The biggest advantage in having the laundry room near the bedrooms, or as part of the closet, is because it is near where most of the dirty clothes, sheets, blankets, and other items are generated.

While laundry rooms were once an afterthought in design, many homeowners are striving to make the laundry room (and process) more enjoyable. This is often accomplished by making the laundry room more stylish and functional, and with better storage.

Laundry Room with Several Uses

Surprisingly, laundry rooms can be turned into the perfect multi-purpose room for anything from crafts, to an office space. Having a laundry room serve as a multi-purpose room is the perfect way to add a little bit of extra space that your family needs. Some homeowners might have their laundry room located right off of the kitchen area. The laundry room can then serve as a place to store overflow pantry items, or even a a wine fridge.

Photo: HGTV

Designing the Room

When designing a laundry room, it is important to create a functional design by placing certain elements near or adjacent each other. These items include the appliances, supplies, hamper, and work surface.

Appliances. Having the washer and dryer placed side by side makes it easier to transfer wet clothes without creating a mess.

Supplies. Having the laundry detergent and fabric softener in an easy to reach place will make the process that much more enjoyable. We recommend storing detergents, stain removers, and any other related items in a bin or basket, or on an easy to reach shelf.

Hamper. A great to maximize the efficiency of the laundry area is to add in a place for the laundry hamper. This can include a pull out cabinet solution, large shelves, or an open niche.

Work Surface. Having a counter or table top space is perfect for sorting, spot treating, or making any repairs to your garments.

Some other things to include in the laundry room can include drying racks, an ironing board, and a steamer.

Photo: Pinterest

Choosing the Materials

Choosing finishes and materials for the laundry room can be tricky. Since laundry rooms experience frequent spills and sprays, it is best to choose materials that are durable versus materials that are ultra luxurious. Some great options for floors are low cost linoleum, cork, or vinyl. Having wood floors in the laundry room may not be the best choice due to the likelihood of moisture in the room. As far as countertops go, it is important to choose something that is low maintenance. While natural stones, such as marble, are beautiful and timeless, they are porous and prone to stains. For a laundry room, it is best to stick with laminate or an engineered stone, such a quartz.

Overall, renovating your laundry room will add value to your home in more ways than one. If you are interested in a home renovation project, please call Balducci Additions and Remodeling for a free estimate!

Bathroom Renovation Trend: Floating Vanities

Bathroom renovations are great investments to the home because they can increase your home value, update fixtures and storage, and create a space that is aesthetically pleasing. The recent trend in bathroom renovations is to create a spa-like bathroom experience. This is often achieved through incorporating clean lines, luxury finishes, and a muted color palette. One way to add a more spa-like feel into the bathroom is by incorporating a floating vanity. Floating vanities are one of the newest trends in bathroom renovation design. Not only are they ultra chic, floating vanities can even make the bulkiest of cabinets looks streamlined and minimalistic. Another advantage with floating vanities, also referred to as wall-mounted vanities, is that they help to make any bathroom appear larger. This is because the flooring is able to extend all the way to the wall without being interrupted.

Photo: Elements of Style Blog

Wall-mounted vanities are a great option since they can be installed at various heights. Recently, one trend that we are seeing more and more is comfort height vanities. Comfort height vanities reach 36 inches, compared to the standard 30 to 32 inches. Why? On average, people are much taller now than they were 100 years ago. Installing a vanity at comfort height means less hunching over the sink.

In addition to increased comfort, floating vanities can also be installed in accordance with accessible design and/or ADA requirements. While floating vanities may look ultra-modern, they can surprisingly be incorporated well when performing a bathroom renovation that will work for aging in place.

Photo: L.EvansDesignGroup,inc via Houzz

Since floating vanities allow for the floor to extend to the wall, this then creates an opening under the cabinets. Having the floor open under the cabinets allows for easy cleaning, as opposed to "standard" cabinets that tend to collect dust bunnies underneath. Not only does this area allow for easier cleaning, it also allows for new decorating possibilities under the wall-mounted cabinet. Some ideas include adding baskets, bins, and other small pieces of storage that can be easily moved around for cleaning purposes.

In addition to storage and other decorating possibilities under the cabinet, lighting is also a must. We recommend adding strip or spot lighting below the cabinet. This helps to add a luxurious feel to the room, in addition to added safety.

MAK Remodeling Services

Floating vanities are a great option for any bathroom. They can help to keep a bathroom from looking too cluttered with its clean, minimal lines and open area underneath. Wall-mounted vanities are extremely versatile. Not only can they be installed at nearly any height, the can be a great option for multi-generational families. For example, floating vanities can be used by those with mobility problems since a wheelchair can be rolled under the vanity. Additionally, a step stool for younger children can be placed under the vanity and pulled out when needed.

If you are considering a bathroom renovation, installing a floating vanity can be a great choice. Feel free to contact Balducci Additions and Remodeling for more information about floating vanities, or if you have any questions about your own bathroom renovation ideas!

Types of Home Additions

When a home no longer fits your needs, it may be time to consider a home addition. A Home addition is a great way to add some additional living space, customize your home, and keep neighborhood ties. There are several types of home additions to choose from. Here are some ideas:

Bump-Out Addition

Bump-out additions are the perfect option for those who would benefit from slightly more square footage space. With the high costs associated with most full-sized additions, bump-out additions are a great option for those yearning for a little more space. As opposed to full additions, bump-out additions can only extend up to 3 feet away from the home and add 10 to 12 feet in width. These types of additions are best for those who want to add a little space to a particular room without reconfiguring the adjacent rooms in the home.

First Floor Addition

First floor additions are popular for homeowners who wish to have more entertainment space. This can include an extension of the kitchen, living room, or dining areas. Other options would be to build on a sunroom or formal sitting area to provide a more "private" entertainment area. More recently, there has been a spike in popularity in first floor master suites. This may be due to the desire to age in place; as well as the increasing popularity in multi-generational living situations. One thing to keep in mind about first floor additions is that they will take up some yard space, which can be a good or bad thing depending on your preferences.

Dormer Addition

A dormer addition allows for a little extra living space on the top floor of a home with a steep roof line. Many homeowners choose to build a dormer when they are in need of more space in their home, specifically an extra bedroom, guest room, or bathroom. For example, many homeowners may buy a home that fits their needs initially; however, their needs can change as the years pass. Dormer additions can be built in several styles. Some types of dormers to consider include: gable, shed roof, and hip roof. Additionally, dormer additions can be a great way to enhance the curb appeal of your home since they add an interesting architectural element.

Photo: Pinterest

Second Story (or Third Story) Addition

A second story, or third story, addition is a great way to take advantage of any views and to maximize yard space. Building a second story addition can allow you to locate all bedrooms to the same floor. Our rule of thumb is to add 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms to the second floor; however, every home is different and has different requirements. We recommend researching the average number of bedrooms and bathrooms in your neighborhood prior to coming up with the final numbers. By locating the bedrooms on the second or third floor, this will most likely provide more space for the kitchen, dining, and living areas on the main floor. Hello, open concept living!

Garage Addition

Garage additions are perfect for storing your cars, tools, and other miscellaneous items. It can serve as the perfect place for a workspace. The size of a garage addition can differ greatly due to the variety of car sizes available on the market today. Garages can be built to be either attached or detached, with advantages and disadvantages for both options. Attached garages are more convenient, since they allow for easy access to the main house. On the other hand, detached garages offer more flexibility in size and location.

While the type of home addition that you built can differ greatly, so will the costs. The cost of building an addition will depend on the type of addition, size, quality of materials, the age of your home, and other factors. Overall, building an addition that you and your family will enjoy is well worth the cost.

2017 Kitchen Renovation Design Trends

An estimated one-third of home owners report that they lead a healthier lifestyle after completing a kitchen renovation. While this may or may not be true, there is no denying that a kitchen renovation can add some major value to your home. Here are some kitchen renovation design trends for 2017:

Matte Kitchen Appliances and Finishes

Black stainless steel has been a huge hit in 2017 for several manufacturers. The new finish looks elegant with a touch of warmth. While black stainless steel has made its mark on the high end market, we expect it to become the next biggest trend for kitchen renovations. Not only does black stainless steel look aesthetically pleasing and trendy, it also disguises finger prints much better than traditional stainless steel. In addition to appliances, some manufactures are coming out with other materials in a matte look, including faucets and even matte "velvet" countertops. Black stainless steel and matte finishes are perfect for those who are looking for a change of pace among the glitzy stainless steel and granite countertop design world.

Photo: Pinterest

Smart Appliances

It should come as no surprise that technology is a huge home trend that is only expected to rise. Our tablets, smartphones, and apps connect us to the world around us and to our home. As technology advances, we are able to use our devices to now perform household tasks such as turning the lights on and off, preheating the oven on our way home, and smoke alarms that alert when the battery is low. In addition to our devices, digital voices assistants, such as Amazon Echo and Google Home, will allow us to ask our appliances to perform basic tasks or answer questions.

Photo: Pinterest

Kitchen Updates for Aging in Place

Another kitchen renovation design trend is making updates for aging in place. Aging in place as a whole is becoming more and more popular as homeowners are striving to maintain community ties and their independence. While there are many kitchen modifications for aging in place, we recommend sticking to universal design. This includes removing tripping hazards and expanding hallways and doorways for better accessibility. Another update for the kitchen design is to modify the appliances. This includes raising the height of the dishwasher and installing a faucet with hands free capabilities. Another idea would be to install a roll under sink. An ideas is to add doors to the front to make it more aesthetically pleasing.

These trends have grown tremendously over the past year; however, are they expected to stick around? What are your thoughts?