This is definitely my favorite type of conversation to have when I find out someone is building...where to save and where to splurge! With building, there are endless possibilities. So many options, products, new technologies. Coming up with a budget certainly helped keep me in check and forced me to prioritize what was important to us vs. what we could live without. While kitchen splurges are most common, it's always fascinating to learn what people prioritize in their homes! 5 Saves1. Primary Bathroom Shower Wall TileI had originally selected Zellige tile for the primary shower (similar to our kitchen backsplash). You may have read in this post that we, last minute, decided to double the size of the shower in this bathroom. To compensate for the additional labor (for tile installation), I switched from Zellige tile ($19/sf) to this ceramic alternative ($9/sf) which came out to be an approx $1000 in savings. 2. Back Entry Pegs Instead of Lockers/CabinetryOur cabinetry bill for the kitchen was running high, so we opted to eliminate cabinets in the back entry thinking that we could always add them later. We installed these simple peg rails instead. Surprisingly, we're not short on storage and likely won't be installing cabinetry in here, ever! There is plenty of storage in the adjacent coat closet. We keep coats, coolers, and shoes in there. We have baskets under the custom bench for hats, gloves, and scarves (we will swap those for beach gear in the summer). I also like that the peg rail is pretty and simple, much less heavy than bulky cabinetry. Approximately $2000 saved. 3. Garage DirectionI originally drew the garage door to be on the right end of the house. The driveway would have curled around to the right of the property. Windows would have been where the garage door is now. I have never preferred the midwest "garage heavy" look. However, when our excavator was preparing the land, he informed us that we would need $20,000 more of fill and labor in order to have the driveway and garage situated that way. We decided to move the garage door to the front and simplify the driveway. Ultimately, while I do wish the garage door was more disguised, I do think the house would have looked too wide and horizontal with an incognito garage. 4. Stock Vanity in Primary BathroomI designed a custom wood vanity for the primary bath with a local manufacturer, but the total came in upwards of $4000, I ended up ordering this $1000 vanity from Wayfair instead. To elevate the boring white piece, I swapped our the hardware and added a luxurious 10" quartz backsplash. We love it! The wood doors in the bathroom (one literally right next to the vanity) add more than enough warmth and character! In hindsight, it may have been too "wood heavy" having a wood vanity right next to the door. 5. Entry Vinyl FlooringI was most nervous about this "save." This vinyl floor (Mannington Villa) was roughly $4/sf, compared to the $14/sf tumbled stone (+ thousands more in labor) that I wanted (what we installed on the primary bathroom floor). Verdict? It's one my FAVORITE things in the house! Definitely a follower favorite too. The harlequin pattern is fun and adds dimension to an otherwise utilitarian space! Savings roughly $7000. Honorable mentions:
5 Splurges1. Plumbing FixturesThese Kohler fixtures definitely felt like a splurge to us! We have always used the Delta Trinsic line in champagne brass. It's a beautiful line, but I fell in love with the Kohler purist collection and knew I wanted to install it in a future project. The fixtures are heavy duty, have a beautiful water flow (these are the things you notice when you move a lot!), and are more resistant to water spots. They steal the show in the bathrooms, in my opinion. 2. Primary Bathroom Shower SizeOur primary shower is much larger than we could ever need. We did this for resale. I moved a fig in the bathroom to give it a quick rinse and it ended up moving on in. I don't hate having room for lush greenery in a shower! 3. Amount of WindowsWe didn't skimp out on the amount of windows. When I sent the drawing to my Dad (I drew the plan and we built with my Dad's help), I remember him saying, "You aren't going to have any room for furniture or artwork with all these windows!" I told him that I didn't care and I wanted it to feel like we are living outdoors surrounded by natural light! Believe it or not - I wish I would have done even more and even larger windows in several of the rooms! (living room, and bedrooms) 4. Composite DeckingWorth the splurge every time! If there is anything we avoid while selecting finishes, it's maintenance! We installed Trex decking and vinyl railings as to eliminate any future maintenance. 5. Kitchen DrawersBasically all of the base cabinets in our kitchen have drawers instead of doors. This upgrade cost us a few thousand bucks, but totally worth it. Drawers are far superior to doors! Honorable Mentions
One thing that wasn't a splurge but certainly looks like it?. Our wood interior doors! The pine doors were actually more affordable that primed. The labor to vanish verses paint was more, so it ended up evening out in cost. More details on our doors coming soon!
Hannah
1 Comment
Bethany
1/30/2023 12:41:13 pm
Is your sunroom colder than the rest of your house with it being open underneath? Looking for a solution to make ours warmer in the winter- already have heating connected but still getting cold air from under the structure. Thanks!
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