A lot of things can come into play when you’re deciding on the perfect home. You have to think about every little detail — from layout preferences to all of its designs and functionalities. You can make your custom home design as unique as you want it to be. But because there are what appears to be an endless number of options, it may seem impossible to choose. One of the most important decisions is whether to build a one-story or a two-story home. Both options have their pros and cons. If you do a careful evaluation of the important factors, it can be easier to make the right decision.

Cost Differences Between One-Story and Two-Story Homes

Budget and other financial considerations are important in the decision-making process. You need to look at the cost of the initial construction, the long-term maintenance expenses, and the resale value to decide which option is more suitable for your current financial situation. The initial construction costs between one-story and two-story homes are often similar because both of them require foundations, walls, and roofs. But two-story homes usually don’t require as much in terms of materials and labor.

Long-term maintenance costs need to be considered as you compare both home types. Because of their simpler design, one-story homes don’t have as many issues related to roof and gutter maintenance. But two-story homes may need more frequent maintenance because of an increased amount of wear and tear. Resale and market value are also factors that are worth considering, so you can decide which one will be a better financial investment. One-story homes may be more desirable, so they may have a higher resale value. But two-story homes may be more popular in others.

Energy Efficiency Differences Between One-Story and Two-Story Homes

Heating and cooling efficiency can have a significant impact on your home’s energy consumption. Because warm air rises, two-story homes can have uneven energy distribution. This can lead to the need for installing multiple HVAC systems or zoning to maintain certain comfort levels throughout your home, but one-story homes tend to keep a more consistent temperature because of their single-level layout. Insulation and air leakage are also important considerations. Two-story homes often have more wall surface area that’s exposed to the elements, so they can experience a lot more heat loss and gain.

Other Important Differences Between One-Story and Two-Story Homes

Aside from all the cost and efficiency differences between both homes, you should take the following into careful consideration:

• Accessibility and Mobility — One-story homes are more suitable for people with mobility issues or for people who plan to age in place, because stairs can be a safety hazard or even a barrier to access. They can also be more convenient for families with young children, because they don’t have to worry about staircases or baby gates.
• Family Size and Future Growth — While a two-story home may give you more bedrooms and living space, it may not be the best choice for families who may need more rooms in the future because expanding upwards can be more challenging than expanding outward.
• Noise Levels and Privacy Preferences — One-story homes may not have as much noise transfer between floors, but two-story homes can give you more separation between living and sleeping areas (which can offer more privacy for family members).

You should think about your long-term plans and goals (such as whether you plan to age in places or sell your home in the future). This will help you make a more informed decision. If you want more square footage, two-story homes will always give you more bang for your buck because you’ll have more vertical space. But the maintenance costs will be higher. Not to mention, all the energy-efficiency challenges.

One-story homes will be easier to maintain and will be more suitable for people with mobility issues. They will also be safer to evacuate in case there’s an emergency. But if you have a large family, you won’t have as much privacy. They will also require more land to build, which can increase their construction costs. You will even be limited in your design options, because of their single-level construction.

If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi to help you design the perfect home, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes. We have a team of experienced professionals who would be happy to speak with you about your specific needs.

As of August 2022, 77% of Americans over the age of 50 prefer to age in place instead of moving somewhere else (even though the cost of in-home care was 10% more expensive than assisted living). A lot of seniors feel more comfortable in a familiar environment. But how can they age in place if their homes have stairs, high cabinets, and other obstacles?

The term “future-proofing” is used in the design industry to refer to any important things to consider when you plan to stay in your home throughout your senior years. It’s also referred to as “planning for aging in place,” and all of these strategies can help you to create a more comfortable future by thinking about your changing needs as you age.

Here are some things you should think about as you future-proof your home.

#1: Affordability

Cost is one of the biggest reasons people decide to move out of their homes. The cost of heating and cooling will most likely increase, which can contribute to your home’s affordability as time goes on. One way to address this concern is to take advantage of modern window technology, so you don’t have to give up any great views to keep your heating and cooling bills down.

You can improve your home’s energy efficiency with a blanket of insulation, so you can keep your home comfortable while keeping your energy costs down. It’s your home’s defense against the heat and cold of the outdoors, so it can help you keep indoor temperatures under control throughout the year without putting too much of a burden on your HVAC unit.

#2: Accessibility

Nobody wants to move because of physical changes and health issues that come as we age, but it happens to people all the time. Have wide doorways to give you more room to move. You should have all your main rooms and appliances on one floor, so you can have a head start in case mobility becomes an issue. You should also think about having a single-floor living plan that gives you space for sleeping, bathing, cooking, and doing laundry.

If you live in a multi-story home, you may not realize how much you use the stairs or how hard it would be to navigate your home if you weren’t able to climb them. You may not even realize how many obstacles are inside your bathroom until you have limited mobility. You can make it more accessible if you install a low-threshold shower or if you make room for future grab bars. You can even add some extra space, so you have more room to move around in.

#3: Healthy Materials

Making sure your home has the right materials can make a big difference when it comes to your physical health, which is an important thing to consider when you’re future-proofing your home. Clay plaster floors and cork floors can add beauty to your home while limiting the amount of waste left over during construction. You can even use reclaimed wood in certain areas.

Healthy materials won’t off-gas chemicals into your home, and they won’t add pollutants to the water or land. Look for any products that are labeled “no VOC,” which don’t have any Volatile Organic Compounds. VOC’s let off gasses from unstable compounds, so products without them create fewer odors while they’re being applied or drying. This will improve the indoor air quality inside your home (where VOC’s can accumulate over time). This applies to paints, stains, adhesives, furnishings, insulation products, and any other manufactured items.

 You should think about using natural materials (such as untreated wood, cut stone, cork, and woven grasses). They will not only give your home great texture and visual interest to your space but will also be easy to maintain. Clay plaster is also a great option because it has no VOC’s, plastics, or formaldehyde. It can even absorb odors and some airborne toxins, which can make your home healthier to live in.

#4: Durability

Using materials that are made well and are built to last will reduce your maintenance demands. And while these types of materials are always being introduced into the market, there are some time-tested options that are worth considering. Metal roofs are great alternatives to asphalt shingles because they’re resistant to impacts and corrosion, can withstand severe weather, and have more than double the lifespan of traditional roofs. They won’t catch fire if they’re exposed to flames or if they’re struck by lightning, and you can recycle them at the end of their use.

If you want to have a future-proof home design and are looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to reach out to Devonshire Custom Homes.

It’s easy to feel torn between buying an existing home or building a new one. The idea of designing your dream home that has been customized to your individual needs and wants has a strong appeal, but it also has some disadvantages that don’t come with buying an existing property. Everything from the cost to the timeline will change with every decision you make.

Pros and Cons of New Construction Homes

Some of the benefits of building a home include the following:

• Modern and customizable floor plans — You will be able to work with the contractor to create a custom layout that works for your lifestyle.
• More personalized finishes — You might be able to upgrade the finishes of an existing home, but it would be easier to add those personal touches to a new construction.
• Improved energy efficiency — Newer appliances and home systems are more energy efficient. The same is also true with new insulation and windows. All of this will result in lower utility bills.
• Smart technology options — Being able to use “smart” technology options will allow you to automate internet, cable, speakers, and even alarm systems.
• Improved indoor air quality — Newer homes will typically use paints and building materials with less or no volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), which will improve indoor air quality.
• Less maintenance requirements — A home that has been newly built will require less maintenance, because everything from the appliances to the HVAC system and roof will be brand new.
• Access to builder warranties — a lot of newly built homes have warranties that protect many parts of the property before you need to do any major repairs.
• Access to new home communities — Buying a new construction home also includes buying a lifestyle. Master or planned communities often include certain amenities (such as parks, pools, and community spaces) that are close to schools and transit locations.

Aside from all the benefits of building a home, it does come with some drawbacks. The upfront cost could be higher, and you may have a longer commute if you travel to work. Because you’ll be in a developing community, you won’t have access to mature landscaping (which can take years to grow).

Pros and Cons of Buying an Existing Home

Some of the advantages of buying an existing home include the following:

• It will be move-in ready — You’re less likely to encounter anything that will push back the day that you can move in after you close. So unless you’re buying a fixer-upper or plan to do some extensive remodeling, you’ll be able to move in as soon as you get the keys.
• You’ll be in an established neighborhood — One of the advantages of being in an established neighborhood is the maturity of the trees and landscaping (not just in the streets and parks but in your neighbors’ yards).
• Access to lower-priced options — According to Zillow, the average sale price of an existing home in the U. S. was $354,000 in the fall of 2021 (compared to $400,000 for a brand-new home). An existing home will usually be less expensive than a new construction.
• More choices with regard to location — Most new detached single-family homes are built outside of urban areas, so buying an existing home will give you a lot more options when it comes to where you live.
• Less decisions to make — Building a home will require you to make more decisions. This includes everything from the floor plan to the interior design and finishes. An existing home will allow you to focus more on the areas that need fixing up or what you want to customize according to your style.

Despite their benefits, existing homes come with their disadvantages. Unless the floor plans have been remodeled, you’re less likely to find a modern floor plan. It will also have outdated technology and fixtures. Some may even have knobs and tube wiring that date back to the first half of the 20th century. While it may be possible to upgrade the wiring and install smart technology to replace the old thermostats and lighting, it costs more to redo something than it would be to install it while the home is being built.

The insulation on older homes may not be as good, and they often rely on polluting resources (such as gas and oil) for heat. So, they’re not as energy efficient as new construction homes. There will also be more potential for extensive repairs and maintenance. Roofing and heating systems can also have you spending more money where you don’t expect to.

If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to reach out to Devonshire Custom Homes.

Open floor plans have been a popular architectural trend for residential properties over the last several decades, and it’s often the goal for many large-scale remodeling projects (such as combining the kitchen and dining room into a communal living space). Open floor plans have two or more common spaces that have been combined to form a larger area, which is often achieved by getting rid of partition walls.  Implementing this kind of design creates a sense of openness, which promotes more traffic flow.

Advantages of an Open Floor Plan

Open floor plans can create one large space (which is often used in city lofts and office spaces), but they can also include popular concepts (such as a Great Room). Implementing this kind of design to your custom home can have many advantages. Some of them include the following:

• An Abundance of Natural Light — Because there are no walls to divide up the space, less light coming in from your windows will be blocked. So, more sunlight will move throughout the house. It will also connect your indoor spaces with outdoor ones, which will result in brighter rooms with more direct views of the outdoors.
• Easy Entertaining — The best parties and social gatherings take advantage of the easy traffic flow and greater flexibility of an open floor plan. It will keep your guests from being crowded into corners and will keep your home looking spacious.
• More Family Space —The lack of walls will allow you to make the most out of your current space. It will give you more flexibility and the ability to get the most out of your floor space, which makes it easier to work with oversized furniture pieces and to create separate interest areas.
• Higher Resale Value — Open floor plans have grown in popularity, so homes that incorporate this design have a strong resale value. When it’s time to sell your home, the desirability of this kind of plan will make it a great selling point for prospective buyers who are looking for the same kind of flexibility and roominess that you find appealing.
• Easier Child Supervision — When parents are busy cooking in the kitchen or setting the dining room table, an open floor plan makes it easier to supervise their kids who are playing in the living room. They can get the same kind of supervision benefits when the kids are doing their homework at the kitchen table.

Many modern homes have open floor plans, because they can use decorating themes that can’t be used in more enclosed spaces. Be sure to speak to a professional for more information about what can work with your specific style.

Disadvantages of an Open Floor Plan

While they’re a popular choice, open floor plans aren’t ideal for every homeowner. You should think about your specific needs and some of the drawbacks of incorporating this kind of design. Here are some of the disadvantages of an open floor plan:

• It’s harder to hide clutter — Traditional floor plans do a better job of confining furniture and accessories to their designated spaces. But because an open floor plan makes them more visible, it’s harder to hide any extra clutter that can come with a busy lifestyle.
• There’s less wall space for art and decor — Because an open floor plan has fewer walls, there will be less space to display framed art and photos.
• There are fewer load-bearing walls — Walls do more than just separate rooms. They can also provide more foundational support, which can be helpful in supporting your home. This can be a beneficial design for two-story homes. An open floor plan will require the use of steel beams and other reinforcements needed to bear the load of a second floor or even the roof.
• You’ll have less privacy — Walls and doors block sights, sounds, and odors. So, open floor plans that house large families can get noisy. It won’t give everyone the kind of privacy that everyone needs to be comfortable.
• It will cost more to cool or heat — If your home has enough insulation, it’s easy to keep hot and cold air inside a single room. But an open floor plan will require you to regulate temperatures inside a larger space, which is usually more difficult.
• It’s more expensive to build — Partition walls can act as natural supports for heavy roof beams or a second floor, but homes with an open floor plan need to use steel or laminated beams to make up for the lack of support. This can be more expensive to purchase and install.

If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes.

Buying a home can be a fun and exciting experience, but finding the right home is only one step in the process. It’s a big financial commitment that involves a lot of paperwork, which is why finding a home loan can be just as important. If you’re not prepared or aren’t organized, you could deal with some frustrating delays. Proper preparation and understanding of how to get a mortgage before you start the process will make sure the process goes more smoothly.

Here are some things you should consider while you’re looking for a mortgage on your new home.

#1: Start Saving for a Down Payment

Depending on the lender and the type of loan you choose, your required down payment can be 3-20% of the home’s purchase price. Having a monthly budget will help you set aside enough money for your down payment. Once you have determined what your budget will support, think about automatically depositing the money from your paycheck or bank account to a savings account because it will be easier and more convenient to put money away every month. If you’re not able to come up with a large down payment, you should look into getting an FHA loan (which helps homebuyers who can only make a small down payment).

#2: Check Your Credit Report

Having a strong credit profile will put you in a better position to get the best deal on a home loan, so it’s a good idea to get a copy of your credit report before you start the process. You’ll be able to see what your credit profile looks like to a potential lender, so you can take steps to improve certain factors or correct any inaccuracies. You can get one free copy of your credit report every year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies by going to www.annualcreditreport.com.

#3: Organize Your Financial Documents

When you apply for a mortgage, you’ll need to give the lender a number of financial documents because it will make the loan application process go more smoothly. You should at least be prepared to give them your last two pay stubs, your most recent W-2, your tax returns from the last two years, as well as any current bank and brokerage statements.

#4: Use a Mortgage Calculator

Mortgage calculators are great tools that can help you understand how much you can afford. They’re easy to use, and they can show you how much your monthly mortgage payment would be under different home prices. They will even allow you to work through different down payment and interest rate scenarios.

#5: Learn How to Compare Offers

Not all mortgages are created equal. Even if loans have the same interest rate, there may be differences in the points and fees that can make one offer more expensive than another. You need to understand all of the things that go into determining the price of a mortgage, because it will allow you to compare different offers. You also want to understand the different parts of mortgage pricing.

#6: Start Tracking Interest Rates

This will be one of the biggest factors in determining the cost of your mortgage. They change almost every day, and it can be helpful to know which direction they’re going.

#7: Get Pre-Qualified

Many real estate agents want you to get pre-qualified for a loan before they will even work with you. It’s a simple process that usually requires some financial information. This will include your income, any amount of savings and investments you have, as well as a credit check. Once you have been pre-qualified, you’ll have a better idea of how much you can borrow and what types of homes you can afford.

#8: Understand the Different Loan Options

Your parents might have had a 30-year fixed-rate loan, while your best friend might have had an adjustable-rate loan. But it doesn’t mean that either loan is right for you. Some people like the predictability of a fixed-rate loan, while others prefer to have a smaller upfront payment that can come with an adjustable-rate loan. Every home buyer has their own unique financial situation, and you need to understand which type of loan will work best for your specific needs.

If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi to help you design your new custom home, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes.

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you should first get your finances in order because you need to make sure that you’re ready. It’s so important that you should look at them well before you’re ready to apply for a mortgage. That way, you’ll have some time to improve your finances and your credit.  While many people say that everyone should buy a home, it just isn’t true. If you sign on the proverbial dotted line for a new home when you’re not financially ready, it will turn out to be a curse instead of a blessing. The house will own you instead of the other way around. But if you’re financially ready to purchase a home, it can be a wonderful and rewarding experience for you and your family.

When You’re Financially Ready to Buy a House

You’re ready to buy a new home if the following are true:

• You’re free of debt with a full emergency fund — This means that all of your debt is paid and you have saved up enough for an emergency. You have no more credit card balances, car payments, student loans, or anything else for which you owe money. Once you have all your debts paid off, you will need to have an emergency fund that will pay for 3-6 months of all your typical expenses.
• You have a good down payment — The best way to buy a house is to put 100% down. But if paying cash isn’t within your reach and you want to take out a mortgage, you will need to make a good down payment. A 20% down payment is ideal, because you’ll avoid having to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI). It’s a fee that insures the lender (not you) if you don’t make your mortgage payments. If you’re a first-time home buyer, a 5-10% down payment is okay. But you should plan on paying for PMI and getting rid of it as soon as possible.
• You can afford to pay monthly house payments and home maintenance — You’re ready to buy a house if you have enough money to make the house payments, which should never be more than 25% of your take-home pay. If it stretches beyond that, your budget will be much too tight.  Tying up that much of your income toward a house payment won’t leave you with enough money to put toward other important financial goals (such as saving for retirement).
• You can pay your own closing costs — Some home sellers will offer to pay for closing costs so they can “sweeten the deal,” but you’ll never benefit from it. The buyer’s portion of the closing costs will be approximately 3-4% of your home’s purchase price. So for a home that’s worth $300,000, it will be anywhere from $9,000 to $12,000.
• You can cash flow moving expenses — Buying a house will also mean that you’ll be moving, so you need to make sure you have a separate pile of cash saved up for that expense. It may be as cheap as getting a few pizzas to bribe your friends into letting you use their trucks. But if that won’t cut it, you can put aside some money for a moving and storage company.
• You plan on staying put for a while — You also want to think about whether you’re ready to stay in your home for more than a few years. In fact, buying a house is a bad idea if you’re not planning to live in it for at least five years. It takes at least that long for a home’s value to grow enough to where you’re not losing money when you sell it. If you’re in an area where home values have increased over the last five years and houses for sale don’t spend a great deal of time on the market, buying a house in this area might work in your favor.
• You have an experienced real estate agent you can trust — It can be hard to find a home you love that’s also within your budget, but it can be a lot easier if you’re working with an experienced real estate agent. In most cases, the home seller pays the commission to your agent. So, you pay nothing for their help. A buyer’s agent can also save you thousands of dollars on your dream home by working for your best interests during the negotiation process. This person will also be able to take care of all the proverbial red tape with regard to the laws and regulations that are specific to your area.

If you’re looking for one of the best home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes.

If you have built a custom home in the past, you know that location is everything when it comes to the construction process. It sounds simple, but it can affect every part of the decision-making process. If you take the time to find the right place for your custom home, you can reduce your land and purchase expenses by a significant amount. It can also make the building process easier, because you may have to deal with fewer regulations. It can even help you to sell your home at a higher value later on.

Things to Consider While Finding a Custom Home Location

While the decision about where to build your custom home can seem overwhelming, following some simple steps can help you to find the right place. You most likely have an answer in your head already, but you need to decide whether you want to be in a city, suburb, or rural area. You also need to think about what kind of lifestyle you want to have. If you want to raise your own chickens and don’t like closing your blinds, an urban setting might not be the best choice.

You may not think about it while you’re looking for the right location, but it’s a good idea to think about what kind of amenities you want. If you have children or plan to have them, you should think about how close the schools are and whether they’re of good quality. How close are you to work, and do you have access to other facilities (such as transportation stations, shops, and hospitals)?

Make a list of the people you want living nearby and whether you want close neighbors. What kind of people are living in each neighborhood, and what are the locals like? Getting answers to these questions can help you to determine if you’re building your home in a good area. You also want to think about how close you are to friends and family. Some people don’t want to build a house within 50 miles of their extended family members. And while it is a personal decision, it’s something you should take into consideration.

Geographical Features to Consider

This is one part of the decision-making process that you have less control over, and it’s something you may not have thought too much about. It does, however, affect the overall cost of building your custom home. The slope of your property can cause a significant increase in the cost of construction. A house that’s built on a steep ridge will cost a lot more to build than one that sits on a flat lot. Things like extra time, building materials, and risk are all things that contractors will consider.

There are a number of other factors that will cause the price to go up. Some of them include the following:

• Sunlight — Most homes are designed in a way that will bring more sunlight into the rooms you want by adding larger and more expensive windows, and you need them to face the south. Adding larger windows will bring in more natural light and will lower your heating expenses. But if your house is facing the north or east, it can be a logistical nightmare.
• Utilities Placement — Does your lot already have utilities, or will you need to add them beforehand? Most utility lines are located within 30 feet of the building pad and are supplied with taps, but it isn’t always the case.
• Soil Condition — The type of soil and the amount of growth will determine the cost of clearing the lot and compacting the soil for construction. It will also determine the type of foundation that’s most suitable for your site. You should do a soil test before you design a foundation, because it will make sure the plan is suitable for your site. Active soils will need a sturdier foundation with deeper beams, more steel reinforcements, and more concrete. Some of them will even require concrete piers.
• Grading and Drainage — This is an important consideration for building any custom home. You need to have a level site that has been well compacted. After the foundation has been poured, you need to grade it in a way that will allow dirt to fall away from the foundation while also moving water into draining swales.

If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes.

You might be ready to have that perfect home with all the space you need and in the style you want, but you might be wondering how planning a custom home budget actually works. Taking the time to figure out what you’re looking for and how much you want to spend on it is an important step in starting a home building project. A budget will allow you to determine what you can realistically accomplish in your custom build. It will also have an impact on what type of land you build it on, how big you can really go, and the quality of materials you can use.

Starting the Construction Loan Process

Once you have an idea of what you want to build and have put together a rough estimate of the design and building costs, it’s a good idea to start the process of applying for a construction loan. All you want to do at this point is to get pre-approved, because it will determine if you have the money to build the house you want.

If the construction loan pre-approval amount is lower than you expected, you may want to think about a production home in a developed area or design a different custom home. You don’t want to spend too much more than what you’re pre-approved for (unless you plan to pay for any extra costs with cash out of your own pocket).

Breaking Down Your Home Building Budget

Once you have a rough idea of what it’s going to cost (most home builders and contractors will give you a rough range in cost per square foot), you need to take that number and start to build out your budget breakdown. And there are some costs you need to consider as you put together a custom home budget. Some of them include the following:

• Cost of the lot — This is going to be one of the biggest costs for any home building project, so you want to take a look at any lots in your ideal area that can accommodate the size and type of the home you want to build.
• Cost of excavation, building tear-down, and lot prep — It’s better to purchase a lot that’s ready for building. In fact, a lot of homeowners don’t think about the work that goes into making a lot ready for building. If you purchase one that isn’t connected to services (such as gas, water, and sewer), you’ll have to pay for those extra utility fees. If it hasn’t been excavated or leveled, that’s another expense you need to think about.
• Cost of home designs or floor plans — The cost to put together a design can be a big one. But no matter who you decide to work with (whether it’s a design-build firm, a dedicated architect, or a builder who has a few set floor plans), there will be a cost associated with designing the home and making the construction drawings. The cost will vary according to whoever you decide to work with and what you’re looking for.
• Cost of the home build — This part of the home budget is associated with any task related to building the home (from laying the foundation to installing the windows). Any work that’s done to create the structure that will become your new home is part of the building costs. The cost of building the interior will make up a large portion of the building costs, so be sure you have enough room in the budget for this part of the project.
• Cost of finishes, selections, and appliances — This is another big-ticket item in your custom home budget. It includes everything from the cabinets you want in the kitchen to the type of bathtub you would like in the master bath. The color of your exterior siding, finishes, and other selections you made will make your home feel more complete. That’s why you need to set a budget for and make decisions on what you want sooner rather than later.
• Cost of landscaping — Most builders offer minimal landscaping in their contracts. Grass seed or sod is usually included. But if you want any foundation plantings or specialized landscaping, you’ll have to hire a landscaping company that can come up with a design for your lot.

If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes. We would be happy to speak with you about your specific needs!

While the last few years haven’t been the best times for large gatherings, the season of entertaining is well upon us. That’s why custom bars are being built in a lot of homes. It’s the perfect solution for a small family kitchen, because it takes up much less space than a table and chairs. It can also double as an area for preparing and presenting food, but the best place to install one will depend on the shape and layout of your home.

Here are some great custom bar ideas that you can add to this part of your home.

#1: Adding an Island

Having a dedicated area for serving drinks will be more complete with an island that resembles the look of a cocktail bar because it represents the epitome of luxury when it comes to entertaining. It’s a great focal point around which guests can gather, especially if it has a curved shape. It’s also a great area for you to show off your ability to make cocktails and serve drinks — all while keeping the back part of the bar free for doing prep work. It can even be a useful area for drink fridges and ice makers, which will be out of site but close enough for easy access.

#2: Getting Creative in a Small Space

Having a small bar with an eye-catching design will look much more exciting than fireplace alcoves and bookshelves. With some magazines, you can make a small space stand out even more. You can have a lot of fun decorating a home bar with a playful design.

#3: Getting Stylish Under the Stairs

Using the space under the stairs can make your bar area more stylish. It can also be more rewarding than filling it with coats and shoes. Your guests will appreciate it more, especially during party season. You can follow the rise of your staircase to gain as much height as possible. You should also think about adding a contrasting timber or color to separate it from the rest of the staircase. Adding a small amount of brass or any other reflective surface can make the space stand out even more, and it will turn that awkward space into one that can be more easily enjoyed.

#4: Connecting Rooms

You can make an open-plan kitchen even more sociable by adding a built-in bar between your cooking and living areas. If it’s inside an island unit or peninsula, a well-appointed bar can draw guests away from the business end of your kitchen while making sure the conversation flows. Whether it’s below the counter with open shelving and a wine fridge, or has cabinets above the counter to show off your collection, an island or peninsula is a great place to add a custom bar.

#5: Getting Mixers on Demand

If your home bar doesn’t have easy access to the kitchen sink, you should think about adding a tap for boiling water. It’s a lot faster than heating it in a kettle, and it’s more energy efficient. It will also make it easier to serve hot beverages. You can even add a tap that can give you cold, sparkling water (which is great for making cocktails and long drinks). It will take some of the pressure off your fridge.  While you don’t need a large sink to support a boiling tap, having a small prep sink can be useful for rinsing glassware and getting rid of dregs.

#6: Adding Appliances

If you want to build a dedicated space for a home bar, you shouldn’t skimp on any of the functional details. You may want to add a wine cabinet, so your favorite spirits are kept at the right temperature. You may also want to add a second one for storing juices and soft drinks, so you can free up space for your kitchen fridge. You should, however, check the volume levels to make sure a running dishwasher doesn’t drown out any conversations.

#7: Adding a Home Bar in the Dining Room

Having a home bar in your dining room will not only give you a space to host after-dinner parties but will also add more useful places to store your less decorative cookware, as well as your more commonly used tableware and practical accessories. If you paint the joinery in the same color as the walls, you’ll be able to create a sleeker and more minimalistic look that won’t turn the eye away from the rest of the space.

If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to reach out to Devonshire Custom Homes.

Game rooms are used for both electronic consoles and old-school games that use dice and boards. They’re also growing in popularity for both homeowners and home renters. If you’re ready to explore some game room ideas, your options are far from limited. But you should design it in a way that fits your personality. You want to find furniture that will cater to the needs of the people who use it the most, but it needs to be both flexible and versatile. Children will outgrow games, and so will you. So, if you leave some room for the space to evolve, it will change with your specific gaming preferences.

Here are some cool ideas that can help you plan your game room.

#1: Add Physical Elbow Room for VR Games

One of the biggest and most exciting trends in gaming is the rise of affordable virtual reality (VR) consoles, but too many VR gamers have found their immersive experiences disrupted when they run into a wall or hit their shin on the couch. If you’re into VR games, you should either have a dedicated open space or fill your game room with light furniture that’s easy to move. That way, the only limitation you have is the signal range of your goggles.

#2: Use Full-Sized Arcade Machines

There’s probably nothing more retro than a full-sized arcade game. There has been a recent spike in retro video game parlors, so it has gotten easier to find vintage arcade game cabinets. But before you start buying these machines, you should think about your room’s size. The bulky nature of these game cabinets (which are taller and wider than most people) will mean that only one of them can dominate a small room. If your space is big enough, there might be a retro arcade game out there waiting to add some old-school charm to your new game room.

#3: Include Beverages on Demand

Any beverage tastes better when it’s poured fresh from the tap, and the possibilities for a well-designed bar are practically limitless.

#4: Add Escape Room Puzzles

Escape room puzzles have become increasingly popular in cities all over the world. A group of strangers are locked inside a room. Inside, there’s a “danger” that could be anything from an actor dressed as a zombie to a model atomic bomb. The group must be able to work together to solve a set of challenges that will test both their brain power and their dexterity — many of which will require some level of teamwork to solve. If you’re able to set up this kind of brain-teaser, you can give your game room a more novel twist. It will also guarantee that visitors will be challenged and entertained.

#5: Make it Look Larger

The perfect game room will have plenty of space for people to jump up and move around. But even if you’re working with a limited amount of square footage, you can create a room that looks more inviting. Anything from light-colored flooring to the creative use of reflective surfaces can make a tight space feel larger than it really is.

#6: Add Vintage Lighting

You can contrast your high-tech gaming consoles with the vintage look of throw-back lighting. Edison bulbs and old-style chandeliers can give your game room a kind of funky chic that may be irresistible.

#7: Use Soft Fabrics and Throw Rugs

Game rooms aren’t just for playing fast-paced video games. They can sometimes be used for a more casual and romantic night in. With a stack of soft blankets and throw pillows on hand, you can turn any game room into a cozier and more laid-back space for dining and low-key fun.

#8: Add Pixel Art Decorations

Fill your game room with images of some of your favorite games and activities. And for a lot of people, the 8-bit artwork of games from the 1980’s and 1990’s is both nostalgic and heartwarming. There are a number of artists who create paintings and graphics that are based on that pixelated style, and these images are available on everything from wall hangings to throw-pillows.

#9: Add a Brick or Stone Facade

You can give your game room a more unique feel with a brick or stone facade, which weighs a lot less than the real thing. Because it’s easier to install, you can give your game room the look and texture of exposed brick at a much lower cost. It’s also perfect if you’re looking for game room ideas that will make the space look like a traditional brick home.

If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes.