Storage needs vary from home to home and person to person. If you or your family members like to cook, camp, create, or collect couture, there’s always something that needs to be put somewhere.

When considering a new home, be sure to think about your closet and storage requirements. Luckily, there are some great built-in custom closet and after-market storage solutions. Styles and materials vary, from practical metal component garage systems to beautiful, furniture-quality wood built-ins for every room. With some space and creativity, there are plenty of ways you can keep your stuff and your sanity.

Storage systems are available for bedrooms, laundry rooms, kitchen pantries, hall closets, garages, home offices and hobby zones. If you’re designing a new home, customizing storage is well worth a little extra time.

As bedroom

sizes trend down and sleek interiors gain devotees, less floor space is devoted to stand-alone furniture. This means bedroom closets should be efficient and functional. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be stylish. Integrated systems with hanging rods, cabinets and shelves, and shoe storage are great for streamlining smaller closets, while storage benches, make-up nooks, or fold-down ironing stations can be great additions to walk-ins.

A laundry room

of any size can be enhanced by taking advantage of wall space. Replacing stock cabinetry with a laundry organizer system puts products, hanging space, and productivity at your fingertips. Ceiling-hung drying racks for delicate items can save floor space for other items, such as a storage bench for outdoor toys and boots, or house cleaning tools.

A kitchen pantry

doesn’t need to be huge to make life easier. Storage gets a boost with adjustable shelving that can be reconfigured to create just the right space for the items you use most. Do you buy more things in boxes, cans, bottles or bags? It can be helpful to pay close attention to your shopping and cooking habits before you design your pantry.

Hall closets

hold more than coats. Some hold sports equipment, crafting, or cleaning supplies as well. Be sure to evaluate storage spaces with your lifestyle and needs in mind.

Garages

range in size and duties. Tools, sporting goods, seasonal items, and even cars all vie for space. Think beyond big plastic tubs, and consider products and systems that let you create practical areas that increase space and utility.

Home offices and hobby zones

require storage that is appropriate for specific activities. Don’t be afraid to make your space work for you! You’ll thank yourself for the small customizations that lead to increased usefulness, or the personal touches that make you smile.

Before you talk to an architect, real estate agent, or builder, make sure you think about all of your needs, including storage. Online sites such as Houzz and Pinterest are great for sparking ideas and fueling imagination. Let your custom home builders create the right spaces for you, your lifestyle, and the things that help you enjoy it.

If your next home will be on California’s Central Coast, give us a call at 805-543-7277. We’ll build the home, and you can fill it with memories.

Whether you already know the ropes or you’re a first-timer, building your new custom home in San Luis Obispo should be a rewarding experience you feel confident about. So, how do you find the best home builders in SLO? Here are some tips from our team.

 Know what you want

Before you talk to any contractors, have a discussion with yourself! Make some lists about how you see your new home: Must Have, Nice to Have, Not a Fan Of, Deal Killers. Do your homework. Take lots of notes, save images and links, walk around neighborhoods. Ask yourself what you do or don’t like about certain things you see. Using your notes, organize the information in a way that clearly defines your wants, needs, and expectations.

 Ask around and look around

 Talk to your friends about their projects and experiences. Get opinions. Don’t be shy. Are you on social media? Ask your Facebook friends. If you encounter the owner of a home you admire on your dog walk, stop to chat. Read reviews of the home builders who have been recommended, and see how they compare to others. Check out their qualifications and the projects they’re proudest of on their websites.

 Choose the top contenders

 Make a list of the builders who’ve risen to the top of your list. Check the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) to confirm licensing status, bonding and workers’ compensation insurance. See if any complaint disclosures or construction-related civil judgments are shown. Do a web search to see if they’ve been in the news for anything that makes you uncomfortable.

 Talk to the contenders

 When you feel well-informed, schedule meetings with the home builders at the top of your list, and prepare your information and questions. After giving an overview of your project, you may have specific things you’d like to learn. Here are some of the more common questions.

• Is this the type of project you’re looking for?
• Can you help me with site selection, or should I return after I make a purchase?
• Do you handle everything including permits and site preparation?
• Can you show me some similar projects you’ve done?
• Will I have one main point of contact? How much time will that person spend at my project? How many jobs will they be running at once?
• How much of the work is done by subcontractors?
• What percentage of your projects are completed within your projected timelines? What percentage within your budget estimates?
• Can you explain the typical process and expected timeline for me?
• What kind of reporting and communication should I expect during the project?
• How long will I have to make decisions on things?
• Do you have any concerns about my project?

The builder representative (or team) should be able and willing to answer your questions, and will have some of their own. Be sure your answers are accurate and carefully considered.

 Weigh the facts… but also trust your gut

 When building a new custom home, you’ll be investing more than money. Your time, energy, passion and communication skills will all be required. A good relationship with your home builder will be essential. So, in addition to weighing the information you’re given, check in with your gut. How do you feel about doing business with this team? Do you feel heard when you speak? Do you feel comfortable talking with them? Do you feel like your best interests and desired outcomes are the focus of the discussion? Do you feel confident that you can work with this team for the length of the project? Do they demonstrate the balance of professionalism and personal attention you expect?

Let the fun begin!

 When your questions have been answered, it’s time to make a decision. Your new San Luis Obispo custom home won’t magically appear overnight. It will be a process. The right home builder will guide this process for you. They’ll make sure it’s exciting, but not scary. They’ll help you evaluate options before making decisions, based on their experience and industry knowledge. They’ll understand your vision, protect your interests, and build the home you’ve worked so hard to save and plan for.

When you’re ready to build your custom home in San Luis Obispo, give us a call at 805-543-7277. We’re ready to answer your questions and show you how our people and processes will make your experience groundbreaking, from start to finish.

Biophilic design, still on the rise in architecture, acknowledges the many ways nature interacts with and contributes to physical and emotional wellbeing. Mindful integration of elements from the natural environment within built environments helps people feel connected and grounded. It’s no surprise that many of 2020’s interior design trends are influenced by this architectural trend.

But fear not, lovers of luxury, today’s nod to nature doesn’t mean we’re revisiting hippie havens of decades past. Our San Luis Obispo custom home builders explain how forward-thinking interior designers see 2020 shaping your spaces.

Modern, Yet Approachable Combos

Bold patterns and geometrics will be paired with organic elements such as live-edge tables and countertops, to give spaces warmth combined with a modern flair. Soft rugs and natural fabrics will add balance in spirited spaces where eye-catching designer tile or daring wall coverings make stylish statements.

Neutrals Au Natural

We’ll see warm neutral colors such as gray and beige set the stage in the same way desert landscapes help showcase an unexpected oasis or sunset. Think riverbeds, beach walks and rocky cliffs accented by stimulating, awe-inspiring tones found in plants and wildlife.

Surfaces Touched By Nature

Textures inspired by stone, timber and plant materials will add pleasure and interest to walls, fireplaces, and furniture. People will want to run their eyes or fingers across everything from floors to accessories to enjoy the comforting surfaces they’re familiar with.

Evolving Living Spaces

The adaptability found in nature will be demonstrated in design. Long popular, great rooms will be reimagined to signal a return of intimacy. Expect furniture that invites swift room reconfiguration based on occupants and activities. Look for rooms that change size and shape through use of convertible partitions, artwork, or planters. Flexible lighting options will help set the mood, helping a space go from a bright, inspiring morning-starter to a slower-paced dusky relaxation zone.

Our builders love helping our clients evaluate how today’s trends and material options can enhance their lives and support their lifestyles. When it’s time to create your next beautiful, comfortable home on the Central Coast, count on our full-service team for great ideas and on-trend or up-to-date information you can trust.