When considering a renovation, what would you or your client desire if you planned on staying in your home forever? Think about: Finishes, colors, materials, floor plan, outdoors, light, health, activities. We put together a fun comparison of temporary home vs. forever home renovations.

What "crazy" or "higher quality" renovations would you consider, that you would absolutely love, except when you think of selling your home? You think prospects in a sale would be turned off from your specific designs? Do you think you won't get your ROI on higher quality products and designs?

Let's see how many we can all come up with. You can email us your crazy in love renovations that you dream of too!

Floor Plan

1. Forever Home- New Floor Plan - Knock down the walls! Let's make the entire first floor one big event! The family can wine, dine, relax and play together. Include a stunning, interactive kitchen with a huge island and seating, a bar, a TV lounge, a library with a seating area, gaming area plus a pool table. This floor plan lends itself to big parties and with some special details, separate living as well. Install soundproof electronic wall partitions. With the touch of a button, add privacy for those times you want it. We can even add movable walls to open up the space like the first City Cellar in Manhattan did. Read here how the pros in hospitality do it. Live life to the fullest

2. Temporary Home - Floor Plan - Consider enlarging the kitchen - Take down wall between kitchen and dining room.

Materials

1. Forever Home - Top quality cabinetry with amazing finishes which are sustainable, since you do not need to replace for decades. Quartzite counters. Brazilian walnut wood floors. Marble floors. Water-jet backslpash. Persian rugs. Smart home features including top music system, light and temperature controls, security. Light fixtures to sing for! Swarovski Crystal or Multimedia Fireplace.

2. Temporary Home - Materials - Settle on cabinetry finishes that don't hold up. However, if you live in an affluent neighborhood, this decision can cost you at resale. Quartz for sure. Porcelain tile floors.

Master Bath

1. Forever Home -First I would consider removing the tub for clients who do not use it. For clients following the trend of taking time for a ritual bath experience, we would include a beautiful free standing tub. Design in a curb-less walk-in super shower with steam and large bench. Add a water closet, bidet, chandelier, marble floors and walls. I would love a sitting area with an undercounter fridge for beverages. Radiant heat floors, towel warmer. Custom double sink vanity. Of course fancy mirror and decorative sculptures. Add a massage table and hot stone warmer, and we are never leaving! Or even a separate massage room.

2. Temporary Home - Keep the standard tub. Small walk-in shower with bench. Porcelain floors, painted walls. Custom or stock vanity. High hats.

Extensions/More Living Space

1. Forever Home - Depending on the layout, I would add an extension either up or out. A second floor on top of a ranch or an extension on the first floor. Great uses include an expanded kitchen, a home theater, a wine cellar and/or bar or an office. Add a walk-in fridge for expanded safe food storage.

2. Temporary Home - Refinish the basement or attic. Convert a garage into a heated room, depending, of course, on the building/zoning rules.

Bar/Wine Rooms

1. Forever Home - A basement wine cellar is ideal! Include in the design - a dining area, a full bar with cocktail tables. Sweet!

2. Temporary Home - A wine rack in the kitchen or dining room, under-counter wine fridge in the kitchen

Home Theater

1. Forever Home - Depending on the layout, an elaborate smart home theater with movie quality projector, sound system, soundproof walls (movable), movie theater seats, full bar, fridge, microwave and of course, a popcorn machine.

2. Temporary Home - Large screen TV, large sofa and chairs for viewing.

Outdoors

1. Forever Home - The outdoor kitchen and bar is a given. The kitchen will be equipped with outdoor cabinetry, built-in BBQ, fridge, ice maker, sink. And the creme de la creme - a wood burning hearth /pizza oven. The covered bar will be equipped with a beverage fridge, sink, outdoor dishwasher, bar seating and flat screen TV. A seating area with a fire pit. An enclosed area for inclement weather. A built in pool and a dining table is a nice touch for larger yards. When it comes to landscaping, wonderful topiary trees, elegant potted plants, decorative life size statues. A smart lighting plan to brighten the entire space. Heaters.

2. Temporary Home - A new BBQ. Outdoor seating. Some landscaping including bushes, flowers and lighting.

Exercise / Wellness Rooms / Spa

1. Forever Home - A well equipped gym with a yoga section hits all three goals - exercise, wellness and spa. Add music to enhance your experience. A towel warmer, water jug and stacked laundry set keeps this area self contained. If you have back issues, adding an inversion table could be a good idea.

2. Temporary Home - An exercise bike in the basement or bonus room for exercise. Roll out your yoga mat in any room when using.

Green Environment

1. Forever Home - Full house water filtration system. Whole home air purification machine.

2. Temporary Home - Water filtration on the kitchen faucet and filter in the fridge ice/water maker. Single room air purification machines.

Please visit our showroom! We specialize in kitchen and bath design and all home renovations.

983 Northern Blvd, Manhasset, NY - Just West of Community Drive. Phone: 516-365-0595