How to Blend a New Room Addition with Your Home’s Existing Architecture
Adding new space to your home includes many benefits, like giving yourself more space, additional home value, and allowing you to add a piece of your style. However, the trouble comes when your style doesn’t match your home’s existing architecture. So, what do you do?
dBAtlanta is one of the area’s most trusted home improvement companies, so we know something about adding more space to homes and blending it in like Bob Ross used to do with little happy trees in his oil paintings.
So, if you’re ready to achieve architectural harmony, let’s get started.
Understand Your Home’s Architectural Style
The first step is to understand what you’re dealing with regarding your home’s existing style. If you’ve taken a college architecture class in the past 30 years, you know dozens of architectural styles to describe homes in our community – Dutch Colonial, Contemporary, Craftsman, Victorian, etc. You’ll want to work with an expert here to figure out what kind of style you have.
Take note of certain features around your home, such as windowsill designs, the roof’s pitch, and the materials used. Every piece of information you can gain will help your home addition designers blend in with the expansion.
Choosing Harmonious Materials
This sounds like we’re talking about a chorus, doesn’t it? One of the most critical aspects of blending a room addition is selecting materials that align with the existing structure. Look for siding, roofing, and trim materials that match or complement the current look. For example, consider using the same type or alternative that doesn’t clash if you have wood siding. The color is just as important as the material itself; matching paint or stain tones is vital to creating visual continuity. Even if exact matches aren’t possible, complementary colors and textures can achieve nearly matching home addition style.
Focus on Proportions and Scale
To avoid a “tacked-on” look, ensure your addition is proportional to the main structure. Consider the ceiling height, width, and overall shape of the new space so it doesn’t overpower or underwhelm the original building. Pay attention to roof pitch and window sizes, as these elements are particularly noticeable and can make an addition look out of place if they’re not well-matched. Working with an architect can help you design an addition that respects the proportions of your home and maintains a balanced aesthetic.
Incorporate Architectural Details
Architectural details like moldings, trims, and eaves help create harmony between a home's old and new parts. The devil, as they say, is always in the details. The architectural flow of room addition is still vital to the process. Work to match existing details when you can or make it good enough. Of course, working closely with your contractors to figure out the best way forward will be vital. Even subtle touches can go a long way in helping your addition look like a natural extension of your home.
Blend Interior Finishes
Creating a seamless transition inside the home is just as important as blending exterior elements. Room addition design means matching interior finishes, such as flooring, paint colors, and molding styles. This work will help your new room feel more integrated with your home. When selecting finishes, choose ones that align with your home’s current aesthetic, but avoid using outdated materials that might feel disconnected from a modern addition. For example, if the original rooms have hardwood floors, consider continuing that material in the new space to unify the look and feel of the entire home.
Trust dBAtlanta for Our Expertise
dBAtlanta’s room design experts are ready to help you with home renovation work. If you’re seeking a home improvement company to take your residence to the next level, contact us today!
