What do you do when your home feels uninspiring and bland? So much of our home’s personality comes from the details but many of us live in homes that are devoid of those details. There’s one simple change you can make to your home that will transform it from average to outstanding and that’s by adding millwork. Custom millwork can make the most ordinary home look like a custom built home that will stand out and feel like something from the pages of Architectural Digest.
So what is millwork? It’s custom woodwork that can add character to your home’s walls, ceilings, baseboards and more. Whether it’s those built-in bookcases that flank a fireplace, baseboard moulding or decorative features added to the ceiling these all qualify as millwork projects.
WHERE TO ADD MILLWORK TO YOUR HOME
One of my favourite parts of my business is being able to create custom solutions for clients including millwork projects. I’ve seen firsthand the powerful transition that occurs when a bland space is given a bit of a facelift. A room can become more functional, appear to be more historic or completely transformed into something with a brand new purpose. These are the just a few of the areas of a home that I think can truly benefit from custom millwork:
- Custom kitchens and bathrooms
- Turn a blank guest room into a custom office
- Custom fireplace design
- Applied moulding to create a feeling of importance
- Crown or baseboard moulding to add historical context
- Transform a laundry room into a custom mudroom
- Bar and/or entertainment area in the basement
Custom Kitchens & Bathrooms
Efficiency and functionality are often missing from our kitchens and bathrooms. We have the necessary basics but it’s the enhanced functionality that makes a space feel special and custom. And when you consider how much time we spend in both the kitchen and bathroom it makes sense that it should function exactly as we want it to.
A kitchen can be created as a fully custom space or you can use manufactured cabinetry and customize it through millwork. If you admire those kitchens with pull-out garbage bins, custom vent hoods, cabinets that stretch to the ceiling or an island with a built-in microwave, it can be yours.
All of this is possible through the power of millwork. If you’d like more tips about creating functional kitchens or bathrooms, read this post.
Custom Office
The possibilities for storage are endless when you create a custom office but even a simple desk fitted into the corner of a room like the one above will make your working environment look and feel more elevated. The smallest room or corner can be thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of any 9-5’er.
If you have the need and the budget it’s possible to transform a space into a fully functioning office with custom storage, regardless of your business. Customizing a space is not just about where to place the printer but it’s also the possibilities for creating an elevated space that showcases your design aesthetic as well.
Custom cabinetry with glass front doors that are lit from above can showcase awards. Drawers and pullouts that allow access to your printer, hard drive and all the other messy parts of business can keep the rest of your space clean and clutter free. And don’t forget all the opportunities for styling that come with creating custom shelving. The design opportunities are endless and might even make work more fun!
Custom Fireplace
We don’t have to accept that the old or unattractive fireplace that came with our home is the only option available to us. A millworker can recreate a fireplace mantel to suit whatever your design style is.
And if you love the look of bookcases flanking the fireplace, add them to the list. In this project above we were able to create not just a functional fireplace but also custom storage that was the perfect opportunity to add character to the room through styling. Instead of the tv being the focal point of this open concept space, now your eye is drawn to the small elements and you barely register the tv at all.
Applied Mouldings
Want to beef up the personality of a space? The best way is by adding architraves and moulding to any wall, door or window. And don’t forget about ceilings either because adding beams or coffered ceilings can change the design of an entire home.
In this project we took the bathroom from a blank space to a colourful and textural space. Not all custom millwork has to be detailed and elaborate as you can see here. We added this tongue and groove panelling which adds so much more interest to the small space. By customizing the thickness, layout and orientation of your millwork you can achieve a look that feels uniquely yours.
Custom Mudroom
If you live in Canada then you know how lucky those homeowners with a mudroom are during the cold and sloppy winter months. To be able to avoid having wet boots and sloppy floors at the front door is a luxury.
Most of us don’t want to go through the expense and time of a renovation to create a separate space for a mudroom. If you have a laundry room that is attached to an exterior door you could transform that space into a beautiful and very functional space as we did in this project. Although it’s now a multi-functional space it’s an outstanding way to get you through the messy months and keep the mess out of sight.
Bar & Entertainment Area
When I first walked through this basement space there was a long empty wall that made the room feel large and empty. This custom bar has given the space a personality that feels warm and inviting. And instead of having to run upstairs for beverages, everything they need is now at their fingertips.
A custom bar is a nice way to customize your basement but you don’t need to stop there. If you’re in need of organization you can do it through the careful planning of your designer and millworker. Closed or open storage to suit needs ranging from kids toys to video game consoles, organization is not just a pipe dream.
Steps to Make Your Custom Millwork Dream a Reality
The first step is always the decision to get started. Once you’ve committed to start it’s time to contact either your interior designer or millworker. When it comes to creating millwork drawings I always start with an extensive consultation to understand all of my clients needs.
Custom means you get to decide where every can opener, coffee mug or serving bowl will live and ensure that they all have a home at the end. Here are the steps you’ll take to go from point A to Z in making your dream a reality.
- Creating the Design - everything starts with the dream. Once we’ve translated it to (digital) paper through design technology it’s time for the millworker to review it.
- Millworker Review - sometimes the millworker will have something to add but often they’ll just run with the detailed drawings they’re provided. They’ll supply you with a cost for their labour as well as materials. Once this is approved, you’ll be given a future date in the calendar.
- Selecting Materials - in some cases a client has their heart set from the beginning on the materials they’d like to use. If not, I’ll cover all the materials that will work from a design perspective. Either way, you’ll be given lots of samples of stain or paint finish for approval.
- Design & Construction Begins - it depends on the type of project but often, the millworker will design and construct at their own independent space. They’ll work as far as they can and bring the assembled pieces to your home for final installation. In this way, they avoid creating a mess in your home during the initial construction phase. It often takes just a fraction of the time to install so you get to avoid a lot of the messy phase.
I hope this helps you understand the power of millwork and how easily you can transform your own space this way. If you would like to chat about how I can help in that regard, reach out. I’d be happy to share more about my services.
