The perfect design of the dining space in your Portland, Oregon, home depends on your lifestyle. Think about how your family gathers for meals — or doesn’t. Do you usually catch meals on the run, and that’s OK? Or do you feel it’s important to have a time — and a place — set aside for eating together? Do you often have visitors over for meals? These considerations and more should go into your final design of the perfect dining space for your home as you plan a remodel or custom home build.

The perfect outdoor space is a place where you love to be. And it’s going to look different for each person. For you, it might be a cozy place to gather with friends around a fire pit. Or a lush landscaped yard, or a serious gardener’s paradise, or a gourmet outdoor kitchen, or an alternative living room with all the amenities. Let’s take a stab at some basic ideas that will make the out-of-doors at your Portland, Oregon, home perfect for you.

Asking, “What’s the best time to begin a remodel?” is a bit of a loaded question. It brings to mind the old Chinese proverb, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” That proverb actually makes a lot of sense when applied to home remodeling, because successful remodeling requires some careful thinking on your part. If you’ve never been involved in a home remodel before, you may want some help in identifying what you should consider before beginning construction. The point is, If you want to be delighted with your remodeling results, take your time.

Taking the plunge, so to speak, into remodeling the master bathroom in your Portland home? Make sure you’ve thought through these eight major considerations.

Sometimes you want a little more space in your home, but you don’t want to go through the cost and complication of a full addition. In this case, a bump out is a great idea, especially in the kitchen. A bump out extends one wall of the home for a specific length, usually just enough for one room. It’s easier because it doesn’t usually require you to rebuild or extend your foundation. Bump outs can be perfect for rooms that typically have limited space, particularly in older homes. These five ideas can help you re-imagine your kitchen in a completely new way.

The final reveal on your home remodeling project is always a treat. But there’s no replacement for being able to get a sense for it before it’s time to live it. That is what 3D rendering and augmented reality were designed to do: show you exactly what your home will look like once the project is complete. With these six apps, you can test out options and refine your dream design.

You’ve got a home that you aren’t happy with, and you’re trying to make the best decision to solve it. It’s a common problem that most homeowners will deal with more than once in their lives. This is where you have to choose between remodeling and moving. The right choice minimizes your stress and maximizes your investment. Here are several factors to consider as you decide.

When undergoing a major remodel or renovation with a professional construction company, you will likely have a written contract in place. Selecting a good, licensed contractor doesn't have to be a difficult task but there are some things on the contract that you need to be aware of and concerned about if they are not in place for your protection and theirs. A simple handshake or word-of-mouth may not be a good contract as it is not legally binding in a court of law. Below are several points to consider when filling out and signing a contract for remodeling work in Portland. 

Is your home in need of a major overhaul? Are you thinking that this time, you’re really going to get exactly what you want for the entire space? A whole house remodel might be the best choice for you. Remodeling your whole home gives you the opportunity to break out of outdated designs and create the perfectly unique living space. It’s also a big project that can be a little overwhelming to think about. Here are a few things to consider to help you get started.

At COOPER Design Build, we have made many Portland homeowners happy with whole-house remodels that include adding a second story. But before you decide on such a major project, you should think long and hard about all the issues involved, because building a second story isn’t always the best option.