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Original poster

Additions when remodeling / extending to make a property feel high end

113 replies

JonSnowedUnder · 05/05/2021 12:41

We are having an extension and full house refresh and just wondered if anyone had any good tips on what sort of additions make a home feel high end? I don't want my home to look like a show home, more just nice touches. Especially interested in tips that are not too expensive!

We have a decent budget, think good mid-range sort of finishes but I'm thinking that spending in certain areas may be more beneficial and then saving in others.

OP posts:
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Lampzade · 09/05/2021 09:53

High end furniture . It is worth getting second hand from eBay , gumtree etc.
I bought a beautiful Italian style dining table from eBay some years ago.
Decent light fittings/ lamps. You have a decent budget so it is worth spending on those
Good flooring.
You can get away with cheaper cushions/ furnishings etc
Keep things simple , elegant, not too modern or traditional

Lampzade · 09/05/2021 10:11

@PurBal

Decor that is in keeping with and sympathetic to the style of the house. I consider myself a custodian of the properties I've owned, the house will be around a lot longer than me, and if buying somewhere older it already has been. For example high gloss handleless kitchen looks naff in a Grade II listed cottage and similarly a country style one looks ridiculous in a city centre flat. Downlights in old properties really get my goat too. But I agree with PP that "taste" can be subjective. I've seen some expensive high end renovations but I'd want to rip everything out and start again.
My friend has a cream gloss kitchen in her 1920’s house and it actually looks beautiful. She is selling up now and moving to a smaller property.. She received offers within days of her putting the house on the market. Many liked the fact that the kitchen was modern as it contrasted with the traditional exterior.
HasaDigaEebowai · 09/05/2021 10:41

It really is better to go for second hand furniture. We did our master bedroom suite last year. I bought a gorgeous Victorian desk which is now my dressing table. It’s over 2m long and solid hardwood. It cost £200 delivered. I couldn’t have bought one from Argos/IKEA for that.

ChiefInspectorParker · 09/05/2021 10:50

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Original poster
JonSnowedUnder · 09/05/2021 11:15

Thanks all, key takeaways seem to be invest and think about flooring, kitchen work surface, taps, switches and lighting both placement and fixture.

I'm not so much thinking about furnishing as I feel more confident in that area. We are also planning to live with minimal furnishing at first as we can take our time with that whereas I need to make decisions on flooring/kitchens/electrics soon.

I'm definitely not going for bifolds, although I do love them in some properties. I also love crittal doors but again I don't think they would suit. I think we'll go with sliding.

Alot of people have mentioned putting money aside for landscaping which we have done (we also need to re do the drive). I'm planning on some good outdoor lighting.

OP posts:
FoolsAssassin · 09/05/2021 11:19

When you are doing the garden plants, if you don’t already know ask around about local nurseries that supply garden centres and landscapers. A fair few will let you buy direct from them and you can save loads.

murbblurb · 09/05/2021 12:47

You'll need the staff if you go for some of the suggestions on here. High maintenance easy scratch kitchen worktops, pricey taps that spray water everywhere (always rip out aerators), switches that show every fingermark and heavy extra doors on appliances.

Function not form!!

Liliolla · 09/05/2021 13:02

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user1497787065 · 09/05/2021 14:58

I think good made to measure, interlined curtains and blinds make a huge amount of difference and are worth the hefty cost.

Plan storage very carefully so everything you need to have a home has one.

samosamo · 09/05/2021 15:51

What is the 1920s/30s look, please? I'm getting my periods confused. And I don't want it to look like a museum!!!

HasaDigaEebowai · 09/05/2021 15:56

20s/30s is Art Deco. Easy to do at the moment because it’s on trend.
Art nouveau is another option (came before Art Deco) A bit more intricate in style

korawick12345 · 09/05/2021 16:11

It could be art deco or it could also be arts and crafts type style? if yo post a picture of the property or type of property people can be more helpful :)

samosamo · 09/05/2021 17:05

Oh thank you so much!

LunaNorth · 09/05/2021 17:08

Placemark...

samosamo · 09/05/2021 17:19

These houses are just like mine. Very high ceilings, long and narrow. Mine has been stripped of any period features (ugh). It was done up for tenants, so v bland, we have to redo everything cosmetically anyway.

I have had a look and I do LOVE art deco, you folks have made my day!

Additions when remodeling / extending to make a property feel high end
Additions when remodeling / extending to make a property feel high end
korawick12345 · 09/05/2021 17:26

So I would consider those houses more Arts and Crafts style. they aren't really Art Deco at all

samosamo · 09/05/2021 17:35

Oh no!

Don't worry, I haven't bought anything on ebay yet!!!

Thanks all!

samosamo · 09/05/2021 17:51

Is this arts and craft? If so o might already have some that the kids are battering ab

Additions when remodeling / extending to make a property feel high end
Additions when remodeling / extending to make a property feel high end
samosamo · 09/05/2021 17:54

This was the message - Is this arts and craft? If so i might already have some that the kids are battering and that I don't love, but were cheap and I got them when travelling abroad!

In any case, thx so much for the steer. NOT hugh end OP, as you can see I have no clue. Apols for jumping on your thread, but it's a great one!!!! Thx

LemonRoses · 09/05/2021 17:56

Hi end is more about location and house style than the type of taps.

HasaDigaEebowai · 09/05/2021 22:37

I think you can quite easily do arts and craft or Art Deco in that property.

Bouledeneige · 10/05/2021 00:19

As people have said its very subjective. My definition is good quality furniture, a mixture of old and new, excellent art, eclectic collectables and high quality rugs and flooring, accent lighting, textures, quality window treatments and not everything matchy matchy.

Jannetra17 · 10/05/2021 11:29

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user1471528245 · 10/05/2021 11:47

Wall hanging toilets, widespread in Europe yet we still stick them to the floor, nothing worse than trying to keep the floor around a toilet clean, door handles make a big difference and cheap to change along with a better quality door rather than the Georgian panels from the trade shops that they put in every new build, bamboo or engineered wood for flooring, hard wearing and easy to refinish if it does eventually wear, go for something with a grain to hide the marks

Allthereindeersaregirls · 10/05/2021 13:57

@user1471528245

Wall hanging toilets, widespread in Europe yet we still stick them to the floor, nothing worse than trying to keep the floor around a toilet clean, door handles make a big difference and cheap to change along with a better quality door rather than the Georgian panels from the trade shops that they put in every new build, bamboo or engineered wood for flooring, hard wearing and easy to refinish if it does eventually wear, go for something with a grain to hide the marks
We wanted a wall hung toilet but they only support up to a certain weight and MIL exceeded it.