According to the latest poll conducted by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) on its Web site, the majority (56%) of homeowners cite functionality as their largest concern when it comes to their home.

“The functionality of a home is very important, especially over the long term, as many homeowners in this economy have opted for remodeling over moving to new homes,” says NARI National President Paul Zuch, CR, president of Capital Improvements.

Functionality of the home generally starts with good design. Remodelers can help homeowners take special care to look for the missing details in any home design—from the location of the electrical outlets to the location of light switches.

To address concerns, homeowners should think about how they intend to use the space in the future. Young families with small kids may use the space differently than empty-nesters. Multi-generational households oftentimes require universal design principles to be incorporated to increase the accessibility for everyone who lives in the home. NARI remodelers have the ability to tap into the special needs of their clients and incorporate them into the design.

“It’s all about personalization—homeowners want to know that their space can be converted easily into a difference space in the future,” Zuch says. “As children age and move out, they want to be able to make that space their own.”

When planning a remodel, here are a couple details you may want to think about:


    * Where you want electrical outlets, telephone jacks and cable hook ups.
    * What type of lighting is required—perhaps you’ll want to add a skylight or recessed lighting.
    * Blending the design of new living space into existing living space.
    * Your current and future storage needs.
    * Universal features to accommodate the needs of a broader range of people throughout their lifetimes.


These details will enable your remodeling contractor to help implement a design that best suits your needs and lifestyle. Consulting with a professional will provide you with ideas to increase convenience, time and money-saving hints for your particular project.