Every house has its own unique style and architectural style, which reflects the identity of that house. When planning a new extension or addition to the house, maintaining the existing style becomes a challenging task. If the new part does not match the old part, the beauty and charm of the house can be affected. This is why it is very important to keep the existing style in mind while planning a home addition. A balanced and integrated design makes every part of the house feel connected to each other, which maintains harmony throughout the house.
Many people want their new extension or addition to completely match the style and decor of the old part, so that there is no difference between the two. This requires taking certain steps to blend the new addition with the old one in a way that doesn’t feel out of place. In this blog, we will discuss some important steps to help you integrate your home extension with the existing style and make it look cohesive.
Understanding the existing design and architectural features of the home is the first step in the process. For this, it is beneficial to document all the key elements and design features of the home. These features may include window designs, door shapes, roof shape and slope, color scheme, and exterior finishes. When you understand the existing design well, it becomes easier to incorporate it into the new addition. This documentation can help you ensure that the new addition doesn’t feel out of place with the old one.
Every architectural style has certain design elements that make it stand out from the others. For example, modern style emphasizes straight lines and simplicity, while traditional style emphasizes ornamentation and detail. Identify the key design elements of your home’s current style and try to retain these elements in the new addition. This will make the new addition look more in-line with the old addition, and will also enhance the beauty of the home.
Sight lines also play an important role in the design of a home addition. These lines connect different parts of the house, giving a cohesive feel to the home. When you are designing the new addition, make sure that the design of the new addition matches the old one. Also pay attention to transitions, so that the new and old parts look connected. This will make the design of the house feel more seamless and both parts will appear connected to each other.
The shape and slope of the roof of the house play a major role in the exterior design. If you are planning to build a new part, try to match the shape and pitch of the roof of the new part with the roof of the old part. By matching this, the new part of the house will look consistent with the exterior structure and there will be no reduction in the beauty of the house’s exterior. Matching the roof will make the new and old part appear connected with each other.
It is also important to take care of the siding material used on the exterior walls. If a particular type of siding material has been used in the old part of the house, try to adopt it in the new part as well. If that material is not available, then choose a similar or complementary material. By doing this, the new part will look consistent with the old part and the beauty will be felt in the exterior structure of the house. This will make the design of the house look completely integrated.
Windows are also an important part of the exterior design of the house. The windows in the new part should match the old ones, such as their size, shape and trim details. Matching the style of the windows makes the exterior design cohesive and the new part does not look different from the old one. If the windows look similar, the new and old part will appear to be a perfect blend with each other.
The colour and finish of the paint determine the look of the exterior structure of the house. When you are painting the new part of the house, use the colour and finish of the old part, so that the whole house looks uniform. Matching the paint helps the new part to blend perfectly with the old part of the house and maintains balance in the exterior design. This is a simple way to maintain the beauty of the house.
The floor level should be kept equal to maintain uniformity in the interior of the house. The floor of the new part should match the level of the old part, so that there is no feeling of separation between the two. Maintaining consistent flooring levels brings cohesion to the interiors and makes the new part of the house feel like a part of the old part. This is an important part of interior design that gives the house a lively and organized look.
Try to use the flooring material used in the old part of the house in the new part as well. If the old material is not available, then deliberately use a design transition so that there is contrast and harmony between the two parts. This creates an inviting feel while keeping the flooring consistent and both parts feel connected to each other. This is an effective design technique that maintains the interior flow.
The ceiling height of the house plays an important role in interior design. If the ceiling height of the new part is equal to the old part, then the whole house will look consistent and there will be no difference between the new and old part. Uniformity in ceiling height brings balance to the interior flow and the design of the new part matches with the old structure.
Moldings and trims are a major design element in the interior of a home, which makes it unique. Repeating the moldings and trims of the old part in the new part brings uniformity in the design. This gives balance to the interior of the house and the new part blends perfectly with the old part. The combination of moldings and trims provides an attractive look to the interior of the house.
Repeating the color scheme is a simple and effective way to connect the old and the new part. If a particular color scheme has been adopted in the existing part of the house, then continue it in the new part as well. This will blend the new part with the rest of the house and the overall look of the house will look uniform. Matching the color scheme maintains balance in the aesthetics of the house.
Doors play an important role in the interior and exterior of the house. If the old part has a particular design of doors or type of hardware, then use the same design in the new part as well. This will bring uniformity to every part of the house and the new part will seem to match the old part.
Light fixtures make the ambiance and look special in the interior of the house. Use the same light fixtures in the new part as in the old part of the house. This will create a uniform lighting experience and there will be a feeling of harmony between the two parts. Matching light fixtures makes the new part look like a part of the old part and maintains balance in the design.
If the old part of the house has built-in bookshelves, cabinets or other built-in features, then repeat the same design in the new part as well. This will ensure that the new part looks completely integrated with the old design and the balance of the interior of the house will be maintained. Matching built-in features maintains balance and beauty in the design of the house.
Old and new materials have different aging processes, which can cause the two parts to look different over time. To balance this, use materials that are similar to the old in the new part. This maintains a uniform look and makes the new part appear integrated with the old structure.
While constructing a new part, it is important to follow current building codes. The old part may not have been compliant, but the new part should be built in accordance with the codes. This maintains the strength and safety of the new part and maintains harmony with the old structure. This is an important design aspect.
There should be consistency between the old and new parts during future maintenance. Both parts should be maintained in a similar manner so that there is no difference between them. This helps maintain a uniform and organized look of the house. Maintaining balance in future care keeps the design and structure of the house consistent and durable.
A new addition does not weaken the old structure with proper planning and strong construction. It is important to ensure that the tolerance of the existing structure for the addition is properly assessed so that the entire house remains balanced.
Yes, you can use eco-friendly materials, but make sure that it matches the existing material. It is advisable to choose natural or recycled materials so that the design of the house is balanced and eco-friendly.
Even if the architectural style has to be changed, it is possible to maintain uniformity in the design. For example, maintaining uniformity in decor, color scheme, and furniture can make the new part match the old part and maintain the charm of the house.
Pay attention to design elements like flooring, wall decoration, molding, and ceiling style in the new part. These elements help in maintaining balance and uniformity between the old and new parts of the house.
