The trend towards a less builder-grade, more bespoke look in home design has homeowners and designers alike leaning into features from unfitted kitchens using antique hutches and pie-cupboard pantries to finish carpentry, such as window seats and reading nooks. In this blog, we look at the art of custom carpentry to embrace the custom look that adds value to your renovation.
What is finish carpentry?
Finish or finished carpentry is the final woodwork in building and renovation projects performed by home renovation contractors. When you think of finished woodwork touches, you might imagine details, such as baseboards, crown moulding, and trim like door and window casings. Also known as millwork, these precision details can also use modern, more affordable materials, including MDF, paint-grade wood, or even PVC, for areas like the bathroom.
Trim is not the only work performed by finish carpenters. They also design and install custom woodwork projects, including:
- Cabinets
- Shelving
- Bookcases
- Walk-in closets
- Storage solutions
- Staircase systems, including custom railings and handrails
How does finished carpentry add value to your home?
Custom carpentry appeals to home buyers looking for unique features that reflect a higher-end aesthetic, maximize space, improve organization, and enhance their home with custom built-ins. Details such as intricate trimwork feel tailored and elegant, while practical solutions like mudroom cabinets or kitchen banquets with hidden storage help keep things out of sight and organized.
Custom built-ins also create intentional spaces such as a work area and desk or an entertainment system, while features such as bookcases add sophistication. Finished carpentry produces show-stopping homes regardless of the era, architectural style, or layout, for mass appeal that increases perceived value. As a result, a well-thought-out finish carpentry design scheme can provide that “it” factor that stands out in a saturated market.
Value When Staying in Your Home
If you plan to stay in your home, the value of finished carpentry projects is priceless. You can create features tailored to your lifestyle after living in the space for a while and identifying shortcomings. Whether you simply want to improve the charm of the space with more character-filled trim and moulding, want to accommodate your home theatre, or want to maximize a small space with clever storage, having everything designed exactly as you wish will enhance your comfort, making custom carpentry well worth the investment for your forever home.
Consider Finish Carpentry “Add-On” Projects
If you’re planning home renovations or update projects, it is the perfect time to consider finish carpentry upgrades such as the following:
- Door and window installations: Because new windows and doors tend to be more noticeable on your home’s exterior, consider enhancing your investment inside with a more substantial trim for your casings, whether it is using stain-grade wood, a more substantial size trim, or a tailored look to reflect a style or era such as fluted Victorian rosette and plinth, solid layered Craftsman with defined sills, or vintage looks with a folksy feel using a drip cap header with flat, simple wide boards.
- Flooring: Often, homeowners install new flooring but overlook the importance of their baseboards. This finishing touch can make your new floors even more impactful with trim that adds more height, creates a modern look, or is customized to suit the architectural era of your home.
- New paint or wallpaper: Consider adding moulding details to your paint and wallpaper projects, including crown moulding, wall panels, chair or picture rails, picture shelves, beadboard, board and batten, shiplap, etc., to add more texture and interest in order to really make a statement.
Finish Carpentry Ideas to Improve Space and Function
Finding space in even a large home becomes difficult if your storage is insufficient. Finished carpentry projects are often about storage solutions that allow you to make the most of awkward, frequently used, or wasted space. Some examples might include the following:
- Mudroom/laundry room built-ins: Whether you have a mudroom or want to make better use of an area like a laundry room, built-ins like cubbies, cabinets, benches with hidden storage, and more can create an organized area for busy, active families to keep things organized and out of sight.
- Banquette/window seat storage: Classic bench-style seating is a practical solution that frees up spaces in windows or for smaller eat-in kitchens while providing double duty as storage.
- Under-stair closets: Take advantage of awkward, wasted space under the stairs with built-in shelving or a desk for storage and a workspace.
- Kitchen bulkheads: When kitchen storage is inefficient, the bulkhead above your cabinets might provide space for additional cabinets or shelving. As long as there isn’t anything hidden behind the drywall, such as plumbing or ductwork, this is unused space that can provide a reasonably affordable storage solution that is also stylish.
Aesthetic Upgrades With Finish Carpentry
Aesthetic finish carpentry can be purely cosmetic, but it makes more sense when the design also improves function. Some projects that our home renovation contractors recommend include the following:
- Entertainment centres: The old TV-as-a-focal-point conundrum is easily resolved with a custom entertainment centre that can be designed to conceal your TV and other entertainment elements. This design allows you to keep electronics hidden when you have guests or the TV is not in use. Wood entertainment centres can be complex, with a series of cabinets and shelves, or simple to keep things neat and organized with a spot for everything and all the wires out of sight.
- Bookcases: Gorgeous bookcases are having a moment, with a trend to display “book wealth” to add a sense of “academia” and accessories for character, instantly upping the ante in seemingly boring spaces.
- Fireplace enhancements: From benches for wood to bookcases and cabinets to shiplap or board and batten trim, fireplace custom carpentry can instantly transform a space into a warm gathering place for family and friends.
- Decorative wall panelling: Custom wall panelling has endless possibilities to create a new look for any room or space in the house, from your entry, halls, and staircase to your dining room and bathrooms. Any look or style can be achieved to suit your design scheme and budget.
Contact the Professionals at Ontario Drywall And Taping
So, there you have it. Finish carpentry is the unsung hero of home design and renovation projects, offering a wide range of possibilities to add value. At Ontario Drywall And Taping, we are home renovation contractors specializing in high-quality, custom interior woodwork and finished carpentry, ensuring a polished and professional appearance. Click here to learn more or to arrange for a free quote for your project.
