Seemingly insigni cant details (such as ooring, handles, showerheads and faucets) can make a major impact on a space.
What marks the difference between standard and luxury condominiums? It all comes down to the details.
Elements such as flooring, faucets, lights and appliances may seem insignificant when designing a high-end condominium. But for sophisticated clients, they can make a major impact.
As a result, owners of top condominium properties have some difficult decisions to make when designing spaces for the country's most discerning home buyers. No feature can be overlooked, no matter how small. Each finishing detail contributes to the individual look and feel of the unit.
Elevate space with flooring
When it comes to flooring, for example, many luxury condominium developers will provide owners with a dizzying array of options to consider. First, there is the material. While vinyl or laminate flooring is standard in many condominium units, luxury condominiums raise the bar with engineered wood flooring.
And the options don't end there. The width of plank, type of wood and pattern must be considered. For example, many condominiums feature straight, parallel planks of thin hardwood tiles, but other arrangements can change the whole feel of the space. More expensive herringbone or chevron patterns, for example, where tiles are arranged in a "V" shape, are preferred by many luxury condominium owners.
While residents may not be conscious of the flooring pattern on a day-to-day basis, such fine details ultimately dictate the feel of the entire space, says Kevin McGowan of Lux Interior Design, a boutique interior design firm in Toronto.
"Those things that you can do at the ground level really elevate the rest of the space," McGowan explains. "If you have upgraded flooring, it's very easy for the place to feel more upgraded and luxurious, just from the flooring."
Seamless kitchen cabinetry
Kitchens often get the most attention from developers and homeowners. This is in large part because they typically provide the greatest return on investment. Furthermore, in the open-concept living spaces that are common among condominium developments, the kitchen typically becomes the focal point of the entire unit.
"The kitchen tends to open up into a living area or a dining area, so you sort of upgrade two or three rooms at once," says McGowan. He adds that kitchen upgrades are the most common request at Lux from luxury condominium buyers.
"Although condominiums in a luxury market already come with pretty great kitchens to begin with, these buyers and clients are looking for something that's just that much more luxurious than the standard package."
The primary distinction between luxury kitchens and more standard spaces are the ways that major appliances fit in with the rest of the room's cabinetry.
"You definitely want to have as much built into the space as possible," McGowan continues. "Built-in ovens, built-in microwaves, dishwashers, fridges, things that are designed to are able to seamlessly hide behind cabinetry so the cabinetry works as the focal piece of the kitchen."
With regard to countertops, marble has traditionally been considered the ultimate luxury finish. But these days, buyers have begun moving away from the classic standard toward equally aesthetically pleasing materials that are easier to maintain.
"A really popular option is a quartz countertop," says McGowan. "That is very long lasting and very durable, and you can achieve the look of a marble countertop without having to worry about the maintenance."
McGowan adds that quartz is easier to clean, harder to stain, more difficult to chip or crack and easier to fix than marble. It can also support a piping hot dish without damaging.
Another oft-ignored kitchen appliance that can change the rooms aesthetic is the hood vent, explains McGowan. "You can go really modern with that, you can go really high end, you can go with a contemporary look, and that can change a kitchen very easily as well."
Beautiful bathrooms
When it comes to upgrading a luxury bathroom, the smallest detail can often make the most impact. This is especially true of potential bathroom upgrades such as faucets. Jeffrey Douglas, owner and principal at Douglas Design Studio, believes that above all else, "the faucets in the shower are number one."
Unlike the sink or the bathtub, the shower is the one space in the bathroom that provides its own unique experience, he explains. "The worst is three walls, a door, and what you feel is a claustrophobic little cubby that you're showering in every day," says Douglas. He adds that luxury condominium owners and developers prefer "a big shower, lots of glass and really high-quality faucets."
While there is a clear consensus among Douglas' clients about the importance of upgrading shower faucets, the shower head itself remains up for debate. He explains that male residents typically prefer a rain effect from their showers, while women prefer a showerhead that provides the option of not washing their hair every time they bathe.
As a result, many luxury condominium owners opt for both a wall-mounted showerhead and a rain top. "It's about creating a shower environment or a rain environment that's conceived as therapeutic," says Douglas. He points out that additional features such as steam effects and spa-like effects can take that experience to the next level.
Jewel-like lights
When working with what can be limited space in condominiums, Douglas believes proper lighting can make all the difference.
"There's lots of substitutions that are a little less expensive, but they don't carry the same impact as good quality light fixtures," he emphasizes. "Luxury condominium buildings, working with your own designer, give you the ability to find your own thing and purchase that and have it installed."
Ashley Rumsey, a partner and interior designer for Mason Studio Inc., agrees. It is freedom of choice that gives condominium owners the ability to really dress up their luxury spaces and make them uniquely their own.
"The light fixtures and the more decorative elements are like the jewelry on an outfit," Rumsey says. Like a piece of jewelry, lighting can be used to highlight other elements. However, it should also be durable, functional and ultimately an expression of the individual's taste.
"Light fixtures are a great way to increase the personality of a space, and provide an opportunity for the homeowner to show their own personal style," Rumsey adds.
This content was produced by The Globe and Mail's advertising department. The Globe's editorial department was not involved in its creation.