It’s a cozy time of year. With the end of 2023 in sight, you’re likely preparing to celebrate the holidays with your family. As you spend this time together, it’s a good time to think ahead to next year. For homeowners, in this cooler weather and spending more time at home, you might start identifying some areas for improvement. After all, your home could always be cozier and better fit your aesthetic. 

As you think about everything 2024 will bring, it’s a good time for homeowners to consider what renovations to plan for in the coming year. While not every homeowner needs a total bathroom or kitchen redo, there are smaller projects you can plan to make your home more of a comfortable oasis. After all, according to Today's Homeowner’s report on the state of remodeling in the United States, 93% of homeowners reported a better quality of life after finishing their renovations.

At Raleigh Woodworks, we work with homeowners in Raleigh, NC, and beyond on projects of various sizes. From built-ins to barn doors to trim and finish customization— we transform ordinary houses into extraordinary homes with custom carpentry. With that experience in mind, we wanted to share some smaller projects that can make a massive difference in the coziness of your home. 

1. Create Warmer Memories With a Custom Mantle 

The days are only getting colder as we approach the end of 2023. What better way to get cozier with your loved ones than gathering around the fire? However, sometimes, your fireplace doesn’t feel like a space to gather if your mantle is outdated. Getting a custom mantle can be a way to elevate your living room and make you want to spend more time around the fire. 

At Raleigh Woodworks, we build custom mantles in various styles for our clients. Whether your living room is more contemporary or rustic, we can help you find the suitable wood and style for your mantle. In addition, because we do other shelving and built-ins, we can do other shelving around your mantle to make it more of a functional space. 

Just with a custom mantle, you can make your fireplace feel more cozy, and you can start building more memories around the fire. With a custom mantle, you can make your fireplace feel more comfortable and  

2. Improve Your Entertainment Room 

With cooler weather, you may gather more with your family to watch movies and the latest TV shows. In addition, as New Year’s Eve is around the corner, you might find yourself hosting more parties or gatherings for your friends. If you find the space getting cramped or not as well organized as you would like, renovating your entertainment room could be a good idea. 

As custom carpenters, we help many households upgrade their entertainment spaces. With custom cabinetry, shelving, and built-ins, you can make your entertainment room even more comfortable to gather in. Whether you're seeking stylish storage solutions to surround your television or dreaming of adding new shelving, our skilled craftsmen can create custom-built cabinetry and shelving that seamlessly blend with your existing decor. With meticulous attention to detail, we ensure that every design aspect complements your vision. 

By upgrading your entertainment space, you can bring warmth, storage, and a touch of elegance. We can work with you closely on the design and aesthetic you’re looking for. 

3. Add a Rustic Touch with Barn Doors 

For entryways, sometimes it can be a nice touch to add a barn door. These sliding doors are unique and can make a statement in any room they’re added to. Whether you prefer a rustic, industrial, or modern design, barn doors or other sliding doors can boost the aesthetic appeal of your home. 

At Raleigh Woodworks, we can work with your aesthetic and ideas about the design to create the perfect barn door. By choosing the wood, color, and design, you can have a functional piece of art as the entryway to your space. You can even try double barn doors, or if sliding doors aren’t your style, we can also build French doors. 

Whatever you decide, adding these functional and aesthetic doors can make your home feel more your own. 

4. Make Your Office a Cozy Hideaway 

The space should feel comfortable whether you always use your office for work or not. The space should feel entirely your own, especially with people taking more work-from-home days through the holidays. One promising project for 2024 is to transform your office with built-in shelving and cabinetry so that your office is more functional. 

Working with both home offices and studies or library rooms, the Raleigh Woodworks team utilizes custom cabinetry to transform working spaces. Our expert team specializes in creating custom-built office cabinetry and storage solutions that enhance productivity and declutter your workspace. From sleek built-in shelves and cabinets to efficient desk organization systems, we have the expertise to tailor the design to your needs.

Working with you on the design, office needs, and functionality, we can ensure your office is just as cozy as it needs to be to get everything you need done in 2024. 

5. Try Bench Seating and Breakfast Nooks

Have you ever wanted a little nook in your house to cuddle up with a book or a cup of coffee? Built-in spaces like benches and breakfast nooks can be a cozy addition to any part of your house. Plus, you can ensure good storage for everything you need when relaxing there. Whether having an excellent breakfast with your loved ones or pulling out a blanket and your ongoing reading, these spaces are a fantastic addition to any home. 

Our carpentry experts work with homeowners in Raleigh, NC, and beyond to create these comfortable built-in spaces. From bench seating to built-in booths for your dining room, our tailor-made designs will meet your specific needs. You can choose various high-quality hardwoods and finishes to achieve the desired aesthetic. We can also build storage and cabinetry that fits your space so that you can maximize the space in these cozy areas. 

Whatever you decide, making these comfortable spaces to settle into will set your 2024 on the right track. 

Ready to Transform Your Home Into a Cozy Retreat? 

Of course, these are just some examples of ways to make your home more comfortable and how Raleigh Woodworks can help. If you’re ready to start remodeling to make your home more cozy-season-ready, we’re prepared to help. Serving both Wake and Johnston County in North Carolina, we transform ordinary houses into extraordinary homes with stylish and functional carpentry. From custom trim work to whole home renovations to storage and cabinetry— our multi-talented team is dedicated to adding style and functionality to any space.

With over two decades of experience in the commercial industry, our team handles project management, cabinetry, custom furniture installation, and more. No matter the type or size of the project, we are your one-stop connection for all your carpentry and woodworking needs. Contact us today to get started!