There comes a point in every Edmonton garden suite build when the structure is complete, the walls are up, and the space starts to look like a real home.

That’s when the finishing selections begin.

Flooring, cabinetry, tile, countertops, hardware, paint colours, plumbing fixtures, and more all come together in this phase. These details have a major impact on how the suite looks, feels, and functions.

For many homeowners, this is one of the most exciting parts of the process. It can also be one of the most overwhelming! That’s why we guide our clients through finish selections step by step, helping narrow down options, avoid decision fatigue, and choose materials that fit both their vision and their budget.

Here’s a look at some of the major finishing decisions you get to make and how we guided the Hazeldean homeowners through the process.

Choosing Flooring That Looks Good and Lasts

Flooring is often one of the first major finish decisions because it influences so many other selections that come after it.

In a garden suite, the flooring should look great, hold up to everyday life, and be easy to maintain. It should also help the space feel cohesive from room to room.

Hazeldean Garage Suite Flooring

For the Hazeldean garage suite, the homeowners selected Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring throughout the main living areas and on the stairs. We recommend LVP because it’s durable, easy to clean, waterproof, and cost-effective compared to hardwood.

Using one consistent flooring material throughout much of the suite also helps the home feel open and cohesive, which is especially valuable in a smaller footprint.

Designing a Bathroom That Feels Special

Bathrooms are where some homeowners choose to have fun with finishes.

Because the space is smaller, it’s possible to make a strong design impact without overwhelming the rest of the garden suite.

Early in the design stage, we encourage homeowners to make the shower and vanity area as spacious as possible. In a smaller bathroom, larger countertops and a generous glass shower door can make the room feel significantly bigger and more comfortable to use.

Hazeldean Garage Suite Bathroom Tile

As for bathroom tile, using it on the floor, ceiling and walls is a bold move, and our Hazeldean garage suite clients did an excellent job selecting three types of tile that compliment each other beautifully. This layered combination gives the room a luxurious feel and creates a standout feature within the suite. Tile is also a practical choice in bathrooms thanks to its durability, moisture resistance, and timeless appeal.

Keeping the bathroom all white gives the illusion of a larger space, even if the footprint is compact.

Other finishing decisions in the bathroom include the fixtures and hardware. Faucets, shower trim, cabinet pulls, mirrors, and thoughtfully-placed lighting help shape the final feel of the room.

Kitchen Design Selections: Creating the Heart of the Suite

The kitchen is where many of the most important finishing decisions come together, as it often becomes the centrepiece of the suite.

Cabinetry, countertops, backsplash, hardware, and lighting all need to complement one another while creating a space that feels right for your garden suite’s use, whether it’s for your family or a future renter.

Hazeldean Garage Suite Countertop

For the Hazeldean suite, we guided the homeowners through these selections by helping them narrow down options that matched their vision and worked well together as a complete design. They chose white cabinetry to keep the kitchen feeling bright and airy, paired with a beautiful natural-looking grey granite countertop that adds warmth, texture, and durability to the space.

Hazeldean Garage Suite Backsplash

To bring in a bit of personality, they selected a white herringbone backsplash and ran it up to the ceiling. It keeps the palette neutral and timeless while adding movement and visual interest.

This is a great example of how thoughtful guidance through the finishing stage can help homeowners make confident decisions and create a kitchen that feels cohesive, functional, and uniquely their own.

The Finishings Make Your Garden Suite Completely Custom

No two homeowners want exactly the same thing, which is why no two garden suites are identical. That’s the fun of building a custom home!

Some clients want a clean, modern look. Others prefer something more eclectic. Some prioritize low-maintenance durability for a future rental. Others are designing for family members and want something highly personalized.

That’s why our finish selection process is flexible and collaborative. We help homeowners make choices that reflect how they plan to use the suite now and in the future.

The bright, timeless Hazeldean backsplash vs. the playful blue Windsor Park backsplash!

Avoiding Decision Fatigue When Selecting Finishings

You may be surprised by how many decisions happen near the end of a build.

By this stage, most of the major materials have already been selected, but there are still many important details to confirm. This often includes specific install decisions for the finishing trades, such as closet layouts, railing details, tile patterns, and grout colour selections.

We intentionally leave some of these choices until the end so homeowners have time to see the space once it’s built. It’s often much easier to make confident decisions when you can stand in the room and experience it in person, rather than trying to imagine the final result from a 2D floor plan.

There can be dozens of selections to make, often within a short window of time. Without guidance, it’s easy to feel stuck or second-guess choices. Our role is to simplify that process!

We help narrow options, recommend combinations that we’ve seen work well together, and keep selections aligned with your biggest priorities, whether that’s durability, timeless style, rental appeal, or staying on budget.

What’s Next for the Hazeldean Garage Suite

The Hazeldean garage suite is almost complete!

With just a few inspections left, the suite is now just a few weeks away from being ready for the homeowners. We’re excited to see them move in and can’t wait to share the full garage suite reveal next month!