There are dozens of reasons why a house you’ve lived in happily for many years suddenly doesn’t work for you anymore. You may need a downstairs master as stairs have become more difficult to navigate; or you may be having another child, and you need an extra bedroom; or perhaps you merely want to upgrade your home, you want the drop-dead gorgeous kitchen you never had, or a large space to entertain…whatever your reason, it often makes far more sense to reimagine the home you’re in rather than move, especially at a time when inventory is low and new home prices are high! Upgrading your house and reimagining spaces can end your frustration of being in a home that just doesn’t work for you anymore. Whether a renovation is a small project or a total do-over, reimagining your home will not only improve your lifestyle now, it will add value that will pay off in the future.
Extensive Changes:
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- This house began as a typical development house. It was non-descript and lacked curb appeal. The family needed additional room in the home and wanted the feel of the home to be updated but traditional.
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- The final product provides the residents with two additional bedrooms with en-suite baths, a new primary suite, and a large bonus room over the garages. It became the perfect home for the growing family who loved their neighborhood but needed a larger home that suited their aesthetic personality.
Another example of a dramatic renovation project:
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- This historic farmhouse was slated for demolition to make room for a senior-living residence. Instead, it was moved to a new location with the intent to add square footage and upgrade the home.
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- Additions to the home gave the owners almost double the room with new bedrooms and bathrooms, a primary suite, offices, a large dining room and updated kitchen, and a two-car garage with bonus space above.
Several years later, the residents sold the home to a couple who, not only wanted a beautiful historic home for their family, but also wanted an elegant entertaining space to host benefits for the many charitable organizations they held dear. The subsequent addition was a unique space that included a large gathering room/ballroom, a serving kitchen, bathrooms, and a loft art gallery. Another two-car garage was added to the structure that doubled as an indoor basketball court. The addition mimicked a stone barn, reflecting the origin of the home as part of a working farm. The project is an exceptional renovation that changed a somewhat dilapidated house into a stunning home with all the desired contemporary amenities woven into its historic integrity.
A renovation doesn’t have to be extensive to make a huge difference in how you feel about your home. In the examples below, relatively simple changes made the home owners fall in love with their houses again.
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- This house was a bland semi-custom home with almost no curb-appeal. the spaces inside worked well for the family, but they wanted to add interest and charm to their home.
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- The addition of a brick front porch with a metal roof and large round columns completely changed the facade of the home. The new porch roof disguised the unattractive cantilevered second-story and created a warm and welcoming entrance to the home. A bonus was that the homeowners’ living space increased as they enjoyed relaxing and entertaining on their beautiful outdoor porch!
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- A simple brick home lacked interest and the second story was dark and cramped, making it difficult for the clients to create the functional office spaces they needed. They also wanted to reimagine the primary suite to become a more spacious and luxurious space.
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- The architects expanded and brightened the upstairs with shed dormers that ran the length of the home on both the front and rear of the house, making room for a primary suite that offered a spa-like retreat for the clients. The remainder of the upstairs included two bright and functional office spaces for the homeowners who worked primarily from home. Architectural details were added to create a charming entrance. The finished renovation has provided the residents with a charming, inviting home that is both functional and attractive.
Living in the same home for a number of years almost inevitably creates the need to make changes, and people often jump to the idea of moving to a "better" house. But reimagining the house where you have created so many memories might be a better and more financially feasible idea. With the right architectural firm, you can work with designers who will listen to the problems you have with your present home, and will develop creative solutions that will include innovative ideas to make your home one that is functionally and aesthetically perfect for your unique family. With the right help, you can take the house that "just doesn't work for us anymore" and end up with a home that makes you think, "I love my house!" every time you enter the door.
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