As a remodeler in Chicago, it’s safe to say there’s nothing cookie-cutter about the homes we remodel! One of the things we love about working in this area is the wide range of homes and, sometimes, the oh-so-quirky design “features” that homeowners are ready to get rid of! So, what are the most commonly requested changes our clients request when it comes to home remodeling?
1. Create an Open Concept
Once upon a time, pretty much every home had very defined rooms. The Kitchen. The Dining Room. The Family Room. The “we-don’t-know-what-to-do-with-it-so-it’s-currently-storage-space” room. The #1 request we receive from homeowners when it comes to remodeling is to create a more open concept that allows spaces to flow into one another – with the added bonus it usually allows for more light in the space.
There are downsides. Load-bearing walls cost more money to remove and open concept living means no more closing the door on your day-to-day family life (aka general family messiness).
2. Large Shower Enclosures & Removing the Tub From the Master Bath
Gone are the days when you had to have a tub in your Master Bathroom. It is true that remodeled Kitchens and Master Bathrooms sell homes, but so long as you have a tub somewhere in your home, not having a tub in your Master Bath is not a deal-breaker.
If you don’t use your tub now, you’re not going to in the future and it takes up valuable real estate. Go big on your shower instead and make it the stand-out design feature in your home!
3. Better Lighting
The next thing on our remodeling “must-haves” list is more light! Whether you add recessed lighting, better fixtures or go all out and add more windows, nothing makes you feel better and feeds the soul more than a home with lots of natural light or better lighting rather than dark spaces that just drag you down even on the sunniest of days. Adding windows and better lighting is money well spent.
4. All About Cabinets
Fed up with that kitchen cabinet door that never closes properly? Wondering what the shelf life really is for those cake decorations you bought a few years ago that you’ve just discovered at the back of your built-in pantry? Great cabinetry and better storage solutions are top of most homeowners’ lists when it comes to kitchen remodeling.
Getting rid of a built-in pantry and replacing it with a cabinetry pantry with pull out shelves has been a steadily increasing request in recent years. Not only does this provide more functional storage, but it also allows for the freeing up of valuable real estate in your kitchen for other things.
If you have the room, there’s nothing wrong with a walk-in pantry, so stick with it if you like it but it’s not a must-have any longer. The trend for white (or neutral) cabinets is still a great look, but anything goes when it comes to cabinetry color (with one CAVEAT: only if it’s a well designed Kitchen!)
5. A Large Island with Tons of Seating
Our last “must-have” is a large Kitchen island with plenty of seating for family and friends to gather. This is coupled with the wider trend of homeowners getting rid of formal Dining Rooms and re-purposing that space. It’s a fact of life: people gravitate to the kitchen when they’re in your home, so make the most of it and add an island. It can be functional with integrated cook-tops or sinks, but it doesn’t have to be.
The beauty of a big island is the counter-top space (and cabinetry storage below) and a place for the family to sit while you cook – or for having a nice glass of wine while someone else does!
At 123 Remodeling, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We don’t work on pull-and-replace kitchen or bathroom remodels, or with clients who are looking to flip a home or get it ready for resale. We believe in remodeling a house to make it a home to be enjoyed by the current homeowners. We take a personalized approach to every project we work on. Our home remodels are design thinking and we’re with you every step of the way on your project. If you are ready to renovate happily, get in touch.
