When we live in a house that is fundamentally too small, we get creative and try to find space wherever we can. Our mentality is that this space-stealing is a temporary fix, but frequently we adjust and delay or forget the real fix.

PROBLEM

Lack of privacy, closets, and just general space made this 1954 ranch home in Mahtomedi, Minn., almost unbearable. With the need for a third bedroom when their daughter came along, sacrifices were made. A big bookcase (A) was used to close off the former dining room, and the space was converted into her bedroom (B), but not without consequences. All traffic had to pass through her bedroom to get to the kitchen! Outdoor traffic was as strange as the indoor traffic. The house, situated on a corner, had a driveway and detached garage off the left lot line, making the front door difficult to get to. The path of least resistance was through the screened porch (I). The kitchen (C) had only appliances and a sink base. A few open shelves offered storage for dishes and minimal food. It would be safe to say that this kitchen is a cook’s nightmare. It had a small table in it, but that had to go to make way for a dog kennel (D). That was 14 years ago. These folks were living with the most minimal amenities, to say the least. All of the spaces were cut up and closed off with doors. The entry (E) was especially tight. The hall (F) that funnels all traffic is equally tight and dark. The only bathroom (G) was also built to minimum standards. The living room (H) was the only decent space, but it was cut-off from the rest of the house. The screened porch (I) would have been a great amenity but because of the proximity to the other rooms, it became a junk collector. SOLUTION

Clearly this house needed to be added to, but where and how was important. A conservative 12-foot addition (J) along the side allowed us to move the kitchen (K) out into the new space and locate dining where the kitchen was. We created a family entry (M), which had natural light, a coat closet, cubbies, and a “To Go” shelf. There is even a special place for the dog bowls. We located a new screened porch (N) at the end of this addition. The kitchen (K) is large and open with an extensive eat-on island. In addition to lots of cabinets, we added a double closet-style pantry (O). The daughter’s bedroom (P) was modified and extended with the other addition. We added 14 feet for a new master bedroom (Q) and had to change the basement stair (R) in order to create a hall to access it. We gleaned enough room to add a master bathroom (S). The new stair’s central location creates an inviting access to a newly finished family room in the basement. The bedroom ‘wing’ can be optionally private with the addition of two pocket doors (U). A deck (V) off the kitchen/dining area provides outdoor living space and access to the new screened in porch (N). Marcia Lyon is a professional remodeling designer and freelance writer, producing projects locally and several other areas across the United States and Canada. Her new E-book on remodeling design is available at www.creatingspaces.net. Reach her at Marcia@creatingspaces.net or at 515-991-8880.