Our homes go through so many changes as life progresses. That’s one of the major reasons for remodeling - to tailor our living space to accommodate our current living situations. It’s ether that or move to a place that is already suited for what we need.

PROBLEM

This home was an ideal family home for many years. It was dated, however, and the way it was ideal is now obsolete. The second floor (A) has four average-sized bedrooms and one quite small bedroom (perhaps planned as a nursery), and one hall bathroom. The family structure changed by divorce, leaving a single mother with two (almost grown) children. The mother has been plagued with health problems, having suffered a debilitating injury at work, leaving her with back pain and walking with a cane. The trip down to the basement (B) to do laundry became too much, so they added a stack washer/dryer (C) in an alcove by the back stairs. Needless to say it is an eyesore. She was still going upstairs to her bedroom, but felt that if she could minimize the need for stairs her life would be easier. At some time in the past, a three-quarter bath (D) was added in the corner of the family room (E), but because of the proximity to the living spaces, she was uncomfortable using it. Besides, all of her clothes were upstairs. The living room (F) was totally unused and had begun to be a landing spot for things they didn’t have space for. The dining room (G) had already become such a space and since it had French doors on both sides, it remained closed off and unused. The kitchen (H) was of minimal size and was in need of updating and expanding. The family room, once a big rectangle added to the back of the house, was where everything happened. Once the three-quarter bath was built, a portion of the family room became dining space (I). The family felt house-bound with nowhere to expand. SOLUTION

It seemed only logical to create a bedroom (J) out of the unused living room. The new wall created a foyer (K). Then the washer/dryer (L) was turned around to open up into a new hallway (M), cutting through the former dining room. We used the remainder of the dining room for a closet (N) in the new bedroom, and a new ¾ bathroom (O). We expanded the old kitchen (P) into the family room (Q), making it feel “a part of the action”. The wall that the refrigerator was on was perfect for two closet style pantries (R). We reopened the door that was in the old bathroom (S) to create a new, easy way in from the detached garage. A ramp was added to the deck so now there is a stair-less entry into the house. This door also makes an easy way out to the deck for grilling and adds light since it is a full glass door. Adjacent to the new door is a built in buffet/”To Go” shelf, which works with the new open dining area (T). Now the family room is not chopped up with walls and is an open, friendly area for the family.

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.