Starter homes are just that - homes in which to start your family. Ironically, these modest homes also work well as ender homes - or retirement nests.

When one builds a starter home, the builder is there to guide you about how far your money will go. Before the kids are born, these spaces look different than then do after. With a growing family, patterns change, equipment and possessions increase, and what was a good, efficient home seems to shrink before your eyes!

PROBLEM

In my client’s own words: ”When we built, we used every bit of space we could possibly afford. Now we find we would like some extra space for changing needs now that our kids are growing.”

This two-story home had the basic elements, plus a walk-in pantry (A) as a bonus. The living (B) and dining (C) rooms were fairly generous, but other areas, like the daily eating area (D), kitchen (E) and entry (F), were most certainly space-bound.

What served as the family entry (G) from the garage (H) was a short hall with no amenities. This was a major area of congestion with traffic and three doors. The half-bath (I) was centrally located but almost part of the problem.

The homeowners wanted kitchen space for more than one cook and a casual eating space that didn’t block the only door to the backyard (J). They mused how great it would be to move the laundry up from the basement but didn’t find an inch to spare on the main level for that function.

SOLUTION

The solution to the problems began to appear when I moved passenger entry from the garage (G) to the back wall (K), where we could develop a real family entry (L). What we had to do was to build an eight-foot addition across the back (M), which solved a multitude of problems. In the corner, we added space to the garage for lawn storage (N), accessible from the backyard.

Next, we created a laundry room (O). The new family entry (L) was located close to the new kitchen (P). The glass door with sidelights (Q) in the family entry is the main way outside and onto a new deck (R).

This door will be used when cooking and serving outside, and to bring guests to the deck, so we wanted it nice. Notice that we have a “To Go” shelf in the family entry, adjacent to the kitchen (P).

A built in counter/desk (S) is handy for the family computer.

The half-bath (I) was reconfigured to create an angle (T) in the kitchen, which is sympathetic with the kitchen island.

A portion of the old kitchen is remade to create a walk in pantry (U), which is much more efficient than the original one.

In an effort to breathe new life into the dining room, we added two glass pocket doors with a wider opening between the kitchen and dining rooms. There is now outdoor access from the dining room in the way of a French door on either side (W), keeping traffic along a wall. These doors lead to a new stone terrace which connects with the deck (R).

Now, there is excellent flow in this home for all activities and an open, all-inclusive kitchen.

Marcia Lyon is a professional remodeling designer and freelance writer, producing projects locally and several other areas across the U.S. and Canada. Her new book on remodeling design, “The Essential Planner for Home Remodeling,” is available at www.creatingspaces.net. You may contact her at Marcia@creatingspaces.net or at 515-991-8880.