Many people love home remodeling and enjoy including their families and children in the adventure. Over the years, many children and family members have been able to customize their own parts of the project to make them “just right.”
For many of our clients, we are remodeling the whole home – kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and playrooms. When the family plans to stay in the home long-term, it is our job to make sure the new spaces have the right “bones” for longevity, but that they can be are adaptable as kids grow older and the family’s needs change.
Bedrooms: Designing for Growth
Kids’ bedrooms are more than just a place to sleep—they’re spaces where your children play, study, and dream.
For the more permanent parts of the project, it is best to go with a more “timeless” design approach. In the bedrooms of older homes, additional closet space is often a requirement – in fact, we added a closet to the room pictured below.
It can be fun to let kids have input on some of the less permanent features, letting the furnishings and paint color reflect the child’s personality.
In the pictures below, we worked with the kids and family members to customize their own spaces – to their own taste, at their current stage of life. As those children grew older, the paint and decorations changed, but the fundamental spaces remained.
The renovated bedroom above is “pretty in pink” while the one below is all neutral. From a remodeling perspective, both rooms have refinished floors and new energy efficient windows.
The Shared Family Bath: Ready for the Long Haul
Bathrooms are another area where planning for the future is crucial. In the bathroom below, we worked with the homeowners to incorporate a fun penny tile feature wall in shades of green. Double sinks and plenty of storage are key features that are vital for “family harmony” when kids are sharing a bath.
This family bathroom includes a long modern vanity with ample storage. Here we used penny tile again – only this time on the floor where it is the perfect non-slip surface for often-wet bathroom floors.
Basements: The Ultimate Playroom
A basement can be transformed into playroom, providing a space where toys and games can be enjoyed without taking over the main living areas. The basement below was previously unfinished and is now a family room with different “zones” for toys, music, reading, and puzzle making.
Media rooms and “teen suites” are also great in a finished basement. For these homeowners we designed and built a movie area, a mini arcade complete with a foosball table, as well as a wet bar.
Garages: Keeping Order Amid Chaos
Garages often become the dumping ground for all your other stuff, leaving little room for your car. A well-organized garage can make life easier for everyone if wall space is maximized and there’s plenty of storage space for sports equipment, bikes and helmets. In this garage, we also added a floor coating to keep things clean.
“Small touches” that make family life easier
Kids obviously are in every room of the house. When we’re designing a kitchen, we keep in mind that mini people should be able to reach what they need…
And with mud season just around the corner, a mudroom with plenty of storage is often on the “must have list.”
Remodeling a home requires a balance of creativity, practicality, and foresight. By designing spaces that can adapt as children grow, we remodel homes that meet the family’s needs – now and in the future!