Feeling like your home’s existing space just isn’t meeting your needs these days? If so, you’re not alone.
Homeowners in Minneapolis and across the nation are feeling the crunch of spending more time at home due to the recent explosion of remote work, distance learning, and other changes due to the pandemic. But with an intense seller’s market for real estate, and rising costs for creating a home addition, many homeowners are wondering how to make their existing house function better for their needs.
Fortunately, many homeowners in our area have a great solution available to them—converting existing wasted space into practical, comfortable room to meet the need for an improved home lifestyle.
8 Ways a Creative Remodel Can Transform Your Unused Spaces
Once you start looking at your home with a remodeling mindset, you’ll likely spot a lot of areas where you could get greater usage—without an addition. Here are 8 of the most popular ways to transform the space you already have.
1. Finish the Attic
Many homes have a spacious attic that is ripe for upgrades. After all, you already have the roof and four walls and floor to work with. Attics are great for a home office, additional bedroom, or play space—especially if you add a gable dormer to bring in more light.
2. Convert the Basement
In Minnesota, it’s common for houses to have full basements with plenty of headroom. Consider remodeling that basement space into a workable in-law suite or entertainment room. You can still set off part of the area for storage, if needed.
3. Transform a Rarely Used Room
Do you have a spare bedroom or living/dining area that no one’s using? Make it a practical space! Install shelving, convert the closet to a built-in workspace, and buy a convertible couch or daybed for when guests visit.
4. Remove Interior Walls
It’s amazing how much you can enhance your home lifestyle simply by knocking down non-load-bearing walls and creating a spacious flow. An open floorplan brings in more natural light and creates breathing room that homeowners appreciate.
5. Create a Multipurpose Kitchen Area
Thinking about your dream kitchen? While you’re planning that renovation, look for ways to get added functionality that’s not exclusively related to cooking. Add a built-in desk and storage, or a large island with room for the kids to engage in distance learning.
6. Close in the Porch
If your house has a large porch or deck area that you rarely use, why not enclose it? Such spaces are incredibly flexible! Turn it into a mud room or laundry room. Make it a lovely three-season reading nook. Or use it as a comfy, bright home office.
7. Convert the Garage
Garages can easily be reimagined into just about any space you need. Finish the walls, add a kitchenette and door, and you have a complete living space for adult children or aging relatives. Another option: convert part of the garage into a home office while using the other part for storage or parking.
8. Get Creative with Furniture, Shelves, and Storage
Older homes often have closed in spaces that can be reinvented. The area underneath a staircase can be opened up and turned into shelves and coat hooks. Reroute your HVAC so that old heater/water closet can be used for storage. Or turn a large window into a bay window with seating.
Signs Your Home Is a Good Candidate for Interior Remodeling
Wondering if your home is a good fit for an interior remodel to get the added space you’re craving? Here are a few tips to help you assess your situation:
You Need More Room
Evaluate your current lifestyle and consider whether any of these situations apply to you:
- You’re working from home more often.
- Your children require a dedicated space for distance learning.
- Older children are living at home instead of in a college dorm.
- Parents or in-laws have moved in.
A home remodel is a great option in such situations, and often, you can repurpose your existing layout rather than building a full addition.
You Can’t Find the Right New Home
The last two years have changed a lot when it comes to home buying. It takes much longer to find the right home, and it’s a lot harder to get a bid accepted. This makes it hard to simply move to get the added space you desire.
You Love Where You Live
If you’ve watched any of the home remodeling shows on TV, you’ll realize many homeowners share the same dilemma: They need better solutions for where they live, but they don’t really want to move. If that’s you, and you enjoy your neighborhood, your yard, and your house, then an interior remodel is a great way to remain where you live.
Love Your Home All Over Again with a Space-Creating Interior Remodel
Put an end to all your space frustrations with an attractive, practical upgrade of your existing unused rooms. The team at Iron River Construction uses creative planning and stellar installations to ensure you get the functionality you want and need, so you can delight in your home lifestyle for years to come.
Get started by learning more! Check out our interior remodeling services to see how we help Minneapolis-St. Paul area homeowners turn their wasted spaces into dream spaces—and connect with us to get a free consultation.
