Many times it's possible to rearrange spaces within an existing house and make it work so much better than before. By changing a floor plan, moving elements like stairs, and even moving spaces like bedrooms and living rooms, it's possible to create a plan that is appropriate for today's living. Here are some points to consider:
Let go of Preconceived Ideas
By letting go of preconceived ideas of how rooms should be arranged, you may be able to arrive at a better solution. That may mean that the master bedroom needs to relocate to where the living room is located. Or moving the kitchen may solve many layout problems. While the project is still early in the design phase it's easy to test these kind of ideas, so do this early on to arrive at the best design solution.
Think Bold and Move the Stairs and Fireplaces
It seems more often than not that stairs and fireplaces are in the wrong location. Stairs in older homes are often too steep and tight to navigate. By moving the stair, it can often be designed to better connect different floors and also be a more comfortable dimension to make the stair safer to navigate.
Old masonry fireplaces are often located where it would be much nicer to have large windows or french doors to the outside. Or they are just much more massive than they need to be, taking up valuable floor space. With the advent of modern prefabricated metal fireplaces, it's possible to remove an old masonry fireplace, and replace it (possibly in a new location) with a smaller and more efficient fireplace unit.
Get Rid of Hallways
Look at turning hallways into part of the space of the adjacent rooms. This is not always possible, but hallways generally don't make a house feel larger or more expansive. They generally are perceived as wasted space. By connecting spaces to each other without hallways, you'll end up with a space that feels bigger than it is and flows better.
Incorporate Green Materials into your Remodel
New finishes make up a large portion of a whole house remodel. Consider green materials such as low VOC paints, sustainably harvested wood floors, natural carpets, and other materials that do not off-gas. A remodel can be an opportunity to incorporate as many green materials as possible. This will result in a better interior living environment with less chemicals off-gassing, and it is better overall for the environment.
Make Over the Exterior
While the inside of many houses needs a major overhaul, often the exterior does too. Consider new paint colors, replacing windows, doors, the roof, and siding. When adding replacement doors and windows, don't be constrained by existing openings. It can be easy to lower sill heights or even add french doors where a window was once located. Also consider adding architectural features such as dormers or an interesting entry canopy.
A whole house remodel is an exciting project to undertake because the result is often a new, fresh design that doesn't have any resemblance to the old house. By making smart design moves, rearranging spaces, and upgrading and renewing materials, an old house can be given new purpose and extend its useful life for many years.
