AFTER: Removing a wall that separated the more formal living room from the less formal family room provided more natural light in both spaces and a more usable space for entertaining.

Trina Knudsen

Last week, we talked about the move-versus-remodel debate. That is the first decision you have to make when you accept your house isn't working for you and you need a change. If you decide to stay put and that remodeling is the way to go, the next phase of the design process is programming.

Programming is determining what you will need to make your house function so it can support your life and family goals.

Every room in your house should be used at least once a day for something useful. Having square feet in your home that sit idle day after day is wasteful. Why heat, cool, clean and pay taxes on space that isnt contributing to you or your family?

Many clients feel they need more space, so the first thing they think of is an addition when, many times, they are not using the space they already have to its full potential. Therefore, remodeling by repurposing existing space can accomplish the same functional goal as an addition but with less cost and disruption.

Another option, less drastic than a full-blown addition, is a small bump-out in a strategic place. For instance, your kitchen may not have enough width to add that island you want, or your master bath shower may be the size of a postage stamp, so a few feet could make all the difference. Pushing the exterior wall out two feet can open up a range of possibilities that could solve all kinds of issues.

How do you decide if you need a significant addition, an interior remodel or something in between? Talk to an architect! Analyzing your house and how you use it is key to the conversation you will have when you sit down with an architect in the beginning phase of your project.

Besides discussing how you currently use your house and what problems you are encountering, you should consider hopes and dreams. Do you wish you could entertain but dont feel comfortable having people over to your house? Do you want to be able to have Grandma and Grandpa come stay during the holidays, but don't have a guest room available for them? How would your lifestyle be different if your house were different? What kinds of things would you like to do if your house werent holding you back? A well-designed remodel can actually help you live better on a daily basis.

A good design should focus on the end user. At our office, we call it life-centered design. How are you actually going to live in this space? How will you use it every day? The plan should be designed with your lifestyle in mind.

Read more:
Renovation Solutions: Plan your home remodels with your life in mind

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June 16, 2014 at 12:52 pm by Mr HomeBuilder
Category: Room Remodeling