Search results for "Inefficient" in Home Design Ideas

The original 1970's kitchen with a peninsula to separate the kitchen and dining areas felt dark and inefficiently organized. Working with the homeowner, our architects designed an open, bright space with custom cabinetry, an island for seating and storage, and a wider opening to the adjoining space. The result is a clean, streamlined white space with contrasting touches of color.

What began as a dated primary bathroom and undersized closet evolved into a light-filled retreat designed around the homeowners' lifestyle. The original space featured a large built-in tub, oversized shower enclosure, limited storage, and an inefficient closet layout that no longer met the family's needs.
Through extensive demolition and structural modifications, the bathroom and closet were completely reconfigured to maximize both function and beauty. Walls were removed, storage was reimagined, and every square foot was carefully planned to create a more open, luxurious experience.
The finished space features a freestanding soaking tub positioned beneath expansive windows, a custom walk-in shower wrapped in marble-look porcelain, warm brass fixtures and hardware, custom cabinetry, and a fully tailored dressing room with dedicated storage for clothing, shoes, and accessories. Soft neutral finishes, elegant lighting, and thoughtfully layered details create a timeless primary suite designed to feel like a private retreat.
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Customer's idea. The design was worked out between us. Closet with glass doors already existed but used inefficiently. Customer installed their own lights under the bottom floating shelf.

Our homeowner had worked with us in the past and asked us to design and renovate their 1980’s style master bathroom and closet into a modern oasis with a more functional layout. The original layout was chopped up and an inefficient use of space. Keeping the windows where they were, we simply swapped the vanity and the tub, and created an enclosed stool room. The shower was redesigned utilizing a gorgeous tile accent wall which was also utilized on the tub wall of the bathroom. A beautiful free-standing tub with modern tub filler were used to modernize the space and added a stunning focal point in the room. Two custom tall medicine cabinets were built to match the vanity and the closet cabinets for additional storage in the space with glass doors. The closet space was designed to match the bathroom cabinetry and provide closed storage without feeling narrow or enclosed. The outcome is a striking modern master suite that is not only functional but captures our homeowners’ great style.

We transformed an inefficient walk-in closet/bathroom into a luxury master bathroom. The walk-in closet was relocated to another area. Our customers were looking for an open concept bathroom with lots of natural light but with some privacy. This beautiful master bathroom has a custom walk in shower with half walls for privacy. It also creates a nice hidden space for the toilet. Photographer: Ilona Kalimov

The goal for the owners of this Blue Ridge home was to remodel their traditional Blue Ridge home to open up rooms to improve flow and update the finishes. The separate formal living room was a rarely used space so the wall between living and family rooms was opened up and the stairwell was updated to transform how the family use these rooms. The doorway from the entry to the kitchen was also opened up to welcome guests into the heart of the home.
The existing dated and inefficient kitchen was redesigned to include a large island with dining, light filled sink area and decorative hood at the range. A tall pantry cabinet and additional mud room cabinets were installed to provide storage for this busy family. The new kitchen is bright and modern with white Columbia cabinetry complimented by a dark wood island. The Pental quartz countertops feature a light marble design and the soft grey backsplash completes this kitchen transformation.
The tiny powder room received a face lift with a custom shallow vanity that is big on style. The existing living room fireplace, which was too large and out of scale with the space, was updated with new tile and painted wood surround.
The success of this gorgeous remodel was a true team effort with the clients, Model Remodel on the construction and our firm on design.
Contractor: Model Remodel
Photography: Cindy Apple Photography

Photography by Natalie Marotta
Bungalows are lovable homes, but how can they be better? Along with many of our clients, we find that older (early 20th c.) homes have a lot of character and a comfortable scale, but are leaky, damp (especially in the basement), have fair to poor air quality, and use unconscionable amounts of fossil fuels to heat. The owners of this bungalow were ready to change that, and wanted to do so with minimal upfront carbon emissions as well.
The gut renovation included replacing the basement slab and providing capillary breaks and insulation continuously below grade. The brick structure was treated with a fluid-applied air and water barrier from the interior and insulated entirely with cellulose, a carbon-storing insulation. The roof used HFO-blown spray foam to provide sufficient insulation while allowing headroom for bedrooms, bathrooms, and laundry.
One great benefit of a full renovation is the possibility of reconfiguring spaces to suit the family’s lifestyle, and to make the best of indoor-outdoor connections. We opened up the main rooms on the first floor, creating a family gathering spot with a view to the back yard, and a spacious kitchen that supports the family’s commitment to cooking for healthy eating. The stair uses a north-facing skylight to bring light from above into the middle of the home, where it was previously dark.
As a decarbonization retrofit, the inefficient furnace was replaced with two small ducted heat pump systems, water heating and clothes drying are powered by air-source heat pumps, and cooking uses an induction cooktop plus electric ovens. Energy recovery ventilation provides filtered fresh air continuous exhaust from the kitchen, baths, and laundry, and supplies fresh, highly filtered air to bedrooms and living spaces.
The Better Bungalow now makes sense for the 21st century–it now fits the owners’ life-patterns, is super comfortable, has great air quality, and uses a fraction of the energy it did before, greatly lowering the demand on the utility grid. In the near future, when solar PV is installed, it can achieve net zero or near net zero emissions, and with battery backup, can provide great resilience in the event of power outages.

Our homeowner had worked with us in the past and asked us to design and renovate their 1980’s style master bathroom and closet into a modern oasis with a more functional layout. The original layout was chopped up and an inefficient use of space. Keeping the windows where they were, we simply swapped the vanity and the tub, and created an enclosed stool room. The shower was redesigned utilizing a gorgeous tile accent wall which was also utilized on the tub wall of the bathroom. A beautiful free-standing tub with modern tub filler were used to modernize the space and added a stunning focal point in the room. Two custom tall medicine cabinets were built to match the vanity and the closet cabinets for additional storage in the space with glass doors. The closet space was designed to match the bathroom cabinetry and provide closed storage without feeling narrow or enclosed. The outcome is a striking modern master suite that is not only functional but captures our homeowners’ great style.

This Primary Suite renovation was designed to enhance both functionality and aesthetics, creating a luxurious yet practical retreat. The original floor plan presented several challenges, including inefficient space utilization, lack of storage, and outdated design elements that no longer met the homeowner’s needs. To address these concerns, the new layout was carefully planned to improve flow, maximize storage, and incorporate modern conveniences while maintaining a timeless appeal.

This project is an incredible transformation and the perfect example of successful style mixing! This client, and now a good friend of TVL (as they all become), is a wonderfully eclectic and adventurous one with immense interest in texture play, pops of color, and unique applications. Our scope in this home included a full kitchen renovation, main level powder room renovation, and a master bathroom overhaul. Taking just over a year to complete from the first design phases to final photos, this project was so insanely fun and packs an amazing amount of fun details and lively surprises. The original kitchen was large and fairly functional. However, the cabinetry was dated, the lighting was inefficient and frankly ugly, and the space was lacking personality in general. Our client desired maximized storage and a more personalized aesthetic. The existing cabinets were short and left the nice height of the space under-utilized. We integrated new gray shaker cabinets from Waypoint Living Spaces and ran them to the ceiling to really exaggerate the height of the space and to maximize usable storage as much as possible. The upper cabinets are glass and lit from within, offering display space or functional storage as the client needs. The central feature of this space is the large cobalt blue range from Viking as well as the custom made reclaimed wood range hood floating above. The backsplash along this entire wall is vertical slab of marble look quartz from Pental Surfaces. This matches the expanse of the same countertop that wraps the room. Flanking the range, we installed cobalt blue lantern penny tile from Merola Tile for a playful texture that adds visual interest and class to the entire room. We upgraded the lighting in the ceiling, under the cabinets, and within cabinets--we also installed accent sconces over each window on the sink wall to create cozy and functional illumination. The deep, textured front Whitehaven apron sink is a dramatic nod to the farmhouse aesthetic from KOHLER, and it's paired with the bold and industrial inspired Tournant faucet, also from Kohler. We finalized this space with other gorgeous appliances, a super sexy dining table and chair set from Room & Board, the Paxton dining light from Pottery Barn and a small bar area and pantry on the far end of the space. In the small powder room on the main level, we converted a drab builder-grade space into a super cute, rustic-inspired washroom. We utilized the Bonner vanity from Signature Hardware and paired this with the cute Ashfield faucet from Pfister. The most unique statements in this room include the water-drop light over the vanity from Shades Of Light, the copper-look porcelain floor tile from Pental Surfaces and the gorgeous Cashmere colored Tresham toilet from Kohler. Up in the master bathroom, elegance abounds. Using the same footprint, we upgraded everything in this space to reflect the client's desire for a more bright, patterned and pretty space. Starting at the entry, we installed a custom reclaimed plank barn door with bold large format hardware from Rustica Hardware. In the bathroom, the custom slate blue vanity from Tharp Cabinet Company is an eye catching statement piece. This is paired with gorgeous hardware from Amerock, vessel sinks from Kohler, and Purist faucets also from Kohler. We replaced the old built-in bathtub with a new freestanding soaker from Signature Hardware. The floor tile is a bold, graphic porcelain tile with a classic color scheme. The shower was upgraded with new tile and fixtures throughout: new clear glass, gorgeous distressed subway tile from the Castle line from TileBar, and a sophisticated shower panel from Vigo. We finalized the space with a small crystal chandelier and soft gray paint. This project is a stunning conversion and we are so thrilled that our client can enjoy these personalized spaces for years to come. Special thanks to the amazing Ian Burks of Burks Wurks Construction for bringing this to life!

With sustainability in mind, this cheery and bright eclectic kitchen reused some elements from their old space to minimize their footprint. This craftsman bungalow had an old updated kitchen that offered a very inefficient layout with an awkward opening to the existing dining room. There was also a very shallow coat closet between the kitchen and living room that could not even fit a coat.
The new kitchen layout captured that unusable closet space, as well as chimney space that was no longer needed for mechanical venting. A more traditional work triangle was created by rearranging the placement of the sink, gas range and refrigerator. A new archway that mimics an original archway at the dining room built-in now highlights the bright and cheery kitchen space while providing a new seating area at a peninsula that is opened up between the kitchen and dining room.
The homeowner loved the vintage green color in their old cabinetry and wanted to keep that electric vintage styling in their new space. A custom, handmade tile backsplash in a neutral color adds texture while still letting the cabinetry be the star of the kitchen. Sustainability in mind, choices like Marmoleum flooring, formaldehyde free plywood cabinet boxes, and local sourcing for the tile were important to the clients. In addition to the kitchen project, they also added solar panels from All Energy Solar.
The clients reused some elements from their old space also to keep their footprint minimal. The old gas range was reused, the cabinetry hardware, and a beautiful patterned drum shade light that sits in the center of the ceiling adding even more charm to the design. In the end, the thoughtfulness of style, materials and function, helped to give this special house an equally special place to cook and entertain.

Master Bathroom Remodeling in Ambler, PA – A Complete Transformation by BMR Belmax Remodeling
At BMR Belmax Remodeling, we specialize in creating beautiful, functional, and luxurious bathroom spaces tailored to our clients’ needs. One of our most recent projects involved a master bathroom remodeling in Ambler, PA, where we completely reimagined the layout to maximize space, improve functionality, and enhance aesthetics. The result was a modern, spacious, and inviting master bathroom that perfectly suited the homeowner’s vision.
The Challenge: An Outdated and Divided Bathroom
The original master bathroom in Ambler, PA was divided into two separate rooms. One area housed a vanity and closet, while the other contained the shower and toilet. While functional, this layout felt cramped, disjointed, and inefficient. The homeowners wanted to merge these two spaces into a single, cohesive master bathroom that felt larger, more open, and more luxurious.
They envisioned a modern walk-in shower, enhanced storage, better lighting, and high-end finishes, all while improving the flow and accessibility of the space. Our team at BMR Belmax Remodeling worked closely with them to develop a design that addressed their needs and transformed their bathroom into a modern retreat.
The Transformation: A Unified & Modern Master Bathroom
Our approach to this bathroom renovation in Ambler, PA focused on space optimization, luxury finishes, and functionality. We combined the two separate rooms into one expansive master bathroom, making the space feel more open and elegant.
1. Layout Reconfiguration & Wall Removal
We removed the dividing wall between the shower and vanity area to open up the space and create a more seamless layout.
A new wall was built to expand the shower area, allowing for a larger and more comfortable walk-in shower.
The closet and vanity space were integrated into the main bathroom layout, eliminating the need for a separate entryway and making the space more efficient and accessible.
2. Walk-In Shower with Premium Features
A stunning walk-in shower with sleek glass doors was installed to give the bathroom a modern and luxurious look.
We used large-format tiles on the shower walls and flooring, creating a cohesive, stylish, and low-maintenance surface.
A built-in recessed niche with a custom tile shelf was added for practical storage while maintaining a clean and sophisticated design.
3. Vanity & Storage Enhancements
The old vanity was replaced with a sleek, modern vanity that provided ample storage and counter space.
We incorporated custom-built shelves on the left side of the vanity, offering additional storage without cluttering the design.
A lighted mirror was installed above the vanity, combining style and practicality while enhancing the overall lighting in the space.
4. Elegant Fixtures & Finishes
To add a touch of luxury, we installed gold-finished fixtures, including the showerhead, faucets, and cabinet handles, giving the bathroom a high-end, elegant feel.
A modern one-piece toilet was installed to complement the clean and minimalist design.
The bathroom’s neutral color palette and textured finishes created a calm and inviting atmosphere.
5. Enhanced Ventilation & Lighting
A new exhaust fan was installed to improve air circulation and moisture control, ensuring a comfortable and mold-free environment.
Additional task lighting and ambient lighting were carefully placed to make the bathroom bright, warm, and inviting.
The Result: A Stunning, Spacious, and Functional Master Bathroom
The completed master bathroom remodeling in Ambler, PA is now a spacious, modern retreat that perfectly blends style and functionality. By unifying the previously divided rooms, we created a flowing and open space that feels larger and more inviting. The walk-in shower, gold fixtures, and custom vanity elevate the aesthetics, while the recessed niche, built-in shelves, and enhanced lighting provide practicality and comfort.
The homeowner was thrilled with the transformation, noting how much brighter, more functional, and elegant the space now feels. They particularly loved how the layout reconfiguration made the space more open and efficient, as well as the luxurious finishes that added a high-end touch.

This couple approached us to design and renovate their existing master suite on their adorable Broad Ripple area home. Their goals were to update, open up and improve the function of their space. The ceilings were very low and the space was tight with an inefficient master bath and separate closet. We began by removing the ceiling and providing a high cathedral space for an expanded feel in the bedroom. We removed a side door and picture window and installed a sliding glass door to improve the natural lighting of the space and allow access to their landscaped patio on the back of the home. We stole space from the large master bedroom and eliminated the door that led into the closet, to allow for a larger bathroom and walk-in master closet with dressing area. This permitted a larger shower with a bench and the addition of a make-up vanity area. We also enlarged the window in the bathroom to allow more natural light into the space. The final design element was a floating step outside the sliding door onto their patio which is clean, modern and enhances the entrance to their serene master suite from the exterior.

Old wood burning fireplaces are inefficient and can potentially pose a safety threat to your home, but it is tough to beat the tradition of sitting around a large open fireplace. The Roosevelt gas insert series offers a clean face, louverless look that maximizes the viewing area. Wehn comvined with our hand-crafted high definitionlogs and relistic flame, you'll soon forget that old drafty fireplace that you once had. With multiple design optional available the Roosevelt can be customized to match any decor, and you'll feel good knowing that safety, efficiency, and quality were our top priotiries in creating a fire just for your family!

This Kitchen renovation was created for a busy family who wanted their home to better support the way they lived.
With two children, a dog, and demanding professional schedules, the Kitchen was the heart of their home. However, the existing space felt outdated, inefficient, and disconnected from their personal style. The heavy wood finishes and worn materials no longer reflected the look or functionality they wanted.
The goal was to create a Kitchen that felt fresh and elevated, while still looking like it had always belonged in the home.
The new design focused on improving functionality while carefully selecting materials that blended seamlessly with the existing finishes. White oak veneer Kitchen cabinetry brought warmth and timeless character, while a natural dolomite countertop became the centrepiece of the space.
Custom cabinetry was also added to the Mudroom, creating additional storage and helping the home function better for everyday life.
The Clients had a strong vision and a preference for natural materials rather than standard builder-grade finishes. Through thoughtful conversations and careful sourcing, we helped bring that vision to life while balancing design goals and budget considerations.
The finished Kitchen is warm, functional, and timeless. It is a space designed not only to look beautiful but to support busy mornings, family meals, and everyday moments.
Project Details:
? Kitchen Renovation
? White Oak Veneer Cabinetry
? Natural Dolomite Countertop
? Custom Mudroom Cabinetry
? Timeless, Functional Design
Sosna Home Renovations
7250 Keele Street, Unit 372
Vaughan, ON L4K 1Z8
website: www.sosna.ca
phone: 416-888-7366 extension 1
email: contact@sosna.ca

This client's builder grade original bathroom needed to be brought back to life. We took this bathrooms original small stall shower and expanded the size. Using a neo angle shape allowed us to expand the shower size without having to relocate the toilet. The original large tiled tub deck was an inefficient use of space. We installed a freestanding tub which allowed us to add a linen pantry and increase the vanity sizes. New granite countertops and shower wall caps along with Fabuwood cabinetry in the Galaxy Horizon door style complement the new tiled shower. The client chose vinyl plank flooring and it looks great as well as being water proof, warmer and softer under foot, and ultra durable. What a huge transformation! Now this bath is revitalized.

This Kitchen renovation was created for a busy family who wanted their home to better support the way they lived.
With two children, a dog, and demanding professional schedules, the Kitchen was the heart of their home. However, the existing space felt outdated, inefficient, and disconnected from their personal style. The heavy wood finishes and worn materials no longer reflected the look or functionality they wanted.
The goal was to create a Kitchen that felt fresh and elevated, while still looking like it had always belonged in the home.
The new design focused on improving functionality while carefully selecting materials that blended seamlessly with the existing finishes. White oak veneer Kitchen cabinetry brought warmth and timeless character, while a natural dolomite countertop became the centrepiece of the space.
Custom cabinetry was also added to the Mudroom, creating additional storage and helping the home function better for everyday life.
The Clients had a strong vision and a preference for natural materials rather than standard builder-grade finishes. Through thoughtful conversations and careful sourcing, we helped bring that vision to life while balancing design goals and budget considerations.
The finished Kitchen is warm, functional, and timeless. It is a space designed not only to look beautiful but to support busy mornings, family meals, and everyday moments.
Project Details:
? Kitchen Renovation
? White Oak Veneer Cabinetry
? Natural Dolomite Countertop
? Custom Mudroom Cabinetry
? Timeless, Functional Design
Sosna Home Renovations
7250 Keele Street, Unit 372
Vaughan, ON L4K 1Z8
website: www.sosna.ca
phone: 416-888-7366 extension 1
email: contact@sosna.ca

[?????? ??????????] At the intersection of art and architecture lives our Mobile Greenhouse. This seeming love-child of tom fruin & olson kundig was assembled with salvaged pieces including Sunkist-steel-factory windows, a motorcycle trailer, an old factory hand wheel, a rooftop solar water tank, a kid’s single speed bicycle front/rear sprockets, a chain from a retractable entry gate along with new metal stock from @ims_metals and beautiful art glass from @pacificartglass. p.c. Gary Moss Photography
Function is elevated through beauty and now our herb garden is protected from the adorable bunnies of this Conejo Valley while the structure throws pools of liquid blue and green on the DG. All while re-using leftover parts, some of a bygone era. (Sigh. Oh, single-paned steel windows, we love you - even though you are completely energy inefficient) The parabolic angle-iron arch was critical to the design so we sallied forth through the tantrums it caused. As lovers of #stainedglass in general, we loved seeing this larger scale project come together.

To accomplish this goal, we replaced the inefficient old windows with Andersen 400 series double-hung windows and a new Andersen 200 series patio door. The new attached garage features a Clopay Geller door with a Short Bead Panel and one row of windows, decorative spade handles, and strap hinges. We completed the exterior update with PlyGem 5-inch Perfection Shingle Siding in Wicker, PlyGem Double 4-inch lap siding in Newport, and PlyGem Classic Cream exterior trim color.
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