Search results for "Unusable" in Home Design Ideas

Living in place with flex:
The mother of the homeowner needed a home that is fully accessible for living in place, so we created a barrier-free entry and installed grab bars. The new suite contains a full bedroom and bath and a small living room with a kitchenette.
One of the homeowners especially loves to cook. Now he has a new kitchen with more space, more storage, and better functionality.
Fresh paint, wallpaper and a new look:
We refinished the hardwood floors throughout and gave the whole home a fresh new look. We updated a powder room with paint, new tile, new fixtures, new lighting, and wallpaper.
Kitchen with space, flow, and storage:
The kitchen was cut off from the rest of the home. It had a long peninsula with awkward flow around the kitchen that just didn’t work. We removed the peninsula and instead created a large island with seating for three. With the new island, counter space is much more usable now. We put hidden cupboards underneath for added storage. The island also holds the built-in microwave with a steel drawer front below for continuity. We used banked drawers rather than cupboards for ease of access. We also installed new large appliances.
Coffee station, cookbooks, and spices:
We removed two clumsy closed pantries and an unused main door, and this allowed space for more cabinetry. We added an open shelf section with herringbone tile and a counter for a coffee station and cookbooks. Other features were a waste bin pullout with garbage bag storage and a tall spice pullout drawer.
The kitchen now has a big double-wide appliance garage where all small appliances are stored and organized in a big pantry with a light inside. All the appliances are front and centre (rather than buried in the back somewhere), yet hidden behind a door.
Flex space means other new spaces for everyone:
In creating a flex space for the mother on the main floor, the homeowners lost their space for a family room, although there is still a formal living and dining room on that floor. We solved it by creating a new finished basement with a family room to replace the one upstairs. This gives the family and the mother their own spaces and at the same time comfortable places for all of them.

Jamaica Plain, MA -- "Family Suite." This third floor attic expansion reconfigured an awkward, unused space into a bright and fun living area. Custom built-ins in the bedroom and office area optimize the tight quarters for storage, sleep, and work.

This space was once a garage, which opened into the kitchen. The garage, however, was mostly unused since it was too short to hold a car. It was the perfect location, however, for a laundry room. Since the homeowner's dogs spend a lot of time in the backyard, this was the perfect place to include a dog shower. The family pets can now enter the home from the laundry room and get hosed off before coming into the house.
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This home renovation project transformed unused, unfinished spaces into vibrant living areas. Each exudes elegance and sophistication, offering personalized design for unforgettable family moments.
In this living area, opulence meets functionality with luxurious furnishings, complemented by a central table and open shelves adorned with decor. In the breakfast area, a cozy ambience invites leisurely mornings. A charming table and chairs offer a perfect spot for enjoying breakfast or casual gatherings with loved ones.
Project completed by Wendy Langston's Everything Home interior design firm, which serves Carmel, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, and Indianapolis.
For more about Everything Home, see here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/
To learn more about this project, see here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/portfolio/fishers-chic-family-home-renovation/

From an unused, storage area to a functional four season room - beautiful transformation! Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Sunroom - large traditional ceramic tile and gray floor sunroom idea in Detroit
Sunroom - large traditional ceramic tile and gray floor sunroom idea in Detroit

This customer wanted a normal (western cedar) deck attached to his porch. He also had a drainage problem that required a french drain, and he wanted a walkway.
This is the solution we came up with. under all the flagstone is a gravel bed with the french drain system inside. In between the flagstone is pea gravel to let the water through and the stones on each side serve as water traps to keep heavy rain from the house.
We also dug into the hillside and installed a retaining wall with drains to make the deck the size and shape he wanted.
I think it was a nice solution to a normally unusable space!

One might say this table resembles a bundle of gathered exotic timber. We say its a little and eco-chic masterpiece! Crafted from sorted teak branches that would have gone unused in the past, this makes a dynamite accent stool as well!

This transformation of an old garage-top patio into a luxurious covered outdoor haven was a fabulous use of space. The original rubber tile flooring of the outdoor patio had weathered badly, rendering the area unusable. We envisioned a timeless, weather-resistant space. Our clients desired a sleek, modern aesthetic with clean lines, warmth, and brightness. To complement the home's gray theme, we introduced natural textures like pine tongue-and-groove ceilings, Trex composite flooring, and a solid wood fireplace mantel.

Our clients already had a cottage on Torch Lake that they loved to visit. It was a 1960s ranch that worked just fine for their needs. However, the lower level walkout became entirely unusable due to water issues. After purchasing the lot next door, they hired us to design a new cottage. Our first task was to situate the home in the center of the two parcels to maximize the view of the lake while also accommodating a yard area. Our second task was to take particular care to divert any future water issues. We took necessary precautions with design specifications to water proof properly, establish foundation and landscape drain tiles / stones, set the proper elevation of the home per ground water height and direct the water flow around the home from natural grade / drive. Our final task was to make appealing, comfortable, living spaces with future planning at the forefront. An example of this planning is placing a master suite on both the main level and the upper level. The ultimate goal of this home is for it to one day be at least a 3/4 of the year home and designed to be a multi-generational heirloom.
- Jacqueline Southby Photography

This remodel was huge, a whole first floor. It included blowing out a wall in the kitchen which led to a really unused room but one that had the most light of the home. Incorporating that into the kitchen space gave my clients a huge kitchen with a designated sitting area and also a casual eating space too. New lighting added to the ambience of the space, as well as plenty of room for entertaining. The new space is completely different from before, the clients love it..as well as all of their friends they entertain!

AFTER photo of the kitchen. We kept the cabinets and didn't even paint them white! The house boasted maple trim, solid maple doors and plenty of maple cabinetry in the kitchen. The beauty of wood cabinets was lost in the sea of tan paint, brown tile and brown laminate countertops (see BEFORE photo). To make the maple cabinets more appealing we combined paired them with cooler colors. The wall color above the cabinets is Benjamin Moore Horizon which we used throughout the family room as well. Then we added marble subway tile for a backsplash. The marble has golden and gray veining to tie in the color of the cabinets with the gray countertops. The countertops are "cement" colored Corian. We also made the decision to cut down the bi-level island so that it is all one level. Although the higher level in the BEFORE photo hid the sink and any mess inside, it really made it unusable for our family. The upper level counter was hardly 12" deep (only slightly larger than a dinner plate) so cups were constantly getting knocked off. By making the island all one height I gained a huge amount of workspace in the kitchen as well as a good space for counter height seating. The backside of the island is clad in the same pattern of modern wainscoting as the dining room. Pendant lights were placed above the island were canned lights were before.
Design and Photography by Elizabeth Conrad

Romantic and full of flowering plants, this client is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable gardener. We replaced the aging concrete patios with flagstone, creating a sinuous edge that eases into the garden. Lawn was replaced with shrubs and perennials. The client provided a custom tile as a gift to her husband that we featured on the new outdoor gas fireplace. A small heated spa was disguised as a garden water feature. Solar panels for the spa were installed behind the fence on an unused slope.

This 36' x 36' horse barn in Winters, California has a full apartment on the second floor. The loft features a master suite, guest bedroom, guest bath, full kitchen, office nook and an open space for the family room and dining area. The decor is a combination of French Country and Shabby Chic, with just a hint of traditional. The warm colors and soft finishes make the space welcoming and comfortable. The entrance is on the lower level, where a reading room sits. Two of the unused horse stalls double as a home gym and storage pantry.
This structure is available from Barn Pros as an engineered building package. To learn more, send us a message through Houzz.

took a previously unused area over the stairs and turned it into a walk in pantry with custom shelving
Minimalist kitchen photo in Portland
Minimalist kitchen photo in Portland

This 18 yr old kitchen was given a complete makeover with custom Ikea cabinetry, custom pull out spice rack, customized pull out waste organizer under sink, farmhouse sink, double drawer dishwasher, double drawers under over head cabinet, a whole bank of cabinets added to an unused wall to add much needed display and storage, all new stainless steel appliances, shaker style doors and beautiful mosaic tiles complete the look. All photography by http://www.jersonmarques.com/

DULL BEDROOM TRANSFORMED TO THE ULTIMATE IN BAR/WINE RETREAT!
This unused bedroom was positioned off a hall close to the breakfast area. KB Design enclosed an existing hall, converted a closet space and removed a Hollywood bath vanity area to reposition entry and create a cozy bar as you walk into this fabulous wine room. Beams were added along with brick accents and custom designed storage to meet every need for the client's extensive collection of wines, champagnes and cigars. Special consideration was given to the arched entrance and the lighting throughout to create the ultimate atmosphere for this wine room!

This old and outdated kitchen was transformed into an open, inviting, modern and functioning space that everyone wants to gather and hang out in. This was achieved by reconfiguring the space, eliminating walls and adding and incorporating the unused dining space. The new kitchen cabinets were done in the Manhattan door from the Kitchen Solvers Classic Collection line in an Alabaster color while the island was done in a black tea color. We next installed a Cambria Quartz countertop in Carrick around the kitchen while the island was done in Minuet. To finish the new look we added a Ceramic white with marble veining backsplash around the kitchen, while around the hood they went with a gray glass backsplash. The two-toned cabinets topped with two beautiful different Cambria quartz and backsplash gave it the added sophistication.

Limited space and steep terrain made this back yard virtually unusable. This design includes WOLF PVC in Amberwood field and Rosewood accent. The deck not only provides an outdoor living space but also bridges the gap from the back door to the patio with fire feature that was excavated into the side of the hill. Massive trees and granite ledge rock made this project not only a challenging design but also a challenging build. Due to topographic restraints helical stairs were fabricated on site with custom glue lam stringers.
Access requirements for the client were to have access to both side yards, driveway and newly constructed patio. The faux bluestone steps lead up from the driveway and CST Pavers and Block wall were used to create built-in seating surrounding the fire pit and multiple areas to dine, entertain and relax. The faux bluestone steps lead up from the driveway to the patio featuring curved wall and built-in seating in CST Pavers and block wall surround patio and built in fire feature. Picture frame PVC skirting provides the finished look to this great space.

We took a dark dated kitchen and turned it into a modern bright space that makes cooking at home a pleasure again. While we didn’t change the layout, we were able to get additional space by adding a dry bar and accessible lower corner cabinets, which were previously unusable. The lower oak laminate cabinets help to ground the space and compliment to upper matte white cabinets. We used gold/brass and green accents throughout which coordinate well with the hardwood floors and the new cabinetry. We extended the peninsula countertop to create a functional breakfast bar and work space. By adding LED under-cabinet lights, we brightened up the work space. And the addition of the 2 modern Japanese green glass pendants with its soothing design creates a calm zen atmosphere. We also updated the look of the nearly living room fireplace by matching the mantle to the countertops and the hearth to the backsplash to tie into the look helping to visually bring the rooms together. Overall it’s now fresh, light and airy. Fully transformed.
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