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Lori Madden, MANGROVE REALTY ASSOCIATESPhone: (941) 780-8443
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Doing more with less: Small home renovation ideas

by Lori Madden 04/02/2023

Small home renovation ideas are helpful when you need a change without a complete overhaul. There are many projects you can choose from to improve your living space, whether it be building a walk-in closet, adding a kitchen island or changing light fixtures.

If you're in need of some ideas for a small house renovation, here are some ways to get started:

Open the floor plan

Interior walls divide small rooms and can eliminate many useful storage and circulation features. The same applies to kitchens in older houses, where the rooms were once thought to be isolated from the living room.

In case the kitchen and dining rooms adjoin each other but are separated by a wall, try removing the wall to open the space. In living areas close to the kitchen, the wall can be removed, so there are greater connections within each room of the home. 

Removing walls can also help exterior window lighting in a wider area and improve the house's overall appearance.

Repurpose unused or underused space

If the rooms in a small house don't have any particular function, think about repurposing them. The next step is reviewing the building process for the potential to increase the size, which will help you create additional space.

Some places with great opportunity for improving usable space are the garage, attic or basement.

Revamp a closet

Closets are incredibly important in daily life, so why not make them the best they can be? Simple DIY wardrobe revamps can improve your efficiency and allow for better storage.

Start with removing everything in the closet and replacing the interior walls with colorful patterns and colors. Choose functional items which offer multiple storage options, such as hanging shelves, storage boxes or drawers.

Incorporate banquette seating

For a practical and economical kitchen renovation, increase the size of the room by adding padded banquette chairs. Banquettes are a good way to save space, since most include built-in cupboards and storage cabinets. Add banquette seating to your island and transform it into a comfortable room for you to enjoy a quiet meal with friends.

Use built-ins where furniture would be too bulky

Functional storage spaces are essential for the small house. Built-in systems are designed to maximize spaces where furniture is inaccessible and can be customized according to room requirements. 

Shelving under the wall is the best solution to create optimum storage. Cabinetry is an excellent way of containing items, and it also keeps the home clean and tidy.

Add a sliding barn door

Using sliding barn doors for a hidden storage space in a dining and kitchen area makes for a beautiful and functional solution for your home interior. These sliding doors can be easily installed and even made DIY. 

Choose a design that will add to existing accents of the house. Or, paint your sliding door in a contrasting color to add drama to the room.

These are only a few ways you can upgrade your interior space without going overboard on remodeling. Whether you want to create more space or add better functionality to your home, these project ideas are the perfect way to begin.



About the Author
Author

Lori Madden

As a Florida native growing up in Sarasota, I have seen my hometown grow from a sleepy coastal town to a highly sought-after destination along the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. After working in Chicago for 5 years, I returned to Sarasota and saw it through a new lens and really began to appreciate what makes Sarasota so desirable, including temperatures that allow for year round outdoor activities including tennis (a personal favorite), golf, boating, kayaking, fishing, paddle boarding, or just relaxing and/or shelling on our pristine sandy shores, including Dr. Beach’s #1 beach in the United States for 2017, Siesta Key! Sarasota’s cultural amenities are many and diverse, appealing to a wide range of arts lovers. Downtown Sarasota has become a destination in itself, drawing many new developments for those who want to be within walking distance of Main Street's offerings and the picturesque bayfront and marina. Foodies will find an eclectic mix of locally owned and operated restaurants offering something for everyone, and there are now Farmers Markets every day of the week in various locations throughout Sarasota, but the Saturday morning Farmers Market in downtown Sarasota draws the biggest crowds. Since 1988, my passion has been selling real estate, representing both buyers and sellers. I have been recognized by my clients and customers for an uncompromising work ethic and dedication to helping them achieve their real estate goals. Relying on my experience as a real estate paralegal and being highly organized, I am able to help make the transition between contract and closing a smooth one for my clients. With an eye for interior and landscape design, I've been known to pitch in and help Sellers minimize and/or reorganize their belongings in order to stage their home to maximize its sale potential. I specialize in out of state buyers looking for their piece of paradise along the Gulf Coast and make it a priority to keep them up to date on our quickly changing local real estate market. I welcome the opportunity to share with you all Sarasota and her surrounding islands have to offer!