Remarkable Remodels

We don’t need Home and Garden Television (HGTV) to show us how strong remodeling is across the country, although it’s so fun to watch the magic that occurs. We see it in the stories we feature in each issue of Welcome Home Des Moines magazine.

Not everyone wants to build a home, of course. Some homeowners want to stay put. They love their neighbors, the area they live in, or the schools their children attend. And they love the memories associated with their homes.

However, they want to upgrade, get new surfaces, or create new space. Enter the remodeling process. Kitchens, baths, master suites, and lower levels of homes are the target areas for a refresh.

Often remodeling involves removing walls to create an open-concept gathering space or gutting a kitchen to give an updated look. Trends involve adding kitchen islands, pantries, new hardware, or mix-and-match cabinetry (white and wood or colored cabinets) for an updated look. Changing out countertops offers a fresh take; quartz, quartzite, butcher block, and concrete are some popular choices over the years.

In other situations, the process is simpler, for instance, adding new lighting, such as oversize pendants. Other times, increasing the size of windows to add more natural light gets the desired effect. Refacing cabinets instead of totally replacing everything is an option, too.

For the bathrooms, adding a walk-in shower is a priority for many. Do you want a niche in the wall for a shampoo bottle? How about a ledge instead? And if there’s room, an inviting soaker tub is a luxurious must-have. Do you want floating vanities to give the illusion of spaciousness?

Should the master bedroom have the feel of a sanctuary? Should the lower level of the home be geared to recreation with a pool table and big-screen television? Perhaps an exercise room would fit the family? With more people working from home, is it time to create a dedicated home office? So many options are available.

What are your remodeling plans? •