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South Minneapolis Addition & Basement Remodel
A remodel is underway. Take a look inside.
Follow along as we begin a main level addition and basement remodel for a South Minneapolis bungalow.
Current Step
Finished Remodel
Finished Remodel
Love it or List it: The Story of a 1919 Minneapolis Bungalow with More Room and More Potential for Long-Term Living
After a time-consuming house hunt left them without an ideal move-in ready home they loved at least as much as their current South Minneapolis property, owners of this 1919 bungalow considered how to adapt the existing home to better suit their long-term needs. More than anything, the couple needed more space, more space to move around, more space to live, and more space for storage. The solution was twofold: an addition to open up the main level and a total basement build-out.
More space offers a little more insurance against the unknown.
With an addition, our design team not only considered ways to bolster the durability of the Minneapolis home, they remedied tight spaces that had the potential to become troublesome as the homeowners age. While not an immediate concern, thinking about the possibility of how they might need to navigate the home differently later in life was important to our clients. Providing more space to maneuver at the back entry, near the staircase, within the kitchen, and throughout the new main level bathroom was an exercise in risk management. Prioritizing more space in this design is like offering an insurance policy for the inevitable variables that come with living a long life and doing so soundly within their cherished home.
“We were very cramped before. Now it just feels like there’s just room to exhale.” – Howe Bungalow Homeowners
The Addition: A More Spacious Main Level
The Mudroom
The mudroom is a great example of why the addition was a game-changer for this home. Previously, a person at the rear entry of the home walked inside to immediately be greeted by the staircase, a hazard now and certainly one later as mobility and falling might be more of a concern. Designers allowed for a much more spacious entry sequence, with newfound space to drop packages, bike accessories, and winter gear. The new custom built-in there provides another storage opportunity for the homeowners, while durable floor tile will keep the floors in good shape even when snowy shoes track in water during our harsh winter months.
“The kitchen is for sure a highlight because we not only have more counter space but we now have all our items, like mixers, on the main floor. Before, if you wanted to do something, you had to go down to the basement and bring reserve items up. It is a very pretty, very functional kitchen for us.” – Howe Bungalow Homeowners
Kitchen
With added space thanks to the addition, we focused on providing more storage, ranging from full-height cabinets to open shelving and plenty of lowers. The homeowners were tired of running back and forth from the basement to grab needed appliances, so creating more opportunities to house their kitchen wares, was important. The enlarged footprint also meant that moving around the space was easier without any pinch points. The soft green and white cabinets, classic subway tile, and stainless steel appliances carry a timeless sophistication just as the added windows help brighten the space.
Main Level Bathroom
Having an additional bathroom planned for a home with only one original bath is an obvious upgrade. But when you’re designing with the future in mind, having a generously sized second bathroom is even better, should mobility ever become a concern. Like the kitchen, the team worked with the homeowners to identify timeless selections that function well, especially in wet environments. A custom vanity, built-in shelving, and a walk-in closet offer much-needed storage, while the room boasts a liberally sized shower accented with white and gray tile.
“Wonderful. It’s really wonderful. I mean, it’s nice to see people’s reaction who knew the home before when they come in. It feels so updated, but approachable, you know.” – Howe Bungalow Homeowners
Doubling their Living Space with a Basement Build-Out
When our clients considered moving from a home they had been happy in for decades, they weren’t sure how they could gain the space they needed to stay. While the addition helped solve their main level concerns, designs for the basement nearly doubled their current living space, with over 800 sq.ft of additional finished space to enjoy, including a new lower level living room, workout zone, bedroom, and bathroom. The remodel also included a brightly lit laundry room and a private mechanical room. The once dark storage zone is now a favorite spot for the couple to hangout, an ideal spot for guests, and even a home office.
“I think that the downstairs is just so nice. It’s wonderful. I have a hard time picturing what that was before, and I had spent a lot of time repainting the walls and fixing the rim joists.” – Howe Bungalow Homeowners
Choosing to remodel was a forward-thinking solution.
Remodeling provided additional security that our client’s home would age well by providing thoughtful upkeep and incorporating selections that perform optimally. With the help of professional building techniques and quality building materials, the home’s overall efficiency improved, especially on account of the generous insulation, new windows, and upgraded HVAC. And by uncovering and abating asbestos during the demo process, this is now a healthier place to live.
While moving could have potentially solved the immediate need of getting another bedroom or a bigger kitchen, it would not have gotten all of their wishlist items, in their desired location, or within their preferred budget and with reasonable interest rates. Moving also doesn’t negate the need for long term repairs or mean that even “move-in ready” homes won’t need some level of investment to best suit an owner. Investing in their current home helped maintain the continued health of the neighborhood, increased their home value, and offered greater personalization for our client’s needs now and later.
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