Skip to content

Top Navigation

Better Homes & Gardens
Better Homes & Gardens
  • Gardening
  • Home Improvement Ideas
  • Cleaning and Organizing
  • Recipes and Cooking
  • Decorating
  • Holidays
  • Rooms
  • Shopping
  • News

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin

Explore Better Homes & Gardens

Better Homes & Gardens
Better Homes & Gardens
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The Only Weed Identification Guide You'll Ever Need: 33 Common Weedy Plants to Watch For

      The Only Weed Identification Guide You'll Ever Need: 33 Common Weedy Plants to Watch For

      Don't let these pesky plants crash your garden party! The first step is to know your enemy. Then you'll know the best way to deal with your weed problem. Read More
    • 6 Small Steps You Can Take Today to Get Organized for Good

      6 Small Steps You Can Take Today to Get Organized for Good

      A professional organizer offers advice on how to tidy up your home without feeling overwhelmed. Read More
    • 5 Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie for a Healthy Boost

      5 Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie for a Healthy Boost

      Anti-inflammatory smoothies do exist! Instead of blending in boatloads of sugar and artificial ingredients, try these smoothies for inflammation that are stoked with ingredients that may help lower your risk for chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, depression, and more. Read More
  • Gardening

    Gardening

    See All Gardening
    4 DIY Seed-Starting Pots You Can Make With Items You Already Have

    4 DIY Seed-Starting Pots You Can Make With Items You Already Have

    Upcycle old newspapers, junk mail, and other waste paper to make these easy, eco-friendly containers you can use to sprout new plants for your garden.
    • Flowers
    • Houseplants
    • Plant Encyclopedia
    • Garden Pests
    • Trees, Shrubs & Vines
    • Caring for Your Yard
    • Edible Gardening
    • Garden Design
    • Gardening By Region
    • Landscaping
  • Home Improvement Ideas

    Home Improvement Ideas

    See All Home Improvement Ideas
    What Style Is Your House? The 10 Most Popular House Styles Explained

    What Style Is Your House? The 10 Most Popular House Styles Explained

    With so many types of house styles, narrowing the list down to your favorite can be overwhelming. We'll show you the top 10 most popular house styles, including Cape Cod, country French, Colonial, Victorian, Tudor, Craftsman, cottage, Mediterranean, ranch, and contemporary. Here's how to tell the differences between each architectural style.
    • Home Exteriors
    • DIY Home Electrical Tips & Guides
    • Outdoor Structures
    • Home Remodeling
    • Plumbing Installations & Repairs
    • Remodeling Advice & Planning
    • Flooring
    • Lighting
    • Decks
    • Porches
  • Cleaning and Organizing

    Cleaning and Organizing

    See All Cleaning and Organizing
    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    A Whole-House Cleaning Schedule You'll Actually Stick To

    Cleaning your home doesn't have to be a daunting, time-consuming chore. The key to managing household duties quickly and efficiently is to design an easy-to-follow routine that includes all the most important tasks. Follow these step-by-step instructions for creating a customized whole-home cleaning schedule.
    • House Cleaning
    • Laundry & Linens
    • Cleaning Tips
    • Closet Organization
    • Organization Tips
    • Kitchen Storage Organization
  • Recipes and Cooking

    Recipes and Cooking

    See All Recipes and Cooking
    21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have)

    21 Essential Baking Tools Every Home Cook Needs (Plus 16 That Are Nice to Have)

    If you're a beginner baker who's just starting out (or a master chef looking to declutter), start with this list of baking tool must-haves. We'll help you set up a baking essentials kit for beginners with 21 pastry tools. For those who already own these handy tools, this list may finally provide the motivation you need to toss that never-been-used soufflé dish. Building your essential baking tools and equipment inventory starts here.
    • How to Cook
    • Chicken Recipes
    • Desserts & Baking
    • Fish Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch
    • Dinner Recipes & Meal Ideas
    • Ethnic Food
  • Decorating

    Decorating

    See All Decorating
    7 Interior Design Trends Everyone Will Be Trying in 2021, According to Experts

    7 Interior Design Trends Everyone Will Be Trying in 2021, According to Experts

    Designers weigh in on the most popular decorating styles, colors, and materials you can look forward to in the coming year.
    • Choosing Color
    • Expert Decorating Advice
    • Fireplace Design Ideas
    • Do It Yourself Magazine
    • Window Treatments
    • Styles & Decor
    • Interior Painting
    • Home Makeovers
    • Small-Space Decorating
    • Traditional Home
  • Holidays

    Holidays

    See All Holidays
    International Women's Day: The Powerful Story Behind This 111-Year-Old Tradition

    International Women's Day: The Powerful Story Behind This 111-Year-Old Tradition

    What began as a small movement, has grown into a global holiday dedicated to celebrating the strong women in our communities.
    • Valentine's Day
    • Mother's Day
    • Easter
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July/Memorial Day
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • New Year's
    • Juneteenth
    • Hanukkah
  • Rooms

    Rooms

    See All Rooms
    Living Room Furniture Arrangement Ideas

    Living Room Furniture Arrangement Ideas

    Get tips for arranging living room furniture in a way that creates a comfortable and welcoming environment and makes the most of your space.
    • Bedroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Bathroom Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Kitchen Decorating and Design Ideas
    • Living Room Decorating and Design
    • Dining Room
    • Home Office
    • Kid's Rooms
    • Baby Nursery
  • Shopping
  • News

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • BH&G Books this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. BHG.com
  2. Home Improvement Ideas
  3. Home Remodeling
  4. Home Additions
  5. An Open and Family-Friendly Home Makeover

An Open and Family-Friendly Home Makeover

Caitlin Sole headshot
By Caitlin Sole February 19, 2016
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin FB
Home office, master bedroom
This once-snug bungalow is transformed into a family's forever home.
Start Slideshow

1 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Renovation & Innovation

Home, home exterior

This once-cramped starter home now offers plenty of elbowroom for everyone with an added upper level and brighter rooms. A blue-gray exterior with crisp white trim blends the house into the sunny California surroundings, but it stays true to its Craftsman character with the original front porch and roof.

1 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Warm Welcome

Front door, entry, entryway, porch

A classic Craftsman color palette gets a modern pop of color with an avocado-green door and potted plants. The family considers the covered porch an extra room in the house.

2 of 15

3 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

A Defined Entry

Living room, entryway

To create a more defined entryway, the homeowners tucked a slim table behind the open door. The table adds display space for small accessories and provides a pleasing view through the living room's wide doorway.  Large built-ins define the doorway between the living room and entryway and display vases, books, and family photos.

3 of 15

Advertisement

4 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Comfy, Yet Chic

Living room

The small living room at the front of the house functions as a grown-up space for entertaining. The colors here mimic those used in the rest of the house. An extra-large ottoman provides feet-up relaxation and also serves as a coffee table.

4 of 15

5 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

All in the Details

Kitchen, kitchen island

A large mahogany island provides a comfy, family-friendly dining spot. Cone-shape shades on the light fixtures above the island give the illusion of casual table lamps and brown velvet trim adds visual weight and ties them in with the dark island base and flooring.

5 of 15

6 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Clean Countertops

kitchen

The homeowners maximize every inch of counter space by putting the microwave in a custom-made cabinet, which is the perfect height for small children, and by stashing cookbooks on the shelf below. Keep clutter to a minimum to make a small kitchen feel open and spacious.

6 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Tile Style

Backsplash, kitchen, white kitchen

The traditional white kitchen gets a dash of color in the misty-green backsplash. The modern shape of the horizontal tiles is a bit unexpected, but the color is pulled directly from the gray-green graining in the marble countertop.

7 of 15

8 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bringing It Together

Kitchen, white kitchen

A large peninsula separates the kitchen from the dining area and gives the homeowners a spacious breakfast bar, perfect for grabbing a quick snack or working on homework. The color palette and similar finishes unite the two spaces.

8 of 15

9 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Room with a View

Living room, family room

From the kitchen, the cook has a perfect view into the family room. Mixing patterns and varying shades of a few colors helps a room feel cohesive and well-collected.

9 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Visual Appeal

Living room, family room

In the family room, slipcovered sofas and a pair of small tables with shelves to store games reflect the home's family-friendly style. Bold yellow draperies draw attention to beautiful French doors that allow access to the outdoors. The coffered ceiling was the architect's creative solution for disguising a structural beam.

10 of 15

11 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Light It Up

Living room, lamp

The lemon-yellow lamp coordinates with the drapes without being too matchy-matchy. The lightness of the glass base reflects light and gives this corner of the family room a soft glow.

11 of 15

12 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Quiet Time

Bedroom, girls room
Credit: Edmund Barr

As much as the family loves their togetherness, each member still cherishes "me" time. Built-ins with adjustable shelves and an attached window seat provide a cozy reading spot for the family's resident bookworm.

12 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Storage Savvy

Bathroom, vanity

Efficient storage is a must in this compact home. An open shelf on the bottom of the vanity and a ledge on the mirrors give easy access to bathroom necessities. A large built-in cabinet provides closed storage for bath essentials such as towels, soaps, and cleaning supplies.

13 of 15

14 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

Behind Closed Doors

Bedroom, master bedroom

A built-in window seat adds a cozy seating area without decreasing floor space in the primary bedroom. Inch for inch, built-in cabinetry adds more storage and more seating in less space than any other option. It's a perfect solution to make small bedrooms live big. Combining open shelves with closed cabinets and drawers expands storage possibilities.

14 of 15

15 of 15

Save Pin FB
Tweet Email Send Text Message

A Hardworking Office

Home office, master bedroom

An office open to the primary bedroom is another space designed for the adults of the house. A desk flanked by built-in cabinets provides storage for household records and other important papers.

15 of 15

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Caitlin Sole

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 15 Renovation & Innovation
    2 of 15 Warm Welcome
    3 of 15 A Defined Entry
    4 of 15 Comfy, Yet Chic
    5 of 15 All in the Details
    6 of 15 Clean Countertops
    7 of 15 Tile Style
    8 of 15 Bringing It Together
    9 of 15 Room with a View
    10 of 15 Visual Appeal
    11 of 15 Light It Up
    12 of 15 Quiet Time
    13 of 15 Storage Savvy
    14 of 15 Behind Closed Doors
    15 of 15 A Hardworking Office

    Share & More

    Tweet Email Send Text Message
    • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Logo Products at Walmart
    • Better Homes & Gardens BHG Real Estate Real Estate Services
    Better Homes & Gardens

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • About Us
    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Books from Better Homes & Gardens
    • Help
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Follow Us
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithBH&G is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Better Homes & Gardens. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.bhg.com

    Sign in

    View image

    An Open and Family-Friendly Home Makeover
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.