Waukesha County Home

NOVEMBER 2021 HOME 7 For the past two years, adults and children have been using their home for a variety of purposes — as their "eat-in" restaurant, work-from-home office, alternate classroom, enter- tainment spot and vacation destination. NARI Milwaukee mem- bers report homeowners are now improving, repurpos- ing and expanding their spaces. Kitchen convenience Design or layout issues often become more pro- nounced and aggravating during times of heavy use. "Homeowners have dis- covered their kitchen isn't ideal because it wasn't designed for more than one cook," said Heather Bran- nan, an interior designer with Callen Construction in Muskego. "We're currently remodeling kitchens to give homeowners a better func- tioning kitchen and more space to operate in." Ideally, the placement of the sink, refrigerator and stove should form a triangle to allow for a smooth flow between those three main work areas. Galley and U-shaped kitchens often pose chal- lenges to this design con- cept. If a kitchen is used infrequently, some incon- venience is tolerable. How- ever, these days, homeown- ers are looking to remedy situations that have escalat- ed from annoying to "must address." "To increase the size of the kitchen and improve functionality, we've been removing walls between the kitchen and living room," says Mike Maple, general manager of Renovations Group in Hartland. "In addi- tion, since the dining room isn't used as much as before, removing the wall between the dining room and kitchen allows us to reconfigure the space for a larger kitchen." It's important to know that removing walls for an open concept can impact load-bearing walls, which can require the installation of a support beam to carry the weight that the wall pre- viously supported. The ex- tra work and investment is well worth it. "If we're creating an open- concept room by removing walls, we sometimes end up with dead space that we're able to turn into a walk-in pantry," adds Brannan. "Removing soffits in the kitchen is another way to deliver additional storage since we can install taller cabinets." Basement conversions Another area of the home that's getting a second look is the basement. "Basements have typically been seen as a storage area," said Nicole Raffensperger, CKBR, owner and lead designer with Design Tech Remodeling in Mequon. "Homeowners are now uti- lizing basements to meet their needs for additional space. They're creating home offices, entertainment areas and bedrooms so the family can spread out more." Any basement remodel should begin with a thor- ough inspection by the homeowner and contractor to look for signs of water infiltration. A radon test is another smart move. Radon is a naturally occurring gas that can have an impact on indoor air quality and health. The basement might also require the addition of an electrical sub panel if the current one is nearly full or depending on how the space will be used in the future. For those considering a basement bedroom, it's important to know that building codes mandate an egress window. Egress win- dows must meet specific requirements in terms of size and height from the floor so, in the case of a fire or another emergency situa- tion, anyone in the lower level can escape and emer- gency personnel have access. Home office boom While home offices are popping up in the basement, little-used bedrooms are also being converted. "To have a fully function- ing home office, we've been adding electrical and light- ing to bedrooms," says John Nehmey, MCR, CR, UDCP, owner of Nehmey Construc- tion, Inc., in Oak Creek. "We'll install recessed light- ing throughout the room or above the desk. We've been doing the same thing in chil- dren's bedrooms to accom- modate the fact that many are attending school at home." Nehmey notes that an ideal home office should be completely enclosed by four walls and have a door so the space is quiet, private and removed from other house- hold activities. Attic areas Some homeowners are turning to their attics for extra room. "Depending on the struc- ture, roof height and stairs, the attic is a perfect space to subdivide for an additional bedroom, workout area or a multi-use space," says Maple. "When it comes to attics, many of our clients are asking for a master bed- room suite." An attic remodel does have its own special considera- tions. The layout must accommodate a staircase. Additional plumbing and electrical might have to be run and adequate lighting is essential. Skylights, solar tubes, oversized windows or a dormer can beam natural light into an attic space. "From a construction standpoint, the attic floor joists might need to be enhanced to support a 'live load' or the weight of people, furniture and other heavy items," explained Brannan. "However, you're adding more livable square footage to your home so it's definite- ly a positive conversion." Remodeling to make the most of your home Photo courtesy of Refined Renovations Kitchen conversions are often at the top of most home remodeling wish lists. However, keep in mind function as well as aesthetics when redoing one of the most used rooms in the house. Pandemic has people examining existing spaces for best uses

• Cover