Even in Fresno, it is often uncommon to find a perfect home without wanting to make any renovations. Everyone has their unique tastes and preferences that they want to use to make their home their own. Luckily, renovations are quite easy to get started and they are a very common part of the home buying process. Whether you are looking to buy a fixer-upper or you’re simply noticing a few things that you’d like done differently in your home, renovations are the way to go.
To help inspire you and show the dramatic difference that renovations can make, we have gathered a few examples of amazing before and after renovations here for you. So, without further ado, here are a few examples of stunning renovations that liven up the area.
1. 1960s Kitchen to Sophisticated Work Zone
Before:
This 1960s kitchen and laundry room made the home feel dated. The owners knew they needed to do something about it. Cabinets above the main work area drowned out most of the natural light. It made the kitchen feel darker and more crowded. The kitchen had an awkward layout that made the room feel narrow and uninviting for friends and family.
And that’s not even the worst part! The stovetop was on the peninsula which separated it from the prep zone and created burn hazards.
On top of that, the dreary laundry room just next door furthered the unwelcoming nature of the kitchen and was not a good use of the existing space.
After:
So, how were these awkward and uninviting rooms turned into a refreshing and efficient work zone? The first thing to go was that hazardous peninsula with the stovetop. The remodel brought in an island with a second sink and placed the stovetop in the main work area. The renovations didn’t stop there. The kitchen now has tons of under-counter storage in the main work area. It also has additional cabinets and a full pantry cabinet for plenty of storage space.
With the removal of the previous upper cabinets over the main work aisle, the kitchen can now let in the beautiful natural light, making it feel less small and crowded. They also added a small corner table and plush seating area just past the main work aisle. This brought some comfort into the area as well as including a wood-topped console that can be used as a convenient food pantry behind the island stools.
Now, what about that laundry room? Now the laundry room contains an additional sink and a folding counter for convenience. Additionally, the cabinets from the kitchen are echoed in the new laundry room area to add storage space over the washer and dryer.
Instead of a dreary and crowded kitchen and laundry room, the owners now have a beautiful and orderly chore area that they can be excited about working in!
2. Amazing Eco-Friendly Backyard Makeover
Before:
This Japanese-style California home and backyard were built in the 1960s by the first woman in California to be named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Lutah Riggs, but over the years had experienced neglect and deferred maintenance and was in a pretty poor condition before the renovations began.
Much of the original Japanese gardens were severely overgrown and there were a lot of dry rot issues as well. Additionally, a lot of the lot was not developed — which led to the backyard as a whole feeling much smaller.
How did this neglected and underdeveloped backyard become a stunning outdoor space? The magic of renovations!
After:
The leading designer, Diego Monchamp, made sure to retain the historical value and stay true to the original quality craftsmanship of the home, but with some additional modern elements as well.
They started by moving the pool about 10 feet further away from the home to offer more entertainment space as well as a more usable pool. They also changed the pool plaster to be a darker color. This creates a richer, deeper blue and is more appealing.
The decking is all made of clear redwood, which only gets better with age and is perfect for Montecito’s coastal climate. Additionally, it pairs beautifully with the concrete and sandstone elements that were already a part of the house and yard.
And finally, for the gardens. They tamed the overgrown gardens and made sure to include plants that would be able to survive periods of drought. The designer opted for smaller areas of grass where the family’s dogs and young children would be able to play. They then used gravel and decomposed granite for many of the pathways. This is also much more environmentally friendly to the area since the lot itself is just over 2 acres. That much grass would use way more water than necessary — especially with the seasonal water issues that Santa Barbra experiences.
With the newly renovated backyard, the family can easily entertain and enjoy their space without feeling overwhelmed.
3. A Cozy Farmhouse with Some Vintage Gems
Before:
This modular 2007 home that was modeled on an 1800s farmhouse was perfect for Joseph Maine. He dreamt of the day he could buy an old-time farmhouse.
While the home was definitely not “old-time” when he bought it, it did have many of the traditional characteristics that he was looking for. He also had the benefit of modern infrastructure! But the home still did not have the “old-time” feel he was going for. As well as none of the traditional farmhouse details that he wanted. So he got to work!
After:
With the collection of secondhand furniture and other gems he had found over the years, he injected his new home with the warm and inviting atmosphere that he so dearly wanted.
He refinished the porch floor to give it a more weathered look. He also added an ornate early 1900s wooden mantelpiece over the fireplace, and brought in cozy and rugged furniture.
He used many nostalgic patterns, like plaid, as well as many rustic materials and textures to create that welcoming feeling he was going for. Throughout the house, he focused on warming up but not overcrowding the spaces and made sure to contrast heavier pieces with lighter open ones.
With all of these DIY changes and the amazing second-hand pieces he was able to collect over the years, Joseph was able to create the exact look he was going for almost completely on his own.
Wrapping Up
Whether you are looking for a new home for yourself or you’re finding areas of your current home that could use some work, we hope that these before and after renovations can give you some inspiration!
No matter if you opt for some bigger, more involved renovations that require some outside assistance (like our first two examples), or you’re just looking to inject some more character into your home (like our last example) there are plenty of ways to get your home feeling just the way you want it!
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