Spaces that feel overworked or that fail to embody their full potential can leave dwellers feeling unexcited about their living situation. This was the case for our MLK Home Addition project. Our clients were unimpressed with an area off of the kitchen that had been designated both as a living and dining space, and were less than thrilled about their heat trap of a porch that by no means set the tone for spending time outdoors. Ideally, they needed more interior and exterior square footage that was functional but also appealed to their modern tastes.
The Existing Design
Inside, the home had an open plan kitchen that led directly into a dining-meets-living-room area. The space was somewhat of a chameleon, morphing between a dining area, a space to hang out, and a crafting zone, among other things. Although it sounded nice in theory, it was too small of a spot to have so much going on. Dedicated portions for each of these activities were needed. Additionally, the home also had an outdoor porch area that felt crowded and overheated due to the direction it faced. The uncomfortable temperature often seeped indoors, too, proving the exposure and overall design of the space needed work.
Challenges within the Space
From this overview, we compiled a handful of specific pain points we wanted to address for our clients’ renovation:
- No dedicated living room: The clients’ current space was a multi-use room, which meant their room for relaxing and entertaining was the same space they would dine.
- No dedicated dining room: The other half of the living room conundrum was that there was also no dedicated space for dining and sharing meals. This also blended right into the kitchen.
- Unusable porch: The area trapped too much heat and wasn’t a comfortable space to spend time in.
Our Solutions
After reviewing the design challenges, it was clear an extension would be necessary as would room conversions. Our team drafted up plans and came up with the following solutions for improving both the indoor and outdoor spaces:
Dining and Living Room Solution
- Convert the porch: This too-hot outdoor space would become a cooler, more spacious interior room that would now serve as the dining area.
- Take advantage of additional unusable outdoor space: Our team would extend the home into this extra outdoor space that wasn’t serving our clients. This would become a brand new living room. Even better, it would lead out into the more comfortable outdoor living space with a seamless transition.
Porch and Outdoor Living Solutions
- Move the location: The best fix for this unideal porch was completely relocating it. Now, the outdoor space would sit on the other side of the yard. It’s still a bright area for getting fresh air, but it didn’t have the same southern exposure to sunlight that was making the existing porch so uncomfortable.
- Change the entrance point: With the relocation of the outdoor living area, the entrance point also needed to be moved. It would now sit and face the north as opposed to sitting in the blaring hot sun coming from the south.
The Results
Our clients’ overworked dining-living area combo and their overheated porch were reimagined and materialized into a brand new layout. Their home now has a stretch of living space that completely separates out the dining and living room areas, giving them ample room to relax far from the spot where they share meals.
Replacing the sweltering porch is a breezy patio on the other side of their yard that’s outlined with a sleek wooden trellis. With the floors leveled out and ceiling height measurements taken, the two spaces now also blend seamlessly into one another, making it incredibly simple to float between their home and patio.
Bigger and Brighter
Aesthetically, one of the most noticeable differences was how much bigger the space felt (and was) with the expansion. This was only enhanced with the help of hidden recessed lights and wall wash lights and the hiding of electronic wires and cables. The bright white paint helps it feel modern and airy, but the warm wood tones ground the space and ensure it still feels welcoming.
Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Living
The client wanted a clear view of their backyard, which was made possible through cantilever corner windows and consistent flooring that hugged both spaces. Not only would they have an unobstructed view, but the border between outdoor and indoor spaces was left less obvious. This intentional move allows our clients to embrace the great outdoors and have a better flow between spaces rather than hard barriers. Subtle colors and natural materials added to this feeling of seamlessness, helped through the pebbled concrete floor that connected the patio and living room and the wooden touches that were a nod to the nature outside.
Comfortable Communal Spaces
Originally, the dining room had felt cramped and dark. It was far from the inviting room our clients envisioned. Despite the floorplan, it felt disconnected and dim. This one area was also overwhelmed with multiple purposes, from crafting to eating to lounging. After the renovation, the space was opened up and separated into two different areas. There was a spacious and modern living room with a comfy L-shaped couch that looked directly out onto the new patio. Back towards the kitchen, there was a new designated dining area. These spaces still encouraged the family to be together, but not in such close quarters.
Modern Touches and Updates
There are other design details that were incorporated from the back dining room through to the living room and out to the new patio area. Even the smallest touches amplified the home’s interior design style. For example, our team installed “rice paper” tiles for extra texture on several walls and vertical structures around the space. Cedar wood paneling as well as wooden floors and a small staircase were implemented to infuse extra warmth in this white, open space. As mentioned, new and subtle light fixtures also helped brighten this portion of the house without drawing attention away from the best design elements.
Award-Winning Design
Our biggest goal is to satisfy and exceed client expectations, so it’s always a pleasant surprise to be awarded for our designs on top of this. HDR won the 2024 Regional Contractor of the Year Award Winner for this specific addition. Outside of the more visible design elements, there are structural details that made this space stand out, including the seamless roofline.
A post and angled roof that initially stood in the outdoor porch area were integrated into the home’s interior through a new architectural element. The post would only obscure the view indoors so it was replaced with a hidden beam instead and the finished result perfectly mimicked the sloped ceiling that was already part of the home. A continuous roofline can also be found between the living room and the new patio’s trellis.
Our firm deeply enjoys projects such as these—they’re the heart and soul of what we do. Although they present challenges, there is no better feeling seeing the solutions come to fruition and our clients’ reactions to their homes. See more photos from this home addition.
If you’re interested in remodeling your home, contact our team below.