Roomier Digs Needed

Rachel and Andrew Sheehy are at a crossroads typical of many growing families: they need more room. Thinking their home would be an easy sale, they put it on the market and waited for the offers to roll in. Four months later, they're still waiting. So it's Designed to Sell to the rescue!

Real estate expert Shannon Freeman is first to weigh in, starting with the living room. She loves the high ceilings, says the lighting is good and likes that the paint color and furniture are neutral. However, she thinks the furniture layout could be improved. She is disappointed that there isn't a dining room or at least a dining table, since most house shoppers expect it. She finishes with advice on sprucing up the patio and master bathroom.

Designer Lisa LaPorta agrees with Freeman's assessment and lays out a plan for making it all happen.

Step 1: Make room for dining. Take out the fireplace, and remove all the tile to free up space for a dining area.

Step 2: Bring the inside out. Make the patio feel like an extension of the living space. Unifying indoor and outdoor spaces make them both feel larger.

Step 3: Start with a clean slate. Remove master bathroom carpet and tile, and re-tile it with larger tiles made of slate.

Carpenters Steve Hanneman and Brooks Utley are ready to get busy getting this house on the road to a sale.