10 Tips for Creative Remodeling

The era of McMansions has come and gone, and homebuilders and homeowners alike are demanding more economical, sustainable ways to build and remodel their homes. Sarah Susanka, architect and author of the Not So Big book series, has championed the cause of building better — not bigger — houses, with a focus on quality over quantity. She says that responsible, sustainable, meaningful living will shape trends in residential building and remodeling for years to come.

With that in mind, Sarah and fellow architect/writer Marc Vassallo share 10 tips for creative, not-so-big remodeling.

When beginning a remodel, you'll need to consider cost, time, quality and quantity. Determine which of these are the most important. Because remodeling is an inexact science, one or two of these variables may need to "float" in order to make your remodel possible.

Begin exploring remodeling options by first looking at what can be done within the existing footprint of the house. By thinking creatively about the available space, you may discover that no additional space needs to be added. Instead, problems can be solved by rethinking the locations of each activity area within the existing footprint.

It's a common temptation to think about remodeling in terms of rooms. However, that approach can limit potential solutions before the project begins. Instead, create a list of activities that need to be accommodated, recognizing that the activity will require a place, but not necessarily an entire room. This allows for a greater number of potential design options and will lead to a remodeling plan that best addresses the needs identified.