Getting more from a two-bedroom home: Remodeling for a growing family

Like many Bay Area homeowners, the owners of this mid-century home in Piedmont needed more room for their growing family. They loved their home and the area, so they decided to remodel.

The family wanted to add a third bedroom so the children could each have their own space. They also wanted to expand the kitchen and breakfast nook to get more out of their home every day. Finally, they hoped to move their laundry facilities indoors. (Before the remodel, the washer and dryer were on the patio, so they had to go outside to do their laundry.)

Because the home is set into a slope, the remodel had to be planned carefully. As an extra challenge for the designer and contractor, one of the bedrooms was sinking and needed to be shored up.

Designer Matt Waitkus designed a remodel that would convert this cramped two-bedroom house into a three-bedroom home suitable for an active family. He re-worked the existing space, improving the way that space was used.

The existing floor plan included 2 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. Note the washer and dryer on the patio.

The existing floor plan included 2 bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. Note the washer and dryer on the patio.


The new floor plan includes three bedrooms and turns Bedroom 1 into a master suite. The washer and dryer are moved indoors, and the usable space in the kitchen is expanded.

The new floor plan includes three bedrooms and turns Bedroom 1 into a master suite. The washer and dryer are moved indoors, and the usable space in the kitchen is expanded.


Matt reduced the size of an over-sized bathroom, making way for the third bedroom. He also incorporated the space taken up by a storage shed into the home's livable space, turning a simple bedroom into a master suite. The kitchen was remodeled and the breakfast nook expanded to give the homeowners more room for cooking, dining, and family activities. Walnut finishes were installed throughout the home, giving the completed project a polished look.

The result is a beautiful house that matches the homeowners' tastes and lifestyle. "I get butterflies when I walk through here," Matt said of the finished project.

The fact is that the US is full of homes that are in great locations and have good bones but no longer serve our modern lifestyles. These homeowners did the smart thing and turned the home they had into a space that will serve them for years.

New Avenue is proud to have Matt Waitkus, the designer of this project, on board, and we're looking forward to working with him on many more life-changing remodels.

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