Walker Custom Homes & Remodeling

Renovation 2021

2020 was a year of change, we saw a shift in our day-to-day operations. Offices shuttered, daily commutes ended, and we tried to do it all—from schooling to working out to therapy to vacations—in our homes. According to a study, 36.2 million Americans (22% of the workforce) will be working remotely by 2025, which is an 87% increase from the number of remote workers before the pandemic. It’s no wonder that how we’re thinking about renovation projects has likely changed from previous years. While many plans and vacations are in limbo or rescheduled, more and more of us are moving forward with new plans—including upgrading our homes. So 2021 is perfect to start preparing for the future and think outside the box on reno projects. 

Entertainment and recreational room 

The pandemic continues to teach us new ways to maximize the uses of the space that we’re spending time in. Because of this, many homeowners have maxed out the design opportunities for the most commonly used rooms in their homes and are now seeking expert advice on what rooms or areas in their home can take on a new life. Basement remodel and garage projects are a great way to create a recreational room, and they have been in high demand over the last quarter of the year. We expect this to trend more and more over the next year.


We’ve seen amazing conversions like in-home theaters, indoor bowling lanes, full home bars, indoor golf simulators, and climbing walls. It’s been really interesting to see clients get creative with out-of-the-box alternatives to basements with garage–to–home–gym conversions, guest bedrooms–to–at-home arcade rooms, and the latest is a home library–to–Lego-collection showroom.

Home Office

With more and more workers taking up remote positions in a post-COVID world we are going to see an even larger increase in demand for live/work-space renovation, whether that’s the transformation of current bedrooms and bonus spaces into offices or the addition of purpose-built home-office structures to an empty land. The goal is to create functional spaces that can double for both [live/work] purposes, such as built-in furniture that can be hidden away or used for work and storage, or improving sound insulation in existing walls and areas to create a calm environment for work.

A dedicated work space in your home helps you set aside household distractions and focus on work.

Room for multigenerational households

An emerging trend we are seeing in the markets is the creation of purpose-built multigenerational homes designed to provide space for multiple generations to live together under one roof.

The basic idea of multigenerational living is that at least two adult generations live together. This could look like a home with grandparents living with their children and grandchildren, a home with parents and their adult children, or even a four-generation home. In a multigenerational home, each generation will benefit from having their own separate space and privacy. Many multi-gen homes also have a separate living area and even a kitchen and separate entrance.

We’ve already had our eyes opened to the power of ADUs and backyard casitas but prepare for an ever-growing landscape of modular solutions will come ready to assemble, allowing for renovators to offer a complete turnkey solution for customers where they can pick a tiny home from a catalog and have it constructed on-site in record time. This also removes the need for large-scale ongoing construction disrupting an often already chaotic home environment where space and privacy are already in short supply.

Extending the indoors into the outdoors

The popularity of indoor/outdoor living spaces is on the rise. Homeowners want to enjoy the outdoors as an extension of their interior living space.

Design so that there is a natural flow between the indoors and outdoors with features like large sliding or folding glass doors allow for the option to let the outside in and vice versa. Homeowners often request outdoor kitchens and family rooms that allow them the same functionality as their indoor spaces. Drop-down screens on the porch to help with mosquitos, outdoor heating lamps, outdoor fireplaces that create warmth, and cozy couches will extend your relaxation into the cooler months.

The outdoor/indoor space should be a true extension of the home, which is why it’s important to create a seamless transition between the two. In that way, the spaces appear to be one rather two.

Bathroom Oasis

How often have you escaped to your bathroom this year with the sole purpose of quiet alone time? experts are saying that with the right features, a bathroom can help reduce stress.

According to a 2020 Houzz Bathroom Trends Study, two in five homeowners (41%) who renovated a master bathroom say they rely on their new space for rest and relaxation. It’s time to start saving up for renovations as big as soaking tubs and steam showers, to smaller upgrades like aromatherapy showerheads and bathtub fillers that can hold a cup of tea or glass of wine.

A soothing bathroom can make a huge difference after a long day, and transform into a place to pamper yourself. In order to create a peaceful bathroom atmosphere, take a look at the following tips.

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