One of the many tasks builders are faced with on a day-to-day basis is keeping the product portfolio current. Changes happen fast, what was a bestseller one year, could be collecting dust the following. At TK Design we love to find ways to use design to enhance existing portfolios by either replacing plans or reimagining them. We often work in conjunction with Ed Hauck, Brian Wildermuth and the rest of the Shinn Group team to add an element of performance engineering to really make a huge difference, not only in the design of the home, but the cost to build as well.
The goal of this redesign was not to make the home larger but to make it work better. By rethinking the floor plan, simplifying the structure, and updating the exterior, this proposal creates a home that feels more spacious, functions more efficiently, and costs less to build.
A Better Floor Plan
The redesigned layout improves the way the home lives every day while maintaining approximately the same square footage.
Owner's Suite Improvements
The owner's bedroom and bathroom have been reversed, creating:
- Better views from the bedroom
- A more comfortable sitting area
- Improved access to natural light
- A more convenient connection to the laundry room, making everyday chores easier
- Much simpler and more current owner’s bath layout
The kitchen has been redesigned with today's homeowners in mind.
Key improvements include:
- A modern island configuration with flush seating
- A more open and accessible workspace
- Optional cabinetry for additional storage and a dramatic focal point
- Better connection between the kitchen, dining, and gathering spaces
More Efficient Circulation
Unused hallway space has been eliminated, allowing that square footage to become usable living space instead of wasted circulation.
A simple flooring transition defines the kitchen and island area while keeping stools on durable hard-surface flooring.
Family Entry
A dedicated drop zone with bench seating provides an organized family entrance, giving everyone a convenient place for shoes, backpacks, coats, and everyday essentials.
Bedroom Improvements
Bedroom 3 has been enlarged without increasing the home's overall size, creating a more comfortable secondary bedroom.
A large walk-in pantry adds valuable storage while improving kitchen functionality.
Simplifying the Structure
One of the biggest improvements is what you don't immediately see.
The original home contained numerous wall offsets, or "jogs," that increased framing complexity and construction costs.
The redesigned plan eliminates six of these jogs, creating a cleaner building footprint that:
- Reduces construction costs
- Simplifies framing
- Improves energy efficiency
- Maintains essentially the same square footage
Side-by-Side Floor Plan Comparison
Comparing the original and proposed plans highlights how thoughtful planning can dramatically improve a home's functionality.
The redesign creates:
- Better room relationships
- Improved traffic flow
- Larger, more useful spaces
- Increased storage
- A more open kitchen and gathering area
- A simpler, more cost-effective structure
Updated Exterior Design
The exterior has been completely refreshed to reflect today's architectural preferences.
The new Craftsman-inspired elevation features:
- Stronger roof lines
- Improved proportions
- Modern siding and trim details
- Enhanced landscaping opportunities
- A more welcoming front entry
- Greater curb appeal
Conclusion
This redesign demonstrates that great residential design isn't about adding more square footage, it's about making every square foot work harder. The process can start very quickly and simply by utilizing sketches and sharing ideas.
By improving the floor plan, simplifying the structure, and modernizing the exterior, this proposal creates a home that is:
- More functional
- More attractive
- Easier to build
- Less expensive to construct
- Better suited to the way families live today
TK Design is an award winning, full service residential home design firm based in Michigan using the most cutting edge 3D technology to create spectacular cost-effective home designs for home buyers, custom builders, and production builders throughout the USA.