Older homes exude charm and character, but they often come with a common challenge: limited storage space. To be direct, in the past, people didn’t need as much storage space because they didn’t have as much to store. Most people only had a few outfits, a single set of sheets and a few towels, and–maybe–one set of nice dishes and one set of every dishes.
Society has changed and the majority of us have more clothes, linens, personal items, dishes, appliances, and . . . stuff. We have a lot of stuff. And there’s nothing wrong with this. But finding a place to keep it all can be a daunting task.
Roeser Home Remodeling often helps homeowners create storage spaces with the additions of closets and pantries, offering solutions that not only enhance the home’s functionality but also preserves its unique character. This month we will explore the benefits of adding closets to older homes and provide valuable insights for homeowners in Kirkwood, Missouri, looking to maximize space and comfort.
The Importance of Closets in Older Homes
Adding closets to older homes is not merely about creating extra storage; it’s about enhancing the overall functionality and comfort of your living space while maintaining the beauty of the older homes. Here are some key reasons why investing in closet additions can be a game-changer:
- Organization: Closets keep your belongings organized and easily accessible. Adding closets to your older home can help you declutter your living spaces and maintain a more orderly environment.
- Space Optimization: Maximizing space is essential, especially in older homes with limited square footage. Closets allow you to make the most of every inch of available space, ensuring that your home feels more open and spacious.
- Increased Property Value: Enhancing the functionality of your older home through closet additions can significantly increase its resale value. Potential buyers are often willing to pay more for a home that offers ample storage solutions.
- Personalization: When you add closets to your older home, you have the opportunity to design them according to your specific needs and style preferences. This level of customization ensures that your closets seamlessly blend with the existing aesthetics of your home.
- Reduced Clutter: A cluttered home can be stressful and overwhelming. Adding closets can help you keep your living spaces tidy and create a more serene and inviting atmosphere.
Types of Closets for Older Homes
Before embarking on a closet addition project, it’s essential to understand the various types of closets you can incorporate into your older home. The choice will depend on your specific needs and the available space in your house. Here are some popular closet types for older homes:
- Walk-in Closets: These are larger, room-like closets that provide ample storage space and often include shelving, hanging rods, and even seating areas. Walk-in closets are ideal for bedrooms and dressing areas. As often as possible, Roeser Home Remodeling tries to work with the house’s existing space, but sometimes this can translate to an addition to the house. When we do this, we are extremely careful to make sure the addition blends in with the older home. We’re so good at this, homeowners often comment that they eventually forget what the house looked like before it existed.
- Reach-in Closets: These closets are typically narrower and are designed to make the most of limited space. They are commonly found in bedrooms, hallways, or entryways and may include shelves, drawers, and hanging rods. Older homes often already have these and sometimes all they need is to be widened or deepened a bit.
- Linen Closets: Linen closets are perfect for storing towels, beddings, and other household linens. They are usually located in hallways or near bathrooms.
- Pantry Closets: If your older home lacks a spacious kitchen, adding a pantry closet can be a great solution for storing dry goods, kitchen supplies, and small appliances. This can be set within an existing wall, or another room that isn’t getting enough traffic can be remodeled as a pantry.
4. Utility Closets: These closets are designed for storing cleaning supplies, tools, and other utility items. They are typically found in laundry rooms, garages, or basements.
5. Custom Closets: Custom closet solutions offer the ultimate in personalization. You can work with Roeser’s professional architect to create a closet that perfectly suits your needs and complements the style of your home.
Considerations for Adding Closets to Older Homes
Adding closets to older homes requires careful planning and execution. Below are some essential considerations Roeser Home Remodeling will take into account before even beginning the job.
- Permits and Regulations: Check with your local municipality to determine if you need permits or if there are any zoning regulations that may affect your closet addition project. If you hire Roeser Home Remodeling, this will be the first thing we’ll do for you.
- Space Assessment: Roeser will assess the available space in your home to determine where closets can be added without compromising the existing layout or structure.
- Architectural Compatibility: We will ensure that the design and materials of your new closets harmonize with the existing architecture and style of your older home. This will help maintain the
- We’re Professionals: Roeser Home Remodeling has been in the remodeling business for nearly forty years. And our specialty is and always has been working with older homes. Our standards are high and we don’t take every job we’re offered.
Your Role
What we need from you is simple.
- Remodeling your home sounds simple enough in the abstract. But in reality, it’s a huge decision. Talk to your partner and kids about what you want to do and get their input. This will minimize hurt feelings and misunderstandings.
- Carefully consider your family’s specific storage needs and how they may evolve in the future. A well-designed closet should accommodate both your current and future requirements. Nobody has ever complained about having too many closets. But many have complained about having too few.
- Establish a realistic budget for your closet addition project, taking into account materials, labor, and any unforeseen expenses that may arise during construction. Be sure and tell us what you have in mind at the beginning. We will tell you what is and isn’t realistic and help you prioritize materials and labor costs.
Ready to Talk to Roeser About Your Closet Space?
In older homes, adding closets is not just a practical solution to storage challenges; it’s an investment in the comfort, organization, and overall value of your property. Roeser Home Remodeling in Kirkwood, Missouri, understands the unique demands of older homes and can help you transform your living spaces while preserving their distinctive character.
By carefully planning your closet addition project, considering the various types of closets available, and collaborating with experienced professionals, you can enhance the functionality and aesthetics of your older home. Say goodbye to clutter and hello to a more organized, spacious, and comfortable living environment—all achieved through the strategic addition of closets tailored to your needs and style preferences.
For over twenty years, Roeser Home Remodeling has been in the business of helping homeowners design closets that meet their needs and match their lifestyles.
The Staff at Roeser Home Remodeling brings the same expectations to every job—quality, customer satisfaction, and integrity. You will always get our best, without fail. Our goal is to make the entire process as easy as possible while still giving the client the high-quality results they deserve.
We are the recipient of a number of awards, including the Aging in Place Remodeling Project of the Year by the HBA of St. Louis, as well as the Best Houzz of 2020. Our Director of Design, Brandi Ward, has won several awards for her kitchen designs, and recently accepted one from ShowPlace Cabinets for her beautiful kitchen design. Brandi is an expert in creating functional kitchen layouts for families!
We are members of the Home Builders Association of St Louis, which demonstrates our willingness to be held accountable for the quality of our work. Roeser Home Remodeling uses only the best materials, including products like Wellborn Cabinets and Showplace Cabinets. And we have an A+ rating with BBB.
Want to know more? Check out our portfolio and give us a call!