Whole-House Remodel & Addition in Arlington Heights

When a young family returned to Arlington Heights to be closer to loved ones, they found the perfect corner-lot ranch in a great school district, but the house itself was far from perfect. Cramped rooms, a closed-off floor plan, and a dark, outdated interior didn’t match the bright, open feel they envisioned. They saw potential and partnered with our team to completely transform the home, both inside and out.

Their vision was to create a spacious, open kitchen that connected seamlessly to the living area, expand the primary bedroom, add a dedicated home office, relocate the laundry to the first floor, and above all, make the entire home feel light, airy, and functional for everyday living.

This house was once a 2-bedroom, 1-bath home that was added onto over the years to become a 3-bedroom, 3-bath home. Despite the addition, the interior floorplan did not work well for modern-day living.

The original ranch home offered a solid structure and plenty of opportunity for thoughtful improvement.

An outdated entry and living room layout limited storage, constrained movement, and separated the space from the rest of the home.

From the living room, the layout funneled into a narrow and dark galley-style kitchen. The kitchen floor was elevated above the rest of the house and disrupted continuity throughout the home.

The layout was far from functional, including a door in a bedroom that opened into the back of the refrigerator.

Just off the kitchen, an underused dining room included access to the side yard facing the garage.

The kitchen was dark and closed off, with flooring that sat higher than the surrounding spaces, creating both visual and physical separation from the rest of the home.
The primary bedroom lacked sufficient closet space.
There was no dedicated home office, making daily work and school routines difficult to manage.
Laundry was tucked away in the basement, adding unnecessary steps to everyday tasks.
The layout was fragmented, inefficient, and outdated, making the home challenging to use comfortably on a day-to-day basis.

Proposed Floor Plan: Reimagining the Way the Home Lives

A - A 6’ addition was added to the front of the home to allow room for an expanded kitchen, laundry room, and office.

B - The kitchen nearly doubled in size, expanding from 138 to 268 square feet, and was completely reimagined with a large island and vaulted ceilings that brought light, openness, and a sense of drama to the space.

C & D - The former living room was reconfigured to accommodate a new first-floor laundry room and a dedicated home office. A new closet was also added to support the side entry and provide much-needed general storage.

E - The entryway between the living room and kitchen was widened to create a more open connection and support smoother movement through the space.

F - A new closet was added at the front entryway to increase everyday storage.

G - The primary bedroom wall was extended into the former living room, now the home office, creating a larger bedroom and a more generous primary closet.

Behind the home’s brick exterior, a concealed cinder block wall had to be carefully removed to make way for the new addition.

Because the house had been expanded years earlier, the soil in this area had already been disturbed and no longer provided the structural bearing required for new construction.

To create a stable foundation, the team excavated approximately 16 feet down, then methodically backfilled and compacted the area to achieve the proper crawlspace floor height and ensure long-term support for the addition.

The front of the home was extended 6 feet, and the ceiling was vaulted to a 14 feet peak.

Inside, structural reinforcement was extensive. A total of 16 beams were thoughtfully integrated throughout the first floor and basement, redistributing loads and ensuring the new addition is fully supported for long-term strength and stability.

The exterior brick removed during demolition was carefully preserved and repurposed on the front façade, allowing the new addition to blend seamlessly with the original home. The result is a cohesive exterior where the transition feels intentional and true to the home’s character.

Striking Custom Cabinetry & Hidden Appliances

Custom black cabinetry creates a bold contrast against the soft white walls and natural-finish red oak floors, making the space bright, airy, and warm.

Thoughtfully designed storage features, including a built-in appliance garage beside the fridge and panel-ready appliances, contribute to the kitchen’s clean, streamlined look. A microwave drawer and hidden refrigerator keep everyday essentials within easy reach, maintaining a clutter-free, modern aesthetic that's perfect for the pace of busy family life.

A Durable, Low-Maintenance Exterior That Honors the Original Home

The exterior of this Arlington Heights ranch was updated to feel fresh and modern, while still honoring its original charm. The homeowners chose LP SmartSide siding and trim, a durable engineered wood product that resists warping, cracking, and damage from pests like woodpeckers. Factory-painted for long-lasting color, LP siding offers the charm of natural wood with near-zero maintenance—perfect for a busy family home.

The portico columns were crafted from a low-maintenance composite material and gel-stained to resemble natural wood, delivering warmth and texture without the upkeep. To preserve the character of the original structure, we also sourced matching brick, carefully selected to blend both in texture and tone with the existing masonry. Given the age of the home, finding the right brick was no small feat, but the seamless result makes the new addition feel like it was always meant to be there.

A Home That Works Beautifully, Now and for Years to Come

What was once a dark, segmented house is now a bright, open, and highly functional home tailored to the way this family lives today. From the vaulted kitchen and first-floor laundry to the dedicated office and smart storage solutions, every detail was thoughtfully designed to maximize comfort, efficiency, and everyday ease. The extensive updates—from structural reinforcements to modern finishes—breathe new life into this Arlington Heights ranch, giving the homeowners a space that feels fresh, grounded, and ready for the next chapter.

Case Study: Whole-House Remodel & Addition

From Dark and Cramped to Bright, Open, and Full of Possibility

Arlington Heights, IL

Before the Renovation

The Existing Floor Plan

Proposed Floor Plan: Reimagining the Way the Home Lives

Design Inspiration

A Dramatic Dormer Addition Brings Light and Volume Inside

Laying the Groundwork for a Seamless Addition

Solutions That Make the Kitchen Work Smarter

Striking Custom Cabinetry & Hidden Appliances

Clean-Lined Windows with Warm, Modern Details

A Grout-Free Finish That’s Practical & Polished

Original Hardwood Floors, Reimagined

A Thoughtful Side Entry with Light, Storage, and Purpose

No More Basement Trips: A Smarter Laundry Setup

A Durable, Low-Maintenance Exterior That Honors the Original Home

A Home That Works Beautifully, Now and for Years to Come

An Award-Winning Whole-House Transformation

Patrick A. Finn's Ultimate Blueprint to Creating Your Dream Home