The economy and caregiver relationships have created more households where families are sharing a home and expenses. Many young adults are living at home with their parents as they deal with college debt, divorce, single parenthood or unemployment. Parents are moving in with adult children as they cope with the loss of a spouse, health issues related to aging or to lend a helping hand to a young family. Immigration is also a factor in the increasing number of multigenerational households.
Prior to World War II, 50 percent of American homes were multigenerational households. Over the past decade the trend has recurred. The 2010 Census reported that 18.3 percent of Americans, 50 million of us, reside in multigenerational homes and 25 percent of baby boomers report that they expect to live with a parent. Most adults who reach a point in life where they require supportive care prefer to reside at home or with family. The cost or remodeling should be weighed against the cost of assisted living, which in our area averages $2,500 to $4,500 per month.
Due to their changing households, many families are remodeling to create an environment that better meets their needs. Primary considerations are privacy, space and access. Home builders and remodelers recognize these needs and are incorporating design options to accommodate three (or more) generations living under one roof.
Here are five design ideas for multigenerational homes:
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Multiple Master Bedroom Suites. Suite living is a great concept for a multigenerational household. A suite not only contains a bed, there is adequate space for a lounge chair or sofa, a television, bookshelf and a desk area for a computer and recordkeeping. A suite also has a private bathroom area.
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Private Entryways. Builders are adding private entries to suites to provide privacy for adult residents.
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Kitchens Designed for Multiple Cooks and Users and Kitchenettes. In multigenerational homes, cooking can become an issue. Older adults may be on restricted diets due to health concerns and family members may be eating at different times due to schedule. Kitchenettes are being built into suites to particularly accommodate parents who move in with a core nuclear family.
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Attached Apartments. Attached apartments provide the best option for maintaining privacy in a multigenerational household but there should be an entryway to the main house. Building an attached apartment also may be a solution to accommodating a family member who may require a wheelchair, cane or walker.
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Bathrooms with Universal Design Features. If you are remodeling a bathroom in your home, consider adding universal design features that will not only accommodate someone with a handicap but make plain common sense in a home. Some of these bathroom design features include grab bars in shower, tub and toilet areas; shower seating, a walk-in shower, hand-held shower spray, non-slip flooring, lever-style handles on doors and faucets, tall toilets, wall mounted sinks and wider doorways.
While redesigning your home for your extended family is a great idea, keep in mind that there may be zoning restrictions in your community that may limit your options especially if you are planning to add a new entryway or an adjacent apartment. You will want to discuss this issue with your contractor.
For the past year and a half we joined with members of the Syracuse Fire Department to plan a renovation of the home of retired Deputy Chief Dave Johnson and his wife Diana. The Johnson's were nominated by the Fire Department to the ABC television show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”. When the show was cancelled, we reverted to “Plan B”, a remodel of the kitchen, bathrooms and basement area.
The project, which became known as the "Johnson Family Home Project", took on a life of its own when we went to the local community for help. Local businesses and residents of Central New York were extremely generous and provided the support needed to totally renovate the home, from top to bottom, inside and out. After a 21-day “build” period where more than 200 volunteers worked 24/7, the home was finally ready to welcome back its residents.
Johnson Family Home Project Leaders
Scott McClurg and Captain Bob Whitehead
The Johnson's were met by a crowd of about 300 people, a firetruck, a corps of firefighters in dress uniform and the local media. The home was re-roofed, re-sided, landscaped and equipped with a new deck, entryway and patio.
The Johnson's Arrive
On the inside the Johnson's would shout “Oh My God!” when they saw the remodeled kitchen, dining area, living room, family room, three full bathrooms and renovated and re-furnished bedrooms. All of this was done within the original footprint of the home. The basement was made into living space that includes three bedrooms, a full bathroom and a laundry room.
The Kitchen with Tribute to Dave and Diana Johnson
The Dining Room Table Seats 10
Living Room
Family Room
By creating an open floor plan, the ten residents of the home gained much needed space. On holidays, more than 30 family members will gather in the house. The renovations were completed just in time for Mother’s Day. Welcome Home Johnson Family! May you enjoy many more celebrations at home!
The Johnson's Tour Their Newly Renovated Home
We thank the 154 business donors who contributed to this effort and are truly grateful to those who volunteered their time and talents to help a very special family.
Thank You to Our 154 Business Donors
Homes are like people. In order to be in the best shape possible, you have to pay attention to the signs that something may be wrong. For our homes, we do this each spring and fall with a home maintenance check-up.
In response to customer questions about how to keep their home “in shape”, our HomeRepair by McClurg experts have created a handy, one-page “Home Maintenance Checklist”. The checklist guides you through what to look for inside and around the exterior of your home including the foundation and basement, exterior, roof, plumbing, electrical, vents, and heating and cooling system.
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Neglecting small problems around the house, coupled with the constant wear and tear our homes receive, can lead to major repair costs later on and may diminish your investment.
We hope you will use this checklist and would welcome your feedback.
Have a home maintenance question? Please post it below and we’ll be glad to answer.
For more than a year we’ve been involved with Syracuse firefighters in planning an “extreme home makeover” of the home of Dave and Diana Johnson. We nominated the Johnson Family for the ABC television show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” but the show was cancelled last fall. We knew that bringing the show to Central New York would be a long shot and committed ourselves to renovating the Johnson home if they were not selected.
Captain Bob Whitehead, Diana and Dave Johnson, Scott McClurg
The Johnsons are a very special family and Dave and Diana an extraordinary couple. They have three “homegrown” daughters and have expanded their family by adopting 14 children in need of a permanent home and provided a haven for 12 foster children who in their young lives faced extreme adversity. Their home is as special as they are. It has seen 29 children grow up within its walls and also a lot of wear and tear. The adult children visit often with grandchildren in tow and eight children still live at home.
The Johnson home is a ranch with 1230 square feet of living space and a full basement that was converted to provide bedroom space and an extra bathroom for the family. Initially we had planned to remodel the kitchen and basement areas and change the living space to better meet the family’s needs. The goal was to make the changes within the current framework of the house.
The project evolved into a community-wide initiative of neighbors helping neighbors. More than 200 people have volunteered their time and talents to the project and about 150 local businesses have contributed supplies and services. With their help we have the resources and manpower to do a total makeover of the home.
Madisson Brown and Rachel Johnson with list of business donors.
The home will have a new roof, patio area accessed by a door from the lower level, open floor plan, a new kitchen with custom cabinets made by firefighter Dave Skardynski, a new staircase to the lower level, reconfiguration of bedroom space, landscaping donated by the CNY Landscape and Nurseryman’s Association and some new furnishings, including a dining table where all those in residence can enjoy a meal together.
Johnson's house at start of construction.
Work began on April 16th with a launch ceremony. If Diana and Dave were nervous (since they have not seen the plans) they did not show it as they turned over their keys to the home to the volunteers. Members of the Syracuse Fire Department completed the demolition work on the first day.
Syracuse firefighters during main floor demolition.
Many of our customers have owned the house they’re living in for decades. Over time, lifestyles change. If you purchased your home when your children were young, the kids have left the nest and are returning to visit (or sometimes move back) with young children. You may be living in a multi-generational household shared with a frail parent or older children. If someone in your household is challenged by health issues, your home may require changes to better meet their needs.
No matter what your situation, here are five universal design features that will improve the function, aesthetics and value of your home. I mention value because at resale, these features in your home will appeal to a broad range of prospective buyers.
1) No-step and accessible entryways.
If you are changing the entry to your home talk with your contractor about the feasibility of eliminating steps. There should be at least one entrance to your home where the threshold is flush. If you can’t remove or reduce steps, add handrails to the entryway.
2) Wide doorway openings and hallways.
Wide doorway openings (32-36 inches wide) and wide hallway openings (36-42 inches wide) have a number of advantages. They make a home accessible for a resident who uses a wheelchair or walker, and make it easier to move appliances and furniture into and within the home. Wide doors and hallways also add to the aesthetics of a home by creating an illusion of open space that makes the interior seem larger.
3) Flush thresholds and uniform flooring.
Flush thresholds within a home help to prevent tripping and falls. Selecting uniform flooring for a home also reduces transitions from room to room. Get rid of throw rugs and have clear pathways around area rugs if you are using them in seating and dining areas.
4) Grab bars and non-skid surfaces in bathrooms.
Some of our customers put off installing grab bars in bathrooms because “it screams old age”. NOT TRUE! Accidents often occur in bathrooms. Hotels have recognized this and have incorporated grab bars into most bathrooms. You may not have noticed them because they look like a towel bar. Non-skid floor surfaces in the shower and tub area are essential for safety. I also recommend a hand-held showerhead for your shower-stall or tub area. They’re great for washing hair, keeping soap out of eyes, bathing young children and for those who need to be seated in the shower.
5) Lever door handles and rocker light switches.
Lever door handles improve access for people with poor hand strength or when your arms are full of packages. Rocker light switches require a quick touch to turn on.
For more tips on improving the function and safety of your home, check out our “Universal Design for Kitchens” blog article and view our photo gallery of projects incorporating universal design concepts.
Also, watch WCNY’s “Design for a Lifetime”. Local resident Doug Hamlin and I were interviewed about building an accessible home and discuss “Universal Design” features.
Does your home seem crammed and confined? Are you planning to buy a smaller home but wondering how you will adjust to less space? We find that more homeowners are downsizing these days and choosing ranch, split-level, cape, cottage, or craftsman style homes as opposed to “McMansions”. Smaller homes have many advantages. Remodeling the interior can help you create an illusion of space without changing the footprint of the home.
Here are 11 ways to make your home feel larger.
1) Use paint to create the illusion of space.
Paint can work wonders. It’s amazing how a neutral palette and light colors can make a room seem more spacious. In a small home think about painting doors and trims white and using a common neutral paint color in the main areas of the home to unify these areas and create a flow from room to room.
2) Create an open floor plan.
It may make sense to remove walls that separate a kitchen from a dining room or a dining room and living room to open up the space especially if these rooms are small. Segregated dining rooms are used infrequently and can be “tight” for entertaining if you have more than 6 people in the room. Before you tear down a wall, talk with a remodeling contractor to determine the pluses and minuses. If the wall is load-bearing the process of removing it is more complicated. Generally load-bearing walls run parallel to the front entry of a home. A solution to dealing with a load-bearing wall that separates a kitchen and dining room is to cut a large rectangular opening into the wall and install a counter in the space to serve both rooms. This strategy could provide extra seating and a buffet area for serving food when entertaining. It also unifies the rooms and creates the illusion of an open floor plan.
3) Ceilings can make a small home seem larger.
If you have been looking at new construction of condos and townhomes you will notice that architects have created a feeling of space by building homes with high ceilings. This is true of craftsman style homes where the home may have 1200-1300 square feet but seems much larger. Raising the ceiling may not be a solution for your home but adding crown molding around the perimeter of the ceiling can create an illusion of height.
4) Widen doorways and window openings.
Widening a narrow interior doorway will make a room appear larger and can be an asset for a person who is wheelchair bound or uses a walker. Consider expanding interior doorways to 32-36 inches. Are the windows of the home small? Larger windows provide an illusion of space by bringing more natural light into a room. If it’s time to replace the windows of the home, choose large ENERGY STAR rated windows.
5) Rework bedroom spaces.
In some small homes, bedrooms are tiny and can barely accommodate a dresser and a full-size bed. Master bedrooms are an asset in a home, but can be tight spaces if a small home boasts four bedrooms. If you need more bedroom space consider removing a wall to create a larger master bedroom. Convert bedroom closets into more efficient spaces for storage by adding multiple rods for hanging clothes, shelving and drawers. If a closet door swing presents a problem in the room add a bypass door or widen the opening and add a sliding door.
6) Reduce furniture and add built-in cabinets and shelving.
Furniture can occupy a lot of precious floor space in a small home. In a dining room replace a free-standing china cabinet with a built-in corner cabinet. Add built-in shelves to a living room for books and media equipment. Some built-in cabinets and shelves can be recessed into a wall to create more floor space and less clutter.
7) Install uniform flooring throughout the home.
Hardwood flooring works well in a small home to unify the space. Avoid using area rugs that might break up the space. If you decide to use carpeting or tile, use the same product throughout the main areas of the home.
8) Use window treatments strategically.
Window treatments can create a feeling of space in a home if they are minimal or hung to make a room seem larger. If you are hanging drapes or valances, install the rod or brackets high over the window just under a crown molding or an inch or two below the ceiling. The window below will seem larger and more natural light will enter the room. The placement also impacts occupants of the room by making the space seem larger because it can create an illusion of a longer wall.
9) Remodel the basement.
If you need an extra bedroom for guests or a bathroom, a basement can provide extra living space. Basements can be used for media rooms, play spaces for children, hobbies and laundry.
10) Convert a porch into a 3-season room, sunroom or mudroom.
Adding insulation, windows, lighting and heating to a porch can provide extra living space in a small home.
11) Rethink the garage space.
In the 60’s and 70’s, owners of small homes often converted their garages into summer living spaces by placing screens over the opening, pulling porch or lawn furniture out of storage and plugging in a television to escape the heat. Not many people use their garage as a summer room today, but a garage can be turned into a year-round living space if you need an extra room and can find another place for your car. Garages are an asset for storage and can be organized to get clutter out of the house by adding overhead storage, shelving, storage cabinets and lockers.
What have you done to make your home feel larger?
Homeowners often ask us about remodeling and home improvement projects that are a good investment and will provide a return at resale. Surprisingly, door and window replacement are two of the best “payback” projects, according to Remodeling magazine’s “Cost vs. Value Report” for 2011-2012.
When we look at return on investment (ROI) for remodeling projects, we reference Remodeling magazine’s analysis for the Mid-Atlantic Region. Here’s the latest cost data:
| Project: |
Avg. Job Cost |
Resale Value |
ROI |
| Steel Entry Door Replacement |
$1,293 |
$863 |
67.1% |
| Fiberglass Entry Door Replacement |
$3,644 |
$1,976 |
54.2% |
| Garage Door Replacement |
$1,566 |
$1,025 |
65.5% |
| Upscale Garage Door Replacement |
$3,019 |
$2,015 |
66.8% |
| Vinyl Window Replacement |
$11,904 |
$7,441 |
62.5% |
| Upscale Vinyl Window Replacement |
$15,116 |
$9,167 |
60.6% |
| Wood Window Replacement |
$12,858 |
$7,838 |
61.0% |
| Upscale Wood Window Replacement |
$19,787 |
$11,217 |
56.7% |
Remodeling magazine’s cost report uses fiberglass and steel door estimates because of the prevalence of these products in the marketplace. Fiberglass doors are durable and adaptable to many architectural styles. They are easy to maintain and to paint. Steel doors have good insulating properties and are also very secure.
In addition to payback at resale, homeowners can expect to reduce their home heating costs by an average of 7 to15 percent per year if they replace all old windows with ENERGY STAR products, according to the EPA. These products insulate against both cold and heat. If you are replacing single pane windows with ENERGY STAR windows, on average, you can expect to save about $400 per year on energy costs. ENERGY STAR windows have two or more panes of glass with gas or air in the middle to insulate more efficiently. They also have coatings which block the sun’s heat and ultra violet rays that fade belongings. However, they need to be installed properly and sealed to maximize efficiency.
New windows and doors can make a significant impact on the “curb appeal” of your home for a modest investment and are a major asset at resale.
People who love to cook know how important it is to have a kitchen that is both functional and a pleasant environment to work in. If you’re planning to remodel your kitchen where do you start? We advise homeowners to talk with a Project Consultant or a kitchen designer because there are a lot of factors considered in a remodeling project. From our experience as a design/build firm we have seen kitchens where mistakes have been made when a clear and well considered design was not developed to guide the work.
To prepare for that initial meeting, we suggest making notes to discuss the following:
1. Begin by assessing how the space is being used.
Take a moment to ask yourself: “What do I like about my current kitchen and what do I dislike?” Make a list of assets and things you want to change. Are you satisfied with the traffic flow, location of appliances and mechanicals such as lighting, electrical outlets and plumbing?
2. Be prepared to discuss structural changes you would like to make in the space.
Is the floor plan sufficient or do you want to remove a wall or add a bump-out to enlarge that space? Do you want to add or remove doors and windows?
3. Next, identify the appliances that you intend to reuse or purchase.
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Write down model numbers and dimensions to review with your consultant or designer.
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Select the range or cooktop and consider how you will vent the unit. If you are going to cook with an electric glass top or induction unit, which use less power, a microwave/vent placed above the heat surface should provide adequate ventilation and will help conserve space. Many home cooks prefer a gas range and cooktop. Gas ranges and cooktops are manufactured in 30, 36 or 42 inches or larger widths. Hoods typically are sized 30, 36 and 42 inches and come in undermount, wall-mount, ceiling and downdraft models. Take the time to talk with your appliance retailer about the options to determine which unit will work best in your plans. Also, talk to your contractor about installation before you finalize your selection.
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Identify the refrigerator for your kitchen remodel. The size of the refrigerator will influence placement of cabinetry in the kitchen design. You and the designer will need to consider depth, as well as height and width. There are counter-depth units that can be built in with cabinetry. Generally, counter-depth refrigerators have less storage capacity. If you need more refrigerator storage you may want to add an under-counter unit for beverages or overflow items. Be mindful of door sizes, depths of freezer drawers and door swings in your plan. You will need to have adequate clearance to work effectively in the kitchen.
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Factor the dimensions of other built-in appliances into the plan. More home cooks are adding a second oven and dishwasher to their kitchens. The placement of a microwave oven is also important to the design. Microwaves can be placed over a range, on a counter, in an island or built in or placed on a shelf on a wall. Again, note the door swings and dimension of appliances when doors are open to assure that there is appropriate space for clearance. Your designer will account for these measurements.
Once you’ve identified appliances, your consultant or designer will work with you to create a “work triangle” by determining the optimal location of the refrigerator, stove/cooktop and sink. If the kitchen has only one sink, it should be placed between or across from the cooking surface, preparation area or refrigerator. Work aisles should be 42 to 48 inches.
4. Before you add cabinets to your plan, identify what you plan to store and where the items should be placed.
For the home cook, storage of the following items is essential:
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Spices
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Oils, vinegars and liquid flavorings
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Baking supplies
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Canned goods, bottled items, boxed food and other mon-refrigerated food items
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Baking sheets and cutting boards
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Pots and pans
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Casserole and baking dishes
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Small appliances
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Cooking utensils and gadgets
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Cookbooks
Your consultant or designer will help you by suggesting options for efficient, accessible storage that will include drawers, specially sized cabinets, pull-out units, carousels and inserts.
5. Finally, pay attention to task lighting.
Talk with your consultant or designer about illuminating areas over the sink, and above food prep and dining spaces and over where appliances will be placed. Plan to install under-cabinet lighting strategically. If your cabinets will have glass doors, add puck lights to illuminate the contents.
People look for smaller homes and quarters for a variety of reasons. First time homeowners find that a small home is an affordable option to paying rent. Empty nesters may need less space once the kids have moved out. Changes in family life and finances are often the incentives for people to sell a large home and to seek a smaller house with less of a tax and mortgage burden. Other advantages of a smaller home are less upkeep and often reduced heating costs.
If you’re making the transition to a smaller home here are some tips to consider in your move and decorating choices to optimize your space.
1. Clear out the clutter.
Over the course of time people tend to collect a lot of items that they don’t use or need. If you’re making the move, sell some of the old furnishings to purchase items that will fit better into your new space. A smaller home will also mean that you will have less storage. Do a clean sweep and give yourself and your new home a fresh start.
2. Lighting is essential in a small space.
When purchasing a smaller home, pay attention to the lighting. If there is not enough natural light, consider adding recessed cans, floor lamps and table lamps to brighten small rooms. Lighting and the use of wall mirrors will make a room appear larger than it actually is.
3. Use moldings to create an illusion of space and height.
Craftsman style bungalows use trims and high ceilings to create a feeling of space in a small home. If your home is a ranch or cape style you can create an illusion of height by adding moldings to a ceiling or painting all moldings on ceilings, floors, windows and walls white.
4. Uniform flooring and wall color choices enhance the feeling of spaciousness in a small home.
Limit the color pallet in a small home to make it feel larger than it actually is. Select common flooring for the house. Wood flooring can be used in most rooms, including the kitchen. If you choose carpet, use the same color throughout the home. Do the same with wall color to create a “flow” from room to room and an illusion of openness.
5. Neutral wall colors can add light and create an illusion of space.
Books on design often recommend neutral colors like whites and beige for small rooms and homes to make them appear larger. It makes sense to use soft neutral colors to reflect light in a room and as a background for more colorful accents.
6. Choose furnishings strategically.
In a small room or home “less is more”. An oversized couch can be more functional than a seating group that includes a couch, love seat, chair and ottoman. Be aware of the scale and shape of furnishings you select. A couch with a curved back or an oval coffee table can reduce the boxy feel of a small living room. Use a common fabric or fabrics within the same color palette on furniture. In a small dining room a glass-top table and sleek chairs will optimize the feeling of space.
7. Hang window treatments and drapes close to the ceiling.
This is a designer’s trick to create an illusion of height and space and an element of interest to a room. Hanging drapes high over windows (instead of on or just above the window moldings) draws your eyes upward when you’re in the space and when the drapes are open and the window is not obscured by a window treatment natural light is optimized.
8. Add color with fabric, artwork and rugs.
Accents are important in a small space to add warmth, interest and color. A small room can be enhanced by a single large painting. If you decide to follow our tips on using neutral colors on the walls of your home, your choice of fabrics and area rugs will help to distinguish each room. Colorful throw pillows can make a big statement in a small space.
9. Create clever storage.
Storage is often a dilemma in a small home. Built-in shelving and closet units are great for keeping items organized in a small home. Built-in shelves don’t compromise precious floor space and add an architectural element to a room. Closet units are a must to optimize limited storage space. Also consider floating shelves, which can be particularly useful in a small bathroom. Create under-bed storage for bedrooms. Assess the storage in the garage and entryway. These are areas to add built-in shelves, cubbies, hooks, baskets, coat racks and bins to keep clutter under controls.
10. Small bathroom tips.
To optimize space in a small bathroom start by paring down bathroom fixtures. A pedestal sink will help create more room as will a scaled down toilet. As for color, this is the place to break the “neutral rule” and to create a distinctive room in your home.
What are your tips for downsizing?
Every year we get excited as we prepare for the Home and Garden Show at the New York State Fairgrounds! It’s a great way to meet people who are thinking about home remodeling and repair projects and it gives us an opportunity to showcase the latest trends in home design.
Recently, we’ve been writing about 2012 design trends and ideas. At our booth, we will show some of the latest styles, designs and products that we’ve been building and installing for customers right here in Central New York.
Each day of the show, our project consultants will be available to speak with you about your home remodeling and repair projects. Please stop by to see us at Booths 220 and 222.
Home Show hours are:
• Thursday, 5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
• Friday, 2:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
• Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
• Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Also, we’ve been deeply involved leading a community-wide effort for a complete “Home Makeover” for the Johnson Family of Tully. Syracuse Fire Fighters will be selling 50-50 raffle tickets at the Home Show for the Johnson Family Home Project. Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10. Proceeds will be used to purchase items needed for the project. Work on the project will begin April 16th and will be completed by May 7th.
The Home Builders and Remodelers of Central New York are offering a coupon for $1 off adult admission to the show. We hope to see you there!
