When a client decides to remodel, they almost always have a combination of functional updates and aesthetic updates in mind. During the design process, we learn about this balance, match it with the client's needs and wants, and then provide them with the best course of action for remodeling their kitchen. All of that is common, but their motivation is frequently more intimate.

We all navigate through these life changes—engagements, retirements, sending the kids off to college—but our spaces ought to change along with us. Here are a few examples of how life changes can motivate you to undertake bigger and more audacious remodeling projects.

• Starting a new chapter
• Making changes for the well-being
• Persistent functional issues
• The desire to build a community

 Starting a new chapter

These clients in Willow Glen were able to make decisions about what belonged in their new kitchen because of their empty nest. In addition to addressing some of their long-standing functional problems, they wanted the newly remodel kitchen to keep the home's modern antique aesthetic. The washer/dryer relocation and making an accessible entrance to the attic were the primary priorities. Beyond that, the pair requested more contemporary design additions like a hidden fridge, a new, more compact dishwasher, and simpler access to the adjacent dining area.

 Making changes for the well-being

If you or a member of your family has a change in mobility, you'll need to make some modifications to the kitchen and other areas of the house. As it was in this Madeira Beach FL kitchen, the arrangement of the kitchen may be stretched to create extra space between the countertop and the island. The homeowner was able to enjoy their kitchen more thanks to smart-touch faucets and bend-and-lift cabinets, and the new upgrades smoothly integrated into this open-concept loft.

 Persistent functional issues

If a life event prompts you to remodel, it's probable that it will draw attention to functional problems that the kitchen already has. Although this wedding couple had previously completed a few do-it-yourself projects, they realized they needed expert assistance for their kitchen and had just moved to Madeira Beach FL. The older kitchen felt cold and disorganized since there was so much unused space in it.

The desire to build a community

This young Saratoga family was expanding and creating a neighborhood community. They desired a light and open floor plan that could accommodate hosting more comfortably on both Saturday afternoons and Monday mornings. This calls for a great deal of flexibility, which for this customer meant choosing the most radical solution—joining the existing living room with the smaller kitchen space. They were able to create the open floor plan they desired with the additional 70 square feet it provided, including space for a larger dining area and French doors leading out to the rear and pool. Utilizing the abundance of natural light in the new area, a neutral design theme was used for inspiration.