A full-home renovation lets you update your home’s layout to suit modern living. For families in Bethesda or Chevy Chase, that might mean creating an open-concept main level where kitchen, dining, and living spaces flow together – perfect for entertaining and keeping an eye on kids. Indeed, open layouts remain popular, but with a twist: homeowners are also asking for smart ways to retain some intimacy or privacy within open plans. Designers note a trend toward balancing openness with “carving out intimate nooks,” rather than having one vast room . Fine Living often achieves this by using partial dividers or thoughtful furniture layouts. For example, we might incorporate a double-sided fireplace or custom built-in shelving that subtly separates a living area from a kitchen while still allowing sight lines through. This creates cozy corners (a reading nook by the window, a breakfast banquette tucked to the side) without reverting to a fully closed-off floorplan. In classic DC rowhouses or Colonials, we’ve also innovated by widening doorways and cased openings to connect rooms in a more open way, rather than removing every wall. The result is a home that feels airy and connected, yet each space maintains its own character and purpose.

 

Another top priority in whole-home remodels is adding or reconfiguring dedicated spaces to fit contemporary lifestyles. Over the past few years, features like home offices and home gyms have gone from luxuries to necessities for many luxury homeowners. A spare bedroom might be transformed into a refined home office with custom cabinetry and soundproofing – a change that adds functional value as remote work becomes routine. Real estate experts agree that building out a proper home office is a smart idea, as it doesn’t require huge space but offers outsized benefits for daily life and resale appeal . Fine Living Remodeling can integrate an office in creative ways, such as converting an under-used den or even adding an office nook during a larger addition. Similarly, we’re frequently tasked with carving out space for fitness and wellness. Whether it’s a full lower-level gym with rubber flooring and mirror walls, or a yoga studio tucked under a skylight, home exercise spaces are highly desirable. One luxury trend is to include spa elements here as well – for instance, installing a sauna or steam shower adjacent to the gym. “A home gym with a sauna… [and] saunas/steam rooms in the primary bathroom are also highly sought after,” notes one luxury realtor, highlighting how wellness features raise a home’s appeal . In a full-home reno, Fine Living can plan for these amenities early, ensuring proper ventilation, plumbing, and privacy considerations are in place.

 

Whole-home projects also let us address the more functional upgrades that truly modernize an older home. This includes updating the electrical and HVAC systems (perhaps adding smart home controls and improved air filtration), replacing old windows with high-performance ones, and improving insulation for energy efficiency. While these behind-the-walls improvements might not be as glamorous as a designer kitchen, they are critical in a luxury renovation. For example, an aging home may have insufficient lighting or dated fixtures; upgrading and layering the lighting design can instantly bring a fresh look. Swapping out old ceiling lights for elegant recessed LEDs, adding statement pendant lights or sconces, and installing dimmers or smart controls can completely transform ambiance. Experts emphasize that upgrading light fixtures has a significant impact – outdated lighting is an instant turn-off, whereas new fixtures give even a minimalist space a “wow factor” and can be one of the easiest, high-impact updates . In our projects, Fine Living pays attention to such details, often suggesting a mix of decorative chandeliers and practical under-cabinet or cove lighting to create a layered, luxurious glow throughout the home.