Creating a Forever Home: A Full Remodel with an In-Law Suite for Multigenerational Living

As families grow and change, so do their housing needs. More homeowners are choosing to remodel their homes to accommodate aging parents, ensuring they can live comfortably while remaining close to loved ones. That was the case for a family in Cortland, Ohio, who took on a complete home renovation with an in-law suite addition designed specifically for aging in place.

This project was a major transformation—opening up the existing home’s floor plan, modernizing every space, and constructing an entirely new in-law suite. The homeowners needed a contractor who could manage the project from start to finish, as they were living out of town during the process.

The Vision: A Functional & Beautiful Home for Generations

The family purchased a home with the goal of modernizing it into their dream home while also creating a private, accessible living space for their aging parents. The renovation had several key goals:
✅ Convert the existing layout to an open floor plan with a spacious kitchen
✅ Design and build a new in-law suite with accessibility features
✅ Update the home’s exterior with new siding and roofing
✅ Finish the basement for additional living and entertainment space
✅ Construct two decks for outdoor relaxation and gatherings

From the start, this was about more than just aesthetics—it was about creating a comfortable, functional, and energy-efficient space where multiple generations could live together while still maintaining privacy.

Overcoming Challenges: Structural Modifications & New Construction

One of the biggest challenges in opening up the floor plan was removing load-bearing walls. To achieve this, we removed a section of the roof and used a crane to lift structural beams into place, allowing us to create a spacious, open-concept living area.

For the in-law suite, the new construction was designed with aging in place in mind. This meant incorporating:
🔹 Wide doorways for easy navigation
🔹 A curbless, tiled walk-in shower for accessibility
🔹 A wheelchair ramp for a step-free entrance

With thoughtful planning, the result was a space that not only met their parents' needs but also blended seamlessly with the home’s overall design.

Design & Material Choices: Modern Farmhouse with Energy Efficiency in Mind

The homeowners envisioned a clean, modern farmhouse aesthetic, which led to selecting:
✔️ Hardwood floors throughout for a timeless, durable look
✔️ Luxury vinyl tile in the basement, combining style with water resistance
✔️ Closed-cell spray foam insulation for superior energy efficiency

While budget constraints meant the garage siding was postponed, we focused on maximizing value in key areas like high-performance insulation and quality flooring that would stand the test of time.

A Home Built for Comfort, Entertaining, and Family Care

As the final touches were completed, the homeowners were excited to move in, bringing their vision to life. Their newly renovated home now provides:
🏡 A spacious, inviting atmosphere for entertaining family and friends
🏡 A comfortable, private living space for their aging parents
🏡 Long-term energy savings and efficiency with spray foam insulation

This project was a true testament to the power of thoughtful remodeling, showing how a house can be transformed into a forever home—one that adapts to the needs of a growing family while providing warmth, accessibility, and beauty.

Thinking About a Major Remodel? Let’s Talk!

Whether you're considering a home renovation or planning for multi-generational living, we can help bring your vision to life. Check out our project gallery for inspiration, or give us a call today for a free consultation!

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