Cue the demo dust! After more than five years in this house, we’re finally starting a renovation — of course over the holidays, because consistency is our thing. We’ve tackled major projects in the past, like adding a pool in 2021, gutting and rebuilding the kitchen in 2022, and installing hurricane-grade windows and doors two years ago. But this is the first time since moving in that we’re actually removing walls and changing room layouts.
The photo above is from early 2020, and some of those open walls are a preview of the new sightlines we’ll create between the kitchen, living area, and pool. We are VERY EXCITED.
I’ll share a renovation overview here — we’ve also posted updates on Instagram Stories (see my Reno 2025 highlight if you want a visual recap).
Why this renovation, and why now?
When we moved in we thought a second bathroom was essential. After five years — including a Covid year of constant at-home living and schooling — we’ve managed with one bathroom (we also have an outdoor shower, which helps). Over time two other issues proved more pressing than a second full bathroom.
First, our son’s room is small. It used to be a laundry room, and while it’s cozy and well-loved, he’ll need more space as he grows. We knew when we made it his room that we’d eventually find a way to expand it.
Second, the pool feels disconnected from the house. You have to walk down a long hallway to get to it and you can’t see it from the main living spaces. It’s such a beautiful view that we want to be able to enjoy from the kitchen and sitting area.
After years of mulling options, one afternoon John sketched an idea, taped it out on the floor, and we realized it would work. We hired a trusted contractor for a quote and moved forward with a plan that tackles both problems at once.
(drumroll please)
The solution is to finish the covered portion of our front porch and convert it into interior space. Many nearby houses have done the same to gain usable square footage. We still have a covered side porch, a large upper deck, and outdoor seating by the pool, so we’re not losing outdoor living — just converting that covered porch into a room.
That change will allow us to create a larger bedroom for our son, an L-shaped kitchen and lounge that opens to the pool, and an ensuite bathroom for our primary bedroom. It will connect the pool visually and functionally to our daily living spaces.
Finishing the porch balances the facade and makes the house feel more cohesive. Converting this area inside gains us light, extra kitchen cabinet space, room for a proper dining table and chandelier, possibly an island, and sightlines to the pool from the kitchen.
How exactly will you gain a bigger living area?
The plan is to enclose the covered porch and move our daughter into that new bedroom. Her new room will be slightly larger, and we’ll shift her existing windows to the new space. That frees up her current room and the adjacent laundry closet, which we’ll remove to create an L-shaped kitchen and family room that faces the pool.
- More family space on the first floor
- More natural light from the left side of the kitchen
- Extra room for cabinetry once the sitting area is removed
- Space for a larger dining table and more chairs
- Possibly a small work island
- Clear sightlines from the kitchen to the pool
Removing the wall marked above will open roughly a ten-foot expanse, bringing light and pool views into the heart of the home. We’ll install large glass doors to the pool and create a vaulted, light-filled lounge that feels connected to the kitchen and dining area.
The kids are excited and want a TV in the new lounge. One wall will likely host a media cabinet and TV, and the opposite side will have seating. The layout will feel similar to a living room we loved in our previous house, but with a big glass door looking out to the pool and a vaulted ceiling.
How will your son’s room get bigger?
Once we reconfigure framing and walls, his room will absorb part of the hallway to the pool and gain a vaulted ceiling in line with his current room. The door to the pool becomes a window and some adjacent space that’s currently behind the photographer will be added to his footprint. Overall, his room should increase by roughly 30%, making it nearly the same size as his sister’s — a welcome upgrade.
Where will the second bathroom go?
We’re repurposing a corner of our L-shaped primary bedroom to create an ensuite. The bedroom will remain a comfortable rectangle, and the former L corner will become the bathroom. We worked with our contractor to sketch the layout in CAD and taped out a floor plan on the room to test proportions. That taping step was incredibly helpful: it allowed small adjustments that let us keep closet space while getting a larger, wall-to-wall shower.
We’ll share the exact floor plan and taped layout later when construction is underway.
Where will the laundry go?
We’ve already fielded questions about the laundry and other specifics. Some details are easier to show once framing starts, so we’ll reveal those as the project progresses. Rest assured, laundry wasn’t overlooked — we’ve planned for a convenient solution as part of the redesign.
How will the exterior look from the pool?
We mocked up a quick rendering to visualize how the new window for our son’s expanded room will relate to the second-floor window. We chose a window proportion that visually ties the two levels together and complements the new glass doors that will lead into the lounge area.
We’re thinking through every angle so the view from the pool will feel intentional and balanced.
Why this plan and not other options?
Over the last five years we investigated many ideas — adding rooms above the kids’ bedrooms, changing the roofline, enclosing the upper deck — but none of those options delivered as much functional value for our family as finishing the porch. This plan solves the two things that nagged at us most: a bigger kid’s room and a living space that truly connects to the pool. It feels relatively simple, cost-effective, and aligned with how we live.
What about delays, extra costs, and surprises?
We know renovations rarely go perfectly. We expect curveballs, delays, and budget surprises, and we’re prepared for them emotionally and financially. A practical tip: we save 20–30% more than we estimate so unexpected costs don’t derail the project. It also helped that we spent years fine-tuning this idea and saving up while we waited for the right plan.
Do big projects always feel scary at the start?
Yes — especially if you’re newer to renovating. It’s normal to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. Right now we’re in the optimistic, possibility-filled phase. Later we’ll hit the messy middle, but we’ve been through major projects before and know the payoff is worth it. It helps that we still have a finished kitchen and bathroom to use while this work happens.
How long will it take?
Our contractor estimates 3–4 months, with some breaks for holidays. Much of the work is finishing the porch exterior, which can be completed before it ties into the existing house. If we’re lucky, the major pieces will be done by my birthday in March, though the realistic finish might be closer to the end of April once holiday pauses and expected curveballs are considered.
How will the home’s square footage change?
The house is currently about 1,400 square feet and will grow to roughly 1,500 square feet after converting the covered porch. That modest increase keeps the home manageable while adding meaningful function. For context, our previous home was 3,150 square feet and our summer “pink beach house” was 1,900 — both taught us that a smaller, well-planned home with good outdoor space suits our lifestyle best.
Adding a little space feels like the right balance: more function for our kids as they grow, without the upkeep of a much larger house.
When does it start?
We expect permits any day and hope work will begin the week after Thanksgiving. We’ll share progress on Instagram Stories and post more detailed updates here on the blog as the project unfolds. Thanks for following along — we’re excited to take you on this renovation journey with us.
Other posts you might enjoy
If you want to read more about our house and how we got here, check out previous posts about downsizing, the before tour, past renovations, and the pool project in our archives.