Chicago Home Remodeling Tips

There are few American cities more architecturally renowned than Chicago.

Although the city lost much of its infrastructure in the great fire of 1871, it provided a blank slate for architects to reimagine the lakefront skyline. From bungalows and graystones in the more suburban areas of the city to swanky lofts in the world-famous skyscrapers along The Loop, Chicago offers homeowners a wide variety of exterior and interior design styles and opportunities to create their own unique space.

If you own a home in Chicago and are considering remodeling, it may feel like a daunting task. Many houses have historical backgrounds or are in historic neighborhoods that have architectural review boards who must approve any major changes. If you live in a condo-style high rise it can be arduous to manage the logistics of getting tradespeople, materials and furniture up a service elevator to your space without infringing on any condo association restrictions. 

With that said, where there’s a will (and a team of professionals) there’s a way. If you’re ready to tackle a home remodel in Chicago, here are a few of my top tips.

Start with a plan

Before you start tearing down walls or picking out new paint colors, it's important to have a plan in place. This will help you stay on budget and on schedule, and it will also ensure that your remodel is functional and meets your needs. It may also be required by the building association or neighborhood in which you live to submit plans ahead of time. This means that part of your plan will need to start with assembling a good team of professionals.

Do your research and interview multiple designers and/or architects as well as contractors whose work fits your aesthetic and who you can see yourself working with for several months under extreme conditions. You should also ensure they are licensed, insured, and bonded. Begin by telling them what you want to achieve with your remodel. Are you looking to update the look of your home? Improve its functionality? Add more living space? Once you have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish, you can start working together to develop a plan that makes sense for you, your home and your neighborhood.

Consider the architecture of your home

Chicago is home to a wide variety of architectural styles, from gothic revivals to mid-century modern atomic ranches to craftsman style bungalows. Depending on where you live, you may be required to consider and preserve the architecture of your home when remodeling, but even if you aren’t, it’s a smart place to start.

While everyone wants a functional home that is designed for modern family life, there are ways to do that while still respecting the home’s history and architectural intent. If you live in an older or historic home that was well designed and built for its day in time, talk to your designer and contractor about what can be salvaged and restored.

For instance, if you have a Victorian home, you may be able to find a craftsman who can repair and restore all that detailed woodworking. If you live in a classic craftsman style bungalow, is there original stained glass, windows or trim that are still functional and will preserve your home’s character?

Restoring original architectural details will ensure your home doesn’t just look like another cookie cutter new construction project, but it’s also an environmentally friendly and sustainable practice to put to use what’s already there and functional.

Take inspiration from the city

Chicago is known for its stunning architecture, so why not take inspiration from the city for your home remodel? This can be a fun place to start if you’re struggling to come up with ideas or nail down your personal style. Chicago offers tons of architectural tours, including ones from the river where you can see many famous buildings from a totally different perspective.

If you’ve lived in Chicago for a while, you may scoff at the idea of doing such a tourist activity, but you’d be surprised what you don’t know about your city and how interesting it can be when you allow yourself to step back and learn something new. From the sleek and modern Willis Tower to the French Renaissance inspired Wrigley Building, there so many different ways to be inspired from both the inside and outside of these iconic structures.

Take lots of photos and make notes of what speaks to you. While you may not be able to recreate a groundbreaking architectural marvel in your home, this activity can help you nail down your style and preferences. You might find yourself inspired by the smooth glass waves of the new St. Regis buildings or the mid-century scalloped exterior of Marina City. There are ways to incorporate these elements into your interior and exterior design without constructing your own miniature skyscraper! 

Don't forget about functionality

While it's important to think about the aesthetics of your remodel, it's equally important to consider functionality. A well-designed home should be both beautiful and create ease within your day, so make sure that your remodel addresses any functional issues you have with your current home.

Make a list of the everyday pain points you experience in your home. For example, is cooking dinner difficult because there isn’t enough space to move around? A kitchen renovation that opens up the space or provides more workspace may be in order. Is the house so dark from lack of natural light that your electricity bill is out of control? Time for additional windows. Or are your kids sharing a room that’s too small and fighting all the time over it? Maybe there is another underused space in the house that can be converted into another bedroom. Identifying the pain points can help you make smart, functional design decisions.

In this North Loop loft, we needed to create as much multifunctionality as we could. A guest room/office space does double duty. An eat-in kitchen provides additional counterspace and a dining area. Sheer, light-filtering floor to ceiling curtains accentuate the tall, industrial ceilings.

Work with someone who knows the city

As I’ve already noted, working with a professional contractor, architect and interior designer will make your renovation process so much smoother and much more likely to end up exactly as you want it, but it’s also important to work with someone who knows Chicago well.

Local architects will understand certain historic or design requirements in different neighborhoods. They may even know people on the review board so questions can be asked in advance. An experienced contractor will understand the logistics of making a project happen within the city and the appropriate permits and approvals needed. An interior designer who understands the city, your home’s architecture, and most importantly – your personal needs and style – will be critical in helping you create a space that looks amazing but also improves your quality of life.

Chicago is such a beautiful, vibrant and interesting city to live, but if you feel like your home isn’t living up to those standards and you’re ready to rethink your space, let’s talk!