When considering a home remodel, aesthetics often take center stage. But true design excellence goes beyond beauty. A well-designed remodel enhances daily life, supports changing household dynamics, and blends function with comfort and style. Whether you’re updating a kitchen, reimagining your living space, or tackling a whole-home renovation, here are the essential elements to evaluate when determining if your remodel is truly well-designed.
Key Element #1: Household Size and Dynamics
A well-designed remodel begins with understanding your household size and daily dynamics. The number of people living in the home—whether a growing family, a couple, or an individual—greatly influences how space should be planned. Shared areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces require thoughtful layouts that balance functionality and flow, ensuring comfort and usability for everyone under one roof.
“At the heart of our design-build approach is first getting to know our clients, building trust, and understanding their exact needs and expectations,” shares Steven Ramaekers, Founder and Creative Director of Design at MainStreet. “Before we figure out the ‘how,’ it’s vital that we understand the ‘why’ a Birmingham family wants to do their luxury renovation.”
Be ready to reflect on key questions that shape your remodel:
- Who uses your space and how often?
- Is your household growing—perhaps with a returning college student or live-in grandparents—requiring a new layout or even a home addition?
- Does your family spend a lot of quality time together, calling for a more open, functional kitchen that supports everyday meals and frequent entertaining?
- Are there underused areas, like a basement, that could become the home gym or entertainment space you’ve always envisioned?
The best way to find the right path forward is through an open, thoughtful conversation.
“Families are constantly evolving,” says Christine Ramaekers, founder and creative director of interior design at MainStreet. “First-time homebuyers come in with their own unique needs, while many long-term Birmingham residents—who love their location—want to stay put but are now empty nesters eager to reimagine their first floor as a primary living space. We’re here to help guide those changes, starting with the renovation that best suits their current lifestyle—whether it’s making room for more cars in the garage, adding laundry capacity, or designing a mudroom to manage increased foot traffic.”
Key Element #2: Lifestyle & Daily Routines
Your home should work for your life, not the other way around. A thoughtful remodel takes your lifestyle into account, tailoring each space to support your routines and preferences. Love cooking? A double prep station, walk-in pantry, and smart appliances might be must-haves. Enjoy hosting friends and family? An open-concept layout or outdoor entertaining area may be a priority. Whether you’re early risers who rush through the kitchen each morning, or remote workers who need peace and privacy, your remodel should enhance the way you live.
Lifestyle-Driven Design Examples:
- Generation Gap Design: Designing for multigenerational households means balancing playful, durable spaces for kids, private retreats and tech zones for teens, and safe, accessible living areas for aging parents.
- Pet-Friendly Features: Built-in feeding stations, pet showers, cozy nooks, and designated sleeping areas ensure your furry family members are as comfortable and considered as everyone else.
- Family Flow Optimization: Early risers, entertainers, or weekend relaxers—tailor your kitchen with coffee stations and open pathways for busy mornings, and your living room with luxurious seating and space to host evening gatherings.
- Dining Dynamics: For families who cook together, dual prep zones, walk-in pantries, smart appliances, and island seating support functionality and togetherness. Prefer takeout? Design around casual dining and flexible spaces.
- Wellness-Centered Spaces: Support healthy habits with home gyms, meditation rooms, and spa-like bathrooms—turning unused corners into restorative wellness zones.
- Work-From-Home Integration: With more families working and learning remotely, private, sound-insulated, tech-enabled offices and study areas bring productivity and comfort into the home.
- Traveler-Ready Design: Frequent travelers benefit from organized mudrooms, smart storage solutions, additional laundry areas, and walk-in closets to streamline packing and unpacking.
- Natural Light Planning: Strategic window placement brightens your space from morning to night, enhancing comfort and mood across the areas your family uses most.
“Even the most luxurious materials can fall short without understanding a family’s daily life,” says Amy Fischer, interior designer at MainStreet. “We design around how our clients truly live—ensuring their remodel is both beautiful and deeply functional.”
Example: Mud Room/Laundry Room Transformation
To create a more functional and welcoming space for a busy family of six, the MainStreet design-build team reimagined the layout by widening archways and removing an existing doorway, allowing for a seamless transition from the mudroom into the laundry area. The redesigned space now includes a thoughtful mini office with a craft and gift-wrapping station—perfect for multitasking. Custom built-in lockers, expanded utility cabinets, and an ergonomic desk setup offer both open and concealed storage, delivering enhanced organization, comfort, and everyday convenience.
Key Element #3: Functionality & Flow
A well-designed remodel enhances how your home works and feels—starting with a smart, efficient floor plan and seamless traffic flow. Can family members move easily between the kitchen, dining, and living areas? Are quiet zones, like bedrooms or workspaces, positioned away from high-traffic areas? When each space is thoughtfully zoned, your home gains clarity, comfort, and livability. Built-in storage, multipurpose furniture, and concealed cabinetry help maintain a clean, refined aesthetic without sacrificing functionality. When form meets function, your home becomes not just beautiful—but effortlessly livable.
Creating that level of refinement requires thoughtful planning and expert execution. For example:
- Open-concept layouts often involve removing or relocating walls, which means identifying load-bearing elements and reinforcing the structure with steel beams, upgraded framing, and a leveled foundation to ensure flush transitions and visual symmetry throughout.
- Ceiling heights and angles—whether vaulted or sloped—may demand custom framing, hidden HVAC systems, and specialized lighting. Raising or lowering ceilings also depends on available space above or below.
- Wall functionality and soundproofing are key. Built-in shelving, recessed fixtures, and hidden storage add elegance but can affect wall integrity and require careful planning around materials, insulation, and noise control.
- Electrical and plumbing lines can limit fixture placement and layout options. Upgrades like steam showers, heated floors, and high-tech lighting or AV systems must be designed around existing infrastructure—or reworked entirely.
- Stairs, windows, and doors influence both traffic flow and lighting. Modifying their placement requires attention to structure, layout, and balance.
- Outdoor connections—from patios to pools—depend on lot size, grading, and zoning, all of which must be considered to make the most of your space.
Functionality and flow go far beyond aesthetics—they’re the backbone of a remodel that not only works for your family today, but adapts to the way you live in the future.
Example Integrated Interior and Exterior Remodel with Multiple Additions
To enhance flow and preserve the home’s timeless French country charm, the MainStreet design-build team reimagined the entire first floor and outdoor living space. The renovation included a new layout with repositioned entrances, an expanded kitchen featuring dual sinks, an island, and walk-in pantry, and enlarged dining and family rooms. A serene first-floor primary suite now includes a spa-like bath and custom library. High-end finishes—like a Visual Comfort chandelier, custom cabinetry, and state-of-the-art appliances—elevate the space. Outside, an empty yard was transformed into a covered outdoor kitchen and dining area with a three-sided stone bar beneath an automatic pergola.
Key Element #4: Accessibility and Longevity
A truly well-designed remodel isn’t just about style—it’s about lasting value. That means planning for the long-term needs of your household and making sure your home can adapt as life changes. Whether you’re raising a young family, welcoming aging parents, or simply planning to age in place gracefully, future-proofing your remodel ensures your space remains safe, functional, and beautiful for years to come.
That kind of planning often starts with flexibility. Can a playroom transition into a home office down the line? Is the bathroom equipped with universal design features? Are materials durable and layouts adaptable as mobility needs shift? Thoughtful design makes a home easier to live in—now and in the future.
Here are some key features that support accessibility and long-term comfort:
- Main Floor Living: A bedroom with an adjacent full bathroom, nearby laundry room, and even a future caregiver suite create flexibility as needs evolve.
- Entrances: Wide, no-step entries with smooth, non-slip surfaces and ample lighting improve safety and ease of access.
- Hallways: At least 36” wide, with durable, non-slip flooring and reinforced walls for future grab bar installation.
- Doorways: Minimum 32” wide (ideally 36”), with lever-style handles and sliding or pocket doors for improved functionality and flow.
- Bathrooms: Features like touch or lever faucets, curbless showers with wide entries (36”+), built-in seats, non-slip flooring, grab bars, and comfort-height toilets make daily routines safer and more comfortable.
- Kitchens: Accessibility can include induction cooktops, pull-out drawers, multi-height counters, touchless fixtures, and wall ovens with side-swing doors.
- Stairs: Well-lit, sturdy railings or options for ramps, chair lifts, or elevators help everyone move safely between levels.
- Furnishings & Hardware: Rounded corners, easy-grip pulls, and user-friendly switches and controls reduce strain and injury risk.
- Smart Technology: Innovations like voice-activated lighting, video doorbells, remote monitoring, and automated window shades offer greater comfort and independence.
- Lighting: Motion-activated lights and bright, strategically placed fixtures—especially along stairs and in entryways—boost safety and visibility.
By incorporating these universal design elements, your remodel becomes not just a reflection of today’s lifestyle, but a smart investment in the future.
“Aging in place” is increasingly appealing to Birmingham residents these days, especially given the housing market, and the desirability of staying within such a wonderful Michigan community. A similar remodeling strategy is called “universal design,” where a remodel is designed and built to immediately accommodate live-in grandparents or in-laws. “Both approaches are well designed,” explains Steve, “when they blend safety, comfort, and accessibility in a creative and empathetic way, bringing functionality and aesthetics for all your family members for years and years of great Birmingham living.”
Key Element #5: Product Specifications & Material Selection
A well-designed remodel doesn’t just look good—it’s built with thoughtful, high-performing materials tailored to your lifestyle. From appliances and fixtures to flooring and cabinetry, product selection should align with your household’s functional needs, design style, and long-term goals. Durability, energy efficiency, and ease of maintenance are key considerations, especially in high-use areas like kitchens and bathrooms.
When it comes to finishes, balancing beauty with practicality is essential. A skilled designer can create a stunning space using stock tile just as effectively as handmade or imported options—what matters most is quality and vision. Whether your project calls for luxury finishes or budget-friendly alternatives, the right design professional will help you prioritize your selections and allocate your budget wisely, ensuring every element serves your needs and reflects your personal style.
Here are a few examples of materials and products that elevate both form and function:
- Floors – White oak, walnut, or other hardwoods for timeless durability; porcelain, marble, or limestone tile for wet areas; luxury vinyl planks for moisture-prone spaces.
- Walls – Custom paneling or millwork, Venetian plaster, and bespoke wallpaper for added texture and elegance.
- Kitchens & Bathrooms – Quartz or marble countertops, custom cabinetry, matte black or metallic fixtures, and premium brands like Brizo and Fantini.
- Windows & Doors – Solid wood or pivot-style doors, motorized shades, and steel-framed windows for style and performance.
- Lighting – Smart LED systems with customizable color, recessed fixtures, or statement paneled lighting for mood and functionality.
“Selecting the best products and materials for a luxury home demands a combination of great taste and functionality,” says Amy. “Every choice must align with the style of the home, and harmonize with the tones, textures, and finishes. Function and form must be balanced, and the work must be the highest quality and craftsmanship.”
Why Partner with a Design-Build Firm
Partnering with a design-build firm streamlines the remodeling process by combining design and construction expertise under one roof. This integrated approach fosters collaboration from the start, ensuring your vision, budget, and timeline remain aligned throughout the project. With a single point of contact, communication is clearer, decisions are faster, and accountability is stronger. Design-build teams are uniquely equipped to create well-designed remodels that balance beauty, functionality, and feasibility—translating your lifestyle needs into cohesive spaces that not only look stunning but work beautifully for years to come.
Why Choose MainStreet Design Build for Your Well-Designed Remodel
A well-designed remodel begins with a deep understanding of your family’s lifestyle, space needs, and long-term goals. From accommodating growing families to supporting aging in place, the right design considers everything—from layout and flow to finishes and fixtures—while working within the unique opportunities and constraints of your home. Every thoughtful detail contributes to a remodel that is not only beautiful, but functional, enduring, and tailored to your life.
MainStreet Design Build is the premier partner for this kind of transformation. Based in Birmingham, Michigan, and proudly serving Southeast Oakland County since 1991, MainStreet delivers an award-winning, full-service design-build experience marked by timeless design, personal care, and exceptional craftsmanship. Our in-house team of architects, interior designers, and skilled tradespeople work seamlessly together to ensure your project is completed with precision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to quality.
Discover why discerning homeowners trust MainStreet to bring their vision to life. Browse our portfolio of local renovations and schedule your virtual design consultation today. Let’s create a luxurious remodel that’s exactly right for your home—and your future.
