Ramble On

Upon remodeling, that postage stamp morphs into a beautiful, spacious retreat. Peterson says that about 30 percent of his clients want a tub. “If they don’t have a tub, they want larger showers with nice amenities,” he says. “We’re seeing a larger shower…with  stone or tile finishes, and some showers with a bench seat and toe ledges for shaving, built-in shampoo shelves, shaving mirrors, and clear glass doors.” The two-basin master bathroom is still a popular request, Peterson adds. Secondary bathrooms in the homes are compartmentalized so that the toilet and shower area is separate from the sink and vanity.

In some cases, particularly for baby boomers who plan to stay in their rambler for years to come, remodelers address aging in place, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. “We do the wider doorways, make sure walk spaces are wide enough and that they can get around appliances, and add curbless showers and decorative grab bars in the master suite,” says James Madsen, owner of James Barton Design-Build.

“Those changes are very subtle,” Mueller adds. “It seems like boomers are much more active than previous generations. They’re not ready to slow down just yet. They’re more focused on amenities and quality of life, and now they can afford to do it.”

Lower Levels Raise the Bar
Though one-level living is one of the rambler’s major selling points, homeowners are now reclaiming lower levels—space that previously was nothing more than a place for mechanicals and storage. “People are realizing square footage they’ve never used before for living space,” Madsen says.

Part of the problem with lower levels in ramblers is their linear layout that mirrors the main level. This often results in a room with an exposed mechanical system that seems to “float” and duct work hanging down from the ceiling. The first step is to reconfigure the space on the lower level to take these systems out of view.

After structural issues are addressed, homeowners request a fully modern space, oftentimes with several rooms partitioned off. “Being that it’s winter in Minnesota for many months, homeowners want to make the lower level as nicely finished as the first floor,” Orfield says. “This is no longer the cheap carpeting and paneling we grew up with. Some features include nice, plush carpeting; six-panel doors; recessed lighting; fireplaces; and custom built-in entertainment centers. It feels like the first floor.” Other popular uses for lower levels include bedrooms, wine rooms, play rooms, media rooms, exercise rooms, and wet bars.

For many homeowners, lighting is another important element to incorporate in the lower level. If you don’t have a walkout, it can be very dark. While egress windows certainly help, it is still a lower level. Remodelers will add recessed lights and even recessed vaults to brighten the space, while decorative elements such as soffits and crown moldings soften it.