Our Lake House Has 3 Tiny Bedrooms — Can We Open the Floor Plan?

Exploring a Lake Home Layout Remodel: Adding Space Without Losing Char

Lake houses carry a charm that’s hard to replicate. The peaceful setting, the sound of lapping water, and the cozy interiors add to their unique appeal. But many older lake homes, especially in southeast Wisconsin, come with small, closed-off layouts and cramped bedrooms. If your lake house has three tiny bedrooms and you’re wondering how to open the floor plan in an old house, you’re not alone. Many homeowners are looking to make their vacation or permanent lake home more functional and comfortable without losing the original charm.

At Elite Improvements, a trusted family-owned remodeling company based in Burlington, we’ve helped numerous families reimagine their spaces to better serve their current lifestyle. Whether you’re looking to create an open-concept living area, expand your kitchen, or creatively alter room divisions, remodeling your lake home layout is achievable with careful planning.

Understanding the Importance of a Functional Floor Plan

Older homes, including lakeside cottages, were often built with smaller rooms and more walls for heating efficiency or design trends of past generations. Today, families crave openness—a design that allows better flow, shared space for gatherings, and more natural light. If your lake house feels compartmentalized, a layout remodel might be exactly what you need to feel more comfortable in your space.

Common Issues with Tiny Bedrooms in Lake Homes

Although having three bedrooms sounds ideal, when each room is only big enough to fit a bed and small dresser, it’s hardly the relaxing retreat you envisioned. Homeowners who want to make their lake home a family gathering space often find themselves restricted by:

– Small bedroom square footage

– Limited natural light

– Tight walkways and narrow halls

– Isolated kitchen or living areas

If this sounds like your setup, consider whether you want to maintain all three bedrooms, or if reconfiguring some of that space into a central open living area would better meet your needs.

How to Open the Floor Plan in an Old House

When you begin planning a lake home layout remodel, the first question is often: where do we start? Opening up the floor plan starts with a good understanding of what’s structurally possible and aesthetically desirable. That’s where working with experienced professionals like Elite Improvements can make a considerable difference.

Step 1: Evaluate the Structural Layout

Before tearing down any walls, assess whether they are load-bearing. Some may be crucial to the stability of your home. At Elite Improvements, we work closely with our clients during the design phase to identify structural walls and decide how to alter or support them for an open concept. Options include installing beams or columns that maintain structural integrity while allowing for open plan transitions.

Step 2: Combine Bedrooms or Convert Space

If the rooms are too small to function well individually, combining two into a larger master suite could be the key. In some projects we’ve done around southeast Wisconsin, homeowners decided to eliminate one bedroom and reassign that space for:

– A spacious common area

– Expanded kitchen or dining room

– Office nook or reading corner

– Additional bathroom or laundry

This doesn’t mean losing functionality—in many cases, one large and useful bedroom can be more valuable than three cramped ones, especially for vacation or seasonal homes where visitors come and go.

Step 3: Rethink the Kitchen and Living Area

Often in older homes, the kitchen is tucked away in a corner. Opening up the kitchen to the dining and living areas is one of the most effective ways to modernize your home. Removing partitions allows you to create a great room where everyone can connect, cook, dine, and relax without walls separating the experience.

Elite Improvements specializes in kitchen and living room remodels. From new cabinetry configurations to second islands and tiered lighting, we can help create a smooth aesthetic transition across formerly separate rooms.

Step 4: Maximize Natural Light

Lake houses often boast incredible views, but old layouts don’t always take advantage of them. Knock down non-load-bearing walls or expand window openings to draw in more sunshine and offer unobstructed lake views from multiple parts of the home. Skylights and glass doors are also great additions to brighten dark corners.

Smart Additions for Long-Term Satisfaction

While remodeling helps with current layout constraints, sometimes strategic additions offer the ultimate solution. With Elite Improvements’ expertise in home additions, many of our clients add bump-outs or new rooms customized entirely to their ideal floor plan.

Popular Addition Ideas for Lake Homes

If opening the floor plan doesn’t quite provide enough space, you can explore additions such as:

– Extending the kitchen or living area toward the lake

– Adding a sunroom with floor-to-ceiling windows

– Incorporating a guest suite on a second floor

– Building a covered deck that flows from the main room

All of these additions increase your living space without sacrificing the existing feel and character of your home.

Creating a Multi-Use Guest Area

When space is limited but you want to accommodate guests, designing a multi-functional room can make a big difference. Elite Improvements can help turn one of the original tiny bedrooms into a smart guest area that includes a Murphy bed, built-in storage, and even a small desk. This space can act as a home office during the week and a guest room on weekends, giving you flexibility without taking up additional square footage.

Design Tips to Keep the Lake House Charm

Opening a floor plan doesn’t mean losing your home’s individuality. In fact, a well-planned remodel can enhance it. Here are some ways Elite Improvements blends modern layouts with rustic lake house character:

– Reuse or repurpose existing materials like wooden beams or brick accents

–  Choose natural textures for flooring, such as wide plank wood or stone-look tile

– Create open shelving highlighting vintage finds and lakeside décor

– Maintain cozy nooks with built-ins instead of full walls

It’s all about balance. The goal is to maintain a cozy lakeside vibe even within a newly modernized space.

Blending Old and New Elements

Elite Improvements pays attention to detail when blending old and new features. For example, we’ve worked on projects where homeowners wanted to preserve antique trim or doors. By incorporating these into new rooms or refinishing them with modern paint, the look remains timeless and connected to the home’s history—all while functioning in today’s lifestyle.

Why Choose Elite Improvements for Your Remodel?

With years of experience handling everything from quaint cottage jobs to large-scale transformations, Elite Improvements is proud to be a go-to choice in southeast Wisconsin. Our reputation in Burlington and surrounding communities is built on trusted craftsmanship, transparent practices, and personalized service. We listen to your needs, assess your home’s unique features, and provide clear plans to make your vision a reality.

Comprehensive Services Offered

As a full-service contractor, Elite Improvements handles every aspect of your remodel, including:

– Interior remodeling: kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and living spaces

– Room additions and bump-outs for extra usable square footage

– Custom exterior improvements: decks, roofs, and siding replacements

Whether you’re redesigning a layout or planning a full lake home reconstruction, we cover it all—from permits and design to construction and clean-up. Accredited by the BBB and Milwaukee NARI, we’re committed to ethical standards and high-caliber results.

Local Knowledge Sets Us Apart

Elite Improvements brings strong local knowledge to every project. Since we work across southeast Wisconsin, we understand the seasonal weather, zoning codes, and permitting processes that impact lake home remodeling. This means fewer delays for you and smarter decisions from the outset.

Making the Most of Your Lake Home

A lake house should be a place of sanctuary, not stress. If three tiny bedrooms and a chopped-up floor plan are making your getaway feel more like a maze, it might be time for transformation. With a thoughtful lake home layout remodel, you can gain space, functionality, and a better connection to the beautiful outdoors.

Still wondering how to open the floor plan in an old house? Let Elite Improvements help you see the bigger picture. We’re here to bring your remodeling dreams to life with expertise, creativity, and care. Call us today at 262-716-6663 to schedule a consultation or visit our website to explore past projects. Your brighter, better-flowing lake home is just a remodel away.

Open up your lake home to new possibilities—because better layouts lead to better living, and Elite Improvements is here to make it happen.