Older homes often have details that newer construction struggles to recreate. Original woodwork, thoughtfully proportioned rooms, traditional cabinetry, and distinctive finishes give these properties their character. But the kitchens and bathrooms may no longer suit the people living in them.
For homeowners in Lake Forest, Illinois, the challenge is deciding what to preserve and what to change. A disconnected kitchen may need better circulation, while a bathroom with limited storage and an aging tub may need a complete renovation. Successful remodeling does not require replacing everything. The aim is to improve everyday function without losing what makes the house distinctive.
Start With What Makes the Home Different
Before selecting cabinet doors or bathroom tile, identify features worth retaining. In older Lake Forest properties, these may include solid doors, original trim, plaster walls, decorative moldings, traditional window proportions, and distinctive flooring. Some features may actually be additions from later renovations. The important distinction is between preserving character and preserving an outdated layout.
For example, new kitchen cabinets and task lighting can coexist with an original doorway and surrounding woodwork. A bathroom can gain a walk-in shower without introducing finishes that clash with the rest of the house.
Kitchen Remodeling: Update How the Room Works
Older kitchens can have limited counter space, poorly positioned appliances, inadequate outlets, or cabinetry that does not accommodate current storage needs. The 2026 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study surveyed 1,780 homeowners and found that 38% cited deterioration or poor functionality as a reason to renovate, while 41% cited dissatisfaction with the existing style.
Rethink the Layout Before Removing Walls
Opening a kitchen to the dining or living room is not always necessary. Interior walls can carry loads or contain wiring, ductwork, and plumbing. Before planning an open-concept conversion, investigate whether a new cabinet arrangement could create longer preparation surfaces, more functional pantry storage, better appliance placement, and improved lighting.
Where wall removal is appropriate, the scope may include structural support, mechanical rerouting, and floor transitions. These costs should be considered before a layout is approved.
Choose Cabinetry That Fits the Home
Custom cabinetry can be useful where older walls are uneven or standard cabinet dimensions leave awkward gaps. Recessed-panel doors, selected wood finishes, and proportionate hardware can connect new kitchen work with the home’s architecture. Modern cabinetry can also fit an older property if proportions and materials are thoughtfully chosen.
The 2026 Houzz kitchen study found that 76% of renovating homeowners incorporated specialty built-ins; pantry cabinets appeared in 47% of projects. Storage planning is therefore a practical decision, not merely a decorative one.
Bathroom Remodeling: Improve Comfort Without Losing Character
Older bathrooms may include narrow showers, oversized tubs, poor ventilation, and vanities with little storage. Previous renovations may also have left plumbing and flooring conditions that affect the new design.
Decide Whether to Keep the Bathtub
The 2026 Houzz Bathroom Trends Study surveyed 1,619 homeowners and found that 26% removed a bathtub. Of those, 79% used the space to enlarge the shower. These national results highlight a design preference, but not every home benefits from losing its tub. Families with young children may need one, while a primary bathroom could be better served by a spacious walk-in shower.
Plan Walk-In Showers Around Existing Construction
Curbless showers can improve comfort and circulation, but require careful attention to the drain, floor slope, waterproofing system, subfloor, and available plumbing routes. A doorless shower also needs adequate dimensions to contain spray. Removing a shower door alone is not the same as engineering a practical doorless installation.
Preserve Character Through Materials and Finishes
Stone-look porcelain, natural stone, restrained tile, and custom vanities can complement traditional interiors while improving maintenance and storage. Mirror lighting, ventilation, slip resistance, and comfortable clearances deserve consideration before decorative accessories.
What Does Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling Cost?
According to the 2026 Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, national median spending was $55,000 for major kitchen remodels, rising to $75,000 for larger kitchens. The 2026 bathroom study reported a $25,000 national median for major bathroom projects and $30,000 for bathrooms of at least 100 square feet. These are survey medians, not Lake Forest project estimates.
A realistic scope should separate finish selections from demolition, structural work, electrical and plumbing modifications, waterproofing, and possible concealed-condition repairs. Homeowners should ask which expenses are included, excluded, or carried as allowances.
Check Permits and Preservation Requirements Early
Lake Forest has designated landmarks and historic districts, but an old home is not automatically protected solely because of its age. Certain exterior work affecting protected properties may require a Certificate of Appropriateness. Interior kitchen and bathroom work may still require building permits for structural, plumbing, and electrical modifications. The precise requirements depend on the property and scope.
Why Design and Construction Should Be Planned Together
A kitchen island can look proportionate on paper yet block circulation. A vanity can obstruct a door. A curbless shower may require changes to the floor assembly. Design and construction decisions should therefore be coordinated before major products are ordered.
For homeowners considering home remodeling in Lake Forest, Delta Remodels offers design-build services for kitchen and bathroom renovations, including planning, selections, and construction coordination. Regardless of the contractor, request a detailed scope, permit responsibilities, and a process for handling unforeseen conditions.
Modernize the Rooms Without Replacing the Home’s Identity
The most successful remodeling projects do not necessarily make an older house look new. They make the kitchen and bathrooms easier to use while respecting the building’s proportions, finishes, and architectural details. Planning before demolition helps protect both the home’s character and the renovation budget.
