Many Briargate homeowners are choosing to keep the bones of their house and rework the layout, kitchen, bathrooms, and basement to fit the way their family lives today. Working with a residential remodeling contractor helps you decide which changes will make the biggest difference. Below, Springs Home Improvement walks through the updates we see most often in older Colorado Springs homes, from open floor plans and lighting to storage and energy upgrades, so you can plan with confidence.
Why Older Briargate Homes Are Due for a Fresh Look
Many homes in Briargate and across north Colorado Springs are now several decades old. Houses from those years often have closed-off kitchens, small dining rooms, dark hallways, oak cabinets, and builder-grade bathrooms. The structure is usually solid, but daily life has changed. Families now cook, work, and relax in shared spaces, so light, storage, and flow are near the top of every wish list. That shift is behind many home improvement projects in Briargate, and it’s why so many owners choose to update rather than move.
Open the Floor Plan
Open concept remodeling is one of the most common requests. Removing a wall between the kitchen and the living or dining area brings in light and lets whoever is cooking stay part of the conversation. In one Briargate kitchen remodel, for example, we removed the wall between the kitchen and dining room, added a custom island, and raised much of the ceiling from 84 to 96 inches to make the space feel larger.
A structural check always comes first, because some walls carry the roof or the floor above and need beams and permits to remove. A residential remodeling contractor handles that review, the drawings, and the permits for you. Good functional home design also keeps the sink, range, and refrigerator within easy reach, even when the room gets bigger.
Update Kitchens, Baths, and Basements
Kitchens and bathrooms get daily use, so updating them tends to have the biggest impact on how a home feels. These are the modern home upgrades owners ask about most:
- Kitchens: new cabinets, quartz counters, an island, and brighter lighting.
- Bathrooms: walk-in showers, double vanities, and better ventilation.
- Basements: finished space for a guest room, office, or media room.
- Whole home: new flooring, fresh paint, and updated trim throughout.
Updates like these make an older house feel current and can improve its appeal when it’s time to sell. You can see examples on our featured projects page, including a Briargate basement remodel, and learn more on our kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling pages.
Make Every Room Work Harder
Some of the most useful home renovation ideas are small. A mudroom drop zone keeps shoes and bags off the floor, a pantry cuts down on kitchen clutter, and a spare bedroom can become a quiet home office. Built-in shelves add storage and character, and recessed lights on dimmers brighten rooms that have always felt dark. Each of these supports functional home design because it solves an everyday problem rather than just changing the look.
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Add Comfort and Energy Efficiency
Older homes often lose heat through drafty windows and thin insulation. New windows, better insulation, and LED lighting make rooms more comfortable and can help lower energy bills, and an efficient furnace or water heater can help too. Many owners pair these upgrades with a kitchen or bath project so the work happens once instead of twice.
Older Homes Across Colorado Springs
Briargate is just one of several areas we serve with aging housing stock. In older neighborhoods like the Broadmoor area, a whole home remodel usually starts with a close look at the wiring, plumbing, and insulation, and the design should respect the character of the street. Some projects call for a bigger step, such as a home addition or an ADU. Our team includes a Certified ADU Specialist, so you can get informed guidance on zoning, costs, and return on investment.
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Choosing a Residential Remodeling Contractor for Your Older Home
Older Briargate homes have good bones, and the right changes can make them feel new again. Opening the layout, updating the kitchen and baths, adding storage, and finishing the basement all help a house fit daily life better. Springs Home Improvement is a design-build team that serves Briargate and the rest of Colorado Springs, guiding you from the first sketch to the final walkthrough. Contact us to book a free in-home consultation and plan upgrades that fit your home and your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pick a contractor for an older home?
Look for a residential remodeling contractor with proper licensing and insurance and real experience with older homes. Ask for a written scope and a clear schedule. Older houses can hide surprises such as outdated wiring or plumbing, so choose a team that inspects first and explains the plan. A design-build firm keeps design, permits, and construction under one roof.
Should I open up walls in an older home?
Open concept remodeling can bring in light and make a small kitchen feel larger. Before any wall comes down, a professional needs to confirm whether it supports the roof or the floor above; load-bearing walls need beams, plans, and permits. You can keep some definition with an island, ceiling changes, or flooring transitions so the space still feels warm and works well for cooking and hosting.
What are the best updates for an older home?
Popular home renovation ideas for older houses include a new kitchen layout, updated bathrooms, better lighting, and new flooring. A pantry, built-in shelves, or a mudroom adds storage, and a finished basement adds living space. Starting with the rooms you use most usually improves daily comfort first.
How can I make an older layout work better for daily life?
Good functional home design starts with how you live. Notice where you cook, work, drop bags, and store gear, then address the weak spots. Widening tight doorways, adding an island with seating, placing storage near each daily task, improving lighting, and clearing walkways all help. A designer can sketch options for you to review before any work begins.
What should I check before remodeling an older Colorado Springs home?
Have the wiring, plumbing, insulation, roof, and foundation looked at first, since older homes often hide problems behind the walls. Ask for an inspection and a written scope, confirm permit requirements with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, and set aside some budget for surprises that may turn up once work begins.
