How to Remodel Craftsman Houses

Add a deck to the home's exterior to provide more space and to enjoy the outdoors in pleasant weather, as many traditional Craftsman homes don't include decks. A new deck can also connect two different rooms from the outside if both rooms contain exterior doors. For example, the deck may be accessible through both the kitchen and dining room, depending on its location.

Knock down any non-load bearing walls to open the home up more. Craftsman homes generally have open floor plans but as they were updated over the years, previous owners may have added rooms and put up additional walls that negate the original floor plan.

Add an island to the kitchen if you have the space and budget for it. This provides a more efficient work triangle and makes the kitchen aesthetically pleasing as well.

Replace the countertops with granite for a smoother, sleeker look. The coloring of darker granite also suits the traditional color scheme and style of Craftsman homes. A concrete inlay painted to resemble granite is another option that's more cost-effective.

Paint the woodwork in the home a cherry or mahogany color to update its appearance while maintaining the Craftsman theme. Craftsman homes typically used darker tones when they were first designed; painting the wood in cherry or mahogany helps accentuate the woodwork.

Remove your old appliances and replace them with newer, more energy-efficient models to update the kitchen and improve its function.

Use French doors to increase the amount of sunlight that comes into the house during the day. Interior sunlight helps brighten your home and works well with Craftsman models.