If You’re Thinking of Sprucing up Your Home Before Summer is in Full Swing, Read on
Let’s be honest: Summer is the best time to be in Seattle, so your home should be ready too. If you’ve ever found yourself trying to host a dinner party on a rotting deck or enjoy the sunshine through tiny 1940’s windows, you’ve probably had the thought: this space could use a remodel.
Here are six smaller remodeling ideas that will help you soak up the sun, bring the outdoors a little closer, and make your home the star of summer dinner parties in Seattle. If this list brings up your “other” list of household repairs and upgrades, reach out to our Small Jobs Division for the best help you can get.
1. Upgrade Your Outdoor Setup with Sliding or Folding Glass Doors
Let’s start with one of the most used parts of your house, the doors. If you’re still dealing with a single, creaky back door or outdated sliders that stick every time you try to open them – it’s time.
Swapping in multi-panel folding glass doors or upgraded vinyl sliders can completely shift the way you use your indoor-outdoor space. These doors blur the line between the living room and the patio, turning even a modest deck into a natural extension of your home. On those rare hot days when you just want be outside, you’ll be glad you upgraded to a nicer sliding or folding doorway.
2. Build or Rebuild A Deck or Patio for Everyday Use
Most older Seattle decks fall into one of two categories: either it’s soggy wood slabs that barely get used, or it’s a deck built 15 years ago that only feels right for sitting in plastic chairs while trying not to spill your drink.
Think about what you actually want to do outside: host friends, lounge with a book, watch the sun set behind Queen Anne with a cocktail in hand. If your backyard has the space for it, a new custom designed deck can bring life back to your outdoor space.
A smart outdoor remodel might include:
- A covered pergola or retractable awning (hello, built-in shade)
- Built-in bench seating or low-profile planters that double as perches
- Low-maintenance composite decking that doesn’t get slick every time the marine layer rolls in
If you don’t have a deck yet, even a small 10×10 platform with a few steps down to the lawn can change your summer rhythm.
3. Brighten Up with Bigger, Better Windows
It’s no secret that natural light is a hot commodity here. One of the most transformative (but underrated) upgrades is replacing, resizing, and repositioning windows to maximize daylight, airflow, and atmosphere.
Swap your small, drafty windows for larger, energy-efficient ones. Consider clerestory windows above eye level that flood the room with light without compromising privacy. Or, add a garden window in your kitchen to keep herbs thriving year-round. You can even go fancier, with accordion folding windows, sliding glass panels, or unique skylights.
Each window plays its own role. The shape, size, and placement should be carefully thought out.
Windows aren’t just glass in a wall, they set the mood. Summer light has a way of transforming everything it touches, and a few smart changes can bring that golden hour glow right into your home.
4. Create a Built-In Bar or Summer Serving Station
If entertaining is your thing, this is your move. Add a built-in bar area that makes summer hosting feel less like a scramble and more like second nature. It doesn’t need to be a full wet bar, just a space for people to sit within reach of a gathering space. These bars can be indoor or outdoor, so get creative!
- A pass-through window with a ledge for serving drinks
- A built-in counter with hidden storage for ice, glasses, and party supplies
- A small beverage fridge tucked into the side of your kitchen island
Bonus: A setup like this also shines during the colder months, when you’re serving cider instead of spritzers.
5. Remodel an Entryway or Mudroom for Summer Use
We don’t talk enough about summer clutter. Flip-flops, wet towels, sunscreen bottles, tote bags full of farmers market finds — it piles up fast. There are many ways to deal with this situation, but one way is to have a designated space with storage and a place to stop on the way in or out for supplies.
An entryway upgrade can turn your living room from a clutter to clean.
This can be a mudroom, or just a designated space by the entry. Even a covered exterior entryway can fit into this remodeling category. So let’s give your entryway a summer-ready makeover with:
- Durable, easy-clean flooring like slate or sealed concrete
- Built-in cubbies or hooks for grab-and-go essentials
- A utility sink if you’re dealing with gardening gear, sandy paws, or messy kids
It might not be the flashiest upgrade, but trust us — your future self (and your floors) will thank you.
6. Go Big with a Second-Story Addition
Sometimes the best way to enjoy a Seattle summer is by rising above it. If your lot is tight but your dreams aren’t, a second-story addition can unlock serious lifestyle upgrades. Bringing you closer to the breeze, the views, and the sun.
Think big:
- Add a primary suite with skyline or mountain views
- Include vaulted ceilings and skylights to chase that coveted all-day light
- Add a balcony for a little taste of the outdoors from above
- Design a bonus lounge, office, or studio space that soaks in the long summer evenings
There’s something special about catching the last bit of sunlight from an upper-level perch, watching the city wind down from above the treetops. Don’t forget the best part of building upwards: you get the space without giving up your backyard.
Remodeling in Seattle with Model Remodel
Seattle summers may be short, but they don’t have to be underused. With the right upgrades, your home can become the go-to spot for sunny day hangs, impromptu backyard dinners, or just finally catching some rays without leaving the house.
Need help figuring out where to start? Model Remodel has been designing, building, and remodeling in Seattle for 23 years and we know the best way to help you build your dream home. Contact an expert today and let’s make summer your favorite season at home.
