Before & After Remodels in Meridian Homes

There is a unique magic in transformation. Seeing something dated, cramped, or dysfunctional become beautiful, spacious, and perfectly suited to your needs is an incredibly rewarding experience. For homeowners in Meridian, Idaho—one of the fastest-growing and most desirable communities in the Treasure Valley—remodeling offers a powerful way to unlock a home’s hidden potential. A “before and after” isn’t just about new paint and updated fixtures; it’s about reimagining your living space to enhance your lifestyle, increase your home’s value, and create a place you are truly proud to call home.

The journey from “before” to “after” is one of vision, planning, and expert execution. It involves looking past a home’s current limitations and seeing the possibilities that lie within its walls. At Eliezer Custom Homes, we specialize in guiding Meridian homeowners through this transformative process. We thrive on turning cramped kitchens into gourmet hubs, outdated bathrooms into spa-like retreats, and unused basements into vibrant living areas. This post will explore the incredible potential of home remodeling by walking through some common before-and-after scenarios, highlighting how strategic renovations can completely redefine a Meridian home.

The Power of a Whole-Home Transformation

In many of Meridian’s established neighborhoods, you’ll find well-built homes from the 1980s and 1990s. These houses often have great “bones” and are situated on generous lots, but their interior layouts can feel dated and disconnected by today’s standards. A whole-home renovation is the ultimate expression of a “before and after,” fundamentally changing the character and flow of the entire house.

Before: The Closed-Off Floor Plan

Imagine a typical 20-year-old Meridian home. The “before” picture is familiar:

A Defined Formal Living Room: An often-unused space near the front door, separated from the rest of the house.
A Small, Boxy Kitchen: The kitchen is walled off from the family room, making it difficult for parents to cook while keeping an eye on children or to entertain guests without feeling isolated.
Wasted Space: Awkward hallways and walls create a chopped-up feeling, making the home feel smaller than its actual square footage.
Dated Finishes: Golden oak cabinets, laminate countertops, and beige carpeting are everywhere, firmly rooting the home in a bygone era.

This layout no longer reflects how modern families live. Today, we crave open, connected spaces that encourage interaction and feel light and airy.

After: The Open-Concept Oasis

The transformation begins with a clear vision: create a central living hub where the family can gather. The “after” is a dramatic reveal:

Removing Key Walls: The wall separating the kitchen from the family room is the first to go. An engineered beam is installed to carry the load, instantly creating one large, cohesive space. The formal living room wall might also be removed, incorporating that square footage into a grand, open-concept living area.
A New Gourmet Kitchen: With the space opened up, a large island becomes the new centerpiece. It serves as a casual dining spot, a homework station, and a buffet for parties. The kitchen now features sleek, modern cabinetry, durable quartz countertops, a stylish backsplash, and professional-grade appliances.
Unified Flooring and Lighting: New, continuous flooring—like luxury vinyl plank or engineered hardwood—is installed throughout the main living area. This visual continuity makes the space feel even larger. A comprehensive lighting plan with recessed cans, pendant lights over the island, and under-cabinet lighting brightens the entire area.
Improved Flow and Functionality: The home now flows logically from one area to the next. The open layout is perfect for entertaining and everyday family life. The result is a home that feels brand new, spacious, and perfectly aligned with a contemporary lifestyle.

This kind of dramatic change is what we specialize in. Our team handles every aspect, from the structural engineering required to remove walls to the final design touches that make the space shine. This is a core part of our remodeling and renovations service.

The Kitchen: From Cramped to Culinary Centerpiece

The kitchen is often called the heart of the home, and for good reason. It’s where meals are prepared, conversations happen, and memories are made. A kitchen remodel is one of the most popular projects in Meridian, offering one of the highest returns on investment and the biggest impact on daily life.

Before: The Inefficient 90s Kitchen

The “before” kitchen is a common sight in many Meridian homes. It’s functional, but far from ideal.

Layout Issues: A U-shaped or L-shaped layout with a peninsula often chops up the space, creating a bottleneck and separating the cook from the rest of the family.
Limited Counter Space: There’s never enough room for meal prep, small appliances, and a coffee station.
Outdated Cabinetry: The ubiquitous honey oak or whitewashed cabinets feel heavy and dark. They may lack modern features like soft-close drawers or pull-out pantry shelves.
Poor Lighting: A single fluorescent light box in the center of the ceiling casts harsh, uneven light, leaving work areas in shadow.

After: The Chef-Inspired Entertainer’s Dream

A well-planned kitchen remodel addresses every one of these pain points, resulting in a stunning “after.”

A Smarter Layout: The peninsula is removed in favor of a large, multi-functional island. This simple change dramatically improves traffic flow and creates a central gathering point. The work triangle (sink, stove, refrigerator) is reconfigured for maximum efficiency.
Abundant, Beautiful Surfaces: The island alone can double the available counter space. New quartz or granite countertops are installed, providing a durable and beautiful work surface that is easy to maintain.
Modern, Functional Cabinetry: New cabinets extend to the ceiling, maximizing vertical storage and making the room feel taller. They feature smart storage solutions like a dedicated pull-out trash bin, a spice drawer, and deep drawers for pots and pans. The color palette is updated to a modern white, gray, or two-tone scheme.
Layered Lighting Plan: The old light box is replaced with a layered lighting strategy. Recessed cans provide ambient light, pendants over the island add style and task lighting, and under-cabinet LED strips illuminate the countertops perfectly for food prep.

This transformation doesn’t just make the kitchen look better; it changes how the family uses the space. It becomes a place where people want to linger. At Eliezer Custom Homes, we believe that a great kitchen remodel is the perfect blend of art and science, and it’s a project we are passionate about. You can learn more about us and our dedication to craftsmanship.

The Master Bathroom: From Basic to Spa-Like Retreat

Your master bathroom should be more than just a functional room; it should be a personal sanctuary, a place to unwind after a long day. Many older Meridian homes have master bathrooms that are spacious but poorly utilized.

Before: The Builder-Grade Bathroom

The “before” photo is one of convenience, not luxury.

The Oversized, Unused Tub: A massive corner jacuzzi tub, complete with a wide tile deck, takes up a huge amount of floor space but is rarely used.
A Tiny, Claustrophobic Shower: Next to the giant tub is a small, 3×3 foot fiberglass shower insert with a flimsy door.
A Short, Single-Sink Vanity: A low, builder-grade vanity provides minimal storage and counter space, leading to a perpetually cluttered countertop.
Basic Finishes: Sheet vinyl flooring and a large, unframed mirror complete the uninspired look.

After: The Luxurious Personal Spa

The “after” prioritizes modern luxury and practical use of space.

The Walk-in Shower Oasis: The giant tub is removed. In its place, a spacious, curb-less walk-in shower is created. It features floor-to-ceiling tile, a built-in bench, a recessed niche for toiletries, and a luxurious multi-function shower system with a rainfall head and a handheld wand. A seamless glass panel keeps the space feeling open.
A Freestanding Soaking Tub (Optional): If a tub is still desired, a sleek, modern freestanding tub can be placed in a corner, taking up far less visual and physical space than the old built-in.
The Double Vanity: The old vanity is replaced with a new, comfort-height double vanity. This provides each partner with their own sink and personal storage space. The extra counter space and storage underneath are transformative for daily routines.
Elevated Finishes: Heated tile floors are installed for a touch of daily luxury. The plain mirror is replaced with two elegantly framed mirrors or medicine cabinets. A new lighting plan with sconces flanking the mirrors provides flattering, shadow-free light.

This renovation converts wasted square footage into functional luxury. It creates a space that adds significant value and daily enjoyment to your home. We help homeowners achieve this by reimagining what’s possible, even considering projects like additions if more space is truly needed.

The Unfinished Basement: From Storage Pit to Living Space

For many homeowners in Meridian, the basement is a vast, untapped resource—a concrete box used for storing holiday decorations and forgotten furniture. Finishing a basement is one of the most cost-effective ways to dramatically increase your home’s usable square footage without the expense of building an addition.

Before: The Concrete Cavern

The “before” is a familiar scene:

Concrete and Cobwebs: Exposed concrete walls, a concrete floor, and visible ductwork, wiring, and plumbing.
Poor Lighting: A few bare bulbs hanging from the ceiling provide minimal, gloomy illumination.
No Defined Spaces: It’s one large, undefined area that feels more like a dungeon than a part of the home.

After: The Ultimate Family Fun Zone

The “after” showcases the incredible potential lurking beneath your feet.

A Multi-Purpose Layout: The open space is intelligently divided to serve multiple functions. Walls are framed to create a large family/media room, a separate guest bedroom with an egress window for safety, and a full bathroom.
Hidden Mechanics, Polished Look: Drywall conceals all the ductwork and plumbing, creating clean walls and ceilings. Smart design can incorporate soffits that look like intentional architectural details. Recessed LED lighting is installed throughout to make the space feel bright and welcoming.
Comfort and Style: Plush carpeting is laid in the living areas and bedroom for warmth and comfort, while durable LVT is used in the bathroom. The space is now a comfortable, conditioned part of the home.
Endless Possibilities: The new living space can be a media room with a projector screen, a kids’ playroom, a home gym, a craft room, or a private guest suite.

Finishing a basement is a complex project that requires expertise in framing, moisture-proofing, electrical, and plumbing. As Idaho remodeling experts, we manage every step, ensuring the new space is safe, fully compliant with code, and beautifully finished. It’s a game-changing renovation that can double your living area. When you’re ready to explore these possibilities, you can contact us for a consultation.

Why Remodel in Meridian? The Benefits Are Clear

These “before and after” scenarios illustrate the transformative power of remodeling, but the benefits go beyond just aesthetics.

Increased Home Value: Strategic remodels, particularly in the kitchen and bathrooms, consistently provide a high return on investment. In a competitive market like Meridian, an updated, move-in-ready home stands out and commands a higher price.
Improved Functionality: A remodel allows you to customize your home to your family’s specific needs, improving flow, adding storage, and making daily life more enjoyable.
Enhanced Energy Efficiency: A renovation is the perfect opportunity to upgrade old windows, add insulation, and install energy-efficient appliances and lighting, which can lower your utility bills.
Love Where You Live: Perhaps the most important benefit is falling in love with your home all over again. Instead of moving, you can create the perfect home right where you are, in the neighborhood you already know and love. This is the ultimate goal when you decide to build your dream home with Eliezer Custom Homes, whether from scratch or through a major renovation.

Your “After” Awaits with Eliezer Custom Homes

The journey from a “before” of frustration and compromise to an “after” of beauty and function is what we do best. At Eliezer Custom Homes, we combine creative design, meticulous planning, and expert craftsmanship to deliver exceptional results for homeowners across Meridian and the Treasure Valley. We see the potential in every space and have the expertise to bring that potential to life.

If you look around your home and see a collection of “befores,” it might be time to start dreaming about the “afters.” Your home’s transformation is waiting.