Hidden Potential: The Most Forgotten Spaces to Include in Your Remodel

When planning a remodel, most homeowners naturally start with the big-impact rooms, kitchens, primary baths, living areas. And rightly so. These spaces anchor the home and carry both emotional and practical significance.

But just beyond those high-traffic zones are areas often left untouched spaces that, when thoughtfully designed, can dramatically improve how your home functions and feels.

At CROSS, we believe every square foot should serve a purpose. Here are some of the most commonly overlooked areas in a home and why they deserve a second look during your remodel.

‍

‍

1. The Laundry Room

It’s not just where clothes get washed, it's where routines begin and end. When designed with intention, the laundry room can offer smart storage, folding space, built-in sorting, and even integrated utility sinks or pet washing stations.

Functional, elevated, and far from an afterthought.

‍

2. Hallways and Landings

These transitional spaces tend to be neglected during a remodel, but they offer powerful opportunities for built-in storage, lighting upgrades, or visual moments that break up repetition.

With thoughtful planning, a hallway can become more than a pass-through. It can become a library wall, a gallery, or a quiet reading nook beneath a stair landing.

Great design doesn’t waste space, it reveals potential.

‍

‍

3. The Bar Area or Beverage Station

Often overlooked, a dedicated bar or beverage zone can elevate both daily routines and entertaining. Whether integrated into the kitchen, dining room, or living area, it’s a small-space upgrade with big impact.

Think: built-in storage, undercounter refrigeration, refined materials, and lighting that sets the tone. When designed with care, it becomes more than functional; it becomes a focal point.

‍

‍

4. Guest Bathrooms and Powder Rooms

Smaller baths often get left behind in full-home remodels, but these are the spaces your guests are most likely to see. With upgraded fixtures, considered lighting, and timeless materials, they can become design statements in their own right.

Even minimal square footage can feel intentional and refined when planned properly.

‍

5. Closets and Dressing Areas

We don’t always show them off but we use them every day. Custom closets, built-in organization, and lighting that functions as well as it flatters can elevate your morning routine and extend the life of your wardrobe.

Thoughtful closet design adds more than convenience; it adds calm.

‍

6. The Home Office (or the Space That Could Be One)

Even if you don’t work remotely full-time, a dedicated workspace is increasingly essential. A well-placed office designed with sound considerations, natural light, and built-in functionality makes the difference between simply having a desk and actually having a place to focus.

And if you don’t think you have the space? Sometimes a reconfigured guest room or a converted nook is all you need.

‍

Why These Spaces Matter

Remodeling isn’t just about visual transformation it’s about how well your home supports the life you’re building inside it. These overlooked areas may be small, but their impact is anything but.

When approached with the same level of thought and care as your primary spaces, they become key to a home that feels tailored, efficient, and fully yours.

‍

Designed with Intention

At CROSS, we don’t just design around square footage we design around your life. Every remodel is a partnership, and we consider how each room, hallway, and hidden corner can serve you more thoughtfully.

Whether you’re planning a full-home transformation or simply rethinking the spaces that aren't working for you anymore, we’re here to help you uncover what’s possible.

Together, we’ll shape a home that works beautifully down to the last detail.

‍