11 Small-Scale, High-Impact Remodeling Ideas

Beverly Hills, 90210. Even in a neighborhood known for lavish eye candy, the Sunset team decided to focus on attainable reinvention. Although we find endless design inspiration each year in our new builds, we also listened to a rising tide of readers seeking small-scale yet high-impact remodeling ideas they could easily execute in their own homes. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of our Idea House program, we went back to the drawing board to dream up a different take on what an Idea House could be. Sunset used the concept of a “make under” as our compass—preserving the spirit of the dwelling’s original design while updating it with minimal structural changes and affordable decor. The main objective? To create optimal flow and an immediate connection to the outdoors, all with a refined Southern California sensibility. From expansive entertaining spaces to cocoon-like retreats, read on for the story of Sunset’s “Project Refresh” Idea House in the West’s most famous zip code.

An open and airy interior was the primary goal of the remodel—beginning with the addition of a glass door and generously sized window at the entry.

• Western Window Systems; westernwindowsystems.com. Tantuvi Rug No. 7 Rose Rug; Hawkins New York; (844) 469-3344.

This is the home’s showstopper—a bright central space that transitions seamlessly to a backyard pool area and patio. Eliminating interior walls created a lounge at the far end of the room that serves as a natural spot for aperitifs. A standout chandelier over a rectangular table helps define the space; accent chairs upholstered in Sunbrella fabric are both elegant and hardy.

• Western Window Systems folding doors; westernwindows.com. Robards Rectangular Dining Table; hayneedle.com. Lenox Velvet Dining Chair; westelm.com. Sunbrella Fusion fabric (on chairs); sunbrella.com. Ripple Fold Drapery Sunbrella Ventana Collection; theshadestore.com. Custom rug; colonialmills.com. Possini Euro Telford 20-inch-wide Antique Brass Mesh Chandelier; lampsplus.com. Universal Furniture Draper Bar Cart; hayneedle.com. Paint, Glacier White Interior Flat Latex OC-37; benjaminmoore.com. Temple Woodblock Print; blockshoptextiles.com. Brass Flared Candleholders; westelm.com.

A vestibule in crisp black and white acts as an inviting foyer into the home. A maximalist piece of art framed in white lacquer commands attention.

• Four Hands Tyler Accent Arm Chair and Griffon Side Table; hayneedle.com. Cuba Swimmers Mirrored print by Selby Pena; zoebioscreative.com.

Home chefs and frequent entertainers need a workspace that balances visual appeal with efficiency. Lustrous hardware provides an understated gleam against the cabinetry. Run pendants on a dimmer system to provide focused light for the inevitable dinner-party moment when guests gather around the central food zone.

• Hubbardton Forge Erlenmeyer 4-inch-wide Dark Smoke Mini Pendants; lampsplus.com. Emtek Trail Pulls in Satin Nickel; emtek.com. Andrew Molleur Patterned Porcelain Bowl, Wild + Wood Charred Oak Cutting Board, and Wild + Wood Oak Bread Board; hawkinsnewyork.com. Blackcreek Mercantile Small Maple Serving Board; Nickey Kehoe (323) 954-9300. MQuan Grey Stripe Vase; lostandfoundshop.com. Jute Border Rug; serenaandlily.com.

Formerly a closed-off bedroom, this light-filled nook is now one of the house’s prime corners. Indoor-outdoor fabric counteracts the sun’s bleaching effect on upholstery and also deters stains and spills.

• Garret Accent Chair and Zephyr Scatter Table; universalfurniture.com. Sunbrella Frequency Parchment upholstery; sunbrella.com. Belham Living James Round Mid Century Modern Marble Coffee Table; hayneedle.com. Ripple Fold Drapery Sunbrella Ventana Collection; theshadestore.com. Western Window Systems; westernwindows.com. Avery rug; lindstromrugs.com.

With a palette drawn from a dreamy photograph of a Western vista, this seating area juxtaposes layers of soft color and harder edged details such as a metal-framed table and leather club chair. A lithe indoor tree in a woven basket brings in an organic note.

• Ion Design Holland Sofa, Modway Small Gridiron Stainless Steel Coffee Table with Tempered Glass Top and Sunpan Tryst Club Chair; hayneedle.com. Modern Bench; universalfurniture.com. Mystic Desert 1 print by Sabina McGrew; zoebioscreative.com. Winter Beach Pillow Cover; serenaandlily.com. Corded Wavy Shapes Collage Pillow Cover and Fading Rug Pillow Cove; westelm.com. African Iringa Basket in black; Nickey Kehoe (323) 954-9300.

To create an ethereal sleep space that still feels sophisticated, contrast natural tones and textures with unexpected pops of black. Contemporary swing-arm sconces and a metallic side table add cosmopolitan appeal.

• Universal Furniture Nolan Low Profile Bed; hayneedle.com. Serpa 20-inch-high French Black Double Arm Wall Lamp; lampsplus.com. Ripple Fold Drapery Sunbrella Ventana Collection; theshadestore.com. Ferm Living Black Lines Kilim Cushion; lawsonfenning.com. Greenporter Pillow Cover; serenaandlily.com. Bedding; coyuchi.com.

Talk about California dreaming: A double shower clad in Calacatta marble opens to the pool and backyard for an alfresco feel. A separate soaking tub and a custom vanity underscore the luxe bath experience.

• Equility Freestanding Soaking Tub, Contemporary Floor Mount Bathtub Faucet, Pop Grande Rectangle Under Counter Bathroom Sink, and Contemporary 10-inch Round Shower Head; dxv.com. Possini Euro Zelda 261⁄2-inch-wide Chrome Linear LED Sconce; lampsplus.com. Western Window Systems; westernwindows.com. Mesa rug; blockshoptextiles.com. White Stripe Weave fouta towel; balthazarandrose.com.

Off the study, a set of sliding doors leads to a verdant garden and a patio of uniform pavers made for after-dinner conversation.

• Catalina Grana Border Stone 6- x 9-inch pavers; belgard.com. Belham Living Arlo Rope Patio Stacking Dining Chairs; hayneedle.com. Mila 36-inch Grey Pouf; arhaus.com. Western Window Systems; westernwindows.com. Greentree Josee Pillar Candle in gray and black and Areaware Small Totem Candle; lostandfoundshop.com.

The handsome home office embraces its linear forms with a simple furniture plan that allows garden views to take center stage. Sheer drapery filters light to allow for increased focus.

• Modloft Barrow Rectangular Writing/Laptop Desk and Four Hands Danya Accent Chair in Camel Brown; hayneedle.com. Curated Belmont Chair and Modern Bar Console; universalfurniture.com. Robert Abbey Bruno Bronze Pharmacy Lamp; lampsplus.com. Ripple Fold Drapery Sunbrella Ventana Collection; theshadestore.com. Western Window Systems; westernwindows.com.

An extra bedroom presents an opportunity to play with a subtle shift in sensibility. The onsen-like vibes of this space come courtesy of the low-slung platform bed and tactile wall art; layered rugs double down on coziness.

• Worth Queen Bed; modloft.com. Glazed Ceramic Table Lamp in Starburst Gray Blue; lampsplus.com. Bedding and linens; coyuchi.com. Safavieh Natural Fiber Coastal Geometric Hand-Woven Jute Bleach Area Rug; overstock.com. Nuloom Handmade Olvera Area Rug in Off-White; rugstudio.com. Conejo & Co. Oso wall hanging; conejoand.co. Topanga Pillow Cover and Winter Beach Pillow Cover; serenaandlily.com. Ferm Living Landscape Loop Cushion; lawsonfenning.com.

Yes, terrazzo is having a moment—but this timeless tone-on-tone variation is also preserving the soothing mood of this room.

• Percy Wall Mounted Vessel Faucet with Lever Handles and Pop Grande Rectangle Under Counter Bathroom Sink; dxv.com. Terrazzo tile; concrete-collaborative.com.

In a petite-size second bath, textured tile and a generous showerhead prove that a space doesn’t need to be large to feel like an escape.

• Contemporary 10-inch Round Showerhead and Percy Pressure Balanced Shower Valve Trim with Tri-Spoke Handles; dxv.com. Raked tile in Cinder Grey; artistictile.com.

This striking alcove was carved into the existing hillside. Lush foliage and a daybed piled with outdoor pillows amp up the glamour.

• Andaz Outdoor Sail Sailor Chaise; arhaus.com. Pillows; sunbrella.com. Planters; rollinggreensnursery.com. Quinn Al-paca Throw; morrowsoftgoods.com. Sika Design Indoor/Outdoor Albini Ottoman in Black and Spun Metal Side Table; lawsonfenning.com.

The outdoor dining area is anchored by an oversize rug and two adjacent coffee tables, which create a party space.

• Adones Outdoor Sofa, Adones Outdoor Coffee Table, and Mila 36-inch Grey Pouf; arhaus.com. Pillows; sunbrella.com. Planters; rollinggreensnursery.com. Lakewood Alpaca Throw; serenaandlily.com.

A custom shade sail highlights the asymmetry of the pool’s unconventional shape.

• Custom Shade Sail Sunbrella Contour Collection in Apex Salt; vannuysawning.com. Tulum Outdoor Lounge Chair and Adones Outdoor Coffee Table; arhaus.com.