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Built by Design
Finished Kansas City area lower-level remodel with custom media wall, bar, wood ceiling details, wide-plank flooring, and lounge space.

WHOLE-HOME CASE STUDY

A repeat-client remodel: addition, basement, custom bar, and outdoor living space

Some projects are one room. This one became a long-term plan for how the home should live inside and out.

Built by Design completed several remodels for the same client, including an addition, finished lower level, custom media wall, bar, bathroom, exterior updates, covered patio, fireplace, water features, and outdoor grill station.

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PROJECT SNAPSHOT

Multiple remodels planned as one connected home

The work touched the basement, addition, rear exterior, bathroom, bar, lounge, patio, and backyard. The goal was more usable space, better flow, and a home that felt intentional rather than assembled in disconnected phases.

Location
Kansas City area
Project type
Multi-phase home remodel
Main features
Home addition, finished lower level, custom bar, media wall, bathroom, covered patio, fireplace, water features, grill station
Style
Warm modern, custom, layered, indoor-outdoor living

OVERVIEW

The bigger picture mattered

A repeat client is a different kind of proof. When homeowners bring a remodeler back for the next phase, it usually means the first round earned their trust.

BBD helped this client expand the home, finish the lower level, add custom interior features, and carry the same level of planning into the outdoor living spaces.

The remodel had to solve

  • Expanding usable living space with an addition
  • Making the basement feel like part of the home
  • Adding built-ins, storage, and display without crowding the rooms
  • Designing a bar and media wall that worked for hosting
  • Connecting interior living areas to the covered patio
  • Coordinating exterior materials, drainage, privacy, fireplace, planters, and hardscape

INTERIOR REMODEL

A warm lower level with custom storage, hosting space, and room to spread out

The finished lower level connects the media wall, bar, desk area, bathroom, storage, lounge space, and exterior access without making the rooms feel chopped up.

Finished lower-level remodel with wide-plank wood flooring, custom media wall, fireplace, built-in shelving, desk area, and lounge space.
The finished lower level includes custom built-ins, a fireplace media wall, warm wood flooring, and flexible living space.
Finished basement lounge with custom fireplace media wall, built-in shelving, dark cabinetry, wood ceiling accents, leather sofa, and wide-plank flooring.
The custom media wall creates a strong focal point while adding storage, display space, and a fireplace.
Custom built-in media wall with open wood shelves, dark cabinetry, linear fireplace, large mounted TV, and display storage.
The built-in shelving and fireplace make the TV wall feel intentional, polished, and custom.
  • Custom basement bar with natural wood cabinetry, dark tile backsplash, wine storage, beverage refrigerator, sink, floating shelves, and nearby lounge area.
    The bar adds full entertaining function with refrigeration, storage, wine racks, sink space, and glassware display.
  • Finished lower-level room with wide-plank wood flooring, large windows, exterior door, gray walls, white trim, and stained wood ceiling detail.
    Large windows, exterior access, and warm wood ceiling details help the lower level feel bright and connected to the outdoors.
  • Finished basement flexible space with toy storage nook, desk area, open shelving, gray walls, white trim, and wood flooring.
    Flexible storage and family-use areas were built into the layout instead of being treated like an afterthought.
  • Finished bathroom with glass shower enclosure, marble-look shower tile, black hardware, gray door, shower bench, niche, and hex floor tile.
    The bathroom includes a glass shower, black fixtures, marble-look tile, bench, niche, and crisp modern finishes.

FINISHED AREAS

Each zone has a job

  • Custom media wall

    A mounted TV, linear fireplace, open shelving, darker cabinetry, display storage, and warm wood accents give the lower level a strong focal point and a cleaner way to manage clutter.

  • Finished living area

    Wide-plank wood flooring, recessed lighting, gray walls, white trim, ceiling details, and lounge seating make the basement feel like real living space instead of leftover square footage.

  • Custom bar

    Natural wood cabinetry, dark tile, floating shelves, wine storage, beverage refrigeration, sink space, and stone-style counters create a proper entertaining zone.

  • Modern bathroom

    A glass shower, marble-look tile, black hardware, bench, niche, gray cabinetry, and crisp floor tile make the lower level easier to use for guests and everyday family life.

  • Flexible family space

    Desk space, shelving, toy storage, and open circulation give the family places for books, games, work, and the everyday things that need somewhere to land.

  • Covered outdoor living

    A wood ceiling, fireplace, water features, built-in planters, seating, privacy elements, and grill station turn the backyard into a finished extension of the home.

OUTDOOR LIVING

The backyard became usable living space

Outside, the project expanded into a covered patio with a wood ceiling, seating, fireplace, water features, built-in planters, privacy elements, hardscape, and grill station. It feels like an outdoor room, not an afterthought.

Finished rear exterior home addition with covered patio, outdoor living area, fireplace feature, privacy walls, landscaping, and stone accents.
The finished exterior connects the addition, covered patio, fireplace area, landscaping, and outdoor living space.
Covered outdoor living area with lounge seating, fireplace feature, built-in planters, water features, paver patio, and open backyard view.
The covered patio gives the homeowners a true outdoor living room with seating, fire, water, and a view.
Modern outdoor fireplace with built-in planters, water feature, dark exterior finish, gray retaining wall, and paver patio.
The outdoor fireplace and layered planter walls create a polished focal point for the backyard.
  • Close-up of outdoor fireplace and water feature with black river rock, gray planter wall, textured fireplace finish, and landscape plants.
    The water features add movement and sound, making the patio feel calm, finished, and custom.
  • Outdoor grill station under covered patio with stone surround, built-in storage, paver floor, wood ceiling, and backyard view.
    The outdoor grill station makes the covered patio more practical for cooking, hosting, and everyday use.

MATERIALS AND DETAILS

Warm modern, inside and out

The project balances gray, black, white, wood, stone texture, planting, water, and light. The result feels clean and current without becoming cold.

  • Wide-plank wood flooring
  • Custom dark built-ins with warm wood shelves
  • Linear fireplace and large mounted TV
  • Decorative wood panel inserts
  • Stained wood ceiling trim
  • Natural wood bar cabinetry
  • Dark tile backsplash and floating bar shelves
  • Wine storage, glassware storage, and beverage refrigeration
  • Marble-look shower tile with black hardware
  • Covered patio with wood ceiling detail
  • Exterior fireplace, water features, and built-in planters
  • Outdoor grill station, hardscape pavers, and landscape stone

PLANNING MORE THAN ONE REMODEL?

Start with a remodel plan that keeps the whole home in mind

If your home needs more space, better flow, a finished basement, an addition, an outdoor living area, or all of the above, Built by Design can help plan the work in a way that makes sense before construction starts.

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