The den of this 1970s split-level home centered around a wall-to-wall stone fireplace, but dark finishes and limited storage made the space feel cold and disconnected from the rest of the house. The renovation focused on opening up the room visually while making the fireplace and surrounding space more functional for a family with young children.

The existing stone fireplace was refaced in thin brick, while shortening the hearth created room for built-in storage along the wall. A new wood-burning insert added supplemental heat, providing a cozy ambiance on cold winter days. New, lighter oak-patterned LVT and freshly painted soft white walls brightened the space, making it more inviting.

A particularly small half bath was completely rebuilt and expanded to a 5-by-5-foot layout. Updated fixtures and finishes made better use of the compact footprint while giving the room a more contemporary look.

Together, these changes turned an underused den into the family’s favorite space in the house.

Located in State College, Pennsylvania

Completed 2024