Renovation to Living spaces in St. Louis
Living rooms, dining rooms, family rooms, hallways, staircases. These are the spaces where your family spends the most time. When they feel dated, cramped, or disconnected, a living space renovation can reshape how your entire home functions and feels.
The spaces that tie everything together
Kitchens and bathrooms get most of the renovation attention, and for good reason. But the living spaces that surround them are just as important. They’re where your family actually lives. And when those spaces don’t work, the whole house feels off, even if the kitchen is brand new.
Living space renovations cover a wide range: opening floor plans, updating fireplaces, adding built-ins, refinishing flooring, upgrading staircases, and creating rooms that flow into each other rather than feeling like isolated boxes.
These projects can stand on their own. A fireplace remodel, custom bookshelves, or an open-concept conversion can dramatically change the feel of your home without touching the kitchen or bathrooms.
Living space projects we take on
The scope depends entirely on your goals. Here are the types of projects we handle most often:
Open floor plan conversions
Removing walls between the living, dining, and kitchen to create an open-concept layout. Structural engineering ensures load-bearing walls are properly addressed.
Fireplace renovations
New surrounds (stone, tile, shiplap, plaster), updated mantels, gas insert conversions, and hearth redesigns that make the entire room feel intentional.
Custom built-ins & millwork
Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, window seats, entertainment centers, mudroom cubbies, and display cabinetry designed to match your home’s existing style.
Flooring & staircase renovations
New flooring throughout for visual continuity. Staircase renovations with new treads, railings, balusters, and newel posts that transform the entry and flow of a two-story home.
Lighting & electrical upgrades
Layered lighting plans with recessed lights, wall sconces, accent lighting, and dimmable controls. Electrical upgrades, including outlets, USB ports, and modern circuits.
What a living space renovation can include
Here are the elements we work with most often:
Wall removal & structure
Non-load-bearing removal or engineering headers/beams for load-bearing walls.
Custom built-ins
Designed to match existing woodwork, from bookshelves to entertainment centers.
Fireplace & mantel
New surrounds, mantel builds, gas insert installation, hearth redesigns.
Finish carpentry & trim
Crown molding, baseboards, window casings, wainscoting, and panel molding.
Flooring
Hardwood, engineered wood, LVP, and tile for durability and visual continuity.
Staircase renovation
New treads, risers, railings, balusters. Wood, iron, cable, and glass options.
Lighting design
Recessed, chandeliers, sconces, under-cabinet, and smart controls.
Paint & wall treatments
Interior painting, accent walls, shiplap, board-and-batten, plaster repair.
Renovating St. Louis living spaces
The challenges homeowners face are closely tied to the era their home was built in.
South City, Webster Groves & Maplewood
Early 1900s homes with small, separate rooms connected by narrow doorways. Living rooms, dining rooms, and kitchens each have their own enclosed world. These homes benefit most from open-concept conversions while preserving plaster walls, original woodwork, and hardwood floors.
Ladue, Clayton & Kirkwood
Formal living and dining rooms that families rarely use, along with smaller family rooms that feel cramped. Reconfiguring these spaces into a functional great room, updating a dated fireplace, or adding built-in storage can make the home work for how the family actually lives.
Chesterfield, Town and Country & Wildwood
Open floor plans that already exist, but with builder-standard finishes. Basic railings, generic fixtures, and unremarkable trim can be upgraded with custom millwork, statement lighting, and architectural details that give the home real personality.
What our clients are saying…
“Aleto made our dream home come true and they made the four months renovation period smooth, pleasant, and seamless. Mike was a dream contractor – he kept in communication with us every single day. We received daily updates and he responded immediately to any and all messages we sent him. They hired the best workers, they worked with the best companies, and we could not be happier with our finished project. We recommend Aleto 100%.”
Mary – Houzz Review
Featured Living Space renovation project
OPENING SPACES IN STL HILLS FOR COMFORT AND STYLE
2022 HBA Remodeling Project of the Year Winner
Transformed a mid-century modern home by removing walls to create additional living space, replacing screens with windows, and adding skylights with solar shades. The highlight is a double-sided gas fireplace for cozy ambience.
Frequently asked questions
Can I remove a wall to create an open floor plan?
In most cases, yes. The key question is whether the wall is load-bearing. If it is, a properly engineered beam or header needs to be installed. Our team assesses structural requirements during the design phase.
How long does a living space renovation take?
Smaller projects, like a fireplace remodel, take one to three weeks. Open-concept conversions with structural work typically take four to eight weeks.
Is it worth converting to an open floor plan?
For most families, yes. Open plans improve light, create better sight lines, and increase resale value. Some homeowners prefer defined rooms for noise or formal entertaining. We’ll help you evaluate what makes sense.
Can you match the new trim to my existing woodwork?
Yes. Matching existing trim profiles, wood species, and stain colors is a core part of what we do, especially in older St. Louis homes with distinctive original millwork.
Related home renovation services
Living space renovations often go hand-in-hand with other projects:
Whole home renovation
Transform your entire living space — updating layouts, finishes, and systems so everything works together.
Learn more →
Kitchen renovation
We rethink how your kitchen flows, functions, and feels from layout to custom storage and premium appliances.
Learn more →
Bathroom renovation
Convert dated bathrooms into spa-like retreats with custom tile, modern fixtures, and intelligent layouts.
Learn more →
Ready to reimagine your living spaces?
Your living spaces set the tone for your entire home. Tell us what’s not working, what feels outdated, or what you wish were different. We’ll help you make it feel like yours again.