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Looking for home renovation ideas for your Southern Texas home? You’ve landed at the right place.

South Texas is characterized by its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and its semi-tropical climate and is marked by flat terrain, fertile plains, and extensive coastal areas. This region includes cities such as Corpus Christi, Brownsville, McAllen, and Laredo, with the landscape being dotted with ranches, farmland, and oil fields.

So, when you’re renovating your home, it makes sense to draw inspiration from the local landscape. In this article, we will list 10 home renovation ideas for South Texas homes.

Drool-Worthy Home Renovation Ideas for South Texas Home

1. Make every inch count

When Austin-based interior designer Shannon Eddings went about renovating her home, she was overwhelmed and out of ideas. Her family of five was growing, and each member needed more space. But the size of her home stayed constant.

So, she focused on one thing: to make every inch count. And that’s how she regained 600 square feet of living space.

If you’re faced with a similar scenario, consider borrowing her philosophy.

Shannon readjusted her furniture and kid’s play area, built a porch, turned her garage into a sitting room, and discarded unused items. That’s how she made every inch count.

So, be creative and think of how you can maximize the space you have at your disposal.

2. Revamp the kitchen

Every homemaker dreams of a new and upgraded kitchen. So, start with redoing your kitchen.

If you’re concerned with more space, consider removing non-load-bearing walls to create an open-concept layout that connects the kitchen with adjacent living or dining areas, allowing for better flow and more space for movement.

Install a kitchen island to provide additional countertop space for meal prep, dining, and entertaining. Include storage solutions like cabinets and drawers to maximize functionality.

Also, to add more space, incorporate custom cabinetry with pull-out shelves, pantry organizers, and built-in spice racks to optimize storage and keep the kitchen clutter-free. It also helps you stay organized and delight your family with new exotic cuisine.

To give your kitchen a Southern Texas feel, incorporate rustic elements like wood beams, distressed wood cabinets, or wrought iron hardware to add warmth and character to the kitchen, reminiscent of traditional South Texas ranches.

3. Set up an outdoor kitchen area

Southern Texas boasts a warm climate for much of the year, making outdoor living spaces highly desirable.

Setting up an outdoor kitchen allows you to make full use of your backyard or patio area, effectively extending your living space outdoors.

Furthermore, outdoor cooking is deeply ingrained in the culture of Southern Texas, where barbecues, cookouts, and outdoor gatherings are common traditions. Setting up an outdoor kitchen area pays homage to this cultural heritage and allows you to embrace the Texas lifestyle fully.

Plan the layout and design of your outdoor kitchen carefully to maximize space and functionality while minimizing costs. Prioritize essential elements of the outdoor kitchen, such as a grill, countertop space, and storage, while keeping additional features and accessories to a minimum.

4. Create a mini mudroom

As you’re renovating your home, why not make your entrance more inviting?

A mudroom provides a designated space to store outerwear, shoes, bags, and other everyday items, keeping them organized and out of sight.

This helps prevent clutter from accumulating in the main living areas of the home and makes it easier to find and access essential items when needed.

Select a suitable location near the main entrance or back door of your home that receives frequent foot traffic and has space available for storage and organization. Then, incorporate storage solutions such as hooks, shelves, cubbies, baskets, and benches to accommodate various items and maximize vertical and horizontal space.

Add personal touches and decorative elements to make the mudroom feel inviting and reflective of your style.

5. Install new window treatment and dimmers

Installing new window treatments and blinds can breathe new life into your living space without spending much.

New window treatments and blinds can instantly update the look and feel of a room, adding style, color, and texture to complement the existing decor. Whether you choose curtains, drapes, blinds, or shades, selecting the right window treatments can transform the space and give it a fresh, modern appeal.

Some window treatment options also enhance functionalities. For example, heavy drapes or layered curtains can help absorb sound and reduce outside noise levels. This is particularly beneficial for homes located in busy urban areas or near noisy streets.

6. Don’t forget the bathroom

As you redo the sections of your home, don’t leave behind the bathroom. It deserves the retouch.

To begin with, replace a traditional bathtub with a spacious walk-in shower featuring frameless glass doors and sleek, modern fixtures. This can create a more open and luxurious feel in the bathroom.

Or you can install a freestanding bathtub as a centerpiece of the bathroom for a touch of elegance and relaxation. Options include clawfoot tubs, soaking tubs, or contemporary designs made of materials like acrylic or stone.

Incorporate natural materials such as marble, granite, or travertine for countertops, flooring, and accent tiles to add a touch of luxury and timeless elegance to the space.

If budget permits, you can go a step further and create a spa-like atmosphere with features like a rainfall showerhead, steam shower, built-in bench seating, aromatherapy diffusers, and heated towel racks for a relaxing experience.

7. Create a mini swimming pool

Because Southern Texas experiences a hot and humid climate, constructing a mini swimming pool as part of your renovation project makes sense.

A mini swimming pool provides a focal point for outdoor entertainment and social gatherings. Whether hosting family barbecues, pool parties with friends, or simply enjoying a quiet evening by the poolside, having a swimming pool enhances the overall enjoyment of outdoor living spaces.

It costs anywhere from $1,000 to $78,000 to build a swimming pool in Texas. So, you have pricing flexibility as well.

8. Go solar

Texas is among the sunniest states in the US, with an average annual sunlight of 5,137 kJ/m². So why not capitalize on it and make your home more solar-friendly?

The most straightforward way to go solar is by installing photovoltaic (PV) solar panels on your roof or property. Work with a reputable solar contractor to assess your home’s solar potential, design a customized solar system, and handle the installation process.

You can also get them installed on the ground.

While solar installation may seem expensive, it’s worth it in the long run.

9. Fortify your home with hurricane-resistant features

If you’ve been living in the region for a while, you’ll know that Southern Texas is highly prone to hurricanes. In fact, the entire Texas coast faces a significant risk of hurricanes every year. Since 1900, Texas has been directly impacted by 64 hurricanes, highlighting its vulnerability.

Thus, it’s important to add some hurricane-resistant features to your home.

Start by replacing standard windows and doors with impact-resistant versions designed to withstand high winds and flying debris. These windows and doors are constructed with laminated glass or reinforced materials and are less likely to shatter.

Reinforce the roof structure by installing hurricane straps, clips, or tie-downs to secure the roof to the underlying framing. Here’s a guide on how to completely hurricane-proof your home.

10. Something for the furry friends

If you’ve got furry friends at home, how can you possibly forget them?

At the bare minimum, you can build or install in-built pet beds or cozy alcoves into furniture, cabinetry, or window seats to provide designated sleeping areas for your pets. These spaces can be integrated seamlessly into your home’s design and offer a comfortable retreat for your pets to rest and relax.

Especially for kitties, install cat shelves, perches, or climbing structures on walls or furniture to provide vertical space for your feline friends to explore, play, and lounge. These features satisfy your cat’s natural instincts to climb and perch while minimizing clutter on the floor.

Get, Set, Renovate

Home renovation is a highly personalized process and must be aligned with your needs, wants, and budget. Thus, consult with a renovation expert first to plan the best route for your project.

Century Construction is one of the leading custom home builders in Texas. We build homes that reflect your unique needs. If you want to renovate or build a custom home from scratch, contact us today to learn more.