Smart Ways to Remodel a Primary Suite in an Older Minneapolis Home

In older Minneapolis homes like bungalows, Tudors, and 1½-story houses, carving out this kind of retreat can feel impossible. Short hallways, small bedrooms, tight bathrooms, and quirky rooflines all work against you. The good news? With smart planning, creative reconfiguration, and the right remodel strategy, a beautiful primary suite remodel is achievable.

Below are five real-world ways homeowners have transformed limited square footage into a peaceful, functional retreat.

#1: Expanding a Bathroom by Reclaiming Hallway Space

In many older homes, there’s only one bathroom per level. In this case, everyone—parents, kids, and guests—needed to use it, and you had to walk through the owners’ room to access it. It was small, dark, and cramped, with a standing shower so tight it barely allowed enough room to turn around.

By absorbing part of the hallway and relocating the doorway, we were able to expand the footprint, improve the flow, and bring in the comfort of a true primary bath. And if anyone else needs to use it, it no longer invades the owners’ space.

#2: Finishing an Bungalow Attic Into a Sanctuary

Bungalow attics are notorious for becoming “forgotten” spaces—too hot in summer, too cold in winter, and often full of odd corners. But once insulated and properly heated/cooled, they become some of the most charming and practical primary suites. On top of that, angled ceilings and low rooflines. In Attic Sanctuary, smart space planning meant tucking the bed under a higher point, adding built-ins where height is limited, and using lighting to brighten darker areas.

A finished attic can easily become a spacious bedroom, a cozy sitting area, and a thoughtfully designed bathroom—all within the home’s original footprint.

#3: Reconfiguring Two Small Bedrooms into One Functional Suite

In this project, there were originally two separate rooms that had been opened up with a cased opening, creating one long, narrow space. Although it was large, it wasn’t practical. We restored the original bedroom layout and extended the space in the opposite direction, adding two closets and a bathroom.

Now the space feels bright, balanced, and properly scaled. New windows flank the bed, and just down the hall are two closets that guide you into the new owner’s bathroom.

#4: Turning a “Work-in-Progress” Upper Level Into a True Retreat

Many Minneapolis bungalows come with an upper level that looks partially finished—framed walls, subfloor, maybe even plumbing roughed in. On the surface, it seems like an easy conversion into a primary suite. But once you open up the space, you often discover surprises: outdated framing, insufficient floor support, or past DIY work that needs to be corrected before the room can safely hold a bedroom and bathroom. In the end, this remodel added major value for this family — a new bedroom, bathroom, and even second-floor laundry.

#5: Reworking an Existing Bathroom to Unlock the Suite’s Full Potential

Sometimes the footprint is already there—you just need a smarter layout to make the space feel like a true retreat. In Spa Retreat, the bedroom already had an attached bathroom, but the floor plan forced everything to feel cramped and closed off. A narrow hallway and an oversized linen closet created unnecessary barriers.

By removing the hallway, eliminating the closet, and relocating the closet door, we opened up the entire room. That change alone made space for a soaking tub, a larger shower, and a far more relaxing flow.

No addition. No major expansion. Just thoughtful reconfiguration that transformed an underwhelming ensuite into a primary suite that finally lived up to its potential.

Ready to create a primary suite that finally works for you? Let’s talk about your project!