Having a single source of responsibility design, manage, and construct your home renovation is a concept that our team has firmly believed in since the very beginning. That is why we created Common Sense Remodeling, to help homeowners experience a rewarding remodeling journey with a beautiful end result. COMMON SENSE REMODELING: Running around to suppliers, coordinating professionals from all ends of the industry, and trying to manage an out-of-control budget is unfortunately the experience most homeowners endure when remodeling on their own, along with these other common remodeling mistakes ..read more

We’re thrilled to announce that our team has won a 2024 Chrysalis Award for our 3-Story Addition & Elevator project in Barrington! The Chrysalis Awards program annually recognizes the nation’s best design and remodeling work and awards winners on both regional and national levels. Winners are selected based on creative use of space and materials, overall design, and overall transformation of the original space. Our team partnered with the Sims family to bring their unique vision to life- from design through construction- with a home elevator at the heart of it all. Let’s take a qui ..read more

Our team recently partnered with a Lake Barrington couple looking to transform their spacious basement into a multi-functional, custom living space. REMODEL TOUR: LAKE BARRINGTON BASEMENT As they pondered what the ideal basement would look like, our clients knew they wanted an entertaining space for their family as their kids got older. Their existing basement served primarily as unfinished, open storage. They wanted to be more organized and take advantage of their untapped lower level. Advance Design Studio helped the couple design and build this beautiful basement, which they now enjoy dai ..read more

STYLISH SHOWER NICHE IDEAS: Gone are the days of wire hanging racks or chunky corner soap holders! Whether single or double, horizontal or vertical, shower niches niche are a sleek, built-in solution to stay organized without sacrificing style. Here are a few shower niche ideas to get you started as you finalize your shower design. 1. HORIZONTAL NICHE: Classic, functional, and a great way to break up a shower wall with accent tile. Horizontal niches come in various heights and lengths to fit your shower dimensions. 2. VERTICAL NICHE: If you’re tight on space, a vertical niche will prov ..read more

Basement remodels effectively maximize square footage, allow for one-of-a-kind spaces, and increase the resale value of your home. The results are in: here are our most popular recent ADS basement remodels! Scroll through to find out which projects made our top 10 list, we hope these basements inspire you as you plan your future remodel. OUR MOST POPULAR BASEMENT REMODELS: #10: GUEST SUITE IN HUNTLEY Chris B. of Huntley wanted a centralized hub for hosting family and friends, and we brought his vision to life. Whether you’re playing pool, watching a movie, relaxing in the guest room, or war ..read more

Cabinetry is one of the most impactful investments you can make in your kitchen. Your cabinet layout, built-in storage, door styles, and finishes you select will hugely impact the way you use and enjoy your kitchen for many years. We have heard homeowners over the years ask us whether they should replace, refinish/repaint, or reface their kitchen cabinets, so we’re answering this question here! Let’s break down the differences between each, the pros and cons, and how your decision will impact the rest of your kitchen remodel.   REPLACE, REFINISH, OR REFACE? What is the replacing proces ..read more

You’ve finalized your design and are ready to start your project build, congratulations! We’re excited to get your project construction started. While our team gets your renovation ready to start behind the scenes, there are a few key ways you can help prepare your home to be remodeled. Here is a simple guide to preparing your home before our team begins demo and construction. CLEAR OUT YOUR SPACES: Areas of your home that will be remodeled need to be clean and cleared out before the first day of demo. For example, if your kitchen is being remodeled, clear out your cabinets and remove al ..read more

Our team recently partnered with the Reeder family to redesign and build a fantastic family basement. Let’s take a look at this transformation! REMODEL TOUR: FANTASTIC FAMILY BASEMENT CLIENT GOALS Like many families, the Reeder’s were in need of additional entertainment space as their kids were getting older. They wanted their basement to feel like a seamless extension of their existing living spaces. Hosting was a priority, so they wanted built-in living areas and storage. REDESIGNED: BAR & BUILT-INS ADS Lead Designer Anna helped the Reeder family establish a design tha ..read more

As you prepare for your upcoming renovation project, you should consider how the demolition and construction phases will impact your everyday life living at home. If you have specific concerns, requests, or questions regarding this, discuss them with your designer or construction manager before demolition begins. One question homeowners often ask as they plan their remodel is, “Can I live at home during a remodel?” In our over 30 years of remodeling experience, the Advance Design Studio team has partnered with families that live at home during a remodel as well as families that move out for ..read more

 Home bars, laundry rooms, built-ins, and mudrooms – these are just a few of the projects that fall within our specialty space category. OUR TOP SPECIALTY SPACE REMODELS OF 2023: #10:  KIDS KITCHEN DESK NOOK Tucked in a previously-lackluster corner of the kitchen and dining room is a finished office nook for our client’s children. They use it for craft projects, homework, and their family responsibility chart. This specialty space is part of a whole home remodel we completed in Arlington Heights. See more of this remodel here. #9:  UNDER-STAIR PLANT NOOK Plant lovers, this s ..read more