Western Springs kitchen, bathroom & whole-home remodeling

The village’s heart, Old Town, emerged from the 1870s around the iconic 1892 limestone Western Springs Water Tower at Tower Green. Further out, areas like Field Park and Ridge Acres were platted from land once held by Marshall Field, offering homes that often reflect early to mid-20th-century styles, from Craftsman bungalows to more traditional two-stories. Forest Hills, known for its deep front lawns, typically features larger, more stately homes from the mid-20th century, often with robust construction and a layout that lends itself well to open-concept transformations or significant additions.

The postwar boom brought the Ridgewood and Springdale neighborhoods, built on former farmland between 1955 and 1973. These areas are characterized by mid-century brick ranches and two-story homes, often with full basements ripe for build-outs. More recently, Timber Trails, new construction on the former country club site since 2005, offers contemporary homes that, while newer, still benefit from whole-home updates as families settle in and personalize their spaces. The downtown area, anchored by the Western Springs Metra station (BNSF Line) along Hillgrove Avenue, remains a vibrant hub, and proximity to this amenity often influences renovation decisions, with homeowners looking to enhance their living spaces to match the convenience and charm of village life.

Here, homes often boast Victorian-era charm, characterized by intricate details, smaller, more compartmentalized layouts, and original plaster walls. Kitchen and bath renovations in these century-old Old Town houses often involve carefully integrating modern amenities while respecting the historic character, navigating original plumbing and electrical systems, and sometimes addressing the need for updated insulation. Forest Hills, known for its deep front lawns, typically features larger, more stately homes from the mid-20th century, often with robust construction and a layout that lends itself well to open-concept transformations or significant additions.

Basement build-outs and additions in these mid-century brick homes are a frequent request, as families seek to maximize living space without relocating. The relatively generous lot sizes in these areas often accommodate expansions more readily than the tighter footprints of Old Town. These newer homes, often designed with more open layouts from the start, frequently see updates to finishes, smart home technology integration, and outdoor living spaces.

Our expertise in kitchen and bath renovations is perfectly suited for the unique challenges and opportunities presented by century-old Old Town houses, where preserving historical integrity while introducing modern functionality is key. For mid-century brick homes in Ridgewood and Springdale, basement build-outs and additions are common, transforming underutilized spaces into vibrant family rooms, home offices, or guest suites. Whole-home updates are a natural fit for families staying near District 101's three elementary schools, McClure Junior High, and Lyons Township High School's South Campus, who are committed to their community and want to adapt their existing homes to their evolving needs.

One local wrinkle that a remodeler genuinely deals with in Western Springs is the village’s independent water system. The village pumps its own deep-well water through a reverse-osmosis plant and is actively replacing lead service lines through 2037, with up to $5,000 in cost-share reimbursement available to residents. A remodel that opens up plumbing, such as a kitchen or bathroom renovation or a basement build-out, is the opportune moment to check your service line and take advantage of this program. While Western Springs does not have a comprehensive historic district ordinance that dictates exterior appearance for all older homes, any significant exterior changes or additions, particularly in the older areas, may still benefit from careful consideration of neighborhood aesthetics and village guidelines to ensure a smooth permit process. While Western Springs is generally not considered highly flood-prone, as with any community, prudent basement remodeling includes considering appropriate waterproofing and drainage solutions, especially for older homes.

The Village of Western Springs requires building permits for new construction and alterations to existing structures, handled through the Community Development Department at 740 Hillgrove Avenue; applications and permit guides are posted on the village website and accepted by email at [email protected]. Kitchen, bath, basement, and addition work that touches plumbing, electrical, gas, structure, or ventilation falls under permit review, and even a private-side lead service line replacement requires its own building permit. GS Construction manages the full permit process — preparing and submitting the application, coordinating with village staff, and scheduling every required inspection.