Transforming an old 1970s house into a modern and functional family home is a dream for many. In an episode of Husdrömmar, we followed Maja Håkansson and Erik Borgström as they took on the challenge of completely renovating their first house in Furulund, just outside Lund. Their journey shows how vision, creativity and hard work can create a home that is not only beautiful but also fit for the future.
Table of contents
From hesitation to dream house
Maja, a 30-year-old real estate agent, and Erik, a 35-year-old civilian police officer, were looking for a house where they could grow as a family. They found their chance in a solid 70s villa of 180 m², a house that Maja was hesitant about at first. Growing up in a similar house, she had always thought 70s houses were ugly, but something about this particular house felt homey. Through clever planning, Maja managed to convince Erik of the house’s potential – even before they went to the viewing, she had sketched out how the house could be changed.
It’s a feeling many can relate to – seeing potential where others see limitations. For Maja and Erik, this was the start of an extensive renovation journey.
The floor plan that got new life
The original 1977 floor plan of the house was traditional, with separate rooms and a somewhat closed-in feel. Maja and Erik wanted to create a more open and airy environment, and their changes were crucial to the house’s transformation:
- The downstairs was given a completely new feel by removing the wall between the living room and bedroom, opening up the space. The kitchen was modernized by demolishing a wall and placing a large kitchen island in the middle.
- The upstairs had a minor but important change: two wardrobes were removed to make room for a shower in the small bathroom.
But it wasn’t just the floor plan that changed – Maja and Erik put great emphasis on creating a modern kitchen. On the advice of Gert Wingårdh, they mirrored the kitchen to let in more light, resulting in a more functional and aesthetically pleasing solution.
Challenges and lessons learned
Renovating an older house always presents challenges, and Maja and Erik were no exception. They initially had a budget of SEK 600,000, but it soon became clear that some parts of the house were in worse condition than they had expected. When the electrician discovered that the entire electrical system needed to be replaced, the cost increased from the planned SEK 25 000 to SEK 80 000. In total, the budget was exceeded by over SEK 200 000.
The biggest lesson learned? It will always be more expensive than you think. Gert Wingårdh emphasized the importance of adding at least 20-30% extra to the budget for unforeseen costs – something most renovators can agree with.
Despite the challenges, they kept their focus on the goal: creating a home for their family. They prioritized function and comfort, which meant they chose to complete the laundry room, even though it was not part of the original plan.
The final result
After three intense months, the house was completed, albeit slightly late. The result was beyond expectations. The connection between the kitchen and living room was particularly successful, with large, solid walls in the living room allowing for flexible and harmonious furnishing. The kitchen became a bright and modern gathering place, perfect for family and friends.
Despite the extra costs and unexpected obstacles, Maja and Erik have created a home for their son Lukas to grow up in – with room for more family members in the future.
Facts about the house
Location: Furulund, outside Lund
Year built: 1977
Size: 180 m², seven rooms and kitchen
Renovation budget: SEK 600,000 (exceeded by about SEK 215,000)
Closure
Maja and Erik’s renovation journey is a great inspiration for anyone who dreams of transforming an older house into a modern home. Their courage to rethink, take advice and make smart investments resulted in a home that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
