Ep 2. Family Seeks Spacious Upgrade

Fixer Upper is a popular home renovation show where a husband and wife duo, Chip and Joanna Gaines, help people transform their houses into dream homes. In Fixer Upper season 5 episode 2 titled Family Seeks Spacious Upgrade, the couple meets a family with five kids who need a bigger home to accommodate their growing family.

The episode starts with Chip and Joanna meeting the family, the Scrivanos, who live in a small house that they've outgrown. The parents, Ricky and Lukin, have four boys and a girl, and their house is bursting at the seams. They've reached a point where they need to make a decision: either move to a new home or renovate their current house. The Scrivanos want to stay in their current neighborhood as it's close to their kids' school and they have strong ties with their community.

Chip and Joanna start by assessing the family's needs and desires. The main challenge is that the house is small and cramped for seven people. They sit down with the Scrivanos and get to know them better, understanding their lifestyle and what they need in a home. The family wants a large living area where they can all hang out, cook, and relax together. They also want a spacious kitchen, a dining room that can accommodate large dinner parties, and an outdoor area where they can play and relax.

As they tour the house, Chip and Joanna take note of what needs to be changed. The layout is awkward with an unused formal dining area taking up valuable square footage. One of the bedrooms is also very small, and the laundry room is inconveniently located. The couple quickly comes up with a plan to solve these issues and make the house a better fit for the family.

To create more space in the living area, Chip and Joanna decide to remove a wall between the kitchen and living room. This will create an open-concept space that flows together seamlessly. They also decide to close up an existing doorway to make more wall space for furniture and create better flow in the room.

The formal dining room will be converted into a playroom for the kids. This will allow more space for the adults to hang out in the living room while the kids have their own area to play. The small bedroom will be converted into a media room with comfortable seating and a large TV. The laundry room will be relocated to the back of the house, where it will be more convenient and accessible.

The Scrivanos are excited about the changes, and they can't wait to see the final result. However, as with all renovations, there are a few setbacks and surprises along the way. A significant challenge arises when they discover the existing foundation is not strong enough to support the new open-concept layout. Chip and Joanna have to find a solution to reinforce the foundation without breaking the budget.

Throughout the renovation process, Chip and Joanna work hard to create a home that meets the Scrivanos' needs and desires. They incorporate the family's style preferences and design aesthetic, creating a beautiful and functional space for this large family to enjoy for years to come.

In the end, the renovation is a smashing success, and the Scrivanos are thrilled with their new home. The expanded living area is perfect for family gatherings and game nights, and the kids love their new playroom and media room. The renovation not only made the house more spacious, but it also transformed the outdated space into a modern and stylish home that the family can enjoy for years to come.