Help with Woodside model

[DaniaBoise]

Hi All! I'm very excited as my hubby and I just purchased a lot in Fenney and will be building a Woodside home. The problem is I really don't care for the kitchen and fear I won't be able to adjust the home to have my dream kitchen. The Villages assures me the designers can do it. BUT we are not a bottomless pit of money either.
Question? Anyone that revamped the kitchen in their Woodside home would be so kind to suggest, share picture any advice would be welcomed. We plan the home this coming November. Thank you. :shocked:

[Mortal1]

Provide whoever is in charge with the kitchen you would like and get an estimate. Adjust your "must haves" to lower/raise the budget. No one else can do this for you.

[DaniaBoise]

[QUOTE=Mortal1;2010243]Provide whoever is in charge with the kitchen you would like and get an estimate. Adjust your "must haves" to lower/raise the budget. No one else can do this for you.[/QUOTE

Yes thank you I'm aware of that but was hoping someone that has gone before me would share the changes they made to to their Woodside home. I'm looking for ideas - things they wish they would have of done etc. I apologize for not being clearer.

[Paula6]

I just designed my Woodside (9/4/21). I made one change to my kitchen design - I moved the Pantry to the side of the nook area and cut into the garage. Then I added more counter space where the pantry was. Keep in mind that by cutting into the garage you would take away that space in garage. Make sure you have enough room to park car. I didn't have a problem because I stretched my garage forward by 4 feet.

House is in Citrus Grove and won't be completed until Mid February.

[Dotneko]

I would take out the island. It is one more thing to work around. The woodside has plenty of cabinets. Add a pantry.

[Paula6]

I like the island. You can tell them to take out the island. Have them add a pantry in the nook (cut into the garage) like I did. Remember the spacing in the garage to fit a car.

[DaniaBoise]

I just designed my Woodside (9/4/21). I made one change to my kitchen design - I moved the Pantry to the side of the nook area and cut into the garage. Then I added more counter space where the pantry was. Keep in mind that by cutting into the garage you would take away that space in garage. Make sure you have enough room to park car. I didn't have a problem because I stretched my garage forward by 4 feet.

House is in Citrus Grove and won't be completed until Mid February.

Thank you!

[DaniaBoise]

when in the model I did find it to be a tight squeeze with the island. Thank you!

[DaniaBoise]

I just designed my Woodside (9/4/21). I made one change to my kitchen design - I moved the Pantry to the side of the nook area and cut into the garage. Then I added more counter space where the pantry was. Keep in mind that by cutting into the garage you would take away that space in garage. Make sure you have enough room to park car. I didn't have a problem because I stretched my garage forward by 4 feet.

House is in Citrus Grove and won't be completed until Mid February.

This is great advice as I would like the oven and microwave to be built in where the pantry is now. I believe I have room to stretch the garage. Thank you!

[Woodbear]

With the Woodside, please pay attention to the size of your washer/dryer. We do not have an overly large dryer, but we have only an inch or two to spare and we were blessed with perfect alignment with duct work. Something we never thought of as we came to build a Linden. FYI, we love all our stretches

[egmcaninch]

Hi All! I'm very excited as my hubby and I just purchased a lot in Fenney and will be building a Woodside home. The problem is I really don't care for the kitchen and fear I won't be able to adjust the home to have my dream kitchen. The Villages assures me the designers can do it. BUT we are not a bottomless pit of money either.
Question? Anyone that revamped the kitchen in their Woodside home would be so kind to suggest, share picture any advice would be welcomed. We plan the home this coming November. Thank you. :shocked:
We own a Woodside in Fenney. Can't help with the kitchen question, but would highly recommend that the builders complete the roofing valley on either side of the entrance. After 3 years, leaks have ruined the caulking & some of the paint on the entrance.

[Flanman]

We have a Woodside. Stretched our house as much as the lot allowed. With the stretch came bigger closets. Huge plus. We don’t use the eat in kitchen area so added a wine fridge and wine rack one one side and coffee bar on the other, putting in a pantry, countertop and more cabinets.

[Veracity]

We own a Woodside in Fenney. Can't help with the kitchen question, but would highly recommend that the builders complete the roofing valley on either side of the entrance. After 3 years, leaks have ruined the caulking & some of the paint on the entrance.

Which elevation do you have on your Woodside in Fenney?

[bergermichaela@yahoo.com]

Did you Visit "Dream Home"? I believe that is what it is called. It allows you to pick everything you want for your home.

[vinricci]

Then don’t buy a Woodside.

[Fisherman]

I have a Woodside with a completely after market renovation of the kitchen. My cabinets are floor to ceiling which provides extra storage for items that are not needed daily. I have a Sharp Microwave drawer installed in the enlarged island to allow a massive hood vent over the stove. There is plenty of room in the eat in kitchen. The double pantry is located at one end of the kitchen.

[BlackHarley]

It's highly unlikely that you'll find out in advance what these changes in design will cost. The design team person will spring the TOTAL cost of your dream home on y'all at closing. Be advised, beware and be ready to work within that budget.
Good luck!

[La lamy]

Not on topic, but these new homes sure are a far cry from what The Villages started at!! Congrats to all of you who have the means to buy such exquisite homes.

[Janet4fit]

I saw a Woodside spec home where the kitchen was swapped with the small 4th bedroom. The kitchen was now in the back of the house adjacent and open to the dining room. The new layout seemed to have the same amount of cabinets but the flow was better and if budget allows, there was room to add more storage by replacing the sliding glass door in the kitchen with cabinets if that is important to you. I believe the address is 5278 Dyer Ct - your sales agent can get you the floor plan for this specific home.

[charmed59]

It's highly unlikely that you'll find out in advance what these changes in design will cost. The design team person will spring the TOTAL cost of your dream home on y'all at closing. Be advised, beware and be ready to work within that budget.
Good luck!

So if you go in with a budget they won’t be able to do multiple scenarios with different options? Say you have $xx extra for upgrades, they can’t come back and say for that amount you can get the garage stretch and your additions for your kitchen or you can have front, side and back lanai stretch or …

[rrb48310]

Hi All! I'm very excited as my hubby and I just purchased a lot in Fenney and will be building a Woodside home. The problem is I really don't care for the kitchen and fear I won't be able to adjust the home to have my dream kitchen. The Villages assures me the designers can do it. BUT we are not a bottomless pit of money either.
Question? Anyone that revamped the kitchen in their Woodside home would be so kind to suggest, share picture any advice would be welcomed. We plan the home this coming November. Thank you. :shocked:


You can do just about anything inside, move walls, redesign bath rooms, closets etc. with relatively little cost. We are building a Gardenia, Woodsides little sister, and stretched side, front and rear to make it what works for us. We turned the kitchen sideways closed the nook to make it an office/den to use as a forth bedroom for overflow family visits, turned laundry room, added a storage/pantry and redesigned the master bathroom. On & on it's only a Gardenia in spirit, point being you can build your dream home.

[cj1040]

Hi All! I'm very excited as my hubby and I just purchased a lot in Fenney and will be building a Woodside home. The problem is I really don't care for the kitchen and fear I won't be able to adjust the home to have my dream kitchen. The Villages assures me the designers can do it. BUT we are not a bottomless pit of money either.
Question? Anyone that revamped the kitchen in their Woodside home would be so kind to suggest, share picture any advice would be welcomed. We plan the home this coming November. Thank you. :shocked:

Woodside! You can do whatever you want. I squared off both entry corners to make an appliance garage corner in the kitchen. I love having a front view for the eating area and a back pool and pond view for my dining area instead of the same view for everything . Some people have flipped the kitchen back to the dining area even. The designers can do anything

[DaniaBoise]

With the Woodside, please pay attention to the size of your washer/dryer. We do not have an overly large dryer, but we have only an inch or two to spare and we were blessed with perfect alignment with duct work. Something we never thought of as we came to build a Linden. FYI, we love all our stretches

Wow thank you for this! I would have never given this a thought.

[graciegirl]

What a cool house!

It is an enlarged (four bedroom version) of the Gardenia which was our first house in The Villages. Sq footage on the Gardenia was just under 2000 and this is 2200.

I love the shiny tile backsplash and love the modular cabinets and love the pendant lights over the bar on this model for sale.

Great choice. I love the two colors of gray in the cabinets of the person who shared.

Homefinder - The Villages(R) Homes and Villas for Sale (https://www.thevillages.com/homefinder/S58V.12/gallery/39?new&model=Woodside&status&lng=-81.99355979584547&lat=28.87421165371721&lvl=0)

[DaniaBoise]

Then don’t buy a Woodside.

Only option for lot. I need a bigger home.

[Jolson]

Hi All! I'm very excited as my hubby and I just purchased a lot in Fenney and will be building a Woodside home. The problem is I really don't care for the kitchen and fear I won't be able to adjust the home to have my dream kitchen. The Villages assures me the designers can do it. BUT we are not a bottomless pit of money either.
Question? Anyone that revamped the kitchen in their Woodside home would be so kind to suggest, share picture any advice would be welcomed. We plan the home this coming November. Thank you. :shocked:

We looked at a Woodside and decided we were going to have to tweak it too much. So we ended up with the Ivy. We stretched the garage and the side as much as we could. The kitchen has tons of cabinets and we went with the very large island instead of the small island in the middle with the wrap around countertop. It was too confining. There are 2 eat in areas but we only use the dining area and not the nook. We have a gas cooktop and a wall oven. The microwave is above the wall oven at my height (I’m 5’2” and always had issues with microwaves above the stove). We put the sink that was in the laundry out into the garage so we have another counter to fold clothes in there. We like the work area for a computer in the laundry room. You can change the model anytime you want before your design appointment. So maybe check out the Ivy and see if it could make a better dream kitchen for you. Good luck.

[DaniaBoise]

Did you Visit "Dream Home"? I believe that is what it is called. It allows you to pick everything you want for your home.

That is probably where I will go in November, but I was told to start thinking of what i wanted. I'm not in the area.

[DaniaBoise]

You can do just about anything inside, move walls, redesign bath rooms, closets etc. with relatively little cost. We are building a Gardenia, Woodsides little sister, and stretched side, front and rear to make it what works for us. We turned the kitchen sideways closed the nook to make it an office/den to use as a forth bedroom for overflow family visits, turned laundry room, added a storage/pantry and redesigned the master bathroom. On & on it's only a Gardenia in spirit, point being you can build your dream home.

Thank you so much. You have eased my anxiety -this is what I needed to hear that they will move walls and such. I think we have room to stretch the garage 4" and that should help find space for the kitchen.

[DaniaBoise]

We looked at a Woodside and decided we were going to have to tweak it too much. So we ended up with the Ivy. We stretched the garage and the side as much as we could. The kitchen has tons of cabinets and we went with the very large island instead of the small island in the middle with the wrap around countertop. It was too confining. There are 2 eat in areas but we only use the dining area and not the nook. We have a gas cooktop and a wall oven. The microwave is above the wall oven at my height (I’m 5’2” and always had issues with microwaves above the stove). We put the sink that was in the laundry out into the garage so we have another counter to fold clothes in there. We like the work area for a computer in the laundry room. You can change the model anytime you want before your design appointment. So maybe check out the Ivy and see if it could make a better dream kitchen for you. Good luck.

I was looking a the IVY and fell in love with the kitchen, but it's too long for the lot but now everyone is posting that things can be changed. I'm so glad I asked on here. Thank you as you have given me much to think about.

[DaniaBoise]

We looked at a Woodside and decided we were going to have to tweak it too much. So we ended up with the Ivy. We stretched the garage and the side as much as we could. The kitchen has tons of cabinets and we went with the very large island instead of the small island in the middle with the wrap around countertop. It was too confining. There are 2 eat in areas but we only use the dining area and not the nook. We have a gas cooktop and a wall oven. The microwave is above the wall oven at my height (I’m 5’2” and always had issues with microwaves above the stove). We put the sink that was in the laundry out into the garage so we have another counter to fold clothes in there. We like the work area for a computer in the laundry room. You can change the model anytime you want before your design appointment. So maybe check out the Ivy and see if it could make a better dream kitchen for you. Good luck.

Oh my goodness this is my issue too! I'm 5'2" have issues with microwave over stove! I was looking a the IVY and fell in love with the kitchen, but it's too long for the lot but now everyone is posting that things can be changed. I'm so glad I asked on here. Thank you as you have given me much to think about. I'm good to study the Ivy as well.

[DaniaBoise]

I have a Woodside with a completely after market renovation of the kitchen. My cabinets are floor to ceiling which provides extra storage for items that are not needed daily. I have a Sharp Microwave drawer installed in the enlarged island to allow a massive hood vent over the stove. There is plenty of room in the eat in kitchen. The double pantry is located at one end of the kitchen.

HOW beautiful! thank you for sharing. I'm definitely taking the cabinets to the ceiling. YOUR COLORS! beautiful.

[DaniaBoise]

It's highly unlikely that you'll find out in advance what these changes in design will cost. The design team person will spring the TOTAL cost of your dream home on y'all at closing. Be advised, beware and be ready to work within that budget.
Good luck!

Oh gee...ok thank you for the warning. :(

[DaniaBoise]

So if you go in with a budget they won’t be able to do multiple scenarios with different options? Say you have $xx extra for upgrades, they can’t come back and say for that amount you can get the garage stretch and your additions for your kitchen or you can have front, side and back lanai stretch or …

The good thing is that before I left I was given quotes on a few stretches and middle of the line upgrades. My sales girl is going over and beyond and thankful for her. But yes I do have a budget ( I hate that word)

[rrb48310]

It's highly unlikely that you'll find out in advance what these changes in design will cost. The design team person will spring the TOTAL cost of your dream home on y'all at closing. Be advised, beware and be ready to work within that budget.
Good luck!

Not what we experienced, designer knew our budget (we did go over) and told us where we could cut to save and offered more cost effective options. You will know before you sign the contract at the end of your design week how much the total cost will be.

[Gmaf6]

I wanted a double oven, so we removed the pantry and replaced it with those. We then added a wall of cabinets with a counter near the windows. Since we never used the table in the nook, we added another small island, with storage. My husband now sits there every day. If I could change one more thing, it would be to change the high/low counter to a flat one but since we tiled the base wall before the change, that's not possible with the expense involved.

[joelfmi]

Remember there are alot of things you should be checking like sink holes, flood insurance, traffic patterns, location. I hope you done your home work before you invest your money first.

[ItsaCin]

There is a Woodside with a complete redesign that puts the kitchen in the back of the house and the 4th bedroom is actually where the kitchen is in the original... I can track that down... tell the designer S49V.1 property address for it. The house sits at the corner of St Catherine Circle and Austere Blvd. It looks like a normal Woodside from the outside. Good luck!

[ItsaCin]

I hope this comes through...I sent an attachment.

[frostola]

We purchased a Gardenia spec home and they put in a double oven next to stove and put a big pantry in laundry room. We added an island and love the island.

[Paula6]

We also stretch the house every which way I could. Which help me add about a foot in the kitchen to give me more space and was able to expand my laundry and added cabinets and pantry for more storage. Also countertop for folding clothes. But all this cost extra money (cabinets, countertops).

[jmpate]

Suggest you also include "seamless gutters," because not often included and boy are they needed in Florida

[HORNET]

We have a Gardenia, with golf cart garage, bumped out on two sides with a bonus room added to one side. Second house, larger that first. Now we find out that we eat out a heck of a lot more, spend more time to out of second house! Watch - What you wish for!

[John&Arl]

We built a woodside last year and switched a bedroom and kitchen. Pm us if you need more info

[Woodbear]

Wow thank you for this! I would have never given this a thought.

I hope these pictures help with the size of the dryer and its positioning in the room. Our dryer is ~ 28 1/8" deep.

[DaniaBoise]

Not what we experienced, designer knew our budget (we did go over) and told us where we could cut to save and offered more cost effective options. You will know before you sign the contract at the end of your design week how much the total cost will be.

My husband won't go through with it without knowing the cost. Thank you for sharing.

[Woodbear]

My husband won't go through with it without knowing the cost. Thank you for sharing.


We leaned on our design person and she was very upfront on the cost of the items as we chose them. For example Countertop "B" would have added $15,000 to our budget. Though we liked it, we did not like it that much more than our other choice. FYI, concrete is CHEAP. Get as much as you want if you need it out back.

[Mistymom]

We recently purchased a pre-owned house and was looking for a Woodside because my husband wanted a dedicated room for his exercise equipment. Our previous house sold quickly and at the time there wasn't any 4 bedroom houses on the market, however we were very lucky to find a unique house.
It is basically a Gardenia that is stretched 4 feet in every direction. Also, there is a door leading off the study into another room (that is larger than the 4th br on a Woodside) and a 3rd bathroom.
The kitchen is a traditional Gardenia but with extra cabinets and a large island in the center.
All said and done, we like our house much better than a Woodside.
If you have an interest in seeing it, it's still on Realtor.com. I can provide you with the address.

[Fisherman]

One last thought…. After having 26 homes in my lifetime, including the last one, a Lantana on the golf course with a pool….. the one outstanding feature I was wanting was the kitchen in the front of the house with a big window… like the Woodside or Gardenia. Lots of cross ventilation, natural light and when people come to visit you or pick you up….you can see out that window. In my old house, I had to go in to a bedroom that was never used waiting for my ride etc. It also separates a breakfast area from a dining area instead of them both being in one big room like so many models. Beautiful Kitchens and three car garages make any couple very happy!

[DaniaBoise]

I hope this comes through...I sent an attachment.

Yes thank you! It did. I will try to print it out. Very helpful! I appreciate you taking the time.

[DaniaBoise]

I wanted a double oven, so we removed the pantry and replaced it with those. We then added a wall of cabinets with a counter near the windows. Since we never used the table in the nook, we added another small island, with storage. My husband now sits there every day. If I could change one more thing, it would be to change the high/low counter to a flat one but since we tiled the base wall before the change, that's not possible with the expense involved.

Thank you! I’m wanting the oven and microwave built in so this is good.

[DaniaBoise]

We also stretch the house every which way I could. Which help me add about a foot in the kitchen to give me more space and was able to expand my laundry and added cabinets and pantry for more storage. Also countertop for folding clothes. But all this cost extra money (cabinets, countertops).

Thinking of going this route. Thank you!

[DaniaBoise]

We recently purchased a pre-owned house and was looking for a Woodside because my husband wanted a dedicated room for his exercise equipment. Our previous house sold quickly and at the time there wasn't any 4 bedroom houses on the market, however we were very lucky to find a unique house.
It is basically a Gardenia that is stretched 4 feet in every direction. Also, there is a door leading off the study into another room (that is larger than the 4th br on a Woodside) and a 3rd bathroom.
The kitchen is a traditional Gardenia but with extra cabinets and a large island in the center.
All said and done, we like our house much better than a Woodside.
If you have an interest in seeing it, it's still on Realtor.com. I can provide you with the address.

Yes I would appreciate the address. Thank you!

[DaniaBoise]

We leaned on our design person and she was very upfront on the cost of the items as we chose them. For example Countertop "B" would have added $15,000 to our budget. Though we liked it, we did not like it that much more than our other choice. FYI, concrete is CHEAP. Get as much as you want if you need it out back.

We definitely be leaning for cost. I already started even before I put money down on the lot. They didn't have an issue with getting me the stretch quotes I asked for. thank you!

[DaniaBoise]

One last thought…. After having 26 homes in my lifetime, including the last one, a Lantana on the golf course with a pool….. the one outstanding feature I was wanting was the kitchen in the front of the house with a big window… like the Woodside or Gardenia. Lots of cross ventilation, natural light and when people come to visit you or pick you up….you can see out that window. In my old house, I had to go in to a bedroom that was never used waiting for my ride etc. It also separates a breakfast area from a dining area instead of them both being in one big room like so many models. Beautiful Kitchens and three car garages make any couple very happy!

Thank you!

[Paula6]

Your stretch quotes can be done by your sales person.
By the time we went down we knew how much all stretches will cost and any items such as Quartz countertops, etc. Then when I went down I added the changes like moving my pantry, stretching my laundry room, stretch into kitchen, bedroom closets became larger due to the stretch, master bedroom larger due to stretch (this was all due to the stretching of garage to make it a 3 car garage. My husband wanted that side to be even down the whole side). I knew this would add to the cost - add'l cabinets, countertops, the actual stretch, flooring, etc.

[Diver Man]

If you go to the following site, you can see the plans for any house built in the area, we looked at houses we liked, and then pulled the blueprints of the house up, and we really got a lot of good ideas.
Marion County Building Department-Permitting Inquiry (https://bcc.marioncountyfl.org/cdplus/)
We built a Woodside and moved in April of this year, after having two other houses, which were Gardinia's , the second one we had stretched the garage , Lanai and bedrooms. What we did not like about the previous home, we made the changes in the new one. The best thing we did was stretch the laundry room by 3 feet wide (my wife calls it butt room), and had cabinets added over the laundry tub, along with recessed lighting, instead of industrial light (like the garage lights). This stretch also added 3 feet to the 4th bedroom and the Lanai, and was one of the cheaper upgrades. We also wanted a Island and a flat counter by the sink area. The second was adding a 4 foot stretch to the garage, and 8 foot garage doors for my Truck. Also insulated the Lanai ceiling and the garage ceiling fo a minimal cost. Good luck

[frose]

RUN........ this place is awful.. can't wait to get out!!!

[joelfmi]

A lot of would be buyers that have cancelled there purchase because of negative comments living there.

[joelfmi]

There is lot of smoke and mirror remark comming from residences living there.

[rrb48310]

RUN........ this place is awful.. can't wait to get out!!!

There are no locks on the exit gates/doors, your free to leave and it’s a good market to sell & take your sizable profit. Wish you peace and happiness where ever you go, for me I’m sticking around for a while.

[DaniaBoise]

If you go to the following site, you can see the plans for any house built in the area, we looked at houses we liked, and then pulled the blueprints of the house up, and we really got a lot of good ideas.
Marion County Building Department-Permitting Inquiry (https://bcc.marioncountyfl.org/cdplus/)
We built a Woodside and moved in April of this year, after having two other houses, which were Gardinia's , the second one we had stretched the garage , Lanai and bedrooms. What we did not like about the previous home, we made the changes in the new one. The best thing we did was stretch the laundry room by 3 feet wide (my wife calls it butt room), and had cabinets added over the laundry tub, along with recessed lighting, instead of industrial light (like the garage lights). This stretch also added 3 feet to the 4th bedroom and the Lanai, and was one of the cheaper upgrades. We also wanted a Island and a flat counter by the sink area. The second was adding a 4 foot stretch to the garage, and 8 foot garage doors for my Truck. Also insulated the Lanai ceiling and the garage ceiling fo a minimal cost. Good luck

The pictures are beautiful! Thank you so much. I will visit that site.

[Paula6]

Is there a different site if you are building in Sumter County?

[Fenster]

Hi All! I'm very excited as my hubby and I just purchased a lot in Fenney and will be building a Woodside home. The problem is I really don't care for the kitchen and fear I won't be able to adjust the home to have my dream kitchen. The Villages assures me the designers can do it. BUT we are not a bottomless pit of money either.
Question? Anyone that revamped the kitchen in their Woodside home would be so kind to suggest, share picture any advice would be welcomed. We plan the home this coming November. Thank you. :shocked:

Is it possible for you to consider another model? We built here and had a choice of several models.

[Normal]

We purchased a lot with the intent of building a Bridgeport. Our realtor walked us through some model homes before our designer appointment and we fell in love with something we had never considered, a Gardenia. It was never even on the radar. Walking through the homes is EVERYTHING for choices.

I would definitely look at all models before your design appointment!

And don’t worry, the designer can do a lot on your budget I’m sure.

[ItsaCin]

I was able to go into a Woodside that was custom designed. The 3rd bedroom was actually in the kitchen with a 3rd full bath. The area where the 3rd bedroom was converted into the kitchen - made it look more like a Linden kitchen design. very cool and extremely livable.

[Garywt]

I get confused as to why you picked a model that you don’t like and you need it redesigned. Guessing that there are other models that might be better.

Then again my wife and I decided on a model that we liked after looking at dozen and dozen of open houses and then went and found the house we wanted already built.