Making the right moves to renovate your home will cost money and require some labour in the short term, but it may be worth it in the long term. Owning real estate is an investment, and making improvements can lead to you selling it for more money than you bought it for and make a profit.
Recently purchased a home or have a fixer upper? Here are some important points.
I understand that not everyone has all the money in the world, so this guide will try to be as “bang for your buck” as possible. Cheaping out may not be the best option, but do not put yourself into irreversible debt either.
Where are the areas that people spend a lot of their time at home? It would usually be the common areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, living rooms and bedroom. Those are the areas to put the most focus into, and the best colour you can use to paint those areas would be something neutral like white. Being consistent with the colours you use can go a long way. People of a certain age may remember avocado green being a common colour palette in a house, but that went out of style. The classic colours like white never will.
The kitchen should be the main one, as that is a common place people spend time in. Opening it up is a possibility, as doing so won’t make you feel boxed in. By that I mean tearing down a wall and installing an “island.” The cabinets and countertops can put a date on the kitchen, so updating those should be considered. You do not necessarily need to buy new cabinets, but simply painting over them should do the trick. New hardware is an easy and inexpensive way of updating the kitchen, plus it’s something that can be done over the weekend and you can do it yourself. Stone countertops are another trick for updating the kitchen in a quick way. If painting the cabinetry is an option I always recommend spending the money on the countertops. A durable, non-porous surface will never go unnoticed.
For flooring, vinyl plank flooring has come along way since it was first introduced to the market. It is waterproof, scratch resistant, affordable and not as labour intensive when installing as other options. Style wise, there are a ton of options from colour to plank width. If you have the budget, we recommend installing engineered hardwood on your main floors (main and second) and using vinyl in the basement.
Lighting is important as you need to be able to see things to enjoy them. Light dimmers will give people control over exactly how much light they are comfortable with instead of just a light switch with only two options that may either be too bright or give off no light at all. Choosing the right light fixture for the space is also key. A lot of people think that pot lights are always the way to go, which is not the case. A combination of pot lights and other ceiling/wall fixtures is the key. Pot lights are generally known for giving off a harsh light so adding too many to a space can ruin the overall feel. Stick with a combination of lighting options and you won’t be disappointed.
Put as much thought into the exterior part of the home as you would to the interior. If someone is walking up to your home, their first impression is based on the exterior facade and overall exterior look of your property. We will call this term “curb appeal.” Landscaping can go a long way. Adding trees and shrubbery can act as a design feature and play into the overall feel of your home. If you have a “busy” looking front elevation, try sticking to solid colour landscaping. Boxwoods are a great addition to any garden and can add just enough colour to make your lawn pop. Landscape lighting is another feature that can make your home stand out from the rest. Spotlighting certain trees or lighting up a pathway is an inexpensive way of separating your property from the rest.
Want a designer’s input when considering what to do to increase your property value? Get in touch with Christina.