On The House: Top Home Improvement Ideas
Whether you are planning on selling your home in the future, or simply want to make the most out of your house, there are a range of home improvement ideas that you can consider. For many people, a house is always a work in progress.
To start off with, it’s a good idea to make a list of everything that you could potentially do to your home in an ideal world. Next, you should consider your current budget and what is realistic. Remember, any home improvement you do can save you money in both the short and long term so always factor this into your calculations.
If you’re not sure where to get started, check out these ideas and your mind will probably begin bubbling over with ideas!
Utilise Disused Space
The most common spaces in a house that are currently not in use are the attic and the basement. Adding space and value to your home, converting one into an extra bedroom or chillout space can really transform your house. First of all, it gives you a real opportunity to get creative as this is part of the house that has previously never been touched before. However, as this is such a big job, you will need to make sure that you keep a close eye on the costs. We’ve all seen home improvement shows where things can quickly start to spiral out of control! On a positive note, an extra bedroom should add thousands to the value of your home.
Add an Extension
At the upper end of the scale, adding an extension to your home creates extra space and value in the long run. Before embarking on this kind of work, you will want to get in touch with an architectural firm like CochranEng.com as well as other contractors so you can work out the costings. Many people do this kind of work so they can add an en suite bathroom, or open up some additional space. Though this kind of work represents an initial investment, the value it adds to your home will also be significant. As with any home improvement task, make sure you plan everything out thoroughly.
Remodel Your Kitchen
Probably one of the most common home improvement jobs, remodelling your kitchen is a great way to bring a fresh new look to your house. Many people focus on the appliances, storage units and tiles when getting a new kitchen, but don’t underestimate how much value a good paint job can bring in. When it comes to the appliances themselves, you will want to make sure they are all energy efficient. Not only will this save on your own heating bills over the years, many buyers also look at energy efficiency as one of their primary concerns these days. When you have a new kitchen installed, it becomes a balancing act between making it look good, but not going overboard and letting finances spiral out of control.
Energy Efficiency
Whether or not you are planning on selling your home anytime soon, one of the most valuable things you can do is make sure it is energy efficient. Firstly, consider installing double glazing on your windows as this has proven to be one of the most effective techniques for retaining heat. Another good one is to put in cavity wall and loft insulation which will stop heat being lost in key areas. Smaller jobs include hanging up thicker curtains and putting in some draught excluders around the doors. All of this combined will serve to cut down your heating bills and also improve your home’s energy efficiency rating when it comes to sale.
Add a Bathroom
Though this may well come under the category of extensions, adding an extra bathroom is pretty much a surefire way of adding value to your home. It has been estimated that you can recoup 80-130 percent of whatever you spend on a bathroom. If you don’t have a huge amount of space, you can consider closets or areas under the stairs. Even if you just have room for a toilet and sink, this can still be a valuable addition to your property. Make sure to check for deals from budget retailers and this is the kind of job that doesn’t have to cost the earth.
Outdoor Areas
It may be a good idea to turn your attention to the outside of your home. A great outdoor space is one of the number one priorities when people are searching for a new house. Even if you are not looking to sell, you can benefit from this for years to come. The best way to do this is by having an area in which you add decking or a patio. The costing vary wildly, but many people opt to do the job themselves in order to save funds. If you are thinking about employing a contractor, make sure to do extensive research so you get the best deal. Once you have created this space, you will then want to personalise it with seating, lights and heating devices.
Finishing Touches
Sometimes, it’s the little things that can add big value. If you are looking to sell your home, it is all about attention to detail. Make sure they you keep the paintwork on your house looking fresh both inside and out. When there are any DIY tasks that need doing, tackle them as soon as possible or else they can mount up over time. Replace and wood that is rotten and get rid of any mould as soon as it appears. Like many things in life, prevention is far better than the cure so by keeping up a good ritual of home maintenance, you really are ahead of the game.
These are just a few ideas that can dramatically improve the short term livability of your house, as well as adding long term value if you are planning on putting your property up for sale.