I’m sure that we can all remember living in dorms as young college students or renting out apartments in our 20s. If you’re a renter, there is a certain mentality that causes you to look at your lodgings as temporary… and that’s simply because they are. You tried to take care of your place, mostly to get your deposit back, but you probably stopped there, and rightly so. It’s rare to see renters try to add value to their apartments because their homes don’t really belong to them; they belong to the landlords. In contrast, the landlords or property owners are always going to keep their assets in mind when choosing renters or making renovations. There is a world of difference between the way you care for a home that you’re renting and a home that you own. Owning a home tends to change the way you treat your lodgings.
As homeowners, we’re constantly looking for ways to preserve, protect, and enhance our property. We’re having our homes painted, having HVACs replaced, having basements finished, and more. But some home improvements are more popular than others. Whether you’re looking to update your home to make a greater profit when you sell, or you simply want to freshen up your living space, giving your home a makeover can breathe new life into it. In this two-part blog series, we’re going to discuss the most popular and exciting updates that you can make to your home.
- Remodel the Kitchen or Bathroom
Kitchen
Remodeling a portion of or all of your kitchen can be incredibly rewarding. Some people opt to switch out their cabinets to freshen up the look of the kitchen, or get rid of that dated countertop and go for the chic look of granite. Or perhaps, take out that shallow stainless steel sink and replace it with a trendy farm sink. There is also a world of amazing options when it comes to stylish backsplashes. A popular look right now is to install subway tile or a rustic metal backsplash. These changes can really rejuvenate your kitchen space.
Bathroom
Additionally, your bathroom updates are wonderful enhancements to make to your home. If your bathroom could use some slight updating, consider getting more modern fixtures and lighting. If your bathroom needs moderate updating, consider replacing your sink, toilet, and shower unit. If you’re needing an entire bathroom revamp, consider replacing the flooring and the wall tile. If you’re uninspired, take a look at some of the amazing ideas that other people have had for bathroom updates. There are so many options for updating these things and you’re going to have a great time seeing it all come together. Whatever updates you choose, just know that you’re adding tons of value to your home by improving your bathroom.
- Revamp the Flooring
Hardwood
A smart choice for adding value to your home and instantly updating the look and feel of your space is to improve the condition of your flooring. Many people prefer the look of hardwood flooring, and that is an improvement that most buyers will be excited to see in your home. If your home already has hardwood flooring but the wood is looking like it’s been through the mill, consider getting your floors refinished. Many homes of a certain age contain wood floors that are nice and intact, but just need some TLC. Refinishing them is a great option.
Tile
In addition to adding hardwood flooring, there are also some chic and popular looks in ceramic and stone tiles. These also don’t have to be reserved for the kitchen and bathrooms; tile can look extremely elegant in your other living spaces as well. If you’re curious, do a little research on all of the options out there for you.
Carpet
Finally, if the carpet in your bedrooms has seen better days, then it might be time to switch it out. Carpet is notorious for absorbing dirt, germs, bacteria, and other toxins. Even when it’s been cleaned and vacuumed, carpet can be pretty gross, especially when it’s reached a certain age. Who knows, replacing your old, stinky carpet could also mean a breakthrough with your allergies, respiratory illnesses, and asthma symptoms. Getting new carpet could literally be a breath of fresh air for you.
- Finish the Basement
How many of your home’s updates will immediately increase the square footage of your house? Finishing your basement is a great way to do that. Finishing your basement means that your house might finally have that fourth bedroom or man cave. Perhaps you’ve been wanting a nice, comfortable place for your in-laws to stay when they come into town, finishing your basement might be the answer you’ve been looking for.
When you decide to finish your basement, first choose the layout that will be suited to your needs. If you are feeling cramped in your other living space, you might be inclined to add a bedroom, family room, and bathroom to your basement. If you’re just looking for great guest accommodations, think of making your downstairs into a suite. That way, people will always have a place to sleep when they stay with you. Additionally, you could make your downstairs into a little apartment to be rented out if the need for that ever presents itself. However, you choose to go about doing it, finishing your basement is always going to be an idea that helps you in the long run.
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Replace the HVAC, Water Heater, or Furnace
Many people who are looking for a new home will inquire about the age of the HVAC, water heater, and furnace. Replacing one or all of these old units could mean the difference between having a buyer for your home and not. Additionally, switching these out with newer models could substantially lower your utility costs each month and, on top of that, replacing more than one at a time could get you a discount on the unit costs.
These are just a few ideas for ways to give your home the makeover that it may be desperately needing. But why stop there? There are many options for sprucing up your humble abode. Stay tuned for part 2 of this blog series in which we’ll talk about six more exciting suggestions for ways to give your home a tune-up.
In the meantime, if you’re looking to contact a paint contractor for a free quote, call the Vancouver experts now!