Your home is probably the most expensive purchase that you’ll ever make, but chances are it’s not just the cost of the house itself that you’ll have to fork out for. Unless you’re lucky enough to have found a property thats looks exactly the way that you want it, you’ll likely need to make changes over time to improve the looks and functionality of it. If you’re thinking of investing money into your home, here are some areas that are well worth the upgrade.
Kitchen
The kitchen will most likely be the biggest and most expensive renovation you’ll do in your home. If you can afford a full makeover you can add a huge amount of value as well make the space so much more functional to use. Old kitchens often look tired and aren’t laid out in a way that suits modern living. You might need to start by opening up the space, removing walls or even adding an extension if your current kitchen space is small. Working with a kitchen designer can make your renovation so much smoother. They help optimise your space and use up every nook and cranny, choose materials that will work with your style and lifestyle and help you stick to your budget. They often use the working triangle principle, arranging your sink, cooker and fridge in a convenient layout which makes cooking and moving around the kitchen easier. They also make sure there’s enough space for appliances, like dishwashers or microwaves, so your kitchen stays functional and organised. Have fun choosing the cabinets and countertops, and if your budget allows for it go with handy features like soft close hinges and pull out drawers Another easy improvement is updating your kitchen appliances. Old, inefficient appliances not only look outdated but can also drive up your energy bills. Invest in energy efficient appliances that will save you money in the long run and give your kitchen a modern feel. When it comes to decor, go with kitchen paint as this will be wipeable and easy to clean so will stay fresh for longer as you wont have to deal with food splashes and marks on the walls.
Bathrooms
Not quite as expensive to renovate as kitchens where they’re smaller, but another cost that can definitely add up is bathroom renovations. If you can afford to have tiling done from top to bottom in a fresh, modern tile, new flooring and a new suite then you’ll turn any tired bathroom into a beautiful, fresh space. Add a few finishing touches like soft towels hung on the towel rail, a glass shower screen, bath mat and plants and you’re good to go. If you live in a home which doesnt have an upstairs bathroom and you want to add one, this can be costly depending on what your current plumbing situation looks like. But for the convenience as well as the value you’ll add, it’s almost always a worthwhile investment.
Flooring
When it comes to upgrading your home, one of the biggest changes you can make is to the flooring. Choosing the right flooring material can really improve the overall look and feel of while making it so much easier to clean and stay functional. If you have a busy household with lots of guests, pets and kids then this is even more of a worthwhile investment! For the downstairs area, going for hard flooring is often a wise choice. This could be solid wood, laminate or tile (like marble or granite) which are known for their durability and easy maintenance. In high traffic areas like the living room or kitchen (where spills and stains are common occurrences) you don’t have the hassle of constant cleaning and worrying about damage from everyday wear and tear. Plus these kinds of floor coverings adds a timeless elegance to your home’s aesthetic too. The cost of flooring upfront can be really high, and when you’re keeping an eye on your budget it could be tempting to go with a cheaper option. But if you spend the money upfront, you’ll most likely never need to replace it. Good flooring can last for decades, and most hard flooring options are really timeless too so will work with any of your decor changes over the years. If you love the softness of carpets, big area rugs work well and you could always have carpets upstairs in the bedrooms. One simple way to maintain your carpet’s appearance is by removing your shoes before going upstairs, this of course helps to prevent dirt, grime and outdoor debris from being tracked onto your carpets. You get the best of both worlds with cosy bedrooms and easy to clean and hard wearing living spaces.
Extensions
Adding an extension can be a fantastic investment into your home. Maybe your family is growing and you dont want to move, or you just want to maximise the space that you can get on your land. Extensions come in all types to suit your needs and preferences. A conservatory is a wonderful option if you love natural light and enjoy the feeling of being surrounded by the outdoors while still inside your home- perfect for relaxation and enjoying the sunshine all year round. These are less expensive than traditional brick built extensions and make a great space to use as a dining room, playroom or relaxation space downstairs.
If you have an attic or a basement that’s currently unused, converting it into livable space can give you a huge increase in square footage without altering the exterior appearance of your home. This conversion can be an excellent way to create additional bedrooms, a home office, or a recreational area, depending on your needs and preferences. Alternatively, you may want to go for a single or double story extension to expand your living space horizontally or vertically. A single story extension adds extra room to one level of your house, which could be ideal for extending your kitchen, creating a spacious living area or adding a home gym. On the other hand, a double story extension provides space on two floors, allowing for additional bedrooms, bathrooms, or a bigger family room. If you have a lot of space surrounding your home then extending outwards can make sense, if you’re tight on outdoor room then going up or down is your best bet. For more substantial extensions you’ll most likely need to get planning permission, a good way to see if you’re likely to get it approved is to look at your neighbours homes. If they’ve had extensions done or you can see they’ve gone into their loft then most likely you’ll be approved too. Smaller extensions like conservatories or single, smaller extensions could fall under permitted developments so dont need to be approved which can speed things up if you want to get straight to it. When you’re thinking about your extension, think about the additional costs too. These include decor and flooring, plumbing costs if you’re adding a bathroom and a service electrician to have lights and sockets put in.
Gardens
If you have outside space around your home then it’s so worth using it. Upgrading your gardens doesn’t just improve your home’s appearance, it brings a whole host of benefits too that make it a worthwhile investment. In the front garden you could add vibrant flowers in beds, pots or hanging baskets along with neatly trimmed bushes and a well maintained lawn. Paint fences, repair and paint any render and give your front door a lick of paint too. YThat way your home looks more inviting and you’re also boosting its curb appeal which can increase its value. A welcoming front garden creates a positive first impression, even if you’re not selling it’s nice to come home each day to a house that looks beautiful and makes you feel proud. When it comes to the back garden, landscaping here transforms your outdoor space into a versatile area- this could be for relaxation, recreation and family gatherings too. A nice patio where you can enjoy meals al fresco, a cosy fire pit for roasting marshmallows on cool evenings, or a lush garden where you can sit with a glass of wine and take in the nature around you. Depending on what you’re starting with, you might need a landscaping company to come in and build walls, fit patios and remove or add areas of turf for you. Otherwise you could have a go yourself, finishing touches like painting fences and adding solar lighting make all the difference. Spending time in the garden, from just relaxing outside to maintaining the garden with weeding and digging are all good for your mental health, so if you have outdoor space then make the best of it! Maintaining your gardens adds value to your property over time since a beautifully landscaped garden is a selling point for potential buyers, increasing the marketability and the resale value of your home.
