A house is one of the biggest purchases a person will ever
make, and most want to keep their homes looking beautiful not only for
themselves, but also to entice future buyers. From time to time, it’s a good
idea to invest in some home remodeling to add to its appeal. Of course, before
making any major changes to your home, you’ll want to be sure you go through
the proper channels—such as the association architectural committee for
approval and the city for the necessary permits—to make sure that you don’t run
into any legal issues.
So when it comes time to give your house a facelift,
consider these touch-ups and renovations that will not only make your home look
better than ever but also help increase its value:
Re-paint Your Rooms: One of the easiest (and cheapest!) ways to dramatically change the entire look of a room is to add a fresh coat of paint. Not only will it immediately make your walls look crisp and clean, but also, because wall color can greatly dictate the feel of a room, it’s a simple way to change the ambiance of your home. Since darker colors seem intense on walls and can make a room look smaller, it’s usually best to stick with lighter, warmer hues for your overall color to make your home feel open and welcoming. If you want to paint with darker colors, consider limiting them to an accent wall so that the color isn’t overwhelming and pops against the lighter colors.
If you’re doing the painting yourself, here are a few tips so
your paint job looks professional:
·
Apply a coat of primer first so that walls won’t
soak up as much paint. Use two coats of paint to ensure a rich, even coverage.
·
Use painters’ tape along the outside edge of the
area you’re painting to get sharp, even lines.
Update Your Kitchen
and Bathrooms: If your kitchen or bathrooms look like they belong in an era
long since passed, it might be time to update them. That can be as simple as
retiling the floor and replacing faucets and cabinet hardware or as complex as
completely remodeling the rooms. When you remodel, consider avoiding too-trendy
decor and instead stick with classic looks that will stand the test of
time–this will keep you from redecorating again in five years and also make
your home all the more appealing to potential buyers.
Add a Home Office:
People’s work and home lives are drastically merging as more and more workers
telecommute from home. Because of this, turning an empty basement, attic or
bedroom into a dedicated home office can give you a peaceful place to work and
also be a real selling point for potential buyers.
A good home office will have enough space to comfortably
work in and have easy access to the Internet, electrical outlets and cable and
phone jacks. Touches like built-in bookcases and desks can add that extra
something that makes your home office a productive place to work.
Let There be Light:
When a room doesn’t have enough light, it can feel very drab and enclosed.
Bring in some much-needed brightness by adding new light fixtures to a dreary
room. Don’t be afraid to use different types of fixtures to get the best results—for
example, in a kitchen you could use a hanging pendant to spotlight a specific
area (like the kitchen’s island), recessed light fixtures to spread the
light over the entire room and track
lighting under the cabinet to make the kitchen feel open and bright. If you’re
not sure which types of lighting fixtures will work best for you, consult a
residential lighting designer to find out how to light your room just right.
Finish Your Basement
or Attic: Utilize every inch of your home by turning your unfinished
basement or attic into extra living space. These areas are untapped gems that
can be used as game rooms or extra bedrooms, or, with enough space and the
right design, a home all on its own complete with a living room, kitchen,
bathroom and bedrooms. Basements and attics have special characteristics that
need to be addressed. For example, basements are prone to water infiltration
and attics often have slanted ceilings. It’s a good idea to bring in the
professionals to guide you through these obstacles and make sure all major components
like pluming, electric, walls and floors are done correctly.
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