A few well-thought out changes here and there can breathe new life into tired homes. Whether your intention is to boost your home’s market value or simply to make the most of your abode, a smarter, more spacious and stylish home is within your reach. If you set aside a sensible budget, consider what changes would have the biggest impact and plan out a realistic work schedule, you shouldn’t go far wrong.
Would you like to rejuvenate your home? Then, you’re in luck! We’ve put together a list of 10 essential projects to help your abode realise its full potential. Ready to get started? Great! Let’s get to it …
Consider a New Colour Scheme
Nothing makes a property appear dull and dated quite like a drab, faded colour scheme. Luckily, the simple act of changing up your home’s colour scheme can be accomplished on a relatively small budget – and yet, this one of the most impactful projects on our list.
A well-chosen colour scheme can also bring the added benefit of making your home appear lighter. If you’re looking to combat dreary walls, consider painting them lighter colours such as pale blue, grey, Light Terracotta or Sunny Yellow.
Invest in New Windows
Old, dull and damaged windows can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the interior of your property. What’s more, they can also exacerbate heat loss – and damage your home’s kerb appeal to boot.
Today’s windows are far better than their predecessors at making the most of the available sunlight and preventing heat loss. They’re also available in a whole host of attractive styles, designs and configurations. You may consider uPVC window frames, due to their robust construction and longevity. When it comes to the glass fittings, double-glazing remains the most popular choice, offering a good level of insulation at a sensible price.
In short, investing in new windows can reduce the need for artificial lighting and cut heat loss allowing you to save on your energy bills, whilst also improving your home’s looks. What’s not to like?
Change Up Your Window Dressings
If you’re prepared to invest in a new set of windows, don’t neglect your window dressings. If your present curtain decor is putting your property in a time warp, then perhaps it’s time to change to something a little more contemporary.
You might consider linen or silk curtains. Or, if you’d prefer blinds, the Roman, Vision or Roller varieties could all make for attractive additions to your home.
Rethink the Driveway
If your driveway tiles are cracked, shabby and teeming with weeds, then any visitors (or prospective buyers) are likely to be left with a negative impression before even stepping through the front door. Giving the driveway a simple pressure wash and tackling those troublesome weeds alone can be transformative.
However, if your tiled driveway is still resembling an ancient ruin, then perhaps it’s worth having it re-tiled by a professional. This is something you should seriously consider if you’re planning to sell your home in the near future.
Although a considered investment, an all-new driveway can leave everyone that walks through your gate with a positive impression of your home – and, by extension, you!
Get Smart – Get a Smart TV!
Modern smart TVs allow viewers to watch a slew of engaging content, including music videos, comedy shows, films, dramas, reality TV and so much more – all without the need to connect an aerial or shell out for an ongoing subscription. What’s more, the top models on the market offer additional features such as web browsing and gaming.
However, perhaps the biggest selling points of smart TVs are their crystal clear pictures and rich, cinematic sound. If you’re serious about home entertainment, your setup should definitely include a smart TV.
Repurpose Your Loft Space
Many homeowners have a loft, but sadly, many fail to utilise this space to its fullest. We believe loft space is wasted when it’s used to store old Christmas decorations and trinkets. According to research from Ideal Home, a well-built loft conversion can boost the value of a property by around 10-20%.
In most cases, you will not require planning permission for a loft conversion – however, checking beforehand is highly recommended. Whether or not planning permission is needed, bear in mind that you will still need to satisfy building regulations.
Now, it’s time to think about how you’d like to utilise your loft space. Perhaps you’d like to create a home gym – a guest bedroom, home music studio or a recreation room. One more thing to consider: if you want to keep your new loft feature well lit, it’s worth adding a Velux window. This will help you make the most of the available sunlight whilst keeping the space well ventilated.
Freshen Up (Or Replace) the Kitchen Cabinets
If you want to freshen up your kitchen cupboards, why not treat them to a fresh coat of paint? So long as their overall condition isn’t too shabby, this should rejuvenate their look. Wood-stained cabinets are very much in style at the moment. When it comes to colour, you shouldn’t go far wrong with cooler tones such as whites, greys and blues.
If your kitchen units are damaged or look worse for wear, you may consider tearing them out and starting anew.
Spruce up Your Bathroom
Renovating your bathroom doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank with an all-new suite. The main objective is to purge the room of any relics, by which we mean ‘time capsule’ pieces such as avocado basins and fuschia carpeting. Small changes such as replacing cabinet doors and taps can also go a long way in making your bathroom appear more modern.
If you want to take things to the next level, consider kitting out your bathroom with the latest gadgets. Smart scales allow you to keep track of your weight and BMI. They can even be paired with your Fitbit app. And, with a Waterproof Bluetooth speaker, you’ll be able to relax with your favourite music and podcasts as you soak in the bath or shower.
Add a Garden Office
2020 was the test-pilot year for remote working. After a runaway success, garden offices are now highly sought after among professional homebuyers. And, while the decision to build a garden office should be taken carefully (the work will typically cost between £5,000-20,000), if you utilise your budget wisely, you can create a spacious, modern office that suits most working requirements.
A dedicated garden office space will provide a welcome, distraction-free retreat from the tumult of a busy family life. What’s more, according to Housebuilder and Developer, you can expect a garden office to increase the value of your home by around 5%.
Have an Old-fashioned Clear-out
The final project on our list requires next to no investment – stock up on bin bags and you’re all set. All you’ll need aside from that is a chunk of your time and a little elbow grease. Get ready for a thorough cleanout. Roll up your sleeves and be prepared to bag and bin anything and everything that’s no longer of value or use to you.
If you’re lucky, you may discover a couple of hidden treasures, which you can sell on for a profit. Once you’ve finished decluttering, we’re sure you’ll agree that it was well worth the effort. Simply letting go of all your clutter can truly transform perceptions of your home.
Thanks for Reading – Best of Luck with Your Home Improvement Projects!
We hope you enjoyed our latest article and now have plenty of inspiration for how to elevate your home to the next level. No matter what you decide on, we wish you all the very best of luck with your home renovation efforts.
