Many homeowners would like to get more out of their abode, whether their motivation is to enjoy a higher standard of living, or boost their home’s value with a view to selling. Whether your home is relatively small, or you have a little more space to play with, making a few well thought-out improvements can really elevate your living space to the next level.
Are you looking for inspiration on how to improve your home? We’ve curated a list with 10 of our favourite home renovation projects.
Replace Your Windows
Tired, worn or faded windows can make any home appear drab and dated. Older, inefficient windows often contribute to heat loss. The majority of today’s windows use double-glazing technology and provide far superior insulation when compared to their predecessors. They’re energy efficient, allowing you to make savings on your energy bills.
If you buy new windows for your home, you’ll also have an extensive choice of styles and designs – and there are options available to suit every budget.
Choose the Right Blinds or Curtains
Whether or not you decide to upgrade your windows, dressing them with contemporary blinds or curtains can improve their look – and give your home’s saleability a boost too!
Minimalist curtains are currently in fashion – and it’s looking like they’ll remain so for some time. Wave curtains and Roman blinds are popular contemporary looks. Consider your home’s existing decor and remember the phrase ‘less is more’ and you shouldn’t go too far wrong!
Change Up Your Door Furniture
Replacing your doors can be an expensive undertaking, but simply replacing worn door furniture (i.e. handles, door knockers and letterboxes) can often take the years off. For the full age-defying effect, repaint your doors and remember to choose colours that complement your home’s decor.
So long as your doors are in reasonable condition to start with, you should be able to make them look near new with just a little time and effort.
Upgrade Your Bathroom
There are many ways to improve the look and functionality of your bathroom – and that doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank with an all-new suite. In fact, a few smaller changes such as replacing old water basins, adding a medicine cabinet, replacing the taps and adding a few quirky aquatic-themed ornaments can make a once-tired bathroom look and feel like new!
Rejuvenate Your Kitchen
Although renovating your kitchen is a considered investment, it can provide a significant boost to your home’s aesthetics, utility and value. A modern, stylish kitchen can make dining and meal preparation enjoyable and is also a strong selling point for any prospective buyers.
When refurbishing your kitchen area, you should consider how to make the most of the natural light and which appliances would best suit your needs (and fit your kitchen layout). If you choose to redecorate, consider using bright, light or neutral colours to avoid the drab, dingy look associated with many of the kitchens of yesteryear.
Add Under-stair Storage
If your home features a staircase, make sure you take advantage of the potential storage space it provides. Installing under-stair shelves, drawers and cupboards can help you save space and make your home appear that much more spacious.
You can utilise the space under your staircase to store toys, coats, books – or virtually anything that would usually clutter up your home. What’s more, under-stair storage can be installed for a relatively modest investment and is a great selling point for any prospective buyers seeking a hassle-free living space.
Convert Your Loft Space
If your property has loft space, make sure you use it to its full effect. Your loft could be converted into a home gym, music studio, recreation room – or even a guest bedroom. The possibilities are practically endless. The addition of a Velux window to take advantage of the natural sunlight can make a dingy loft space appear bright and inviting. Decorating the walls in bright, light or neutral colours can complete the effect.
Create an Al Fresco Dining Area
A well-appointed patio or decking area can add character and utility to almost any garden space. Invest in a barbecue, a table and chair set (and perhaps a picnic bench) and you’ll be ready to embrace al fresco cooking and dining.
If you really want to step things up, why not treat yourself to a wood-fired pizza oven, or a custom-made home bar? Remember, you can enjoy these amenities all year long. A patio heater can help make the evenings a little more cozy during the autumn and winter months.
Build a Garden Office
With the ‘work from home’ age well underway, garden offices are now highly sought after by today’s professionals. The decision to have a garden office built should be carefully considered (the project will typically set you back between £5,000-20,000). However, spend this money wisely and you can create a modern, roomy, comfortable office that suits your personal working requirements.
A separate garden office provides many home workers with a much-needed retreat from the lively (or loud) family home where they can work without distraction!
Declutter
Our final project costs next to nothing where materials are concerned (you’ll just need to stock up on bin bags). It just might cost you a fair chunk of your time, depending on the state of your home! That’s right, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and prepare for a good old cleanout. Bag up and bin anything that is no longer of value or use to you.
Who knows, you may even unearth a hidden treasure or two, which can be sold on for a nice profit. When you’ve finished decluttering, we think you’ll agree it was worth all the effort. Simply getting rid of a few years’ worth of clutter can be transformative!
Thank You for Reading and Happy Renovating!
We hope you found our latest article useful and now have plenty of ideas for how to renovate your home. No matter what you decide to do, we wish you the best of luck with your home improvement endeavours.
