When you’ve been living in a house for a while, you start to want a change. Some people sell their homes and buy new homes to give them a new look, but those who don’t want to leave the neighborhood or can’t afford to move are stuck with home renovations to give them a new look. Renovation, although an exciting thought, turns out to be a very complicated task when you actually implement it. The most important question one can ask is: “What should I renovate? Where should I start?”
You may want to change a lot of things in your home, but to stay within your budget, focus on remodeling your kitchen and bathroom to give it a new look. The basic goal of renovation and remodeling is to add value to your home and provide you with greater enjoyment of your home.
remodeling the kitchen
Many see the kitchen as the heart of the home where we gather, cook and entertain. According to one study, about 60% to 120% of your total remodeling budget is spent on the kitchen. This is because the kitchen is the place in the house that has the most appliances and needs to be updated more often. A lot of thought needs to be given when remodeling a kitchen.
Stick to the Theme – As you renovate your kitchen, make sure it fits the theme of the house. Many times, people tend to give the kitchen a very modern look, even if the whole house has a very different vibe. Suppose your house is based on an antique theme with furniture and decor to match. Your kitchen should also feature retro-looking appliances and accessories.
Energy Efficient Appliances – While you’re remodeling your kitchen, be sure to purchase energy efficient appliances and replace any old clunkers you’ve put up with. Energy efficient appliances are not only good for the environment but also for your pocket, as they can reduce your energy bill by almost 20%.
Consider reorienting cabinets: Instead of installing new cabinets, a costly remodeling job, consider removing and replacing cabinet doors. If the structures are solid, you may just need a “facelift” to drastically upgrade your cabinets. New hardware can also easily update the look of cabinets for little money.
remodeling the bathroom
An updated bathroom adds to the beauty of your home. A bathroom with broken tiles or mismatched or outdated fixtures detracts from your home’s appeal. If you’re replacing the tub, toilet, or vanity, that’s the time to replace the flooring as well, as it’s ideal for the flooring to sit directly below or meet these fixtures, depending on the type of flooring. Talk to a contractor about what will work best for your home.
Natural lights are the best lights – a well-lit bathroom looks fresh and helps with grooming. Makeup artists, for example, prefer natural lighting. A window that can provide natural light and ventilation in the bathroom is a double win for you.
Update Accessories – Bathroom accessory styles are constantly changing, and remodeling can upgrade your bathroom to match the latest trends. A very simple solution that many people tend to overlook is deglazing a bathtub, rather than buying a new one. This will save you money and improve the look of your bathroom.
The renewal may take a long time to complete. But when you see the result, you will feel that all your hard work is worth it. Be sure to read these tips before renovating your kitchen and bathroom.