Renovations are the best way to create the home of your dreams. As your needs, family and budget change, you may want to renovate your property accordingly. Home renovations allow you to stay put, rather than uprooting to a new neighbourhood, and can be more cost-effective than selling up and buying elsewhere.
The most common areas for renovation are the kitchen and bathroom. These are rooms that all members of the household use, and that prospective buyers place the most weight on. These are rooms that should be both functional and comfortable. Investing in these amenities will more than pay for themselves over time and will increase the resale value of your property dramatically.
Bathroom Renovations
The bathroom is one of the other most crucial rooms in any house and another opportunity to add value. Take into consideration who will be using the bathroom – children? Elderly adults? – and any specific needs. If you currently have a separate toilet and washroom, yo might consider combining them into one larger bathroom. We all need to use these facilities on a daily basis, so creating a more pleasant and comfortable bathroom experience is a worthwhile home improvement indeed.
Bathroom renovations can be time intensive, but they will more than pay for themselves.
The first element to consider is the shower or bathtub, or both, depending on what you have. If you’re happy with the style and size of your bathtub, rather than replacing it with a new one, you might consider having it resurfaced for a second lease of life. A tiled shower takes longer to install and requires more in the way of upkeep but offers a sophisticated, top quality finish for your bathroom. This may also be an opportunity to install low flow shower heads and toilet tanks, which can help trim your water bill every month.
Ensure cabinets provide sufficient shelving, and that faucets match the shower or bathtub fixtures. To streamline your bathroom, make use of recessed wall cabinets where possible, and consider a pedestal sink – the sleek lines are more appealing than a stout square or rectangular vanity.
More than anywhere else, bathroom flooring must be water resistant and durable. And don’t forget about light, heating and ventilation. An outside window is a must, as is a ventilation fan. Heated towel rails or ceiling heat lamps are another nice addition. These all add up and are the finishing touches that make a real difference to the end result.
Kitchen Renovations
The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s a central place where everyone gathers, the hub for conversation and entertainment. Given its importance, it’s crucial to make the kitchen a pleasant place to spend time and a practical place that fulfils its duties. A modern kitchen with all the amenities, good internal flow between sink, stove and appliances, and good external flow, with proximity to other living areas.
Kitchen renovations will pay for themselves over time and increase the value of your home. If you haven’t updated your fittings in many years, however, this could hurt your resale value.
Start by choosing your cabinets and bench tops, as these are the main focal points in any kitchen. An island or breakfast bar, if you have the room, is highly desirable. Stone, granite or marble finishes will be worth the investment. Once you have settled on those surfaces, turn your mind to the flooring. A neutral tile is easy to clean and will never be out of place in any kitchen.
Consider how much storage you need. Deep drawers or hanging hooks are great for larger pots and pans. A large pantry, walk-in or not, is a must. Pull out systems for corner cabinets can make life a lot easier. Fitting cabinets to the walls and ceilings also eliminates the need to clean between small gaps. If you are building space in specifically for dishwashers or ovens, check your measurements very carefully, and consider the placement of power points (you can never have enough).
When remodelling, opt for quality materials and finishes that are sturdy and will last the test of time, preferably in classic colours. Energy efficient appliances will save you money in the present and add a selling point later down the track.
Home Extensions & Additions
Home extensions or additions can create more space for a growing family. You might take the opportunity to improve the layout and flow by changing the configuration of rooms. Or you might build a separate dwelling such as a granny flat. The right home extensions and additions will make your house a much more enjoyable place to live, and more attractive to future buyers, who can move into a house where all the hard work has been done for them.
There are many ways you can extend your home to make the most of its potential. You could add a sleepout, a study or office, an ensuite bathroom, an extra level, or renovate a basement into a living area. Additions such as a deck improve indoor outdoor flow and accessibility, and will pay off in the long run.
Garages, car ports or sheds are common additions to houses. They provide more storage space, not just for vehicles but for tools, outdoor furniture, and more. You could choose a prefabricated model or custom build your own. The former is the cheaper option, but may not blend as well with your existing architecture style or colour scheme.
Be sure to research any council permits you may need to have approved. An illegal extension will be more of a liability than a selling point. Larger projects may require the involvement of engineers and architects.
