Improving your home is one of the wisest decisions you can make regarding your property – for various reasons.
Firstly (and most obviously), improving your home will likely add considerable value to the asking price when you eventually come to sell it. This can be a relatively cheap way of generating significant amounts of money and is a key tactic used by property investors.
Secondly, making your home a more pleasant place to live can raise your daily living standards, boost your mood and contribute to a more positive outlook on life.
Numerous studies have linked moods and emotional behavior to living conditions – whether it is the link between a clean desk and productivity or tidying your room to feel more in control of your surroundings. The same effect can be had by renovating your home.
From minor updates to major renovations, there are plenty of ways to make your home more comfortable, functional, and stylish. While home improvement projects are not always easy, they can be deeply rewarding long-term.
To help, here are some of the best home improvement ideas to get you started:
Interior design software can help you visualize changes
Before you get cracking with your home improvement project, it is vital to have the right tools to hand.
This doesn’t necessarily mean workman’s tools – such as spanners, screwdrivers and hammers – but software.
This is because planning makes up a huge amount of a DIY project. Drawing out your ideas, making lists, budgeting and creating a blueprint for your project is incredibly important, which is where the best interior design software can help.
Make your home more energy-efficient
Improving the energy efficiency of your home can not only save you money on your energy bills, but it can also make your home more comfortable and reduce your carbon footprint. Some ways to make your home more energy-efficient include:
- Insulating your walls, attic, and crawl space to keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer.
- Sealing air leaks around doors and windows to prevent drafts.
- Replacing old windows with energy-efficient models.
- Installing a programmable thermostat to help you control your heating and cooling costs.
- Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, such as a tankless water heater or a new, energy-efficient refrigerator.
Update your kitchen
The kitchen is often the hub of the home, and a well-designed and functional kitchen can make a big difference in how you use and enjoy your home. There are many ways to update your kitchen.
These include replacing old appliances with energy-efficient models, adding an island or peninsula for additional counter space and storage, and updating your cabinets with new doors, hardware, or paint.
In addition, you could install new countertops, backsplash, or flooring or fit additional lightings, such as under-cabinet lights or pendant lights over the island.
Upgrade your home’s exterior
Improving the exterior of your home not only increases its desirability, but it can also protect your home from the elements and improve energy efficiency.
You can take many different approaches to renovate the outside of your home, giving you an enormous scope for change.
The below examples can help you get started with an exterior renovation:
- Repainting the exterior of your home or adding new siding.
- Upgrading your roof with a new material or coating.
- Adding new windows or doors.
- Landscaping your yard with plants, trees, and shrubs.
Add outdoor living space
Expanding your living space to the outdoors can be a great way to enjoy the warmer months and add value to your home.
For instance, you could build a deck or patio for outdoor dining and entertaining, buy a pergola or gazebo for shade and protection from the elements or focus on aesthetic lifestyle features like a fire pit or outdoor fireplace for warmth and ambience.
Finish your basement
If you have an unfinished basement, finishing it can be a great way to add additional living space to your home. Furthermore, it can add a considerable amount of value to your home. For example, integrating a home theatre, office or study (ideal for remote work), guest quarters (which can be rented out separately), or creating a game room or home gym can make your home far more desirable.
Add smart home technology
Smart home technology can make your home more convenient, secure, and energy efficient. This has never been more important, given the increasing emphasis on the climate crisis and reducing household carbon footprints.
By fitting tech like smart thermostats that allow you to control your home’s temperature remotely, smart locks that allow you to unlock your doors with your smartphone, or smart lighting that can be controlled through a mobile app or voice assistant, you can take a far greater level of control over your monthly bills.