Home Improvement

Remodeling goes better when you do it a bit at at time

Updating your home is a healthy habit to have, but it can eat up a lot of time and energy. But if you start small and tackle tiny projects that don’t take too much time, you can break new ground without breaking the bank. We’ve pulled together a list of quick updates that will take only a weekend or two, but will add major value to your home.

FIX UP THE FOYER

With the warmer months fast approaching, your home entryway will quickly become the busiest area in your house. Adding simple coat cubbies or storage benches will work wonders on the organization of your entryway.

Pro Tip: It pays to install upgrades that are modern and trendy.

FINISH THOSE FLOORS

Outdated or unfinished floors can actually hurt the overall value of your house. For a luxurious look that you can lay down yourself, work with laminate or vinyl made to look like your favorite flooring materials. They’re easy to clean, too.

Pro Tip: Look for a partner you can count on for good selections and savings. Find a project place that blurs the line between style and savings, giving you super unique pieces at prices you can afford.

CLASS UP YOUR KITCHEN

Kitchens are a great investment, almost always winding up with more added value than their cost to construct. But instead of tackling it all at once, take your time and update your kitchen piece by piece. An easy and fun place to start is to put up a bold backsplash. And you can apply your backsplash directly to drywall, making it a project to complete in just a day or two.

Pro Tip: For solid design inspiration, find a supplier that has a showroom instore. Seeing real-life iterations of different styles will help you determine a design direction.

UPDATE THOSE ANTIQUES

Odds are, you have a couple of appliances that are past their prime. The beauty of buying a new one is that you can choose to go as practical or as pricey as you want. If you can update only one appliance and you’re having trouble deciding which one, select the one that’s the oldest – and perhaps least energy-efficient.

Pro Tip: For anything electrical, aquatic or even moderately advanced, peace of mind is usually more valuable than the installation expense. So pick a home-interior business that has teams of professional designers and installers in-house.

REPLACE THAT VANITY

The bathroom is one of the best rooms to renovate in a home. They’re typically small, which means replacing one focal feature can completely transform the room. Bathroom upgrades also recover more than double their cost, post-remodel. We recommend swapping out that outdated vanity for a more modern model, giving your bathroom both a visual and valuable upgrade. If you’re happy with your vanity, consider changing up the countertops and opt for a prefab granite or marble.

IN SUMMARY

Working on your home is a worthwhile pasttime; it’s fulfilling, both physically and financially. If you simply don’t know where to begin, start small. Break those big improvements into bite-size chunks. And set aside some time to take a stroll around your home and figure out what projects you want to prioritize. Look online for tips on what’s trending and what’s not, and search for stores with showrooms that can help focus your vision.