We all dream of owning the ideal home one day, but it’s unlikely we’re just going to walk into the perfect pre-made property. More likely, a house will need upgrades or renovation work to make it closer to that idea of perfection.
Doing a makeover to your home will make it more livable and pleasant in the short term while also adding considerable value should you wish to sell further down the line. Here are some top tips for breathing life back into your home and adding a personal touch to your surroundings.
Extend into your loft space
For most people, a home is all about space – whether that be from the practical sense of having enough room to live comfortably or more from an aesthetics point of view and feeling a sense of roominess.
Extending your house upwards into loft areas can bring significant extra space and could add an additional 20% value to your home. The attic space in most houses is typically redundant, and most could easily be transformed into a playroom, study, or extra bedroom.
Roof space conversions range in complexity, and the need for planning permission varies, so you must seek the guidance of an architect or builder. In general, there are two types of loft conversion:
• Simple roof conversions: Normally involves just putting down floorboards and adding some extra light, usually through roof windows. Simple loft conversions are the most cost-effective and quickest to complete. As they often don’t require any planning permission, you may not even need skilled help.
• Mansard conversions: Requires more extensive building work, outwards from the existing slope of the roof. Mansard conversions add considerably more space with steeper sides and a new, near-flat covering. Subject to your local planning authority, you may or may not need permission to extend in the mansard style, so you should seek advice before starting any work.
Move to open-plan living
Open-plan layouts are very popular and can entirely transform your home with a greater sense of roominess and space. Combining open-plan layouts with larger windows or fresh décor, cabinets, and counters can bring a new look that makes you feel as though you’re in an entirely different home.
The most common open plan rebuilds involve knocking through the kitchen and living room to make one ample open space. This can be a fairly simple task, provided the wall between the two isn’t load bearing. For obvious reasons, removing a load-bearing wall can have disastrous results. If knocking through rooms isn’t an option, you could possibly consider adding an extension instead.
Renovate your bathroom
Bathroom renovations don’t need to be a massive job, and it’s surprising how much difference a change of tiles or adding some mirrors, cupboards, or extra storage space can make.
Even relatively small tasks like tile regrouting and cleaning can completely refresh the aesthetics of a bathroom, bringing tired surfaces back to life. Although you could try to do regrouting on your own, for the best results, use a specialist company Bathroom Surgeon tile regrouting services which feature comprehensive information on its website.
Upgrading your bathroom will add considerable value to your home; however, it’s straightforward to spend a lot on renovations – so if you want to work to a budget, consider the following:
• Stick to the existing layout to save moving pipes and inlets
• If changing the shower, framed shower enclosures are usually cheaper. Also, consider exposed models which save installing new pipes
• Floor-mounted sanitaryware is cheaper than similar wall-mounted models
• A complete bathroom suite will almost always be cheaper than buying individual units
Add a conservatory
Building a conservatory is one of the most cost-effective and easiest ways to add more space to your home while also substantially increasing its value. A full-glass conservatory merges the indoors with the outdoors and can bring much-needed extra light into your home.
Conservatories tend not to require planning permission, but you should still check with your local authorities before going ahead with any building work. Depending on the shape, size, and materials you choose, adding a new conservatory could increase the value of your home by up to10%.
Add landscaping features to your garden
The use of outdoor space around your home can be one of the key deciding factors when a potential buyer comes to view your house – after all, your garden is often the first thing visitors see.
In a recent survey, 59% of respondents cited gardens as being a major influencing factor in their choice when buying a home, so consider doing some landscaping work or adding features to make your outside space more functional and attractive. You’ll increase your home’s value while also maximizing the space available to you. Common works include paths, walls, decking, zoned areas, plants, and artificial lighting.
To move or to renovate?
Moving home is often a tumultuous, disruptive experience and, between the buying and selling fees, can also end up pretty expensive. Rather than throwing in the towel on your old home, try putting a little time and effort into renovations to dramatically improve your living space and breathe new life back into your surroundings.
