Home renovations can do a lot for your quality of life. A bigger space, more natural light, excellent appliances, and even an upgrade to your style can transform your house from the place where you live to a space that allows you to thrive. Unfortunately, these projects often deal a heavy blow to your budget. When planning renovations for your home, it’s important to consider the return value of each project. The right home improvements will make your property more desirable for others and boost the market value, ensuring you get the best return on investment down the line. If you’re wondering where to start, check out these seven projects that bring lasting value to your home.
It’s All About the Kitchen
An inviting, functional, and beautiful kitchen keeps your home running. From making your guests feel welcome to helping them bond over a homecooked meal, a good kitchen brings a lot of extra life to your home, making it one of the most valuable rooms to remodel. You can start small with new hardware and a fresh coat of paint for the cabinets. For bigger projects, try adding a stylish backsplash or an updated sink and faucets. Light fixtures, wood flooring, and other elegant additions can make the kitchen stand out among those of other houses on the market.
Pay Attention to the Yard
Not all renovations take place indoors. There are a lot of landscaping and yardwork projects that will boost the curb appeal of your home and make an excellent first impression on anyone who visits. Regular maintenance is a great place to start. Trimming bushes, weeding flowerbeds, and keeping the front door and windows clean all work to make the exterior of your home shine. You can also get creative with the yard space you have. Do you have a green thumb? Show off your skills with a flourishing garden. Add features like birdbaths, fountains, or decorative stones to further increase the beauty and value of your yard. Don’t forget the back yard, either. A deck or patio, stone or wooden pathways, and stylish lighting all work to create a cozy, relaxing outdoor space for everyone to enjoy.
Replace the Front Door
Yardwork isn’t the only way to increase your house’s curb appeal. If you really want to make a solid first impression for your guests—or potential buyers—take some time to work on your front door. A brand-new door not only makes your home look good, but it can also make the house more secure, better insulated, and more energy efficient. While a new door can be pricey, it has a consistently high return on investment rate. However, if a complete replacement isn’t necessary, you can always give your existing door a little polish. A fresh coat of paint can completely transform an old front door. Make sure you also clean any trim or windows on the door to give it a thorough makeover.
Give the Bathroom Some Love
In addition to the kitchen, the bathroom is another room that can see a lot of return value. Even relatively minor upgrades like a new paint color or light fixture can turn an old, plain bathroom into a valuable selling point. Focus on upgrading any generic or outdated features in the room. New and custom faucets, showerheads, and bathroom vanities will help the room stand out in your home. If you want to go all-in with your bathroom upgrades, consider energy-efficient fixtures. Not only will the new additions look great, but they’ll save you and any future owners money on water and energy bills.
Time for a Paint Job
As mentioned above, a fresh coat of paint can completely transform a room. Instead of focusing on a specific room, you can give the entire interior of your home a makeover. Maybe it’s time to touch up the worn walls of the kids’ old rooms. Perhaps the hallway walls have seen their fair share of nicks and scratches. Alternatively, it might just be time for something new. Painting is one of the best projects that bring lasting value to your home because it also gives you a chance to get creative. Try a bold accent wall in the bedroom or choose a color to complement the warm, cozy tones of your living room. You don’t want to go so crazy that a new buyer will just paint over the colors. However, repainting a room gives you the chance to try something new and create a home that is truly unique from the rest.
Go Eco-Friendly
Whether you plan on selling your house or staying in it, eco-friendly upgrades are always an investment that pays off. Start small by switching to LED lights and other energy-saving fixtures. Newer and more energy-efficient appliances also make a great addition to your home. Pay attention to your windows and doors as well. Energy-efficient windows work hard to insulate your home and prevent you from wasting heat or air conditioning during extreme temperatures. The right window treatments can also increase the amount of natural light in your home, which means you don’t have to leave the lights on as often. If you can invest in environmentally friendly upgrades, you’ll reap the benefits of lower energy bills and a lighter conscience down the road.
Switch to Engineered Hardwood Floors
Your flooring can say a lot about a room. This is why you want floors that will keep looking great for years to come. Carpet, laminate, and other less durable flooring accumulate stains, tears, and other damage over time. Make the smart option and switch to wood floors in your home. Engineered hardwood flooring is long lasting, easy to install, and versatile enough to match any style you want. Plus, wood floors have been a valuable staple of home design for generations. Your engineered hardwood floors will never go out of style, meaning they’ll be a valuable asset to your home the entire time you have them.
Here at From the Forest, we want to help you create the home of your dreams. We've got the natural engineered wood flooring selections to add value, durability, and beauty to any room of the house. Start your remodel today by stopping by and checking out our incredible range of species, stains, and more.
