Don’t move, improve! How to improve your home
Getting itchy feet but can’t quite bring yourself to move home? Improving what you’ve already got could be the answer. Whether it’s lack of money, your job or a great location that is keeping you where you are, it doesn’t mean that you can’t alter your surroundings. Check out our five tips below to improve your living space and help get you just a little of that ‘new home’ feeling.
Build an extension
This is one step that you should take with great caution. However, if done properly, an extension can not only add some extra living space for you and your family, it can also add a lot of value to your home for when the time does come to move on. The important thing to remember when building an extension is to think about the desired purpose of the room, where the new space would best sit, your budget, and any potential added value an extension could create. If you are thinking of building an extension, but you are worried about applying for planning permission (which can cost around £300) and not getting approval, then just do some research. All you have to do is take a look at other properties in your area and especially on your street. This will give you a perfect idea of what sorts of building projects actually do get approval and then you can have a decent idea of whether or not you will be granted planning permission. It will also help you avoid choosing an extension that may in fact detract from the value of your home.
Brighten it up a bit
If building an extension is out of your price range, then you can improve your home with some interior decorating. Start with the rooms you spend the most time in – the living room and bedrooms perhaps – and create spaces that you enjoy spending time in. This could mean creating a feature wall with some cool wallpaper, investing in some new (or vintage) furniture, or even something simpler like buying a new bedspread or curtains. It’s amazing what a few small touches here and there can do to the overall feel of your home.
If you are looking to make your kitchen feel more spacious then you could look into getting some larger windows and brighter tiles. You can also create a far more spacious feel within your kitchen by buying a built in dishwasher or washing machine. These appliances will create the effect of more space, as they appear hidden and blend in with your kitchen nicely.
Increase your home’s curb appeal
Curb appeal is something mostly associated with people who are trying to sell their home. To put it simply, curb appeal is the first impression your home gives to people driving past or turn up for a viewing. Having said that, you walk or drive up to your home almost every day. Why should the curb appeal only be considered in terms of those you are trying to sell your home to? Give the outside of your home a lick of paint, tackle the weeds, tidy the driveway or add some nice outside lighting. You’ll be proud to walk up to your front door in no time!
Avoid garish and unique installations
If you’re thinking your kitchen needs a bit of a revamp, then that’s great. Installing a new kitchen is a great way to improve your home but they don’t come cheap. Thinking about the enduring appeal of a new kitchen is of vital performance. Bright cupboards and a giant breakfast bar might seem attractive now, but will you still feel the same in 5 years time? Will potential buyers feel the same? Neutrality is key for the items that aren’t easily and cheaply replaced. If you’re really feeling the need to add a bit of colour to your culinary life, go for bright appliances, pictures and soft furnishings. Beautiful.
Flex those green fingers
So we’ve covered the inside and outside of your home, but what about the garden? What you need to do to improve your garden will depend on the shape, size and landscape of your garden, as well as what you want to get from your garden. If your space is limited, you could consider paving with a few flower beds around the edge to add colour without adding too much maintenance. If you have a large open green space, you could consider planting some trees (although this needs careful planning in terms of location and type of suitable tree) or adding a water feature.
So there you have it, our top five tips for improving your home. Obviously what’s best for you will depend completely on the property you are starting with, what you’re hoping to achieve and how big a budget you have to work with. But hopefully our ideas will give you something to start thinking about anyway.
If you’d like some help with your home improvements, why not take a look at the Building and Home Services section on Friday-Ad. Alternatively, if you’re a business that can help with other people’s home improvements, why not place an ad yourself.
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