4 Life-Changing Updates to Your Home

Every old home needs a touch-up once in a while. A few small changes to the exterior or the interior can really re-invigorate an old house, and make it look much vivacious and inviting than before. Furthermore, these little changes not only liven up a home, but they also add value should you decide to sell it down the line.

With that being said, many people think about sprucing up their homes, but they don’t know what to do. If you’re one of those, here is a little article containing a few fresh and relatively low-cost ideas that will make your home look and feel like new.

• Add a Bathroom

You’ve got some extra space and don’t know what to do with it? Why not add a bathroom?

Bathrooms are generally an excellent idea, especially when you’re looking to sell. In addition, a home should have one bathroom per bedroom, as a general rule. Not only that but with a little planning, you can get away with installing a whole bathroom without burning a hole in your pocket.

But, how much should you pay for a bathroom? Well, that depends on what you have in mind. Installing individual elements isn’t that expensive unless you’re looking at adding something overly fancy. Tiling a bathroom can be the costliest endeavour, especially if you’ve got a large space on your hand. You can try installing underfloor heating – it might be on the higher end of the cost scale, but bathrooms generally have a good recoup percentage (80%-130%), so, if you’re brave enough, we say go for it.

• Replace the Windows

It’s a darn shame how many times people overlook the beauty and the efficiency of a window. Perhaps this is because windows are such an integral part of any building that we simply don’t notice them. But, believe us when we say, a run-down window is certainly going to hurt your home’s curb appeal and its potential price on the market.

However, the main reason to replace old and worn windows is actually energy efficiency. Energy-efficient windows can save you up to $465 in energy bills, and a fresh set on the front of your house might just set the right tone and catch a buyer’s eye if you plan to do an open home.

• Install Wall Cladding

Wall cladding doesn’t only improve energy efficiency, but it also greatly improves curb appeal and gives your home a fresh, brand new look that’s certain to turn some heads. However, when considering wall cladding, make sure to choose the right material. There are quite a few to choose from, from brick slabs to stone, steel, aluminium, and wood. Remember that wall cladding is there to not only look good but protect your home from various hazards, so consult professionals like Olam Clad – they’re likely to tell you what will suit your home best. For example, fire is a major hazard in Australia due to all the wildfires in the summer, so getting fire-resistant cladding like brick, steel or aluminium might sound like a better idea than wood.

• Add a Deck/Patio

One of the simplest ways to improve your home’s value and breathe some new life into it is by adding a deck/patio. Most people nowadays like staying home for the holidays and spending time outside in their own yard, so a deck might be the perfect idea for you as a resident and a potential seller.

The costs of adding a deck can vary greatly, so be sure to consult a professional before actually going for it. Decks add a great bit of appeal for buyers, though, and you’re certain to recoup about 65%-90% of your investment. And, if you’re not planning to sell, you’ll still be left with an excellent bit of fresh and new space you can lazy-out in when you’re off-duty, and impress your friends the next time they scoot over for a BBQ.

Conclusion

And, there you have it, some of the easiest to do and most cost-effective ways to add life-changing improvements to your home. These few additions can have a great impact on your home’s appeal, both for you and potential buyers, and will breathe new life into old homes while being cost-effective and, for the most part, green and energy-efficient.