Some of the reasons for renovating are obvious, such as crumbling walls and poor plumbing, while others may be more personal to you. For example, perhaps you have a keen interest in using a high-end jacuzzi-like bathtub for those long evening soaks, so you prioritize your family bathroom before anything else. Or, maybe you want to entertain more readily and are therefore planning to knock out the adjoining wall between two rooms to create a more open-plan living space.
It’s your property to renovate not everyone is as bothered by the lifestyle impact of a renovation effort. For some, it’s all about value and return on investment. After all, our homes are often our most valuable asset and improving and extending the property may make your home more valuable. Or perhaps you intend to move out not long after the complete refurbishment and the new addition will make your home more saleable when it goes on the market?
If you find yourself considering a renovation, ask yourself this simple question – where are the most valuable renovation hotspots in your property? From the kitchen to first impressions – and even the layout – there are so many spaces you can improve, even if you’re on a budget. Here’s how…
Investing In Kitchen & Bathroom Upgrades
Let’s start with the obvious first. The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home so, without a nice kitchen space, it can be harder to make the meals your family enjoys. Even if you’re rarely at home and mostly eat out, having a nice kitchen area is something that many homeowners seek to invest in first, as it’s the hub where everyone gathers as a family.
So – how could you update yours? Maybe you’d like to make it feel cosier with a wood-burning range cooker, which will also lend a farmhouse vibe. Perhaps you could open up the space by knocking through the wall and adding a freestanding island with a sink, giving you more surface space. Stick to three golden outcomes – more space, better function and welcoming aesthetics. If you can invest in these, your new kitchen will add value to your property and make cooking more enjoyable.
Of course, bathrooms are essential too. However, a prospective buyer is unlikely to drop their offer that much if a bathroom is just functional and clean instead of space-age and renovated. That being said, a shoddy bathroom can really put buyers off, as well as being unpleasant for you to use. For this reason, bathroom remodeling can be worth your effort as it’ll boost the value of your property AND give you a lovely spa-like space to enjoy chilling out in.
Enhancing Kerb Appeal For First Impressions
Much is said about ‘kerb appeal’ – that age-old truth that first impressions matter and can taint our viewpoint still counts. Yet the truth is enhancing kerb appeal is about more than just fixing up the window ledges and repainting the front door, although those efforts certainly count.
There are practical elements to enhancing kerb appeal, too. For example, widening the driveway a little to accommodate two cars, pruning your trees where appropriate, adding a safety mirror for sharp corners out of the drive, fixing the front gate for security, and power washing or replacing your garage door – all of this counts towards kerb appeal.
Consider Your Property Layout
It’s worth considering how your property is laid out, as many properties were built in an era where smaller rooms were easier to heat. However, this might not be the way you wish to live in your home so thinking about layout changes can serve as a great baseline for how you plan and manage your renovation from that point on.
Perhaps you’ll add a large playroom or create a dining room by incorporating the garage into the home. If your child has flown the nest you may have space to reclaim and could use it as a home office or a utility room. Always consider broader uses for each room before renovating to make sure the property works for you and serves all your day-to-day needs.
Maximize Unique Value & Character
All homes, much like all people, have their own unique characteristics and strengths. Sure, this might be reflected in many of the other properties on your street built to the same standard, but that doesn’t mean yours is any less appealing – unless it lacks original character.
For this reason, maximizing the unique value and character of your property can be a worthwhile approach. To start with – and something you might not have ever thought about – you might consider renaming your house back to its roots to really highlight the character. For example, of you live in a converted blacksmith’s workshop, you might rename it to “The Forge”.
If you have amazing period fixtures like original fireplaces, wooden beams on the ceiling, or even small plasterwork details around the cornicing or light fittings, renovating and refixing these to take centre stage can be impressive. Maximizing the unique period character of your building will increase its value – and sometimes that’s as simple as reinstalling a wood burner and unblocking/cleaning the chimney.
Installing An Exterior Building
If you have garden space, installing an exterior building can be a fantastic method of adding value to your property. Of course, determining what function this building will have is key. You will also require planning permission if you’re adding a freestanding structure that’s any more grand than a general shed.
An exterior building for a small creative studio, a spare room with en suite capabilities, a home office, a gym or even just functional storage for your garden tools are all good suggestions. You might also create a structure for socialising – perhaps a pergola with a garden bar, a BBQ station and outdoor seating.
Many prospective home buyers care about functional space and an exterior building can serve as a fantastic addition. So make a plan before you start, considering everything you might need for the project such as contractors, any foundational work needed and the provision of materials like corrugated roof sheets or paving for landscaping the area around it. This will help you to cost the project and determine the expected end value as a result.
Revitalizing The Entryway For A Grand Entrance
A great first impression doesn’t end at the exterior of your property. The first steps into the space matter, too so a hallway update can help. First of all, it’s important to make sure security and stability are considered. For example, you might install a porch – somewhere to shelter from the weather when you’re unlocking the door. Or at least, add a space in the entranceway where wet coats, shoes and hats can be removed and stored.
Warm lighting, comforts like a large rug, enough space to move past one another, and solid, easy-to-clean flooring are all essential implements here. A grand entrance might also include the home comforts a prospective buyer could see themselves impressing upon, such as lovingly framed photographs of your family. Sometimes, renovating the entranceway, especially one that has lacked attention for some time, could be the primary value-added proposition in any renovation effort.
Home Office Spaces Are Of Intrinsic Value
Since the pandemic, many more homeowners have begun valuing a comfortable home office. Many corporate jobs now implement remote work possibilities where necessary so someone may intend to move to your property with a job they can also do virtually.
As such, home offices have become a great value proposition for those looking to renovate their home. Better yet, these rooms don’t have to be particularly complex or require intensive rewiring or plumbing efforts compared to areas like a bathroom or kitchen. A great wall desk, maximizing natural light, refitting power outlets, integrating features like standing desk room or cable routing fixtures – all of this can help a homeowner know that yes, there’s a productive space available if they need it. Moreover, a home office doesn’t have to be large, so it’s the perfect use for a box room or a small landing space.
Let me know what you think is the most valuable renovation project you can do if you’re planning a future move. I’d love to hear what DIY upgrades you made when trying to sell your own home in the comments below. Best of luck on your home renovation journey and eventual sale.
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