Many homeowners want to upgrade their homes, but don’t have the time or budget for extensive renovations. These simple home upgrades can help your house feel newer without breaking the bank.
Repair or Replace Appliances
It’s often hard to decide whether an appliance is worth repairing or it’s time to move on. Consider these guidelines when making your decision:
Laminate Floors
Laminate is a great floor option for many areas of the home. It is available in an amazing range of styles and colours from traditional oak and hickory to contemporary grey and white.
This flooring is incredibly hard-wearing and highly resistant to scratches, dents and stains. Its protective wear layer is particularly good at resisting scuff marks and scratches commonly caused by pets, children, shoes, furniture and sharp objects.
It also protects the decorative paper layer from sunlight fading, shielding it from ultraviolet rays that can bleach color. It is easy to install, with boards fitted using a tongue and groove joint and glued together with water-resistant adhesive.
Appliance Upgrades
Adding luxury appliances to your home is one of the most effective ways to increase its value and enhance your living experience. In addition to enhancing functionality and aesthetics, appliances with energy-efficient features can lower your utility bills and offer long-term cost savings.
When deliberating between repairs and upgrades, consider the long-term value of each option. Repairing outdated appliances may be a quick fix to a minor problem, but upgrades can provide more modern technology and advanced features that will be attractive to potential buyers in the future. They also improve indoor air quality and contribute to reduced energy consumption and natural resource depletion, which can benefit the environment.
Door Handles
Door handles are a key component to the look and feel of your doors. They are available in a wide variety of styles, colours and finishes to suit both contemporary and traditional homes. They are usually fitted on a round rose but can also be mounted to a latchset, bathroom thumb turn or escutcheon depending on the requirements of your door.
Levers are easy to use for everyone, including young children and clever pets. Their design is also less likely to catch your knuckles on the edge of a door frame. This makes them a great choice for doors that will be used by people with limited mobility or physical disability.
Crown Molding
Crown molding is an elegant way to frame walls and give a house a cared for appearance. It is also a great way to hide wires or cables that can look shabby in a room.
There are several types of crown moldings that can be used in your home, but wood is a traditional choice. However, it is expensive and requires a lot of skill when working with it.
Another option is medium-density fiberboard (MDF), which is inexpensive but still looks good. There are even a few stock designs that can be painted, which is a great alternative to custom work. This molding can also be used on mantels and bookshelves to give a graceful look.
Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood floors add a rich, authentic look to any space. They are durable, easy to clean and have a positive impact on indoor air quality. They also increase resale value, as home buyers prefer them to carpeting.
Solid hardwood planks are made from one piece of 100% natural wood, offering durability and longevity. You can choose from a variety of widths, colors, streaks and patterns for a customized flooring design.
Engineered hardwood offers many of the same benefits as solid flooring but are more resistant to temperature and moisture fluctuations. It’s suitable for above ground spaces, such as living and dining areas, kitchens and bedrooms.