While HGTV shows make it seem like home improvements always yield a solid return on investment, the truth is that not all renovations add value. Especially during a pandemic, it’s important to focus on upgrades that increase functional square footage and bring your property in line with the neighborhood.
For instance, finishing a basement is one upgrade that typically yields a good ROI. Another is replacing your outdated appliances with energy-efficient ones.
Kitchen
One of the most common reasons homeowners remodel is to modernize their kitchens with state-of-the-art appliances or to update the style to reflect their tastes. Other factors that inspire a kitchen upgrade include improving energy efficiency, expanding storage space, or making the space more family-friendly.
Oftentimes, upgrading kitchen functionality requires a more substantial change to the existing layout such as adding a pantry or reconfiguring cabinetry. However, even smaller changes like painting cabinets or changing the hardware on them can refresh the look of your kitchen without changing the overall layout.
Another simple, low-cost way to upgrade your kitchen is with a new backsplash. There are so many options out there from patterned tile to faux shiplap or even brushed metals which all work beautifully with various kitchen styles.
Lastly, consider updating your lighting fixtures. It’s an easy way to brighten up a room and can make the biggest difference. You can also add cabinet lighting to organize your utensils and cookware.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are used daily and can really take a beating. Even a small remodel can make your home more comfortable and increase its value.
New fixtures and appliances can improve energy efficiency in your home, helping you save money on utilities. Adding low-flow shower heads, faucets, and toilets is one of the most common ways to go green and make your bathroom more efficient.
You can also use a remodel to make your bathroom more comfortable by increasing storage. New cabinets and vanities can create more space to keep your belongings organized and free from clutter.
A dated or outdated bathroom can be a real turn-off for potential buyers, making your home less valuable. Adding a second full bath to your home is one of the most cost-effective ways to add value to your property. It makes the home more comfortable and appealing for you and any future owners. It will also make it easier to sell your house in the future.
Living Area
A living area is the total floor space used for direct habitation by a building’s residents. It includes not only apartment areas but also corridors, lift lobbies and other technical rooms that serve the building but are not used for direct living purposes. It is important that the correct living area calculation is used, particularly when comparing different buildings or apartments.
In Home Designer, the Living Area label is automatically generated and reports the area of the current floor specified as a livable space. It is recalculated every time you add, remove, resize or redefine a room or other structural object. By default, interior type rooms are included in this calculation, while exterior and hybrid type rooms are not. You can control which types are included in this calculation by using the Room Specification dialog.
You can change the way Living Area is calculated in the General Plan Defaults dialog, selecting either to measure from the walls’ main layer (the outer structural layer) or their surface.
Bedroom
Your bedroom is a place to rest and relax, so it should feel inviting and warm. If your bedroom is not up to par, you may want to consider upgrading it with unique additions that make the space feel more authentically yours.
If buying new furniture isn’t in the budget, you can still upgrade your bedroom by editing what is currently there and rearranging how it is arranged. This can help to improve the flow of the room so that you don’t run into things in the middle of the night or find yourself tripping over items on your way to sleep.
Bedroom upgrades also include furniture, like replacing nightstands with a sleek armoire or adding a storage ottoman for a pop of color and extra functionality. Other upgrades include lighting, such as switching to LED bulbs, which are a cost-effective change that reduces energy consumption and creates a stunning vibe in your home. You can also add a dimmer switch to let you easily set the mood in your bedroom.