Mar30
Home improvement projects not only make our homes more attractive to ourselves and fulfil our day to day living needs they can also add value to a property. The important thing to remember however is that improvement updates will only add value if completed properly and to a high standard. There is nothing worse than cheap DIY improvements which are not done correctly. Here are my top five home improvement projects which I think can add value to a property:
- Open plan living – opening up the downstairs living areas was extremely popular a few years ago and the trend does seem to have died down a bit but I still see it as a fantastic way to create a large living area. I personally prefer combined kitchen and dining areas as it creates a larger dining space which is often the social hub of any home.
- Updating the staircase – this is not always the first area people think to tackle in a home, but when I moved the hallway and stairwell was a dark and uninspiring area of the house. I replaced the existing staircase with a new wooden spiral staircase, which had chrome railings. This opened up the room and created more space, and the light coloured wood and chrome of the staircase further accentuated this. What was once a boring area of my home has now become one of the most sophisticated in terms of high end engineering and designer style.
- Roof Maintenance – the roof can often be overlooked, we take it for granted that it is present and doing its job. Faults with the roof however can have a serious impact and home surveys are likely to detect any existing issues. So keep on top of your roof maintenance, replacing broken tiles and fixing and flashing when needed… and don’t put it off!
- Kitchen Remodelling – A remodelling of the kitchen can be an expensive project, but it doesn’t have to be if you plan the project carefully, budget appropriately and ensure you stick to your budget. The worst pitfall to stumble into when undertaking home improvement projects is to let your budgets get out of control and costs will spiral and the project is likely to be not finished and certainly not to the desired specification. A new kitchen however always adds value to a property and if you can budget for it a new marble worktop looks magnificent and provides a designer finish.
- Garden Landscaping – Although the weather in the UK isn’t great, we will be out having a barbecue the first time the sun pops out from behind a cloud. A patio and outdoor living area is a great addition to any garden, and if you can add an area for a barbecue that is great. Gas BBQs can be picked up on the internet and are perfect for al fresco dining. If you have a lawn keep it regularly trimmed and free from weeds and moss. If the maintenance of a lawn is too much then consider replacing it with a gravelled or paved area.
Plenty to think about there readers, feel free to add your top ideas to the comments!
