Renovations can be messy, expensive affairs. But quite necessary if you have an older home that you are looking to rent out or sell. If a home looks worn down, chances are that you will be offered a much lesser price than if it looks relatively new. Below are the 7 top tips that we think will help you renovate your home within your budget:
1. Consider the Outer Appearance
This point may not apply very much to apartments, but if you own an independent house, the outer appearance is crucial. Its literally the first impression, after all. The way a home looks outwardly can largely influence how attractive it is to people who want to lease, rent or buy it. For independent homes, start by pruning trees, replacing dead and tired plants, etc. Make sure that you keep the front courtyard tidy in order to make the property look fresh and spacious.
- Re-do any cracks in the pavement, resurface the driveway and keep the gates well oiled. This is not to say that if you own an apartment you don’t need to worry about the exterior at all.
- You can do it with a new coat of paint on the exterior walls. You should also ensure that the doors and windows are well maintained.
- The front door and the area outside the apartment are important too. Place a fresh plant next to the front door to liven up space. You could also add some colour by placing a small colourful bench.
2. Renovate the Kitchen
The heart of the home, the kitchen, tends to be where homeowners spend the maximum amount of time. Its where the family gathers. How well it is maintained says a lot about the home so make sure that it looks well kept, functional and bright. If you think the kitchen looks like it has seen better days, start by just giving it a superficial facelift – repair chipped laminates and wood, fix/replace handles and taps and replace whatever’s broken or severely damaged.
Adding accessories such as built-in waste bins, accessory trays and hidden lighting gives kitchens a contemporary look and positively affects their resale value. Beware of re-doing the entire kitchen as it can easily eat up your budget. Also, try to go for a neutral palette as people may have different choices and the bright blue you like may put someone else off.
3. Optimise the Storage
Storage is one factor that all homeowners, irrespective of who they are or where they came from, always need plenty of. People are always looking at how much they can store and want to optimize every nook and cranny. In small homes especially, this is an absolute must. Make sure that you build lofts above the wardrobes in bedrooms, built-in niches to store knick-knacks and books, drawers, and shelves in kitchens. Make sure that you use the vertical space well so that you maximize storage in the available space – which means that you make storage units till the ceiling.
4. Upgrade Bathrooms and Toilets
The bathroom can be a make or break deal Bathrooms and toilets are what many people first step into the home to see. A spacious bathroom and toilet area or two of them will make any buyer happy. It isn’t about what materials or fittings are used, but about convenience and practically what every homeowner spends on. Upgrading existing bathrooms is all about ensuring pipes aren’t leaking, taps and fittings aren’t rusted, fitting new handles and knobs, and even replacing the toilet seat if required.
5. Select the Right Flooring
Flooring is one of the most obvious and dominant features in the house. Replacing floors may be too expensive, especially when older tiles have to be replaced. Instead, consider doing it for certain parts of the house or re-sand and re-seal existing floors. Grout areas of the floor with gaps or replace tiles if it looks very stained and old. Floors affect the purchase of a home in a significant way. If the tiles are not salvageable, you could also choose to cover them with laminate flooring which will instantly freshen up the space
6. Ensure Privacy
Connecting home interiors to exterior spaces with the help of balconies and terraces opens up the home and make it very attractive for buyers. Rather than building or breaking anything, minor changes and additions can have a big impact. Build overhead roofing to protect against the elements especially in open areas, install bamboo shades or attractive screens around windows and balconies to provide privacy. Place storage and sit-out areas wherever possible and make service areas and washing areas discreet.
7. Create Space
Although renovating homes is a huge task in itself and one can easily overshoot budgets, if possible try to factor in getting rid of structures or walls to open up areas and create space. Spacious homes with good natural lighting are attractive and give a good vibe.
If you own a small home, consider knocking down a wall to create an open concept plan. You could opt for a half wall in the kitchen too. However, the structure and its weight-bearing capacity should be factored in while thinking of doing this, so make sure that you speak to the experts.
When renovating your home to be sold or rented out, the key point to remember is not to go overboard. Set a reasonable budget and plan meticulously so that you don’t end up overspending. Since the point of your renovation is to make a profit, consider doing only minor changes first. Functionality and aesthetics should go hand in hand, but you don’t have to spend too much on aesthetics – as long as your home looks fresh and presentable, you should get a good price for it. If you are looking for more such ideas or want the experts to take over your home renovation, get in touch with the experts at HomeLane to do your home interiors within your budget
