Renovating is all about the cosmetics of your home. If the house you bought has an old, worn carpet which you choose to replace, you’ve made a very good cosmetic choice.
You can radically change the look and feel of a house with fresh flooring, an updated paint scheme, and new window treatments.
Table of Contents
1) Make Beautiful (To You) Choices
If you’ve always wanted an accent wall, paint one. Avoid painting any one room in one deeply saturated color; you will create a cave instead of lovely space.
However, now is the time for you to try new ideas, experiment with new colors, and treat yourselves.
As well as your accent wall, be aware that changing your trim paint colors is a wonderful way to enjoy a crisp, fresh line of bright white or a pale tone to match your flooring.
Strive to plan ahead in these choices. For example, if the baseboard trim is already painted and you want to add a picture rail or crown molding, consider the colors and finish choices you want to include with this new trim at the top of the wall.
Ultimately, the top trim finish choices can reduce the labor you put into the baseboards.
2) Don’t Worry About the Investment Factor
Unless your home was a cleaner-upper / fixer-upper, renovating will make some difference in the value of your home but probably not as much as a quality remodel that will bring your home value up to the level of the most expensive houses in your neighborhood.
If you find, during your remodel, that you need to do some renovating on the utilities and physicals in your home, such as gas, electric, and water, check your VA loan limits to see if you can qualify for a loan for the expected value of your home.
If not, back off the cosmetic fixes and put your dollars into making the house livable as far as the utilities and settle for cleaning up the house. Elbow grease is usually free.
3) Keep Things Simple
For those who love the idea of a loft but aren’t quite sure where to put the staircase, go ahead and get up into your ceiling.
Install insulation and make sure there are no access points for critters to get into your planned master suite.
The money you will save by insulating this space, as well as the comfort you will enjoy, will be an ideal investment and likely pay for itself over time. Insulation is fairly cheap and a nice way to start your planned loft.
4) Aim for Clean Lines Outside
If you bought the neighborhood eyesore or just think the front of your house is a little shabby, strive for clean lines.
Take out anything that’s dying or dead, trim back what looks scraggly, and define the borders on any existing planting beds.
Mow enough to get all the weeds to the same height for the season and do some research on your neighborhood. Which neighbor has the best-looking grass, and what did they plant?
Review any planting or flowering beds that you find around your property.
If you can tell what was once planted, or if you can find old photos that show what it once looked like, again, take a neighborhood stroll. Who has beautiful flowers, and what are they growing?
Gardeners are happy to share their expertise. Even better, they often share perennials plants and may even help you prepare a flower bed.
Start with a compliment and ask to pick their brains. You may make a friend and gain a mentor.
5) Increase Security
Unless something is really unsightly, consider making simple additions to your exterior. Add a solar-powered motion sensor lights to the corners of your home.
If you have a back deck, look for solar lights to add near stairs or around any hazards to reduce the risk of a tumble.
Renovating your new home doesn’t have to take a lot of money and shouldn’t involve major tear-outs and reconstructions.
Unless you absolutely have to make big structural changes before you move in, live with space, and celebrate what works.
Make big changes only when you know what really doesn’t work for you and your family.
