Whether you’ve recently purchased your new house or you’ve been planning a remodel for a while, investing in your home is definitely something that you should feel good about. Ultimately, it comes down to the quality of life that you want, and having the right upgrades can make all the difference to the way you feel when you’re living in your home. It’s important to remember though that the renovations that you do choose to make have to be either long lasting or valuable enough that when you sell your home, you haven’t just sunk money into something that will put you in the negative.
From contacting window replacement services to upgrade your glass, to ensuring that you have the carpet guys come in and rip out and restore your carpets for you, you need to think about which home upgrades are worth it for you in your future. In this article, we’ve put together 10 home upgrades that truly are worth it.
- A wet room. You may have heard the term zero threshold showers, but we’re talking about a full wet room. By eliminating the barriers, you gain a hugely sleek look by swapping to a shower that has no edge or a lip on the floor basin. This means that your whole room becomes a splash room, including the toilet and sink. You can use the room in a way that has a slope to drain the water off, and you don’t have to worry about any bath mats going mouldy because the room will be designed to be wet. It’s practical, it’s stylish, and while there’s a bit more work and expense involved, it’s super worth it as an investment.
- Cool roofing. Heating is usually the problem that people are interested in tackling, but you want to save money on your energy bill, so investing in a cool roof can make all the difference. Not only will it reflect more sunlight, but it can absorb less heat than a traditional roof can, and that improves your comfort inside and your energy levels will decrease.
- Kitchen countertop upgrades. Your kitchen is one place you’re going to spend a lot of time cooking and socialising. The countertops are a huge part of the style and function of your kitchen and they take a lot of space. They make a big statement visually, which means that they have to withstand food prep, spills, craft time and frequent cleaning. If you have good cabinetry but your countertops are kind of an eyesore, then you need to invest in new counters. Choosing non porous material too so you don’t have to worry too much about staining.
- Upgrade the garage doors. Garage doors are either the ones that roll or the ones that slide. And if you’ve currently got the ones that roll, you may want the ones that slide. The cost versus value remodelling data shows that a garage door replacement has one of the highest returns on investment. So while it may not make a massive difference to your indoor comfort, it’s going to certainly make a difference to your home’s value.
- Underfloor heating.Swinging out of bed in the morning during the winter and placing your feet down on a frozen cold floor is never a good way to wake up. Adding radiant systems to your home does require tearing out the existing flooring, and it’s going to be a big job, but it’s an upgrade that produces huge benefits, too. The upgrade doesn’t just make you comfortable, but it also adds zeros to the value of your home.
- Upgrade your ventilation. This isn’t one that people mostly think of because the popular renovations tend to be things like installing swimming pools and changing out the windows. You might be surprised, though, that upgrading your bathroom ventilation can make a big difference to your home. Automatic bathroom vents are a really good idea.You should look for a model with a humidity centre that activates the fan automatically when you’re having a shower. This is perfect for those who forget to turn it on before they bath, and it prevents you from wasting energy if you forget to turn it off.
- New glass. Earlier on we talked about getting in window replacement services to upgrade your windows, but having new glass on the windows of your home can make a big difference to your energy efficiency. Swapping single paned windows for double glazing is going to immediately warm up your home. Help you to stop cold air from coming into the house during the winter and your heated air leaving. Large or small, having new Windows is going to enhance the exterior of your home and add value and curb appeal, but it’s going to make you feel more comfortable on the inside, so it’s a super worthy investment.
- Add a patio. The interest in enhanced outdoor spaces has exploded in recent years for a good reason. People want to utilize their own little paradise outdoors to enjoy themselves and spend time with family and friends. You only need a few pieces of furniture and the right lighting to become a flexible space where you can play, entertain, and work. Lumber has always been expensive, so a wooden deck might seem like a splurge, but you’re going to feel really great about its resale value.
- Improve your kitchen storage. When you upgrade your countertops, make a point of upgrading the storage in your kitchen. Specialty organisers, open plan shelving and new cabinetry is all going to enhance the kitchen space and make your home look great. You should also consider building out an under-utilised corner of the kitchen or tapping into the wall of a nearby room to create a pantry. This increased storage is great for your everyday use, adds value to your home, and it gives you a sense of organization in your kitchen.
10. Go solar. Adding solar panels to your home is going to help you to improve your energy efficiency, lower your energy bills, and it’s going to allow you to harness the power of the sun to invest in your home’s future.
