Thinking of making some home improvements? We break down the common options and show you how to make these home renovation ideas count for less.
Maximise living space with wall removals
You might want to remove walls to merge a kitchen and dining space, or enlarge your current living room area. Knocking down a single wall seems simple enough, but you have to factor in other essential costs like replacing the load-bearing, getting an electrician to change electrical fixtures and repairing the ceiling and floors from where the wall was demolished. In all, a couple of knocked-down walls including cleaning and debris removal typically amounts to about $10,000. Our tip? Source quotes from builders who can do the full package and get advice from an architect or structural engineer on whether your plans will incur hefty infrastructure expenditure like new beams and support columns.
Keep lighting in mind
Do not discount lighting when it comes to home renovation ideas. Track and pendant lights usually come up to a couple hundred dollars, scone lighting is similarly inexpensive and can cost less than $100 per fixture, or you could splurge on a luxury chandelier. If you are having trouble narrowing down your choices, think about the purpose of each room, whether it is more about being functional or creating ambience, and how the lighting will better achieve that.
Spruce up current materials
Home renovation ideas do not have to be about replacing what you have. Be creative with embellishments, and refit old furniture to have new uses. You can make basic shelves look more interesting with ornate brackets and restore tired hardwood floors with polish. Instead of throwing out dated furniture, recolour them with high quality paint for a refresh that costs a lot less. If you do want to purchase new interior additions, they do not have to be that expensive. Transform your entrance with a new door – many cost less than $1,000 to install or liven up the décor with framed pictures and wall-mounted shelves decked out with books and trinkets.
Make a home office
If you work from home, you might want to consider a home office. A private space, functionally designed and fitted with the right hardware, will help you to work more efficiently and enjoyably. Furniture to shop for include a desk, a couch for clients, and adequate cabinets and shelves. Hardware is just as, if not more, important and ranges from computer upgrades to purchasing appliances like printer-scanners. All in all, you could be spending anywhere from a couple thousand dollars to $10,000 depending on your furnishings and interior design.
Bathroom remodelling
Bathroom remodelling is one of the best ways to add value to your home if you are thinking about selling or renting it out down the line. This can rack up serious dollars depending on what you do and how much customisation you are after. Think custom window installations, plumbing fittings and shower conversions. The truth is, a partial renovation may be all you need and is a lot more affordable with the overall cost coming down to as low as $5,000 or less. Basic procedures that make a big difference include resurfacing tiles (our tip is to go bargain-hunting at auction or wholesale stores), painting over baths, installing built-in storage and replacing the vanity or old tapware.
Kitchen updates
If you enjoy cooking and spend a lot of time in the kitchen, splurging on appliances is a worthwhile investment. You can upgrade your stove top, put in a new island or install custom built-in fixings like retractable furniture.
Just like bathroom remodelling, a bit of kitchen renovating is a good way to boost your home’s equity and does not have to be extremely expensive. For instance, you can opt for laminated or solid countertops over stone surfaces which would save you a few thousand dollars. Small remodelling plans include a new tile backsplash, refinishing present cabinets and a sink upgrade. A mid-range project that balances DIY installation and some professional work will set you back less than $20,000. Customised cabinets and higher-end counterwork, on the other hand, will make the reno more expensive.
