above via DECORPAD.com
With
residential real estate values still low in some areas, many homeowners are exploring the
benefits of adding to and remodeling their existing home. While making improvements
to your home may or may not add immediate value on paper right away, there are
other benefits to consider such as future value and personal comfort.
above ALEX PAPACHRISTIDIS
As
a guideline, I’ve chosen the best, most beneficial interior additions and
upgrades for the coming year and placed them in order of generalized importance. Obviously
priorities vary slightly for everyone. Some people care more about home
value while others are interested in lifestyle improvements.
above CONTENTINACOTTAGE.blogspot
Kitchen
and bath remodels/ appliances
Attractive,
quality flooring
Energy
efficient windows and doors
Quality
interior doors, casing and molding
Built-in
book cases and hutches
Attractive
fireplaces and mantels
Sky
lights and solar tubes
Home
offices
Green design (saving for a separate post)
above ELLEN DEGENERES
These
last four are more feasible for households that have sufficient value to justify them.
Wine
cellars
French
doors
Guest
houses
above DONALDLOCOCOARCHITECT.com
If
your home was built before the mid-nineties, your kitchen needs a cosmetic
upgrade or a complete remodel. Some of today’s “standards” in kitchen design
like granite counters and stainless steel appliances were set at that time and
are usually requirements for today’s home buyer. These improvements add real
value to your home whether you’re selling or refinancing, whether the home is
large or small. I don’t feel the need to use granite counters in all my
projects, but I’m aware that most home buyers expect them.
above ONEKINGSLANE.com
Flooring
is not that difficult to choose if you have these easy perimeters to guide you.
Stick with the basics. It’s been my experience that wool carpet looks better, is healthier, is environmentally friendly and stays beautiful longer. Choose neutral, one color carpets, not too dark or
light; medium pile; and no sculpting. Carpets should be a tasteful background,
not a focal point. Berber’s and sculptured carpets are not currently a popular
design trend. Area rugs are however, and different guidelines apply to them.
above MARIA LLADO
You
literally can’t go wrong with wood floors. The upfront expense will pay for
itself in the long run. Wide or narrow plank, rustic or refined, dark or light:
think about how it will relate to your architectural style, and your doors and
windows. Tile, in my opinion, isn’t well suited for large spaces and should be
saved for the bathroom and laundry. Some people love them in hot climates
however.
above MISSZEIT.tumblr
Improving
your home with new, energy efficient windows will of course add value to your
home but choosing the right style is important too. Consider the architecture.
Is it contemporary or traditional? Contemporary style windows don’t usually
have grids or panes but rather large expanses of glass. What materials already
exist in the home? If you have light floors, light wood
windows will look best. Vinyl windows are easier to maintain, but wood windows are a natural
product, are better for the environment, and are beautiful to the eye. Is it a formal or casual room? I like large picture windows in the living and dining room and smaller, more functional windows in the guest room and bath. Will sun
or privacy be an issue? Protecting your floors and furniture will be something
to consider, especially if there are no trees surrounding your lot.
above via ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST
Built-in
bookcases are one of my favorite architectural details. Without at least a few built-ins,
a home lacks permanence or purpose. They aren’t that hard to design if you know
where to place them, and what they should look like. Again, coordinate them
with the molding, windows, and doors in the home. They are an excellent investment for a home of any size or value.
above via ELLE DECOR
The
most inexpensive and astounding home improvement I’ve seen recently is a series of skylights my
good friends and clients installed in their new, downsized home. The home is light filled
on even the dreariest days and in the spring, you can see the tops of their
stunning, flowering pear trees. Solar tubes are easy to install and add considerable
light but don’t provide this kind of view. As we age, our eyes and moods
require more light. Skylights are wonderful improvements to consider whether
you’re selling or staying put.
above via ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST
Living
in mountainous areas with occasional snow and power outages, wood burning
stoves are very common place. I appreciate the practicality but dislike the way they
look. Unfortunately fireplaces don’t provide the kind of warmth you get with
air tight stoves. It’s function vs. aesthetics in this case and the homeowner
must decide where the tradeoff lies.
above PHOEBE HOWARD
My
current design solution is to put the stove in the family room or den and the
fireplace in the formal living room. And
if you don’t have a formal living room, I like to recommend a compromise with a
fireplace and wood burning insert. You get the beauty of the fireplace with the
function of a stove.
above via ZSAZSABELLAGIO.BlogSpot
If
your home is beautifully landscaped with plantings, patios or vistas, French
doors add tremendous beauty and pleasure to your home life. Virtually any room
in the home will benefit from them. Match the materials to your windows, casing
and molding. They are particularly in keeping with the California and Florida
“indoor/outdoor” living style. When deciding on improvements, French doors are
not the first, most important improvement for your home. They are something to
consider “after” more important improvements have been made, such as updating your kitchen
and bathrooms.
above via SWEETHOMESTYLE.tumblr
There
is more to consider in home improvement than just adding to the dollar value of
your home. Think about function and aesthetics, how long you’ll be in the home,
the condition of the neighborhood, the “emotional” appeal the improvements will
have on potential buyers, and the enjoyment you’ll derive from the improvements.
above via THEENCHANTEDHOME.blogspot
above POWELL AND BONNELL
above via MYIDEALHOME.tumblr
