How to update without an extremely costly remodel
So you would like to remodel your house but the remodeling cost scare the life out of you. What to do? You might consider updating items in your home or yard to enjoy the benefits of a remodel without the cost.
Color
One of the most often updated household features is color. By changing the color of one wall you can give a room a whole new look. Look through some home design magazines or web sites to get good ideas about what the latest trend are in color.
Long gone are the days when every wall in a room was the same color. Now it is extremely popular to use an "accent wall". An accent wall is one wall painted in a color that accentuates other features of the room or the house. It is also popular to paint only the upper or only the lower portion of a wall or to paint only the molding and trim.
Painting a wall is cheap. Even if you have to buy all the equipment (paint pans, rollers, brushes, tape, and paint), you will probably not spend $100 on your update.
Floors
Another quick fix is changing the floors. While this is not as quick or as cheap as painting the walls, it is also not as expensive as remodeling the house. One floor update that will make a lot of difference in the look (and the value) or your home is to rip out the carpet and return to the wood floors.
For some reason, many beautiful hardwood floors have been covered with carpet. Check under your carpets for hardwood. If there is wood under there, tear out the carpet and have the wood refinished. You will be able to complete the whole project for under $1000. Your home will be worth more and you will have gorgeous hardwood floor that you love.
Radiant heat
A fancy new upgrade that is gaining in popularity is the use of radiant heat. Radiant heat is a way of heating your house from the floor up. It creates a very comfortable heat and is popular in spas and fancy resort. You can have radiant heating in your kitchen or bathroom for about $500 to $700 dollars.
This entails placing an electric mat, similar to an electric blanket under the floor. When the heat is on the electric wires in the mat will heat up and heat will radiate upward from the floor. Objects and persons in contact with the floor will conduct the heat creating a comfortable effect where everything in the room is actually warmer than the air.
Recessed lighting
Installing recessed lights is another way that you can update your home without breaking your bank. Recessed lights are flush with the ceiling and the look is very modern. What's more, your rooms will be brighter and you will be able to direct the light beam towards important areas where you need light (like work areas or mirrors).
As long as you have a light fixture in the ceiling, you can replace your current light with a recessed light. This is a project that you will be able to do yourself with minimal skills. Of course, you could also hire the job out. Even if you hire the job done, this update should not cost more than $500.
Updating the outside of your home
Often we forget that the outside of the home is also important to resale. This is the first impression that people get of your home. Plus, the yard is much more fun to update than the inside, especially during the spring and fall. Building a deck, making flowerbeds, or planting a tree are all great ways to update the outside of your house.
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Tags: home improvement home repair home updates retracted lighting radiant heat resale value valuable upgrades
