If you’ve been thinking about renovating your home for a while now, but somehow find yourself delaying – I may just have the answers for you.
Having been involved in hundreds of extensive home transformations over the years, here are my top reasons to renovate your home.
One of them is particularly often overlooked.
We all know when you renovate your home you invest time, effort, and money. But that’s not to say the potential costs will outweigh the positive aspects of renewing your home. In fact, if you really take the time to consider why the prospect of home renovation is constantly on your mind, you’ll realise there’s a practical and compelling reason behind it.
1. You need more space
Maybe a quaint, two-bedroom bungalow was more than enough when it was just you and your partner, but now that there’s a baby on the way, you realise, you could do with a little more space. The addition of a nursery or a playroom becomes essential.
You will also want to be able to supervise your little ones with ease, for example while you’re in the kitchen. Does your current floor layout allow this?
What about creating safe, outdoor spaces for little kids to play in? Or expanding your kitchen to accommodate a growing family?
If you have teenagers now, you might consider renovating your home to ensure your teenagers (and you!) get enough privacy.
Maybe the addition of a quiet space you can retreat to for some “me” or “us” time, or for some relaxation. This may especially become important when your teenagers are feeling like listening to loud music.
Quite simply, what you need from your home will change as your family grows.
2. You want to improve quality of life
Your home should always provide you with quality of life. It is your family’s base and retreat.
Ensuring that your home works for you is therefore of critical importance. Consider your kitchen and family room. These are usually the most used areas of a home, and renovating these spaces means you are going to substantially improve the quality of living in your home.
Old kitchens and bathrooms not only become eyesores, they also don’t feel like your beautiful home when they are falling apart. Maybe you have problematic plumbing, or you lack the kitchen bench space you need. Does your bathroom have broken tiles? Is your kitchen looking drab instead of cosy? It might be time for an update.
Renovating your home in one larger project is usually much more economical and effective than performing minor enhancements continuously.
3. You want to go green
Adding eco-friendly modifications to your home can bring down living costs significantly. Not only are you doing your part for the environment, but you also get great returns on your investment over time.
Renovations can help make your house be more energy efficient. Adjusting your home’s layout, placing windows thoughtfully and generally designing with the environment in mind is a great long-term investment.
4. You want to restore your home’s character
Old houses are usually just hidden gems waiting to be polished. If your home feels dated, but you want to keep its appeal and character, seek out a professional home Designer. This goes particularly for Heritage Items and Conservation Areas, where the scope of what can be transformed may be limited.
This is what most home owners miss.
Older homes can be modernised without losing their character, including or opening up or extending the rear of the house.
It is amazing to see the results of renovations of older homes, bringing them into the 21st century, yet retaining and restoring their original appeal!
5. Renovate your home if you want to save on maintenance costs
If you find yourself having to constantly DIY broken windows, repairing leaks, fixing drafts, or mending various things around your home, think of how much these repairs are starting to cost you. You’re not only spending more money, you’re also sacrificing your home’s functionality and comfort.
A substantial home renovation can address the causes of breakdowns in your home very effectively. For example, too much direct sunlight onto your furnishings or moisture getting into your wooden floorboards.
6. You want to raise your house’s value
Various projects can help raise your property’s market value.
Home renovation items such as
- adding an outdoor entertaining area,
- renovating your kitchen,
- relocating bedrooms and living rooms,
- creating additional bedrooms and bathrooms
- or adding a second floor to open up that view.
Such projects, if done well, can improve your home’s appeal and value significantly.
7. You don’t want to move
When your housing needs change, you do have the option to pack and leave. But moving homes can be extremely stressful and expensive. The time and effort it will take for you to find another place to call home can be physically, emotionally and financially taxing.
As an alternative, consider that you do already have a place that you’ve called home for a while now.
Your kids likely love to stay where they are and keep their friends. And while it may not seem like it now, a good renovation project can substantially transform your living space to make sure that it adapts and suits your changing needs for years to come.
Significant home renovations such as these can be complicated and difficult to execute. It takes an experienced home Designer to ensure that you avoid costly mistakes that are typically encountered by property owners trying to save money.
I hope this list has helped convince you to take the plunge and commit to that home renovation project.
If you live in Sydney’s northern suburbs, give me a call. I’d be happy to work together with you and design your home renovation to optimally suit your needs.