With money being so tight these days for the average American, it might be difficult to think of spending the time and money on home improvements. But remodeling your bathroom, kitchen, and living room can be a worthwhile investment and actually yield a solid return. And who wouldn’t want to live in a home with more aesthetically pleasing and functional rooms? But just how much can these improvements yield other than a more comfortable and beautiful home?
Bathroom Remodeling Done Right
Let’s face it: the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in any home. Much time is spent there. It’s where people freshen up, among other things. So an outdated or unclean bathroom just won’t do. Even moderate bathroom renovations are good investments, according to the annual cost vs. value report by Remodeling Magazine. For instance, a $16,000 bathroom remodeling job typically results in a 72.5% recoup of initial cost when the home owner sells the house.
But there’s a good amount of planning that goes into a bathroom renovation before committing to anything. About six months of planning are recommended by the National Kitchen and bath Association. Fortunately, there are professional designers and contractors who can assist you in the planning process. They’ll point out things like locating new plumbing fixtures near old pipes for efficiency’s sake, and introducing newer water-efficient technology options which can save money (and the environment) in the long run.
Kitchen Remodeling Do’s and Don’ts
This year, about 7.6 million American homeowners will renovate or remodel their kitchen. The kitchen, like the bathroom, deserves a lot of attention as well. The kitchen is one of the first and most important rooms a potential buyer will examine. This is where food is made, eaten, and stored. Convenience and safety are key in any modern kitchen, as well as aesthetic. After all, who wants to eat or make food in a space that is unappealing to the eye?
As far as convenience in the kitchen goes, existing kitchen cabinetry can be replaced with modern cabinets that feature full extension fold-out shelves. These cabinets eliminate the hassle and scraped knuckles of having to reach back into a dark cupboard to find whatever lurks there (probably something expired). But even more important are the appliances themselves. Any worthwhile kitchen remodeling job will include replacing outdated ovens, microwaves, refrigerators, dishwashers, and other kitchen appliances with modern, safer, and more efficient equipment. If all this seems like a hefty undertaking, consider that there is, on average, a 70% return on investment for quality kitchen renovations.
Revitalize Your Living Room With New Entertainment Cabinets
You can’t forget about the living room when considering home improvement jobs. Homes in part are meant to be oases, havens away from work and other external obligations where one can relax and enjoy intimate company. The living room is the heart of the home in this regard, so a comfortable, attractive living room is crucial to owning a valuable home.
With the prevalence of Netflix, Hulu, Smart TVs, and Blu-ray players, entertainment is one of the most important aspects of our lives now, so having new entertainment cabinets installed is one worthwhile investment in your living room. Entertainment cabinets are especially important for collectors with a myriad of movies on disc, gaming consoles, games, books, and CDs.
Being a homeowner is a big task, but taking care of it pays off in the end. Keeping your home up to date not only makes for a more comfortable living situation, it also makes for a more valuable asset in the market.
