Home Improvements

Spring always seems to be the time of year where people decide to do some renovations or home improvements. There are lots of ways you can revamp your home. From updating your kitchen or bathroom, extensions to add more space, or improving on energy efficiency.

Here we look at some of the main themes in every home and how to update them on a budget.

Kitchen

In most homes, the kitchen is the central hub or focal point of the house. It is used for cooking, entertaining, dining and even kids’ homework! Here are our main tips for transforming the look of your tired or out dated kitchen.

1. Make use of storage. Have you got cupboards full of junk and old saucepans that you never use? Clear them out and make use of all the space in them. These days you can buy cupboard organisers, pull out drawers, dish racks and much more to make use of those hard to reach places.

2. An island. If you have the space, get a kitchen island. They are a great space for prepping food. By adding some bar stools, it becomes a great place for a quick bite to eat. They can be made especially to your measurements and colour from most kitchen fitters. Or you can buy smaller versions from the likes of Argos and IKEA.

3. Give your cupboards a face-lift by painting them. Laminate or foil covered doors will need some prepping and peeling before you can start. If you don’t fancy doing the job yourself, get a professional in to paint or spray it.

Bathroom

The bathroom can be the perfect place to relax and unwind after a stressful day. Take a look at these simple and clever improvements to get more out of them.

1. Cabinet storage. Like the kitchen you can make use of space in the bathroom by replacing the sink with a built-in sink and cabinet combo to hide toiletries and cleaning products

2. Tiling. Replacing your tiles can be a scary thought, but it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. You can now paint over tiles or get the wall tile stickers for a creative and budget friendly way to transform the look of your bathroom. Look at this creative lady’s idea to redo her bathroom floor with black paint and some stencils! https://www.facebook.com/CarrowLaneDesigns/photos/a.609325782549112/1104697489678603/?type=3&theater

3. Shower doors. A lot of older homes have a large shower tray or bath/shower combo with just a shower curtain up the side to keep water in. These can be easily replaced now with some new glass doors.

Extensions

Adding more space to your home can add value and work well for the needs of your family. The most popular extensions are single story extensions to the side or rear of properties. They create an open plan living space and transform the layout of your home.

Energy efficiency

The majority of heat is lost through walls and windows. Older houses can qualify for grants to upgrade windows and cavity/loft insulation. On newer houses, replacing the windows shouldn’t need to be done unless there was an issue with the initial installation.

Boilers are another great way to ensure you can keep energy costs down. Invest in a good combi boiler that is A-rated as will be cheaper to run than an older non-condensing boiler.

Home improvements have been around for a long time, but with the uncertainty of Brexit, rising interest rates and stamp duty, it’s no wonder some are staying put and improving on their existing home. Whether you are looking to increase the value of your property for a sale, or need more space for a growing family, ensure that you do your homework if taking on the task yourself. If you decide to get someone in to do the improvements for you, make sure to get plenty of references.