Some home features never go out of style, and these are the ones you want to highlight when it comes time to renovate. Consider these minor changes for maximum added value.
When it comes to renovations, the goal should be to add two to three dollars in value for every dollar invested.
Fortunately, there are some micro renovations that don’t require a huge budget or complete overhaul – and you may never have considered them before. Here is a list of a few minor changes that will help add value and change your look, at minimal expense.
1. OVERHAUL YOUR WINDOWS Everyone wants a space with loads of light. Nobody wants to feel like they’re living in a basement, so windows aren’t only functional, but also a delightful visual feature – both indoors and out. It’s important to have windows that fit the style of the home - street appeal makes a big impact on prospective buyers. Aluminium windows on a period home will ruin the street appeal. If you already have great windows, you could enhance them from the inside. For instance, frame your windows with decorative architraves or trimmings to draw attention to the ‘eyes of your room’ and, in some cases, create the illusion that they’re larger than they are.
2. UPDATE YOUR SKIRTING BOARDS Paying attention to the finer details will make each room look more complete and homey to prospective buyers. It may seem like a minor detail, but new skirting boards offer a simple starting-off point for redesigning an interior space. Buyers expect to see period mouldings, picture rails and large architraves in an older style home - they can add a wow factor, particularly in period style homes.
Whether you’re looking for those heritage-style feels or something more streamlined, you can find easy-to-install timber mouldings to suit every style. Timber mouldings are a relatively small investment for renovators updating their home and they can significantly elevate a home’s interior, assist in creating a more quality-finished home and provide significant value on the home.
3. IS EVERY ROOM BEING UTILISED? Have a look at your home and see if there’s framework to create spaces that are more valuable. For instance, can your laundry become another bathroom instead? Does your garage have rumpus room potential? Is there space to create an extra bedroom or study off a large living space? If the living area is a decent size, is there an opportunity to put a wall in and create a small study area or another bedroom which, in turn, will create a lot of value. By adding another room you could potentially increase the property’s value by $100,000.
4. CREATE THE ILLUSION OF HIGHER CEILINGS New homes just aren’t what they used to be – particularly when it comes to ceiling height! Due to their increasing rarity, high ceilings remain in high demand, and there are some easy tricks to make your room appear larger. In order to trick the eye into re-imagining the actual boundaries of your ceiling you can try painting your skirting boards and walls the same colour. This allows the eye to pass over the whole room and not be distracted by changes in colour. The more detailed and taller your skirting is, the more texture this will add to the room. Another thing you can do is to paint your walls the same colour as your ceiling and raise any hanging lighting to be flush with the ceiling. This will again help the eye keep moving around the space, creating the illusion of openness.
5. PRETTY-UP THE WALLS When it comes to walls, it’s best to start simple with a fresh coat of paint. However, you could really take it to a new level by adding easily-installed wall panelling, chair rail or picture rails. Chair rails are a line-like trimming that sit on the lower half of your walls, while picture rails occupy the upper quadrants. These simple features add interest to otherwise bland spaces, particularly in homes that have strong design themes, like period homes, country cottages or beach houses.
6. MODERNISE YOUR ‘WET ROOMS’ Cosmetic renovations will get you a lot of bang for your buck in key areas like kitchens and bathrooms. If your kitchen and bathroom are old and unrenovated they will be the areas that will let the house down. You can do some basic cosmetic stuff, like replace cupboards, benchtops and door handles. Minor things like replacing the vanity, painting the walls or creating more storage will create a nicer, more usable space.
