Home Improvements That Can Really Change Your Home

A house is a huge investment. In fact, for many people, it’s the biggest investments they’ll ever make. So it makes sense that renovations and other improvements can increase the value of this investment.

Home improvement is one of fastest growing retail categories, in part due to the age of houses in the United States. Currently, approximately 80% of the nation’s 137 million homes are at least 20 years old and 40% are at least 50 years old. That translates to a lot of dated kitchens and bathrooms around the country!

Whether you already own an older home that needs some love or are considering buying one, here is a list of improvements that can totally change your home.

Paint and Stain

Painting and staining the surfaces of your home, including the walls, floors, and staircases is a great way to give it a face lift without spending a lot of money. Professionals generally charge between $2 and $6 per square foot for painting and $2 to $4 for staining.

If you’re working on a tight budget, consider putting in some sweat equity. Search online for DIY methods, best practices, and sales on supplies. Painting interior walls and staining hardwood railings and floors can be messy and time-consuming, but can refresh a home, especially if you opt for modern or light colors like whites, greys, and beiges.

Flooring

Swapping old, damaged, and dated floors for new ones is a huge improvement to any home. But before you start ripping them up, you need to set a budget. Flooring costs range significantly, from $3 to $18 or more per square foot. How much new flooring will cost depends on the material you choose, size of the space, and whether you’re going to be installing it yourself or hiring a professional.

You also need to closely assess the function of each room you’re planning on replacing the floors in. If it’s high-traffic, avoid flooring that shows wear and opt for a high-quality vinyl, laminate, or hardwood for durability. Carpet is a good option for elderly homeowners and parents with young children, but it’s also prone to staining, dust, and dander, as well as pilling and stretching. Hardwood flooring and area rugs are a timeless whole-house option that’s long-lasting and energy-efficient, but it’s quite costly. Tile is ideal for rooms where water flows (like a bathroom, laundry room, or kitchen) and has a wide range of designs and price options.

No matter what your budget or needs are, this is an improvement that can totally change your home, both aesthetically and functionally.

Cabinets and Countertops

Updated cabinetry and countertops level up a builder-grade or outdated kitchen. Changing out or altering the look of your old cabinets and countertops is a larger project, but it can make a huge difference.

Fully replacing cabinets and countertops can be expensive. New stock cabinets can run $100 to $300 per foot while custom ones can cost $500 to $1200 per foot. However, there are options that won’t consume your whole renovation budget. Consider painting or staining your old cabinets and replacing the hardware for a more modern look. Alternatively, opt to reface the cabinets, which involves just replacing the doors, to save up to 50 percent compared to the cost of a gut job.

Replacing countertops can also be pricey, but unfortunately there aren’t many cheap options that will give you a stylish, functional, and long-lasting result. Marble, granite, quartz, laminate, cement, or butcher block can all work, though the installation and the costs associated with each varies. This job is best completed by a professional, but it’s an improvement that can completely change the look and feel of a kitchen or bathroom.

Additions and Remodeling

A full remodel or an addition are extremely expensive home improvement projects and should only be considered after all other options have been evaluated. These large-scale projects are best handled by professionals, which significantly increases the cost. Asses your budget and consider whether selling your current home and buying a new one is a better choice before going this route.

If you’re looking to make improvements to your home, start by deciding what rooms you’d like to tackle, researching your design and material options, setting a budget, and comparing quotes from professionals.