Fresh Concept
Escape in a Home Remodel Reimagine Your Home! By Janette Calabro
Our homes are our sanctuaries away from the outside world. We relax at home, spending time with our families and caring for ourselves. Does your sanctuary need a little TLC of its own? In addition to increasing your enjoyment of your home, an update or overhaul of your home’s interior will also increase your home’s value. Let’s look at planning, budgeting, who to hire, and other important decisions before you remodel. One trend to look for in 2021 is giving old rooms new life. can provide professional advice, with realistic detail, based on Since we’re spending more time inside these days, homeownthe layout of your kitchen. You may need the help of an interiers are getting creative, turning basements into entertainment or designer or architect to bring your dream kitchen to life, rooms or garages into home gyms. Guest bedroom turned but the investment is worth it. Professional kitchen upgrades home office space, anyone? New themes for old spaces are are never wasted money. trending! Valuable basement space can turn into all kinds of The bathroom is another popular renovation area. Updatentertainment or activity spaces—a full wet bar, a climbing ing your bath will increase your home’s value, and this very wall, or even an indoor golf simulator. Don’t forget home important room will add luxury to your living experience. theater options! Often, we can use a single space for Freestanding soaking tubs are back in style, and no wonder! dual purposes. Who doesn’t want to lounge in a bubble bath with a glass of If you’re open to changing wall colors, consider contrastwine after a hard day’s work? Rain showers are also popular, ing a neutral with a brighter color, like gray and sunny yellow. and, after 2020’s toilet paper shortage, bidets are in greater Aqua, this year’s accent color, also pairs well with a cool gray demand. It may seem a bit luxe, but if such upgrades make in bathrooms, bedrooms, and living areas that need a splash life better and add to resale value, why not? of intrigue. Blue-greens create harmoRenovation costs depend on ny and have a wellness effect, inviting where you live, the quality of the all who linger to reflect and reset. For materials used, and what your plans Renovation costs depend on a home gym, consider vibrant orange are. Kitchens are usually the most or yellow accents to give you an expensive to remodel, with average where you live, the quality uplifting energy boost. In the home costs in the tens of thousands of office, you’ll want to be productive, dollars. The range of expense can of the materials used, and so consider a restful and restorative vary widely, depending on how much green. you’re planning to change the layout what your plans are. The kitchen is a valuable asset or the locations of plumbing and wirand is, arguably, the most important ing. High-end custom cabinetry and room in the house. One thing is for countertops aren’t cheap, but they sure—kitchens have always sold homes. During the pandemic will add beauty and convenience to your kitchen and value to and beyond, the kitchen has taken on new importance. As your property. the hub of the house, homeowners seek function and beauty Like kitchens, bathroom renovations usually require new more than ever. We’re all cooking more meals, storing more or rerouted plumbing and electricity. Make a plan with your food and supplies, and spending more time with family in the designer for the best budget. A master bath renovation can kitchen. cost just as much as a kitchen. A regular bathroom will cost A dedicated pantry will help declutter the kitchen and less but is still one of the most expensive rooms in the house. create open counters for a better aesthetic. If you have space Finance advisor Dave Ramsey has some ideas on his webto add a pantry, go for it! Even in the smallest of kitchens, a site about how to take control of your renovation costs. “The designer can find enough room for a pull-out pantry. What a smartest way to create a home renovation budget is to lay out space-saver! the renovation projects you want done and price them,” he Our increased dedication to hand cleaning has created writes. “Get bids for each individual project, then rank them higher demand for faucets, soap dispensers, and wastebaskets according to priority and start a detailed budget for the projthat are hands-free. Touch-free smart lighting is also likely ect you want done first.” As a rule of thumb, he recommends here to stay. adding balanced value to your house. In other words, don’t If you’re considering a whole kitchen renovation, keep in spend half the price of your home to renovate just one or mind that plans can quickly become expensive, especially if two rooms. you change your mind about something once the renovation He also points out that you can spread out your renovais already underway. A professional design company can help tions if you want to pay for them without taking out a loan. you determine your budget and financing options, and they “Let’s say your household income is $80,000 and you live in a 20
March 2021
