While remodeling can be fun and exciting, it’s important to remember that ongoing home maintenance is equally as (if not more) important and can help keep your home’s value from depreciating too quickly.
Kitchen
- Keep trash can and kitchen sink as close as possible
- Try to avoid putting your fridge directly next to a wall
- Make sure there is space on either side of the oven door, if possible
- Draw a line from sink, to fridge, to stove and it should be a triangle, when feasible
Bathroom
- Choose appliances that are easy to keep looking clean
- Reflective surfaces make the room look bigger
- Energy efficiency is crucial (tankless water heaters, low flow toilets, etc.)
- The brighter, the better
Living Room
- Go hardwood when possible
- Choose a large enough area rug
- Install ambient lighting (dimmer switches, unique sconces)
- Follow the rule of three: one small, one medium, one large
Bedroom
- As much natural light as possible (with blackout curtains, if needed)
- Reframe drafty windows
- Focus on lighting (dimmers for reading, interesting lamps)
- Add a sitting area, when plausible
Home Office
- Choose lighting that won’t overheat the room
- Position natural light so it doesn’t interfere with your computer screen, if applicable
- Pay attention to how many outlets there are
- Plan storage in advance
Basement
- Open floor plans are timeless
- Consider utility spaces
- Wall off areas needing extra privacy
- Consider a wet bar
Exterior
- Consider the resale value
- Keep architecture consistent
- New doors (including garage) can help insulate and save on energy costs
- The roof is one of the most important aspects
Landscaping
- Don’t force any features that don’t fit
- Try to incorporate native plants
- Keep plants a reasonable distance from walkways
- Focus on an integrated look
Hiring help is always the safest option, be sure to shop around before choosing a contractor, as remodeling your home is quite an undertaking and a huge commitment on the part of the homeowner.
