Budgeting for home renovation projects can get tricky. Sometimes, they quickly go from manageable to astronomical. One way to avoid this issue is to know exactly where to skimp and where to splurge your money on. Premium upgrades may be expensive, but they last a long time and can be great investments in the long run.
Where to Spend with No Regrets
If you are wondering which areas of the house are best prioritized when renovating, consider these upgrades:
-
Attractive but Durable Flooring
With the ongoing pandemic, people are staying home a lot in compliance with shelter-in-place measures. The flooring may not seem a big deal, but people constantly walk on them and will inevitably become damaged over time. As such, your home needs to have durable flooring, especially in entryways, hallways, and living rooms.
For beautiful flooring that can last for the years to come, laminate flooring is a good choice. It is less expensive than other hardwood options but can look as pretty and elegant. It’s also easy to clean.
Because it features two or more layers for backing and core, laminate is thicker and sturdier, with a textured and protective layer to boot. Essentially, these layers make this type of flooring resistant to scratch and fade. Furthermore, it comes in a wide range of wood and natural finishes so that you can customize it as you please.
-
Better Kitchen Cabinetry and Equipment
If anyone in your family loves cooking, investing in high-quality kitchen cabinets is worth the time and money. Everyday wear and tear can destroy your kitchen cabinets more quickly than you have anticipated. Make sure that your cupboards and cabinets are made of hard-wearing material that can withstand repeated use.
Additionally, you may want to increase the storage capacity of your kitchen cabinet. This frees up clutter so that there is always a place for everything. A spacious kitchen island is also a smart investment to add to your renovation plan. The more storage space and working room you have, the easier and more efficient it will be to prepare and cook food.
Furthermore, renovating your kitchen cabinets will also allow you to match it with your overall interior design. Improving aesthetics, along with functionality, goes a long way and may even increase your property value.
-
Slip-Resistant Bathroom Flooring
Falls and slips in the bathroom can cause serious injuries. In fact, there are around 235,000 people who go to the emergency room for bathroom-related injuries, 14 percent of which are hospitalized. Some occurred while bathing or showering, others while using the toilet. But more importantly, these accidents happen because bathrooms are generally small, with hard surfaces that are almost always wet.
With the global outbreak of COVID-19, taking care of your and your family’s health cannot be emphasized enough. There’s already plenty to worry about in this uncertain time, and reducing the risk of slipping in the bathroom can help keep your list of worries short. If you have plans to renovate, splurging on non-slip bathroom flooring makes sense.
There are plenty of choices. High-end tiles sometimes offer non-slip features. Slip-resistant vinyl flooring usually comes with built-in padding that can reduce the shock if someone makes a tumble. Meanwhile, cork or bamboo flooring is warmer than tiles, looks great and trendy, and absorbs moisture, which leaves less surface water. Or you can invest in rubber flooring, which is the best option overall because it never becomes slick. While it’s more expensive and is less common than other flooring types, you can count on rubber to protect seniors from bathroom injuries. For additional safety, add accessories such as anti-fatigue mats.
-
Backyard sheds
Building a backyard shed offers a lot of benefits. If you like gardening, it provides easy access and added storage space for your gardening tools and equipment. If not, you can transform that backyard shed into a serene home office with a natural view.
We are now several months into the pandemic, and working from home all this time has blurred the lines between home and work. Setting up an office in your backyard shed can reset those much-needed boundaries. Invest in good lighting fixtures, large windows, and ergonomic furniture for improved comfort.
Alternatively, you can turn your shed into a home theater or entertainment room. Everyone can use some timeout from the stresses of the pandemic, and a shed can be the venue for that proper staycation.
While renovation all boils down to personal preferences and budget, splurging on essential areas to ensure durability and quality can save you time and money in the future. When in doubt, think about what you often use and enjoy at home. After all, remodeling is all about building your dream home and meeting your lifestyle goals.
