If we’re honest, home renovations and major enhancements are often done both for practical purposes and to look better to others. Whether it’s keeping up with the Joneses, avoiding the neighbor’s critical observations, or just to satisfy aesthetically, there are often multiple motivations in competition. Here are 6 major home renovations or enhancements to bring better visuals coupled with an improved lifestyle.
Give the Driveway a Makeover
The driveway is likely a remnant of the past owner’s choices and overuse. As a result, you may have been left with one that’s falling apart (and you hope no one notices). Of course, your neighbor probably gripes about it bringing down the tone of the neighborhood, and it would be nice to stop all that nonsense. Getting a concrete driveway replacement is a worthwhile investment. It can last for many years, so it isn’t a regular repeating expense like some other home changes unwillingly become. The smoothness of the concrete finish avoids the potential to damage new sets of tires too. Maybe that’s not something that can be said of the current driveway? If so, that’s not great. But use that as motivation to upgrade the driveway soon.
Add a Swimming Pool
A swimming pool in your garden is a true luxury item. It’s not for everyone, but if you find that you don’t spend much time outside anyway, it might be a better use of your lawn than it sitting there unloved. There will be some maintenance involved in managing the pool however, it will reduce the size of the lawn and cut down on the mowing that is needed every few weeks. Thinking more positively, a plunge pool Is a great way to cool off in summer and the lockdowns of recent years have shown just how useful having somewhere to exercise can be.
Make your Home Feel Light and Airy
The flow of the interior space from room to room is stilted when they’re too small, or they’re overstuffed with furniture and other belongings. To look at this properly, it’s time to take a step back and see how your home is arranged. Taking photos can help to see it from a different perspective. Uploading some of them on an interior design forum or on a home décor subreddit to solicit advice is another approach to get an outsider’s viewpoint too.
Knocking through a non-supporting wall can turn two smaller rooms into an open-plan space ready for a complete redesign. Alternatively, paring down the furniture can open up the space in another way.
Get on with that Delayed Kitchen Remodeling Project
A kitchen remodel is a major event which is why we call it a ‘project.’ It does create some inconveniences at home while it’s underway because it makes using the kitchen impossible for a few days, or highly inconvenient at a minimum. Approaching this with a “no pain, no gain” attitude is best.
Get all of the household to give their buy-in to the kitchen remodel. Otherwise, there will be no end to complaining about how inconvenient it is. However, you’ll likely be delighted with the new kitchen afterward and anyone visiting will surely be impressed too. So, focus on the positives.
Make a Statement Wall
If you want to do something that isn’t going to change the architecture of your home but will still pack a big punch, then think about painting single statement walls in individual rooms of the house. If your walls are currently light, then opt for a darker, more dramatic statement. If your walls are currently dark, then go the opposite direction with a single side of something lighter. It has the effect of adding a whole new dimension to a room with very little cost and effort. You might also make a feature wall by creating a picture or photo gallery or dress a wall with a tapestry.
Extend!
The biggest renovation you can make is to extend your home. This can be by increasing the footprint or by utilizing existing space in a more efficient way. This might be by adding a sunroom, verandah, decking or some other way of connecting the inside with the outside, or it might be converting a room that provides extra living space. You might consider changing an integral garage into a home office, playroom or utility room. If you have roof space and the landing area to accommodate it, making an extra room will add value to your home.
When choosing major renovations with an eye to changing impressions, don’t go too small. Ensure they’re impactful and showy, otherwise they’ll barely get noticed.
