Home Reno Series: Where should I start? Home renovation ideas for livability.

This time of year inspiration can strike. As temperatures rise and plants begin to flower, thoughts of home improvements start to emerge. It can be fueled by many sources; from home improvement television, to YouTube, to inspiration boards on Pinterest. 

If you’re looking to sell your home, conventional wisdom holds that kitchens and bathrooms are the best places to spend money to get the most money back in resale. That still holds true, but your situation can also be more nuanced.

What if you’re not looking to sell anytime soon, but still want to make changes? What is the best use of money that you can prioritize? Where can we find the intersection of livability and a good investment?

Interior paint changes can be a relatively safe way to make updates to your house.

If you are fortunate enough to have this kind of flexibility, you can focus on quality-of-life improvements, with some personalization. Ask yourself what would make your home more functional or fun for you. There are a lot of inspiring ideas in the media. Visiting a home show can give you new ideas as well, with the added benefit of being able to view the materials you’re considering up-close. If you want to play it safe, the simplest and most reversible thing you can do is interior paint. This can make a big difference in the atmosphere of your home. Light colors can make smaller spaces feel bigger and colors can impact mood. If you have a bigger budget, changing flooring can make a huge difference in both appearance and functionality.

You may be contending with things that are a problem in your home, such as poorly-placed laundry facilities.  Fixing things that inconvenience you can improve your quality of life and improve the appeal of your home to future buyers.You may have already imagined a possible solution. This may be a matter of utilizing a closet as a laundry facility, or reversing plumbing. In one of my homes, the stacked washer and dryer were in the heated garage. The wall behind them was in an open area in a bathroom. The plumber we had was able to turn the plumbing from outside to inside, in a job that took less than one hour. Having the laundry inside was a huge improvement. 

In 2020, people contending with an extended stay at home, sought houses that were more like vacation destinations. Houses with pools or views or yards like playgrounds got a big premium from buyers. People also improved the “stay-cation” qualities of their homes. Have you imagined a great space for entertaining outside? There are ways to make the most of your investment dollars for each of these projects. If you work with me as your REALTOR, I would be happy to help you brainstorm ideas.

For outside projects, take the climate into consideration. What might you be able to use year-round? A barbecue grill can be used year-round, but an outdoor sink can’t. A play structure can be used year-round, but a pool can’t. However, if you dream of a pool or outdoor kitchen, those months of use each year could be worth the investment for you. 

In Colorado, red granite stone is a popular choice for use in walkways, patios, and other landscaping features.

Walkways and patios make for beautiful possibilities. Many landscaping companies in the front range use caramel-colored sandstone for walkways and retaining walls. Stacked stone walls can make a great surround for a planter bed, or provide a step-down element on a sloped yard. In the Front Range of Colorado, the red granite stacked stone wall is a more economical favorite, because it is quarried locally. Some people like to use the red granite slabs as a stone walkway or put several together for a patio. Granite as pavers can be lovely, though it may require some maintenance. Another durable choice for patio replacement is stamped concrete. With that, you can choose from a variety of patterns including brick style or a rock paver pattern. You can also choose a colored tint to go in the surface coating. Choices range from subtle to vivid and the choice is yours. 

The great thing about home ownership is choosing how to personalize your space. It can be complicated, but breaking it down into manageable steps can make it less formidable and more enjoyable. Improvements you enjoy could even make your home more valuable and saleable in the future. 

Everything here is presented as friendly advice. Nothing here is to be considered legal advice.