It’s time to get out the calculator! Home improvements aren’t made equal. They not only depend on what you’re doing, but the size of the room you’re doing them in, where you live, and whether or not you can perform the renovation yourself. So, there isn’t a universal cost that you should expect when you go into the project. You need to just do the necessary research. Of course, you will need to factor in materials to your cost estimation. But, if you choose to hire a professional rather than go the DIY route, you will also have to include labor.
As you start your Georgetown home renovation, make sure that you are prioritizing your projects. Figure out what will be done to bring you enjoyment versus what will add value back into your property. In either case, your goal should be to rejuvenate it. Let’s get into some of the home improvements that you can work on that simultaneously don’t break the bank and provide you with a good return on investment.
Kitchen
The most common reason why you would be performing a renovation on your kitchen would be because it is no longer fitting your preferences. For instance, you may be over your all-white modern kitchen. You still want to keep it light and bright, but you are itching to flip the design and decor to make it more of a stand-out room. In which case, you should embrace your new vision! There are plenty of inexpensive ways you can do this in a Georgetown home renovation.
Add an Eye-Catching Backsplash
Backsplashes are used to protect the wall behind the sink from potential water damage. But it also provides the opportunity to bring some color into your kitchen and really make a statement. One of the most popular material options for backsplashes is tile. This is because it comes in various shapes, styles, and colors. You could use calming cool tones on hexagonal tiles or energizing complementary shades on penny tiles. The design can be as intricate as you want it to be. If you are interested in doing something different than tile, there are options of stone, faux wood, and brick. What it comes down to is where you want the rest of your kitchen to sit on the line of rustic versus modern.
Update Cabinet Doors
You don’t have to knock down your kitchen cabinets during a Georgetown home renovation. If you still like their style, nothing is stopping you from just painting over them. Get supplies that are appropriate for your type of cabinets. While wood cabinets are ideal for painting, you can always use a special bonding primer over laminate surfaces. Just take care to assess the condition of your cabinets because you may have to use stripping products to remove the current paint. The alternative is that you can reface them. Refacing is the process of replacing the doors, drawer fronts, handles, and hinges while the framework is unaffected. Understand that this is only an option if you have sturdy cabinet boxes with face frames that are still in good shape. Otherwise, starting fresh may be the way the go.
Bathroom
Did you know that a minor bathroom renovation alone could give you a 102% return at resale? This makes it one of the most cost-effective projects you can do. While that number certainly depends on what you are getting done, a bathroom renovation will almost always be a great investment. Because it’s a space that sustains frequent exposure to humidity and moisture, it will be very forgiving of your Georgetown home renovation. With that in mind, focusing on how to increase your bathroom’s utility is a smart move, above all.
Change Showerheads and Faucets
If you are maintaining your showerhead, it can last you years. However, if you haven’t been taking care of it as much as you know you should be, it could be growing bacteria. For those that are at risk for respiratory illnesses, it isn’t a good idea to let this go on for too long. Many experts suggest replacing your showerhead every six to eight months. Faucets are similar in that they aren’t built to last forever. Over time, they are going to break down. This will cause them to run less efficiently, which could ramp up your water bills. By taking the time now to get new showerheads and faucets during your Georgetown home renovation, you will be saving money and improving your health in the long run.
Get a Better Vent Fan
Having a bathroom vent fan is part of many building codes. You need it in order to both remove odors and exhaust the steamy air that comes from showering or bathing. If moisture is taking over your bathroom, it’s a sign that you need to change your fan out. With this space having such a high risk for mold growth, you need to stay on top of it. Installing a new fan is easy enough for amateurs to do. The process is straightforward when you don’t have to deal with any wiring or ductwork. That being said, if it does involve the replacement of the entire system, don’t attempt this on your own. Licensed professionals can handle all of the complicated work.
Other Interior Spaces
You have no limits when it comes to where you’d like a Georgetown home renovation to be executed. It’s simply a matter of what is going to make your house safer, more functional, or just more pleasing to the eye. Your living room and bedroom are places that you spend a lot of time in. So, they deserve the extra TLC. Even the most uncomplicated renovation projects will give you a greater sense of satisfaction with your home as they improve your overall lifestyle.
Add Shelving to Stay Organized
The living room and bedrooms are the best places to install shelves. They allow you to display your personality without having to take up space on the tops of furniture or the floor. Plus, it keeps those items in a more logical order. Making the most out of your walls for additional storage space is easy and won’t cost you much. You can buy the necessary tools and materials at your local Lowe’s or Home Depot and set the shelves up yourself. Before you hang them, though, you need to determine where they will specifically go. Have someone help you hold the shelf up and use a standard level so that it doesn’t end up crooked.
Beautify Your Staircase
You might be surprised by what you find when you strip back the carpet on your stairs. There could be gorgeous wooden panels that fit the exact design you’re going for. If you aren’t a fan of the plain wooden look, you could even take it upon yourself to paint the steps. Just because your stairs are there to get you from point A to point B doesn’t mean that you should overlook them. This Georgetown home renovation can make as much of a statement as your kitchen backsplash! Use a color that works well with your living room. And, in order to liven the space up even more, hang photos or artwork on the wall along the side.
Backyard
The exterior of your home is where the curb appeal is at. Slight changes can make your neighbors or prospective homebuyers see your property completely different. Think of a gorgeous porch swing for summer nights, or well-groomed shrubs in the garden. Although visitors won’t be able to see your backyard in their first impression, you should still follow the same idea of upgrading the space. That way, when they do get to go out back, they will be impressed with the care you put into it with a Georgetown home renovation.
Spruce Up Your Deck
If your deck was starting to become a safety hazard, it would be time for a remodel. These would be problems related to the wood, such as warping and splintering. All decks wear down over time due to use and weather. So, for those that have had their deck for, say, a couple of decades, an inspection may show that you have gradually wound up with structural flaws. But if all you are looking for is a simple Georgetown home renovation, there are many ways to revitalize it. You can replace your railing with a more stable one or fix the stairs that lead down to your yard. Doing these improvements will improve the structural integrity of the deck, as well as maintain your new design preferences.
Plant More Flowers
Living in Georgetown, you are well aware that the city is known for its poppies. That’s why the signature Red Poppy Festival exists! Even as a novice gardener, you can make these flowers feel right at home in your backyard. That being said, you certainly aren’t limited to planting poppies. Some other flowers that grow well around the Georgetown area consist of marigolds and bluebells, for example. Any landscape will benefit from the visual interest of flowers. That’s precisely why several states, including Texas, plant wildflower seeds along roadways. And not only are plants good for beautification, but they attract pollinators and remove pollutants from the air. So, don’t shy away from stepping up your garden!
We’ve all experienced that feeling of life passing by us. Keep in mind that, as you are getting older, so is your house. It is more lived-in now than it was a year ago, or even ten years ago. Take a look around to see which rooms have been enduring the test of time. This may be your opportunity to start tackling a home improvement project. Reach out to our team to get the ball rolling on your Georgetown home renovation.
Photos, in order of appearance, by:
- Karolina Grabowska on Pexels
- Francesca Tosolini on Unsplash
- Sidekix Media on Unsplash
- Ralph (Ravi) Kayden on Unsplash