You bought a new house and it requires some adaptations in order to meet your needs? Or your old house simply needs some refreshment? Regardless of which situation you are in, home remodeling can be overwhelming, especially if you haven’t planned everything well and chosen your battles carefully. When selecting renovation projects, you have to consider usability, investment and potential return of investment (e.g. the project should either save you money in the future, or should increase the value of your home should you decide to sell). Sounds pretty complicated, right? We’ll help you with these clever remodeling tips.

Find good workforce

If you manage to find quality workers, you have already done the most important part of the job. Experienced remodelers will be able to give you advice on the most prudent projects, best materials and do their job efficiently at a fair cost. Consult the web, but also ask your friends and family for word-of-mouth recommendations. When you choose them, make sure you communicate all of your ideas and write a detailed contract.

Make extra space

Almost all remodeling projects have one clear goal: to add more space to the property. That can be done by tearing down the wall between the kitchen and the living room. If you want to go beyond that and make an extra room (family room, guest room, bathroom…) you can either go up or down. One of the greatest intricacies you can face here is enabling easy access to the space, so if you’re upgrading your attic, you’ll need more than step ladder.

Do the kitchen remodeling first

This is a project that meets both ROI demands: if you do it with energy-saving on your mind, you can cut your bills in the future, and regardless of the size of your project, you will still be able to increase the value of your property. Namely, even a minor kitchen remodeling can recoup about 80% of the invested money, says  research done by Remodeling magazine. Some small-scale projects you can pull off are repainting the cabinets, replacing the handles and pulls, painting, replacing the ordinary light bulbs with energy-efficient ones, getting a new countertop and adding a backsplash.

Do other projects that increase ROI

It’s an unwritten rule that the projects that add to the total price of your house, also increase its functionality and improve its aesthetics, so even if you’re not selling, you’ll benefit from these renovations:

• Basement remodeling
• Entry door replacement
• Attic insulation
• Window replacement
• Bathroom remodel

Increase the curb appeal

Finally, the house’s exterior also plays a major role in the overall picture. Here are some things you can do to improve the appearance of your outdoor space:

• Pool restoration: There is nothing cooler than owning a pool in your backyard, but if it isn’t updated for decades, it is about time to do it. The best thing about this project is that you don’t need much to do it: a bucket of swimming pool paint can instantly revive it. You can go beyond that and build a deck around the pool, make a mulch or rock border and plant small bushes and perennials, etc.
• Wooden deck addition: Adding a wooden deck is one of those projects that can add value to your property, but it can also present a beautiful place to spend time with your family, read a good book or simply enjoy the fresh air.
• Fixing the driveway: A cracked driveway is not a very appealing sight. Solve this by applying a driveway sealer.
• Painting the exterior: painting a worn out façade will instantly transform your house and make it look newer.

House renovation is indubitably a major project. It can require a lot of time, money and patience, but take it one step at the time, and you will make it.

Guest Post By:

Amelia Atkins

“Amelia is an author on the site Smooth Decorator and now a fresh architecture student.  Love for architecture and design runs in her family ever since she can remember.”