Image credit: Unsplash

Making a few upgrades to your home is a great way to breathe new life into it. After all, personal styles and design trends change — and your home can be the perfect reflection of that. Refreshing your home also adds to its value. Should you wish to sell your property in the future, you might be able to get a better deal on it.

To help you get started on your home improvement journey, we’ve listed five key tips that are key to remember:

Image credit: Pexels

First, write down your goals. Maybe you simply want to beautify your house, make specific renovations like adding an extension, or boost the value of your property. Knowing these goals can help you create a more concrete plan and create a working timeline.

To give you some idea, House Beautiful’s guide to renovation timelines states that how long a project takes really depends on how elaborate your plans are. Adding a room can take up to 16 weeks to complete, while renovating a bathroom generally requires at least three weeks. Of course, minor renovations will not take as long. For example, replacing your roofing will likely be a two-day project. Regardless of your home project, a timeline can let you know what to expect. Your family can also plan their days around these changes.


2. Set a realistic budget

Image credit: Unsplash

Listing specific goals can help you figure out how much your home improvement project will cost and how you’re going to fund it. If it’s something simple, you might not need to dip into your savings.

But, say you want to remodel your kitchen. That requires a bigger budget, and there are different ways for you to raise funds for it. One way to do so is to apply for a home improvement loan. Marcus states that home improvement loans are given to homeowners who want to finance renovations but don’t have enough equity. A loan is also a good option for homeowners who don’t want to pay for renovation costs upfront. Think of upgrading your house as a form of investment. Not only does it minimize the need for costly repairs later on, but a well-designed and maintained property is also more attractive to homebuyers.



3. Don’t underestimate the little details

If you have a limited budget, changing the details can give your place a minor facelift. Change your linens, window treatments, and rugs. Adding statement pieces and wall art here and there can also make it more in vogue with current trends. Consider bringing more life indoors by putting up some plants. Inhabitat suggests setting up your own herb garden by the window, which you can use to add more flavor to your cooking. Hanging up plants from the ceiling or installing a shelf for indoor greenery are great ideas, too!

4. Try changing the interior’s theme and layout

 Redecorating is another effective way to give your home a new look. Try repainting the walls and fixtures to change the overall theme. For example, a Brick Transformations Whitewashed Kit can be applied to give your home a more industrial feel to it. Not only will repainting change the style, but the right paint can also maximize your indoor space.

In some cases, rearranging the furniture can also do the trick. You might want to consider completely changing the layout by breaking down some walls. An open floor layout is a timeless trend that adds light and space to your property — just be sure to consult with a builder!


5. Boost curb appeal

 While most people tend to focus on refreshing their indoor space, boosting curb appeal should be part of your home improvement project, too. CNBC consulted with real estate experts who agree that a house is judged within 30 seconds. And given that the exterior is the first thing people notice, upgrading it can instantly make any home more attractive.

Fortunately, there are several ways to improve curb appeal. Start by paying attention to your lawn, repainting the fence, and keeping the driveway in good shape. Some more elaborate changes include repainting the exteriors, adding a deck, and upgrading your roof.

Refreshing your home will help it stand out for all the right reasons, and make you proud to call it your space. Just be sure to keep these things in mind to make your home improvement project a success.

Article written by Amanda Porter

Exclusively for gianigranite.com