What is it about fall that has me looking around the house thinking, hmmm…what can I change or improve next? Something about the crisp air just puts me in project mode. This year I’m eyeing the front door, considering a fresh new paint color. I think there may be a date-night with Sherwin Williams in my future. Does the change of seasons have you thinking about home improvement too? Perhaps you’ve been considering some small updates, or maybe even a renovation. But you know you can’t do EVERYTHING on your wish list, at least not all at once. Where do you start?
When I meet with clients for a design consultation, this is the question they often ask me: what should we do first?
Source: Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report 2013 (Southeast Region)
I like to think there are two ways to approach this problem. The first is resale value. If you are planning to sell your home within the next five years, it may make sense to invest in areas that will have the highest return on investment. Updating a kitchen more than ten years old, replacing wall-to-wall carpeting with hardwoods, and adding usable square footage such as by finishing off an attic or basement space are all updates that make your home more appealing to buyers. Or, sprucing up the exterior may be the way to go if you want to boost curb appeal. If you’re planning to renovate with an eye to resale value, it’s especially important to keep selections basic, and stay away from anything overly unusual that wouldn’t appeal to a range of buyers.
Finishing a basement tops the list of bang-for-the-buck renovations. Modern Basement by Toronto Photographers Leslie Goodwin Photography. Image via Houzz.com.
Converting an unfinished attic into usable space is another great, relatively inexpensive way to add square footage to your home. By New York Architects & Designers Workshop/apd. Image via houzz.com.
A kitchen renovation often tops people’s wish list. This photo shows a project I completed for clients a few years ago. New custom cabinets, flooring, and appliances as well as a more open layout rejuvenated the formerly cramped and dated 1980’s era kitchen.
The second way to think about it, and the question I ask my clients is, what are your biggest pain points? Does clutter pile up and cause stress, because you lack adequate storage? Is your sleep disrupted by a bedroom that doesn’t promote comfort or restfulness? Is homework a struggle because the kids lack a dedicated space to work and concentrate? Have you been living with a paint color you dislike for far too long? Focusing your renovation budget on fixing these problems may or may not result in a high recoup in terms of your home’s resale value. But the investment will pay off in other ways – by promoting better physical and mental health for you and your family. Peace of mind, reduced stress and family harmony are hard to quantify – you could even say, priceless.
I dream of having a mudroom like this! Having a place to neatly store shoes, bags and mail would really lower my morning stress level. Rustic Hall by Athens Photographers Corynne Pless. Image via Houzz.com.
This warm, inviting study room is a space I designed for a client with three ‘tweens who needed a focused and quiet place to complete homework.
Once you have your priorities figured out, it’s easier to come up with a phasing plan for all of your home improvement goals. That may mean it takes several years to accomplish everything on your wish list, and that’s okay. Every home is a work in progress, constantly evolving to meet our own changing demands and needs. And whether you’re thinking of making a major investment this year or tackling a quick DIY project, you’ll be on track to creating a space that makes you happy and comfortable.
As I look at the paint swatches posted up on my door I’m thinking Wheat Grass will make me very happy to come home every day. Or maybe Tupelo Tree. A blog post to share for another time!
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Tamara Leicester is a licensed interior designer and owner of Tamara Heather Interior Design, LLC. She designs casually elegant interiors with an artistic sensibility, often drawing upon the talent of local artists and craftspeople in her work. Dreaming about updating your space? Learn more at tamaraheatherinteriors.com.