IN THIS POST
– Update your kitchen
– Modernize your bathroom
– Create a home office
– Visually increase your home’s square footage
– Spruce up the exterior of your house
Almost all of us spent a better part of 2020 indoors, working remotely and taking online classes. This new reality not only had a significant impact on our relationship with our homes but also made most of us reevaluate our priorities in terms of décor and layout. If you are considering renovating your home to boost its market value, then you need to keep two things in mind. First, you need to make your space as comfortable as possible. Second, you must ensure whatever additions you are planning to make to your house are actually practical. To help you figure out this conundrum, interior designs experts have suggested a few smart home improvement ideas for 2021 that will help increase the resale price of your property by making it more functional.
Typically, not every home improvement project that makes your space more comfortable also boosts its price and vice versa. Therefore, whether you are planning to relocate in a few weeks or have no plans of moving anytime soon, you must always avoid taking on expensive projects that don’t add any value to your house. Meanwhile, some home improvement projects can instantly increase your house price and make it look more appealing to the buyers.
Since 2021 has finally begun, it’s about time we discuss the top home improvement projects that you should consider taking on this year.
Most Popular Home Improvement Ideas for 2021
If you are looking for tips on how to add value to your home on a budget, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some of the most recommended home improvement ideas for 2021, as per the experts.
Update and Depersonalize Your Cooking Space
If you’re looking for home improvement ideas to add value to your property, renovating and depersonalizing your kitchen should be at the top of your list.
Depending on your budget, you can opt for a major kitchen remodel that will both increase its square footage as well as make it more functional. If that’s not a possibility, you use some DIY home improvement tips and tricks to make your cooking space look cleaner and depersonalized.
To make your cooking space look brand new, start with the flooring. If you have vinyl flooring, you can update it with wood or tile flooring. In case your entire house has stone flooring, consider getting it polished professionally to give your floor a life. Replacing old countertops can also be a great way to upgrade your kitchen. In case the cost of installing kitchen countertops is putting a massive strain on your budget, you can consider covering up old countertops with tiles or contact paper.
Moreover, you can paint your kitchen cabinets to make your cooking space look clean and fresh. Though if your cabinets are old, broken and cannot be fixed, you may have to install new ones. Check out our guide on rates and types of wooden cabinets in Pakistan for more information.
On the other hand, we would advise you against installing new built-in electronic appliances in your cooking space if you are planning to sell your home in near future as it is one of the most costly home improvements that do not add value to your property.
Make Your Bathroom Look More Functional and Spacious
Wondering which home improvements add the most value to your house? No matter where you live and how big or small your place is, bathrooms are one of the top things that can affect the resale price of your house.
When it comes to bathrooms, it is always recommended to add more storage space to this typically small room. Installing slip-resistant flooring in your bathroom, getting a new sink and brass fixtures, and installing an exhaust fan for better ventilation are some of the top projects that can boost your house price. You can also consider adding a large mirror over your vanity to create the illusion of more space and replacing old light fixtures with new, energy-efficient ones. You also be aware of where to install each bathroom accessory. Moreover, placing houseplants in your bathroom can also make your space look more elevated and luxurious.
Here are some more tips on how to renovate your old bathroom that you may find useful.
You must also pay special attention to make sure your bathroom décor is depersonalized, as an extremely personalized home design can bring down the market value of your property.
Create an Aesthetically Pleasing and Productive Home Office
Before working from home became the new normal in 2020, most experts advised against creating a home office as it may only appeal to a small group of potential buyers. However, now that most of us are either working remotely or did so until the past few months, having a designated working space has become just as important as having a kitchen and bathroom.
The cost of building a home office in Pakistan is around PKR 2 lakh. This includes the price of buying a Computer System, high-quality accessories, printer, projector, strong internet connection, office supplies, work desk, rotating chair, bean bag, and coffee chair, among other items. You can also cut down your expenditure by building a DIY desk for your home office.
It is also one of the most popular home improvement ideas for small houses in 2021. However, since every house does not have a spare bedroom, consider converting a storeroom, guest room or a closet with a sliding door into a workspace. In case these options don’t work, simply pick a quiet corner in your house and place your work station there.
For more ideas, take a look at our tips on how to design a home office that looks functional and increases productivity. You can also check out the space considerations for setting up a home office.
Visually Increase Your Home’s Square Footage
The market price of your house depends largely on its area size and layout.
Therefore, one of the most popular home improvement ideas for 2021 is to open up your floor plan to create the illusion of more space. If your budget allows, consider hiring a contractor and knocking down a few additional walls to create an open floor plan. You can also replace some walls in your home with clear glass dividers to make your space look bigger.
However, if you are looking for home improvements that will increase the value of your property without breaking the bank, start by decluttering your space. In case you aren’t sure of what to keep and what to give away, ask yourself whether you have used that item in the last year and if you are planning to use it within the next six months. If the answer is no, either place the item in the ‘donate’ pile or put it in a trash bag.
Here are some helpful hacks for decluttering your home in a weekend – or less.
Other than that, it is also imperative to use the same type of flooring material throughout your house to create the illusion of a bigger space. Even if you have to opt for a different material, make sure it’s still in the same colour family.
Spruce Up the Exterior of Your House
This one is a no brainer, as refreshing your outdoors is always a good way to increase property value.
There are quite a few tried and tested methods of boosting your home’s curb appeal. These include repainting the exterior of your house, creating an impressive driveway, enhancing your outdoor lighting, placing planters near your front door, polishing your outdoor furniture, and most importantly, maintaining a well-manicured garden.
In the wake of COVID-19, outdoor spaces such as patios, gardens and balconies have become even more valuable. To put it simply, while it is important to make sure the exterior of your house looks immaculate and aesthetically pleasing, it must also be functional. Think of ways to maximize the usability of your outdoor spaces. For example, placing a small coffee table and a few comfortable chairs on your balcony can make a great addition to your home.
This brings an end to our guide on how to add value to your home in 2021. If you are someone who likes to stay on top of the latest trends, don’t forget to check out our comprehensive guides on the top interior design trends for 2021, most popular carpet trends for 2021 and the best lighting trends for 2021.
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