Whether you are looking to stay in the home for a long time to come or you want to sell it, upgrades are always a good idea. If you are trying to sell the home, upgrades can increase the value of your home. If you are trying to stay there, the upgrades can make the home much more livable for you and your loved ones.
1. A New Coat of Paint
A fresh coat of paint could be a wonderful and cost-effective upgrade to your home. Whether you decide to paint the outside or the inside or both, it would be a great idea to paint an area of your home in a light and neutral color. Particularly in hot areas, it would be a good idea to paint it a light shade in order to not attract heat into your home and save money on your energy bill.
In some cases, if you are painting, this can lead to other projects, such as drywall repairs that you might need to do. You might also want to add artwork in order to bring bright colors into the room, keeping in mind that painting the walls these bright colors may make your home less sellable when you want to bring in buyers.
2. Upgrades to Flooring
It would be a good idea to upgrade the flooring in your home as well, in order to make your home seem larger. If you want to put the same types of flooring in different rooms in your home, it might also make the home seem more unified. It would be a good idea to hire a professional for this, as many people can make mistakes when they try to do it on their own. A waterproof vinyl would be a good idea, especially if you live in a humid area. Humidity rated wood floors or faux wood tile might also be a good idea.
3. Add Some Lights
It might be a good idea to add some lights to the home. Recessed ceiling LEDs and dimmable fixtures will help keep the area bright. Make sure that if you are trying to do this on your own, that you turn off the right breaker before you do anything with your lights. You also want to take advantage of any opportunities to bring natural light in your home when you can. You will have both sunshine and stormy days, so windows are a big part of what can define the ambiance in your home.
4. Upgrade Appliances
New appliances can be very appealing to look at in your home, and they can also make parts of your home run much more functionally. For example, a new furnace would definitely be a good idea if you have a furnace that is not working anymore. Furnaces are supposed to last for about 15 to 20 years, so if your furnace is at the tail end of this time period, you might want to look into getting a new one, especially if it seems to be starting to malfunction.
Other appliances have different life expectancies that you should keep in mind as well. The majority of tankless water heaters will last for more than 20 years, so you will not need to replace these too often.
Under the NFPA25 Code, you need to have the fire protection system in your home inspected visually on a regular basis. Functional testings are also necessary, in order to make sure that they are working properly and that they are up-to-date. Fire protection systems are very important, as they are a very important part of safety for whoever is living in the home.
5. Upgrade Outdoor Areas
In the summer, people spend a lot of time outside. Making the outdoor space inviting is a great way to make your home more appealing. Outdoor kitchens or a great idea, and creating a lounging area would be another great idea that does not necessarily cost a lot of money. Landscaping can also make your home much more visually appealing.