There are endless upgrades you can make to your home during a remodel, but it can be hard to decipher the “need to have” from the “nice to have.” If you’re looking for the most impactful home improvements, here are 6 home upgrades that are consistently worth the investment.
1. Energy efficient windows
Replacing your old, outdated windows will reduce your energy consumption and utility bills by better insulating your home. Get warm when you want to, and stay cool when you don’t, without breaking the bank! You’ll get better sound insulation from outside noise as well.
2. Deck or patio
Adding (or reviving) a deck or patio space will give you a new area for lounging, entertaining, and getting much-needed vitamin D, extending the overall livable square footage of your home. Give your kids a new space to play while remaining in eyesight or give your guests a breath of fresh air when they come over.
See also: Exterior Door Options: Take Advantage of Your Outdoor Living Area
3. Tankless water heater
Offering endless hot water, energy efficiency, long life expectancy, and lower risk of leaks, burns, and exposure to toxic metals, tankless water heaters have many benefits over traditional tanks. It’s important to get the appropriate size heater for your home as well as conduct proper maintenance, but it’s a small price for a more efficient system.
4. New floors with radiant heat
If your current flooring has seen better days, replacing it could give your space an entirely new feel. Hardwood floors are unmatched in elegance and coziness, and they’re durable with proper care. Engineered hardwood is a more affordable alternative to achieve a similar look to its traditional counterpart.
Porcelain, ceramic, or stone tiles are also a highly desirable option – they look beautiful and work well with radiant heat. Installing radiant heat will prevent your feet from freezing on chilly floors; it’s an energy efficient way to make your home more comfortable during warmer months. Radiant heat also works well with thin carpet and luxury vinyl plank, but it may not be effective under hardwood.
5. Updated shower and automatic bathroom vents
A zero-threshold shower with glass walls is a sleek, attractive, and more accessible alternative to the traditional bathtub with a shower surround. Ditch shower curtains and stepping over high walls and opt for a more premium experience for your daily routine.
Another way to make your day more seamless is to install an automatic fan, which will safeguard you from dealing with the adverse effects of humidity – peeling paint, warping doors, mold, and odors.
See also: How To Design the Ideal Primary Suite Bathroom | Luxury Shower Ideas
6. New countertops and added kitchen storage
Kitchen ambience and functionality has a huge impact on your everyday life – it's the difference between a space that enables and excites you to nourish yourself, or makes you dread the task of cooking.
You’ll likely see benefits from any upgrade to your kitchen, but new countertops and additional storage will make a difference especially. Choosing a material that suits your design style, cooking, and cleaning preferences will make virtually every task in your kitchen easier, and expanding your storage allows you to give everything in your culinary arsenal a home, including all your favorite snacks.
See also: The Top Cabinet Colors You Need In Your Seattle Kitchen
Work with IHR and thank yourself later!
When you partner with a design-build firm, your project will be managed by one team, end-to-end. Our dedicated group of experts across design, architecture, and construction work in harmony to achieve maximum design and functionality for your space. With IHR, you’ll be educated, empowered, and in control of your remodel, always. Get in touch with a project manager to begin.
by Haley Carroll