Bay Weekly

3 Major Home Renovations Worth the Effort

Bay Weekly

        This season, consider the renovations that will go furthest to boost your home’s livability, beauty and value. Whether you’re building a new home or overhauling an existing one, here are three renovation ideas that will add beauty and value.

 

Expand Your Living Space

       Use that basement! Substantially expand your home’s livable areas by turning your attention to the bottom floor. Finishing a basement is an involved project, potentially requiring electrical and plumbing work, insulation, drywall and more. But some of the less technical aspects of this renovation can be DIY-ed. And the end result is worth the effort and expense. 

       Before getting started, consider what type of space would most benefit your household long-term. You may be able to recoup some cost of the investment. For example, turning your basement into an at-home fitness center means ditching the costly gym membership.

      Want to reduce time and money on your commute? Your basement could make an ideal home office.

 

Add a Focal Point

      The right eye-catching elements can make a room pop while adding vitality to your living spaces. A fireplace, for example, adds ambiance and comfort while also creating a natural gathering space.

      New models pair the charm of a traditional open-front fireplace with the design flexibility of gas models. The Phoenix TrueView from Heat & Glo, for example, offers the convenience of gas without the glass, giving you an unobscured view of the flames against the traditional brick or fade-resistant reflective black glass liner. An optional Bluetooth speaker system allows you to hear the fire as well as see it, making it a focal point for the ears as well as the eyes.

 

Boost the Backyard

       If you find that your household spends very little time in the backyard, figure out why. Is there a lack of shade? Are there not enough places to sit? Take a poll so you can diagnose the problem and take steps to correct it. Consider also how to make this space usable for a larger portion of the year, such as adding a fire pit or an enclosed, heated patio. Lastly, consider aesthetics. A bit of landscaping can make your backyard as visually appealing as your home’s interiors.

–StatePoint Media