Building a new home or completely renovating your existing one is a pleasure in itself that not everyone gets to experience in life. And while many may perceive this project as a real hassle, the truth of the matter is, you get to construct your oasis exactly the way you want it, designed according to your taste, with the elements and finishes you want and can afford. During the process, you’ll be often deciding which home renovation supplies are worth buying from your favourite home improvement store, what’s worth doing now and what you’d rather undertake on your next renovation project.
Before starting out, there are several factors to consider, such as how long you plan to live in that home, whether you’ll be able to put the upgrades onto your mortgage or pay for them out of your pocket, as well as which upgrades are valuable for resale. In this case, your best bet is having a detailed project and an exact plan regarding what you’re going to upgrade and how exactly you’re going to do that.
But don’t fool yourself thinking that you could upgrade certain things later by doing them yourself, in hopes you will spend less. In many cases, this will not only not save you money, but it will cost you more in the end or it will give you headaches when you finally address that upgrade. For that very reason, we made a now-or-never list consisting of the home renovation supplies you need and the upgrades that will be costly, difficult, or nearly impossible to do later. If you’re considering redecorating your home, you’d be wise to check these off your list this time around.
Install Recessed Lighting
Recessed lighting can be one of the quickest ways to upgrade and brighten a dully-illuminated space. It is a great way to subtly emphasize important details and give your home more ambience. But done wrong, it can easily create an uncomfortable mood in the room or a dated appearance. It can be a very intimidating project to take on in your home, which is why you need to decide on your lighting scheme before you start with your home’s remodelling. Although can lights themselves are generally inexpensive, installing them is a whole different story. Avoid the hassle of an electrician cutting into your brand-new drywall to install the lights and switches and have a detailed plan of how you want everything to look beforehand.
Add a Gas Fireplace
The sight and sound of a gently crackling fire in the middle of your living room is a great way to add that much-needed warm and cozy element that is simply irreplaceable. And if you’re also looking for a way to decrease your energy costs, installing a gas fireplace on your next renovation project is a great idea. But installing this element can be a major undertaking if you don’t plan things well. To decide whether you should tackle it now or later, you should consider certain facts about the installation of a gas fireplace. For starters, you need to run a gas line to the fireplace location. And if you want the unit to be flush with the wall, you’ll also need a foundational bump-out that will support the weight of the unit.
Although you also have the option of installing ventless inert gas heater, keep in mind that most gas fireplaces need a piping flue system and a vent that releases the gasses outside. As for the safety norms and building codes, they all differ for different locations. Some mandatory requirements may dictate certain aspects such as the chimney footer projections and thickness, the emission levels, the location of exterior air supply, the gas line positioning, and more. Based on the code for your area, you may be able to determine the overall complexity and cost of installing the fireplace.
And when it comes to the design and aesthetics of your hearth, you want this element to blend into your living room’s interior design well. Therefore, whether you are adding the fireplace to create a more charming ambience or for better heat, you can choose from traditional styles with detailed iron, marble, stonework or modern, sleek and minimalist designs with glass.
Add More Windows
If you’re longing for a lighter and airier ambience in your home, take a close look at your plan and check out if it’s possible to upgrade your existing windows or add more. Of course, you should also check your city’s bylaws regarding the percentage of glass you can have depending on the distance to the property line. If you’re clear with that aspect, your contractor may be able to add a couple more windows to your existing home or enlarge the ones that you already have. And who wouldn’t want to live in a more spacious-looking home with plenty of natural sunlight coming in? Besides boosting your mood and breathing life into your home, adding more windows to a house is also one of the easiest ways to make your home more valuable in the eyes of potential buyers.