With remodeling on the rise this year, homeowners are feeling more comfortable investing in their homes again. Finding the smartest and hottest trends in home improvement, however, can be intimidating.
For some, the thought of remodeling a house may scream stressful. But, with the right knowledge and an expert’s guidance, you’ll find yourself feeling like you’re living in a new house—without the expense of a new house. And, not to mention, the added retail-value.
Scott Robinson, owner of Robinson Renovation & Custom Homes, Inc., broke down some of the most popular remodeling trends – like enclosing lanais and updated kitchens and bathrooms – by providing tips on how to make any remodel worth the time and money.
- Kitchens — Updating the kitchen is a priority for most homeowners interested in remodeling. Replace those old countertops with granite, and modernize the look with stainless steel appliances and a new sink and fixtures. Install some high-quality cabinets with soft-close drawers and extras, such as drawers for pots and pans, spice racks and pantry storage. Trade outdated flooring for large tiles and coordinate with a new backsplash of glass or subway tiles.
- Bathrooms — You might be interested in changing the layout of your bathroom. Those large tubs in master bathrooms aren’t needed for resale value anymore, so you might want to use that area for a larger shower or more storage. Granite countertops are also popular in bathrooms. Updating the tile on the floor and in the shower can instantly transform your bathroom.
- Porch/Lanai Enclosures — Enclosing the lanai is a great way to add more space to your home. You’ll want to make sure beforehand that your air conditioning unit can handle conditioning the extra space.
- Repairs — Those cabinets in the laundry room may collapse, or some of the roofing may need repairs. While you’re taking care of practical issues, you might want to throw in some of those wish list items as well. Go ahead and ask for pricing on that dream kitchen or bathroom, and then you’ll have a realistic idea of how much it will cost.
- General Updates — The flooring or paint colors may be outdated. Or maybe that wallpaper was fashionable once, but no longer. Once the wallpaper comes off, the walls need to be textured for painting. It’s best to hire a professional painter who will make sure the job is done right.
- Granite Countertops — Now that granite counters are more affordable, homeowners are choosing to replace those old countertops in their kitchens and bathrooms with granite. There are four grades of granite, with 1 being the lowest quality and 4 the highest. Beware of anyone offering a “deal” on granite—have your contractor check it out before you buy!
- Stainless-Steel Appliances — Replacing those old appliances with stainless steel is one way to quickly update your kitchen. Your contractor may be able to get the best pricing on appliances, or you may want to shop the sales.
- Tile — Large tiles for flooring are in. The main benefit to using tile near the 20-by-20 size is having less grout to clean. Ask your contractor for a smooth-edge tile that will cut down on the width of grout lines between tiles.
- Updated Fixtures — Another quick update for the kitchen or bath is replacing the sink(s) and/or fixtures. Houses built in the 80s or 90s tended to use the gold finish, so choosing a brushed nickel, chrome or bronze finish can make a significant difference. Those vessel sinks look beautiful, but consider the practicality of actually using one. The counter/cabinet will need to be lowered in order to accommodate the height of the sink.
*The hottest trends in finishes include: granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, large tiles and updated fixtures.