The kitchen and bathroom are high-usage rooms in any home, and can greatly influence the feel and the consequent financial value of your property. In fact, any potential buyer will likely consider these rooms key indicators of a good investment, and there are always things you can do to place your home in this category.
Whether you’re renovating for your home’s comfort or for a greater return on investment, the tips below will set you up for success.
Planning your Renovation
Planning is key to a successful renovation in any room of the house, and even more so in the kitchen and bathroom where costs are generally higher.
In the bathroom, there are several things you’ll want to consider before diving into the process. First, there should be a clear division of wet and dry zones in the room that helps to determine the position of the sanitary fixtures, sanitaryware, and storage spaces.
You’ll also need to have an electrician plan the electrical layout, including the position of essentials like the electrical switchboards, exhaust fan, and geyser, potentially shifting existing plumbing lines and sanitaryware in the process for efficiency. With these essentials in place, the location of showers, bathtubs, and cabinetry will become clear.
While the same logic applies in the kitchen, storage space is of even greater importance, particularly when it comes to selecting and installing cabinetry. Working out how much space you’ll need for food storage will help you determine how much space you have available for other features such as your kitchen island and major appliances, and it’s all part of a successful planning process.
Bathroom and Kitchen Transformation Tips
Once your plans are complete and approved, it’s time to get the renovations underway – a process that generally begins with demolition. If there’s anything you want to save from your existing bathroom for incorporation into the final space, this is your opportunity!
As noted in the last paragraph, plumbing, and electrical wiring will require professional installation, but once this process is complete, you’ll have the freedom to select key design elements, from the texture of your key sanitaryware to the overall color scheme. In fact, everything else – from picking the appropriate shower head to the tap fixtures – is up to you. Investing in the key pieces – like a luxurious bathtub and modern appliances – will be important to creating the atmosphere you want in the room.
In any renovation project, time is money, and preparation is crucial if you want to keep costs down. For example, if you’re planning to have wall tiles installed, create your design ahead of time to minimize the time required at this stage. Considering how you’ll use the space on a day-to-day basis will help you create a design that’s as economical as possible for your daily routine.
All the same, rules apply in the kitchen, as well as many of the same products. For example, the standard renovation may require design input on everything from cabinets, countertops, and flooring to tiles, backsplashes, lighting, and fixtures.
Budget-friendly Tips and Tricks
Successfully completing a budget-friendly renovation is a matter of research and preparation. The research process is all about working out what you want your finished space to look like and what you can realistically afford to do. At this stage, it’s worth taking the time to find and invest in the right key pieces for your space. In the bathroom, for example, it’s worth splurging on your basin, cabinetry, and bathtub as well as the fridge and oven, and any other key pieces that will last through the years. Buying quality from the outset may raise your costs initially, but it will also minimize repair costs in the near future.
To avoid scope creep and budget blowouts, you’ll need to have the approximate renovation costs in mind for each stage of the process and maintain regular communication with your team of professionals. You should also get at least three cost estimates from different suppliers so that you can be sure you’re getting good value for your money.
Embrace your Personal Style
The bathroom and kitchen may be prime utility rooms, but that doesn’t mean they can’t incorporate your personal style just like the other spaces in your home. A color scheme update is a great starting point and a relatively easy option, particularly if you focus on refreshing the wall color or switching out small elements of the room. This way, you can choose less transient pieces for the more expensive fixtures and ensure that your investment delivers good value for money long-term.
Transforming Your Bathroom and Kitchen with Interior Home Improvement Tips
No matter what your budget or timeline is, there’s a kitchen or bathroom renovation project that will suit you and your property. With research and guidance from a team of professionals, your renovations will be underway in no time, and from there, your dream home is just around the corner!
