5 Ways to Upgrade an Old Home
Here are some things you can do to get your old home upgraded:
27/04/2019
You may have bought an old home to renovate and flip or as your home. Either way, a home that hasn’t been renovated recently will need some fixing up and a few added modern comforts.
How much or how little you do depends on your budget. However, there are several upgrades that won’t cost too much if you spend your money wisely. If you’re on a tight budget, you may have to take your time, implementing upgrade projects one at a time.
Here are some things you can do to get your old home upgraded:
1. Give the exterior a facelift
Subconsciously, the outer appearance of a house gives us an idea of what to expect on the inside. We’re taught not to judge the metaphorical book by the cover, but it happens all the time.
Start by repairing and preparing the exterior of the home. Roof inspections and repairs should be done by experts to prevent future leakages. Choose a high-quality, durable roof paint and exterior wall paint. One of the easiest ways to modernize a house is to use more contemporary colors on the exterior.
2. Update the electrical system
Back when older homes were built, few people would have predicted how many electrical appliances we use today.
Consequently, these homes seldom have enough electrical outlets. Insufficient outlets create several problems. It is inconvenient when you’re unable to plug in all the appliances and equipment you need in your home.
A lot of people use multi-plugs and extension cords to compensate for the lack of electrical outlets, but this poses a danger of its own. Overloading outlets can damage them beyond repair or even cause a fire. Hire a qualified electrician to install additional electrical outlets in all the rooms in the house.
3. Redefine the interior
You might want to merge the living and dining rooms to make them open-plan. With a proper assessment from a building professional, you can determine if it’s safe to do this. Removing a load-bearing wall threatens the structural integrity of the home.
You can make smaller rooms appear larger by painting them in light colors. Add to the natural light in a room by enlarging the windows or having a skylight installed. Update the light fixtures so that you can use energy-efficient lighting such as LED lighting.
4. Bathroom basics
The bathroom is one of the most important selling points on a home. However, ablution facilities weren’t given that much consideration during the construction of homes long ago. Some of these homes have only one bathroom.
See if you can get plans to add a master bathroom if the home doesn’t have one. Get a reliable plumber to do the work for you. It’s vital that the job is done correctly, or you could start experiencing plumbing problems.
Existing bathrooms can be revamped by replacing the bathtub, adding a shower, and replacing a bulky, old toilet. Choose more modern fixtures and tile the floor as well as the walls.
5. Revamp the kitchen
This exercise may be as simple as refurbishing existing cupboards and adding new countertops. However, it could also mean taking out the old cabinets and starting from scratch. Maximize storage space by installing wall-to-ceiling cabinets.
A lot of older kitchens weren’t built with the presence of a dishwasher and double-door refrigerator in mind. You’ll need to do renovations so that you have space for these appliances.
Update the stove and oven in the kitchen. Many old appliances are not as energy-efficient as newer ones. Modern cooking facilities make a kitchen look more contemporary.