Advertisement
The kitchen is the heart of the home and your bathroom plays a vital role in hosting house guests and getting you ready every morning. Both of these spaces should work seamlessly with your life. Are you ready to give your kitchen and bathroom a remodel? You have come to the right place for inspiration.
Kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling for that matter, can be done yourself or with the help of some professionals. Hire a licensed home remodeler or do it yourself. Regardless, remodeling can not only bring you happiness in your space and increase practicability but can also increase your home’s value. However, you should know which things will increase value and which will just be a money pit.
Whether you are looking to sell soon or just want to increase your home’s value for your own personal reasons, consider these 5 kitchen and bathroom remodeling ideas that increase a home’s value plus some bonus tips along the way. You’ll notice that there is a lot of overlap between kitchen remodeling and bathroom remodeling.
1. Replace Kitchen Countertops
Kitchen countertops are a big focal point in the home and are a good place to start in a kitchen remodeling project. They are also used every day if not multiple times per day. Because of this, new countertops increase a home’s value to potential buyers. However, it is important to make the right choice for not only your family but for the future as well. There are two main divisions of kitchen countertops- luxury and durable.
Luxury Selections
Luxury countertops are a nice touch in a home because you can’t beat the look that they provide. Marble and granite of two popular luxury countertop selections. The problem with going for a luxury option like marble and granite is that they are high maintenance in their care instructions creating a burden for your busy family or a future family. They are of course also expensive, so you may not get as much return on your investment down the line.
Durable Choices
The other choice when it comes to countertops is to go the durable route. Luckily, these options have come a long way. They are affordable, easy to maintain, can fit any look including a luxurious vibe, and will stand the test of time in every home. Some durable countertop choices include quartz, concrete, and solid surface selections. Each has its own benefits.
For instance, Quartz is manufactured so it can be customized and come in a variety of colors. Concrete only requires minimum maintenance, and is one of the most customizable options in the way of shape, stains, and stamping. Solid surface countertops are acrylic with the two most popular being Corian and Swanstone. These come in many patterns that mimic real stone, and a range of solid colors. They are also the easiest to clean and maintain.
In the Bathroom
Countertops aren’t just for the kitchen. In the bathroom, replacing the countertops can go a long way to improving the design and function, therefore, increasing a home’s value. These options we have discussed for the kitchen can all be used in the bathroom too since the needs of a bathroom are similar in the ways of standing up to wear and water.
As a home remodeler, it is always important to make the consideration between durability and luxury in both the bathroom and kitchen.
2. Take Note of Flooring
Flooring throughout a home is one of the first things a buyer notices and is critical to comfortable living. With kitchen and bathroom flooring, it is vital to consider a few things like durability, looks, and susceptibility to water. Keeping this in mind, there are still several options.
Kitchen
For the kitchen, there are four options that will hold up– vinyl, tile, hardwood, and cork. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each of these.
Vinyl is great because it can mimic wood or tile, is water and stain proof, and is soft to stand on. However, though it is durable, it isn’t as durable as tile.
Tile is quite different as it is harder to stand on and grout lines can be harder to clean, but can provide a richer look and comes in two materials. Tiles can be porcelain or ceramic. Porcelain has fewer pores to absorb water which makes it a great option.
Hardwood is similar to vinyl in the way that it is low maintenance and provides a classic look. However, it may be water-resistant but is not water or stain proof which means that accidents can happen.
Cork is not a traditional flooring material, but it is actually a great sustainable alternative. Cork is comfortable to stand on, moisture resistant, and provides a unique luxury look. The one downside is that it has to be resealed every 3 years or so.
Bathroom
As far as choices in your bathroom remodeling project go, it is very similar to the kitchen because it has many of the same needs. The one difference is the wood option. Wood floors can go into bathrooms, but it might not be the best option because of all of the moisture and water that gets around. Vinyl, tile, and cork are more viable options in the bathroom with vinyl and tile being the top two contenders.
Vinyl is awesome in the bathroom because it is waterproof and comes in a variety of colors. Tile is another great option, but just make sure you choose unglazed because it can be slippery and although porcelain is harder to install, it has a higher hardness and is less porous. Finally, cork can work in the bathroom and be comfortable, just make sure you stay on top of the resealing because of all the moisture and water.
3. Lighting, Fixtures, and Walls
Lighting, fixtures, and walls are important in your kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects. As a home remodeler, you want to make sure you create a useable and beautiful space in the kitchen and bathroom to increase a home’s value. Here are some ideas for the lighting, fixtures, and walls in the bathroom and kitchen.
Lighting
Lighting can change the look of a space. Bright light is vital for functionality and appearance. Bright light is important in bathrooms for getting ready in the morning, and bright lights in the kitchen are needed for reading recipes and seeing what you’re cooking. The lighting options are endless from recessed, pendant, and more. Choosing your lighting will depend on your space and your style. You might go for under cabinet lighting and pendants over the island in the kitchen, while in the bathroom you might choose in-mirror and recessed lighting.
Fixtures
Fixtures are all around the house but are particularly essential to consider in the bathroom and the kitchen. For instance, sinks in the bathroom and kitchen are used all the time. Therefore, the faucets you choose can make a big difference in functionality. In the kitchen, consider a faucet that pulls out for convenience, and in the bathroom, consider ones that sit a bit higher so you have more room in the sink. Other fixtures like towel holders in the bathroom and new drawer pulls in the kitchen are small projects that can make a big difference in your kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects.
Walls
In the bathroom and the kitchen, consider backsplashes, remove any ugly wallpaper with a wallpaper removal spray, and put on a fresh coat of paint. These simple updates can bring a big return on investment for your home value.
4. Cabinets and Storage
We all need storage in the kitchen and the bathroom. As a home remodeler, consider updating or replacing cabinets and storage options.
Kitchen
In your kitchen remodeling project, consider replacing the cabinets if they are old. Replace them with functionality in mind. If not old or damaged, create a new look by repainting, refinishing, or simply replace the hardware as we mentioned before.
Bathroom
In the bathroom, replacing the vanity cabinet can increase the storage space and change the look to make it more sellable. Depending on the size of your space, try to go for a double vanity if possible because it increases the amount of storage and is a big selling point. Any storage space you can add in during a bathroom remodeling task is well-loved.
5. Appliances and Plumbing
Switching out the appliances in your kitchen remodeling project can get you a high return on investment. Buyers do not like the uncertainty of old appliances and they are a big focal point in the kitchen. Matching appliances are a big bonus and stainless steel is popular.
New toilets and replacing the shower during your remodeling project while updating the plumbing is also a big bonus. This way buyer’s can be confident that they will have nice, new working facilities.
Our Takeaway
At the end of the day, some remodeling projects can increase a home’s value whether you are looking to sell now or just bask in your new home equity. Looking for other ideas? We have an answer to all of your interior design questions with our in-depth resources.