Living in a home for a while means slowly learning about all of those things that just are not quite the way you would like them to be. From poor lighting and faulty pipes to narrow doorways or the lack of a landing zone to corral your bags, shoes, and keys, there are plenty of things you can do that range from small and restorative renovations to full-blown remodeling projects that change the shape and structure of your home. Look at these ideas to see what will work best for you and your family and achieve the home dreams you are looking for.
Update the Outdated
Have you been having trouble with the water pressure in your home? Are leaks becoming more of a normal occurrence than a one-time concern? Then it is time to contact your local sewer line and plumbing company to schedule cast iron pipe replacement throughout your home. These pipes were installed years ago as the go-to material for plumbing needs. Today, however, the experts know that cast iron pipes can degrade and cause plenty of problems. By taking action today, you can update your entire plumbing system with the latest technology and materials while preventing issues that are likely to occur and avoiding costly repairs due to water leakage, mold, and eventual pipe replacement.
Another common area that generally requires updating in older homes is the electrical system. Do you find that when you run the kitchen microwave and a hairdryer in an upstairs bathroom simultaneously, a circuit breaker trips? Are some of your outlets old, worn, and only have two-prong plug-in options? Contact a licensed electrician to inspect your home and help determine the best way to bring your electrical system into the modern era. While you are making these changes, look at other things you would like to add, such as the following:
- Add an outlet in a utility closet for your chargeable vacuum to keep it charged and out of view when not in use.
- Have outlets installed in the pantry for a toaster oven, coffee bar, or blender so you do not have to lug out these appliances to your kitchen counter whenever you want to use them.
- Ask the electrician to wire and install ceiling fans in the bedrooms and sitting areas and update light switches for a modern appeal.
Redo the Cabinets
There is a trend to change the cabinet colors from the kitchen to the bathroom. While that trend holds, because a switch from espresso to bright white or vice versa can truly alter how your kitchen looks, the best place to start is with the functionality of your existing cabinetry. When you and your family use the kitchen space, are there things you want to change? Do you have enough drawer space? Are the cabinets deep enough? Pay attention to the cookware, utensils, kitchen linens, and dishware you own and how they fit into the space you currently have.
Some common things homeowners opt to update and change are:
- Install deeper cabinets to accommodate large pots and pans. Add pull-out drawers to these cabinets for easier access.
- Add in-cabinet lid holders and vertical racks for sheet pans and cutting boards.
- Install sensor lights inside cabinets to make finding what you need easier.
- Opt for deeper and wider drawers to store cooking utensils and implements instead of storing them on the counter.
- Install toe-kick drawers for large and infrequently used items such as platters and holiday serving dishes.
- Even if you choose to keep your current cabinetry, you can still change the color and hardware for a refreshed and updated appeal.
Look for Storage Solutions and More Space
Is your home lacking storage solutions? Do you keep your dry goods in a cupboard in the utility room? Or perhaps you store your sweaters in the guest room. If any of this resonates with you, it is time to look for creative storage solutions. Work with a contractor to determine the location of load-bearing walls, and then design a plan to remodel some of your rooms to create more closet space, shelving, and general storage space.
This solution might include removing the wall or adding a door between the master bedroom and an unused bedroom next door to create a master bedroom walk-in closet for two. In the kitchen area, if you have a separate dining space, talk with your contractor about knocking down a wall to create a larger, open kitchen and eating space with a separate pantry and eliminate the extra dining area. If you need another bedroom, look to the basement. Have your contractor dig out and install an egress window for safety and then create a bedroom. If the basement is currently unfinished, you have a blank canvas to work with. If finished, there are still plenty of ways to rework the space and incorporate another room. There are many options to think about, what matters is finding a way to make your home more livable and enjoyable for the way you and your family live.
Age in Place Considerations
If you enjoy the location of your home and intend on living there well into your golden years, now is the time to think about aging in place. While this is not a new concept, it is probably a new consideration for you, especially if you are not even close to retirement. All things considered, if you are going to make the effort to update your home, why not do it with longevity in mind?
Watch this short video to learn about proactive and realistic ways you can update your home to successfully age in place.
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Get ready to renovate, update, remodel, or change your home to make it one you will be happy to live in comfortably now and for years to come. Look at the utility infrastructure within your home to fix any problems with the plumbing and electrical systems. Next, find ways to make your storage situation better than before so everything and everyone has a place of their own. When you decide to live in your home for a while, it is important to have a place you will be proud to come home to every day.
