05/16/2023
The 6 Best ROI Home Renovations
One of the biggest investments you’ll make is your home. From buying a home to ongoing renovations, you can spend a lot of money on making your home exactly what you want.
However, not all renovations are equal investments. Some will pay for themselves if you decide to sell your home while others could just cost you money. So which renovations are the best return on investment (ROI)?
Today we’re going to discuss the 6 best ROI home renovations and why you should consider them for your home.
1. Kitchen Renovation
Since the kitchen is one of the most used rooms in your home, it can need updates quicker than other areas of your home. These updates can be a full-blown kitchen renovation or they can be as simple projects like:
New Hardware
Adding new hardware to the cabinets can instantly transform the look of your cabinets.
New Backsplash
There are several options you can choose from when it comes to backsplashes. You have classic subway tiles, painted Moroccan tiles, or colored glass tiles. A creative way to use the tiles is to create a design with them like a Herringbone pattern, offset, Chevron, or basket weaves.
New Lighting
Swap our old fixtures for something more suited to your taste and the design of your kitchen.
Reface/Replace Cabinets Fronts
Painting/staining gives older cabinets a facelift and can change the look of your kitchen. If you don’t want a DIY project but want the impact of new cabinets, you can replace your cabinet doors. This cuts down on your workload but still gives your kitchen a new look.
If you want a project with a bigger impact you can:
Replace Cabinets
You can transform your kitchen by adding brand-new cabinets. You can order your cabinets in different colors, woods, and styles.
New Countertops
There are many different options you can choose from, depending on your budget. Some examples are laminate, butcher block, granite, quartz, marble, and soapstone.
New Flooring
Depending on your lifestyle and budget, you have several different flooring options you can use like laminate, hardwood, tile, travertine, or terrazzo.
Update Appliances
Upgrade to energy-efficient ones (more on that later) or have all of them match.
These updates can give your kitchen a whole new look for a smaller investment. Preparing for a kitchen renovation can be complicated so make sure you have a solid plan in place before you start.
2. Bathroom Renovation
Bathrooms are essential. You use it every day and so do your guests when they visit. Some small projects can help it feel like a new space.
New Coat of Paint
Changing the color or just repainting can brighten up a bathroom and make it feel fresh.
New Cabinets
You can install a new bathroom vanity or repurpose a piece of furniture into a new vanity.
New Bathroom Mirror or Medicine Cabinet
A new mirror will help create the illusion of space in your bathroom. Or if you have a mirror that doesn’t have a built-in medicine cabinet, then you can add one of those for extra storage.
New Faucets
Faucets are a small detail in a room but adding new ones can transform a bathroom’s whole look. You can pick one in a different style or finish.
If you want to try some bigger projects you can:
Upgrade Your Bathroom Storage
Adding more cabinets or shelves to your bathroom gives you more storage space and creates new design elements for your space.
Install a New Bathtub/Shower Combination
This can be a bigger project requiring more construction work and skills but you can also do several different projects at the same time like:
- Add or remove a bathtub
- Add more showerheads
3. Energy Efficient Upgrades
Several areas in your home could be costing you money and can be upgraded to be more energy efficient.
New Windows
Ever notice a draft from your windows? If your windows are older, then they can be letting out heat or cool air and costing you money. Adding new windows can cut down on your electric costs and keep your home at a comfortable temperature.
Adding Insulation
While we think homes are fully insulated, that might not be the case. You could have areas of your home that don’t have any insulation between the interior or exterior walls. Attics or unfinished basements can be culprits of this. You can add fiberglass insulation, or hire a professional to spray foam insulation.
Upgrading HVAC systems
You could be at the point where you have new windows installed and your house is fully insulated but your electric bills are still high. It might be time to fix your heating and cooling system.
Check to see if your system is the correct size for your home. If it’s too small, then it’s going to work overtime to get your house to temperature.
New Appliances
If you have old appliances in your home, they could be costing you a lot of money. Upgrading to energy-efficient ones, will not only save you money but will be a greener option.
Plus some electric companies have old appliance buy-back programs where you can trade in your old appliance for money.
4. Basement Renovation
Some people look at their unfinished basement as a damp, dark, and scary place. Depending on how unfinished your basement is, a few steps can change its whole look.
Adding Walls
If your basement is just framed, then you can add insulation and then some drywall to close up those walls.
Painting the Walls
Paint can transform most spaces even if the walls are made of cinderblocks.
New Flooring
If you want to use your basement as more family living space you can add carpet for a more homey look and warmth. You can also add vinyl flooring for easy cleanup in case you live in an area where flooding occurs or if you’re using your basement as a workspace.
5. New Roof/Shingles
A roof is an essential part of your home that can be taken for granted. When things go wrong on a roof, it can get expensive. That’s why when people look to purchase a home, they ask questions about the roof and when it was installed, or what upgrades it had.
Roofs should be replaced every 20 years or so, depending on what your roof is made of. There are several different materials you can build your roof out of like shingles, metal, or slate tiles. It can be overwhelming so we created this roofing materials buying guide to help you through the process.
6. Outdoor Improvements
You don’t want just the inside of your home to look inviting—you want it to have some curb appeal as well. There are several ways to make the outside of your home look as great as the inside.
Landscaping
Add some flowers or bushes to add some color to your yard. You can talk with your local garden expert to find plants that work in your climate zone.
New/Update Deck
A deck not only adds to the aesthetics of your backyard but can also give you some valuable outdoor living space. You can stain or repaint your deck to protect the wood. Using something meant for outdoors is key.
If you want to build a deck or even rebuild your deck, you can look at composite materials that will last longer than traditional wood. However, the cost can be higher. You could also change out the railings on your deck to something different for a new look at a lower cost.
Create an Outdoor Kitchen
A newer trend that we’ve seen is to create an outdoor kitchen to enhance that indoor/outdoor living. It can be as simple as adding to your existing grill area or you can go all out and add refrigeration, sinks, and storage spaces.
At J&L we carry a cabinetry line called Naturekast that is specifically designed for outdoor use.
New Siding/Adding Stone Facade
This can be as simple as adding the stone right around your front door for a more dramatic effect. If your siding is nearing the end of its lifespan, then it might be time to replace it. There are several different options you can choose from including vinyl, stone, or wood.
Working with J&L Building Materials
At J&L, we know how much you love your home and think we should treat it with the same care and attention as you give it.
From interior to exterior renovations, we have experts who can help you create the best design for your space. Our showrooms have physical displays with touch-and-feel displays to help you imagine the product in your home.
And if you’ve decided to do a larger renovation and are looking for a contractor, we can connect you with one from our trusted network.