After years of navigating the global pandemic and spending more time stuck indoors, we’ve had plenty of time to critique our homes, imagining ways in which we can improve them. Some designs can promote more practicality within our homes, adding further value to them, while others may be purely aesthetical changes.
But with so many ideas bubbling, sometimes it can be hard to know where to begin.
In this article, we share a few of the best home upgrades for you to try this year.
Kitchen countertops
Thousands of homeowners dream of a new kitchen. As the heart of the house where a large portion of time may be spent cooking and socializing, it’s easy to see why many of us long for a kitchen upgrade. But this is no light project and can be extremely costly. According to research, the average price of a new kitchen in 2021 was £8,000. For those who don’t have these sorts of funds available, replacing countertops is an excellent alternative. When you envision any kitchen, it’s often the countertops that take center stage visually. Choosing to replace these (instead of an entire kitchen refit) can hugely refresh the look of your kitchen without breaking the bank.
Add a second bathroom
Research from The Bathroom Showroom reveals that 86% of house hunters would be willing to pay extra for a second bathroom. These tend to be more sought-after by younger generations, with a staggering 95% of 25-34s stating they would be happy to foot the bill for this feature. If you’re looking to increase the value of your home, adding a second bathroom would be a fool-proof way of doing so. Once you’ve found an appropriate place to facilitate this, you need to consider how you want it to look and feel. Be sure to make a list of all the products you’ll need, from bathroom radiators to sinks, showers, bathtubs, and anything else you’d like to look at including.
Consider energy-saving methods
With the current worries of surging prices for gas and electricity, looking at ways to make our homes more energy efficient is paramount to saving money. Luckily there are several ways that we can start this transition immediately. Adding a smart meter allows you to track exactly how much electricity you’re using, allowing you to make live adjustments accordingly. Replacing an old boiler with a new combi-boiler is another fast way to begin making savings. These compact tanks take up much less room, allowing you instant access to hot water on demand – all while being a much greener choice for the planet in the process.
