After being stuck inside for the majority of 2020 and the first half of this year for good measure, you might have grown bored of looking at the same four walls each and every day.
While you might not be able to move to a new house, you can still usher in a new era in your current living space by investing in some home upgrades this year. Revamping your house is a wonderful way to make it feel brand-new, but can also help to add value to your property if you choose the right projects to work on. Below are some of our favourites, which, whilst seemingly small, pack a big punch. Here are 5 home upgrades to try this year to give your space a fresh feel.
GLASS HOME OFFICE PARTITION
There are certain elements of ‘working from home’ that have been particularly tricky. In particular, finding a quiet space away from the noise of home working and the thrum of household upkeep has proven difficult.
While a lucky few have been able to use their outdoor space to create shoffices (that’s a hybrid of shed and office, in case you hadn’t cottoned on) and added garden rooms dedicated to becoming a home office space, those with less space have created offices in the corner of their living rooms, in dining rooms or kitchens.
However, such hastily arranged setups have left privacy, peace and quiet a little wanting.
Enter glass partition walls, which can cut the noise levels right down and give you a dedicated space to separate yourself from the rest of the house. A simple section of a room or an unused space in the hallway can be made into a beautiful office environment using one, and in the right hands, can also look super sleek and stylish. Glass partitions also allow natural light to pass through the home effortlessly, which brings us to our next point…
LET THERE BE LIGHT
Want to boost the flow of natural light in your home? After the year we’ve all had, that desire is pretty unanimous, nationwide.
Although knocking through a section of wall or installing a new window is a big job, make no mistake, it also represents a smart move in the long run. Reliant Windows, who offer double glazing in Birmingham, suggest that if you’re serious about adding value, any new windows you install should be as energy efficient as possible. As such, you should prioritise those that are ‘’A+ Rated as per the Government approved Window Energy Ratings Scheme’’.
Whilst the investment in a whole new window will inevitably be large, you will likely end up adding value to your home via both the addition of more natural light and by increasing your property’s energy efficiency, which is so important in the modern day housing market.
NEW FLOORS
Tattered and stained carpets can make a room look dull and tired, make no mistake. Even if you conduct deep cleans of your carpets regularly, after a while, these marks and areas of dirt will get so trodden into the fabric that they will stay there forever.
If there are rooms in your house that look like they could use a new carpet putting down, then remember that doing so can work wonders in brightening up the space and making it feel cleaner.
Alternatively, why not put down wooden floors instead? They look neat and modern, and are much easier to keep clean than carpet. Should you wish to add warmth, a rug is a good idea. All of this adds up to a room and house which feels fresh and inviting. And that’s why you’re here, right?
SPRUCE UP THE KITCHEN
The last couple of years (give or take, we know) have rekindled many people’s passion for cooking at home. According to recent research, people intend to continue cooking with the same vigour, even now restrictions have been lifted and restaurants are open once again.
As such, now could be a great time to give your kitchen a spruce up. Not only will it allow you the opportunity to create a much more efficient area for preparing your meals, but a cleaner, more modern space is ideal for entertaining guests, too.
Having new, smarter appliances installed can give your kitchen the modern edge, while also helping you reduce energy usage. You can improve the storage in your kitchen for a more organised pantry, and last but not least, a stylish new kitchen will always be desirable to potential buyers, so this is an upgrade that will certainly boost your home’s value.
CREATE A GREAT GARDEN
Those of us lucky enough to be blessed with outdoor spaces have been spending a lot more time in them recently. And with staycations set to become the norm for a while, it’s high time to transform your garden into the outdoor space you’ve always wanted.
Rather than keep you here, why not check out these 8 tips on how to transform your garden into a wellness space? You won’t regret it!
THE BOTTOM LINE
We all need a change of scenery after the topsy turvy, turbulent time of the past 18 months. Whilst it may not be possible for you to up sticks and move on, we hope you’ve found some inspiration today on how to make your home feel brand new.