So, you are considering updating your home, but aren’t sure exactly what to do, or how far you should go. It is easy to go overboard and over spend when freshening your home. The reality is, it doesn’t have to!
There are so many ways to update your home without blowing the budget. The first step is to make a plan. If you don’t, then it is easy to go off track and spend too much, or find that things don’t fit or match. Decide what you want to do and need to do, then make a budget. Keep in mind when you update your home, to make sure that you will get as much of your money back as possible when you decide to sell. Remember, that if you add luxury items that you really want, you may not recover much of the cost, so the reward needs to be the joy you get from them.
Once you have your plan and budget, it is time to source the items you want. The weekly flyers and internet are a great source. You can get so many things on sale. Then there are the clearance sales and discontinued items to take advantage of. If you need flooring, make a drawing of the area you wish to cover and mark the measurements. Remember to measure twice to be safe. This will help when you visit the stores. The sales people should be able to give you the correct amount of material you will require to do the job, taking into account the shape of the space and the amount of waste. Wholesalers are also a great place. End of the Roll and Kultur are great flooring stores to find deals. I have added links at the bottom of the post.
Outdoors, a simple inexpensive garden with lot’s of colour and plant’s that bloom at different times of the year will give your house curb appeal and that great first impression. Again, this does not have to cost you an arm and a leg. Consult with one of the garden centres, buy some plants towards the end of the season to save money. Using perennials will save you money since you won’t have to replace them every year. If you don’t really enjoy landscaping, then choose low maintenance plants and cover the open spaces with a mulch that will inhibit weeds from growing. The garden does not have to be huge or elaborate!
Keep in mind that unless you have a real deadline to meet, take your time and shop for the best deals and stretch your budget. It can help pay for some items you aren’t prepared to compromise on, knowing you probably won’t get your money back.
If the reason you are thinking about updating is because you want to sell your home, then it is best to speak with your real estate agent. They can guide you with what would give you the best bang for your buck, without spending money that you won’t get back. The agent can show you comparable properties in your neighbourhood that have sold and are currently for sale. They can also refer you to stagers and decorators who can provide more tips and support if necessary.
One last thing. The best way to keep your house “updated” is to do the annual maintenance. Spring and fall cleaning, furnace check ups, cleaning the eaves troughs, touch up paint every year on the outside and check the caulking. The little things can keep your home looking fresher.
http://www.endoftheroll.com/
http://www.kulturflooring.com/
