When It Might Be Time to Renovate Your Home
Renovations to your home can mean creating a floor plan and overall space that works for you and your family in particular while updating the appearance of the home as well. A renovation can also allow you to add energy-efficient and eco-friendly features, and replace the plumbing pipes, wiring, and other parts of a home that may be nearing their expected lifespan. Note when and why it can be good to renovate your home, and then discuss this option with a contractor as needed:
Downsizing
If the kids are grown and out of the home, you may be thinking about downsizing to a retirement home or apartment, so that you spend less money on utilities and less time on home maintenance and upkeep. However, you might also love your current home and location!
A renovation doesn't always mean an addition or just changing the interior of the home; it can also mean removing certain parts of the home. To downsize, you might have some bedrooms on the second story removed, or have a back family room torn down completely if you never use those spaces. You'll then have the smaller house you want without having to give up your beloved family home or change your living location.
Aging
As with downsizing, you may want to stay in your home as you get older, but the layout and its features may be a concern when it comes to your safety. A renovation can mean converting the downstairs family room into a master suite, so you don't need to use stairs. Doorways can be expanded to accommodate wheelchairs, and tubs can be taken out and replaced with walk-in showers. A contractor might also suggest an added suite for a full-time caretaker. The second story of the home can then be removed, as mentioned above, so all living can be done on the first floor and the layout accommodates your changing physical needs as you age.
Brightening the space
If your home seems very dark, a coat of white paint may not be enough to make it seem bright and airy. A full renovation may be needed instead; this can include adding oversized windows, taking down walls that block those windows, replacing the flooring to a light tone of timber, swapping out kitchen cabinets to something in a lighter shade and installing skylights and new light fixtures. It can be very difficult to manage each of these changes one at a time, whereas a full renovation can make even the smallest and darkest home seem light, bright, airy, and welcoming.
