Cost Effective Ways to Improve Your Home

You may be able to come up with an extensive list of improvements that you think would enhance your home. However, many of these improvements can be incredibly costly and time consuming, causing considerable inconvenience. The great news is that there are many cost-effective ways to improve and add value to your home, and many of these are free from the hassle of obtaining building permits, inspections and approvals.

Adding a deck

Adding a deck to your home may be one of the things for which you do require a building permit -- so seek out advice and check the regulations in your state or territory. When a deck (usually made of wood, but composite decking is sometimes used) is added to a house, additional square footage is created outside of your home and will, almost invariably, increase its value. Another important point to note is that a deck commonly appeals to home buyers and so, in many cases, the addition of a deck offers good return on your investment.

Minor remodelling of your kitchen

Although a kitchen overhaul can sound like, and often is, a massive job, it need not be so. It is possible to update your kitchen by doing some comparatively simple and cost effective things. For example, you could replace bench tops so that they have modern surfaces like granite; change cabinets; or upgrade appliances to newer and often more efficient and quiet varieties.

Basic attic conversion

If you are one of the fortunate people that has an attic, this often wasted space can be converted into liveable space. One of the most popular ways of doing this is to convert the attic into a bedroom, and some have even chosen to make it the master bedroom -- complete with en suite and spacious cupboard/storage space. As you would probably expect, such a project is likely to require a building permit and can prove quite costly. If contemplating such a conversion, look for ways of doing this cost effectively and without going ‘overboard’, as so many people tend to do.

Painting

A fresh coat of paint can almost instantly improve the appearance of your home. When the paint job of a house is clean and fresh, the rest of the house can suddenly seem more appealing and, by painting in a neutral colour (such as beige), houses tend to appear larger and more inviting to buyers.

Paint can also be used to cleverly disguise or enhance features of your home. By using semi-gloss paint, walls seem brighter. However, if your walls are marked, dented or have imperfections such as cracks, try painting with an eggshell finish, as this can more effectively hide imperfections. Also, remember that paints with a low-lustre finish can be washed lightly.

Landscaping

One of the most cost effective ways to improve and add value to your home is with landscaping. Landscaping is often simple and quite inexpensive and can certainly enhance the appeal of your home from the street. Although it is quite easy to get carried away with landscaping, a walkway to the front door, plenty of attractive plants and fencing in the backyard are frequently acknowledged as the best ways to improve your home.

Eliminate clutter and clean, clean, clean

Even older homes with dated appliances and features can look great when they are sparkling clean and superfluous clutter has been removed. The ‘minimalist’ look appeals to so many people because it promotes cleanliness and spaciousness. Organised, tidy homes appear larger and more elegant than those that are cluttered and chaotic in appearance.

When thinking about cost effective home improvements, it is highly advisable to always try to compare the expense of the improvement to the increased value that will be added to the house. Sometimes, the improvements of which you dream are ultimately not worth the cost.

Home improvement can bring a lot of excitement and creativity and, when it is well-planned, it certainly doesn’t need to cost you exorbitant sums of money. The aforementioned areas of home improvement serve as a guide for key parts of your home and can improve your home and enhance its value should you decide to put it on the market.

A New Home: are You really Ready?

With the likes of the first home buyer incentive and other initiatives, it is easy to make the decision that it’s time to buy, just because you have a deposit.  But having that first 10 per cent doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ready. Do you really know what you’re in for?

When buying your first home, it is not uncommon to start the ball rolling without really knowing what the entire process entails. If you’ve decided you want to buy, do you know what your ongoing obligations are? Do you know how your home will affect you at tax time? Do you understand what interest rates are and how they work? If you can’t answer yes to these, it’s likely that a little research will go a long way in preparing you to be truly ready to make this big and long-term purchase.

What are some of the things you need to consider?

1.   Your finances

Buying a house obviously costs a lot. You may have a strong deposit ready, but do you have some cash on the side for the costs that go a long with buying the house – the little things that people never tell you about? Have you looked into how much your solicitor will cost? What about your building and pest inspections? Your accountant? Then there’s duties, tax, strata, the council rates, the water and any other fees that you need to cover prior to settlement and the keys being handed over. What about removalists or even interstate removalists if you are moving far? The first thing you need to know is that your cash needs to cover a lot more than just the deposit.

2.   Do you know what you want?

It’s easy to think you want a house that will be a good investment in an approximate area, but keep in mind you will be paying this home off for the next twenty-odd years, and possibly living in it, so it needs to closely meet your specifications. Are you after a flat, a new build, a kit home, or just something you can call home? Know what you want, and know that it will continue to meet your needs, at least for the next five years.

3.   Repayments

It’s a simple one, but is the undoing of many people. Can you afford your mortgage repayments? What if interest rates rise by a few percentage points? When it comes to thinking about the repayments, you need to consider factors like your employment. Are you and your buying partner securely employed? Is there any risk of termination of employment – and salary – at all?

4.   Your buying partner

It’s a tough thing to ask yourself, but you have to – is your relationship secure and mature enough to commit to this sort of ongoing obligation? If you and your buying partner have a falling out, you might find it very difficult to pay the mortgage on your own – is it worth getting separate loans so both your obligations are separate and very clearly laid out?

5.   What plans do you have?

You may have just married and be planning on kids immediately, want to take a big trip, or just be in line for some serious designer fashion. If you don’t want to change your plans for the future, think about it – can you afford to do both, or should the house buying be put on hold?

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Mixing Retro with Modern Home Design

Retro décor always looks great, as long as it’s done with a nod towards the prevailing decorating trends of the day. Going retro can be as simple as buying some dated-looking appliances – they don’t even necessarily have to be old, as plenty of companies offer retro-designed modern models. But to really capture the retro look from days gone by, you need to do a little extra work. Here is a guide on how to spruce up your home with some retro-inspired decorating advice:

Colours 

One of the key components to tailoring your home with a retro sensibility is to embrace some of the big, bold colours that have gone by the wayside. This can take the form of the bright pastels of the 1950s, the wild mix-ups of the 1960s, or the clashing bolds and print patterns from the 1970s. Utilising these rarely seen colour palates can be the first step to sending your home back in time. However, one word of caution: keep your colours within a narrow range. Having too many colours can quickly muddy your home’s interior and make it look uncoordinated. Keep one or two key colours in mind and build from there.

Prints

Many modern homes eschew prints, except for a black-and-white motif perhaps, in favour of monotone muted colours. However, when going retro, it is important to keep prints and patterns in mind to complete the look. Look for inspiration in the chequered tablecloth patterns from 1950s homes or the circular shapes of wall art and furnishings from the 1960s. Don’t be afraid to dabble with patterns, but remember to keep your patterns uniform and offset by bold solids so your interior doesn’t look too busy.

Curvy Furniture

Most modern furniture is angular and straight edged compared to the rounded and curved furniture from decades past. However, a savvy shopper can add some retro pieces that capture the mood of bygone years. Look for circular coffee tables and round-backed chairs that give that subtle retro feel.

Mash-Up

Most interior designers would shy away from using only retro furnishings and colours to decorate a home. Some retro elements work but, as with all things, only in moderation. Most decorators are going to blend more minimalist modern styling with bolder retro furnishings. Use your retro pieces as centrepieces or accents to brighten up rooms, while the more modern items can serve as anchors so people aren’t wondering whether they’ve inadvertently stepped back in time.

Lighting

With the help of a local electrician you can easily create a retro look with just a few wall sconces and choice lighting patterns. This can offset the cost of those expensive retro pieces and furnishings.

Going retro isn’t as costly as many people think. Instead of spending thousands of dollars and endless hours shopping at antique stores, a few well-chosen pieces and designs are all you need to give your home that retro look.

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Decorating Your Home with Unique Art

If your home is a bit bland you might want to try some unique art like sculptures as well as indigenous art. It doesn’t have to cost the earth and you don’t have to be bound by art that hangs on the wall. Sculptures, pottery and even quirky Australian souvenirs can make a statement. Just remember, good art is art that appeals to you and looks good in your home.

What makes art unique?

Unique art is generally accepted as something original – a piece that you will not find anywhere else. Unique art can also be closely related to other similar pieces, or part of a very limited release. No matter where it comes from, what’s important is that you like it – good art is appreciated and enjoyed by the owner, regardless of what everyone else thinks of it.

Unique art is not limited to just paintings and works by widely recognised artists. It can take any shape or form, from sculptures to even pottery. Hanging art, however, is the most common medium when it comes to decorating your home and there is a wide range available, from unique pieces by local artists to prints of well-known artworks, and Aboriginal art.

Consider the space

When buying art, it is vital that you consider how it is going to work in the space you plan to hang it or show it. There is no point buying a sculpture, for example, that will overwhelm a small room. Paintings should also be in proportion to the wall it will hang on. Consider the colours that dominate the artwork as well. Will it blend with your current décor, clash with it or complement your current style?

It is also a good idea to “go with the flow”. Consider how the artwork will look from another room – or even from the outside - if your home is an open-plan design. Don’t just stand three feet back to determine if it works – look at it from all angles and all distances. Don’t be scared to try it in different positions as well to ensure it sits in the best possible place.

Your style is your own

While the input of others can be quite helpful, sometimes too much advice can affect your decision when buying artwork. This is especially true when it is an integral part of home decorating. If you like a certain style, stick with it. Remember, it is your home and you are the one who is going to live with the decisions you make. So listen to your heart rather and take notice of opinions – but don’t be guided by the thoughts of others.

Good art doesn’t have to cost the earth

Always remember that good art is art that YOU enjoy. If it only costs a few dollars, even better. Unique art - especially traditional indigenous pieces, one-off works and those by well-known artists or with historical significance - are going to cost more. If that is your style then don’t be put off by the price tag.

Make sure you get the works authenticated if it is by a highly-collectible artist to be sure you aren’t buying a fake – there are plenty of forgeries in the art world. But quite often the pieces that suit individuals best are those found at regional art shows, markets or even home studios. They don’t break the bank but they still look good.