Housing Remodel Ideas

Examine the House First

• You can assess many remodeling needs yourself. Go over every room to list what you would like to improve. Consider removing carpet to add hardwood flooring or tile. Look at ways to change kitchen cabinets or upgrade bathrooms. However, it's important to hire a home inspector if you plan to put the house up for sale. Ask him to look underneath the crawlspace and examine attic space.

Address Repairs and Front Curbside

• Make needed repairs and add curbside appeal for a house showing. Money invested in a new roof, fixing cracks in the foundation or new plumbing will certainly help. However, painting front shutters and adding new landscaping are also wise expenditures. Potential buyers know they can make improvements if they like the house. Curbside appeal will get them interested right off the bat.

Spiff Up with Paint

• Paint is a relatively inexpensive remodeling tool. Choose new colors for the living room and kitchen. Paint the exterior of the house as well if it's starting to look dated. If the house has some drawbacks, such as a tiny bedroom or tiny bathroom, use a bright lime green or intense yellow on one wall of the small room. You can use a beautiful light fixture and shelving to improve a tiny space as well.

Lighten the Kitchen

• Make a small kitchen seem bigger. You can do this by making the top half of the room lighter. For example, you can install antique white cabinets on upper walls and use dark brown base cabinets. If the budget will allow, install a row of large windows on an exterior wall above the sink counterspace. Another option is to install a set of French doors leading to a deck off the kitchen.

Organize and Declutter

• You can remove clutter to give a new look. You might improve a family room by building a large walk-in closet off to one side. Strip the room of extraneous objects and furniture, too. By using two or three sofas versus a sofa and several chairs, the room will have a more organized look. Get rid of a cluttered look in a bedroom by installing a chest of drawers inside closet space, for example.