Home Remodeling Ideas

Function

• Home remodeling can focus on multiple areas for both indoor and outdoor renovations that benefit the home. Making it more up-to-date and energy efficient, expanding the square footage and remodeling those areas that need repair and replacement can increase the home's value.

Interior Ideas

• Drywall that is in disrepair can be replaced with new sheets of drywall, which will require mudding and taping, or popcorn texturing, which can be applied to ceilings and walls to cover imperfections. Texturing is an easy process and costs less than complete replacement. To update smooth drywall, use wallpaper on entire walls or as a border.

  Decorative metal panels can be placed on walls and ceilings for an effective look, and wood paneling or laminate paneling, both available in sheets, can be enhanced with the addition of crown molding.

  In older homes, drop ceilings can be replaced with new panels or the grid can be removed and the ceiling framed out and replaced with drywall and insulation.

  Upgrading interior and closet doors, framing and building shelves for additional storage space, installing fans and recessed lighting and painting are all remodeling ideas that can improve the overall look and functionality of the home.

Floors

• Homes with original hardwood flooring can be either refurbished, which may include renting equipment and supplies to strip, sand and buff the wood planks, or repaired with replacement wood pieces or wood filler. Laminate flooring or floating wood floors can be easily installed and have the look of real hardwood but cost much less.

  Ceramic or stone tiles can be installed to replace old flooring in homes built on cement slabs. Older wood frame homes may require additional floor reinforcement before ceramic tiles can be installed due to the unevenness of the floors, which may cause cracking of the tiles. Less expensive vinyl tile is also an option to carpet, laminate or ceramic tile.

Exterior

• Replacing single-paned windows or Miami- or Jalousie-style windows found in older homes with double-paned windows will help conserve energy. Installing solar panels and skylights is energy efficient, and adding storm windows and shutters serves to protect against the elements during inclement weather.

  Replace exterior metal doors with solid hardwood doors and ensure all wood framing in and around windows and doors is sealed and allows no drafts.

  Exterior walls, whether wood, cement, brick or vinyl siding, can benefit from caulking cracks and holes, replacing wood rot or trim and replacing damaged siding before applying fresh paint to the entire area.

Kitchen/Bath

• Several DIY kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects that can save on the overall expense include replacing old floor tiles, refacing cabinets and countertops, installing a garbage disposal, ceiling fans and new light fixtures, replacing old faucets, adding a ceramic tile backsplash over the sinks and refinishing a bathtub.

  More extensive remodeling, such as replacing a kitchen or bathroom countertop, hanging pre-made or custom-built cabinets, installing new toilets, replacing vinyl bathtub and shower areas with ceramic tile or replacing a gas, electric or solar water heater will require the services of a professional contractor.

Considerations

• When remodeling a home, address any roofing, electrical or plumbing issues, if possible. Electrical and plumbing issues require working behind walls, in ceilings and under houses. A leaky roof should be repaired before any interior work is started.

  Costs for contracting professional plumbers, roofers or electricians can become expensive depending on which items need to be updated or replaced, the size of the area being remodeled and the quantity of supplies needed to complete the job.