Reasons to renovate your home
The reasons for renovating your home can be as many as there are homes and families. It is true that most people carry out some kind of remodelling in their home throughout their stay there. It goes without saying that the passing of the years brings about changes in priorities and the way of life evolves.
Partners and housemates may appear, children may be born or, suddenly, a pandemic may strike, forcing us to confine ourselves and telework from the dining room. On the other hand, trends in decoration can lead us to propose changes and adapt our designs to new styles.
Signs that herald a home renovation
Certainly the reasons to renovate your home can be many and varied. However, there are a series of reasons that usually become the first stone of this remodelling.
Let’s go over them.
1. Lack of space
Lack of space is often one of the reasons for renovating your home. Over the years, objects and belongings accumulate and lose their usefulness. All of this takes up precious and precise space that can be put to good use.
Changing the layout and adapting it to new needs also influences the renovation. For example, fitting out an office to work from home or building a study space when the children go on to higher education and need to concentrate more.
It may also be necessary to remove partition walls or make access for people with mobility problems. Finally, if the family grows, it will certainly be necessary to make the most of all the available space and enhance the spaciousness of the home.
2. Energy efficiency
The price of energy is skyrocketing, that is a fact. Another palpable issue is that the planet needs help to remain habitable. These two factors can be tackled at home, making the house more sustainable and environmentally friendly. This is undoubtedly one of the big reasons to renovate your home.
Reducing your electricity bill is paramount and can be done by using alternative energy sources such as solar power. The installation of solar panels is becoming more and more common at a domestic level. It is also a good idea to condition the insulation to prevent heat or cold leaks.
Saving water is paramount and it is essential to check the state of the pipes, repair leaks and install aerators on taps. It is a good idea to opt for sustainable lighting. The best way to do this is to opt for LED technology.
And finally, it is important to include in this reform the revision and possible replacement of doors and windows. If the sashes are adjusted and close properly, the cost of air conditioning will be much lower.
3. Revaluing housing
The real estate market is one of the most profitable markets. For this reason, if we put a refurbished flat up for sale or rent, we will always have the opportunity to earn more income.
The revaluation of the property is automatic and indisputable after a refurbishment. Potential buyers will show more interest because they will avoid having to remodel spaces and make repairs.
Of course, this reform will mean an outlay for the owner of the property, but he/she will have a much better chance of amortising this expense in a short period of time. Without a doubt, the value of the house will increase.
4. Safety and repairs
Here we return to the idea that the passage of time can affect the integrity of various installations. For this reason, one of the reasons for renovating your home may be to repair structural damage, correct common electrical faults or put an end to cracks in ceilings and walls.
The presence of damp and leaks can become a headache and can affect beams, paintwork and even wooden floors. It is essential to check the condition of the roof, ceiling or façade to ensure the safety of the inhabitants of the house.
5. Children's march and reclaiming space
Many older couples see their children leaving the family home and becoming independent. At that time, rooms and bathrooms that were previously occupied are emptied. Well, a good medicine to overcome the possible “empty nest” syndrome is to refurbish these rooms.
You can take advantage of this to enlarge the living room or create an area where you can play sports at home. It is also possible to set up a study and enjoy a great reading corner with a good armchair.
6. Kitchen and/or bathroom refurbishment
The kitchen and bathroom are the most visited and used rooms in the house. For this reason, there always comes a time when it is convenient to renew their appearance and improve their comfort.
Undoubtedly, one of the main reasons to renovate your home is to change the kitchen. You can opt for a more efficient room with smart appliances and high energy ratings.
It is also a good idea to adapt to the family’s needs and create spaces for breakfasts and meals. If there are small children, it will be easier to make sure they are well fed. You can extend the worktop or install cabinets that are more accessible to the elderly.
Best of all, design a kitchen that is comfortable and easy to clean. Complete and simple hygiene is essential.
As for the bathroom, it can be remodelled to create more space. It is always interesting and much more sustainable to change the bathtub for a shower. The renovation of the shower enclosure or the replacement of the shower curtain is commonplace because the limescale in the water always ends up affecting these accessories.
It is advisable to think about a friendly design that provides safety against possible slips or falls and also the necessary privacy in this room.
7. Making the most of outdoor areas
Sometimes you have terraces or gardens that you don’t make the most of. Sometimes because they end up as storage rooms and sometimes because they don’t look like a welcoming space.
Remodelling the terrace is always a good reason to renovate your house. It is interesting to keep in mind the dimensions and orientation. In this way, the options to achieve a cosy area are multiplied.
It is always a good idea to renovate the walls and flooring and even install a shower to cope with heat waves. Putting up an awning always “dresses up” the outdoor area and provides a place to spend time and be sheltered from the sun’s rays. You can also consider the possibility of installing an enclosure to facilitate the use of the terrace in the winter months.
Finally, if space is available, an outdoor kitchen or barbecue can be installed.
When is the best time to renovate your home?
At Molins Design we always recommend that renovations are carried out when tenants have more time. That is to say, to take advantage of periods when the work activity is more reduced and more attention can be paid to the reform.
On the other hand, it is always advisable to do it in good weather, in spring or summer. There are more hours of sunlight to work in, you can ventilate better and avoid getting cold.
