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Home improvements such as decorating, designing or renovating, are becoming almost as common as the annual summer holiday! However, like clothes, shoes and diets, fashions change. What's the new best thing? Here's what the experts are saying:
- On average, renovations are getting bigger, and people want high-end, quality products. A continuous upgrade approach is quite popular.
- With children staying home longer and an increased desire to care for the aging parents within our homes, there is a subtle upswing in requests for multi-generational and/or in-law suites. Similarly, wider doorways and entrances, non-skid floors, lever handles and safety rails are more frequently requested...known as "flex housing"
- Retrofitting to improve air quality and energy efficiency is very important, particularly during major renovations.
- A popular home addition coming out of Europe is a scullery. A scullery is typically about half the size of the home's typical eat-in kitchen, and allows the host to hide the messier aspects of cooking from guests while entertaining. It features a big sink for cleaning, a large cutting/preparation area and storage for appliances and oversized cooking items.
- Other European trends include appliances in vibrant colours. Also, rather than typical large refrigerators, ultra-modern kitchens are now featuring smaller units, such as under-the-counter pullout freezers and cooler drawers for fruits and vegetables.
- If you are seeking the best return for your renovation dollar, your top three renovation choices remain unchanged: kitchen renovations, bathroom renovations and painting. According to the Appraisal Institute of Canada's 2004 Home Renovation Survey, these upgrades will net a return in the range of 70 to 100 percent of your investment, typically.
Call Before You Dig
Is your home improvement investment worth the effort and expense of renovations? I can help you understand what your planned home renovation may do to improve your home's resale value in today's market.
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