Article: Tools To Task
Even New Homes Need Help
Nothing is unique or one-of-a-kind anymore. And the same can be said of the housing market: many home designs tend to be cut out of the same cloth. If you live in a suburb or new development, you may only have a handful of layouts to choose from, so many neighbourhoods can appear repetitive.
Give It a Personality: New homes are great: everything is new, and there is something comforting, safe, and familiar about a suburb where everything looks similar. But it also makes these neighbourhoods very competitive in terms of real estate value. Therefore, it’s important to put your own stamp on a home so that when it comes time to sell, your house has something different to offer: a customized look within a suburban community. Here a few ideas to consider.
Step Back In Time: Consider setting your new home apart by giving it a feeling of age and history. This does not have to be a huge project. Replacing a modern window with stained glass can add some rustic charisma. Swap the carpet or linoleum with reclaimed wood floors. The finer points are often what set a house apart: it shows that the homeowners care about small customised details, which will speak highly of the house’s overall quality and upkeep.
You still need all the bells and whistles. A great way to transform a cookie-cutter floor plan is to modify and update the house fixtures. Kitchens are big selling points and most new homes come standard with a fridge, dishwasher and range unit. Add a few modern touches and you can turn a boring kitchen into a state-of-the-art space. Install stainless steel appliances for a sleek, streamlined look. Put in dishwasher or warming drawers. Swap the Formica with natural stone countertops. Even hardwood floors can seem homogenous, so set your home apart with tiled flooring or quality linoleum.
Don’t forget the bathroom. Give the space its own distinct character – this can be done by adding a special feature, like a Jacuzzi or a hot tub and by creative use of tiling.
Bring the Inside Out: Never ignore your exterior space. Curb appeal creates a formidable first impression on guests and potential buyers. Do your neighbour’s homes look just like yours? Though it may be beautiful on its own, if your exterior replicates your neighbour’s it can appear drab and depressing. So why not dare to be different. Be creative! You could build a wooden front porch with rocking chairs to boot. Integrate a stamped concrete patio at the bottom of your decking. Enclose the whole area and turn it into a screened-in patio. Or better yet, why not connect the front to the back with a wrap-around porch. Whatever you do, with a little creative innovation you can turn a customary landscape into a custom-made countryside.
Don’t Waste Space: Most new homes have at least one extra room: a spare bedroom, or a living room that’s never used. Why not turn these empty spaces into something exceptional.
Most guest rooms simply contain a bed and end up being used for storage. Instead, why not turn it into a home gym or a personalised office space.
Living rooms are tricky. Typically these rooms hold a couple pieces of nice furniture and are never thought about again. You could consider turning it into a home theatre or think about making it into something really functional: install built-in bookshelves to create a home library, or maybe add a roll-top desk, liquor cabinet, and piano to form an old-fashioned parlour.
Be creative, have fun and enjoy your unique new home.
