Cost-Effective Cosmetic Changes

Cosmetic Surgery for the Kitchen? Your kitchen may not need actual structural change to look dramatically better, especially with the magic of today's cosmetic surgery tools for the home. If you've just moved in and are on a tight budget, consider making surface level improvements instead of structural changes to trim costs and raise resale value. This is particularly true if you've bought a priced-right house that was decorated in Early Tacky. Cosmetic changes are far less expensive and much easier to achieve.

What Comes With a Budget Facelift?

Facelifts are cosmetic changes that alter the appearance of a room without involving the structure beneath. Ceilings don't get raised. Walls don't get moved. You live with those as they are, at least for now. This is the least expensive choice when remodeling a room. And, although it may sound more like decorating than remodeling, you'd be surprised how much can be accomplished without major demolition, which would definitely require the assistance of a professional.

New paint and hardware in a kitchen is the perfect place to start a facelift and is one of the most popular DIY projects. You may want to change the counter laminate for another dramatic and affordable change. If the cabinets are basically functional, think about refinishing, painting or re-facing them instead of replacing them. Keep your mind on the surfaces of the room.

Tiny Changes Can Work Wonders

You don't need to be grand to make a dramatic statement. Sometimes the smallest changes can make the biggest impact. If you pick the focal point of a room and change that piece, you will change the feel of the entire room. Try just changing the tub in the bath or the counters in the kitchen. You may be surprised how much those little touches can do. Look at the cabinet and door hardware throughout the house. Even changing light fixtures can make a tremendous difference. It doesn't need to be big to be effective.

The Bold & Beautiful Route

Why not boldly go where the previous owners didn't dare to go before? Nevermind what some real estate agents tell you about "being conservative" in your design choices for resale purposes. This is YOUR home! So - YOU choose. Bold paint or carpeting are easily-altered modifications that can make you feel wildly happy about your new home without worrying that it might become an impediment to re-sale. Go ahead! Paint that wall Monet blue or brick red. Install sea foam green carpeting. Make your home individual and YOURS in these surface-level ways. You're 100% safe. You can use bold choices in ways that are less permanent and easily changed later.

Structural Change Considerations

Finding Hidden Treasure

There's always JUST a little more toothpaste left in the tube, isn't there? Same with houses. Talk to a professional remodeler about ways of squeezing a wee bit more useful space from adjacent rooms. Or play with the idea of bumping out the walls just a few feet. There are ways to gain space without the headache and cost of building new foundations and roofs. If you need another bedroom, look at the attic and basement with fresh, space-hungry eyes and consider the possibilities. You may be able to find overlooked and very valuable space hidden inside the current structure of your home. An experienced pro can help discover lost treasure buried in your house.

On the other hand, you may want to add a new wing. Extra square footage will be an added bonus on the resale market. Just be sure to check codes and stay within the rules of zoning laws.

THINK & DO REMINDER

Face the Facts and Be Hard on Your Home

Take a good hard look at your home. What could be better? Would a little paint here and a quick tuck there make it look oh so much better? You need to be ruthless when planning your cosmetic changes. They need to blend seamlessly together or the effect will be, how can we say, less than satisfactory. Take some "before" pictures and imagine how your home would look if it got the royal treatment. We are only talking cosmetics here, so the budget can stay relatively low. Plan your facelift before you jump into a project. You want the whole face of your home to look put together and sleek, not garish and scary.

THINK & DO REMINDER

Face the Facts and Be Hard on Your Home

Take a good hard look at your home. Take some "before" pictures and imagine how your home would look if it got the royal treatment. We are only talking cosmetics here, so the budget can stay relatively low. Plan your facelift before you jump into a project.

POP QUIZ

True or False

1. I should only use neutral colors so I can resell the property more easily.
   True False
2. Small changes won't make any difference in the long run.
   True False
3. There is always space to find in current homes no matter how small or compact.
   True False

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