Alexandria home improvement projects come in all shapes and sizes, from minor single room spruces to top-to-bottom renovations. One of the good things about home remodels of any size is the ability to customize your plans in a way that allows you to add beauty, function, and value to your property on your own terms. Here are ten home remodeling options to consider.

1. Small Bathroom Updates

A smaller, carefully planned bathroom can easily pay for itself over time while also giving you a more inviting and efficient space. With a basic bathroom remodel, some homeowners are saving money with:

• Newer, more efficient plumbing and lighting fixtures
• Wall-hung toilets
• Windows in showers for more natural lighting
• Vanities with drawer storage instead of cabinets (an especially appealing option in bathrooms short on space)

2. Complete Bathroom Remodels

If you really want to make your bathroom your owner personal paradise, you’re not alone. Bathroom remodeling was the top home improvement project of 2017. With a more extensive bathroom makeover, homeowners often prefer to consider the latest bathroom remodeling trends, which include creative tile choices, brass and gold fixtures, floating vanities, and in-floor heating. Referring to a bathroom built with materials designed to get wet like a freestanding tub with a shower space encased in tile, “wet rooms” are especially popular among trendy homeowners today.

3. Minor Kitchen Spruces

Looking to bump up your home’s value without breaking the bank? Consider a small kitchen remodel as your preferred project. Minor kitchen updates are mostly cosmetic in nature (e.g., refacing cabinets and drawers, replacing countertops with more resilient materials, updating flooring). Sink and lighting fixtures can also be updated without adding too much to your project costs.

4. Major Kitchen Overhauls

Is your kitchen’s layout way too confining? Are you tired of being isolated from your dining and living areas while cooking? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, you’ll likely benefit more from an extensive kitchen remodel. Such projects often involve:

• New cabinets, countertops, shelving, flooring, and lighting
• Removing non-supporting walls to create an open kitchen-dining area
• Complete plumbing and electrical updates

5. Basement Remodels

Many homeowners have an extra living space that’s under-utilized – the basement. A remodeled basement can become a family entertainment hub, a home office, or even a rental apartment.

6. Attic Conversions

Another source of unused home space is the attic. Every attic has unique characteristics and some unavoidable structural issues that limit space use. Even so, a converted attic could become a quiet home office, a private room for an older child, a kids’ play area, or a secluded bathroom bathed in natural light.

7. Exterior Improvements

If your goal is to make a good first impression, consider some exterior improvements. In addition to landscaping, popular exterior updates include replacing entry doors, updating porches, and replacing outdated outside lighting fixtures. Roofing and siding updates can also pay off big time while also providing added beauty and energy efficiency.

8. Window and Door Replacements

Outdated windows and doors aren’t just a cosmetic problem. They can also affect your home’s energy efficiency and even present possible security and safety risks. Updating windows and doors also gives you the option to explore different designs, styles, colors, and materials.

9. Porch, Deck, and Patio Additions

You’ll recoup about 90 percent of your costs at resale with investments like this. A new or expanded porch, deck, or patio can also give you an excuse to enjoy your home’s outdoor features more often. Another option is to have an existing patio enclosed to create an entirely new living space.

10. Laundry Room Remodels

The laundry room is another commonly under-utilized space in homes. Sure, you need to make room for your washer and dryer. But there’s no reason why you can’t use the rest of your available laundry room space for other purposes. Options include adding:

• Built-in shelving
• A traditional sink and cabinet
• Cabinets that conceal the washer and dryer when it’s not being used
• Brighter lighting
• A skylight or window (if possible)

When you’re ready to move forward with your home remodeling plans, a home remodeling contractor can help you work out the details and determine the most effective way to complete your improvements. If budget is a concern, more extensive updates can be done in stages to minimize inconvenience and spread the costs out in a way that’s more affordable.

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