Over the last few years, most of us have spent a lot more time in our homes than we are used to. Spending more time at home has inevitably generated a boom in the DIY and home improvement markets as we all try to optimize the space we have to make it more comfortable.
This guide will discuss some of the biggest investments people have made in their homes. It could offer you a chance to reflect on improvements you want to make or be the inspiration for a new career path as you seek to take advantage of these trends.
New Home Offices
Rather naturally, the shift to working from home has led people to try and find space for a home office. The average employee in the US spent $572 on a home office. That generally involved buying a nice desk, a comfortable chair to sit in for hours, additional office equipment, and stuff to beautify the available space.
Those with the space often turned a spare bedroom into a home office. Having a dedicated room where you can work makes that transition to the office easier. It also means you can shut out the distractions generated by other people living in your home.
Unsurprisingly, many people with the means invested considerably more in their office space. Depending on their home, that could mean investing in a loft conversion, adding a new floor to the home, an extension, or turning the shed into an office.
Investing a large amount of money into a home office makes sense. According to a recent survey, the majority of people feel the home office will be a permanent part of their home.
Bedroom Improvements
The bedroom is one of the most important rooms in the house for any homeowner. Naturally, you want to make the most of the space by investing in a great mattress, a nice bed, and other accessories. Another major investment for homeowners is a walk-in closet.
Walk-in closets can be designed to accommodate a bedroom in any household. For those with limited space, a mini walk-in closet helps you tidy up your room and make things more organized. Larger walk-in closets, on the other hand, provide a space for you to hang your clothes and show off your best items.
Whichever option you are faced with, it makes getting ready in the morning straightforward.
Kitchen Improvements
If you have to spend a lot of time in your home, you naturally start to gravitate towards the kitchen. After all, you end up visiting the kitchen three times a day to get your meals.
Spending time in a nice kitchen feels great. Homeowners are willing to invest significant resources into doing up the kitchen. In fact, the average cost of a kitchen makeover in the US is $25,047, or about $150 per square foot.
The cost of upgrading a kitchen naturally depends on exactly what you plan to do in the space.
When homeowners invest in a kitchen upgrade, they often spend money on the pantry too. Investing in a custom pantry is one of the best ways to maximize your storage capacity without having to sacrifice countertop space. A well-designed pantry can help you save time by making your life easier when stocking up on groceries.
Landscaping the Garden
The yard surrounding your home should be a space for you to enjoy. A nice yard provides space for you to relax under the sun, play games with the kids, and have a nice BBQ. It’s also something that your neighbors will judge you on, so you want it to look presentable.
Investing money in landscaping and beautifying the front and backyard has been a major investment for many homeowners over the last few years. On average, homeowners spend approximately 5-10% of the value of their property on landscaping.
For a relatively small garden, say 100 meters square, many people will spend between $10,000-$15,000. General investments often include adding a patio to the yard, great for a BBQ, building garden beds, outdoor lighting, and buying plants.
General Home Improvements
The home office, bedroom, kitchen, and garden are the biggest investments that people make in a home. However, there’s obviously many other types of investments that people make in their home. The type of investment will naturally depend on the home, the space available, and the problems you want to overcome.
Home improvements range from regular plumbing and electrical fixes to renovating parts of your house. While some things like getting a new coat of paint may take minimal investment and time, you may have to set aside a larger sum of money for bigger projects.
However, not all home improvement projects are about renewing your look or fixing an existing problem. Some people also undertake larger projects like adding a second storey, expanding a room, or creating an extension to their home. These are usually long-term and also add value to the property if you ever want to sell the house.
Turn to Experts for Support
People invest a significant portion of their earnings in improving the place where they live. Most of the time, the home improvements go off without a hitch. At the end of a major project, family and friends pat you on the back and congratulate you on making a smart decision.
Unfortunately, there are plenty of horror stories. Rogue builders come to your home promising to make things better, only to leave you with a mess to deal with. Turning to qualified builders and craftsmen will help you avoid this type of mess.
When trying to find suitable builders or craftsmen for your project, you should always turn to friends and family for advice. If you fail to get a personal recommendation, look for local companies that operate in your area. For example, if you lived in New Jersey and wanted a custom closet, you should turn to a New Jersey custom closet company.
Spend time researching a few companies. Then invite them over and get a quote, before deciding on which company to go with. You want to choose the best company for the job. After all, you’re going to be living with the changes they made to your home for years to come.