Thinking of upgrading your home this year?
With more buyers showing caution before placing an offer, average house prices are starting to fall again. But regardless of whether you’re thinking of selling your home, upgrading it now could help to boost its value for a long time.
Not only that, but you and your family will certainly benefit from enhancements that focus on comfort, practicality and convenience. If you’ve got the time and budget, here are a few investments worth considering.
Energy-efficient heating
Sustainable technologies and renewable heating systems offer a brilliant way to futureproof your home. For buy-to-let landlords, achieving a respectable Energy Performance Certificate is crucial for long-term rental success. And for family households, green homes mean cheaper energy bills.
It’s worth shopping around for the most suitable heating systems for your property. Underfloor heating, for example, can work brilliantly in well-insulated homes, but might not be as efficient for older properties or those with high ceilings.
Insulation
Poorly insulated homes lose around a third of all their heat through the walls, with a further quarter lost through the roof. If you’re paying good money to heat your home with radiators, it’s worth keeping the warm air inside – and not letting it escape.
It’s no secret that insulation upgrades can be costly. However, this upgrade will save you lots of money in the long run. You can always get started with simpler methods like draught proofing, which can still be effective in boosting your home’s efficiencies.
Space-saving storage solutions
Storage can be a challenge for modern families, especially those who’ve moved into new build homes.
Fortunately, getting creative and adding more storage doesn’t need to cost the earth. Simple DIY projects could transform wasted spaces – like under-stairs areas and bay windows – into practical, hidden storage solutions.
Saving space where it’s most needed can be the trickiest part, but there are still plenty of opportunities. For example, electric roller garage doors can increase interior garage space, giving you more room to store shoes, bikes, and that all-important spare freezer!
Smart home technologies
With integrated smart features, you can make your home more convenient for everyday use. A few of the most popular upcoming technologies include:
- Smart thermostats: Enable remote control over home heating settings. They facilitate adjustments and operation from anywhere, with just the touch of a button via mobile application.
- Smart lighting: Allows homeowners to control lights remotely, set timers and change the colours in many cases.
- Smart locks: Provide keyless entry and sometimes allow temporary access granted remotely via mobile phone. These make an invaluable security upgrade for many families.
- Smart speakers: Make it possible to pause, play and request music by voice control, and often serve as a central hub that communicates with other devices.
Outdoor improvements
Finally, don’t forget that first impressions count hugely when it comes to properties. Boosting your kerb appeal could be one of the most important investments you’ll make for your home, especially if your driveway has already been looking tired.
Tasks like trimming overgrown hedges, pressure-washing paving slabs and caring for your plants are simple yet hugely effective. You could also give the front door and window frames a fresh coat of paint to keep things looking clean and tidy. Your home will become more comfortable for your family – and more welcoming for your guests.
