Renovating your apartment takes creativity, time, effort, and, of course, money. If you’re considering making upgrades to your home to make it more livable, here are a few things you should know before you start.
1. Assess your goal and set your budget
Before you even begin, ask yourself what it is that you want to achieve from this renovation. Do you want to change things up to make your apartment more suitable to your own personal style? Or is it because you want to increase its value? Brick Underground claim that it’s better to spend on upgrades if the homeowner is going to live in the residence long-term, while renovating to increase its sale price is a 50/50 gamble. If you have the budget, be smart about it and consult with professionals.
2. Determine your limitations
It’s pointless going into planning mode right away if you aren’t aware of the restrictions you may face later down the line. Condos generally have some leeway in terms of renovating a unit, as Yoreevo explains that it’s a form of ‘real property’. It means that you have full ownership and, to a certain extent, have the ability to do what you want with it including refurbishing and renovation projects. Just to be sure, secure the necessary permits or have a talk with the owners association to avoid any penalties.
3. Consider an open concept floor plan
If your apartment is moderate in size, you might want to consider transforming it into an open floor plan. It will give the impression that it is bigger than it actually is. Try to set boundaries by replacing tiles, adding rugs, or repainting certain walls. For instance, you can paint your kitchen walls dark blue while the living room is marked by gray walls. These creative solutions will help separate the different areas of your apartment without feeling too confined.
4. Focus on remodeling the kitchen and the bathroom
What really increases the value of residential space is updating the kitchen and bathrooms. Give these rooms a modern makeover—out with the retro aesthetic and in with marble countertops, ceramic flooring, upgraded fixtures, and multi-functional appliances. It might be costly, but it’ll certainly be worth it in the end.
5. Get smart about storage
Smart storage solutions will help in maintaining a clutter-free environment and they give your unit more finesse. Make full use of every drawer, every closet, all the nooks and crannies of your apartment by putting up shelves with sleek yet functional designs, and replacing dressers that take up too much space. Your apartment could just need some additional organization features, and you might be looking at a completely different place.
6. Polish up those hardwood floors
Interior designers will tell you that it’s a crime to keep hardwood floors hidden under a carpet. If your apartment has hardwood floors, don’t forget to polish them regularly and give them the attention that they need.
7. Don’t forget the cosmetic upgrades
If the major remodels mentioned above don’t fall within your budget, fret not as simple cosmetic upgrades can be transformative. Taking advice from Apartment Guide’s list of upgrades for under $100, you may want to add mirrors and art to the walls to freshen up the aesthetic of your unit. Rugs can be pretty cheap, too, but you’ll be surprised by how much visual appeal they can add. Accent walls can also do the trick as well as installing new lamps.
You can liven your place up by adding some indoor plants that vary in shapes and sizes as well. Try hanging some by the windows or place one next to your TV. You may even try your hand at indoor gardening, as recommended in another Street Talk Live article. Growing your own herbs indoors can also help you take your home cooking to a whole new level.
Renovations are serious business but if you have the resources, there’s no reason why you cannot do it. Even with a few simple touches here and there, you can completely transform your entire apartment.
2018 · 