When was the last time you renovated something in your house? Maybe it was a room, and maybe it was a bathroom. Perhaps it was even a kitchen. But chances are, you didn’t do anything major with the space.
Home renovation projects are fun, exciting, and rewarding. But most home renovation ideas fail because homeowners need more skills to complete the project successfully on their own.
Repairs aren’t the only reason to renovate; actually, there are many, including making it look nicer, saving money, improving its value, or renovating ahead of selling.
As such, we’ve written this piece to provide you with some home renovation ideas.
Knock Down a Wall or Two
Houses in the modern era often feature open floor plans. They offer homeowners the opportunity to move freely around the home while still feeling like there is enough room for everyone.
If you don’t want to knock down any walls, a half-wall allows for separation without having to remove any, creating a sense of privacy and allowing for more natural light.
Kitchen and Dining Room
There are various ideas for renovating a kitchen. Check them out below.
Add a breakfast nook
A breakfast nook is a small area where people can eat while watching TV or reading the newspaper. Adding one to your kitchen can give it a touch of sophistication.
Open up your kitchen space
Use light colours. Dark colours can make rooms seem smaller. Instead, choose bright white, cream, yellow, green, blue, or grey.
Replace old cabinets with modern ones
Modern cabinets are sleek and clean looking. Wide varieties of cabinets are available, each with its own aesthetic and functional advantages. Pick out a set that complements your personal taste.
Install energy-efficient lighting
Energy-efficient lights save money over the long term. They also reduce heating and cooling costs.
Replace the kitchen countertops
Consider replacing your countertop with these materials.
Faux concrete
This material is common in kitchens because it doesn’t stain, requires little maintenance, and is easy to clean. Marble, granite, wood grain, and even black are just some of the colours and patterns available to you.
Laminate
If you want something that looks like real stone, look no further than laminate. Suitable for high-traffic homes, this material is long-lasting and simple to clean.
Wood grain
You can use wood grains to mimic natural materials such as maple, cherry, oak, and walnut. These surfaces come in various finishes, including oil, water-based stains, and clear coats.
Install a statement dining room piece
Statement pieces are often considered decorative elements, but they can serve another purpose too. They are visually appealing and only take up a little room.
Anything from a vase to a mirror to a rug can serve as a show-stopping focal point. However, it must not be so large that it dominates the space.
Instead, attempt a clash of styles and patterns if you want to make a statement. This creates interesting textures and visuals in your dining room.
You needn’t stick to just chandeliers, either. Many alternatives exist. For example, a pendant light fixture could work well over a table. Or maybe a large mirror would look great above a sideboard.
Refinish or update
A new coat of paint can completely transform the appearance of any piece of furniture, including a dining table.
So whether you want to add colour or just bring out the natural beauty of wood, painting a dining table can be a great way to update your space.
Refinishing a dining table doesn’t have to be the answer. If you’re tired of seeing the same thing every day, it might be time to give your dining room some personality.
You could go for something bold, like a bright red table or maybe a funky orange one. Or perhaps you’d prefer something more subtle and elegant. You can personalise your dining area in various ways to suit your tastes.
Living Room
We have the following simple ideas for your living room renovation.
Add texture
You don’t have to go crazy with wallpaper to add texture to your walls.
Use patterned accents instead, such as a rug or decorative pillow, to make a room more interesting.
Or try painting one wall a different colour than the others. This way, it won’t compete with the rest of the room.
Create a focal point
Consider creating a focal point if you’re looking to liven up your living room.
For example, you could use artwork to highlight a specific room section. Or hang a mirror over a table or sideboard to reflect light throughout the room.
Use lighting
The lighting in a room can have a significant impact on its atmosphere. Consider installing dimmer switches or sconces to adjust the brightness of a lamp. Or opt for a pendant light to illuminate a specific spot.
Bedroom
Headboards and mirrors can be inspirations to spruce up your bedrooms.
Wall mounted headboards
The first type of wall-mounted headboard we want to talk about here is the traditional wooden framed headboard. These headboards are still very popular because they give a classic feel to a room and are relatively inexpensive.
The following is an alternative that may appeal to you if you’re looking for a little less conventional – a metal framed headboard. Metal frames tend to be more modern looking, and they’re often painted black.
Our final option is a plastic framed headboard. Plastic frames are usually white, although you can choose whatever colour you like. Just make sure you check that it fits snugly against the wall; otherwise, it might slide around.
Double-check your window treatments
Plastic blinds are cheap, but they aren’t worth the money.
As for the lighting, natural light is all the rage now. Meanwhile, try floor-length curtains, especially blackout, for darkness.
Make use of mirrors as decorations
Mirrors are not just for bathrooms and entryways anymore. They are useful for bringing a little more light into your home and can even be used to decorate your bedroom.
While there are many ways to do it, one of the easiest ones is to hang them on the walls.
This way, you can use the reflective surface to reflect natural light into your room.
Bathroom
Try the following home improvement tricks when renovating your bathroom.
Add new sinks
If you’re looking to upgrade your sink, several options exist.
For example, you could install a double vanity sink, which includes a mirror and a second sink.You can easily install this type of sink above your existing countertop.
Another option is a single vanity sink, which usually features a smaller mirror and a larger basin.
Visually increase a tiny bathroom’s square footage
A mirror doubles the visual space in a bathroom. This trick makes it seem like there are twice as many square feet as there actually are.
Its effect is ideal because you want to avoid making a little bathroom feel smaller.
Install bathroom storage
Floating shelves are great for adding extra storage space without taking up too much room. They’re especially useful for bathrooms because they keep clutter off the floor and out of sight.
Side vanities are another option for storing toiletries and grooming supplies. You can use them to organise everything from toothbrushes to razors and hair products.
It’s important to pick one that works well with the design you already have in place. It will only be as efficient if there is enough room for it.
Don’t Forget the Exterior
Remember: the outside of your house is as important as the inside.
Add curb appeal
If you live near busy streets, add a sidewalk or driveway flagstone. This addition will give your home a welcoming feel.
Fix the roof
A leaky roof can be an eyesore. It also increases the likelihood of storm damage to your property. So you should have your roof evaluated by an expert before commencing any renovations.
Consider replacing shingle roofs with metal or tile roofs. Metal roofs are durable and offer better insulation properties. Tile roofs are attractive and provide excellent protection against weather elements.
Replace siding
Siding is a noticeable outside feature of every house. If yours is outdated, replace it with vinyl siding. Vinyl siding comes in several colours and styles, so you can choose what best suits your home’s style.
Install new windows
Windows are another thing that buyers notice when they walk through your door. Installing new windows will not only improve your home’s energy efficiency but will also increase the resale value of your home.
An Eco-Friendly Tip: Solar Panels
You can also install solar panels on your roof to reduce your carbon footprint.
They not only produce power, but they also provide support heating throughout the winter.
The Bottom Line
The best way to narrow down all your home renovation ideas is to think about what you’d like to see changed in your home.
Hiring a contractor to complete a project is often the better option because they have experience working with materials and tools specific to home improvement.
Whether you’re looking to update your kitchen, add a bathroom, or even build a deck, there are plenty of ways, and we at Melbourne Home Renovations are here to support you through the process.
