As we bid farewell to 2023 and welcome the promise of 2024, our minds naturally gravitate towards New Year’s resolutions. We promise ourselves to eat healthier, invest smarter, or perhaps travel more. But this year, let’s consider a new resolution focusing on upgrading our homes.
Home improvement goals are not just about aesthetics; they’re about enhancing comfort, safety, and efficiency. So, as you map out your personal and professional ambitions for 2024, remember to include well-planned, strategic home improvements that will transform your house into an even more inviting and secure place to call home. Here’s to a year of successful home projects and renewed appreciation for our dwellings!
In this article:
- Setting Achievable Home Improvement Goals
- What’s the Difference: Renovation vs Remodel
- Prioritizing Home Improvement Projects
- Planning & Budgeting Your Home Improvement Projects
- Next Steps in Your Home Improvement Journey
- Frequently Asked Questions on Home Improvement Goals
Setting Achievable Home Improvement Goals
When it comes to home improvement, the key to success lies in setting realistic, achievable goals. This starts with carefully evaluating your budget, time, and resources. The Angi State of Home Spending Report found that homeowners, on average, spent $9,542 on 2.8 home improvement projects in 2023. It’s important to keep this figure in mind as it can serve as a practical guide when planning your projects.
Next, identify the areas in your home that need improvement. These improvements could be anything from a leaky roof to outdated kitchen appliances. Prioritize these based on immediate needs, long-term benefits, and personal preferences. Remember, home improvement isn’t just fixing what’s broken; it’s also enhancing what already exists.
Once you’ve identified your targets, it’s time to focus on the types of improvements that can significantly increase your home’s safety, comfort, and happiness quotient.
Increasing Home Safety, Comfort, and Happiness
Home safety should always be a priority. Simple improvements like installing smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and upgrading locks and door security systems can make a world of difference.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 and older—over 14 million, or 1 in 4 older adults every year. This statistic underlines the importance of considering safety improvements such as installing stair lifts or walk-in tubs from Leaf Home Safety Solutions. These enhancements improve accessibility and significantly reduce the risk of accidents.
Comfort-enhancing improvements include upgrading your HVAC system for better temperature control and replacing old windows with energy-efficient ones for a quieter and more comfortable indoor environment.
As for increasing happiness, consider projects that add beauty and functionality to your home. This could involve transforming an unused garage into a cozy, modern space with bdurable garage floor coating, renovating the kitchen to make meal preparation more enjoyable, or landscaping your yard to create a relaxing outdoor retreat.
Remember, the goal of any home improvement project should be to create a living space that’s safe, comfortable, and brings joy to its occupants. So, as you set your home improvement goals for 2024, keep these aspects at the forefront of your planning.
What’s the Difference: Renovation vs. Remodel
Understanding the difference between renovation and remodeling is helpful when planning your home improvement projects. These terms are often used interchangeably but entail different types of work.
A renovation typically refers to restoring or repairing a structure to a good state of repair. This might include repainting walls, refinishing floors, or replacing fixtures and hardware. Renovations often maintain a room’s existing layout and design, focusing instead on updating its appearance or improving its functionality.
On the other hand, a remodel involves changing a space’s structure, layout, or style. Remodels could include knocking down walls to create an open floor plan, adding new rooms, or completely changing a room’s function (for example, turning a spare bedroom into a home office).
Now that we’ve established the difference between the two let’s look at the three types of renovations:
- Cosmetic Renovations: These are simple updates that can significantly improve the look and feel of your home. Examples include painting, replacing old light fixtures, or updating hardware.
- Functional Renovations: These improvements aim to enhance the usability and functionality of your home. They include upgrading your HVAC system for better efficiency, installing new kitchen appliances, or adding additional storage space.
- Structural Renovations: These are more significant projects that involve changes to the home’s structure. They include repairing a damaged roof, reinforcing a foundation, or replacing old plumbing or electrical systems.
Whether planning a renovation or a remodel, it’s essential to consider your budget, timeline, and overall goals. Both can add value to your home and improve your living experience, but each requires various levels of investment and compromise to your daily life.
Prioritizing Home Improvement Projects
Home improvement projects can range from minor updates to major overhauls, and knowing where to start can be daunting. Here are some tips to help you prioritize your projects based on their potential impact and necessity:
- Assess Your Needs and Wants: Begin by making a comprehensive list of all the projects you’d like to undertake. The list will allow you to see the full scope of your plans. Then, separate them into two categories: necessities, which are projects that address safety or functionality issues, and luxuries, which are primarily aesthetic or comfort-based improvements.
- Evaluate Your Home Room by Room: Inspect each room in your home and identify areas that need improvement. These will help you understand the extent of work required in each space and prioritize accordingly.
- Consider the Impact on Home Value: Certain projects can significantly increase the value of your home. For instance, kitchen and bathroom remodels and exterior improvements like new siding or a deck addition, often yield the highest return on investment.
When prioritizing, starting with projects aligned with Leaf Home’s product lines is beneficial. For instance, installing LeafFilter can help prevent gutter clogs, which can cause severe damage to your home over time. Similarly, Leaf Home Water Solutions can improve your home’s water quality and contribute to a healthier living environment.
Home improvement is a journey, not a destination. The key is to develop a plan, prioritize your projects based on your unique needs and wants, and take one step at a time. With thoughtful planning and execution, you can transform your house into the home of your dreams.
Planning & Budgeting Your Home Improvement Projects
Proper planning and budgeting are critical to the success of any home improvement project. Without a well-thought-out plan, costs can escalate, timelines can be blown, and the result may not be what you envisioned.
Planning involves defining your goals, determining the scope of work, and establishing a realistic timeline. It’s also important to research potential contractors, understand the permit process, and consider how the project will impact your daily life.
Budgeting, on the other hand, requires a detailed understanding of all the costs involved. These costs include materials and labor, permits, inspections, and contingency funds for unexpected expenses. It’s crucial to be realistic about what you can afford and ensure your budget aligns with your priorities and goals.
When budgeting for projects, there are a few strategies you can follow:
- Understand the Costs: Reach out to the contractor or home improvement company or visit their website to get a sense of the costs associated with their products and services. This will help you accurately estimate your budget.
- Consider Financing Options: Many companies, like Leaf Home, offer financing options that can help spread out the costs of your project over time. Be sure to factor these into your budgeting process.
- Factor in Long-term Savings: While the upfront cost might seem significant, remember that home improvements can lead to long-term savings. For instance, LeafFilter can help prevent expensive water damage, and Leaf Home Water Solutions can reduce reliance on costly bottled water.
- Prioritize: If your budget is tight, prioritize based on urgency and impact. For example, if someone in your home has difficulty navigating stairs, installing a comfort stair lift might be a higher priority than other projects.
By planning and budgeting carefully, you can ensure that your home improvement projects add value to your home and improve your quality of life without causing financial stress.
Next Steps in Your Home Improvement Journey
Setting achievable home improvement goals for the New Year is an excellent way to enhance your living space and add value to your home. Whether planning minor updates or major renovations, it’s crucial to prioritize your projects, plan carefully, and budget wisely. This process can be exciting and rewarding, especially when your vision comes to life.
As you embark on this journey, consider incorporating Leaf Home product lines into your plans. Products like LeafFilter, Leaf Home Water Solutions, Leaf Home Safety Solutions, and bdurable not only improve the functionality of your home but also contribute to a safer, more comfortable, and happier living environment.
Remember, every step you take towards improving your home is a step towards creating a space that truly reflects your taste and meets your needs. Here’s to a New Year filled with successful home improvement projects and the joy of turning your house into a home you love.
Frequently Asked Questions on Home Improvement Goals
Minor kitchen home improvement projects have the most ROI. Since the kitchen is the most used space in the house, buyers typically want updated, modern kitchens. So, focusing on minor cosmetic changes like replacing cabinets, floors, or a fresh coat of paint can offer a good return at 85.7%.
Boosting accessible kitchen storage, new window treatments, and upgrading lighting are all high-impact, low-cost improvement ideas. You can also consider installing an energy-efficient HVAC system, a new garage door, or replacing the entry door.
There are numerous simple and cost-effective projects you can undertake over a weekend. Painting your front door, replacing faucets, or updating simple fixtures can dramatically improve the look of your home.
While many home improvement projects can increase your home’s value, some may provide a low return on investment. Some examples of projects that may not offer a high ROI include adding a swimming pool, installing highly custom features, and putting on an addition. Understanding the market and your home’s specific needs will help you make an informed decision on which projects will provide the best return.
