Having the right features in your home can make a huge difference to your comfort, safety and enjoyment of your personal space. There are a lot of features that could be upgraded to significantly improve your quality of living, and it can be tough to know where to start. This is particularly true for first-time buyers who have never had the kind of creative control over their homes.
When it comes to upgrading your property, you should think in terms of functionality and comfort. The benefits of some choices may not be immediately apparent but can still have a drastic positive impact on your life. Here we will look at some of the vital home features that could massively benefit from an upgrade.
Outer Doors
The outer doors to your home are what guests will first encounter when visiting, meaning they have a big part to play in the first impression of your home. Outer doors are also crucial for keeping your home safe from the elements and threats like theft. Most homes will have at least one front and back door, and some may also have features like a sliding glass door or garage doors.
Deciding which, if any, outer doors to replace can be tricky, and you’ll need to assess the quality of the current doors to determine if it is worth the investment. The type of replacement you choose will also depend on your needs. For instance, if you live in an area with a high crime rate, selecting a reinforced door can be invaluable. If you live somewhere that has a significant flood risk, then finding doors designed to help prevent flooding can be essential.
Internal Doors
Your internal doors are crucial for privacy in the home and to help you heat the property efficiently. Doors should hang correctly without gaps or warping, which could damage the frames. It is best to invest in matching internal doors throughout the house to create a cohesive interior design look. Any doors that look a bit worn but are otherwise in good condition could be brightened up with a fresh coat of paint to save you money and work.
Cooking Range
A new cooking range can make a massive difference to your quality of life at home. You’ll need to decide what you want most from your kitchen space and how extensive you want your cooking range to be. If you enjoy regularly hosting friends and family at dinner parties, or plan to have a large family, then choosing a double-wide cooking range can be a great choice. This allows you to cook multiple things at once, ensuring everything is served fresh and well cooked.
Landscaping
Landscaping your garden can be incredibly beneficial for improving your enjoyment of your outdoor space. You may want to do the work yourself or hire a landscaper to do it for you. Hiring a professional can be a great way to get a good groundwork for you to maintain over time.
You should consider what you want to do with your garden when you choose the kind of landscaping to implement. For instance, if you plan to have children, you’ll need a kid-friendly design, ideally without any areas that could present a danger to young children, such as water features.
Downstairs Bathroom
A downstairs bathroom can be a great property feature, improving the value of the home and ensuring your guests are more comfortable when they visit. If you don’t already have a downstairs bathroom, installing one can be pricy but often well worth the investment. If you have one already, you could consider upgrading it to a toilet and shower combination.
Patio
A patio can be a great place to relax and unwind during the summer months, provided it is in good repair. If your patio has seen better days and has issues such as cracked or broken slabs, then it could be time for an upgrade. You could consider installing all-new flagstones, upgrading to a stylish wood patio, or investing in a pressure cleaner to give the existing patio a new lease on life.
Windows
Windows are vital for the safety of your property, keeping the elements out and deterring criminals. You’ll need the best possible quality windows to keep your home safe. Any window that is worn, cracked or otherwise damaged should be replaced as soon as possible.
New windows will not only improve the look of your home, but they will also boost your home’s energy efficiency. A great window brand to consider is Everest, one of the leading double-glazed window installers in the UK. You can learn more from the Federation of Master Builders’ comprehensive review on Everest windows.
Insulation
Insulation is another upgrade to your property that can massively improve energy efficiency. Poor insulation can lead to heat escaping through gaps in the property or rising out through the roof. Given the rise in the cost of living in recent years, no property owner can afford to let their energy go to waste in such a way. It is a good idea to consider upgrading the insulation throughout your home and putting in additional insulation to areas not already covered.
Driveway
Your home’s driveway is another element that can make a big difference to visitors’ first impressions of your home. Repaving your driveway can help protect the cars that park in it and give a lovely finish to your home’s exterior. If you have the space to do so, extending your driveway to accommodate more cars can be ideal, particularly given how challenging finding residential parking can be nowadays.
Burglar Alarm
A new burglar alarm can be an excellent addition for your peace of mind at home. You could upgrade your traditional burglar alarm to a smart alarm, with CCTV capabilities and motion sensors to identify threats to your property while you’re away. Smart alarms can also alert the police automatically in the event of certain things like windows breaking or outer doors being forced open.
Garden Shed
If you have a shed in the garden but don’t use it very often, you might consider an upgrade. Sheds are more than just storage for gardening tools, and nowadays, they can be anything from home offices to hobby studios. You can find options for a pre-built shed that comes delivered to your door, complete with electrical wiring and anything else you need to enjoy the space. You could also do up your current shed, provided it is of good enough quality to be worth the upgrades.
Electrical Wiring
If you live in an older home, getting the wiring upgraded can be an excellent option. Older homes will not have been built up to the current standard for wiring and wiring housing, so getting things upgraded can be an excellent way to ensure the wiring is safe. Always use a professional electrician to do the wiring in your home, ensuring the best results and reducing the risk of electrical fires in the future.
Boiler
A new boiler is a great addition to help your home become as energy efficient as possible. New boilers are built to exacting standards when it comes to energy efficiency, meaning that it can be beneficial to replace any boiler older than a few years. Make sure to shop around and learn everything you can about the types of boilers available to help you find the best fit.
