4 Top Ideas for Investing in Your Home

If you are like many Americans, your home is your biggest financial investment, and your home’s equity is a large chunk of your net worth. By investing just a bit more, you may be able to raise the value of your house and property and increase your happiness too. Here are four top ideas.

Redo Your Backyard

Take a good look at your backyard. Have you been making do with a mediocre space? Time to make your backyard an oasis. Good softscape design starts with three levels of plants: ground cover, shrubs and trees. Pull up plants that are not thriving and get rid of weeds. Replace the plants you toss with hardier native species, or cover the ground in landscaping mulch. Depending on your climate and how much time you like to spend gardening, you may want to xeriscape the area and free up your weekends for years to come.

Next, replace the worn existing patio or deck with a new composite deck. Available in your choice of colors, durable low-maintenance composite materials look just like wood but do not splinter, rot or warp. Be sure to incorporate planters, benches and stair rails in your design.

If you want to really make a trip to the backyard feel like a vacation, install a pool. Many homeowners dream of owning their own pool, but are afraid of the expense. Owning a custom pool may be more affordable than you think. Many builders work with pool loan companies that can help you finance your project at reasonable rates.

Remodel the Kitchen

You spend a great deal of time in your kitchen, and having a gourmet kitchen may inspire you to cook more. Functionality is the priority in this room, but beauty is a close second. You need plenty of storage, so install cabinets that reach up to the ceiling, then tuck away a portable footstool to make the top shelves usable. If your cabinets are in good shape but look dated or worn, freshen them up with a coat of paint. Just be sure you choose a finish that will wipe clean easily.

New appliances require an investment but the right features can save you money on the power bill. Newer models tend to require less maintenance than their older counterparts, and look more stylish, too. You may appreciate the contemporary, easy-to-use features of smart appliances.

Reconfigure Bedrooms

If you have owned your home for more than a decade, your life has probably changed dramatically since you purchased it. Maybe your family has grown and you could use another bedroom or two. In that case, turn a bonus room into two bedrooms or build a room over the garage.

If kids have grown up and left, turn a deserted bedroom into a home office by installing file cabinets and shelves in the closet, then constructing a drop-down wall desk on one of the walls. Use the space wisely and the room can double as a guest room when needed. If you have two unused rooms, knock down the wall between them, replace the carpet with polished concrete flooring and set up a home gym.

Rethink the Master Bathroom

Make every day feel like a visit to a luxury spa by changing your master bath. Paint the walls a soothing pale green to evoke nature, and install waterproof vinyl or tile flooring that mimics hardwood.

If you like to end the day with a relaxing bath, replace your construction-grade standard tub with a deep soaking tub or an oversize spa tub that includes massaging jets. Transform your shower by installing a rain shower head. Add a wall-hugging shower panel that includes multiple spray heads, steam heat and color-changing LED lights.

Store toiletries and other items in drawers or cabinets so you can keep the counter clear except for a few plants. Decorate sparingly to maintain a tranquil ambiance. Finishing touches include thirsty cotton bath sheets in colors that complement the serene new color scheme.