There are many options for upgrades when you're building a new home. If you think about it, the finishes really do make all the difference. It’s those finishing touches that make your home uniquely yours.
There are many upgrades completely worth the money because they add functionality and value to your space. But how do you know which upgrades will add the most value? We'll be covering that, letting you know from top to bottom which upgrades to go for.
How do you know what flooring is the best fit for your family? There are three main options, although one – carpet – is typically only used in bedrooms. Let’s compare the two most used options, hardwood and laminate.
Laminate
Laminate is a synthetic flooring product designed to look just like real wood. Made out of a fibre board material, it only imitates real wood. The difference between hardwood and laminate is every 5 boards of the laminate are the same imitation texture, whereas hardwood doesn't repeat.
Laminate is the right choice in the case where you have children or pets. The reason for this? Laminate is extremely resilient when it comes to high traffic, moisture damage, or fading. So what you may have to repair in hardwood wouldn't likely appear in laminate flooring.
Hardwood
Although there are some die-hard hardwood fans, laminate seems to be becoming more popular. Hardwood flooring is produced from single layer pieces of wood and can be purchased finished or otherwise. Hardwood flooring has an ease of repair that laminate doesn’t, which means, in the long run, it can be more cost-effective depending on your lifestyle. Depending on the type of wood you choose, hardwood can add an ample amount of value to your home.
Countertops go into the most valuable areas of your home. Having the highest quality upgraded countertops can keep your home looking modern and chic. The kitchen is really where you want to invest a little extra because of its frequent use.
Choose countertops that are stylish but also conservative so they suit your home for many years to come. Neutrals are generally a safe bet, whether you choose granite or quartz. Granite requires more maintenance but the natural material does offer more value to your home overall. Quartz, although being the less expensive option, requires little to no upkeep. But both, if chosen wisely, will be an asset to your home.
Having upgraded cabinets is an important touch because the kitchen adds an immense amount of value to your home. Neatly space out longer and taller cabinets in your kitchen to give a sense of height as well as openness. This also helps you easily clean this segment of your kitchen. The exterior of your cabinets are at the forefront of your kitchen's design, so choose something timeless.
This is a fine detail that has a big impact on the way your home is viewed and valued. This detail will make your kitchen or bathroom standout. Backsplashes are often brought up as selling features because they enhance the space so much.
Having the basic fixtures in your home can be kind of boring and may not match your décor. It’s worth the investment to get ones that suit your style. As well, it’s likely that everyone likes a different level of brightness in their home and you may want to personalize that. Lighting fixtures are a worthwhile upgrades because they brighten the feel of the home.
The basic finishes for hardware in a home may not be quite right for you. These are little things, but they add up. Making hardware a top priority when it comes to upgrades can take your décor from "something is missing" to completely gorgeous, very easily. As well, if you choose hardware that's likely to stay in style, it will add to the value of your home.
All these fine details are determined to be worth every penny, and will also add a personal touch to your home which you'll get to enjoy daily. Consider which valuable upgrades can most benefit your family's lifestyle, making the choice more than worth it.
If you're looking for more upgrade options that simply make your home a more comfortable place to be, scroll through our previous post: 8 Home Upgrades You'll Be Happy You Made.