Why the best renovations are for you – not only for resale
Features like under-vanity lighting and other unique elements can add value for homeowners today and welcome surprises for potential homebuyers down the road. Photo courtesy MAC Renovations
No matter the scale, a home renovation is an investment, both of time and resources. And while often the choices we make in a project focus on how they might add to the resale value, that shouldn’t be the first consideration.
“Unless you’re planning to sell your home quickly, a renovation should be as much about your enjoyment of your home, whether your goals are to improve the functionality or to modernize the design,” says Desirée Inouye, an Interior Designer with MAC Renovations.
If you’re currently squeezing a family of four into a single bathroom, for example, adding an ensuite or second bath will benefit you today, in addition to homebuyers down the road.
And if you’re eyeing stylish blue cabinets to add a little pizzazz to your kitchen, go for it, Inouye says.
“I usually try to encourage people to consider things they see in nature,” she says, pointing out that colours like blues and greens have much more staying power than other shades. Even when they do fade from view, they tend to return quite quickly.
If you’re committed to neutral cabinets and counters, look to the walls to create a colourful palette – after all, paint is an inexpensive and easy change either before or after a house sale.
And remember, “no matter how the house is decorated, new homeowners will often come in and put their own stamp on things, so if you’re planning to be in your home for five or 10 years, you should create a space you want to be in!”
Often some of the details that will make a real difference to your enjoyment of your home will also appeal to others, including custom kitchen inserts. MAC Renovations photo
More ideas to consider
Light layering is another key area that can support both homeowners today and potential buyers, blending both the functional and decorative.
Beyond a foundational layer of pot lights, consider decorative pendants on a dimmer to add ambience, along with more “unexpected” options, like under-cabinet lighting that can act as task lighting for older eyes, or toe kick lighting on a motion sensor that also serves as a night light, Inouye suggests.
And if you fall in love with a jaw-dropping light fixture, you can always take it with you if you move!
“Just because you’re thinking of renovating and future resale, doesn’t mean you need to abandon the things and features you really like.”
Often some of the details that will make a real difference to how you enjoy your home will also appeal to others – think custom kitchen inserts and bathroom appliance organizers. “It adds a unique detail and value for that home,” Inouye says.
At the end of the day, the impact a renovation may have on a home’s future resale value may be one consideration, but more important is the value it adds to your enjoyment of your home today and for years to come.
To discover the possibilities for your home, visit macreno.com or call the design team today at