Ways Natural Stone Can Increase Your Home’s Value

Anyone who owns a home wants to find ways to increase the value of their property. From upgrading your entertainment spaces to adding new appliances, there are many options for homeowners to invest in their homes. However, incorporating natural stones is the easiest way to increase your home’s value.

Using natural stone in home construction and décor has always been the go-to way to upgrade a house’s value. Although natural stone is more pricey than other construction materials, it may be worthwhile to get. The increase in value it brings is due to its strength, elegance, and resale value. It’s important to note that there are more reasons to use natural stone other than increasing the home’s value. The material is sustainable and durable and remains timelessly attractive when maintained correctly.

If you’re having trouble thinking of ways you can incorporate this sustainable material, read on. Here are a few ways natural stone can increase your home’s value.

Create an Elegant Bathroom

Upgrade your master bathroom by adorning the walls and floors with beautiful natural stone. In the bathroom, you can use natural stone in numerous ways to help increase the value of the space and overall home. You can add stone to your shower walls, vanities, shelves, countertops, and more.

Add Stone To Complement Your Patio

Why not incorporate natural elements if you have a gorgeous backyard with a beautiful patio? Adding boulders, cobblestones, decorative gravel, or stone edging can add much more character and texture to your patio and landscape. Natural stone varieties like cobblestone and decorative gravel are easy for homeowners to obtain, and they’re simple to work with.

Use Natural Stone as a Countertop

When people think of ways to increase their home’s value using natural stone, the first thing they do is upgrade their kitchen countertops. Since the kitchen is one of the most used spaces in the home, it’s no surprise that people want to redo it first. When you upgrade your countertops, you can create a chicer look in this high-traffic space.

Create a Decorative Stone Wall

Natural stone walls can be decorative and functional depending on your backyard’s landscape. Building a stone wall can help prevent sloping and drainage issues. However, if your landscape is flat, you can create a decorative natural stone wall that you can use as a backdrop to give your yard depth.

5 Improvements You Can Make for Increasing an Old Home's Value

If you live in an old house, you may believe that your home has depreciated to such a low amount that no buyer would be interested in it. You might also assume that the home won’t be valued high by an appraiser. Fortunately, there are some improvements that you can make to your old dwelling to increase its value and earn you more money on a sale or improve your chances of getting a good rate on a refinance loan.

New Cabinetry

Your current cabinets may be outdated, and replacing them with new ones can help you increase your home’s value. Switching your old cabinets out for new stock or custom cabinets can be worth your investment. You can also choose to get new cabinets in materials like solid wood, laminate or high-density fiberboard (HDF).

Repainting

Repainting the indoor and outdoor sections of your home can give your house new life. New paint can replace the old, chipped paint that your home might currently have. Repainting can also hide minor damages that could decrease your home’s value. Whether you want to add bright and bold colors or classic neutral tones, you can choose from a variety of paint colors that can make your home look modern or more old-fashioned.

HVAC Repair

Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system might no longer be up to standard, and having all or parts of the system repaired can add value to your home. If your air conditioner is no longer emitting enough cold air, residential AC repair contractors can try to diagnose the problem and render the proper solution. After repairs, remember to keep up with future maintenance to keep it in good working condition.

New Flooring

Old homes often have creaking floors or damaged floorboards, and you should consider having your floors replaced if they’re giving you problems and affecting your home’s value. If you like classic hardwood flooring, you can have new hardwood panels installed or laminate flooring put in that resembles real hardwood but is usually less expensive. You may also choose to get new carpeting that’s comfortable to walk on and made from a hypoallergenic material, such as wool or nylon.

New Appliances

If the appliances that you use for cooking or washing need updating, new state-of-the-art appliances can give you better performance and make your home worth more. Your oven, stove and refrigerator are just some of the kitchen appliances that you should consider updating. Homebuyers and appraisers will also consider your home more valuable if it has a new washer and dryer along with a new dishwasher.

It’s not too late to try to increase an old home’s value in most cases. You’ll likely notice a major difference in how your home is valued after you’ve made the appropriate upgrades. After all, the more move-in ready your home is, the more appealing it will be to potential buyers. Keep this in mind when assessing the value of your home.

Most Amazing Summer Upgrades for Your Deck

Summer is the perfect time for barbeques, outdoor date nights, grilling, and late-night cocktail hours. Whether you’re looking to entertain friends or just your own family members, upgrading your deck will help you get the most out of the longer daylight and warm weather. Discover the most amazing summer upgrades for your deck!

Built-In Shade

Adding a pergola is a fantastic way to add shade to your patio if it doesn’t already have a covering. Fill in the gaps in your wooden pergola with climbing plants and lights for a bohemian vibe. Or install a cloth pergola with adjustable shades that let you control the breeze.

Brick Oven

If you like pizza, adding a brick oven is one of the most amazing upgrades for your deck—it may just change your life. You can make restaurant-quality pizzas right from the comfort of your home in any style you want. Plus, pizzas make great shareables when entertaining guests and kids.

Fire Pit

If roasting marshmallows and hot dogs is more your thing, consider building a fire pit. Even when you’re not cooking food, a fire is great for experiencing the fun atmosphere of camping without leaving your home.

Built-In Seating

If you like entertaining, consider building your own furniture out of plastic lumber. This material is more durable than regular wood and requires less upkeep, making it a fantastic one-and-done kind of project. Decorate with fun cushions and pillows to create a summer vibe.

Mosquito Repellants

Depending on the climate where you live, mosquitoes can be a real nuisance in the summer. To keep them away, consider adding some mosquito-repelling plants to your deck landscaping, like rosemary, mint, lemongrass, and citronella.

Fans And Misters

Adding fans and misters is a great way to get use out of your deck even on the hottest afternoons. The added moisture from misters helps your skin pick up on cooling breezes, which are amplified by the fans.

If you’re looking to beat the heat and get the most out of your backyard, try these tips for upgrading your deck.

How To Upgrade Your Living Room Into a Family-Friendly Space

Living rooms are the center hubs of homes. They’re spaces for your household and guests to gather, create, and relax. Since living rooms are places that greet and hosts visitors, many people style their living spaces with extra flair. However, creating a luxurious space doesn’t always pair well with kids and a full household. With families, living spaces endure a lot of wear and tear, and they require added durability, functionality, and safety features. Here are some tips on upgrading your living room into a family-friendly space.

Create a Mini Play Nook

Children’s attention spans and imaginations require a little extra love and nurturing. Family households often accumulate a range of toys and entertainment sources for the kids. Creating a mini play nook within your living room can provide a designated space to contain the toys and a common area for your kids and their playdates to enjoy. Plus, it will transform your living room into a multi-inclusive room that caters to adults and children alike.

Install Durable Design Features

Family homes endure a lot of consistent wear, from increased foot traffic to toys scraping across every surface. There are many reasons why hardwood makes the best flooring for family rooms, but its durability takes the lead. Installing durable design features will increase the longevity of your living space, minimizing future maintenance costs. Other durable design features to consider upgrading to include wear-proof couch coverings, rugs, and coffee tables.

Secure Tall and Heavy Objects

Kids like to push and climb various obstacles within their reach. Securing tall and heavy objects susceptible to tipping over ensures a safer, family-friendlier space. Make sure to properly secure bookshelves, TVs, and any low shelves to the wall to keep them from falling and hurting any adventurous little ones.

Switch to Family-Sized Furnishings

Switching your furniture for family-sized furnishings creates room for each member and provides plenty of accommodations for your family and guests. Sectional couches offer plenty of seating options, and large, round coffee tables provide extra surface space for drinks and TV dinners. And large TV screens ensure that everyone gets a clear view of the movie.

Transforming your living room into a family-friendly space with a couple of upgrades prepares your home for a transformed life with kids. As your family grows, late-night binge-watching transitions into family game nights, and how you use each room within the home will change drastically. To create fond family memories and a safe, nurturing space within your home, upgrade your living room into the perfect family-friendly hangout.