How to spruce up your interior (and increase your home's value)

Whether it’s a complete kitchen makeover or simply painting your front door, these interior tips will make you happy and boost your home’s value in the process

While the thought of completely transforming your home is pretty exciting the reality of the cost, time and effort involved can dash your dreams quicker than you can say “D.I.Y.” The truth is, not all renovations are made equal. So, to help you navigate this tricky territory we’ve rounded up four ways to get the biggest bang for your buck. Whether it’s a full kitchen makeover or simply painting your front door in a bright colour, these interior tips will bring you joy and boost your home’s value in the process.

Paint

It doesn’t matter if you have a degree in DIY or you’re a total newbie; a splash of paint is an easy and inexpensive solution for most tired interiors. Whether you’re looking to stay or to sell a freshly painted space will add value to your home. Even just covering up scuff marks, stains and general wear and tear will go a long way to achieving that new-home feel.

Paint has the power to set the scene and create an atmosphere in your home. Neutral colours will always be a safe bet but there’s a trend towards warm, muted colours inspired by nature, think pillowy seafog, earthy terracotta and thundery blues. This ties in nicely with New Zealand’s beautiful natural landscape. If you’d prefer to go bold think luxe hues where greens become emerald, blues turn to navy and reds transform into ruby.

You could even rethink the feature wall by painting a section instead. This is perfect for the bedroom as it helps to frame your space and is a stylish alternative to a headboard. Adding a glossy white paint along skirting boards and around door frames will also instantly lift your interior, giving it a luxurious feel.

For the ultimate curb appeal, give your exterior a new coat. Even if you don’t do an extensive paintjob smaller projects like retouching your fence and window frames will make a huge difference. One trend we can’t get enough is bright coloured front doors. The sunny pops of colour against a neutral exterior is sure to make you smile every time you come home.

Kitchen

When it comes to transformations that make a difference you can’t look much further than your kitchen. Central to the flow and function of everyday life, kitchens play a major role in your home. Even a simple update to a tired kitchen will give your interior and your mood a boost. A kitchen reno is also a worthwhile investment if you decide to put your home on the market – as Your Home & Garden Editor Kristina Rapley says, “Kitchens sell houses.”

Small improvements can go a long way to make your kitchen feel new again. Paint the cabinets, change the handles, switch your splashback or redo your benchtop. Statement fixtures are also a budget-friendly way to make your kitchen feel modern, with matte black, brushed brass and gunmetal trending on the tapware scene.

If you’re angling for a major makeover, functionality is key. Getting your layout right is important but it’s only successful if it works with the space you have – so try not to just copy a look you’ve seen on Instagram. Think about what your dream result is. Is it seeing the kids doing homework while you’re cooking? Having room to entertain dinner guests? Or having an efficient space with lots of storage?

Once you have a layout in mind, you can start making decisions about the fun style elements like colour, cabinetry and fixtures. Look to the rest of your home and even your wardrobe to get inspiration for your kitchen style. You want a design that will stand the test of time but also shows off your personality. Chat to an expert about the best options for you.

Bathroom

 Just like kitchens, a bathroom renovation is also a worthwhile investment. Not only can it make a difference to your everyday life but it’s also a smart way to increase your home’s value. As our lives get busier, we’re seeing an increasing trend towards turning functional areas like the bathroom into a space of relaxation and comfort. Luxury style is no longer reserved for day spas and luxury hotels, with companies like PlaceMakers making it simple to get a high-end feel at home.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or just want a little refresh, quality products and materials are central to nailing your bathroom transformation. Especially because they’ll survive the wear and tear that comes with a high-traffic area like the bathroom.  Even if you’re on a budget or just looking for a little update, you can add a designer-feel to your space with luxe tapware and a stylish towel rail.

To help get you dreaming, here are 10 of our favourite bathroom trends to try:

1. A Scandinavian-inspired palette of grey, white and wood.
2. A white base punctuated with a black bath, black basin and black tapware.
3. Wet area showers.
4. Wall-hung vanities in bold colours.
5. A retreat style bathrooms with a freestanding bathtub and indoor plants
6. Nature inspired materials like stone and wood.
7. Black tiles teamed with gold or brushed bronze tapware.
8. A black and white statement tile to one section of the bathroom.
9. The combination of marble tiles and gold tapware.
10. On-trend tile shapes like diamond and fish scale.

Laundry and Wardrobe

You know what they say: tidy home, tidy mind. Busy family life calls for storage and you can’t beat the satisfaction of an organised and clutter-free space. Not only does considered storage make you feel good but it’s a valuable update for your home, especially if it’s on the small side.

Adding modular storage to your wardrobe and laundry is a simple and cost effective way to make your home work smarter not harder. We recommend shelving like Rubbermaid as a practical and cost-effective solution for your laundry. It can be set up in number of configurations giving it the flexibility to fit into any space.

Your wardrobe, on the other hand, will need something a little more sophisticated to bring some calm to the chaos. You’ll need a thoughtfully chosen combination of shelving, drawers and high- and low-hanging rods. A good option is GetSorted – a stylish modular system which can be tailored to your wardrobe space.

Source: www.homestolove.co.nz