Small changes can have big impact in home’s look
DEAR GAIL: We’ve been in our home for 11 years and in two years we’ll be retiring and moving. We had planned on upgrading some things because we went with all of the builder standards, but we just kept on putting it off for another day. We know that we’ll need to make some changes and figure we might as well enjoy them for the next two years. We don’t want to invest as much money as we would have, but are willing to upgrade some things that will make our home more attractive when we put it on the market. So what should we do? — Kali C.
DEAR KALI: It is amazing how time flies by. We had only planned on being in our home eight to 10 years and it’s now been 20 and we don’t plan on moving any time soon.
I agree that you shouldn’t have to do anything major, but just update a few things. I’m going to assume that your cabinets and flooring are in good shape, so I won’t address them. Since kitchens and bathrooms are the most important rooms in a home, and where you’ll recoup the most of your money, let’s start there.
If your kitchen counters are tile, I’d price out new granite counters. The price of granite has really come down during the years and will immediately make your kitchen look more expensive for about $50 a square foot. You can do a simple 4- to 6-inch granite backsplash; a full tile backsplash is not necessary. Just paint a nice accent color on the wall above the backsplash.
The next thing to look at is your sink and faucet. If you have any wear in your sink, replace it. You can find porcelain, stainless steel or even a solid-surface sink for less than $200. A new faucet will cost about $150. Purchase one with a pull-out spray; it’s what most people like.
The last thing to consider in your kitchen is a new light over your table. Most of the standard nook lights were dome pendants, so I would replace it with a simple bowl pendant, which you can find for less than $100.
Now onto your bathrooms. Let’s start in your master bath, which is the most important.
If you have tile counters in good shape, you don’t have to replace them with granite if it’s not in your budget. The kitchen counter would be the better choice if you could only do one. If you have brass and chrome faucets, which were popular back then, I would replace them. You can buy a new faucet for less than $150. Personally, I like brushed nickel or stainless steel, but I’ve been finding that chrome is coming back. You wouldn’t have to replace the shower and tub fixtures if you went with chrome. Just because the bath fixtures don’t match doesn’t mean someone won’t buy your home. It’s about what we see first, which is normally the bath counter.
I’m trying to give you the most frugal ways to upgrade; you, of course, have to decide how far you want to take it.
Lighting also is important, so if you have those Hollywood light bars, they need to go. I really don’t like to say something has to go, but they really do. You can upgrade to a simple light bar for less than $100.
The other bath to update is your powder bath. You don’t need to replace your pedestal sink but do update the faucet and light. If you have the standard plate glass mirror, replace it with a framed mirror.
Since you’ve been in your home 11 years, it’s time to freshen up your paint if you haven’t already. Whenever you sell, repainting is a must as it gives the whole home a clean and well-maintained appearance, which is very important. Although I love to add color with paint throughout a home, you do need to be more conservative since you’ll be selling. But that doesn’t mean white walls.
Instead I want you to select a nice earth tone neutral that works with your flooring and cabinets. The reason is that even a light sand or taupe will make everything look richer. Don’t go too light or too dark. You want color and if the paint barely has a tint of color in it, you really can’t see it on the walls. And going too dark may turn some people off if they like a light and bright home. Look at the second or third color down on the paint strip. The first color isn’t even worth painting, at least in my opinion, and the bottom colors will be too dark.
Now if you have niches, soffits or any pop-outs, like around your fireplace, I would do some tone-on-tone painting with the darker colors.
This suggestion may sound extravagant, but I would add some crown molding. It really adds that final touch and is not overly expensive. Many crown molding companies are running sales of less than $6 a lineal foot installed. The rooms where I would suggest you add crown molding are your powder bath, master bedroom and bath and your formal dining room. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want crown molding somewhere in their home.
My last suggestion is your front door. It is the very first impression someone gets of what they expect to see when they walk through the door. You can find doors with glass inserts for around $500. Or at least give it a fresh coat of paint and new hardware. And, of course, take a look at your front door light. Think of what you look at when standing at someone else’s front door.
Well Kali, I hope that I was able to give you a couple of ideas to update your home and not break your budget. As with any decorating project you can spend as little or as much as you want, but knowing that you’ll be moving, be frugal and make sure to shop the sales.
Gail Mayhugh, owner of GMJ Interiors, is a professional interior designer and author of a book on the subject. Questions may be sent by e-mail to: gail@gmjinteriors.com. Or, mail to: 7380 S. Eastern Ave., No. 124-272, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Her Web address is: www.GMJinteriors.com.