Planning a major home renovation project that involves several rooms can be a confusing undertaking. For instance, should you start from a common area like the living room, or the kitchen and build on them, or is it wiser to start from underutilized areas so that those shared spaces are available for longer? Truth be told, you’ll probably want to begin with the living spaces that hold the most meaning to you and your family.
As it stands, your home may need a number of remodeling projects, so here’s a quick primer on which adjustments to put first.
1. Your Kitchen
One of the main reasons you should remodel your kitchen first is to eliminate the inconvenience and build on functionality. If your kitchen design hasn’t been updated in a while, it could be filled with a ton of appliances that may have outlived their usefulness. Additionally, if you have an older model kitchen, some design flaws could be slowing your cooking processes. A small countertop surface could be costing you a ton of time during meal prep for dinner.
Kitchen materials wear out no matter how solid they seem when first fitted. If the tiles are chipping, or the countertops are scratched, or your cabinet doors are peeling, you may want to consider upgrading to some of the latest trends in kitchen remodeling. Consider open shelving to help you stay organized. If you cook a lot, try going for quartz countertops or granite and marble counters in darker tones. Not only do these smudge less than laminated countertops, but they also add some warmth to your cooking area.
As you renovate your kitchen floors and light fixtures, also remember to upgrade your appliances. Opt for energy-efficient smart appliances as these consume less energy, consequently saving you more than a couple of bucks on your energy bill.
If you entertain a lot, and often need extra ice cubes around for guests and their drinks, an older model refrigerator that doesn’t have an ice maker built into it can prove to be a great inconvenience. While you can fill up ice trays, or buy bags of ice, these are short-term solutions. In this case, a modern portable ice machine could offer a convenient alternative.
Portable ice makers have many benefits and are also great for your mobile kitchen (find out why mobile kitchens are so popular) outdoor barbeques, your den, or an RV if you have one. Like other small kitchen appliances, the best portable ice makers can be unplugged and stored away when not in use, saving you some much-needed countertop space.
2. Your Game Room
Even as things slowly begin to pick up as a result of COVID-19, we’re still spending a lot of time at home, though much less than we did in the past year. As a result of this, most of us have found new ways of staying entertained during this time. If you have a gamer in your home, or if you’re one yourself, an exclusive room or space dedicated to playing video games would be a fun new addition to your home.
To stay updated with the new generation gaming consoles, you’ll need a reliable WiFi connection and HD technologies (facial recognition, virtual reality, gaming on demand). As sound will also be a problem, you may want to consider soundproofing the walls in this room. Also, consider incorporating RGB LED lighting fixtures to give the room some ambiance.
The PC gamer in your family will also appreciate a comfortable, high-quality gaming chair. As they’re probably spending a ton of time in front of a monitor, ergonomics are key. If you’re looking for a budget gaming chair, consider posture support elements such as a reclining backrest, headrest, armrest, and a built-in lumbar support system that can be easily adjusted to provide support directly to the lower back.
If you’re struggling to find an ergonomic gaming chair that swivels, some standard office chairs like the Herman Miller brand are a great alternative. These office chairs offer comfortable cushioning, neck support, and backrests that mimic your spine’s natural curve making them great for both long game sessions and long working hours.
3. Your Living Room
If your home doesn’t have a family room, then your living room is where most of your family members probably spend a majority of their time. This is also where you probably receive guests while hosting events. If this is the case, then you’d want your living room to be in its best shape possible.
A great way to go about your living room remodel is by decluttering to figure out what you need and what can be kept in storage. If you’re renovating a new home, this step is easy to do as everything is already packed up. Besides offering relocation and packing services, the best moving companies also offer storage services, should you need them. If you have antiques, a piece of furniture, carpet, and other valuables that no longer match your new home’s decor, a storage unit can come in handy.
A colorful light fixture is a great way to give your living space some personality. If you have any paint leftover from a paint job, simply add a few coats of paint to your light fixture and feel the room transform. Alternatively, your new house has an underutilized corner, add a large plant and let it be the focal point of the living room. Another good choice when it comes to ways to play with color is by adding a colorful carpet or throw pillows against a couch with neutral-toned upholstery.
Lastly, sheer curtains are a great way to play with a room’s color scheme. Knowing this, try replacing your thick fabric curtains with sheer ones. You can also drape them well above windows and doors to create a statement window.
If you’re in Florida and are looking for a well-respected Fort Lauderdale mover, we recommend the team at Solomon & Sons. Besides being pros at long-distance and local moves, their excellent service and years of experience in the moving industry will ensure that you have a hassle-free moving process.
