The phrase “your home is an investment” is thrown around too often, without the clarification of what that actually means. For years, the promise of homeownership has been synonymous with the American dream – a lofty goal for many, but taken for granted by even more. If you and your family have an expectation of upgrading to another property in your future, it’s important to make occasional improvements to your home’s functionality, amenities, and basic elements, in order to garner a higher resale value.

Consider the following points of focus if you’re thinking of remodeling your home this summer.

1. Rethink your bathroom

Reworking your master bathroom is a great way to add value to your home. There’s plenty to be done to refresh a master bath, especially if it’s been neglected compared to the rest of the house. Even if you have a small bathroom, adding new lighting or extra storage is possible over a productive weekend.

If you want to dig deeper or need to replace construction materials that have been infested by mold or mildew, start with the floor and work your way up. Adding radiant heat flooring to your bathroom is an energy-efficient option where heat will rise naturally and evenly throughout the rest of the room. Additional ventilation will boost the comfort of your room and reduce the risk of future mold growth in your bathrooms, but consider starting any serious bathroom remodel with the centerpiece of the room: the bathtub and shower.

2. Upgrade your kitchen

Right up there with the master bathroom, is the kitchen. Aside from seeking out natural stone surfaces, new appliances, and wood flooring throughout your kitchen, implementing smaller upgrades such as pull-out storage and waste areas, pocket doors, and special areas for pets or phone charging stations are all great options for contemporary kitchen remodels.

As a bold and beautiful alternative to the typical kitchen remodel, consider an outdoor upgrade to your home by investing in an outdoor kitchen! A functional outdoor food preparation and dining area is a sought-after feature for homeowners, and many are willing to pay the extra cash. As an essential item to consider on your home improvement list, an outdoor kitchen can even include a stone pizza oven, built-in grill, and fire pit for family fun all summer long.

3. Focus on the exterior

Does your home need a new coat of paint? What about an upgrade to the gutters? The possibilities for exterior upgrades are endless, but focusing on the basics first will help shape the rest of your exterior work throughout the summer.

Checking your roof for damage after the winter season is a good place to start, but from there you’ll need to take note of your gutters, siding, and foundation. Look for cracks, signs of wear, and any visible damage. Catching these problems early can potentially save you thousands of dollars in future repairs.

If the critical elements of your home’s exterior are in decent working order, cosmetic upgrades like a fresh coat of paint, deck or patio refinish, and a colorful new front door or garage door will all add to your home’s curb appeal.

4. Consider natural stone

Natural stone is one of the few construction materials that will simply never go out of style. Think about investing in granite for your home. As a homeowner, granite is a wise investment due to its longevity, durability, and difficulty to stain. Plus, it’s easy to clean. Though the material and installation costs can be expensive depending on the color and finish you choose, the potential return on investment makes it an easy choice.

Witt Construction

Image Credit: Witt Construction

If you’re focused on outdoor upgrades to your home, try utilizing natural stone for pathways, entryways, or as part of your water feature to add aesthetic value to your home’s exterior.

5. Boost your curb appeal

Creating a beautiful, serene natural environment around your home can bring endless enjoyment to your family and boost your home’s curb appeal. Before you get too lost in the details of which tone of gravel you should use or which plants you want in your flowerbeds, taking a big picture approach to your landscaping can help improve your design and allow your landscaping to perfectly compliment your home. By utilizing your home’s lines of force (or projection of lines from the home’s edges) on a site map or aerial photo of your home, you can begin to plan paths, plants, and additional features along a solid, reliable grid.

The most successful garden and landscaping remodels take advantage of the home’s proportions and existing features to suggest the appearance of the landscaping being an existing, integral aspect of your property rather than an add-on.

Mi Fiori Landscape

Image Credit: Mi Fiori Landscape

One of the most rewarding aspects of homeownership is the ability to continually upgrade and improve the various features of your home. With the right combination of research and energy, as well as an experienced professional at your side, you’ll be able to enjoy your home for as long as you live there and attract future families into a beautiful and rewarding lifestyle should you decide to put your home on the market.