Buying a home is not the end of things you have to do before you move in. A lot of people decide to buy properties that cry for renovation so they can make it their own. Even if the place looks freshly renovated, you may still have to do a tweak here and there to personalize it. The following remodeling ideas are the basics you may have to cover when moving into a new home, but the extent of works depends solely on you. 

1.   Upgrade the insulation

Insulation is a big deal when it comes to keeping your home warm during winter and cool in the summer. Not to mention that electricity and heating bills can be quite high when insulation is outdated or nonexistent. Change a furnace filter while at it, and make sure that pipes are also insulated to prevent them from freezing and bursting. 

Attic, basement, and garage need insulation as well since they can spread cold to the rest of the house, as well as lead to mold on the walls. 

2.   Remodel the exterior

Before you start any works, hire a constructional engineer to inspect the integrity of your home. The best-case scenario is your new home needs new paint and filling in a crack here and there on the façade. However, you may have to deal with serious issues, like broken slates, holes, rotten woodwork, and clogged gutters.

The exterior may also include a garden, backyard, porch, patio, and even a pool so be prepared to deal with them, too. Thankfully, the yard is usually landscaped to impress the buyers before entering the house, and you may only have to worry about what flowers to grow.   

3.   Renew the floors

There are two ways you can go about this: fix the old floors or install completely new ones. It all depends on what kind of interior design you are aiming for, and the shape of the old floors. Bear in mind that if you are buying an old house, chances are it has hardwood floors that would be a shame to demolish. 

On the other hand, if you have to install all new floors, see that you choose the most quality materials you can afford, so they last longer. Concrete and stone floors are especially trendy since they keep the temperature in the house always pleasant, regardless of the season. Moreover, if you don’t mind spending a little extra, install underfloor heating, especially if you leave in colder regions.   

4.   Paint all the rooms

Paint and wall decoration are the final touches that will turn your new home into your personal space. Create an accent wall that will stand out with its design or color to make the room more interesting. If you choose pastel or neutral tones, splash color, or colorful motif here and there for the allure. 

Don’t be afraid to use wallpapers or decorative stickers since those can make a new home more warm and cozy. Decorative paint techniques, like stenciling and sponging, are another creative way to refresh the appearance of the interior. Of course, always consider the colors of furniture and other accessories to stay within a tasteful décor.  

5.    Bring in more light

Natural light plays a huge part in interior design, but also your well-being. If you are allowed to based on regulations, add more windows and open up your walls to the outside. When this is not possible, you can add skylight windows instead to make the home brighter. 

Transom window above the front doors or any other entry can make the house more radiant, as well. However, if you can’t make such extreme changes to your home, a few mirrors around the house and opposite windows will reflect enough light to make your home airy.  

6.   Tear down walls

Rarely do people do nothing after buying a new home. While tearing down walls is a big endeavor, it's a necessary one to create the interior design you desire. This will require short-term forklift hire and construction dumpster to remove heavy demolition waste. Afterward, you can create a new arrangement of rooms and proceed to other renovations and decorating. 

Keep in mind that some walls may have important electrical and pipe installations which can prevent them from being demolished. If this is the case, it’s best to hire an architect to come up with a solution that won’t damage vital systems in your home.

7.   Renovate the bathrooms

Even if the bathroom is in decent shape, you don’t know what’s beneath all that polish. Renovating a bathroom is pricey, but will save you from tons of trouble – aesthetically and functionally. If pipes are old, chances are they may leak and cause water damage throughout the house, so replacing them is a good idea. While at it, you can add another bathroom for the kids or guests. 

In case the previous owners renovated the bathroom recently, as well as pipes and drainage, you can make it your own. Change of tiles, shower instead of a bathtub, modern sinks, and better lighting are only some of the things new homeowners like to do when remodeling a bathroom.   

Final words

Remodeling before moving into a new home may be tedious, but necessary. Regardless of how old owners treated the property, you still need to make it yours and these ideas will help you get started. 

Guest Contributor: Ron Wolf