The prospect of overhauling a home can feel daunting, whether it’s to live in or transform into a rental property. But with the right approach, it can also be an exciting adventure.
It has been revealed that Belfast is the number one city in the United Kingdom in need of property renovations, giving DIYers no shortage of opportunities.
In this article, discover a few tips for approaching a home renovation to ensure it’s a creative success and doesn’t break the bank.
Make a plan
Before launching into the process, take time to envision your dream home and make a plan. Break the renovation down into manageable chunks, with room-by-room being the most logical way. Working backward from your target completion date, map out a step-by-step timeline, one that is achievable and goal-oriented.
With a clear vision and timeline, it’s time to budget. Careful financial planning significantly reduces stress and ensures the renovation budget doesn’t blow out. By taking purposeful steps and anticipating needs ahead of time, you can transform what seems overwhelming into a rewarding journey.
Functionality first
Before picking out paint colors or flooring, the single most crucial step in any renovation is ensuring the home works the way it is intended. Take time to re-evaluate how each room will be used, either by yourself or a tenant. Look for wasted spaces or unused corners that could become well-utilized, perhaps as storage or a reading nook.
Rethinking the layout may be smarter than extending it and is certainly more affordable. Repurposing what is already there can transform a home, provided it meets the lifestyle and habits of the occupants.
For example, a kitchen with lots of counter space and storage makes cooking joyful while a cozy dining area brings everyone together for meals.
Smart renovations that are tailored to the lifestyle of the homeowners or renters will make the dwelling far more inviting. So look beyond aesthetics and toward functionality to design a home that is made for living.
Create an inviting ambiance
Creating an inviting ambiance starts with thoughtful design choices that will make spaces appealing to homeowners and tenants alike. Lighting and wall color are two key elements that can dramatically impact the mood, so focus on these first.
When selecting wall colors, think about the room’s purpose. Warm hues like reds, oranges, and yellows promote relaxation, making them ideal for bedrooms and living rooms. Cooler blues, greens, and grays have an energizing effect, which is why they are perfect for kitchens and offices.
Natural light can do wonders for your home’s ambiance and your overall well-being. When renovating, consider installing skylights or larger windows to flood interior spaces with rays of light. Then frame those windows with dramatic curtains or made-to-measure blinds.
Balance natural light with well-placed fixtures and floor lamps to avoid extremes while ensuring you meet electrical safety regulations. Too much artificial light can feel sterile while too little can make a room feel gloomy. Opt for warm bulbs to create a welcoming glow and utilize dimmers to control the light levels for different activities.
By incorporating intentional lighting and color schemes into renovations, homeowners can design rentals that will attract far more tenants and boost the value of the property.
Add some personality vs leaving a blank slate
Renovating a home is the perfect opportunity to make a space distinctly yours. Don’t hold back from taking some design risks to reflect your personality, particularly if it’s a house or apartment you intend on living in. With the right personal touches, it will become a sanctuary that brings joy whenever you walk through the door.
That being said, if the property is intended as a rental, creating a blank slate for tenants to add their personal touch is preferable. Every renter wants to make their house or apartment feel like “home” and it can be difficult if the personality of the landlord is infused in every corner. That doesn’t mean you can’t add a little creative flair. But do so while considering the diverse tastes of prospective tenants.
Get inspired
Homeowners and landlords looking for rental inspiration can search online at Rentola, which showcases a diverse range of houses and apartments for rent in Belfast. In the city, apartments comprise around 41.3% of all rentals on the market while houses are the remaining 58.7%.
Rentola is a useful resource for understanding current rental prices for apartments and homes, with the average for a two-bedroom property in Belfast currently sitting at just over £1,000 per month.
The inclusion of high-quality images with every Rentola listing allows you to see what other Belfast homeowners have done to create inviting spaces. Registered users can browse based on suburb, price range, and number of bedrooms or search for particular property types.
Rentola is not only a trustworthy site for tenants but a useful resource for Belfast renovators looking to create a property investment.
These tips serve as a roadmap for creating a home that not only meets your needs but also stands the test of time in the vibrant and ever-evolving landscape of Belfast’s real estate.
