Home Renovation Ideas in 2024: Live, Love or Leave?
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Introduction to Home Renovation Trends
Home – a nebulous word that resonates differently with each of us. More than just walls and a roof, it’s an expression of who we are as people; our memories, our aspirations, and our identity. At Rowett Architecture, we believe your home should be as unique as you are – a bespoke space tailored to your individual needs and lifestyle. It must be comfortable, allowing you to unwind after a long day, and blend convenience with joy, so you can create memories that last a lifetime.
But let’s face it: not every house is a home. If you’ve fallen out of love with your property and it drains rather than rejuvenates you, it’s time for a change. Renovations can rekindle your love for your home and boost its value when it’s time to sell.
In this blog post, we delve into the latest home renovation trends of 2024. From sustainable materials to smart integrations, we explore the myriad possibilities. Our goal? To empower you with insights that maximize your return on investment – emotionally or financially. While ultimately, the decision on whether to renovate, relocate, or both rests with you, we’ve got insights to guide your decision.
So, join us on this journey. Let’s unlock the true essence of home – a place that reflects your soul, nurtures your spirit, and stands as a testament to who you are.
Home Renovation for Every Budget
You’ll be glad to know that whether you have a generous budget or a limited one, you can enhance your home’s value. We recognise that everyone’s financial situation is different, so we’ve curated a range of current trends to suit different pockets.
Know Your Market: Don’t Overspend to Outshine
If you’re renovating to sell, it’s crucial to understand your neighbourhood’s market value. Overspending on high-end finishes might not translate to a higher selling price. To understand the features that attract buyers and make a real difference to value, research properties similar to yours in the area.
Maximising Existing Space: Think Smarter, Not Bigger
Instead of extending, more and more homeowners are reimagining their existing layouts. By removing walls, changing room functions, and optimising storage solutions such as built in shelves and cabinets to keep clutter at bay, you can make a significant impact without incurring major costs.
While open-plan designs once ruled, the current home renovation trend favours a “broken plan” layout. It improves flow throughout your property without creating a central space that feels too cavernous for comfort. This approach creates a cosier feel, and allows for flexible space usage.
Combine this with sliding doors, pocket walls, and moveable partitions, and even a previously constricted square footage can feel spacious and fresh. If you need room for large gatherings on special occasions, but prefer intimate spaces for daily living, this option may be for you. As a bonus, it has the added benefit of being relatively inexpensive compared to other options.
Lighten Up: Bring the Outside In
With the average Brit spending 90% of their time indoors, connecting our internal living spaces to nature in as many ways as possible is more crucial than ever. Maximising natural light is a powerful way to achieve this. Sunlight not only impacts our mental health but is also a consideration for modern homebuyers. It is no wonder that the trend toward large picture windows and floor-to-ceiling glass panels is so prevalent. These features flood interiors with sunlight and seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor spaces. In addition, rooflights remain popular, especially in areas where there are concerns about overlooking.
But there’s another way to invite nature in – literally. Biophilic design principles emphasise this connection. Homeowners are embracing greenery, living walls, and indoor gardens, blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors in this trend that’s rising in popularity. This option works well for people without access to a garden, or for those with a green thumb. Even if you’re a numb thumb, you can choose easy-to-keep plants like succulents.
While this option can be slightly more costly, it’s adaptable to smaller budgets, depending on the project’s scope.
Power Up Your Energy Efficiency
Energy-efficient upgrades – such as solar panels, smart thermostats, and better insulation – aren’t just environmentally friendly; they’re also cost-effective in the long run. Amid the constant doom-and-gloom reminders about our impact on the planet, the trend toward energy efficiency is gaining momentum. It is officially cool to care about the environment.
If you’re interested in joining the trend, consider these energy-saving options for your home:
- LED Lighting: Illuminate your space efficiently and stylishly.
- Underfloor Heating: Toasty toes without wasting energy.
- Air Source Heat Pumps: Harness natural warmth from the air.
- Upgraded Insulation: Keep the chill out and the coziness in.
- Double or Triple Glazing: Seal your windows against heat loss.
- Solar Panels: Harvest the sun’s power for electricity.
While some of these upgrades may be more expensive upfront, they’ll not only trim your energy bills but also enhance your home’s appeal to buyers. Plus, you’ll be doing your part for the environment – a win-win-win situation.
No More Family Bathrooms
Well – not quite. But while family bathrooms remain essential, they’re no longer the sole focus. The current trend? En suite bathrooms. Homeowners now prioritise private bathrooms attached to bedrooms, offering both convenience and luxury. If you want to impress friends and family when they come to stay, an en suite in the guest bedroom is becoming essential.
Extensions: Always in Vogue
When reconfiguring your existing property falls short of what is needed to make it a home, it’s time to consider extending. But not all extensions are created equal:
- Converting an Existing Space: If you have an unused garage or loft, you have the perfect way to gain an extra bedroom, bathroom, or home office without having to extend outwards.
- Typical Extensions: When conversion isn’t feasible, an extension may be the way to go. You could create a spacious kitchen, dining area, or living room while maximizing natural light and connection to your outdoor space with a garden or side return extension.
- Annexes: These offer additional space and privacy. Perfect for a home office, guest accommodation, an independent living area for elderly relatives, a dedicated garden room, or even a holiday let. The options are endless.
Your Home, Your Rules
While trends emerge for a reason, it is most important for your home to work for you. If durability and long-term practicality matters more to you than following the latest fads, check out our blog post on Adaptive Design. Discover ideas that create a comfortable, functional home that stands the test of time for all stages of life!
The Importance of Professional Advice
Hiring an architect with a thorough understanding of your specific geographic area, its planning policies, and building regulations greatly benefits your home renovation project. Their expertise ensures compliance and prevents future legal or structural headaches. Moreover, a local architect can help you maximise your investment. They’ll offer insights into design elements and materials that enhance your property’s value – making every pound invested count.
If you have a house is in Cornwall and you want to make it your home, book a free online consultation with us today.
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