In today’s housing climate there are many reasons to buy a fixer upper. However, the main advantage is the fact that you can truly shape a fixer upper in line with your wants, needs and visions for your home.
On the other hand, renovating a fixer upper can feel overwhelming. With potentially every room in the house needing some love and attention, it can be difficult to know where to begin your renovation journey.
Rather than starting large jobs that have no bearing on how you will live in the home, think smarter. It’s also important to remember that something as simple as a fresh coat of paint and new cupboard doors can work wonders on your home’s overall functionality and appeal.
Elevate your views with new windows
When it comes to renovating a fixer upper, working on the windows is a great place to start. Firstly, new windows and doors will add a level of security to your home. Ensuring that the property and any possessions are reasonably protected.
Secondly, new windows will afford another type of protection, against insects. For the ultimate in functionality, style and protection, it’s worthwhile looking into flyscreens. This way you can truly enjoy fresh air and cooling summer breezes without worrying about flying insects.
The importance of natural light underpins another reason why replacing the windows in a fixer upper is a great first step. When rooms are dark and lacking natural light, the air feels stale and slightly oppressive. By encouraging light with new windows, rooms feel fresh and open.
Plan a DIY interior paint job
The next task to tackle is that of an interior paint job. The existing paint job may look tired and be complete with stains, scuffs and other marks. Additionally, any existing colour may clash with your personality and interior design tastes.
By taking the time to paint the interior, you are effectively working to make the house your home. It’s also worth noting that something as simple as a new paint job can rejuvenate the whole house. This helps to put your fixer upper into perspective.
Think of an interior paint job as a clean slate. To save money, you can undertake this task yourself. You can keep it simple and use the same colour throughout your home. For added personality, you might even consider painting an accent wall in a bedroom or living room.
Open up your indoors to the outdoors for the seamless look
One of the most on trend features in home design at the moment is the idea of opening up the indoors to the outdoors. This essentially means creating a seamless connection between the two spaces to create a larger living, dining and entertaining area.
When working on this style of project in a fixer upper, it can be easy to get lost in the scale. However, it’s important to remember what’s at the heart of this project- connection. With this in mind, focus on how to achieve this cohesion and connection.
One such way is to install sliding doors with a retractable fly screen. While refreshing the home, this design choice mixes function with aesthetic appeal. These large virtually glass panels will bring natural light in, offering health benefits as well as the feeling of space.
Additionally, the installation of retractable fly screens means that in the warm months- the months when you want to be outside- you can entertain friends and family alike without worrying about insects getting into your home.
Replace cupboard doors, benchtop and splashback for a modernised kitchen
When working on a fixer upper, it can be easy to think that the entire kitchen needs demolishing or remodelling. However, this kind of project requires a budget and also, time. Additionally, it can be wasteful when a kitchen has great bones.
With this in mind, rather than starting from scratch, your fixer upper may simply need new cupboard doors, the addition of a benchtop and maybe even a splashback. While these renovation ideas will require a budget, they won’t break the bank.
Better still, something as simple as a new cupboard door can go a long way towards modernising kitchens. Additionally, cupboard doors, benchtops and even the splashback can be matched to help sell the style story you plan on telling throughout your new home.
Install ceiling fans
During the renovation process on a fixer upper it can be easy to get lost in large projects such as installing new kitchen cupboards or re-tiling a bathroom. However, it’s often the simple touches that can have the most impact.
With this in mind, make one of your projects installing ceiling fans. Helping to circulate air in both summer and winter, ceiling fans can help make your new home more comfortable. Something that you will be grateful for at night after long days of renovating.
It’s time to take the first step
While renovating a fixer upper can seem like an all encompassing project, there are steps you can employ along the way to ensure that the process feels a little bit easier. This way, you can actually enjoy the process of transforming a home.
As such, it’s important to start small. There is no point remodelling entire rooms or kitchens, especially when the bones are good. By starting small, you can essentially make this project DIY and stay within budget, all while transforming the fixer upper into your dream home.
