As we get into the heart of the autumn season, many homeowners start thinking more seriously about those home remodeling projects they’ve been meaning to get to.  Whether it’s because you were too busy running around all summer, you want to be prepared for the winter holidays, or a combination of the two, fall is always a good time to make updates and upgrades to your home.  While it may be too late to expect to complete a major home addition or renovation project, there is definitely time before the end of the year to spruce up your home and make some key changes that can not only make your home more beautiful, but save you money in the process.

The Design Build Planners work with homeowners and remodelers throughout New Jersey and the United States.  When it comes to home remodeling ideas, we have plenty of them for every budget.

7 Fall Home Remodeling Ideas to Beautify Your Home

Kitchen Remodeling

Fall is a time where many families bring the cooking indoors.  After a nice summer of barbecuing outside, it’s nice to bring the dining inside.  Think hearty stews and crock pot meals.  If a full kitchen remodel is not in your budget this year, or if you don’t have the time, there are things you can do to give your kitchen an improved look and make it a more comfortable place to entertain friends and family this fall and winter.

• Instead of replacing your cabinets, you can resurface, paint, or stain them for a new look.
• Similarly, replacing the hardware on your cabinets and drawers can have a surprisingly transformative effect.
• Resurface or replace your worn or dated countertops.
• Put a fresh coat of paint on your walls and ceiling
• Upgrade to new energy efficient appliances
• Install a new range hood and fan for all the cooking you’ll be doing this fall and winter
• Install that kitchen island you’ve always wanted for entertaining guests

As you can see, you can upgrade your kitchen little by little; it doesn’t have to be a huge, intimidating, and bank account-emptying project.

Bathroom Remodeling

If you enjoy having people over, you may want to take a look at your bathroom to see what you can do to make it more presentable.  Often, bathrooms are an overlooked area of the house because most people focus on the kitchen or other rooms.  With a hall bathroom or powder room, it doesn’t’ take a lot to improve the look.

• Repaint the walls and ceiling
• Clean and scrub the tiles (either yourself or professionally)
• Replace your vanity and mirror
• Add a textured wall covering for a more inviting feel
• Replace the door with something more decorative

Basement Remodeling

Colder weather means that your family will be spending more time indoors.  And if you have kids, you know how important it is for them to have their own space.  Now can be a great time to insulate and finish those basement walls, add some carpet and furniture, and finally have a finished basement.  If entertaining guests is more your thing, maybe you want to install a wet bar, a game room, or a home gym or exercise center.

Insulation

This is one of the things that is most often neglected because it’s not something you actually see.  But there’s a good chance that you’re losing money every month due to ventilation issues.  Two of the biggest culprits are windows and attics.  If your attic is not properly insulated, you will be losing heat all winter and your utility bill will be much higher than it should be, maybe even double.  Likewise, if you have old single-pane windows or gaps around your windows, the heat will fly right out.  You may want to look into replacing your windows with Energy Star windows.

So, even if you can’t visibly see heat escaping from your home, know that if you make these improvements, you’ll be saving money on a monthly basis for years to come.

Roof Repair or Replacement

This is another important one that homeowners generally don’t want to spend money on until they have to.  Needless to say, it’s much easier to repair or replace your roof before it starts to leak.  The winter can be harsh on your roof and your home’s exterior, especially if you live in a northern state.  If your roof starts to leak, it can cause damage to other parts of your home.  Fall is the perfect time to contact a local roofing contractor that you trust to come by and do an inspection and possibly provide an estimate to repair or replace your old roof.  While they’re up there, have them check your chimney for any gaps or damage.

New or Improved Fireplace

Speaking of chimneys, if you have a fireplace, make sure you get it cleaned to eliminate any flammable buildup and creosote.  This is very inexpensive, but is extremely important for fire prevention.  If you like to sit around the fire during the colder winter months, maybe it’s time to upgrade or replace your fireplace or install some decorative stone or a mantle.  A fireplace can be the heart of a home, especially when you have guests over.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

This is such a simple tip, but it can potentially save you hundreds of dollars over the course of this autumn and winter.  Whether you do it yourself or hire someone local to do it, having a programmable thermostat ensures that you are only using heat when you need it, not when you’re out of town or at work.  Nest makes a nice looking smart thermostat, and there are others at different price points as well.

How Do You Plan to Upgrade Your Home This Fall?

We hope this article sparked some ideas for you to update and upgrade your home this fall.  If you’re looking to get started with a home remodeling project, contact the Design Build Planners to get started or just to ask a few questions.  We’ll be happy to help, and if we’re not a good fit for what you need done, we’ll do our best to point you in the right direction or make references and introductions.