Flooring

Sometimes new homes come with standard flooring, but it is one upgrade that will make a huge difference. Wood is one of the most popular choices for floors and is well suited to most rooms.

If you have an open plan house you can run the same flooring through the whole house – wood can look very good in a modern kitchen. Doing this will give your house a seamless look, and if there are any rooms with a wooden floor that is a different color, it can all be stained to match.

Hardwood flooring can also prove to be very durable and will add to the value of your house.

Roughed-in Plumbing

Similar to any electrical, roughed-in plumbing is something you want to take care of as early as possible. This often requires work done in the basement and gives you the option to add another bathroom in the future.

Even if you don’t think you will make use of it, giving yourself the option to make changes in the future is always an advantage. A new owner may also want to add a bathroom if you sell your house, and this would be an excellent selling point.

Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms of any house. You will spend a lot of time here, and need it to be both stylish and functional.

Upgrading a kitchen can be very expensive so it’s a good idea to prioritize the most important aspects. Anything that can easily be upgraded later can be left if the cost is a factor, meaning you get all the important things done first.

Cabinets, lighting, and a  kitchen island are the sort of things you should think about early on. They will give a solid base for your kitchen, and then things like appliances and countertops can be upgraded later on.

Energy Savers

Unlike most upgrades, these stand out as they will save you money from day one. Anything in your house that is energy efficient will save you money on bills.

You can install things like:

• Energy-efficient windows
• Space heating/cooling devices
• Improved insulation

Upgrades like these will make heating and cooling your home more efficient, and help maintain a comfortable environment all year round.

Another upgrade to think about is solar panels. Solar energy is not only good for the environment but will help keep your electricity bills to a minimum.

Electrical

If you want to install any additional electrical in your new house, this is much easier to do when the house is bare.

It is prudent to have an idea of how your house will be laid out first in terms of electrical devices such as TVs and kitchen appliances. If you know where everything will be you can easily have any wiring placed in the most suitable way so that everything is in place.

Getting this all done straight away will save you both time and money.  Your decor consultants can assist you during your colour selection appointment when you purchase a new home from us.

Bathroom Tilework

Tilework can make a huge difference in your bathroom – upgrading can give the room a completely new feel. You have a huge number of options for bathroom tiling, in terms of the material, colour, and pattern. For a cost-effective design with a modern feel, you can have the tiles staggered.

You just want to be sure that you are confident in your design choice, as once it is finished replacing the tilework is no small job.

Storage Options

Storage isn’t usually the first upgrade that people think of, but it is something every home needs. If your house design doesn’t have enough storage, you will quickly notice how much of an issue it can be.

There are simple additions you can make such as pull-out trash/recycling bins, or built-in cabinet organizers. These inexpensive upgrades can make a big difference to your house in terms of organization and functionality.

Deeper Basement

Adding a bit of extra space to your basement is much easier to do if it is unfinished. Having a bit more depth can take it from a cramped space to a spacious, usable one.

This can be quite an expensive upgrade, but once it’s done it’s done, and you will be grateful for the extra space.