Interior Designer Dolores Pian shares her ideas.
Every renovation or new build conversation includes the phrases return on investment (ROI) and resale value. When you design to live well and beautifully, ROI and resale value are a given. Here are our top tips to help you put your money where it counts:
WHERE TO SAVE
You can find major savings in areas and on products that can give you ROI or that wow factor. Consider these:
- TILE AND FLOORING PROFESSIONALS ARE WORTH THEIR FEE
Hire legitimate and registered professionals. They are experts at planning to make life simpler, relieve stress and maneuver through the endless amounts of information, building code requirements and choices. Professionals can help you avoid costly mistakes, which could pay their fees ten times over. Designers and architects add value to your home and to your lifestyle. Wood floors come in many grades and price points to maintain an overall look. Many rooms will be covered with area rugs, so oftentimes an expensive floor isn’t necessary. - GENERAL LIGHTING
Light fixtures such as pot lights or surface-mounted lights can be modestly priced and distributed throughout the house. - QUARTZ COUNTERS
A quartz counter is antimicrobial, available in a wide range of styles and cleans up easily for your health and peace of mind. Technological advancements provide many beautiful and economical options that will transform any tiled wall or floor into eye candy. Porcelain tiles that look like stone are indistinguishable from the real thing – and are easier to clean and maintain.
WHERE TO SPLURGE
Now that you’ve saved some money – where can you splurge and have some fun?
- STATEMENT LIGHTING
Whether you eat at a kitchen island or dining room table, the fixtures featured in each area should make a statement. After all, they serve as a focal point where togetherness happens. In the bathroom, good lighting is essential to make you look good. Consider wet-rated LED chandeliers, pendants and wall sconces. - DIMMERS
Adding a dimmer in every room of the house helps create a signature mood in each space. - FAUCETS AND SHOWERHEADS
Faucets and showerheads see high use throughout the day, and cheap fixtures tend to leak or loosen with finishes often flaking off over time. Splurge and buy the best you can afford. - LUXURY SHOWERS
The trend is to eliminate the tub and invest in a roomy walk-in shower. You can put your budget toward a frameless glass shower that cleans up easily, including a non-white grout. - WINDOWS IN KEY SIGHTLINES
Windows can be the soul of your home, so dress up those you see first when entering. Window treatments can soften and enhance, adding that luxurious whisper to your space. Living well and living beautifully will not only enhance your home’s resale value, it will enhance your soul. And that’s worth all the money in the world. - CUSTOM CABINETS
Quality custom cabinets that look like furniture at the entry, kitchen and bathroom add a touch of luxury. Smart storage design will buy you time as you grab and go throughout your day. Remember to add beautiful hardware – the jewelry of any cabinet.
