Want to add a dream closet to your home? Maybe create a more open floor plan? Here are some ideas and what they might cost if you’re considering some fabulous upgrades.
If you’re anything like me, you’re always thinking of ways to redecorate, re-design or improve your homes interior. I mean, are we ever satisfied? There’s always something we feel we can do to make our home space more appealing, more functional, more efficient or just more comfortable. Here’s some great projects you can do to change things up a bit and approximately what they will cost you. For some, you can absolutely do on your own, but for others you will definitely want to hire a pro.
Add some Trim!
Believe me when I say it’s in the details. Even the smallest details can quickly turn your home from Blah- to Wow! Adding trim can have a huge impact on the way your home looks and feels. It’s a beautiful embellishment that can take your home to a new level.
Cost: Adding crown molding to a smaller sized room on your own can cost you less than $500. Now, the cost for a large room with some custom work can bring you into the thousands, but it all depends on how intricate you want to go and the materials you choose. You can literally go nuts with moldings and ceiling trays, and columns etc....!
Get Rid of Those Old Doors!
Swapping out old doors can instantly bring the interior style of your home to a whole new level. When I show buyers some older home this is one of the first things I point out because it’s such an easy fix. If you want to get fancy, you can even add an antique old barnwood door to your pantry or special room to add even more charm. You can usually find these at antique fairs and shops. A new trend I'm seeing is painted doors, not just your standard white or wood door- think gray, black and even blue. With gold hardware they look amazing!
Cost: Standard doors with a hollow core and primed surface start around $50. For solid wood doors you can expect to pay $200 to $300 for more common styles and sizes. If you’re into specialty woods, and designs the prices will skyrocket from $500 to $1,000 per door, and even more for specific custom doors. Keep in mind, you will probably have to pay for installation, labor and finishing materials in most cases, unless you have a handy man in your life.
A Dream-Worthy Closet
Who wouldn’t want a closet like the Kardashians? But reality is that most of us don’t have an entire floor in our homes to turn into a closet. But there is hope for you yet. Adding some simple fixes to the closet you do have can spruce it up and make it easier for you to not only see all of your goodies, but stay organized. Many stores now sell pre-made closet organizers where you can add some baskets, pull out drawers and shelves for an instant and cost effective option. But if you have the space or even a nice walk in- you may want to call in the experts to get the most out of your space…and pretend for a few more minutes each day that you are a celebrity! Cost: A small linen closets will only cost a few hundred dollars, depending on materials, to add some proper shelving and organization. A modest-size wall closet will probably cost anywhere from $500-1K depending on the materials you prefer. Adding some pizazz to your Walk-in closets will start at $500 and can run into the thousands depending on size. But if you’re looking for a higher-quality, custom closet you are talking big money… Several thousands, easily! Where else would you want to hang your Chanel?
Add a Built-in Media Wall Ok, so you have the 50” TV, and a sound system, wires, picture frames, home décor and more, but the space feels cluttered and unorganized. Think about a built in! A built-in cabinet system is a beautiful way to organize all of your electronics and “stuff.” Sure, you can build one on your own if you’re super, super handy, but a custom made one isn’t cheap- but may be worth it. It will not only add to the beauty of your space, but is great for resale too.
Cost: For a small built in approx. 12 x 8, with simple materials and nothing fancy, you canexpect to pay between $2,000 and $4,000. Now if you want to go all in and go for a larger wall unit and more upscale, you can spend anywhere from 5K-20K. It will all depend on the materials you choose and how intricate the details will be. But like I said, if you can do something like this on your own- a mere $500-1K will do.
Refinish Those Hardwoods!
Before you decide to rip out your current hardwoods and put new flooring down, by all means consider refinishing them first. After about 20 years you will definitely see some wear and tear on your real hardwood floors, but they are so beautiful! When you refinish you can even choose new stains and change the look of your entire home, Cost: Most floor refinishers charge by the square foot, but prices vary tremendously depending on the size of the job and the work you want done. A darker stain will take more time so that may end up costing you more. Most often you can expect to pay between $2.50 and $5.50 per square foot which should include sanding, staining and several coats of finish.
Add a Reclaimed-Wood Wall
Speaking of wood, all the rage these days is in reclaimed wood. Think of adding a reclaimed wood wall! It can instantly add charm, texture and warmth to the right space. But don’t go too crazy here, less is more. It has to be the right wall for this to work.
Cost: Depending on the type of reclaimed wood you choose, it will cost about $4 to $7 per square foot on average.
Add a Chandelier The drama! The statement! What room wouldn’t look good with an amazing chandelier. I’m not talking about your grandmas’ beaded, glitzy type of lighting. But by adding the right lighting to a space like the dining room, or even a living room, you add instant drama and define a space. They look even better in a home with an open floor plan! I would even put a special one in a baby girls room or a bathroom! Just sayin….
Cost: The average electrician will charge between $40 to $100 per hour, so the installation will cost about $200 to $300. The rest is up to you- Chandeliers can range from $50- $50,000! Happy Hunting!
Add Some Wallpaper/Wall Coverings
If you’re looking for a fun and eclectic way to transform a space, add some wall paper to your room. There are literally thousands of options out there. This is an inexpensive way to take the look of a room to the next level and look like an interior designer just redid your space.
Cost: The paper itself can cost anywhere from $35 to $50 for a single roll of low-end paper. The higher end the actual paper is, the more it will cost. You can buy a mid level design for approx. $150 a roll but I’ve also seen some as much as $300 a roll. You will need to determine how many rolls are needed for your space and then decide whether or not you can install it yourself. A painter or general contractor can usually install it in one day and labor can cost $150-$500 depending on the size of the project.
Add an Adorable Window Seat
If you have a large window and the option to add a window seat- I say go for it! It not only adds a great design aspect but you can turn it into a storage bench, add a custom cushion on top to make it a great reading nook or simply add extra seating to a room.
Cost: A simple and small window bench/seat will cost anywhere from $750 to $1,500, plus labor costs. A larger project with more details to the bench will cost anywhere from 2K -5K or more.
Get a Claw-Foot Tub Nothing says relaxation more than the look of a claw foot vintage tub! Prices vary depending on the style, but there are so many options today. If you want to transform your bathroom, into a swoon-worthy masterpiece…add one of these babies! Cost: An Acrylic claw-foot tub can range from $1,200 to $2,000. The new cast iron claw-foot tubs can cost $1,200 to $5,000. The average is about $2500. Don’t forget the plumber and contractor costs too!
I promise I'll come up with some more fabulous upgrades for you to think about! If you have a great idea, or tried one of these upgrades, please share with us at kbrechka@gmail.com!