Interior designers across the country are busier than ever as people are spending more time at home and realizing that it’s time to upgrade. The money you might have spent on a vacation this year could go towards creating those staycation vibes at home. A recent poll of real estate agents in HomeLight’s Q3 Survey found that 76% of homeowners are making upgrades with that idea in mind. Here are some tips to help you get creative with upgrades as you look to make your home more of a retreat.
Spa luxury
With spas closed, you might be longing for a quick route to relaxation mode. The ultimate upgrade is a home sauna and the HomeLight survey found that this could pay off, giving you a 42% return on investment. Luxury doesn’t have to cost a fortune though. You can add luxury without breaking the bank by giving your bathroom a DIY facelift.
Pick a calm and neutral color palette, repainting walls and removing worn rugs, and towels. Fixtures can be next, upgrading faucets and towel holders. Lighting, including candles, and greenery, even artificial plants, can brighten up a room and create an inviting retreat. Upgrade all linens so they are coordinated and replace your shower curtain if you have one.
Home gym
As gyms across the country have been forced to close temporarily, more and more people are getting creative about how they exercise at home. If you have the budget and the space for a home gym the survey found that building out a full-on home gym, averaging $11,215, has a 51% ROI when you sell your home by recouping an average $5,681.
How extreme you want to go depends on your space and how much this investment matters to you — adding a mirror to a hallway and clearing out a closet for your workout equipment can be a quick DIY way to make room for your gym time, at home.
Home dining
If you love eating at fine restaurants while traveling, you might find yourself cooking at home more. Maybe you’ve decided that now is the time to go for a full kitchen remodel, or alternatively, a few upgrades to fulfill your chef aspirations. Affordable kitchen upgrades include adding a double sink, replacing countertops, or repainting cabinets. Updating your dining table and chairs (or recovering the chairs that you have), can be another way to get that restaurant experience at home.
If you need to spend more time at home this year, why not make it as enjoyable as possible? Upgrades don’t need to break the bank. Start by focusing on the areas of your home that are your top priority and see how a few small changes might make a big difference in your quality of life at home. By creating a retreat vibe, you won’t mind spending the extra time at home.