by Roberta Murphy–Carlsbad, CA
How long have you lived in your Carlsbad or La Costa property? It may or may not matter if you are looking to upgrade or update your Carlsbad home.
Our La Costa home always seems to be a work in progress. Most recently we “laced” the new tiger wood into the sam, but older, wood in our upstairs hallway and carried the new into our master bedroom. Gone with old carpeting and in with gleaming new wood that can be easily cleaned of dust. But I digress….
When you bought your home, did you dream of growing old there? Perhaps you envisioned future generations coming to visit and saw yourself establishing lifelong neighborhood friends.
You may still love your older La Costa or Village Park home, but perhaps you’ve just noticed changes in styles and decorating trends–or simply watched the recent remodel of a nearby home. Either way, occasionally everyone feels the need to make changes, and your home just might be a great place to start!
If you look through home improvement magazines or spend a lot of time on Pinterest or Houzz (a personal favorite), you may feel overwhelmed by the amount of time and money others say you have to spend to update your home. In reality, and with a little ingenuity, you can easily update the feel of your home in a weekend.
Start with your front door if you’re looking for an easy update. If replacing the door is out of your budget, think about painting it a new color. Changing the house numbers or outdoor lighting are other easy and inexpensive fixes that can make a big difference. And don’t forget a fresh doormat!
The kitchen is the heart of your home, so if it feels outdated or dark, you can change it up fairly easily. Installing a new backsplash is a great weekend project that can really brighten a room. Ceiling tiles, wallpaper, or a chalkboard are also inexpensive options. Replacing an old faucet is a fairly simple change, as is replacing the hardware on the cabinets in your home–especially if they are brass or gold-toned. And if you have more time to commit, you might even think about painting your worn cabinets. It’s an inexpensive way to get a more modern look.
The master bedroom is another often neglected room in your home (as was ours!). If longing for change, consider reviving the furniture in your room or making yourself a headboard. Anything from off the shelf units to old doors or window shutters can be converted into a headboard. Collage techniques involving family photographs or postcards from trips you’ve taken can create a very individual look. Perhaps its also time for a new duvet cover and bed linens. And what about your windows and their coverings?
Have fun with your updates and don’t get discouraged by glossy magazines and what you see in model homes. Rather, take things a step at a time and take pleasure in what you are able to accomplish on your own!
If you are thinking of making improvements with a future sale in mind, feel free to give us a call so we can discuss the improvements that will return the most money. Either call Roberta Murphy at 877-818-8197 or 760-402-9101–or email roberta@sandiegopreviews.com