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Preparing Your House to Look its Best

By: Tonya Bruin

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Are you looking to spruce up your home but aren’t sure where to begin? Well, whether it’s to boost up the resale value of your property or if it’s simply for yourself to enjoy and feel more comfortable, there are certain areas that can enhance your design. At the same time, there are various options giving you the most bang for your buck if you should ever want to sell in the future.

Here are some ideas to consider when it comes time to make your property look and feel like home… because it is!

Flooring Repairs

The flooring throughout your home accounts for a significant portion of the overall aesthetics. At the same time, you depend on your indoor flooring to be resilient, durable and capable of withstanding years of heavy use, made easier by calling in the experts to handle the job and ensure it’s done correctly. Whether your hardwood flooring has scratches or the tile in the kitchen has started to chip, a little TLC will make a big difference not just in restoring its appearance but also protecting its strength. Alternatively, perhaps your flooring is looking worse for wear and you are considering swapping it out with something new. If you are ready to upgrade vinyl or linoleum flooring in the bathroom or kitchen to beautiful ceramic tiles or slate flooring, now is the time! In addition, if you want to increase home value, consider upgrading from carpet to hardwood flooring as well. This makes your home easier to keep clean and less prone to hosting airborne allergens that would otherwise settle in carpet weave. From our perspective, there are beautiful samples of hardwood flooring that offer incredible durability, style and long-lasting appeal in a range of affordable budgets and design variations. Whether you’re into parquet flooring or a sleek modern finish, the choice is yours. There are a wide variety of styles, colours and materials available today that can suit your home, style and budget!

hardwood flooring installation

Repairing Walls and Repainting

A home that looks its best is also one that folks are comfortable to live in and call their own. Therefore, take a good look at those walls of yours. How do they look? Do you notice chipped, flaking paint or cracks formed from years of Canadian winters? It’s time to get to work. Repair any plastering or drywall, fill in those holes leftover from old wall hangings and apply a fresh coat of paint to brighten and clean up those walls. Wallpaper is back in style, so consider adding some texture and life to a room with a modern, eye-catching wallpaper design. Just as important are the little details such as trim, crown moulding and wainscoting. These details can really help set your home apart.

Hanging new curtains, shelves or artwork

Many homeowners are afraid to drill holes into their walls for fear of getting it wrong, and so, their artwork remains in storage in the basement. Curtain rods and shelves also just never get hung. Don’t be ashamed about your fear, but be aware that the best way to make your home comfortable and a place to create happy memories is to make it feel lived in! To-Do Done has seen it all before and would love to help spruce up your home with a few personal accents. Just reach out to us, and we’ll be happy to tackle these jobs for you and much more, including renovations if needed.

Repairing the Porch

Of course, you can’t ignore the exterior of your home. If you have a front porch that’s had better days, maybe with a few broken or missing steps, keep in mind that this is the first thing you see when you or your visitors approach the property in question. With a few minor repairs and a good coat of stain, a clean and well-kept front porch can enhance the exterior of your home, making it look attractive and inviting.

Replace the Front Door

The front door is one of the first things people notice about your home. If it’s old and looking worse for wear, consider sanding it down and adding a fresh coat of paint. Choosing a colour that will create some contrast against the colour of your home’s exterior is a good way to make it look attractive and eye-catching. If your door is really in rough shape and is cracked or drafty, consider replacing it instead.

Finish the Basement

Is your basement just collecting boxes and dust? If so, why not have it refinished? The basement is a valuable room in the home, offering extra square footage that’s ideal for entertaining the kids, a home office, a home gym or even an entertainment room. Having a renovated basement also gives buyers more options when looking for a new home, which means it will boost the value of your property. Make sure it’s insulated and protected against moisture. 

Renovate the Kitchen

In order for your house to look its best, your kitchen needs to look its best too. This means upgrading to modern, energy-efficient appliances, replacing the old countertop, updating the cabinetry, and retiling the floor. This can be a bigger project to take on, but it’s one that is always well worth it, especially when it comes to the ROI.

Clean and Fix the Gutters

The gutters or eavestroughs around the roof can make your home look grungy and neglected if there are sections hanging off, cracked or overflowing with debris. A simple way to spruce up your curb appeal is by cleaning out the gutters and having them repaired. 

Improve Your Exterior

If the front porch is weathered with peeling paint or crumbling stairs, have these repaired to improve the curb appeal of your home. Also, focus on cleaning up any other areas that are an eyesore, including the landscape. A simple, manicured front garden can transform the entire look of your property. 

Update the Bathroom

Could your bathroom use a little love? Maybe it’s time to retile and regrout this area too. Replacing the floor, vanity, toilet and modernizing the shower or tub can help to dramatically increase the value and aesthetics of your home. If your plumbing is old and has a tendency to get clogged easily, this might be a good time to have it replaced as well. 

When you as a homeowner are gearing up to sell their home or simply looking to spruce it up, there are a variety of ways in which you can enhance your décor and overall design. If you’re unsure where to begin, consider focusing on these areas of your home to make it look its best. Our handyman and services in Ottawa and experience in renovations can help with it all, so don’t hesitate to call in the pros if you need us!