New year, new you…new home?
Christmas is done and dusted, the hangovers are starting to subside and, now it’s January, you’re probably starting to think about reprioritising your life and setting goals for the year ahead.
With the opening of that new calendar you received for Christmas comes the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. Many people will be sticking to the usual ‘new year, new me’ ethos, vowing to drink less alcohol, quit smoking and/or join a gym.
But it’s not just the start of a new year - 2020 brings with it the start of a new decade. So, why not think a little bigger and jump-start not only a healthier you, but an improved home as well?
You’ve more than likely spent an increased amount of time at home over the festive period, sparking a flurry of DIY projects, complaints about clutter and thoughts about how to brighten up the room once the Christmas decorations are down. You might be thinking 2020 will be the year you finally find your dream home and move on.
Hold that thought, though - we may have a better solution for you.
Amid the ongoing political uncertainty around Brexit, the rising cost of moving up the housing ladder and high stamp duty rates, many people - dubbed the “stay-put generation” - are choosing to borrow against their properties to fund extensions and make space for their growing families.
Reports reveal the last decade was the first on record in which homeowners put more money back into their properties than they took out, with the number of homeowners increasing their mortgage to free up cash rising by more than 40% in just five years. As the HomeOwners Alliance writes, “one in five are using the cash to fund home improvements like extensions.”
And January is the perfect time of year to start planning how to maximise your living space. Here are our top ‘new year, new home’ resolutions to consider:
1. Promote togetherness with an open plan kitchen/diner
They say the kitchen is the heart of the home. And whoever ‘they’ are, they’re not wrong! The kitchen is no longer just for cooking in; it’s where families can join together to talk about their day; where couples can prepare meals together when the kids have gone to bed; and where children can learn the art of cooking for when they have their own families.
If you’re feeling cramped in your kitchen, why not add a kitchen-diner extension and perform a couple of simple internal alterations to create an airy, roomy open plan space with endless countertops and cupboards, that dream range cooker and a handy breakfast bar. A place your family will never want to leave.
2. Strike the perfect work/life balance with a new home office
Flexible working is on the rise and it has been proven that in jobs where home working is feasible, productivity is often improved. If you find yourself missing out on time with the kids to spend more time at at the office and sit in heavy traffic on your commute, a simple extension or loft conversion could be used to create a home office ; a room away from the bustle of family life where you can work, and strike that perfect work/life balance.
3. Reduce your energy bills…and maximise your view at the same time
If there was any year that brought the environmental crisis to the fore, it was 2019 - thank you Greta Thunberg. So, how can you and your home do your part?
You could simply reduce your use of artificial lighting and heating by upgrading your glazing - particularly if you live in an older property - and introducing skylights to flood your home with natural light. Double-glazing - or triple-glazing if you can afford it - will insulate your home more, increasing the amount of light let in and minimising heat loss.
Glazing can make a huge difference to your home. If you’re lucky enough to look out over the rolling British countryside, a stand-out landmark, or even a pretty, leafy garden, why not make more of your view with floor-to-ceiling glass across the back of a new extension.
Folding doors can be opened in warmer weather to join your indoor and outdoor space together. They may be pricey (around £1500 for tri-fold) but they can be more than worth it for the aesthetic they offer.
4. Create a blissful sanctuary
Stress levels are definitely on the rise so it’s no wonder people are looking for new ways to relax and get away from the challenges of modern life, even for a little while. Your New Year’s resolution could therefore be to look after your health and wellbeing by creating a sanctuary in your own home where you can escape to. A loft conversion, which doesn’t require planning permission if it’s under a certain size, can be used to create the ideal space for a new bedroom away from the noise, chaos and clutter - complete with roll-top bath for a long soak in after a particularly tough day!
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Obviously budgets, time and regulations must be taken into account before embarking on any home improvement project - no matter how small - but these are just four of many things you can do to improve your home and your lifestyle at the same time.
So stop looking for that dream property and build it instead. Contact our team here to find out how we can help make 2020 your - and your home’s - best year yet!
Oh, and Happy New Year!