Page 62 - November 2020

The Home Team
Realtors who provide expertise to their extended law enforcement family
Home improvement 101: Where to splurge and where to save
We don’t know about you, but spending all this time at home has us thinking about what updates and re- freshes we can make. Now’s a great to start cultivating your dream home.
Whether your home needs a few minor updates or a major facelift, we want to help you find the right bal- ance between saving and spending.
Follow our guide on where to splurge and where to save.
Living Room
Splurge: upholstered furniture
Comfort and durability are key when it comes to up- holstered furniture and heavily used seating such as couches, sofas and armchairs. Opt for pieces made of high-quality, natural fabrics with tight weaves, which will survive the wear and tear of daily use. Plus, you can always reupholster well-made furniture in the future. Save: tables
Save your money on non-upholstered items such as end tables, nightstands, and coffee tables. These items are easy to find in differ- ent styles and/or personalize with decor.
Splurge: area rugs
Avoid ending up with a rug that rips, sheds and fades by investing in a quality rug from the get-go. Rugs not only tie together a room and add interest to your space, but they protect your floors and can be a worthwhile investment in the long run.
Bedroom
Save: window treatments
If you’re not decorating your home with custom draperies or tai- lored curtains, you can easily save a few dollars on window treat- ments. Most curtains come in a variety of lengths, designs, colors and thicknesses, so you have countless options to choose from. Splurge: mattress
We spend about a third of our lives in bed, so choose a mattress that supports you physically and fulfills all your sleep needs. Take time testing which mattress works best for you.
Save: throw pillows and blankets
Look out for deals on common living room and bedroom acces- sories such as throw pillows and blankets. Rather than searching for that perfect color match, work within a family of hues and tones, or gravitate toward bold patterns or geometrical shapes. At the end of the day, just be sure to select items that are cozy and inviting. Bathroom
Splurge: light fixtures
Lighting can make or break the atmosphere of a room. Standard lighting fixtures are easy to replace, but dramatic hanging light fix- tures can elevate an entire room (and can be more expensive). Find the balance between functional and decorative by adding a dynam- ic and room-centering fixture in the dining room, foyer or powder room.
Save: mirrors
Mirrors make any room feel lighter and more spacious, but you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to get a good one. Go for something simple that can work in several rooms when you want to change things up, and you’ll find that a $100 mirror can be just as convincing as a $500 one.
Splurge: plumbing
Do not cut corners on plumbing. Poor-quality fixtures can cause problems that will outcost any up-front savings. Toilets, sinks and baths rarely change with trends, so be sure to buy from reputable brands and remember that long-term function is your number-one priority.
Kitchen
Splurge: kitchen sink
From washing your hands and dishes to meal prep and cleanup, your kitchen sink does a lot of hard work. Therefore, it only seems right that you choose the one that will last the longest. Sinks can be costly to replace down the line, so choose a material like stainless steel or granite composite, which are both great for durability and maintenance.
Save: cabinets
You can save on cabinetry by choosing a less expensive cabinet material. Veneer cabinets are almost identical to solid wood and can be made to look more expensive with appropriate hardware. Oak is also great for a renovation on a budget and is the cheapest wood op- tion.
Splurge: countertops
Countertops are an important focal point of your home and should be chosen based on your lifestyle. Granite countertops are a less expensive alternative to marble and are intended to take on years of daily use. Granite also requires less maintenance than its marble counterparts and is heat resistant. Both granite and marble countertops come in a variety of colors and styles, and can be a time- less addition to any space, so we definitely think they’re worth the splurge.
Lisa Sanders of @properties has been selling estate for more than a decade. Contact Lisa at 773-398-0378 or lisasanders.sold@gmail.com. This article was written by Arianna Frederick, the communications coordinator for @properties.
LISA SANDERS
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