The Best Renovation and Remodeling Projects for Every Corner of Your Home

Home renovation can bring a fresh new look to every room, letting you fall in love with your investment all over again. If your family is growing or your needs are evolving, you could even go all in on a remodeling project that changes the way you use your home.

Whatever your needs are, it’s important to have inspiration. If you’re looking for ideas or simply want to know what’s possible in a partial or whole house renovation, we’ve got the master list for you.

Below you’ll discover the best projects for home interiors, helping you to decide where to start when working with contractors in Des Moines.

Living Spaces

Along with your kitchen and dining room, living spaces are the heart of your home. You relax and unwind in these spaces and spend quality time with family and friends. If you’re like millions of other Americans, you also use these spaces for entertaining.

There are countless projects that you can take on in your living spaces, but not all of them provide lasting value. With every decision you make, you should aim to gain a return either in usability, or in value that you’ll gain back when you sell your home.

Consider some of the following projects to breathe new life into tired living and family rooms.

• Get rid of that old flooring: Flooring is one of the first elements to show age in a home. Old carpets can become breeding grounds for household germs. Dirt can collect and leave your carpets looking worn out. Invest in new flooring and consider solid flooring for its ease of maintenance and great looks. There are plenty of options available for home renovation, including hardwood, tiles, or even engineered wood panels that are durable and cost-effective.
  
  
• Paint your walls: The cost to benefit ratio on new paint is seriously unbalanced – and we mean that in the best possible way. New paint is a relatively small investment that will completely transform the look and feel of your living spaces. There’s a whole rainbow of hues available to give you the exact mood that you’re looking for. If you don’t need a whole house renovation, you could hire a Des Moines handyman to paint your living room to keep your home looking great between major improvements.
  
  
• Replace the light fixtures: This is another relatively inexpensive renovation concept that will change the way you look at your living spaces. The right lighting will allow you to create the perfect ambience for relaxation or entertainment. You could splash out on designer fixtures and still come in at a reasonable budget.

It pays to plan your living room carefully. If you have an open plan home, then you’ll need a concept that flows effortlessly into your dining room and kitchen. If you need help bringing your ideas to life, you can talk to the design team at HomeWorx Iowa.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms are some of the most flexible areas of the home in terms of how creative you can be. The ideal look and feel of a bedroom is something that’s deeply personal. You could replace flooring and paint the walls, and you’ll have a space that feels completely new.

Bedrooms are perfect for feature color walls, which work perfectly behind headboards or dressers. In your master bedroom, you could choose to go with a full remodel, adding a walk in closet or even a bathroom.

One thing to keep in mind is that it’s not always wise to extend a bedroom in a smaller home. Buyers look for homes that are practical. If you sacrifice another bedroom to make your master suite bigger, then your home could become less attractive if you decide to sell in the future.

Of course, if you plan to stay in your home for your lifetime, then you can add as much or as little as you want by claiming space from an adjacent room.

Kitchen

The kitchen is typically the busiest area of any home, and it’s the most commonly remodeled and renovated feature. This makes sense. With the amount of time that you spend in your kitchen, you want it to look and feel great.

If yours is run down, then you could go with a quick renovation, or even a complete kitchen remodel. Almost everything that you do in the kitchen will offer returns in the form of beauty, practicality, and resale value.

If you are planning a kitchen remodel, make sure you carefully consider the following:

• Hardware: While it may seem small and relatively inconsequential, the hardware in your kitchen can have a significant impact on look and feel. If you’re going for a traditional look then you could choose ornate hardware in gold, copper, iron, or even marble. If you’re designing a more modern kitchen, stainless steel and chrome handles and drawer pulls will work best.
  
  You can experiment with unique hardware at a local home supply store. Get a feel for the different pieces in hand. Hardware that has weight will provide a premium feel that is desirable in today’s home market.
  
  Don’t forget about your sink and faucets. Large articulating faucets are popular in modern homes. They’re more practical and look impressive.
  
  
• Cabinets and Drawers: These will be the most prominent surfaces in your kitchen. You need to take the time to choose cabinets that you will love for years to come. Aesthetics are important, but you should also think in terms of practicality. How can you make better use of your space, especially in a smaller kitchen?
  
  One solution would be to incorporate spice drawers, hidden trash containers, and even a sliding pantry. Keeping storage spaces hidden will make for a cleaner kitchen that feels larger.
  
  
• Countertops: Most home renovation experts will tell you that a countertop will make or break your kitchen. You need to choose yours carefully to get the perfect look and feel. Despite some added cost, it is advisable to go for a solid countertop rather than a composite or laminated counter.
  
  Quartz is a great option if you want a high end aesthetic on a relatively friendly budget. If you can spend more for granite or marble, then you’ll enjoy the ultimate premium aesthetic that will last for the lifetime of your home.
  
  Wooden and stainless steel countertops are also popular and can make sense depending on the look you’re trying to achieve. Stainless steel is a great material for a post-modern kitchen, while wooden butcher blocks work well in both modern and transitional kitchens.
  
  
• Flooring: As with any other area of your home, your choice of flooring for a kitchen remodel will be critical. Tiles and stone are some of the most common materials used. Tiles are affordable and come in a virtually unlimited array of colors and designs.
  
  Hardwood was a popular flooring material in older kitchens, but the maintenance requirements and susceptibility to moisture damage have turned some modern homeowners away. If you like the look of wood but want something better suited to your kitchen, then opt for engineered wood planks. These planks expand and contract much less and are more resistant to moisture. They look just like real wood and can even be sanded and refinished, so you’ll enjoy a great looking floor for many years.

Your kitchen is an area of your home where you shouldn’t cut corners. Taking the time to plan and budget for a kitchen remodel could drastically increase the value of your home. Even if you don’t plan to sell, you’ll benefit from a more comfortable space that is perfect for everyday meal prep with the family, and entertaining when friends are around.

Bathroom

Your bathroom will be a key aspect of a whole home remodel, or it could even become a project all on its own. Comfort is key here, but beauty still plays a part.

• Plumbing is critical: If you’re remodeling and moving things around, you’ll have some plumbing alterations to take care of. This can add cost to a project, so it’s recommended to keep fixtures in place whenever possible
  
  Even if you don’t move your pipes, you could still upgrade them, replacing worn pipes or older lead pipes with modern solutions. Remodeling or renovation is also a good time to insulate pipes, keeping them protected in the winters to come.
  
  
• Flooring is also a big part of a bathroom remodel: Like the kitchen, engineered wood could be ideal if you want a classic look. Tiles are the most common solution for a bathroom, offering complete protection against water and moisture. You could also consider adding heating elements to your floor. This will keep your bathroom comfortable in the winter, while also reducing the load on your HVAC system.
  
  
• Ventilation should not be overlooked: Some homeowners forget about this feature until the last minute, which can add significant cost to the build. Plan for ventilation early. If your bathroom isn’t routed into your HVAC system, you will need an extractor fan system to remove humidity. This will protect against mold and odors in the future.
  
  
• Vanities, showers, baths, and cabinets are all major features: You’ll set the tone of the room with your larger fixtures. The good news is that vanities have become relatively affordable, even for highly presentable modern styles. When choosing toilets, showers, and baths, make sure you look for water efficient options. This will decrease utility costs while also making your home more environmentally friendly.
  
  
• Bathroom walls allow for some creativity: Painted walls are about as basic as you want to go for a beautiful and durable bathroom. If you can work it into your budget, consider a half tile wall. This will create a unique aesthetic while protecting the drywall and structure of your home from moisture. It’s even worth delaying a bathroom remodel if you need more time to budget for wall coverings.

When designing bathroom improvements, aim to create a space that will last for the lifetime of your home. Spending more on materials and fixtures today will reduce maintenance and replacement needs in the future.

Finishing Spaces During a Whole House Remodel

If you’re looking for value-driven improvements that add living space and functionality, don’t forget about finishing projects that you could do in your home.

• Basement Finishing: Your basement could become a whole new living space, self-contained apartment, or even a media room. Remodeling your basement will mean adding finished walls, flooring, and ceilings at the very least. Depending on how much space you have, you could add multiple bedrooms, storage, and a bathroom as well. General contractors Des Moines can plan a basement finishing that adds value to your home.
  
  
• Garage Finishing: This is also an option whether you have a detached or attached garage. Like the basement, you could turn your garage into a living space, bedrooms, or even a studio or gym. Keep in mind that removing parking space could decrease the appeal of your home. This is something to consider if you plan to sell in the future.
  
  
• Attic Finishing: Although not as common as either garage or basement finishing, attic finishing can add valuable living space if you are starting to feel the size of your growing family. Add a bedroom, a secondary living room, or even a playroom for your children. A high peaked roof could result in a sizable finished attic that greatly increases the usable square footage of your home.

Start with the Best Home Renovation Contractors in Des Moines

From light renovation work to whole home remodeling, there’s a team of experts ready to help. HomeWorx Iowa is the premier home remodeling and handyman services company in Des Moines, IA.

Our expert project management will minimize stress and uncertainty, and we’ll even work with you to design beautiful home improvements using advanced 3D modeling software.

Full service with a complete design and build, there’s no easier way to improve your home. If you’re ready to begin any of the projects listed above, or if you have something unique in mind, it’s time to talk to the experts.