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Fixer Uppers: The Ultimate Renovation Guide

Congratulations on purchasing your new fixer upper! Once the deal is closed and all the papers are signed, you might be looking around the dated halls and dusty walls asking yourself… now what?

A house isn’t always a home. Those who have moved into fixer uppers can relate to that statement more than most; an older, outdated home isn’t exactly the most comfortable and often comes with unexpected and unwelcome surprises. But with a little time, energy, and investment, any house —even one with the most intimidating projects— can become a home.

Step One: Calculate Your Budget

When you’re ready to begin renovations on your new fixer upper, it’s best to start with calculating your budget and determining your priorities. Chances are, you have a pretty tight budget; as many as 73% of people who buy fixer uppers do so because they can’t afford a turnkey property that meets all of their needs. Calculating the money and flexible spending you have to dedicate to renovations will help set reasonable expectations for the next steps.

Step Two: Determine Your Priorities

While you’re working on your budget, take the time to create a list of your household’s top needs. Every family is different. For example, you may need to make sure that everything is accessible a disabled family member who is living in the home or visiting frequently. Prioritize what needs on your list are essential; an ugly yet functioning bathroom can wait until after a leaky roof and water damage are addressed.

Step Three: Start with Foundation & Exterior Renovations

The single most important item on your to-do list is to address any issues with the foundation. If your foundation is anything less than solid and intact, then those repairs should be made as soon as possible. You also want to change the locks shortly after moving into a new home. Exterior renovations, such as window and door replacement, roofing, and siding will better insulate your home and help you save on heating and cooling bills, leaving a little extra money in your pocket for other renovations later.

Step Four: Work Through Your List Room by Room

Once the essentials have been taken care of, the cosmetic and luxury elements can start being added to your home. Priorities will differ in every situation based on the household and the condition the home is in. Maybe a large family desperately needs a kitchen renovation to be able to feed everyone, compared to a family with small children who need to remodel the bathroom so bathtime is easier for everyone.

Step Five: Deep Clean Everything

It may be counterintuitive to wait until all of the major renovations are completed before scrubbing the house from top to bottom, but consider all of the dust and debris that follows construction. With workers coming in and out of the house, demolition and installation, and all of the other messy tasks, there’s really no point in breaking your back with cleaning until you’re certain there’s no more projects to come and mess everything up again. Once everything is clean, take a step back and admire the work you’ve done. Your home should be beautiful, functional, and exactly what your family needs.

Renovating a fixer upper is a huge project that often comes with undesirable surprises. Working with an experienced contractor will help to minimize the surprises and come up with immediate solutions. Quality Homes of Rochester is here for all of your interior and exterior home improvement needs. Contact us today to get your free estimate!

Your bathroom can be more than a space for personal care—it can be a refreshing mini-retreat.

Spa-Like Touches

Introduce design elements like river rock tiles in the shower, a teak bathmat, or a freestanding tub with a window view. Add an outdoors element by choosing a rainwater showerhead and allowing the water to feel like soft rainfall.

Natural Ventilation

Add an operable window or solar-powered skylight to naturally promote airflow and reduce humidity. A ventilation system or fan is essential for reducing moisture. Clean your vent of dust or buildup to ensure moisture is not trapped in your bathroom, which can lead to mildew or mold buildup.

Soothing Scents

Essential oil diffusers or lavender bundles in the shower smell incredible, mirroring nature’s sensory experiences. Try tying eucalyptus in your shower, releasing a minty, relaxing scent once the steam and humidity rise.

Styling with Biophilic Design in Mind

You don’t need a significant renovation to bring the benefits of biophilic interior design into your home. Wise styling choices can go a long way.

Incorporate Natural Forms

Curved lines, imperfect shapes, or patterns inspired by leaves, waves, or tree bark all show nature’s organic beauty. Look for these shapes in furniture, rugs, and light fixtures.

For example, a naturalistic style can be achieved by pairing an L-shaped couch or sectional in natural colors with a dark wooden coffee table and an earth-toned rug beneath.

Declutter and Let Spaces Breathe

Nature has rhythm and flow, and your space should, too. Avoid crowding surfaces and leave space around or between key features to create a sense of calm and openness.

Drawers or closets that blend in with the features of your room can be great places to put away essential items while keeping them close at hand.

Naturalistic Home Additions for Outdoor Access

sunroom before

sunroom after

A sunroom could be the perfect solution if you have a growing family or have always wanted a special place to retreat. This type of addition fits right in with naturalistic design principles, allowing access to sunlight, the breeze, and the outdoors while inside.

A sunroom or screened-in porch is the perfect combination of indoor coziness and the natural world’s beauty. Additionally, it can be a great place to host friends and family as the evening goes on without the annoyance of bugs.

At Quality Homes, our expert team has the knowledge and experience to handle all home additions and configurations. Whether you need an office, another bedroom, garage, screened-in porch, sunroom, or something different entirely, we can help!

Learn more about home additions in Rochester, NY.

Biophilic Decor

Consider elements like a tabletop fountain, driftwood sculptures, or art that features landscapes and natural scenes. Mirrors can reflect light and views, enhancing the presence of the outdoors. If you like fish, a fish tank or an outdoor koi pond (if it is warm enough for them year-round) would be a great addition to this style.

The Quality Homes Difference

Biophilic and naturalistic design invites nature’s essence into our daily lives. You can create a home that feels alive and supports your well-being. It can inspire everyone who enters with sunlight, wood, plants, and innovative design.

Start your home improvement journey with something easy. You could add a hanging plant or choose natural wood furniture in the kitchen. Then, build out from there, guided by nature’s wisdom and your vision.

Are you ready for a complete, naturally inspired redesign or addition? Contact us at Quality Homes and schedule a consultation with our designers today!

Get your quote today!