3 Steps to Modernize a Home
Getting started!
Here is our list of three big steps to modernize your home. We have broken each step down into smaller, actionable projects. Each project is designed to help you take house from a blank-canvas to a fresh, modernized and customized home.
As you seek to refresh your home do not underestimate the power of a good deep cleaning. A deep clean and purging out of unused or unnecessary items may be all it takes to give your space a little lift. If your budget is modest, do your best to work with what you have and ensure that your home is as clean, uncluttered and in good repair as possible.
When you are ready to jump into renovating, pick and choose from the list of room-by-room projects below and create a prioritized plan of action for your own home. Work in phases to complete as your budget/schedule allows.
Lastly and most importantly, don’t forget to create true lasting value by investing in what matters most, those who call your house a home.
3 STEPS TO MODERNIZE YOUR HOME:
1. Take away the unnecessary
This step is about preparing the space you currently have to be the backdrop for the space you want to create. Edit what you do have so you can create a baseline, then add back value and character with the following steps.
Remove:
❏ Walls. For lovers of open concept living spaces, remove walls that unnecessarily divide up communal living areas. ❏ Work with a professional to determine if walls you wish to remove are structural or seismic before you take anything down. ❏ Do whatever you can to create space and a good flow (a.k.a. traffic route) though your home. ❏ Excessive traditional style baseboards, moldings, trims and popcorn ceilings. Unless you have a true period home, these items are not integral to supporting the character of your home. Be aware that things like crown and base moldings may cover up imperfect drywall joints that may need repair. ❏ Remove dated wallpaper and heavily textured wall finishes (faux finishes). Sand for a smooth finish if necessary. ❏ Remove wall-to-wall carpet, especially in high traffic areas. ❏ Remove old shower doors, especially if they are not functioning smoothly. ❏ Remove overgrown or difficult to maintain landscaping.
Declutter—Your home is not a storage unit. It is a space for LIVING IN! ❏ Your physical belongings. ❏ Your home decor items. ❏ Any unnecessary decorative elements that have been built in to your home. ❏ Be decisive. Will you really miss that item? Could you use that space for something better and more conducive to the life you want to lead? ❏ Remember: “Clutter is the physical manifestation of unmade decisions fueled by procrastination.” ― Christina Scalise, Organize Your Life and More
2. Upgrade from builder standards
This step is all about adding value to your home. To add value, replace aging or out-of-date systems and customize your home by replacing builder grade items.
In every room:
❏ Doors ❏ Replace interior hollow core doors and closet doors. Simple flat or single recessed panel style doors can transform the look of a home. ❏ Choosing solid core or MDF doors can improve sound transmittance from room to room. ❏ Adding full-lite doors with frosted glass can bring in more natural light to interior spaces. With frosted glass, the level of opacity can be varied depending on the level of privacy required. ❏ If replacing all of your doors is out of the budget, a fresh coat of paint on interior doors and trim can make a big difference. Also, attention to keeping doors and trim clean (dust and fingerprint free) as part of your regular cleaning routine, can go a long way. ❏ Hardware ❏ Upgrade interior door hardware and hinges. Lever door handles provide easy access for people of all ages and ability levels because they require less grasping skill and dexterity to operate. ❏ Trim and Moldings ❏ Replace traditional baseboards and shoe moldings with a simple 6” flat baseboard, painted to match the rest of your trim. ❏ If you are doing a more in-depth renovation that involves replacing drywall, install recessed baseboards to create an even more minimalist style. ❏ Update light switches and switch plates, outlets and outlet covers. ❏ Just plain white. No almond, buff or off-white! ❏ Be consistent! All plates and switches should look alike and be of the same style. ❏ Go for a clean look with hidden screw, snap-on cover plates, like these . My only exception is for hidden plugs and switches (inside of a cabinet, behind the microwave, etc.), there it is ok to go with just a basic, standard white switch plate or receptacle cover. No need to spend extra for nicer covers that are never seen. ❏ Consider occupancy sensors if you have rooms where lights tend get left on regularly (ahem… kids rooms, bathrooms).
❏ Rocker switches are far easier to keep clean and grime free than standard toggle style switches. They are also a better universal design option as they do not require grasping and can be operated by people of all ages and ability levels. ❏ Change out light fixtures, ceiling fans & exhaust fans. No CFL’s in downlights without lenses.
In the kitchen:
❏ Studio Croft Modern Homes Kitchen Packages ❏ If budget allows, a kitchen renovation can really set the tone for an upgraded modern home. The national average of cost recouped for a major kitchen remodel of a midrange home value is just under 60% (source: Remodel Magazine, Cost vs. Value Report, 2018). ❏ At minimum, update builder grade cabinet doors to a simple flat panel or shaker style and have cabinets and doors painted (with a sprayer, not a brush or roller). ❏ If your cabinets are in decent shape and are already a neutral style, consider replacing outdated countertops with an easy to maintain surface like quartz. ❏ Make the best use of space in your pantry. Add shelving where needed and use an organized and unified storage system to group like items together to make your cooking and prep time more efficient. ❏ Add or upgrade cabinet hardware and hinges. ❏ Choose quality, water efficient plumbing fixtures. ❏ Choose quality, energy efficient appliances that all match. Fingerprint resistant finishes help keep things looking cleaner.
In the bathrooms:
❏ Studio Croft Modern Homes Bath Packages ❏ Consider replacing built-in builder grade vanities with a more modern free-standing vanity piece. ❏ Replace shower doors. A fresh rod and curtain can make an improvement with minimal investment. If your budget is more generous, frameless glass tub and shower enclosures are the ultimate luxury in an updated bath. ❏ Choose quality, water efficient plumbing fixtures. Don’t forget about the toilet! ❏ Change out light fixtures & exhaust fans. ❏ Add or upgrade cabinet hardware. ❏ Update bath accessories such as towel bars, toilet paper holders, and robe hooks.
Exterior:
❏ Studio Croft Modern Homes Whole House Packages ❏ Be sure to educate yourself as to what changes are acceptable within your community or improvements that may require H.O.A approval. ❏ Most importantly, make sure the exterior of your home is in good repair and that you follow through on a plan for annual maintenance. Even if you can’t do much to update the overall look your home’s exterior, a home kept tidy and in good repair is always in style. ❏ Consider hiring a contractor to update windows if they are in bad repair, too small or poorly located. Choose an updated and energy efficient style replacement window line. ❏ A fresh coat of paint can update the look of your home. Adding elements of stone, block, or wood can help change the aesthetic of your home’s exterior. ❏ Update or add modern style guardrails or handrails to steps, porches and decks. Be sure to comply with local regulations. ❏ Update your house numbers and mailbox. ❏ Change out that traditional raised panel or ornate stained glass front door for something more modern. Add color for enhanced curb appeal. ❏ Choose smart home security products. ❏ Update and automate your exterior lighting and landscape lighting. Adding timers and automation for exterior lighting can mean that you never have to come home to a dark house again! ❏ Update your garage door with a fresh coat of paint or replace it with a more modern style package.
3. Add character
Enhance your lighting.
❏ Let in as much natural light and views of nature as possible. ❏ Remove dated window coverings such as vertical blinds, shutters and drapery. Choose mesh solar shades as a minimalist alternative. Automate them for a smart home win! ❏ Add multiple lighting levels throughout your home. Gone are the days when just one dim, overhead light in the middle of the room will do. Provide lighting for various activities. General overhead lighting, task lighting, accent lighting and ambient lighting all have a part to play in a well-lit space. With much more efficient options available, good lighting does not have to break the budget. ❏ Add dimmers and lighting automation. ❏ For more info on the why and how of good home lighting see these additional resources ❏ Professional Builder’s article “Tips for Providing Lighting That Sets Your Homes Apart” ❏ HGTV’s Lighting Tips for Every Room Banish the 50 shades of beige.
❏ Try a fresh coat of white paint on interior walls. Use your walls to create a neutral backdrop or base layer in your home. Then, add layers of interest by taking some chances on bolder and more modern fixtures, furniture and accessories that bring out your personality. ❏ Build the cost of several paint samples into your project budget before you begin. Narrow down your paint choices and then get several samples to test out Repeat if necessary with revised selections. ❏ Add contrast! Everything in your space should not be the same color, tone and texture. But remember, balance matters here!
Build in storage.
❏ Open plan spaces need extra closed storage to keep things tidy and organized. ❏ In pantries and clothing closets, add additional shelving or hanging rods beyond the standard single set installed by the builder. ❏ If budget allows, investing in a customizable closet organization system can help you take full advantage of the space you have. It also allows for more flexibility than a completely built-in solution.
❏ Add built-in full walls of storage where possible. Use built-in book cases and cabinets for closed storage in place of multiple pieces of mismatched furniture. This allows for a more unified and uniform look.
Use high quality organization systems.
❏ Repetition is key here. One-off, odds and ends, and mixed lot storage boxes and bins only add to visual chaos. ❏ Use the same system throughout for visual consistency. A standard size for modular bins and boxes allow things to stack and nest neatly. ❏ Don’t forget to label!
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