When you invest money into your home, you're assuming whatever you're replacing, repairing or upgrading will last for years, if not decades, to come.  No homeowner wants to worry about the financial stress of replacing a roof or upgrading to more energy-efficient windows without knowing that they will get a strong return on their investment.  Of course, not every upgrade you make in your home has to cost a fortune.  Here's the features that we believe will last a lifetime in your home.

Features In Your Home That Will Last A Lifetime

​Invest In Quality Furniture

When it comes to shopping for furniture, it’s always a good rule of thumb to choose quality over value. Sure, super low prices may seem tempting, but unless you are purchasing pieces for a room that doesn't get much use (such as a guest room), you're best to take a pass on the cheap stuff. 

​Where to splurge?
​

• Your Mattress.  Did you know most folks spend about a third of their lives sleeping?  With that much shut eye, it's best to indulge in a good quality mattress.  From luxury pillow tops to a bed-in-a-box delivered straight to your door, paying premium for a decent night's sleep  only makes (dollars and) sense.

 

• Your Sofa.  A quality sofa should be constructed of  kiln or hard dried wood, foam and upholstery or leather, and last for 25 years or longer.  Skip the particle board frames and faux leather finishes, which will crack and peel over time.

​

• Rugs (in high traffic areas).  You might want to invest a little more money in what's underfoot, like with an area rug in the family room and runners in busy hallways.  Rugs woven from wool, which is extremely durable, will last a lifetime over their synthetic counterparts.​

​Install Money-Saving Taps In The Bath

Replacing your current taps to money-saving, low flow taps is a smart, eco-friendly idea.  Look for taps that have an aerated water flow. An aerated water flow simply means air is mixed in with the water that is coming out of the tap.   There are a number of reasons to use low-flow taps in your home, including: 

• Reduced water usage:  Using low-flow taps can reduce your bathroom water usage by 2 to 16 gallons of water per day.

​

• Lower energy bill:  Because the low-flow taps limit the water flow through the faucet, water usage is reduced compared to the same duration of flow without an aerator. In the case of hot water, because less water is used, less heat energy is used.

​

• Less stress on natural water sources: According to ConservationMart, while consumption at the sink may not seem like much, if each home in the US installed water saving faucet aerators, the nation could save over 60 billion gallons of water every year.​​ ​​

Hansgrohe Logis Modern Low Flow Bathroom Sink Faucet in Chrome, amazon.com (click to shop)

Massaging Shower Head For Low Flow Showers in Oil Rubbed Bronze, amazon.com (click to shop)

Create An Open Floor Plan

When it comes to well designed homes, it's all about an open concept floor plan.  Without a doubt, an open concept floor plan is one of the most popular and if your home doesn't already have one, consider creating one.  A kitchen, dining and living room that all flow together is optimal for families and those who love to entertain. While the ROI for an open floor plan is hard to determine (demolition, construction, materials, etc. factor into the cost), it is clear that over 46% of  today's home buyers, regardless of generation, want an open floor plan.​
​

Stick With Neutral Colors

Colors, patterns and design schemes in the home go in and out of style just like they do with fashion. As much as you may love a particular trend, it might be a good idea to stick with a neutral color backdrop and use colors, patterns and designs that speak to you as accent pieces.  Walls, floors and ceilings are best painted in neutral shades, while window treatments, throw pillows and blankets, area rugs and tchotchkes can be colorful, lively and fun.  
​

Choose Doors And Windows Wisely

Well constructed windows and doors are definitely important to any home and if there is one piece of advice you take away from this post, dear reader, it's not to scrimp when it comes to purchasing them.  To piggyback off of our suggestion that you consider an open concept floor plan, think about bringing a little of the outdoors in with a beautiful set of patio doors to complement the design. Look for brands that have years' long warranties, too (such as Renewal by Andersen; they have a 20 year, fully-transferable warranty on glass and materials).  And if you hire a home remodeler to do the install, ask if they warranty their labor; many professionals do.
​

Add Insulation

Insulation is a much needed, unseen feature in your home and will remain a permanent fixture for as long as your dwelling stands. Insulation is necessary for keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer, greatly reducing the amount of energy you use.  There are many different types of insulation (such as foam, fiberglass and cellulose) and is generally installed in walls, floors, crawlspaces and, of course, attics. Chances are your home already has insulation, but how well it is insulated is the question.   This handy insulation calculator can tell you just how much your home needs.​
​

Outdoor Decking

An outdoor deck or patio is a feature of your home that you can enjoy year after year.  Whether you do the install yourself or you hire a qualified remodeler to do it for you, consider all the different decking materials there are to chose from.  Pressure treated lumber, composite decking and PVC are all popular materials for new deck construction. According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report, a homeowner can recoup nearly 80 percent of the cost of a new deck when putting their home on the market.  That's a crazy good ROI!
​

Comment Box is loading comments...