Home Improvements for ROL
We often think of home improvements strictly in terms of dollars and cents. How much is this going to cost? How much is it going to improve the value of my house?
But an investment in your home is also an investment in your family's comfort and quality of life.
That's why it's important that you don't treat home upgrades like line items to be optimized or shiny objects to chase after. Your future realtor might appreciate that in-ground swimming pool. But there's a chance your family will take it for granted as quickly as they got bored with their new cell phones.
Study after study has found that spending money on experiences creates more lasting happiness than spending money on stuff. These home upgrades could spark more memorable moments with the people you love.
- Make Your Kitchen the Heart of the Home.
In the hustle and bustle of running to work and chauffeuring your kids, your kitchen might just be a way station where your family bumps into each other and, occasionally, shares a greasy bag of fast food.
But as your family ages and your kids start taking more responsibility for themselves, the traffic in your kitchen might start to slow down too. You and your spouse might find you have more time to cook and develop a real passion for food. Your kids might become interested in making some of their own meals. Older retired friends and relatives might swing by to share recipes or whip up a batch of cookies. Eventually, you might take over holiday hosting duties for grandma and grandpa.
Even small kitchen upgrades, like new appliances and increasing counter space, could make meal prep more enjoyable and help you learn new cooking skills. But if you really want to make every meal an event, you might consider creating an open-concept kitchen that really connects the food you share to the rest of the house.
- Entertain in the Backyard.
A pool isn't the only upgrade that can turn your backyard into the center of friends and family gatherings.
Build or expand a deck to connect that open kitchen with the outside. Or invest in a grill, griddle, or smoker to add more variety to your menu.
Make room for a fire pit, a screened-in porch, or covered seating and the parties can continue year-round.
Gardening can be a relaxing and educational activity for the whole family, creating a mini "farm-to-table" experience. Add a composter and you can teach your kids about sustainability as well. At harvest time you might be able to swap your veggies and herbs with other gardeners in the neighborhood.
Finally, never underestimate the value and versatility of a well-kept lawn. Reseed patchy spots, weed, and cut regularly, and your backyard could be the perfect soccer field, golf practice zone, or playground site.
- Create Room for Guests and Retirement.
Sometimes the most welcome home upgrades aren't the flashiest. That's especially true if you want your house to accommodate regular guests and if you plan on aging in place when you retire.
Your home will be even more welcoming if you turn your adult kids' old rooms into grown-up guest rooms with more comfortable furniture.
Adding a half-bathroom or guest room downstairs could keep older folks off the stairs.
Extra living room seating and a larger dining room table can create more flow, more elbow room, and more inviting spaces.
And investing in a new mattress or a more accessible shower and bath could make life more comfortable and manageable for you and your spouse as you age.
Are you planning any major home improvements this year? Are there any repairs or maintenance that you’ve been putting off?
Let’s meet and discuss where your current house fits on your long-term $Lifeline and potential changes that could make it feel even more like home.