If your home no longer satisfies your needs, perhaps due to changing personal circumstances, for example because you have too much or not enough space, with children moving back in or out or, your family growing or elderly parents coming to live with you, you’re not alone.
But, it can be a real dilemma if you’re happy where you are and can’t face upping sticks. So you may want to adopt the mantra of improving not moving. That may seem a cliché, but could yield multiple benefits, including:
- A personalised space which suits your family’s requirements – you can mould your property so it’s perfect for you
- Home improvements add value to your property, putting you in pole position if and whe n the time comes to sell up
- Preventing the disruption of moving from a home and community you love and which hold many memories or, for example, taking children out of school
- Avoiding high moving costs, including stamp duty, legal fees and so on
So why not fall back in love with your existing home, and make it work for you? After all, while 2024 provided some grounds for optimism in terms of the housing market and some return of buyer confidence, at the same time Moneyweek has reported that one in three UK homes recorded a price dip of 1% or more throughout 2024.
Of course, it’s worth researching local house prices in your area, checking your place’s current value and getting a feel for which home improvements will yield the greatest return on your investment before committing.
But according to one major online property portal, off-street parking, a kitchen revamp and a loft or garage conversion are among the projects most likely to allow you to up your asking price.
A loft conversion Oxford, or indeed anywhere else, could add up to 15% to your home’s value, for example. And you could gain a much-needed additional living area without sacrificing any outside space. You’ll also increase how much natural light enters your building. An adaptation like this is highly versatile – and it doesn’t have to be another bedroom. You could use your conversion as a home gym or office, a playroom – or as somewhere to unleash your creativity, whether that’s through painting, music or writing.
Another option is to invest in some outdoor furniture to enhance your al fresco space. Not only will you get more out of your garden that way, but you’ll be better placed to entertain guests, and it will just present the area in a much better way generally.
While tables and chairs may seem the obvious items, teak commemorative benches could also transform your garden. As the name suggests, these pieces offer a wonderful way to remember a loved one and their life. And while you might expect to see them in public places, having a bench like this in your garden creates a private spot for reflection. On the practical front, they’re space-efficient and can either seat a few people together, or offer somewhere comfortable for solo contemplation.
There’s typically room on the bench for a plaque with your loved one’s name. What’s more, teak is so strong and dense it resists rot, decay, splitting and damage from insects in all weathers. Plus its natural oils mean you don’t need constant treatments or preservatives – just the occasional clean will suffice. Finally, source your memorial bench sustainably and you’ll be doing the planet a favour as well.