Are you looking for a home improvement option that will increase your home’s value, but you’re not too fond of modern décor? Are you looking for a classic option that oozes value but isn’t too dated?
There’s a trend among homeowners, interior designers, and even architects, of assuming that only modern features in a home will add value to it. However, when many people think of a home that has a higher-than-average value, they very rarely think of smart meters or minimalistic layouts.
The reality is that for lovers of all things classical, there’s a way to incorporate these into your home’s design and increase its value at the same time, and here, you’ll be shown the most popular options that will appeal to buyers for years to come.
Table of Contents
Fireplaces
Does a fireplace increase the value of a home? What homeowners and designers should know is yes.
There are a few different options to consider. The key one that many people think of is a wood-burning fireplace, which is usually built into a wall and has masonry made from brick or stone.
These add architectural charm, but for them to function properly, they need to have a hearth and a chimney built in, too, which can increase the cost and the construction time.
These are charming and add a striking visual appeal to any living room or bedroom they’re added to, but they do require regular maintenance and cleaning, so it’s well worth doing some research into the best ways to prevent smoke backup in your home.
Hardwood Floors
The majority of homes in Europe and the US have laminate flooring or tiling, as these options are affordable and have minimal maintenance needs. However, if you want to add a classic feel to your home and have the space, it’s worth looking into having hardwood floors installed.
The most common types of hardwood floors include solid hardwood flooring, which is made of planks, typically composed of oak, maple, walnut, hickory, or cherry.
All these woods have different colors and care needs, so be sure to choose one that visually matches the feel of your home, as well as one that you can easily care for.
In general, to keep any hardwood floor in good condition, try to place a few rugs down in areas of high foot traffic, avoid using bleaches to clean the wood, and try to prevent kids or pets from scratching them up! It may also be worth investing in a buffer to keep that striking shine to the wood that will add value and class to your home.
Ceiling Beams
Another feature of a traditional home that homeowners should consider is ceiling beams. These became more popular in the Tudor period in England, but they add a touch of charm to most homes, and can either be solely visual or, if you’re building a home from scratch, they can be structural.
Best of all, these are suited to every room in your home, but in areas of high humidity, such as the kitchen or bathroom, you may want to add a water-repellent varnish to prevent swelling or shrinking.
For beams that create a focal point but aren’t too heavy, you should aim for timber beams. If you want to add a bit of asymmetry to the beams (highly desirable over machine-cut beams), you can have the beams hand-carved or take a chisel out yourself and gently create some minor imperfections, which can help to add personality and style without reducing value.
Wooden or Stone Counter tops
Last but not least, any homeowner who wants to add value to their home will turn their attention to the kitchen, specifically, the kitchen counter tops.
Why? Much like flooring, kitchen countertops are usually finished with laminate, but, for an authentic look that will be sure to add value to your home, it’s worth exploring having either wooden or stone counter tops fitted.
Don’t worry, though, these don’t need to be marble to be valuable! You can choose to have granite, which comes in a range of colors, or even quartz or soapstone. All these have natural anti-bacterial properties but will need sealing once a year to keep them in good condition.
If you want a wooden countertop in your kitchen, you have the choice of oak, walnut, maple, cherry, or beech. Again, to keep these in good condition, you may want to invest in some cutting or chopping boards, as well as varnishing them twice a year.
Just remember, it doesn’t have to be modern or high-tech to have a high-quality home that you’ll love!
