How to Turn Your Starter Home into a Dream Forever Home
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Starter homes come with a reputation. They’re seen as the “for now” house, the place people live until they finally make it to their dream home. But what if the so-called “starter” actually has forever-home potential? Instead of constantly scrolling real estate listings and daydreaming about something bigger, better, and flashier, the real secret is making the current house feel like it was meant to be all along. Sometimes, all it really takes is learning how to DIY, calling the right experts for a renovation, and even just changing your mindset over the whole thing.
And no, this doesn’t mean tearing the whole place apart or living in a never-ending renovation zone. Sometimes, it’s the smallest changes that have the biggest impact. Actually, here’s a great example; swapping out basic windows for a replacement bow window, for example, instantly upgrades the entire look of the house. Now, changing up boring windows for something grand is just one example, but honestly, there’s so much more you can do too!
Create More Space Without Moving a Single Wall
If a house feels cramped, it’s usually not the square footage that’s the problem, it’s how it’s being used. So, instead of dreaming about knocking down walls and adding on extra rooms (which, to be honest, is a lot), the trick is making better use of what’s already there. Now it can’t be stressed enough. Here’s a great example; built-in shelving is one of the easiest ways to make a space feel bigger, taking storage off the floor and onto the walls. But there’s even multipurpose furniture, like a dining table that doubles as a workspace or an ottoman with hidden storage, adding functionality without making a room feel crowded.
Think About Outside
Speaking of creating space without tearing down walls, why not consider your outdoor space? It’s basically free real estate for expanding the home. It’s usually easy too, for example, a patio with some comfy seating turns a boring backyard into a second living room. A lot of homeowners eventually plan on doing something with their backyard, so making it into an extra living space (while still being mother nature friendly), can really get you falling head over heels.
Ditch the Builder-Grade Look
Most starter homes are built with function in mind, not style. Sure older homes are built with style in mind, but not nowadays. They’re designed to be practical and affordable, which is great when buying, but not so great when trying to make the place feel personal.
Usually, you’re going to have to make upgrades yourself in order to feel some love for the space. For example, flooring is a huge one. If there’s old carpet or cheap laminate, switching to hardwood or high-quality vinyl plank instantly makes a house feel more expensive.
Make It Feel Personal
A house doesn’t truly become a forever home until it starts reflecting the people who live in it. That’s where personal touches come in. You really can’t give yourself the mindset of “the next homebuyer”, honestly, that’s why there are so many ugly cookie-cutter homes right now. Just use what you have, and create some personality with it so it feels like your home.
