A combination of difficult times and an aging population have contributed to the increase in the number of households with several generations living under one roof. In 2000, 5 million households were multigenerational. In 2010, the number has grown to 7.1 million households. Families stay together, whether it’s caring for a grandparent or accommodating adult children who want to stay home until they marry. Therefore, remodeling projects are on the rise. People want bigger rooms, more space, and a big kitchen and bathroom.

Areas of the house that need remodeling

Step 1 – Is giving a coat of paint to the wall the only thing left to do? Typically, if a bathroom is only five years old, it may not need much more. But today’s bathrooms have become state of the art and people want to do a lot more with them now. If you’re short on space, you can remove the old bathtub and install a walk-in shower and glass-doored shower, and a cute little bath that you can soak your whole body in. For a bathroom, mosaic tiles are better than rugs, as rugs trap hair and other dirt. You want to be able to mop the floor after every shower. Does your bathroom shower have a non-slip surface or grab bars to minimize falls? You may be glad to know that using bright paint colors like lime green, citrus yellow, caramel yellow, or cream can create the illusion of space and make a small bathroom seem larger. A nice mirror on the wall also helps.

Step 2 – Use spring and summer to do all the necessary repairs like replacing broken windows, fixing old doors, replacing handles and knobs, varnishing wooden window frames, all the paint the house needs, which is good during this season. Decide if you’re ready to install energy-efficient windows and doors with cordless shades or between-pane shades that are easy to operate and safer for homes with children and pets.

Step 3 – Are you spending more time in the garden since your flowers started blooming? Create a new patio area off the kitchen or dining room for entertaining. Invest in vinyl patio doors to save energy. Go green and replace all drafty single-pane windows with more energy-efficient wood, vinyl or fiberglass windows. You may be able to claim a US Energy Efficiency Tax Credit of $200 to $500 on certain Energy STAR qualified windows installed in 2011.

Stage 4 – Make sure you hire the right contractor. Ask for references for a reputable, insured, and licensed contractor, and check credentials.

Step 5 – Consider moving interior walls to create extra space in high-traffic areas, like kitchens or bathrooms.

Step 6 – Choose bronze finishes like oil-rubbed bronze when replacing missing or broken hardware on windows or doors. Bronze is also popular in bedrooms, home offices, and kitchens.

Remodeling your home is always a good investment, especially in today’s economy, and whether you’re making room for a grandpa or grandma, you can’t lose. You have upgraded your home and should you want to move, you will receive a higher price for your home.