A Realtor’s Guide to Updating Your Home

By: Stephanie Percynski

Like many Americans during the pandemic of 2020, I found myself sitting at home during the shutdown and thought: if I’m going to be spending this much time at home, why not update it?

The definition of home has taken on a new meaning after the events of 2020. We are working, attending school, and exercising from home. Dinner and a movie has now been replaced by cooking and watching a movie at home.  

As a Realtor, part of our job is to stay abreast of current trends in home design. Like “fast fashion,” home trends have a very short cycle, and updating your home can be very costly if you are constantly jumping on the current trend of the day.

My biggest advice for anyone remodeling their home is this: like fashion, a timeless piece can be updated with inexpensive accessories. Every woman has that classic black dress that can be updated with on-trend jewelry and shoes. 

My husband and I decided to tackle four major areas of our home: kitchen, flooring, paint, and hall bath. As we started planning, my “Realtor hat” was never removed. While I wanted to put a personal touch to my home, re-sale and rate of return were key components to our remodel.

The Kitchen

For our kitchen remodel, we chose classic white cabinets with subway tile as our backsplash. Subsequently, I chose two large pendant lights and cabinet pulls in the current metal trend of champagne gold. When this trend starts to look dated, I can always switch them out at a much lesser cost than gutting my kitchen again. Appliances were purchased during holiday sales events. We did buy stainless appliances, but we decided on a mid grade package versus high end models. 

The Paint

For paint, we went with a soft off-white that’s just a “whisper” of a color. But for dramatic effect, I painted one room a dark, moody blue-gray. Again, if this color is on its way out, repainting one room is much more cost effective.  For color palette ideas, check out Benjamin Moore or your favorite paint manufacturer.

Inexpensive Update at a Client’s Home

The Floors

Hardwood floors are a classic choice, and still our clients’ top preference for flooring. If your home has site-finished hardwoods, refinishing and staining a new color is always an option. We are seeing stains with a gray tone, and very light hardwoods are quite popular now. Dark espresso finishes are definitely on their way out. If your budget doesn’t allow for a refresh every few years, you can never go wrong with the #1 stain out there – Provincial, which is a medium walnut stain. 

The Hall Bath

For the hall bath that serves our secondary bedrooms, we kept the existing bathtub, and replaced the tile surround (classic subway in Aegean blue), floors (light gray) and vanities. Countertops were sourced from a granite/quartz graveyard, and we chose a neutral gray quartz remnant to complement the white vanities. To stay within budget, I chose polished silver for cabinet hardware, faucets, lights and shower fixtures – all purchased at a big box retailer. The sheet mirrors were replaced with large round, framed mirrors purchased from Amazon. Shiplap was added to the vanity walls – again, just a little trendiness to add to the classic blue/gray motif. 

Extras Touches

Years ago, I made the costly mistake of purchasing a sofa and club chair for our family room in coordinating, but busy patterns. The fabric I chose quickly became outdated. This year, I purchased family room furniture in all solid neutral fabrics. Throw pillows added color, pattern, and texture. All purchased at Target from their fabulous Studio McGee line. Lamps and small side tables were sourced from Home Goods, TJ Maxx, and Marshall’s.

Inspirational Resources

If you are considering a remodel, here are some great online resources I used for inspiration:

Pinterest.com (you can find Sherry & Co. on Pinterest, too)

Houzz.com

Build.com

Rugsusa.com

Lampsplus.com

Lightinguniverse.com

Instagram.com (you can find Sherry & Co. on Insta!)

Liketoknow.it App (for Apple and Android)

I began following a lot of designers and interior design influencers I admire on Instagram. Most of them have accounts on the liketoknow.it App. This app has direct links to retailers.

There are many designers and influencers who regularly post less expensive versions (or dupes) of home decor items, lighting, and fixtures. 

I recommend that you also talk to friends and acquaintances who have just undergone a remodel. They will give you great advice as far as “what they wish they had done” or what “they wish they had not spent their money on.”

For a more in-depth look at my kitchen renovation, a basement renovation, and a bathroom “soft” renovation, watch our recent YouTube video. It’s a fun walk-through and inspirational!

And of course, our Team is here to help with vendor resources, and what upgrades will make you the most money when it’s time to sell. With annual sales of $60-85M, we see hundreds of homes and know what buyers want. So don’t hesitate to call us, 678.744.8206! Remember, we are ready to move when you are!

Until next time, all the best to you and yours.

Stephanie