Not every home improvement has to be a major renovation. Sometimes one update can fix something that has been bothering you for years and give an older part of the house a much needed refresh. For Philadelphia homeowners, that can be especially true in homes that have been updated little by little over time.
One room may already be in good shape while another still has an older feature that is showing its age. Focusing on that one area can still make a real difference. A smaller remodeling project can improve the way the space looks and make it more comfortable to use without changing the rest of the house.
Replace a Drafty Exterior Door
An older exterior door can become a problem long before it looks completely worn out. You may notice cold air coming in around the frame during winter, or the door may start sticking when you try to close it. Gaps around the opening can also allow heated or cooled air to escape, making it harder to keep the temperature inside the home consistent.
Replacing the door can improve the seal around the entrance and update the front of the house at the same time. Proper measurements and installation are important because a replacement door needs to fit the opening correctly to help keep drafts out. On a Philadelphia rowhome, the front door is also a noticeable part of the exterior, so changing an older one can give the entrance a cleaner look.
Update an Older Tub or Shower
A bathroom can still work well even when the tub or shower is ready for an update. The surface may be worn, or the enclosure may have become difficult to keep clean. In other homes, the setup simply no longer works well for the people using it.
Updating this part of the bathroom can give the room a fresh look without changing everything around it. Some homeowners decide to replace an older bathtub with a walk in shower when stepping over the side of the tub has become inconvenient. Others still use the tub and prefer to update the surrounding area instead. The right choice comes down to how the bathroom is used now.
Replace a Vanity That Does Not Fit the Room
Bathroom vanities can take up more space than they need to, especially in smaller Philadelphia bathrooms. An older vanity may extend too far into the room or leave you with storage that is difficult to use. After living with the same setup for years, even a few inches of extra room can make the space feel easier to move through.
A better fitting vanity can open up more usable floor space and give the bathroom a cleaner look. Drawer storage may also make everyday items easier to reach than a deep cabinet where things tend to get pushed toward the back. Since the vanity is such a visible part of the room, changing it can make the bathroom feel more updated even when the rest of the space stays the same.
Improve the Lighting in a Dark Room
Older homes do not always have lighting where it is needed most. A kitchen may have a ceiling fixture that leaves part of the counter in shadow. In a bathroom, the light above the mirror may not provide enough visibility around the vanity.
Updating the lighting can make the room easier to use and help the space feel brighter. This can be especially helpful in Philadelphia rowhomes where natural light is often strongest at the front and back of the house. Better placement can make a noticeable difference in rooms that tend to feel dark during the day.
Replace Flooring That Is Showing Its Age
Flooring takes a lot of wear over the years, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. Scratches or cracked tile can make the rest of the room look older even when everything else is still in good shape. Because the floor covers such a large part of the space, replacing it can have a noticeable impact.
The material should make sense for the room where it is being installed. Kitchen flooring needs to hold up to regular traffic and the spills that come with everyday use. Bathroom flooring has to perform well around moisture. In an older home where improvements have been made at different times, new flooring can also help the room feel more finished.
Replace Windows That Are Giving You Trouble
Most homeowners know which windows in the house have become difficult to use. A window may stick when you try to open it or no longer lock the way it should. You may also notice cold air around the frame when the weather changes.
Replacing a problem window can improve the comfort of the room and make the window easier to use again. A properly installed replacement should fit the opening correctly and operate smoothly. Older Philadelphia homes often have windows that were replaced at different times, so one part of the house may need attention even when the rest are still working well.
Give Kitchen Cabinets a Fresh Look
Kitchen cabinets can make the whole room feel dated even when the layout still works well. If the cabinet boxes are in good condition, cabinet refacing may be an option for updating the appearance without replacing everything.
New cabinet doors and drawer fronts can change the look of the kitchen while keeping the existing boxes in place. Hardware can be updated at the same time so the finished cabinets feel consistent with the rest of the room. If the cabinets themselves are damaged or the layout is the real problem, replacement may make more sense.
Start With the Part of the Home You Notice Most
There is usually one area of the house that comes to mind first when you start thinking about home improvements. Maybe it is the front door that lets in a draft every winter. Maybe it is the bathroom vanity that has never fit the room quite right.
Taking care of that one area can make the home feel better without turning it into a larger project. If you have been thinking about making a change, it may be a good time to explore what would work best for your home.