Upgrades are about more than just decor and style – they’re about how you choose to invest your money. By preparing for your upgrade appointment with Metropia you can invest wisely in your new home’s finishes while customizing your house or condo to suit your taste and lifestyle.
“Research your finish options as this will prove especially helpful in determining a list of upgrades that you might like to include when creating your dream space,” says Metropia’s decor manager, Angela De Vito.
Cabinets, countertops, tiles, flooring, fixtures, and appliances are the major upgrades you will select during your appointment. The variety of options available may be overwhelming, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with the options offered by your builder in advance.
While you’re thinking about how you want your home to look today, you should also be thinking about the future. As a rule of thumb, most new condo owners spend between 10 and 20 per cent of the purchase price of their condo in cosmetic upgrades. Here are several upgrades that will offer comfort and style now, and boost future resale value.
Kitchen
As the area of the home people spend the most time in, kitchen upgrades should be considered carefully. Options such as natural stone or quartz countertops, full-height cabinets, a kitchen island and under-cabinet lighting can take your kitchen’s look, and functionality, up a few notches. Light cabinets will give your new kitchen a more open, airy, and clean feel while darker cabinets offer an edgier, more dramatic look. Don’t forget the appliances, as some may require special adjustments to your kitchen layout. Love an oversized fridge with an ice-maker? You’ll need a water line and possibly changes to your cabinetry layout to make it all possible. Your designer will be instrumental in guiding you through this process.
Bathroom
A luxurious spa-like bathroom is key to both resale value and your own daily enjoyment. Floor-to-ceiling tiles, glass shower panels and sleek faucets and shower heads are all popular upgrades for good reason. A deep soaker tub and floating vanity with his and hers sinks will help make the room feel more open, while radiant-heat flooring is an invisible, but luxe, creature comfort.
Flooring
When it comes to flooring options, consider your lifestyle. If kids or pets are in your future plans, you’ll want to choose the most durable flooring you can afford. Hardwood is always a popular choice, while engineered wood flooring may be more practical for its scratch and moisture resistance. Dark flooring adds rich warmth to a space, while light wood finishes create an airy Scandinavian look.
“When preparing for your upgrades appointment, it is also important to take some time to identify your colour scheme and inspirational design photos,” says De Vito.
Be sure to bring those inspirational images to your upgrade appointment. Sharing a mood board, or collection of favourite images, from social media and interior design blogs is a great way to communicate your personal taste and aspirations for your new home.
De Vito speaks from experience when she says: “This will be the stage that makes it all very real and exciting.”
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