If you are considering an apartment renovation for your New York City apartment, you are likely trying to get your head around what are the proper improvements you should make. Whether it is trying to flip for resale value or create a nice fresh home, you want to make sure you are not breaking the bank and getting the most optimal product with as little headache. So, consider some of these targeted approaches for an NYC apartment remodel.
1) Don’t Be Afraid To Knock Down Walls
The preferred style in today’s main floor apartments is an open concept plan, where rooms are not broken up by defined barrier spaces. But some apartment owners may be afraid to knock down walls either by fear of cost or effort. The reality is that it is generally cheaper to knock down a wall rather than put one up, especially if is not load-bearing. Knocking down walls is generally part of the demolition phase of a project, which can be quick. The only limiting factors are if there is any electrical, plumbing, or if it is a load-bearing wall. Either way, removing a wall is usually an inexpensive part of a project but yields a great return on the final product.
2) Always Add Space To A Kitchen
A lot of times, a full apartment remodel is done in part because kitchen space is inadequate. But do not fall into a trap in thinking that a reorganized small kitchen space yields great return. A kitchen renovation is always going to be expensive whether you add space or just try to reorganize it. Saving a few bucks to preserve a tiny kitchen is just not a great approach in today’s NYC apartment renovation. The kitchen in today’s world is meant to a place to socialize in large groups and so having a large footprint goes a long way.
3) Bathtubs Instead Of Showers
While a shower tends to produce a higher-end product and can fit in a more condensed space, it’s important to always prioritize tubs over showers when applicable in a bathroom remodel. In an apartment that has multiple bathrooms, you do not necessarily need both to have a tub, but in an apartment with only one bathroom, the flexibility of a tub can go a long way towards resale value.
4) Put An Emphasis On Closet Space
It is very tempting and easy to give up closet space to make a room bigger, but the reality is that storage is a critical part of an apartment’s function. Closets are good to have because they take up a small footprint but enable occupants to have better control over clutter in their household. If you are doing work or creating a master closet, consider installing built-ins, to fully optimize storage capacity and create a nice high-end amenity.
5) Plan Your Furniture Layout
As you are planning your renovation, always keep in mind what you anticipate your furniture layout will look like. Do not go after styles and colors without taking into consideration what the color of furniture is. More importantly, if your remodel is heavy on changing the layout or footprint of the apartment, than consider how your furniture’s footprint will work under that proposed design. The last thing you would want to do is create a layout for your home that will not complement your existing furniture.
6) Don’t Be Afraid To Throw In Amenities
While it is important to always stay on budget for your project, you should not be afraid these days to throw in some technology to give your New York City apartment a little modernization. For example, if you are doing a kitchen renovation, ask your kitchen renovation contractor to install in-wall speakers, so you can play music in your kitchen through your smartphone. Or ask your bathroom remodeling contractor for heated floors so you can stay warm during the winter months.
7) Hire A Design Firm
After you get a good idea of what you want your apartment to remodel to look like, it is important to seek help from a qualified design-build to carry your project from dream to reality. Large scale remodels projects will require a design-build who are experts in converting customers’ visions into readable plans that an apartment renovation contractor is capable of understanding. Unfortunately, when you don’t bring in a design-build, a contractor can have a hard time understanding the vision a customer is looking which can result in an under-performance of the final product.
8) Always Look At Examples
While it goes without saying, you should always look at examples of styles and patterns to get a better feel for what the cosmetic finishes of a house might look like. A lot of times it is too easy to just look at a magazine or a website and say this is a style you might like. But rather it is imperative that you visit a showroom to get an up-close look at things like tiles, wallpaper, wall colors, and fixtures. This will give a fresh perspective on whether you could see yourself like a certain style.
9) Hire The Proper Help
Many times, an apartment renovation does not go well because you may have hired an inadequate apartment renovation contractor for the job you are trying to accomplish. It is important to consider what work you are trying to complete and make sure you are bringing in the proper personnel. Do not hire a kitchen renovation contractor if you need a bathroom remodel. Alternatively, do not hire a bathroom remodeling contractor for your entire apartment project.
10) Keep Your Project Original
The most important advice for anyone undergoing a renovation for their apartment is to make it special by keeping some originality. While it is great to get advice from others or ideas from sources, in the end, it’s your dwelling and you should be able to design it in a way that best expresses yourself. Always communicate your ideas, but let your remodel be a form of art that you can proudly call yours.
