When embarking on a home renovation project, people tend to focus on the big jobs that add value to their home and make the biggest visual impact. This usually means installing a dream kitchen or doing a bathroom renovation, doing a loft conversion, adding a new roof or a glazed extension. Whilst these large-scale projects will undoubtedly make your home renovation project more successful, there are lots of other smaller upgrades that you can make that will make your home renovation project stand out. Let’s take a look at the small details that can really transform your home and the benefits that these home upgrades can bring.
Interior Doors
Installing good quality interior doors in your home renovation project can make all the difference. Not only do they look more luxurious but they feel it too. Solid wood interior doors, for example, are heavier and feel so much better when you open and close them. They’re also better for sound control.
Door Knobs and Handles
Cabinet handles and door knobs from Plank Hardware
If you’re going to spend money on good quality interior doors, you want to make sure that you also invest in some inspirational designer architectural door hardware. Choose high-quality materials like brass, bronze, or stainless steel to add personalised style and sophistication to your interior spaces. Choose something weighty that will hold up to a lot of manhandling and won’t get too smudgy, tarnished or marked from constant use.
Also, consider choosing something a bit more unique that can make a bit of a statement whilst also complementing your overall decor. I personally like to choose handles with a tactile quality, such as knurled handles. Whatever you choose, make sure you go for consistency though and use the same door handles and knobs throughout the whole home for a cohesive look.
Even seemingly minor components can have a big impact on overall aesthetics and functionality of interior spaces. So when planning renovations don’t forget the significance of choosing door hardware that matches your design vision.
Door Hinges
Solid Brass Butt Hinges from Pushka Home
And while we’re here, don’t forget the door hinges. You won’t get the full benefit of your solid good quality doors with impressive handles if you don’t also replace your old, squeaky hinges with new, smooth-operating ones.
Remember to choose finishes that match your door knobs and handles for a uniform look. If you want to take attention to detail one step further, consider hidden hinges for a sleek, contemporary appearance.
Door Stops and Bumpers
Now you’ve spent all that money on the doors and the hardware, you’d be a fool not to protect them. That’s why you should also install stylish door stops to protect both the walls and doors. If you really want to impress people with something a bit more unusual and unexpected consider magnetic or floor-mounted options for a clean look. And once again, ensure all the door stops match the other hardware finishes.
Lighting Fixtures
Whitby Spotlights from Davey Lighting
Lighting is a very overlooked aspect of home renovation but what people don’t realise is the transformative power of lighting. If you really want to decorate like an interior design professional do not neglect the lighting.
Layer different light sources across your room—ambient, task and accent. A well-placed lamp or a strategically hung pendant can improve mood and functionality. So make sure you replace outdated fixtures with modern, stylish options. And use dimmable lights where possible for adjustable ambience.
Light Switches and Outlets
Designer Light Switches by Kelly Hoppen for Focus SB
Once you’ve installed your fancy new layered lighting, it would be very remiss to neglect the light switches. White plastic light switches scream cheap and cheerful and this is not the impression we want to give, especially as they will yellow over time.
Instead opt for sleek, modern light switch designs in finishes like brushed nickel or matte black. We opted for matt black light switches out outlets in our kitchen makeover and looks 100 times more luxurious. Plus I really like the way they feel and there are no smudgy finger prints to be seen.
If you want to take it one step further consider smart switches for enhanced functionality and convenience. Wi-Fi-enabled smart light switches enable you to control your home’s lighting remotely and automate your daily routines. They often have built-in motion sensors and can be voice-controlled.
Bear in mind though, that smart light switches are a little more complicated to install so it might be time to bring in a skilled residential electrician to ensure it’s done right. The cost of an expert is a small price to pay for peace of mind and safety.
Outlet Covers
Designer Electrical Wiring Accessories from Focus SB
If you’re levelling up your light switches, you will also need to upgrade your outlet covers. The standard white plastic just won’t cut it now you’ve got fancy light switches. It makes sense that your new outlet covers should match your light switches and work with your room’s theme.
Replacing cheap outlet covers with more luxurious screwless plates will give your walls a sleek and modern appearance. These offer a seamless, clean look that eliminates visible screws, creating a polished and sophisticated finish.
Just ensure all covers are properly aligned when fitted so you don’t diminish the impact.
Vent Covers and Grilles
You can see the pattern here can’t you? Once you upgrade one thing it leads you to needing to upgrade something else. With new fancy outlets you will also need to replace old, rusty vent covers with modern designs. Again choose finishes to match other hardware in the room.
You definitely won’t be giving off luxury vibes if you keep the old builders’ grilles that may have been installed crookedly or painted over.
Cable Management
There is really nothing worse that a see of tangled or dangling cables. If you are going to all the effort to uplevel your home renovation project with all the small details that make it stand out, the last thing you want to do is devalue all your hard work with a mess of cables on show.
Try to design ways to hide cables and wires for a clean, organised appearance.
Skirting Boards and Crown Molding
Image c/o Little Greene
Talking about cable management, did you know that you can actually get skirting boards that are designed to hide trailing cables? If you have cables that run around the room it is definitely worth looking into ways to hide them in your skirting boards. Just make sure you comply with regulations.
If you’re choosing skirting boards don’t just opt for the cheapest ones on offer. Select styles that enhance the architectural features of your home. Consider the height and profile for a more elegant look and use high-quality wood or composite materials for durability.
Crown moldings or cornice should also be carefully chosen and should be consistent through the home. These architectural elements can offer a cohesive, nuanced look throughout your space, elevating the design so it’s worth getting right.
Cabinet Hardware
Door hardware from Buster & Punch
Replacing cabinet handles or knobs in the kitchen is a great way to spruce up your kitchen on budget if you’re unable to take on a full renovation. When you are doing a full kitchen remodel you will want to pay special attention to the cabinet hardware. You don’t have to accept the hardware that the kitchen normally comes with. Instead, choose something that will stand out and make a statement. Experiment with different shapes and sizes for a unique touch.
Just don’t forget to coordinate finishes with other metal elements in the room, such as taps and light fixtures.
Hooks and Hangers
Large Oak Pelican Shelf with hidden hooks from woodendot
Hooks and hangers are generally afterthoughts when people realise that they need some easy-to -access storage that is practical. But hooks and hangers should be planned from the get-go and should be chosen wisely. Add decorative hooks in entryways, hallways, bathrooms, and closets for functionality and style.
Again choose designs that complement your decor. If you have a Scandi influence, go for something minimal and sleek. If you have a country cottage feel opt for something more ornate. Whatever you choose, ensure you go for high-quality materials for durability.
Bathroom Accessories
Keuco Collection of chrome bathroom accessories
Let’s not forget the bathroom accessories here. Installing a luxury bathroom with walk-in rainfall shower and luxury free-standing tub is all good and well but if you scrimp on the accessories you’re likely to ruin the vibe. Update towel bars, rings, and hooks to match your hardware finishes. Add stylish soap dispensers and toothbrush holders, and find a way to discreetly store the loo roll and toilet brush that keeps them neatly out of sight.
Accent Walls and Finishes
Trepanel® Smoked Oak Acoustic Wood Slat Panels from Walls and Floors
The quickest, easiest and most impactful way to uplevel your home renovation project? Create a focal wall using different finishes. Consider adding an accent wall with paint, wallpaper, or textured materials. That could be using textured wall finishes, adding wooden slat panelling, statement wallpaper, a wall mural, a cork wall, installing statement tiles or simply using paint.
Paint is probably the simplest option but make sure you use high-quality, eco-friendly paints and finishes and ensure the accent wall complements the overall colour scheme of the room.
I’ll give you this pro tip for nothing: Invest in decent masking tape. Nothing spells regret like a sloppy paint job, especially around the edges where the ceiling meets the wall. It’s like a bad haircut for your house—no amount of styling will fix it. And you’ll be kicking yourself if you buy the cheapest stuff just to save a few pennies.
Exterior Hardware
Parcel Boxes from Smart Parcel Box
The final thing on my list is the exterior hardware. You’ve done all the hard work inside you level up your home renovation, it would be criminal not to do an equally good job outside. Remember, curb appeal counts. Update house numbers, doorbells, and mailboxes to make a good first impression.
Choose finishes that complement your home’s exterior and ensure all hardware is weather-resistant and durable.
So there you have it. Those are my top tips for making your home renovation stand out by focusing on the small but powerful details. Do you have anything to add to the list? Let me know in the comments below.