After spending more than a year inside the defined boundaries of home amid the COVID-19 lockdown, residents in Canada are focussing on the home renovation to bring some excitement and a positive change within their abodes. Most of the homeowners have started working on their home renovation projects not just to lend their houses a new, fresh look but also to serve most of their needs. Let’s dive into some great ideas on how Canadians are transforming their homes aesthetically.
Be it the living rooms, bedrooms, guest rooms, home offices or the basements, most of the residents in Canada have started taking a ride of turning each corner of their homes into a dreamy paradise. According to a study in 2020, it was found that 80% of survey respondents were still eager to start working on home projects despite the troubles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and this craze among homeowners continued in 2021 as well.
The major additions witnessed in the luxury, elongated homes of Canada include home offices, home gyms, workspaces and more. Apart from the additions, Canadians are spending a lot of time making alterations in their kitchens, bathrooms and backyards as well.
Here we are revelling in some most remarkable home improvements and best renovations that took place during the pandemic. Also, learn about renovations that increase home value and home renovation return.
Modifications in the Backyard: Considering the Requirements of Parents and Kids
Since the COVID-19 pandemic has put a halt on international travel and tourism, people are finding interesting ways to turn their homes into a haven where they can enjoy the vibe of vacationing. Most homeowners are investing a lot of time and money into their home renovation projects, especially in backyards these days. There is no denying that the homes in Canada are huge and spacious, consisting of all required spaces of leisure. However, a majority of people are making the most of their backyards with the installation of decks, gazebos, pools, hot tubs and treehouses, and not to forget, fire pits and exterior heaters as well.
There is something magical about the outdoors. Their charm is unbeatable. It has been surveyed that people in their free time amidst the lock-down started pondering how to turn the outdoors of their abode into ideal leisure spots. Adding landscapes and installing playgrounds and swimming pools have been a trend last year which continued this year as well. Creating privacy and liveable space in the decks with the use of fencing has been a hit among homeowners. Speaking based on population analysis, families with kids work on adding huge playsets and elements within their backyards.
Talking about the settings for adults, there has been a shift in the plaid backyards into functional spaces with outdoor kitchens and living rooms, barbeque stations and big pizza ovens, and the amendments that can make people have a personal luxury space with a fascinating fusion of the interior and the exterior.
Designing a Home Office
It is no surprise that 2020 was a year when work from home was a trend and many remote workers suddenly found themselves swapping their dining room tables to the office chambers. People were struggling with carving out a perfect space for work in their homes, be it a dedicated room or a desk set up in the bedroom.
The urban dwellers who were already struggling with limited square footage found it difficult to put together a home office as well as to create multi-purpose spaces where they can have flexibility apart from the working hours.
Seeking creative ways to screen workstations or to install light fixtures with dimmer switches can help you out in designing a separable work environment. You can transform your office into an all-digital space that will lead to not needing filing cabinets and printers.
Most Canadians are working on mitigating their working hours so that it doesn’t consume most of the time of their life. And this is how it should be. Workspaces and living areas should be separated so that it does not create a mess in your everyday activities. After all, we should not bring work home since working from home is not as easy as it seems.
Further, the good thing is Canadians who transitioned to working from home due to the COVID-19 Pandemic are looking to recover some money invested in their home office setups. The cherry on the cake is they can claim a new $400 tax credit that will cover their at-home office expenses.
Diversifying the Home’s Footprint
Other than the home office renovations, kitchen and bathroom upgrades and additions too have seen a surge along with the transformation or finishing of basements. Also, the rise of cohabitation has made urbanities move to suburban or rural areas for more space and privacy. This is the reason behind the desire among homeowners looking to add more interior space to their homes. But the pandemic has brought a change in how we structure our homes along with a change in our lifestyle. As per the Appraisal Institute of Canada, bathroom or kitchen renovation is one of the top five projects to improve the value of our home and capitulate the best return on investment (ROI). Homeowners can gain an ROI of 75 to 100% for any of these renovations.
According to a research study, it was also noted that high-ticket things such as bathroom and basement renovations were quite popular among Canadians. While 16% of homeowners were found undergoing a renovation of the bathroom, 10% were found for basement renovation. The study also stated that 21% of survey respondents said that they used their vacation funds and commuting costs for their home improvement projects.
The Addition of a Bunkie to Backyards
Bunkies are small cabins that are designed to add some extra space to a home. If you are not up for constructing walls to design an office in your home, think of constructing one at the foot of your garden. The concept of bunkies in backyards has been gaining popularity over the years. These mini-houses can be designed as an addition to the main residence to provide enough space for an extra living room, an office unit or a workout studio. Adding bunkies is a cost-effective way to add extra space in homes making it a favourable option for those who need extra space.
Summing It Up
If you are planning to make changes to your home this year. We would suggest you do thorough research on the local permits and local bylaws of your municipality’s building. Remember that there might be a shorter supply of some building materials and it might take longer to get them. For instance, as per a study, there was an increase in the price of pressure-treated lumber. The COVID-19 pandemic also brought a halt to the vital construction supply chains that might lead to delay in the timelines for upcoming projects.
Also, if you are seeking to understand the value of home renovations for your property in Canada, reach out to a consultant at Square Yards and fetch more information on the best home renovations and home renovations with the best return.
