WHEN TO SAVE AND WHEN TO SPLURGE ON YOUR FIXER-UPPER

This week’s guest edit is by interior designer, Emma Beryl Kemper of the New York City design studio Emma Beryl.

Purchasing and renovating a fixer-upper can be an incredibly daunting project. There’s always the fear that you will encounter an unforeseen costly problem such as mold or faulty electrical wiring. However, if done well, a fixer-upper can be a smart investment and a great way to make sure that your home is tailored perfectly to your needs and tastes.

When To Splurge

Since your fixer-upper renovation will likely take place before you live in the space, it makes sense to prioritize and splurge on items that you don’t want to have to think about again after you move in. For example–redoing the floors is a messy update to have to do later and would require you to move out all of your furniture so should be considered high-priority and a smart place to splurge. Flooring is also an element that makes a huge visual impact on a space, it will completely set the tone for your home and the style you are trying to achieve.

Investing in high-end kitchen appliances from a reliable brand with a good warranty could ultimately save you money because you shouldn’t need to replace your appliances down the line or pay for costly repairs or servicing appointments. Brand name appliances can also be considered an asset on a real estate listing and could potentially attract a higher-end buyer if and when you ultimately resell.

Nick Glimenakis

Similarly, bathroom faucets are well worth investing in as having to replace plumbing parts can lead to a domino effect of work requiring tiles to be removed, walls to be opened etc. Making sure you select smart products from the get-go, even if it means spending a little more up front, will save money and headache down the road.

When To Save

It makes sense to save on items like expensive light fixtures or wallpaper because they can easily be upgraded at a later date when you have some time to recoup from the initial project. These are also the kinds of updates you may want to make as your tastes change or after you’ve actually been living in the space. There are beautiful options on the market for affordable light fixtures that will look elevated in a space that has high-end hard finishes like flooring.

There are so many affordable tile options for both kitchen backsplashes, and bathroom walls and floors that you can easily find options that will be durable and beautiful without breaking the bank. Do your research and make sure that the materials you select for each space are appropriate for the end-use and this is an area where you can really find a great deal.

Nick Glimenakis

Lastly, one of the best things about a fixer-upper is that they enable you to truly build your dream home. Make sure that you are investing in areas that will bring you and your family joy for years to come.

You can follow Interior Designer, Emma Kemper at @EmmaBeryl to check out her latest projects and get a dose of design envy.