Some home renovations offer a better return on your investment than others, and a staircase renovation is one such enhancement. Unless you’re in the real estate business, it might surprise you to see the types of home improvements that can lead to bigger profits when you sell your home – and the same can be said for the ones that can drain its value.
For example, while revamping, say, a kitchen or a bathroom is almost always a good idea, it may serve you well to think twice before installing, say, a pool or jacuzzi. Revamping your staircase, however, is a consistently safe bet, and it’s also a project you can do without draining your budget in the process.
Why staircase renovations deliver
When you’re gearing up to place your home on the market, you’re probably thinking about whether it needs a fresh coat or paint or a new front door. You want to put your best foot forward when a potential buyer pulls up, and while your home’s exterior typically delivers the first impression, it’s often the staircase that leaves a lasting one. In other words, just as a fresh, well-designed staircase free of nicks, dings or dents draws the eye and helps you stand out from the pack, a dirty, stained or damaged one will do the same – but for all the wrong reasons.
Potential design ideas
If you want to give your staircase a fresh look and feel but don’t have a complete renovation in the budget, there are a number of smaller upgrades that can go a long way in terms of enhancing aesthetics and safety. Replacing a loose or simply boring handrail, for example, can make a serious difference, as can swapping out wooden balusters or newel posts for iron ones, or vice versa. Similarly, if the treads of your stairs reveal obvious wear and tear, replacing them with new ones can work wonders in terms of appealing to potential buyers.
In some cases, you may be thinking about redoing your stairs so they can better accommodate an aging parent, a child or anyone else who might have mobility issues or otherwise require a safer staircase. Regardless of your reasoning for upgrading your stairs, you can rest easy knowing that the majority, if not more, of the investment you make along the way will come back to you sometime down the line.