Island Life August/September 2018

Prestige Property
New home, same place!
When you want to move house but just can’t face the stress,
upheaval and cost, there is another option that’s becoming
increasingly popular, and that’s simply staying put – but
investing in a home improvement project instead.
The advantage of this approach is that
not only can you create a new home in
the old space, but also can potentially
increase the value of the property.
Currently the most sought-after way
of improving and updating a home is
by adding a dream kitchen, complete
with island working space and sleek
marble or granite countertops. Large,
open-plan designs are becoming
increasingly popular, removing walls to
create a smooth flow of space between
living, dining and cooking areas and
adding rooflights or bi-fold doors to
the garden for extra light and airiness.
Converting a basement or
attic can also add valuable
extra living space, and is a good
option for multi-generational
families where adult children or
grandparents share the home.
One of the easiest ways of
adding square footage has
always been a quick and
easy conservatory - but the
latest ones are a world away
from those old glass ‘bolt-on’
structures that could only
be used for a few of months
of the year. A good modern
conservatory has the potential
to be a fully functional extra
room that can be used all year
round as an offce, dining
room, gym or living space.
Similarly, a little-used garage
can be put to much more
productive use by being
converted to extra living space
– and with the advantage
of minimal build costs.
If it’s a tiny garden that makes
you want to move house,
there’s even a ‘stay put’ solution
for that: creating a roof deck
or balcony where you can
relax and grow your potted
plants from way up high.
“Currently the most sought-after
way of improving and updating a
home is by adding a dream kitchen.”
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