Save Versus Splurge: Home Trends to Keep or Skip

Crown Molding

Crown molding material and installation can be costly. Instead go with less expensive wainscoting or chair rail. If you just can't live without crown molding, consider installing it yourself to save money.

Ceilings

If you're building a new home or adding on, consider a 10-foot or higher ceiling. It opens up a room, which is especially important in small spaces.

Tile

Use ceramic tile in bathrooms, kitchens, and around fireplaces. Ceramic tile is cheap, widely available, and comes in a variety of colors.

Heated Bathroom Floors

No one likes the shock of a cold bathroom floor in the morning, so many homeowners are willing to spend the extra cash on heated bathroom floors. Radiant heating systems warm a room via hot water or electrical wires installed beneath a finished floor. Ceramic tile, concrete, and wood floors are ideal surfaces for radiant heating.

Light Fixtures

Choose eye-catching fixtures to light one or two main areas, but opt for basic fixtures, such as caninister or track lights, elsewhere.

Christmas Lighting

Rather than having to strategize your outlet and cord placement each holiday, homeowners are having their homes permanently wired for Christmas lights.

Cabinetry

Many cabinets come standard with built-in features, so select midrange cabinetry instead of top-of-the-line.

Pot-Fillers

Take an idea from professional kitchens and install a pot-filler faucet in the kitchen. A pot-filler mounted on the backsplash makes filling a big pot an easy job.

Carpet

Lay nice carpet rather than a more expensive alternative material. Your feet will love the soft surface and your wallet will love the price.

Media Room

Whether it's for family movie nights or slumber parties, media rooms serve many purposes in a home. Keep all your movies, music, and books organized with built-in cabinetry.

Paint

Color is the cheapest way to revamp a space. Add interest to the exterior or interior with color choice, color combination, and painting techniques.

Home Security

Protect all the items in your home with a home security system. Electric alarm systems often include a master control panel, at least one keypad for arming and disarming the system, a selection of sensors at the doors and windows, motion detectors throughout the home, and a warning siren or light.

Freestanding Pieces

Rather than spending the time or money on built-in shelving, use freestanding pieces to add storage space and interest to a room.

Towel Warmer

Turn your bathroom into a personal spa with a towel warmer. Similar to the added comfort of heated floors, heated towels make the bathing experience cozier.

Change Hardware

Changing hardware is a quick and easy way to update. New house numbers, a new door knob, and a fancy door knocker can give your front door a new look for less.

Three- or four-car garage

Even if you don't have three or four vehicles, additional space in the garage will give you additional storage or hobby space.

Reline a Tub

Give your bathroom an update for less by relining your bathtub. Relining cuts out costs associated with removing an old bathtub, tiling, and plumbing.

Walk-in Shower

Universal design may cost more upfront, but the payback comes with the length of time homeowners are able to enjoy their homes. A walk-in shower is a great universal design element because it prevents homeowners from having to climb in and out of a tub surround as they get older.

Buy Local

Getting material from a nearby source is often easier on the budget. It's also environmentally friendly. Stones from a local quarry create a visually interesting fireplace surround.

Wine Cellar

Wine is a big investment, so protect your purchases with a climate-controlled wine cellar. Basements or butler's pantries are good places to convert into a private wine cellar.