Ways to Pamper One of the Greatest Investments in Your Portfolio
By: Linda Appleton

Analysts say that an investment in your home is one of the greatest investments in your portfolio in this day and age. But many hesitate due to lack of funds or the scare of the expense. Surprisingly, your home CAN be updated with very little investment. You can obtain that new look, or feel like your home is your own personal palace with minor upgrades.

First, crown moldings and wider baseboards can add a new dimension to your home. Crown moldings offer you a sense of higher ceilings while wider baseboards give your floors a more “finished” appearance. The combination of the two can give a room an elegant ambiance.

Another option is to replace your fluorescent lighting in your kitchen with recessed lighting. This offers a vaulted ceiling façade giving your kitchen a much larger feel. The inside can be finished with crown molding and then double-framed for a picturesque look. It is desirable to use a crown molding that you have already chosen to use in an adjacent room, thus tying the whole endeavor together. You can also have the recessed ceiling painted to match the color of your walls. This really completes an area.

If your home has a wall with an opening into another room, it can be enhanced with casings. Framing the opening with a 3"-4" molding offers a more prestigious appearance. Framing the windows achieves this as well.

Making these changes are very minor, yet extremely beneficial. You will feel as if you’ve moved into a new home, and your friends & family will be incredibly impressed. The biggest benefit is that it will increase the value of your home by more than the initial investment of having the work done.