11 Luxury Upgrades for Your Raleigh Home

When you are looking for the best places to live in the United States, you will find that Raleigh, North Carolina, consistently ranks in the Top 10, and with good reason. The cost of living is affordable, and The Research Triangle is an attractive place to work. In addition, Raleigh is a culturally vibrant area within close proximity to many other amazing cities. The mild weather makes for excellent recreational and outdoor enjoyment year-round.

Finding a picture-perfect dream home in Raleigh may be an easy task for some, but sometimes even dream homes benefit from a few upgrades. Whether you are thinking about upgrading your current house or searching for Raleigh real estate and daydreaming about potential upgrades to your future home, here are 11 luxury remodeling projects to consider. These ideas can transform a great house into a magnificent place to call home.

A change in lighting will instantly transform the feeling of a room. Choose light fixtures that are bold yet still complement the general architecture of the room for the most significant impact. Chandeliers, pendant lights, or even wall sconces will add ambient lighting and elevate the look of your room. The proper lighting can also make a room feel more spacious and open, especially when expertly paired with mirrors and reflective surfaces. It is also an excellent time to add dimmer switches or recessed lighting for convenience when changing your light fixtures. Another benefit is that the project is not time-consuming and won’t have any particular room out of commission for too long.

A gourmet kitchen is almost a necessity for the homeowner who loves to cook and host. You may decide that a major kitchen remodel will push your house to perfection. While there is no singular definition for a gourmet kitchen, there are a few elements you will want to consider. Ample floor space allows you to move between stations quickly and gives room for others to assist. Multiple large sinks give you more space for prepping food and washing pots and pans. High-end appliances will make the entire cooking experience more pleasant in addition to being aesthetically pleasing. Gas ranges give you more control over temperature, while double ovens allow multiple dishes to cook simultaneously. Warmer drawers will keep each dish warm while you finish the meal or serve in courses. Remodeling the cabinetry or pantry may be in order so that you can easily store and access your ingredients. Finally, since you might be spending a lot of time in your gourmet kitchen, an island is a great addition. An island offers plenty of additional working space, and it provides a central location for kids to have an afternoon snack or for guests to congregate and talk over appetizers.

A premium deck is another renovation that will not disrupt your current living space but will expand it once completed. While a deck may not sound exciting at first, remember that you can customize it to enhance your lifestyle. For example, you could add a deck behind your kitchen to make enjoying al fresco dining easier. You may want a two-story deck, built-in seating, and high-quality ceiling fans. A built-in pergola is another option that can add a lot of character and personalization to a deck. Custom in-ground fire pits or an outdoor fireplace are both fantastic options that can truly transform your space. The key to designing your deck is to take the time to decide how you want your outdoor living space to function. It should be personalized and functional while maximizing space so that you will utilize it to its fullest potential.

While we are discussing outdoor living, keep in mind that you can extend the idea of a gourmet kitchen to your new deck with an outdoor kitchen. Raleigh's mild weather means that an outdoor kitchen is a good investment if you enjoy grilling and hosting outdoor events no matter the season. Depending on your budget and the available outdoor space for this project, your outdoor kitchen could be on the simpler side with a large sink, a high-quality grill, and a lovely patio table. Or, you could get more extensive with countertops, cabinetry, and a built-in refrigerator. You may even decide a bar is important, especially if you spend significant time outdoors or frequently host guests.

At a minimum, the wine connoisseur in the home will want to have their own wine cooler to protect their wines. Or, underutilized space in the home can be converted into a wine room or wine cellar. If someone in the household is skilled with construction and carpentry, building your wine cellar is possible. A contractor, of course, will be able to help you pick the perfect location for temperature and humidity and create a beautiful wine cellar that can enhance your lifestyle or add value to your home as a unique selling point.

Indoor theaters have been considered a luxurious household feature for many years. Your indoor theater can be as modest or elaborate as you find appropriate for your family. At a minimum, you will want a dark room (which is why basements are often an ideal location) and a high-quality television, media player, and sound system. For a more complete and realistic experience, you may want to hire a home electronics company to professionally install a projector, sound system, and theater-style seating. 

Creating a game room can be the ultimate way to upgrade your space if you have a finished basement, attic, or bonus room. Although a game room has the potential to be massive fun for those of all ages, it is an excellent step up from a playroom as young children get older. Arcade games, air hockey, or a pool table are all great options for a game room. To really enhance the space, upgrade it to include a small kitchenette with a sink, cabinets, a refrigerator for cold beverages and snacks, and a small table or dining booth. It can also be a fun place for your kids and their friends to relax after school or on the weekends, so you know your tweens and teens have a safe place to hang out.

Bathrooms are some of the easiest rooms to transform into spaces of opulence and luxury. You can truly pamper yourself in a spa-like setting by painting the room in your favorite relaxing colors and installing a steam shower. Steam showers can come with delightful features like rainfall showerheads, steam generators, mood lighting, aromatherapy oils, and custom tile enclosures. You can create the experience you want and have a shower that soothes and rejuvenates.

A hot tub is a fairly straightforward investment if you would rather relax with family and friends than spend time alone. However, depending on where you choose to install the hot tub, you need to factor in costs like a concrete patio, an electrician, and extra features like special lighting. Routine maintenance costs for upkeep will need to be included as well. A home sauna can be its own custom room, or it can be a prefabricated kit. You can choose between steam saunas or infrared saunas based on personal preference. More spacious saunas or those designed to stand up to the elements will require a little more investment, but you'll have the features you need for everyone to enjoy.

Not everyone has the space for an 18-hole golf course on their property, but you can install a custom putting green if you still want to keep up your game. The avid golfer will be happy to practice their putting and chipping at any time, alone or with a few friends.

A library is a stellar addition for the academic or bibliophile. Custom-built bookshelves are a must because they will fit the room's architectural style for optimal space utilization and offer a more uniform look than store-bought shelves. You can choose to add drawers and doors for further personalization. Collectors of vintage or rare books or manuscripts will appreciate having a dedicated space to display their treasures. A rolling ladder may be the thoughtful finishing touch you've imagined. You can finish the room with furniture and decor to match — go classic with a desk and chair for a combined office, or add cozy reading nooks for everyone in the family to enjoy. Adding a home library is just one more way to make your home stand out amongst the luxury homes in Raleigh, NC.

Whether you are upgrading your home to put it on the market or are looking for the finest Raleigh homes for sale, Shonda Draughn is a leading Realtor® in the area. She brings together her knowledge and love of the Triangle, her sharp attention to detail, and her excellence in service to support your needs. Shonda knows the fine neighborhoods around Raleigh intimately and can successfully help find the best Raleigh real estate. Contact Shonda today!