It’s your place down the Cape, your camp by the lake, your ski house in the mountains. Wherever it is and whatever you call it, your vacation home that serves as your escape from the day-to-day routine eventually will need improvements.
Perhaps it’s been in the family for a long time and is showing its age. Or it is newly acquired and it needs some love and attention to make it your own. Either way, that vacation house may have specific considerations that differ from your full-time residence when it comes to upgrades and renovations.
Have you spent time there recently? Did you notice wear and tear or find yourself imagining some changes you’d like to make? Were you there for a recent holiday or long weekend and notice the kitchen is beginning to age or the bathrooms need some updating? Are the kids older and bigger and in need of more space? Perhaps it’s time to start planning your project.
If you are thinking about an upgrade to your second home (e.g., kitchen renovation, outdoor kitchen, updated bathrooms) you may want to consider your plan for the property in the future. How you proceed will be influenced by your long-term plan.
Review the four primary ways second homes are used:
- Your Happy Place
If your second home will be used by you and your family as a seasonal or year-round escape, choose materials and finishes that suit your style and taste. If you enjoy entertaining there, make sure you have plenty of space to do so. You might consider a large, multi-use island with plenty of seating —read our blog on Island Trends here —and be sure to include plenty of storage so when you aren’t entertaining serving pieces, linens and extra chairs can be put away. You may also consider upgrading the bathrooms with vanity tops and flooring you love. - An Investment Property
If this second home is an investment that is likely to be sold in a few years then a renovation should prioritize updates that will add value to the property such as new countertops, backsplash and updated appliances. Opt for a classic look rather than something trendy that may not stand the test of time. Do your research, the same renovations that add value to a primary home may not add value to a second home that you intend to sell. - Rental Property
If you plan on renting when you are not using your vacation home, you may want to focus on durable, low-maintenance materials and maximize storage space. A large island with plenty of seating will appeal to vacationers as they gather in your home as will ample counter space; for your benefit, resilient flooring and new, energy-efficient appliances will reduce the need for you to perform emergency maintenance. - Your Retirement Home
If you plan to retire to your second home, invest in materials and finishes that suit your style and taste and that will wear well over time. Consider improvements that will allow you to age in place. These include pull out shelves, good lighting, induction stovetops and rounded corners.
Bathrooms are also a good place to make changes. Choose vanity tops and flooring that will offer you a pleasing aesthetic and consider some practical choices like installing grab bars and a shower with a seat. These and other choices throughout the home will help make aging in place easier and give you many years to enjoy the home.
Elsewhere in your home, you may consider a beautiful fireplace surround to upgrade your living space; perhaps a stunning natural granite or bookmatched porcelain can make a beautiful statement for you to enjoy for years to come.
However you plan to use your second home, you are likely going to need renovations at some point. Boston Granite Exchange is one of New England’s largest importers of natural stone, offering the most extensive selection of natural stone slabs in the region including premium granite, quartzite, soapstone and marble as well as The BGE Quartz Collection and Laminam porcelain. We invite you to explore the many different stone options available for your kitchen renovation and plan a visit to one of our showrooms in West Bridgewater or Haverhill, MA to see, in person, the stones you like and choose the one that is just right for your second home.