Home Renovation Articles | Mitchell Construction Group

Transform Your Home’s Interior With Expert Upgrades

Written by Tommy Mitchell | Feb 13, 2025 2:15:00 PM

When a home's interior starts to look dated or elements like a shower, lighting fixtures, or fireplace do not function well for your current needs, what are your options? The goal should be trustworthy, high-quality solutions for interior upgrades that align with your lifestyle and enhance property value.

 

Your home is more than just a place to live—it's a reflection of your style and an investment in your future. Solutions don't always involve a massive remodeling project. Upgrading interior features is a way to maintain a home as a legacy and investment. Discover how thoughtful, smaller-scale interior upgrades can elevate your home's comfort, beauty, and value.

Common Challenges When Upgrading Home Interiors

It is ideal to get your home interior just the way you want it. But life can sometimes get in the way. Understanding challenges and, more importantly, the steps you can take to overcome them will make the path forward much easier.

Some homeowners would love nothing more than to strap on a toolbelt and get fixing what seems like minor upgrades. How hard can it be to install a new backsplash? People often get in over their heads when starting a home renovation project. You may begin tearing out trim, removing hardware or fixtures, and wonder, "What am I looking at?"

In other cases, you may discover work not done correctly the first time. Often, homeowners come across the work of a former owner and realize the work was not up to their standards. You may find DIY "fixes" that don't meet current codes understood and practiced by skilled tradespeople.

Part of the reason people are reluctant to start an interior renovation project is the unknown. If you live in an older New England home, there is no telling what might be behind the walls. What was supposed to be a quick project turned into something much more complex. A good home exterior and maintenance remodeling partner will help you identify work done incorrectly, explain potential problems, and offer solutions.

Once you've determined this is not a job you want to tackle, the next concern is finding reliable professionals to deliver high-quality work. Don't have access to trades and vendors who provide quality work and products.

Older homes in New England sometimes get updates that are not in keeping with the original historic design. You might want to restore an original look with either period-appropriate materials like plasterwork or modern materials that retain the period look but hold up and function better for today's needs. A good home exterior and maintenance remodeling partner will help you navigate the overwhelming number of design options and ensure your choices align with your long-term goals.

Key Interior Upgrades to Consider

What is on your list of interior upgrades that need attention sooner rather than later? Here are some of the most common interior upgrades requested by homeowners looking to gain a better quality of life and a good return on investment from a home renovation project.

Custom Carpentry Solutions

  • Built-in shelving, cabinetry, or custom woodwork to enhance functionality and aesthetics.
  • Restoring or modernizing trim, moldings, and baseboards for a refined look.
  • Upgrade the appearance of the fireplace.
  • Kitchen or bathroom enhancements like a tile backsplash and tile in the shower.
  • Full bathroom replacement. If the current footprint and layout work, replace dated and failing elements with new material.

Wall Enhancements

  • Fresh coats of paint to transform a room’s feel, or bold accent walls to create a focal point.
  • Plaster and drywall repair to ensure smooth, flawless walls.
  • Consider using wallpaper to enhance the look of a room.
  • Add or replace wainscotting to maintain or enhance the aesthetic of the home.

Lighting and Electrical Improvements

  • Recessed fixtures or under-cabinet lighting can enhance the look of cabinet upgrades and increase functionality as task lighting.
  • Lighting design throughout the home enhances the look and functionality of spaces.
  • New fixtures and switches can be part of a "smart home" upgrade, with remote access from handheld devices.
  • Keep humid summers at bay with fan upgrades in bathrooms and other home areas.
  • More homes are installing EV chargers, sometimes requiring a service upgrade to handle the power requirements.

Flooring Upgrades

  • Consider refinishing hardwood, updating tile, or installing luxury vinyl plank (LVT) for durability and elegance.
  • Enhancing existing hardwood is an opportunity to change the colors, add borders, or other accents. Different stain colors and wood choices–like an oak floor with a Brazilian cherry border–can recall the original period in which the home was built or add flair that reflects your style.
  • Laminate flooring of the past does not have a good reputation. Modern LVT looks like wood but is more durable. It can be used in any room of the home. LVT is a fine flooring choice for a high-end look with low maintenance and durability.
  • Many homeowners want to upgrade old carpets in hallways or stair runners. Rooms for children may also wish to be carpeted with a thick pad underneath to make them comfortable to play on.

Countertops

  • There are so many choices for kitchen and bathroom countertops that you will want the help of a home exterior and maintenance remodeling expert.
  • Marble is an ever-popular high-end countertop, but it needs maintenance.
  • Granite is becoming a go-to choice for many homeowners.
  • Quartz and solid surface synthetics are also gaining in popularity.

Plumbing Fixtures

  • Plumbing fixtures can quickly become dated. Choosing the right faucet for your kitchen or adding a pot filler to the stovetop can enhance workflow and the overall look of your kitchen.
  • Adding a handheld and rain showerhead is becoming a must-have feature in modern bathrooms.

Examples of Interior Upgrades

Small changes in home interiors can make a big impact. Here are just a few examples of our recent work.

Leveling A Hearth (before image on the left and the after image on the right)

The homeowner was concerned about the hearth raising above the floor line. By removing the old brick and in-setting new brick, we were able to deliver a hearth at floor level. 

New Lighting

The change might be as simple as new lighting to reflect the kitchen's overall style. Here, we added lighting that reflected the midcentury modern feel of the kitchen.

Shower Refresh

The texture and multiple inserts on this shower surround were too much for the homeowner (left image). A more matte finish and single insert streamlined and enhanced the look.

Fireplace Surround

On the left, the client's fireplace surround needs to be transformed. On the right, with natural stone and a full mantle, the fireplace can again become a focal point rather than an afterthought in the room.

The Value of Partnering with a Professional Remodeling and Maintenance Company

Interior upgrades don’t have to be overwhelming when you have a trusted partner to guide you. With the right team and vision, your home can become the sanctuary you’ve always dreamed of—timeless, elegant, and undeniably yours.

By hiring a full-service team with access to highly skilled carpenters, plasterers, painters, and other trades, your interior upgrades will be built to last. The peace of mind that comes with working with a process-driven, reliable company that prioritizes transparency and integrity cannot be overstated.

At Mitchell Construction Group, we streamline the process and eliminate the stress of coordinating multiple contractors. We take on the details and work with your municipality on permits and inspections. We manage the project to make it as simple as possible for you.