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Bungalows have been a staple of the Philippine landscape since they came into style in the 1970s, and are still the ideal starter home for young families, since they are easier to maintain than a two-storey home and usually comes with a garden for the kids or the family dog to play in, unlike living in a condominium. If you plan on buying your own bungalow or selling an old family home before moving into a new one, you might as well spend a little to fix it up and bring it into the 21st century, to either be able to sell it at a higher price or to make it a lot more modern and inviting to live in.
If you're looking to buy, sell, or simply update your bungalow, here's a few tips on how to make the old home look new again:
First impressions count, so take a good look at the bungalow's facade and see what needs work .Does it need more structural work that could be an issue in the future, like replacing the wood or getting the house treated for mold or termites? Forking out money for a new roof may seem like an annoyance, but if it needs doing, acting early will save you the more expensive headache in the long run. After the construction part is done, add a fresh coat of paint to refresh the entire home, gate included!
Most bungalows also come with a garden (and a grotto), so make the mot of the green feature and consider adding modern decking or a patio area as well as a small herb or vegetable garden to allow for a more sustainable and self-sufficient lifestyle.
Us Filipinos love to eat, and with food being such an intrinsic part of our day-to-day, it's not surprising to find everyone huddled in the 'dirty kitchen' before bringing the cooked food to the 'regular kitchen' where the informal dining table can be found. Do away with the dirty kitchen and upgrade the kitchen inside the home instead. Keep it bright and welcoming by maximizing the natural light that comes in with big windows (which also helps do away with strong smells when cracked open), create an open-plan layout to allow more movement, invest in a double sink for both the food prep and the cleaning up, and a strong exhaust system to keep the smell of daing na tambakol out of your home.
Most old bungalows still have their old tiles from the '70s, or the red flooring that constantly needs to be waxed that stains your feet in the process, or wood veneer tiles that have been worn down with time. Swap them out for engineered hardwood floors for a modern, updated look, which is easy to maintain and should last a good couple of years before needing to be replaced.
Rear extensions can provide some valuable extra space which can be the new living room, or can open up the kitchen to create an open plan kitchen diner. Bi-fold doors, like this one from Rococo, are the perfect way to bring extra light into the lower level of the home, and they also create a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces or extend it out completely with a conservatory. to let in more light and to enjoy the garden.
