Not a Pretty Sight: 8 Reasons To Fall in Love With Your Ugly Home (Really!)
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Your home might not be a contestant on the “Ugliest House in America,” but do you have a sinking feeling it could still compete strongly on the HGTV show?
Alas, some homes are downright ugly—inside and/or out. Yet, there are often plenty of silver linings to even the unseemliest spaces, and we’re here to remind you of them all!
So don’t beat yourself up just because your dwelling isn’t the pristine palace you always dreamed you’d have! Instead, check out some of the smart reasons to love (or at least appreciate) your homely home.
1. You’re saving money, honey
Owning an ugly home means it was probably more affordable than its lovelier cousins. Your mortgage is likely smaller, too.
Unsightly homes are often starter homes; and since the first place you own is rarely your forever home, it’s fine to chill temporarily and save up for something better. In other words, embrace your homely bargain!
And even if you want to pretty up your property, you’re still saving money, says Nick Jankovsky, global real estate adviser for Premier Sotheby’s International in St. Petersburg, FL.
“Cosmetically changing an ugly home to a more attractive one is achievable, whereas getting your money back after wasting it on rent is not,” Jankovsky notes.
2. The kids and dog can have free rein
If you have toddlers and a Lab puppy, you probably should seek out only ugly homes. Little people and rambunctious fur babies can wreck a house, as you well know. So starting off with an ugly one—that can take a beating—might just make good sense.
3. It’s where the heart is, after all
So what if the yard is a mess?
It’s yours, and the “pride of ownership is always there,” says Janovsky.
You’re the king of your humble abode, so keep that in mind the next time you trip on a crack in the driveway.
4. You won’t be asked to host much
Introverts and lazy cooks can rejoice in an ugly home, because pressure from friends and family to host book club gatherings or summer barbecues is unlikely.
“And think of it this way: If your home is truly ugly, you’ll get fewer visits from the neighbors,” quips Janovsky.
5. It could have major historical value
Photo by Sage Custom Contracting
Maybe you’ve stumbled upon a diamond in the rough. Sometimes inherited homes or other neglected properties have loads of charm and even historical value. And once the ugliest features are gussied up, you could end up with a home worth far more than you originally imagined.
6. There’s endless potential
Want to improve your ugly home? Pamela O’Brien, an interior designer with Pamela Hope Designs, believes every home can look better with a little effort.
“Start with power-washing the brick or driveway—to brighten things up—and maybe adding shutters to the outside,” she offers.
Window washing is another easy exterior spruce-up, as is landscaping.
“With these fixes, your place looks clean and cared for, which also translates into a prettier home,” adds O’Brien.
And speaking of landscaping, the yard around your ugly home just might be an asset. Homes that need lots of love often have gorgeous mature plantings, such as perennials and big trees, which don’t always come with shiny new construction.
7. It’s a good place to invest in great basics
It’s what’s inside that counts anyway, right? And it’s true: An ugly house can (and should) still have nice things inside, O’Brien reminds us.
“Invest in quality furniture in standard sizes—so it can move with you—like a comfy sofa or a dreamy mattress,” she suggests.
8. You can personalize the heck out of it
“Fresh paint is a good, quick fix, and small nicks can be hidden with a stain pen,” says O’Brien.
Throw rugs can cover up blah floors, and you can always rip up carpet to (fingers crossed!) find better-looking planks below.
“New hardware can update the style you have, too,” she adds, referring to easy, high-impact upgrades to older furniture and cabinetry.
Lastly, don’t forget that there’s more to your home than its outside appearance. Bring in the special things that make you feel good, and your not-so-lovely space will quickly take on a charm of its own.
“Art and accessories can move with you to a new home,” says O’Brien. “You can add other pieces you love, so you can focus on favorite belongings rather than less-than-ideal surroundings.”
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