Just because a person is adding luxury to their home, doesn't mean they have to break the bank to accomplish their goals. There are many attractive and cost effective luxury options that can be added to a home that will add to the home's value and feel. Here are ten excellent choices:

1. HARDWOOD FLOORS: Hardwood floors are not only a popular choice for homes, but they can also be a green choice for the environment.

They can be refinished year after year, and reduce the need to re-install new flooring later on. Plus, they can be easy to install or repair, inexpensive if you find the right retailer, easy to clean and maintain, and great for reducing allergens in the home.

2. TRAVERTINE TILE: Travertine is one of the most attractive, durable and inexpensive tiles on the market. The tiles are easy to install yourself, give a very expensive feel to a home once installed, and create a wonderfully neutral backdrop for any decorating style.

3. MARBLE COUNTERTOPS: Marble countertops are now the "In" thing for luxury kitchens. They are easy to clean, attractive, and hide spills well. The biggest downside is that they have to be custom-made (which can be very expensive) and you will have to have someone install them. However, IKEA now offers custom-made marble countertops for as little as $500, and you can hire a contractor for a few hundred more to install them. In addition, you can often find pre-made marble countertops for bathrooms at home improvement stores for as little as $150, which are fairly easy to install yourself when matched with the right cabinetry.

4. SPA TUBS: For about $600 at your local Home Depot, you can purchase a pre-made spa bathtub. For about $400 more, you can have the store install the bathtub and apron as well.

5. SAUNA SHOWERS: Sauna showers are quickly become popular in luxury homes. By simply tiling your shower area from floor to ceiling and changing your shower doors into floor-to-ceiling glass doors, you can create a comfortable backdrop for your new sauna shower. The fixture itself can be ordered for as little as $400 at your local home improvement store; an adjustable sauna bench is about $200.

6. IMPROVED LIGHTING: Although most people might assume that changing light fixtures has to be done by an electrician, which is not always the case. Lighting can be very easy to change, and the more attractive the fixture, the more luxurious the feel. Again, look for clearance items at local home improvement stores and you can find beautiful chandeliers for less then $100.

7. EXPENSIVE BATHROOM FIXTURES: Changing your bathroom fixtures is incredibly easy to do and can really change the look and feel of a bathroom. Check clearance bins at local home improvement stores, and it can also be a cost effective change.

8. EN-SUITE BATHROOM: If your bathroom is next to a bedroom, but there is no connecting door, consider adding one. Pre-hung doors can be purchased for as little as $50 and even a shared bathroom can be more desirable when selling a home.

9. UPDATED APPLIANCES: Stainless steel appliances are all the rage for any type of kitchen, but especially luxury kitchens. They can range greatly in price depending on the style and brand, but they can also greatly to the value of your home. Look for the largest, most energy efficient models you can find to save money and add the most value.

10. NEW CABINETRY: Whether you are looking for kitchen cabinetry or bathroom cabinets, you can find some beautiful pre-made options at your local home improvement store. These options are incredibly easy to put together yourself, and can be inexpensive if you shop around.

Learn more about this author, Erica T. Barton.
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