Whether you’re planning on selling your home or just looking to add a bit of equity, making large changes can certainly help to boost your home’s overall value but can come with some pretty substantial costs. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to break the bank to improve your home. Consider taking on one of these five inexpensive DIY projects to boost your home’s value!
Kitchen
Kitchens are the center of a home and a dated kitchen can be a major turn off for potential buyers and a daily eye sore or those living and cooking in it. Appliances and new cabinets carry a large price tag, but there are some alternatives to help spruce up a kitchen stuck in a rut.
Painting cabinets is becoming a bigger and bigger trend among homeowners. Installing new cabinetry is quite expensive so updating and renovating your home’s current cabinets yourself will save a lot of expenses. Revamping kitchen cabinets with new hardware and a fresh coat of paint can give your kitchen a much needed face lift and add extra years to existing cabinetry.
If your appliances are still in good working order but are aesthetically dated, consider giving them a thorough cleaning. Years of accumulated dust and grease on kitchen surfaces makes them look dull and dingy. Take it a step further and paint unfashionable appliances with paint specifically made for appliances.
Bathroom
Aside from the kitchen, the bathroom is one of the highest traffic rooms in a home. Having a modern or updated bath is important to adding additional value to your home. Simple fixes like replacing an old faucet or light fixture can go a long way to improve the overall feel of the space and provide a more contemporary look for relatively small expense. Bath accessory sets are also a fantastic way to add a little extra style to your bathroom’s décor. These sets include towel bars, robe hooks, towel rings and toilet paper holders and can easily be mounted in no time.
Much like the kitchen, you can update bathroom vanities with a simple coat of paint and newer cabinet hardware to give them a makeover. Be sure to match the cabinet hardware to the new fixtures you have installed to keep finished consistent.
There's something to be said about a clean shower or bath. A good scrubbing will make an older shower or tub look brand new. Don’t forget the mirror, either—this can be one of the dirtier spots in the bathroom. A little cleaner and elbow grease can really make a difference.
Clutter
For those looking to add value to their homes before selling, consider tidying up any clutter in and around your home. Most buyers try to visualize themselves living in your home when taking a walk through. Clutter or disorganization can be a big turn off to prospective buyers.
For homeowners not looking to sell, decluttering can make a space look large and keep everyday life more organized and productive. Take a weekend to minimize clutter around your home by getting rid of items that aren't used, clearing counters and finding appropriate storage for things like books, bills and other miscellaneous belongings. These small changes can make a big difference to potential buyers and make your home more comfortable to guests.
Lighting
Poor lighting and dated light fixtures can certainly make a space seem dull and uninviting. New lighting fixtures are an inexpensive solution to updating the overall look of your home and can be found for under $100. Consider adding a more modern feel with pendants, sconces and new vanity lighting in your home’s bathroom. Remember to replace those old lightbulbs with LED or energy-saving CFL bulbs.
Curb Appeal
They call them first impressions for a reason. Whether it's a guest visiting your home for the first time or a potential buyer, first impressions can have a big impact on how your home is perceived by others. If your home’s curb appeal is lacking with dead grass, overgrown landscaping and chipping paint, it could be quite off-putting. Your home’s exterior often reflects your home’s condition and overall upkeep.
If money's tight, think about all the little things around the outside of your home that can be tackled with little to no expense: raking up leaves, pulling weeds, trimming overgrown hedges and landscaping. A new mailbox, potted plants, mulch and fresh paint on the front door are all fantastic ways to add extra pizzazz to your home’s exterior without breaking the bank.
Simple changes and inexpensive home improvements can go a long way in making your home more valuable when it's time to sell. Spending a few hundred dollars on problem areas around your home will lead to a much higher payoff in the long run. Remember these simple fixes could be the difference in a quick turnaround selling your home or spending months on the housing market!
