34 Projects That Can Increase the Value of Your Home!
For most homeowners, their house is their single most valuable asset, and when they plan to sell, they want to make a profit. Often, that means figuring out how to increase the value of your home. A quick Google search will bring up a whole bunch of suggestions, many of which involve major (and expensive) home renovations such as converting a loft or adding an extension. For many people, a major remodel is simply not worth the hassle and cost involved for the difference in price when the house is put on sale. But first impressions do count!
There are options! You don’t always need to call in a professional and spend a fortune to add value to your home. There are many smaller house improvements that you can do yourself and reap the rewards later down the line.
Get inspired by these 33 projects and home improvement tips that will increase property value and make your home much easier to sell when the time comes.
Kitchen DIY Projects
The kitchen is now the most valuable room in the house and is one of the biggest selling points for potential buyers. It is no longer just a place to cook food; instead, it’s often the hub for socializing and hosting guests. A full kitchen remodel can add serious selling power and massively increase the value of your home, but even smaller incremental changes in the form of easier kitchen DIY projects can make a difference when it comes to valuation day and attracting buyers.
Paint Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinet often endure a lot of abuse, with grease and grime from cooking often slowly building up over time. Plus, different kitchen styles are always going in and out of fashion, so it is easy for cupboards you bought several years ago to start looking dated. A repaint can revitalize and modernize your kitchen, while saving you the far bigger expense of refitting the entire room with brand new cabinets.
Quick tip: Use white/light neutral paint to bring a bright airy feel to the room especially if you do not have sufficient natural light.
Install New Cabinet Hardware
Your do it yourself cabinets don’t have to end at a new paint job. Unfashionable or worn out cabinet handles and pulls can really age a kitchen, so consider installing new ones to make your kitchen more appealing and up to date. This is also a great opportunity to fix any pressing issues you might be experiencing with cupboard doors – for instance, misaligned doors, scratched doors, or damaged varnish.
Quick tip: Sleek chrome handles are a fantastic way to bring your kitchen on-trend.
Install a Backsplash
Installing a kitchen backsplash will instantly boost the value of your home. By adding one behind your cooktop, you can protect paint from cooking splatter, which can stain and damage walls. On top of that, backsplashes act as a barrier against water, blocking the growth of mold.
They’re available in a wide range of styles and materials, from ceramic tile to glass, metal and wood. This means you are sure to find one that really matches your kitchen and enhances its unique flair. This fantastic mix of functionality and beauty is why it is a great home improvement and one of the best ways to increase home value.
Quick Tip: I have seen the “peel and stick-on” type backsplash in TJ Maxx. You may be able to find a higher quality online version for a very competitive price!
Home Improvement Tips for the Bathroom
Like the kitchen, the bathroom is a crucial room for any buyer. As bathrooms are constantly exposed to water and can become damp. It is worth carrying out a few simple DIY jobs to make sure bathrooms appear in tip-top condition before you start showing buyers around the place. Although none of these changes are as dramatic as full-blown bathroom renovations, consider objectively the physical condition of the fixtures, sinks, showers, cabinets, and toilets and how any deep cleaning or replacement can improve the impact to shoppers.
Add Storage
Ample storage is one of the most desired attributes in a home nowadays, but it is quite common for bathrooms to be a bit short in that department. Building your own bathroom cabinet or installing a set of floating shelves can remedy this, as well as providing a cost-effective way to add value to your home.
Replace the Fixtures
Fitting new hardware to your sinks and bath is a straightforward and cheap home improvement that will instantly renew your bathroom’s appearance. Brand new fittings will always appeal to buyers!
Replace the Toilet Seat
If your toilet seat is starting to look worn, installing a new one is a very easy 10 minute job and only requires a few basic tools. Of course, do not expect a huge increase in value from this, but it will improve the overall appearance of your bathroom.
Install a New Shower Head
Shower heads do not last forever – they’re in a bacteria rich environment, and over time, they can start to develop mold or slime that resists attempts to clean it. Eventually, they need replacing and if you are looking to sell your home anyway, it’s a very easy DIY project (even for beginners!) that will heighten your home’s appeal.
Redo the Bathroom Floor
If your bathroom floor is starting to look dated or has been damaged, laying a new floor can bring new life to your bathroom. By saving the new owners a job, you are also likely to add value to your home.
It does require a bit of skill – particularly if you are laying tiles – so in this case it might make the best sense to hire a professional.
Install a Towel Rack
If your bathroom does not have a towel bar or towel ring, installing a towel rack is a really simple upgrade. The difficulty of this will depend on whether you need to drill into drywall and the need to hit a stud, but with proper preparation this shouldn’t be too much of a challenge. Again, do not expect your house’s market value to skyrocket, but it is a nice additional feature for buyers.
Interior Home Improvements that Increase Property Value
Improvements are not specific to rooms but can be implemented across your entire property to modernize your home and increase its value. Decor trends change over time, and you might find there are certain features that are aging your home and making it appear outdated.
DIY Crown Molding
Crown molding is all the rage right now. It can bring an elegant finish to any room and seriously upgrade your overall decor. That means added appeal for buyers and more money for you! It can be tricky to put up as you’ve got to get the angles right, but if you can manage DIY crown molding you can save yourself a fortune on installation costs and get a better return on investment.
Quick Tip: lightweight Foam Crown Moldings are much more cost efficient and much easier to install!
Modernize Light Fixtures
Fluorescent lighting used to be popular, but nowadays looks dated and harsh. Instead, opt for recessed lights for a soft and timeless glow in rooms like the kitchen. You can place these on dimmers too. Other fashionable options include wall sconces and an update to more modern chandeliers.
WARNING: Always ensure you cut off a room’s electricity before undertaking any electrical work. Best Practice: make sure you hire a licensed professional and consult an electrician.
Repaint the Property Using Neutral Colors
If you chose to paint your house in garish colors when you last decorated, you might live to regret it. Buyers want neutral colors that go with lots of different things, like greys, whites, and creams – a blank slate, essentially. Redecorating in these colors will make your property far more desirable and valuable. After all, who wants to move into a house and immediately start painting over the neon orange paint that the last owner left behind?
Plus, if you skip the decorator and do it yourself, you will save yourself a load of money, with the only expense then being materials and paint.
Remove Popcorn Ceilings
Removing them can be messy, but do not be too intimidated. If you’ve got a decent level of DIY knowhow, it’s definitely doable.
Once upon a time, popcorn ceilings were considered the height of fashion. Nowadays they are widely considered eyesores that can put buyers off on a property. That can translate to a big drop in house value for you if you have them. Removing them, on the other hand, will modernize your home and increase its value.
WARNING: In the 1970’s the EPA & OSHA recommended limited exposure to Asbestos. Even though the US still produces products that contain Asbestos, it is highly regulated. Popcorn ceilings are known to contain this hazardous and carcinogenic material. Before attempting removal, it is wise to get the ceiling professionally tested for asbestos, as the best practice will involve hiring a specialist to remove them if they contain it. Removing ceilings containing asbestos can disturb the fibers and allow them to enter your lungs.
Replace Carpets
Over time, carpets can become threadbare, flattened, and stained. If this is the case in your house, it is wise to replace battered old carpet with new flooring. Laminate flooring, aka Luxury Vinyl Plank, is an excellent choice, as it is cost-effective, durable and it’s a DIY project you can work on yourself, saving the need for a handyman. Should you hire a professional to install it, consider replacing the entire lower level. The trend today is to have hard surface flooring with the use of area rugs. Plus LVP is quite competitive!
Hang Mirrors to Open Rooms
A well-placed mirror can do wonders for the appearance of small or narrow rooms, as they add depth and make them appear larger. In fact, this is a classic home staging technique used by estate agents to entice buyers. Remember, it’s not just about what your estate agent thinks – you’ve got to convince buyers that your house is worth spending money on, and little touches like this can make all the difference.
Add Storage Where Possible
Many older and smaller homes are lacking in storage. Adding additional cupboards and shelves where possible will make your home more practical and easier to live in, making it stand out from other properties. There are many cheap DIY options available, so it is a simple way to improve the appraised value of homes. Garages are great for storage, and buyers love additional storage with overhead Lifts, Racks, Ceiling Mounted Shelves, Hooks from Rafters. A pull-down weight-rated Attic Access ladder is great way to expand in the attic using plywood to create storage space.
Replace dated wallpaper
What was popular 20 years ago often looks hopelessly outdated today. This includes busy and overly patterned wallpaper, with neutral walls a far more fashionable option today. Replacing dated wallpaper with neutral paint will make your home easier to sell. But there are trends today using wallpaper on one wall, or in smaller areas. You must be the judge because this is one of those items that people either love or hate. Wallpaper is difficult to remove and worse yet, if you must add texture to a flat wall to be able to paint it, after removing it.
Create Open Living Spaces
Of course, this is not a job for the faint of heart and is most suitable for professional remodeling companies. Plus, these jobs are quite costly so unless you plan on living in the home to enjoy this improvement, do not consider this upgrade just to sell your home. You must also avoid any load-bearing walls (unless you want your house to collapse), so it is worth bringing in a surveyor and architect before you carry out the work.
Fact: Open-concept living spaces are very popular with many favoring larger multi-purpose rooms over traditional defined space, smaller rooms. If you can, knocking down a wall between two rooms (such as the kitchen and living room) will allow you to capitalize on this trend and increase home value. Beware, this is an expensive remodel.
Add Insulation
Eco-friendly homes will always do better on the market than their counterparts. Solid wall insulation can really improve a home’s energy efficiency. Without proper insulation your property will lose between 30-45% of its heat/AC and who wants to pay for that?
This is a job geared more for a professional. For older homes, you can Spray In, foam insulation.
Fill Holes and Cracks in the Walls
Over time, holes, chips, and cracks can appear in plaster walls. This is often a result of general wear and tear, but they are worth repairing before you put the house on the market. This is an easy DIY project that will improve the appearance of your home and the extra bit of effort can boost its value.
Restore Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors are a desired feature nowadays, (and if you are considering to install them, consider first the Luxury Vinyl Plank for the shear benefit of the cost, and easier maintenance!) but with some older homes, they were often covered up by other types of flooring like carpet. If you discover original wooden floors under your existing flooring, restoring them is a fantastic way to increase the value of houses. With the right sanding tools and a touch of wood stain, you can refinish hardwood floors to their original glory.
Update Worn Internal Doors
Internal doors are constantly in use, and so can deteriorate over time. Think scuffs, scratches and even falling out of place all together! Replacing them with fresh new doors can really enhance your home’s aesthetic appeal.
Similarly, you can refresh your doors with new handles. This is a minor aesthetic improvement, but one that is very simple to implement. Door handles can become damaged with repeat use (or they can just start to look outdated) and replacing them can help when staging your home for viewers.
Updating Exteriors for Added Curb Appeal
If you are looking to sell your home, you’ve probably heard all about curb appeal: it’s how attractive and well-maintained your home looks from the outside, and it’s the first impression that any would-be buyer will get. Does your house look run-down and dilapidated, or like an attractive and modern home?
Naturally, many sellers wonder “how much value does curb appeal add?” and whether it is worth the investment. As it stands, real estate agents have found that exterior improvements and landscaping can generate an additional return on investment of 5-10% or more! Buyers perceive an increased value and curb appeal sells homes quicker!
Repaint or Replace your Front Door
Front doors are an obvious focal point for anyone entering your home – and a worn-out front door can give the wrong impression. For a less expensive solution, simply repaint your front door to brighten and refresh your home’s exterior. If you are willing to spend a bit more, opting to replace the door means you can select a more modern style to fall in line with today’s trends.
Basic Landscaping
Just how much does landscaping improve home value? Well, it probably goes without saying that an overgrown and out of control garden can seriously impact on your property’s curb appeal. On the other hand, a well maintained and landscaped garden will help to create a positive first impression for buyers and you do not need to make major changes to capitalize on this.
Your first step is basic garden maintenance:
Pull weeds, add mulch, cut and manicure grass, plant colorful flower beds
Advanced landscaping
If you are looking for more advanced landscaping DIY projects, you’ve come to the right place. Here are just a few ways you can make the most of your DIY skills to improve curb appeal and raise the value of your home.
Add water features/fountains, install a rock garden, build a patio cover or add a retractable awning, add additional walkways, add raised beds and stone walls
And remember, you can always install concrete blocks and stones, circle pavers with pea gravel, a rock garden or Xeriscape-requiring very little irrigation, for a low to no, maintenance yard. Artificial turf can do the same but is costlier.
Re-Pave Driveways
Driveways degrade over time, and if you are looking to sell, it can be worth repairing or re-paving yours. This is not an easy job, and it is certainly physically demanding – so do not undertake this lightly. Depending on if your driveway is concrete, gravel, or asphalt, and the type of damage (root, cracks, sunken, etc) It is vital that you get the sub-base right, and that you check for buried services before carrying out any excavation work. Recommendation is to hire a bonded licensed professional!
Paint Window Frames
If you are looking for easy DIY home projects, adding a fresh lick of paint to exterior window frames provides instant refresh. Peeling and cracked paint is never a good look and will make your home appear run-down and poorly maintained.
Maintain Gutters
Keeping your gutters in good shape is essential for preventing water damage in your home. Beyond these practical benefits, poorly maintained gutters can smell and look bad, and put off potential buyers. Regularly cleaning and repairing your gutters will keep them running properly and keep water off the stucco.
Repair the Roof
That said, for obvious reasons roof repairs are a potentially very risky jobs to undertake, so the best practice is to hire a licensed roofing contractor.
There is plenty that can go wrong with a roof, from broken and missing tiles to cracked chimneys. Buyers know that getting a roof repaired can be costly, and so a damaged roof will affect the appraisal value of homes. Every home should be free from water penetration.
Wash the Exterior
You’d be surprised at how dirty the walls of your house can get, as residue slowly builds up over the years. You can use a garden hose and a scrubbing brush to eliminate this dirt and revitalize your house’s appearance. This very simple and affordable task is a brilliant way to retain home value.
For some houses, a power washer may also be a suitable and effective alternative. However, it is worth testing on a small area first as power washers can cause damage to older brickwork and especially Stucco here in Southern California.
Power Wash the Driveway
As with your home’s exteriors, driveways and yards need the occasional bit of maintenance to restore them to their former glory. Power washing a driveway is simple, and the main cost is either renting or buying the equipment. It will boost your property’s aesthetic appeal and generate more interest from buyers.
Repaint the Exterior
Some houses have painted exterior walls or clapboard siding which require maintenance. Flaking, peeling, and scuffed paint is an immediate turnoff to many buyers, and buyers will take this into account when determining the house value. Repainting these walls is therefore a sensible investment.
Painting exteriors is more challenging than indoor walls and requires a greater level of DIY expertise. This is because you may well need specialist equipment, like scaffolding to do the job properly. There may also be structural issues that need addressing, such as cracks.
There are many ways to improve the value of your home so if you decide to complete only a handful of the recommendations, whatever improvements, will deter a buyer from a model match that is in the same physical condition as yours before upgrades!
Smart Homes!
If you home has little need for upgrading, then invest in Smart Home Technology. The next occupant of your home is likely insatiable when it comes to the power of technology, even though the technology changes so rapidly! Make sure the system has enough ports in the switch so that you can add new products to expand the system. You might investigate in purchasing Amazon’s Echo Plus for overall home automation, or Kasa Smart for the best budget overall home automation. Ask Amazon (and others distributors) if they will send out technicians to help with learning the system, and teach you how to use your phone to run the program. NestLearning can aid with thermostat automation, and the Ring Alarm 5 can be considered the best for home security system. The individual devices at a glance are:
Best Smart Doorbell, Best Smart Speaker, Best Smart Display, Best Smart Lighting, Best Smart Thermostat, Best Smart Security Camera, Best Smart Plug, Best Smart Lock, Best Smart Smoke Detector.
And of course all of this can be run from your Smart Home Ecosystem, either Apple Home Kit, Google Home/Google Assistant, Samsung Smart Things, Amazon Alexa platform, IFTTT, ZigBee, Z-Wave, and others. Google guides to help you consider what you need to do when putting together your smart home. Remember if you primarily use Androids and Windows, then Google Home might work best for you. If you run Iphones and Macs, then Apple’s HomePod should be considered.
Best Buy is a great resource and pre-covid, were reliable for in-person help!
Summary: While an entire kitchen remodel will absolutely add value to your home, consider it only if it makes sense. An older home that gets a 2020 costly remodeled kitchen with no other improvements, might not make good fiscal sense.
Implementing some (or even all) of the recommendations, your home will sell quickly and at the top of the market. But markets vary, they ebb and flow like interest rates, so in a very strong seller’s market (like we are seeing today in 2020), ToppSellers recommends evaluating the need to invest money that may or may not make any difference to your anticipated sales price-ultimately your bottom line!
Regarding some repairs and upgrades, it is best practice to hire licensed professionals when dealing with electrical, HVAC, pest control, and roof improvements/maintenance. Should you need referrals for any professionals, please do not hesitate to contact ToppSellers via phone 858-442-4580 or email: joan@toppSellers.com.
If you would like us to configure a complimentary no-obligation, comparative market analysis of your home based on condition and current market, simply send us a request to ToppSellers and we will deliver a CMA right to your Inbox, so you can understand your investment at hand.