The beauty of a full-scale home renovation can be transformative, particularly in period homes or dilapidated units. However, there are a myriad of home DIY ideas that can instantly add value to your home. The best part? They don’t require you to spend a fortune.
Structural renovations can add enormous value to your home, but they are also an easy way to overspend. On the other hand, small cosmetic renovations can add a surprising amount of value to your home, are considerably cheaper and are far less time consuming to undertake. No matter your budget, there are a few small changes you can make within your home in order to ready it for sale and maximise its value.
Home DIY Ideas to Add Value to Your House or Apartment
The most important thing to remember when trying to increase the value of your home is that you’re looking to try to appeal to as large a pool of potential buyers as possible. Therefore, neutral walls, clean, tidy spaces and rooms that have a variety of possible uses will work best.
If you’re looking to add value to your home, read on for our top tips.
1. Water-saving devices
For most Sydney investment properties, the onus lies with the property owner to pay the water bills, not their tenants. Water-saving devices, therefore, are an enticing feature, particularly for those looking for an investment property.
If your apartment is an ideal option for investors, water efficiency can be an appealing feature for prospective buyers. The most important place to install these is in the shower, where most water usage occurs.
2. Painting
Painting is perhaps one of the most obvious home DIY ideas when it comes to increasing the value of your home, yet often goes overlooked. The difference a fresh coat of paint can bring to a home can create a remarkable shift in the mood of your spaces. Lighter paint colours can serve to open up a room, helping it feel more spacious.
Paint can also hide any distracting marks or uneven surfaces on your walls, giving an overall look that is cleaner and more even.
3. Adding greenery
Greenery can add warmth and life to any room. Research has shown that living among plants can reduce our stress levels, help us feel happier and increase our productivity levels.
A few select plants can work wonders in helping your spaces feel more alive. They can also add a welcome splash of colour to neutral spaces, particularly if you’re looking to sell an apartment or a home without a garden.
4. Opening up space
The clever use of some strategically-placed mirrors and sheer curtains can open up your rooms with an abundance of light. Place large mirrors close to natural light sources to reflect light. This can brighten up your rooms and help them feel more spacious.
5. Revising the lighting scheme
Speaking of light, lighting is another of those home DIY ideas that can be updated on a tight budget. Above all, lighting can make your spaces feel warmer and more spacious.
Inspecting a dark, dimly-lit house at night or on an overcast day with poor weather can feel a little sad, to say the least! Your aim is to create a warm, positive environment within your home; a place where potential buyers can imagine themselves (or their tenants) living. Bright lighting will also show buyers that you have nothing to hide.
6. A kitchen makeover (on a budget)
Forget the $20,000 kitchen renovation. There are affordable home DIY ideas that can have your kitchen looking fresh, clean and modern in no time.
Kitchen cupboard doors can be replaced or painted and their handles can be replaced with new ones. If the kitchen has old appliances like a dated oven, replace them. Brand new appliances are a great way to ensure prospective buyers don’t feel they need to completely renovate.
7. Refreshing the bathroom
Likewise, these quick home DIY ideas can give your bathroom an instant update. This will help buyers avoid thinking they need to conduct a full bathroom renovation as soon as they move in.
All you need to do is to paint the wall tiles in your bathroom with specialist tile paint for an instant refresh. When doing so, opt for light colours like white to open up the room.
To go further, swap the handles on the bathroom cabinets for new ones, paint older cupboard doors and update the towel racks. This can all be done fairly cheaply, yet serves to instantly refresh the room. Replace the toilet seat with a fresh new one for added shine.
8. Updating old fixtures and fittings
New fixtures can save your new buyers money when it comes to energy efficiency. Not only that, but they also look fresh, clean and modern. If you’ve painted and modernised other aspects of your home, then consider updating old fixtures, including tap fittings, showerheads, light fittings.
9. Ripping out old carpets
Nothing shows age in a home more than the carpet, particularly in an apartment that may have had several tenants over the years. Ripping out carpets and replacing them with floorboards or new carpets can instantly make the room feel larger, fresher and more modern.
For more advice on how to increase the value of your home, contact Boutique Property Agents to discuss your options. We can provide tailored advice to suit your unique situation.
If you’ve already updated your home and you’re ready to sell, set up an appointment with one of our specialist team members. We’re here to help. Contact us today.
