Whether you’re looking to sell your home, list it on the rental market or you’d just like to make your spaces look fabulous, it always pays to add value to your home. You’d be surprised at how much of a difference the smallest DIY jobs can make when it comes to elevating the atmosphere of your home. In this blog, we’ll explore how you can add value to your home instantly with these fast, wallet-friendly home improvements.
9 Ways to Add Value to Your Home
With just a few simple touches, you can increase the value of your home without spending a fortune. You just have to understand which aspects of a home are the most appealing to a buyer, and which they could care less about.
But what adds value to your home, and what doesn’t? Generally, the superficial elements (i.e. anything cosmetic) can add enormous value to your home, while improvements that are unseen (like upgrading your hot water system) don’t necessarily add much value, compared to what they cost. So, how can you boost your home’s value quickly and affordably without conducting a full-scale home renovation?
1. Install Storage
Storage is crucial, especially in a compact home or city apartment. If you’re looking to sell your home, you want to show prospective buyers that they have ample options for storage. You want to show them that every inch of space has value.
That might mean adding built-in wardrobes, floating shelves or window seats with added storage underneath. Outside of the actual home itself, you could add shelving or a lock-up cage in the garage for storage.
2. Add Greenery
A touch of greenery can make an enormous difference when trying to add value to your home, especially if your property is located in a dense urban area. You want prospective buyers to feel a connection to the outside world.
Plants, whether outside or inside, can also add some much-needed colour to your spaces. They can also provide privacy on a balcony or within a small backyard with other homes looking into the property. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, ensure it is tidy, otherwise, it will just feel like it could be too much hard work!
3. Add Mirrors
Mirrors are downright magical when it comes to small apartments. Amplify the size of your spaces with some strategically placed mirrors. The larger the mirror, the better, but small mirrors can also add a nice touch. Place your mirrors near windows or other light sources to reflect light into your spaces.
4. Update Your Curtains
Dark, heavy curtains can make a room feel cramped. On the other hand, light, bright curtains help a room feel airy and can work wonders if you want to add value to your home.
Shutters are an option if you want a tidy, well-kept look. Otherwise, long curtains can create height within your rooms, helping your ceilings feel higher than they actually are.
5. Update the Bathroom
Next up; tapware. If you can’t afford to do a full bathroom update, simply changing the tapware can have a drastic, transformative effect on your bathroom. For a quick update, simply switch the tapware and cabinet handles in the bathroom.
If you really want to add value to your home, you could also paint outdated bathroom tiles on the walls and floor of the bathroom. Tile paint doesn’t last forever but it can certainly update the look of your bathroom for the next five years. Add new hardware and voila! You’ve got yourself a brand-new bathroom!
6. Stage Your Home
Staging your home should showcase your home’s best assets. It should highlight the amount of space available, how versatile the space is and above all, it should add value to your home.
Not all sellers stage their home, particularly within the lower price ranges, so if you do, you’ll have a distinct advantage! To start with, de-clutter your home and remove any personal items. Choose furniture that doesn’t take over the room. If your rooms look too full, they’ll feel cramped. If you’re still living in the home, consider popping excess furniture in storage to help your rooms appear larger.
Consider renting furniture to stage your home. Or create a whole new look with budget items from Facebook Marketplace. That way, you can ensure the whole home appears cohesive.
7. Add a Coat of Paint
You’ve probably heard this before, but that’s only because this tip really works! Adding a coat of paint is so simple, but it can make an unmistakable difference if you’re looking to add value to your home.
Adding just one coat of paint won’t take long, however, if you’re painting all the rooms of your home, including ceilings, you might want to set aside a weekend.
8. Switch up the Lighting
Lighting is another quick-fix that can add value to your home instantly. Swap out outdated light fittings with new, modern ones. Remember, you’re going for versatility, so a modern option might work better than an art-deco-style light.
Try to keep your light fittings fairly consistent throughout the home, if possible. And you don’t need to spend a fortune; this is mostly for aesthetics!
9. Update Old Carpets
Like the walls, the floor is one of the first things prospective buyers will notice when they walk into the home. In fact, studies have shown that the majority of buyers are willing to pay more for homes with hardwood flooring.
Mangy old carpets not only look unappealing but they can be a breeding ground for bacteria and dust. By adding new carpet, or, better yet, floorboards, you can instantly add value to your home. This is one of the more costly updates you can choose to undertake but if you’re selling your home, it’s well worth it.
If you need more advice on how to add value to your home, get more selling tips here. At Boutique Property Agents, we’re Sydney experts and we understand that each Sydney suburb has a distinctly unique profile. We’ve sold countless homes in the area and know exactly what buyers in certain suburbs are usually looking for.
