Are you getting ready to sell your home? Now is the perfect time to do a little DIY or even start a small renovation. But, before you whip out the tool kit, it pays (literally) to understand what rooms add the most value to a home – and what rooms you should probably just leave as is!
There are certain rooms that add value to your home whereas others only marginally affect the sale price. When it comes to which rooms to focus on, we’ve got all the answers – including some that might surprise you.
But before we give you our top room updates, think about where your home is situated. If you are living in an inner-city apartment, you might want to focus on updating the bathroom or turning the second bedroom into an office. This will allow you to cater to the type of buyer you’re trying to attract. On the other hand, if you’re trying to sell your two-bedroom unit with beach views, you might add the most value by extending the windows in the living room to accentuate the view.
Think about the profile of the people who might be living in the area and what they would want. This will provide you with clues on what rooms will add the most value to your home. So, without further ado, here are our top room updates.
1. Kitchen
The kitchen lies at the heart of any home, big or small. Even the laziest cook will (at the very least!) want to pour a drink every now and again, entertain a few visitors, or eat a quick brekkie at home. But before you commission a full-scale renovation, consider whether you could just do a small cosmetic update instead.
If your kitchen is looking a little dated but is still in good shape, you might be able to get away with simply replacing cabinets, handles, and tapware, and installing a new dishwasher. You could even add new tiling and a lick of paint to give your kitchen a whole new look.
Again, think about your prospective buyers and what they might need. In a family home, for instance, a dishwasher and large space for the fridge is essential, whereas in a small apartment you want a compact yet convenient kitchen.
2. Bathroom
Next up, who doesn’t love a clean and sophisticated bathroom? Like the kitchen, you don’t need to do a complete overhaul of the bathroom. If you did want to do this, however, bathroom renovations can be completed quickly and affordably. But if that’s starting to push the budget, why not opt for some simple updates instead?
You can paint your bathroom – yes, even your tiles – giving your bathroom a whole new lease on life. And, while it’s important to prep and clean the bathroom properly before you begin, painting is an easy way to cover up hard-to-shift stains. You can also paint your vanity or install new cupboards and update the handles, tapware, and light fittings to create a whole new space.
3. Balcony or outdoor area
Okay, so technically it’s not a room, but having a beautiful area to entertain, enjoy the view, or simply sit to enjoy the breeze can be a huge bonus, especially in a small apartment. It can help your spaces feel larger and will open up the connection to the outside world.
4. Create a guest room
When you’re thinking about what rooms add the most value to a home, think versatility! An extra room that can easily transform according to the owner will never fail to add value to your home. You might even want to consider removing features like in-built desks that take up a lot of space.
Demonstrating your home’s versatility is all about storage and clever staging. For instance, you might add a single bed in your home office, or create a spare bedroom that doubles as a library. Or, if there are plenty of young couples in your area, you might turn a small bedroom into a nursery.
This shows prospective buyers just how versatile your spaces could be, and allows them to envision themselves in your home. Just be sure not to make your spare room too specific to your own hobbies. Sure, you might love to sew or paint, but many people don’t! Think about what will appeal to the masses.
Hopefully, this blog has helped you understand what rooms add value to your home, so you can get ready to pull out your paintbrushes and fire up the power tools! Whether you’re doing a small DIY project or a full-scale renovation, if you’re selling your home, focus your time and money on the areas that will add the maximum amount of value. To learn more about how you can update your home, click here.
