9 DIY Projects That Can Increase Home Value
Your home is typically your biggest asset, so it’s always nice to maximize its potential. And to do that, you don’t have to get in the contractors. Here are some great DIY projects that can increase the value of your home.
Kitchen and bathroom
The kitchen is the most valuable room in a house to buyers – so put your focus here for maximum return.
You can update the kitchen in several ways to make it more appealing and ultimately save the buyer a job (which they’ll pay more for!). Try these two:
- Update the cabinets. Instead of removing or changing the doors, painting them will give them a fresh look. Changing the door pulls and knobs will also bring them up to date.
- Add a backsplash. These come in many different materials, such as ceramic tile, glass, metal, or wood – and installing one isn’t too difficult either.
See Also: 4 Easy Ways to Revive Your Kitchen Without a Complete Renovation
When it comes to bathrooms, buyers want to see something clean, undamaged, and spacious Consider these:
- Replace fittings because they wear over time. It can make all the difference to a buyer that your taps, shower head, toilet seat, and towel rack/radiators are brand spanking new and shiny.
- Add storage. Often bathrooms lack in this area, so adding some floating shelves or a cabinet will be a good addition. It can also free up the floor space in this usually small but important room.
See Also: Interior Ideas to Transform Your Bathroom
Outdoors
Don’t underestimate the importance of a tidy garden when buyers are coming to view the property. Maximize your value by neatening up the yard and cutting down any trees or unsightly bushes that are blocking the light. Gardens are all about sectioning off areas – grass, patio, barbeque area, shed – even an extension or summerhouse if you want to make that sort of investment. Try to carve out different areas of your garden for a higher-end look.
Adding storage outside is also a big bonus – if you have a shed, give it a lick of paint, and fix any damaged wood panels on it. If you currently don’t have outdoor storage, then you might consider a self-built steel storage building. This DIY project can double up as a shed and garage if your property has the space. (There’s the chance to purchase a prefabricated kit if you’d prefer to stick to smaller DIY projects in and around the shed itself) Parking can often come at a premium in certain towns or cities, so this can reap a reward in the right circumstances.
See Also: Shed Renovation: Tips and Ideas
Inside and ‘staging’ your home
In all your other rooms, it’s about maximizing the square footage and helping the buyer to be able to project their vision into your space. Think about the following:
- Doors and floors: these can be expensive things for a buyer to replace, so getting them right can add value to the property. Paint any scuffed doors, change broken door handles, and ensure joints are clean and not squeaky. Replace any tired carpet with paler laminate flooring, laid diagonally so that your rooms look larger. If you have real wood floors underneath, it will be worth restoring them, as many modern homebuyers covet this.
- Add mirrors to reflect the natural light and create the illusion of more space – this is a trick that even seasoned real estate agents use to stage a home.
- If you have a lot of DIY experience, adding crown molding can ramp up the value of your home. Buyers are ready to fork out for features like this, but it is a complicated job, so take your time if you don’t want to hire a professional.
- Make sure all paint is neutral. It will save buyers painting over any bold colors they don’t want and avoids taste issues getting in the way of their decision making.
- Modernize any light fixtures. Bright, modern bulbs will show your house in its best light, literally.
See Also: Selling Your House? Here Are 3 Ways to Make It More Attractive to Buyers