Flashy swimming pools, garage and loft conversions, and room additions are often touted as the best ways to add value to your home. Yet they can be incredibly costly, time-consuming, and may not actually add as much value for the money invested as you think. There are many less drastic and less expensive home improvements you can make. And that may make more of an impact.
If you are considering selling your home, or are wondering which home improvements will be the most impactful and effective in increasing its value, this article is for you…
Think about curb appeal
Much like with a blind date or an interview, first impressions are hugely important when it comes to your home. People can gain their first impression in less than a second, and it can be tough if not nearly impossible to change it. There are several home improvements you can make that will increase your home’s curb appeal, and increase its value at the same time.
Paint
Painting is relatively inexpensive, and yet it immediately adds value to your home. Applying the right kind of outdoor paint can brighten up your exterior, but also help to protect it from bad weather, corrosion and similar.
Plantation shutters
Plantation shutter installations are not only relatively cheap, but are also one of the best home improvements you can make to add value. These beautiful window coverings look classy and timeless from the outside, and that is just the beginning of the value they provide.
They also keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, preventing air from entering and escaping so that your energy bills can be reduced.
Landscaping and gardening
The state of your garden will also play a key part in determining not only the value of your home, but how appealing it is and how much people will wish to pay for it. A small investment in your garden can reap large returns. Considering adding a patio and BBQ area, flower beds and water features to increase the value of your property.
Add a carport
Rather than the effort and money involved in building a proper garage on the side of your house, consider opting for a carport instead. The cost of a carport is far less, and it will still increase the value of your home without saddling you with all of the expense. They offer the benefits of more parking, which adds immense value, at a fraction of the cost of a garage.
The best home improvements inside your home
As well as all the changes you can make outside, there are many home improvements you can make inside to great effect. Once again a coat of paint can make a huge difference, both in drawing buyers in, and in adding value.
The kitchen
The kitchen is the beating heart of the home, where families come together before work, after school and at times throughout the day. More people care about the kitchen than any other room in the house, and it is an easy place to add value, but also to lose it. A whole new kitchen can seem costly and time-consuming, but there are options for making quicker and cheaper changes.
You can opt for a flat-pack kitchen that will look fantastic without breaking the bank. You can also replace the cupboard doors, change the lighting and swap out the countertops for something that looks new and improved.
The bathroom
After the kitchen, the bathroom is arguably the next most impactful place to make any home improvements. A new bathroom set can again look fantastic, especially if you opt for a bath, shower or sink that can serve as a real feature that people will want. Walk-in showers are hugely popular, as are stand-alone bathtubs and the right vanity.
Mirrors and lighting can change the appearance of your bathroom, adding value without breaking the bank.
Energy efficiency
One of the massive rising trends at the moment is the increased focus on energy efficiency and the environment. Any home improvements that make your home more energy efficient can add huge value right away. Think about insulating your loft, adding solar panels and switching to energy-efficient appliances, lightbulbs, windows and so on.
Final thoughts
There are any number of improvements you can make, both big and small, to add value to your home. Consider the rising importance of the environment and energy efficiency, the impact of a coat of paint and you will soon see that you can make a big difference to your property value in no time.
