11 ways to add real value to your home on a budget

a man and woman painting on a wooden floor

You might have heard that a flashy renovation is an essential step towards selling
your house for a good price, but despite common belief, adding value to your home doesn’t need to be expensive! Here are 10 easy ways you can improve your home and increase its value, without having to fork out thousands…

1. Get painting

A fresh coat of paint can make all the difference to a home’s interior or exterior. To save on paint expenses, make sure to focus on noticeable areas where an update would be most impactful, such as the fencing, the front door, or the living room walls.

2. Focus on the details

Well though-out design means taking a seemingly insignificant part of the home and finding a way to make it significant. A cheap and easy way to breathe some life into your interior is adding points of interest around the home
where they’re least expected. Consider replacing the knobs on kitchen cabinets and doors for something more fun or chic, update your flooring with some fluffy or colourful rugs, and deep clean the nooks and crannies that you might miss in your typical Spring clean.

3. Update the lighting

Lighting is a powerful design tool; it can change a room’s ambience, perceived spaciousness, and the overall style and functionality. Adding more light to your home
can maximise the space by creating more depth and dimension to your rooms – For this reason, be sure to utilise extra lighting in tight spaces.

4. Amp up the kerb appeal

First impressions count, which is why your home’s kerb appeal is so integral to its overall value. Take a moment to look at your house from the other side of the street and put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer. Does your house look attractive and welcoming? If the property is lacking in kerb appeal, the front of your home may just need a tidy up. Remove any bins from sight, clean up the path and driveway, tidy up the lawn and place something noticeable in the window like a vase of beautiful flowers. These small adjustments should be enough to attract buyers to your home from the outside in.

5. Spruce up the kitchen

Kitchen renovations are expensive, and many prospective sellers will fork out in the knowledge that a beautiful kitchen will always attract buyers. However, having a stunning kitchen needn’t cost as much as a full renovation. You can transform the space with a fresh coat of paint, a shiny new DIY splashback, some new hardware for the sink and cabinets, and a few well-placed art pieces and plants. Remember, a thorough clean-up goes a long way, so focus on shiny surfaces and smudge-free appliances above all else.

6. Focus on your bathroom

Bathrooms are another potential make-or-break for buyers, which is why an attractive, modern bathroom will always add value to your property. You can give your bathroom a makeover with a few simple touches such as updating the blinds, refreshing the caulk, replacing the toilet seat, and a top-to-bottom deep clean.

7. Transform the bedroom

An impressive master bedroom is a great way to add value, as most buyers will want a bedroom that requires minimal redecorating so that they can make themselves at home right away. With a little planning and a key eye for design, you can completely transform a bedroom in just 24 hours. Think about switching up the bedding, implementing fun light fixtures and thoroughly decluttering until the bedroom truly looks like a showroom that is yet to be lived in.

8. Prevent water damage

You can protect your property from damp by having gutters and downpipes regularly cleaned out and replacing any damaged roof tiles or pipework. Buyers are always on the lookout for damp; and when found, it can drastically reduce the value of the property.

9. Create storage spaces and closets

Because older houses are known for having limited storage space, you can make yours stand out from the crowd by investing some time into contriving handy storage areas. Mounting shelving is an ideal solution, as you won’t need to take up any floor space or waste time building a hefty unit. You should also consider clearing out your garage.

10. Get planning permission

Applying for planning permission to add an extension or an extensive remodel costs around £170 depending on your location, which is a small price to pay when you can add thousands to the value of your home if your application is granted.

11. Groom the garden

An unkempt garden suggests that the home has not been thoroughly cared for over the years, so make sure yours in in tip-top shape before your valuation! Get the greenery under control by mowing the lawns, cleaning up borders, weeding flower beds and trimming hedges. You can also add some interest by coordinating colourful planters and investing in a quaint water feature.

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