In most cases, a home isn’t perfect upon purchase. Instead, homeowners take time to personalize their space with paint, décor and even renovations. And, while these swaps will certainly make them happier living in their homes, they can boost the property’s overall value and desirability at the same time.
The following are ten upgrades to make that tick all of those boxes. Whether you’re prepping a home for sale or just upgrading it for your enjoyment, these are some worthwhile projects to consider:
1. Start With a Full Cleaning
A great place to start your home upgrade is with a top-to-bottom cleaning. You might tick the boxes of a traditional spring-cleaning list to help you in your quest, but make sure you tackle a few other areas, too.
You should try to eliminate any lingering scents, such as pet or cigarette odor. Clutter is a huge detractor from the overall look and feel of a space, so incorporate organization into your process, too. This is especially important if you’re ready to put your home up for sale: lots of clutter will lead buyers to believe that there’s not enough storage in your home, thus deterring them from making an offer.
2. Consider the Curb Appeal
The front of your house is its first impression, whether you have friends stopping by or realtors coming with clients. Therefore, it’s imperative that you manicure your front yard and spruce up the entryway so that your home looks its best. Be sure your makeover choices don’t leave your house standing out too much from the neighbors: you want your property looking clean and welcoming, but still uniform enough to fit in with the rest of the cul-de-sac.
3. Refresh Your Dilapidated Deck
There’s so much to enjoy about an outdoor deck space — until it starts to show wear-and-tear. Go outside and examine the beams and banisters to check for any potential safety concerns, such as decaying wood or corroded fasteners. A professional inspection could reveal necessary updates, too.
If your deck’s structurally sound but visually less-than, grab a bucket of stain or paint. A new layer of either will refresh your entire outdoor space and beg you to spend some time out there this summer and beyond.
4. Focus on the Kitchen
The most significant selling point in your home will undoubtedly be the kitchen. As such, you should focus your interior updates here. Everyone’s budget will be different, of course, but spending a weekend repainting cabinets and fastening new knobs and pulls will completely revamp the look. With more money, you can redo countertops, replace old appliances and even lay a new floor.
5. Don’t Forget the Bathrooms
The kitchen gets all of the attention, but bathrooms are a close second in terms upgrade importance. By giving yours a complete makeover, you can add up to three percent to your home’s overall value. A lot of these changes don’t have to be massive undertakings, either: swapping a shower curtain for glass doors or installing a bigger, more powerful showerhead will make a tremendous difference to you and to future buyers.
6. Look Through New Windows
Older homes come with a lot of charm, but they also come with some immediate to-dos. The original windows might look beautiful, but they’re much thinner than updated panes. This means they’re likely letting in drafts from the outdoors, chilling your home in winter and heating it up in summer. Installing new windows can be the answer to your home’s temperature-regulation problem. Plus, they’re a great way to make your home more energy-efficient.
7. Make Everyone Feel Cozy
Have a look at your living room: does it invite your guests to get comfy, or does it make them want to cancel your Netflix date? Redecorating your home’s living spaces will instantly increase its wow factor. Fluffy pillows and cushioned couches surrounded by the right accessories — think an area rug, curtains, lamps, etc. — will cultivate the homey vibes you want to enjoy. And, down the line, buyers will easily be able to envision themselves living in a space like that, too.
8. Transform the Master Into a Retreat
Again, the master bedroom should be another area where comfort is in the spotlight. Spend a weekend upgrading yours so that it’s your retreat from all of the stressors in your life. Start with a soothing paint color, then add soft linens that beg you to curl up for a good night’s sleep. Finish with a few pops of color in the form of decorative pillows, a throw blanket or nightstand accessories.
9. Open Spaces When Possible
Compartmentalized living used to be all the rage: one room for cooking, one room for eating, one room for watching TV, etc. Nowadays, buyers crave open spaces — and even your closed-off layout has the potential to check that box.
You’ll have to hire a contractor to help you figure out which walls are load-bearing and which ones can be removed. By simply knocking down a few existing barriers and bringing together your living spaces into one, your home will feel bigger and more inviting, two qualities you’ll love.
10. Have It All Inspected
When you sell your home, it’ll likely have to pass inspection before the contract is finalized. You can make your property more attractive to clients by putting it through this examination before it goes on the market so they will have confidence in making an offer without any surprises. It’ll show you’re confident in the quality of your home and its upgrades, too.
With these ten tips in mind, you’re ready to begin your home makeover journey. Whether you’re doing it for yourself or the sake of a sale, these areas are going to make your place more valuable and desirable than ever before.
