If you’re one of those that shudder at the thought of wasting your time and money on labor-intensive projects at home, you aren’t the only one. Luckily, there are a few projects that can increase the value of your property without over exerting yourself and without hurting your pocket. If you’re planning on selling your home in the near future or if you’re there for the long haul, these easy and inexpensive home projects will surely be worth it.
Make your bathroom stand out.
Surprisingly, the bathroom in one of the most visited rooms in your entire home. It is one of the first rooms people walk in to as they are waking up in the morning so they like to see it not only aesthetically pleasing, but functioning as well. Simple touch-ups like regrouting and recaulking can automatically make it look newer and cleaner.
Swapping out inefficient toilets, faucets, and shower heads to those that aid in water conservation are not only popular, but are making a huge difference. A low-flush toilet uses 20% less water than a standard toilet and water-saving shower heads can help families save almost 3,000 gallons of water in a whole year!
Touchless water faucets are also extremely favored right now, especially in homes with kids. They are clean, easy, and sold in variety of fixtures. Keep in mind that fixture finishes should be consistent throughout the bathroom for a more pleasing look.
Flooring makes a huge difference.
Many think that this project would be expensive, but depending on what you do, it’s really not. If your carpet has stains or has an odor because of your pets, it would be a good idea to pull it out and work with what you have. If there’s concrete underneath, it can be cleaned and painted. Find an area rug that matches your style and your room will look updated immediately.
Tiling is another budget friendly flooring update. Porcelain and stone are the most inexpensive tile to use, as well as linoleum. Porcelain tiles are very strong, and can mimic the look of stone and wood, according to Judy Mozen, designer and president of Homecrafted Homes.
Also, peel & stick tile is amazing! It is the perfect way to to add a luxurious touch to your kitchen, bathrooms, or feature walls and very inexpensive to do so. They are super easy to install. All you have to do is peel the back off and stick it over drywall or existing tiles. One of our clients actually used these at the bottom of the inside of her cabinets, and it looked awesome!!
Customize your cabinets.
Other than the tile I previously mentioned, make them look nicer by simply cleaning, sanding, and painting them a different color. This is a great opportunity to bring out a pop of color in your bathroom!
White and black are very popular colors for cabinets. White gives off a clean vibe and black looks classy. Dark brown is also another highly favorable color for cabinets. Before you decide on painting them, make sure that the interior is in good shape. It’s not worth painting them if they have water damage or permanent stains.
If they are damaged, it may be a good idea to purchase new stock cabinets from your nearest Lowe’s or Home Depot. While you’re at it, check out knobs and handles for your kitchen and bathrooms. They make a huge difference!
Add some architectural details.
Wainscoting, shiplap, and crown molding are all good ways to add craftsmanship to your home. “I love wainscoting. It takes a two-dimensional drywall surface and immediately makes it feel homey. And there are a lot of wainscoting choices ranging from wood to PVC,” says Mark Clement, remodeler and contractor on MyFixItUpLife.
BUT BEWARE! He does warn that using trims made from medium-density fiberboard in a room with a lot of moisture isn’t the best choice. Usually, the material cannot withstand water and it will mold.
Crown and shoe moldings are also great ways to dress up your rooms! If you can, work with a trim carpenter to have these added to your home for a more aesthetically pleasing look in your home. Doing this will increase the value of your home with doing any other major additions.
Light it up!
Light fixtures like sconces and chandeliers are a great way to update your home and immediately grasp the eyes of others. Putting these in areas with a lot visibility is the way to go. Hallways, living rooms, and kitchens are the best places.
If you aren’t feeling spending the money on fixtures, then resort to light bulbs. Change out any old bulbs that are burnt out or any bulbs that just don’t shine bright enough. No one wants to walk into a dim home. Highlight all the same rooms with brighter lights for a more welcoming vibe!
Paint away
Painting is the #1 way to transform your rooms and one of the most inexpensive. You can use paint to update practically anything in your home including walls, cabinets, furniture, and even floors!
Tracie Stoll, a DIYer, designer, and decorator who blogs at CleverlyInspired.com even recommends spray-painting your lamps and buying new lampshades to modernize the look of your rooms. On the outside, you can paint your front door, deck, or wooden fence. I just recently painted my fence, and it looks WAY better than before. I highly recommend it!
You can also paint your outdoor furniture and, depending on the material, you can paint your garage doors to give your home some excellent curb appeal. After all, people get their first impressions as they are sitting in their car looking at your home.
Try these inexpensive tips out and see how much your home value increases! You won’t regret it. 🙂
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