Not only can renovating your home be more enjoyable for you and your family, but if done right, it can also add to the overall value of your home. This is especially beneficial if you decide to sell your home later. However, not all renovations are necessarily in your best interest. While some can add significant value to your home, other projects can actually decrease it.
So which ones should you focus on? One of the most important things to remember about any home improvement project is that your home should serve the needs of you and your family above all else. Once you’ve made that choice, choose your project accordingly.
If you’re not sure where to start, here are some of the best home improvement projects that can not only improve your family’s life but also increase the overall value of your home.
To Paint
Painting is a simple and inexpensive way to freshen up your home while adding value to it. Giving a fresh coat of paint to both the inside and outside of your home can easily update the look of your home and improve curb appeal while significantly increasing the overall value. However, when it comes to paint colors, it’s best to put personal tastes and trends aside and instead stick to timeless, neutral colors that will appeal to the majority of homebuyers and won’t look dated in a couple of years. Bring a pop of color into your home with accessories and cushions that you can easily swap out to suit your mood or the latest trend. You can always call a local painter for more help!
Add a Deck
For those who enjoy spending time outdoors entertaining friends and family, a deck is a no-brainer when it comes to DIY projects. Adding a patio to your home is practical, inexpensive, and functional. It also has a high return on investment, making it a great DIY project to enjoy to the fullest while reaping the benefits later. Research shows that homeowners can recoup a return on investment (ROI) of about 75% by adding a patio to their home. One of the main reasons for this is that decks increase the living space of your home, but cost a lot less than an actual extension.
Focus on Curb Appeal
Before a potential buyer even steps through your front door, your home has already made a first impression. A tidy and attractive exterior, also known as curb appeal, reflects positively on your home and can increase its value by 5 to 11%. When it comes to improving the appeal, start by giving your home a thorough wash and a fresh coat of paint on the outside. Other projects include replacing dingy hardware, painting your front door a bold color, and beautifying your yard with landscaping.
Bathroom Upgrades
Upgrading your bathroom is another easy way to increase the overall value of your home, and it doesn’t necessarily have to cost an arm and a leg if you have a strategy and make smart upgrades in your bathroom. New floors, an updated vanity, updated cabinets, and new showers or tubs are all upgrades to consider for the highest return on investment. If you’re working on a tighter budget, you can easily add value to your home with inexpensive DIY renovations that include giving the bathroom a fresh coat of paint, updating fixtures, replacing old mirrors, adding shelving, and swapping out old light fixtures.
Kitchen Remodel
The kitchen is ultimately the hub of your home, so functionality and attractiveness are key and also why a kitchen remodel is one of the smartest home improvements you can make. Most homebuyers look for modern and updated kitchens when looking at homes. While kitchen remodels can be expensive, the good news is that the return on investment for kitchen renovations is high, with reports showing homeowners can recoup up to 52% of the cost of a kitchen upgrade when the home is sold. Some of the best upgrades for the highest return on investment include kitchen islands, new countertops, updated or freshly painted cabinets, energy-efficient appliances, and a fresh coat of paint on the walls.
