Whether you’re looking to sell your home or simply wanting a change of scenery, it’s good to invest in home improvements that truly add value to your home. But you don’t need to hire expensive interior designers and professional builders at all times. In fact, there are quite a lot of projects that you can do yourself.
DIY projects can be a fun activity to share with the family, especially now that most people are cooped up at home. Get your tools ready, roll up your sleeves, and try these
- Repaint your exterior wall and main door
Remember that time when you were just shopping for homes and comparing mortgage companies? Chances are that you only clicked on the homes that looked welcoming and new on the outside. Freshly painted sidings and a shiny front door can do wonders to your home’s curb appeal and leave a lasting impression on your neighbors and potential buyers in the future. Make sure you pick the right colors, though. A useful rule of thumb is to paint the main door and cladding in contrasting colors so it’s easy to find the entrance. For the main door, choose a color that speaks “welcome” and is pleasing to the eye so that it becomes a focal point.
- Remodel your bathroom
If you’re looking for something more drastic, you can opt to remodel one of your bathrooms. Bathroom makeovers are small but challenging enough to tickle your creativity. It can be an exciting project for the family, as well. And more importantly, it can increase your home’s value.
- Invest in modern appliances
If your appliances and electronics are getting out-of-date, consider replacing them with more modern, energy-efficient ones. Nowadays, home buyers are more drawn to homes that look modern and new, and having that old single-door fridge or ten-year-old Maytag washing machine just won’t cut it. Invest in the latest models, particularly Inverter types as these can significantly lower your utility bills.
- Replace your light fixtures with LEDs
If your house is still running on fluorescent or incandescent bulbs, then you’re missing out on a lot of energy savings. While LED bulbs are slightly more expensive, they last longer, are brighter, and consume less energy. Plus, this low-cost project can be easily done in a day.
- Update your furniture
Remodeling isn’t always about breaking down walls and altering an entire layout. It can be as simple as decluttering your house room by room or moving the furniture around. But if you want something new and refreshing, you can simply update furniture that you no longer enjoy. New furniture not only looks good for buyers, but it can also change the ambiance of your home so your family can find a new way to love your space.
- Spruce up your landscaping
More time at home means plenty of free time to pick up hobbies or try something new. Gardening and landscaping are not only value-adding projects, but they are also good for your mental and physical health. It’s also a good excuse to step outside for a bit to get some fresh air. If you’re not particularly a green thumb, you can simply start by pulling out weeds, trimming the grass, and pruning dead leaves. And if you’re starting from scratch, you can start by enriching your soil and preparing it for planting. For a low-maintenance landscape that will survive the seasons, opt for native plants or plants suitable for the soil type and temperature in your area.
- Modernize fixtures
An easy to bring your home to the 21st century is by updating your plumbing fixtures like showerheads and taps, as well as light fixtures and furniture handles. Fixtures with a chrome finish have become a popular option and for good reason. They’re both timeless and contemporary. Just make sure that your fixtures blend well into your furniture and overall theme.
- Remove your carpets
Carpet can be a comfy and warm floor covering, but it’s no longer in style. More and more homebuyers are looking for homes with hardwood floors or their cheaper counterparts such as vinyl planks and laminate as they look better and are lower maintenance. If there’s beautiful wood hidden underneath your carpet, all you need to do is resand and polish it, and it will look like new.
Renovating your home can be an overwhelming project, which is why you don’t need to do it all at once. Start with small projects first and do makeovers by room so you can’t get things done without having to move out or make big adjustments to your routine. Plus, these makeovers may be simple, but they can increase the value of your property.
