6 Affordable DIY Home Renovation Projects That Increase Your Home’s Value
Tackling renovations can seem like a daunting task to homeowners. Whether you’re afraid of rising costs, missed deadlines, or expensive contractors, deciding to renovate can feel like a major step.
The bottom line is that renovating and updating a home increases its value on the market — but don’t worry; you won’t have to pick up a sledgehammer and start knocking down walls to benefit from renovations! Several simple and affordable do-it-yourself (DIY) renovations give your home an edge above the competition and, more importantly, your wallet a break.
So if you’re thinking about putting your house on the market or just planning ahead, you can rest easy with the knowledge that you can increase your home’s value without putting a dent in your budget.
Read on for six DIY projects that will increase your home’s value!
Paint the Front Door
While it might seem too simple, painting your front door can significantly impact the first impression prospective buyers have when walking up to the house for the first time. After all, you know what they say about first impressions!
To play it safe, you can always refresh the original paint colour to get rid of the natural wear-and-tear that occurs over time. Many hardware stores offer colour-matching services, so don’t sweat if the original paint colour is nowhere to be found.
But if you really want to make a statement, choose an eyecatching shade that coordinates with your landscaping and house trim. Shades of blue have long been a stylish choice for doors. So, go with a sophisticated sky or dark blue for stately elegance, or choose a bright shade for some modern flair.
Change Up Your Hardware
The little things can add up during a renovation, and changing out hardware is a small but effective detail. Instead of completely redoing your cabinetry or replacing your doors, which can both carry a pretty heft price tag, pick a stylish and cohesive hardware set and switch out your old handles and knobs.
Whether your style leans more modern or more traditional, make sure the hardware matches throughout your home. This ensures that the house has a level of cohesion that future buyers will love.
If you want to make a statement, choose a hardware finish that contrasts with the colour of your cabinets, like black or bronze against light colours or satin nickel or brass against dark colours. Copper is an on-trend choice that’s sure to turn heads.
Revamp Your House Numbers
One simple but often overlooked update is adding new house numbers to your home’s exterior. Like we said earlier, first impressions are important, and what’s a better introduction to the home than a stylish display of house numbers?
There are many different styles, fonts, and finishes when it comes to purchasing house numbers, so be sure to choose one that coordinates with the home’s overall aesthetic. Modern and mid-century modern fonts are particularly on-trend at the moment. For added contemporary flair, experiment with illuminated numbers.
This might be the easiest tip yet — all it requires is a quick trip to the hardware store and a couple of minutes of drilling!
Paint the Interior
While this might seem like a no-brainer, it’s a tried and true tip that is sure to add value to your home. Even if you don’t want to change the colour, refreshing an old coat of paint makes your interior feel clean and fresh and hides any chipping or stains.
To play it safe, you can choose a blank-slate white or grey colour. Or, you can select an on-trend paint colour to add a splash of style to the home. Subtle greens and blues are becoming increasingly popular interior design shades, and choosing toned-down hues means that you can still treat them as neutrals.
Give Your Gutters Some Love
Clogged gutters full of leaves and debris are a total eyesore, especially for homes with trees in the front yard that make gutter maintenance a constant battle. Not only do they hurt curb appeal, but unkempt gutters can lead to costly damage to walls and roofs.
Before putting your home on the market, give your gutters a good deep clean, removing any leaves, twigs, and other debris and scrubbing away any unsightly staining. Then, install some gutter covers — guards for the gutter that keep them free from falling leaves and reduce the amount of maintenance needed in the future.
Update The Light Fixtures
Light can make a major difference in the overall aesthetic of a home, so don’t overlook it when considering renovations. The builder-grade light fixtures that came with the house might get the job done, but they won’t help your home stand out in the crowd.
Choose new fixtures that match the style of the rest of your home. You can even match the finish of the fixtures to the finish of your new hardware for maximum stylistic cohesion. This would also be a great time to update your lighting to be more eco-friendly and efficient since the addition of earth-friendly updates to your home can increase its overall value.
Now It’s Time to Renovate
Now that you are equipped with six cheap and easy tips to increase your home’s value, head to the hardware store and get started on your DIY projects! Be sure to check out our other House & Garden articles for more inspiration on your next design project.
