3 Easy Interior DIY Projects to Increase Your Home Value
It's a seller's market for sure these days, but if you aren't thinking about boosting your home's value, you could be leaving hundreds—even thousands—of dollars on the table.
How to make sure you get the best price for your home? By doing some easy DIY improvements to boost its value before you sell.
Before getting started, consider inviting an expert to give your home a once-over and share their big-picture view and professional suggestions. This could be a trusted Realtor who can help with those punch-list items that always seem to come up during walkthroughs.
Another pro you should consider? An interior designer. For an hourly rate, a design pro will help you gain clarity and prioritize projects as well as suggest inexpensive fixes that can seriously help improve the look, feel, and value of your home. For around $100 to $200 an hour, you can hire a pro to leave you with a helpful list of projects, ideas, and resources that will more than cover their fee.
Here are some do-able, specific DIY projects that may increase your home's value.
1. Refresh a small bathroom.
Faded wallpaper, dated fixtures, ugly lighting, grimy tile —bathrooms really tell the story of a home's age. There are many possible bathroom crimes that can quickly turn a buyer off.
Fresh, light neutral paint can help a bathroom feel clean and new.
A new shower curtain can hide an ugly bath, and fluffy white towels soften a space and make it feel welcoming.
Consider swapping out an ugly old light fixture with one that's current and on-trend.
Another updating trick? Peel-and-stick wallpaper can set off an accent wall in the bathroom, such as behind a toilet or vanity.
Re-grouting old tile is a bit of a job, but the payoff of fresh, new grout can be huge.
Even replacing a small vanity and sink can completely transform a bathroom for just a few hundred dollars. Hint: Avoid expensive jobs, like moving plumbing, toilets, or replacing tile. Work with what you have, and stick to cosmetic and surface updates.
2. Paint, paint, and more paint.
One of the most impactful, cost-effective ways to transform a space completely is with paint. And yes, most realtors encourage fresh, neutral colors, but don't be afraid to experiment.
An on-trend paint, like hunter green or deep teal, can create drama for an accent wall, or in an office or bathroom, especially if you pair it with fresh new light fixtures to update the whole look.
Painting cabinets is another option. While it requires a good deal of prep work and care, the fresh coat of paint can transform a dated kitchen into a light, bright farmhouse style that buyers are looking for. Don't feel comfortable with woodwork? You can hire out the cabinets and focus on easier spaces.
3. Clear clutter to create more square footage.
Sure, you can add an addition for more space—that could be a wise investment—but freeing up space by clearing clutter is, well, free.
Consider moving out or storing bulky furniture items like wall units, curio cabinets, buffets, and office furniture in favor of fewer, better pieces that you truly love.
A dresser might find a new home inside the closet, opening up valuable floor space in a tight bedroom.
Move extra chairs and accent tables out of living spaces to focus on an inviting sofa with fresh new pillows and throws.
Clear out corners, shelves, mantels, and windowsills, choosing only a bare minimum of objects to have displayed.
In the kitchen, remove any items on top of the cabinets, and completely clear the counters, leaving only three items, such as a toaster, microwave, or breadbox. Stow items like paper towels and dish soap under the sink to show off counter space.
With these simple DIY projects complete, you'll be ready to take full advantage of the current seller's market.