Are you considering selling your home in the near future? Or maybe you just want to increase the value of your property to make it a more valuable asset? Whatever your reasons may be, increasing the value of your home is a smart investment. Not only will it make your home more attractive to potential buyers, but it will also make it a more comfortable and enjoyable place for you to live.
In this blog post, we’ll cover a variety of home renovation ideas that can help you increase the value of your home. From simple DIY fixes to larger-scale renovations, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s dive in and explore how you can make your home worth more!
- Energy efficiency
- Self sustainability
- Accessibility
- Functional layout
- Kitchen and bathroom improvements
- House security
- Storage space
- Structural issues
- Garden space
- Improve privacy
Invest into energy efficiency
Energy efficiency means using less energy to achieve the same results. Spending less energy means lower bills in the long term. What changes can you do to increase the energy efficiency of your home? Improving the energy efficiency of your home can also increase its value by reducing energy costs, improving indoor comfort, and creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly living environment
Use electronic devices that consume less electricity like low energy lighting, light bulbs or LED lights, refrigerators, dishwashers or washing machines.
Install windows and doors that prevent air leaks and minimize heat transfer between the inside and outside of your home. Double-glazed windows and weather-stripped doors with insulated cores are excellent at preserving heat and cold. If you cannot make such changes, consider sealing any drafts around doors and windows. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal any gaps and cracks.
Add loose fill Insulation into the loft space and other areas to prevent heat from escaping through the roof.
Update HVAC systems, including boilers, central heating, and cooling systems.
Invest into self sustainability
With the current rising costs of energy, Russian aggression in Ukraine and inflation, you cannot stay dependent on the outside factors. Investing in technology that will make you and your home self-sufficient is the best option to stay independent and increase the value of your property.
Invest into solar panels to fuel your home and car with home made electricity. Develop a system to collect rainwater that you can use or even transform to drinking water. Purchase smart home technology to monitor and manage your energy use. Smart thermostats to regulate the temperature, smart lighting to turn off lights when not in use, and smart appliances to reduce energy consumption.
There’s always room for improvement
SHANNON FRITCHER
Improve accessibility
Aging or a health disability is a natural occurrence in human life. Improving home accessibility means making the home user-friendly for when it happens. It allows individuals to live more independently and with greater comfort and ease. It also makes homes more attractive to a wider range of potential buyers.
Making your home accessible means changing home’s design or layout, the installation of specialized equipment or appliances, or changes to your home’s surroundings, such as pathways, ramps, and handrails.
Specifically, you can install grab bars in the bathroom and near staircases to provide support and prevent falls. Widen doorways and hallways to allow for wheelchair accessibility. Install ramps and handrails to provide access to outdoor areas. Lower light switches and thermostats to make them more accessible. Install a stair lift or elevator to make multi-level homes more accessible. Install lever-style door handles instead of round door knobs for easier opening and closing. Consider installing smart home technology to control lights, heating, and other systems with voice or motion-activated commands.
Create a more functional layout
A functional floor plan optimizes the use of space, making the property more livable and appealing to potential buyers. Fewer but larger rooms with clear sight lines will make a house seem larger, especially if the flooring and wall finishes continue throughout.
Consider removing walls to open up the space and create a more open-concept design. This can improve flow and create more usable space. Add built-in storage or shelves to make the most of your available space. This can help keep clutter under control and improve organization.
Create designated spaces such as a homework station, home office, or reading nook to maximize the usability of your space. Add windows or skylights to increase natural light and make your space brighter and more welcoming. Arrange furniture and other items in a way that improves traffic flow through your space.
Every home has a lot of “dead” space. Areas that are just there but don’t have much use like attic, basement, hallways, corridors or various nooks. Convert these into living areas so people can fully enjoy them. If they’re too small, turn them into storage areas. Every inch of space is valuable and should be given a purpose.
Consider splitting your home into two properties or building a granny flat will allow for multigenerational living space or rental space.
Improve your kitchen
Tearing down the walls between kitchen and other rooms will create more space that you can use in the kitchen itself. Add a kitchen island or extend your existing countertops to provide more space for your appliances or cooking experiments.
Create a walk-in pantry. Having all kitchen supplies, appliances and other essentials around kitchen cabinets and on kitchen counters creates a visible mess and chaos. Pantry allows you to have all these things in one place, neatly organized and protected.
Improve your bathroom
Modernize your bathroom, giving it a fresh and up-to-date feel that buyers are looking for.
Consider upgrading fixtures, finishes, faucets, lightning or other hardware to give your bathroom a more modern and luxurious style. Well thought out bathroom storage space with built in shelves, vanity drawers or other solutions will greatly improve its
Consider upgrading your shower or toilet with a water efficient solutions that will save money in the long run.
Upgrade the house security
Your family and their health and well being is the most important thing. What is your house for if not to protect them? A secure home is not just about installing alarms and cameras, it’s about taking the necessary steps to deter burglars and intruders.
To increase the value of your home through security, you should start with the basics such as upgrading your locks, installing deadbolts or swapping the doors.
You can also install security cameras and alarms, which will not only deter burglars but also provide evidence in case of a break-in. Motion sensor lights and automated security systems are also popular and can increase your home’s value.
Another important aspect of home security is fire safety. Having smoke detectors and fire extinguishers can help prevent fires and save lives. Adding sprinklers and fire-resistant materials to your home can also make it more secure and valuable.
Finally, don’t forget about home automation systems that can help you remotely control locks, cameras, and alarms from your phone or computer. These systems not only increase the value of your home but also give you added convenience and peace of mind.
Improve the storage space
The more storage space a home has, the more appealing it becomes to potential buyers. Adequate storage space can keep your home neat and tidy, which in turn can create a sense of calm and comfort in the living space.
Add built-in cabinets and shelves to walls. Install overhead storage in garages or basements. Create multi-purpose furniture, such as beds with built-in drawers or coffee tables with hidden compartments.
Improve flooring
Remove the carpet. Carpet gives an unappealing and old feeling to your house. You might have a hard time convincing potential buyers that the rest of your house is upgraded if they see the old dingy carpet.
Install hardwood or laminate flooring to help improve the appearance of your home. They also last long and are easy to clean and maintain which makes them a very practical choice.
Heated floors are the most practical addition to your house’s floor. What’s better than warm feet during the long winter months. Heated floors are a desirable item. Future owners will be happy to pay extra to avoid a lengthy heated floors renovation in the future.
Fix all structural issues
Structural issues may drastically devalue your home value. They can even create potential risks for any future owner. Make sure to fix all the major problems of your home. Bowing walls, rotten joists or roof timbers, unstable chimney or damaged gutters, damp issues, collapsed floor or slabs are all number one problems to tackle.
Fix minor problems
These aren’t as serious or life endangering as structural problems. They can still cause a lot of problems in the long run. They can lower potential buyers’ trust and deter them from purchasing your property.
- Caulk and grout
- Fix floorboards
- Fix chipped tiles
- Mouldy sealants
- Squeaking doors and door latch
- Fireplaces
- Decorative mouldings
- Panelled doors
- Polished floorboards
- Stair banisters and handrails
- Beams
Improve your garden space
A well-maintained garden space can create a positive first impression for potential buyers and add to the overall appeal of your home. A beautiful and functional garden space can also provide additional living space and increase the quality of life for you and your family. To increase the value of your home through garden space renovation, you should focus on creating an outdoor living space that is both functional and beautiful.
Consider adding features such as a patio, deck, or pergola to provide a space for outdoor dining and entertainment. You can also add functional elements like an outdoor kitchen or fire pit to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Increase the connection of indoors and outdoors spaces through the introduction of folding or sliding doors. You’ll create an open, airy feel to your home, which can make it feel more spacious and valuable.
Feeling lucky? Add a sunroom or a conservatory, pool and a hot tub. We can hardly argue against any type of water access. They scream luxury, fun and good times. They can be the best investment, giving future buyers the option to have a pool or a tub without engaging in this costly and lengthy home improvement is definitely a value advantage.
In addition to functional features, you should also focus on adding natural elements to your garden space. This can include adding plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs to create a beautiful and lush environment. Adding water features like a pond, fountain, or waterfall can also add a sense of tranquility and relaxation to your garden space.
Don’t forget to care about these natural elements. Basic yard care is essential to maintain the appearance of your home and its value. Regularly cut the grass, weed the garden, add fertilizers and mulch, and repair the lawn. Landscaping your plants and shrubs, adding walkways, beautifying beds and adding unique and unusual plants to your outdoor space can improve the curb appeal of your home, making it more attractive to potential buyers.
Remove certain features
Trends change. What once was popular, trendy and even luxurious may now seem dull and outdated. Having these features may give the impression that your whole house is old and dated.
Remove stone cladding, polystyrene ceiling tiles, pine cladding, textured ceilings or walls, fake plastic beams, mismatched time period details such as fireplaces or flush doors.
Improve privacy
Improving privacy is one of the most underrated ways of increasing the value of your home. By making your home more private, you’re creating a sanctuary that’s more comfortable and peaceful. This is especially important if you live in a busy urban area where privacy is hard to come by. So, how can you increase privacy in your home? Here are some specific examples:
Install high fences or walls around your property to create a secluded outdoor space. Add privacy film to windows and glass doors to prevent outsiders from looking in. Plant trees and shrubs to create a natural barrier between your property and your neighbors. Install a security system to deter intruders and create a sense of safety and privacy. Use outdoor screens or curtains to create a private outdoor living space. Consider soundproofing your home to reduce noise pollution and create a more private atmosphere.
HVAC, electricity and plumbing
Improving the HVAC, electricity, and plumbing systems of your home may not be the most glamorous renovation project, but it can certainly increase the value of your property. Here’s why and how:
Energy efficiency: Upgrading your HVAC system, electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures, new boiler, central heating system, or cooling system can significantly improve your home’s energy efficiency. This can result in lower utility bills, which is a major selling point for potential buyers.
Safety: Old and outdated HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems can be a major safety hazard. You can reduce the risk of fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, and other dangers.
Convenience: Modern HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems are often more convenient to use and require less maintenance. This can be a major selling point for potential buyers who are looking for a home that is move-in ready.
HVAC: Upgrade your HVAC system to a more energy-efficient model. Consider installing a programmable thermostat and sealing any air leaks to further improve energy efficiency. Upgrading your cylinder or boiler can also improve energy efficiency and add value to your home. Think about a new boiler, upgrading radiators, or adding underfloor heating.
Electrical: Upgrade your electrical panel to handle increased demand, especially if you plan to add any new appliances or electronics. Replace old wiring and outlets, and consider installing smart home features like voice-activated lighting and smart thermostats.
Plumbing: Upgrade your plumbing fixtures to more efficient models, such as low-flow toilets and showerheads. Installing a pressurized plumbing system can improve your home’s water pressure. Water filtration system can improve the quality of your tap water.
Add the wow factor
Wow factor may be more of an emotional thing rather than real deal. Make people wonder in awe when they see some of the features of your home.
Add unique features like a fireplace, feature window, roof lantern, full-height glazing, or a designer front door. These can significantly improve your home’s appeal and value. These features add character and personality to your home, making it stand out from the competition.
Obtain permissions
Getting planning permission and renewing leaseholds can also add value to a home. Having planning permission in place for potential extensions or renovations can make a home more attractive to potential buyers, while renewing leaseholds can ensure that the property is legally sound and free from any potential complications.
Conclusion
In conclusion, improving the value of your home can be achieved through various renovations and upgrades. By following the tips mentioned in this article, you can enhance the functionality, comfort, and aesthetic appeal of your home, while also increasing its value.
Whether it’s improving the energy efficiency, creating more storage space, or enhancing the overall privacy of your property, these upgrades can have a significant impact on the overall value of your home. We hope this article has been informative and helpful to you. Thank you for taking the time to read it and we wish you the best of luck in your home improvement endeavors.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how we can help you improve the comfort and value of your home.