20 Home Improvement Tips to Transform and Add Value to Your Property

Whether you live alone, with your partner, or as a family unit, we all want to be proud of our homes. Regardless of how long you’ve lived in your property, there may come a time where you’re ready to make some changes. Whether that’s by carrying out a home renovation project or making minor changes to give your home the makeover it deserves, the value of your house will benefit in the long run.

For those who are planning on putting their home on the market, or you simply want to give it some TLC, here are 20 home improvement tips that can transform and add value to your property.

Sort Structural Issues First

Before you think about carrying out cosmetic work on your property, it’s important that you sort out any structural issues first which could cause further issues down the line if not addressed. If you’re putting your home on the property market, problems like subsidence can have a huge impact on the value of your home. While you may be eager to install a new bathroom or get to work on decorating, it’s important that structural issues are made a priority.

There are several structural defects that you should get nipped in the bud, such as a sagging roof, or an insect infestation. When potential homebuyers come to check out your property, many will be on the lookout for faults, so to increase the chances of you sealing the deal, it’s important that you go around your home and check for any damage. If you need advice, it’s best to contact a surveyor or builder who can come out and assess whether any work needs doing.

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Consider a New HVAC System

Whether it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter, keeping your property cool and warm throughout the seasons is important. We all want to feel comfortable and relaxed in our home, so if you’re thinking of replacing your heating and air conditioning system, it would be a good idea to contact a professional like Semper Solaris who can provide you with information regarding optimum energy efficiency. The team also specializes in AC repair and can carry out an AC tune-up to ensure your system is working at its best. Installing an HVAC system by Semper Solaris will also save money on your electric bills and lower your energy consumption. You should also consider insulating your home to keep your property warm.

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Convert Your Attic

If you have an attic in your home that’s being used primarily for storage, you may want to consider converting it into living space. If you live in a small property, making the most out of what you have can help increase the value of your home. Whether you decide to convert your attic into a home office, an extra bedroom, or another living area, there are lots of things that you can do. To bring natural light into your attic, you can use roof lights or dormer windows. While it can be costly to convert an attic, try and see it as a worthwhile investment that will pay off in the long run.

If you have decided on converting your attic, there are other factors that you will need to consider, such as ensuring the space is insulated and warm. There are various heat emitters that you can install in attic rooms, such as a radiator, underfloor heating, or combining the two together. If the space is going to be used as a bedroom or living area, you will want to feel comfortable and warm, regardless of the weather conditions outside. Converting an attic is a big job, so it’s best to seek help from a professional, rather than attempting to go down the DIY route. Any slight mistake can end in disaster and be a fortune to repair, so hiring a contractor is recommended.

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Decorate

Once you’ve sorted out any structural issues that needed fixing, you can get onto decorating your home to give it the makeover it deserves. Whether you’re on a tight budget or money is no object, there are lots of routes that you can go down to entice potential buyers into purchasing your property. There are many defects that can put buyers off, so making small but clever changes can make your home stand out for all the right reasons. Defects like peeling paint and squeaky doors aren’t very attractive, so going around your home and giving a wall a lick of paint or replacing a door can do wonders.

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Replace Your Windows

Double glazed windows are now classed as a necessity by potential homebuyers. If you’re serious about wanting to increase the value of your home, you should invest in double glazing. There are lots of benefits that you can receive from making this change, such as noise reduction, reduced energy bills, increased security, as well as better insulation. For those who want to live an eco-friendlier way of life, double glazing will reduce your energy consumption, meaning it’s great for the environment and you won’t be left with a hefty bill at the end of the month. Replacing the doors with custom steel doors can fully transform the house. At the same time steel doors are the best safety solutions and will improve the overall security of the house.

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Remodel Your Home

If you’ve grown bored with the existing layout of your home, it may be time for a remodel. Not only can remodeling be a fantastic way to increase the salability of your property, but you can also create extra space that you never thought was possible. 

Whether you want to improve the main living areas of your home like the kitchen and dining area, or you want to change the overall look and feel of your bedroom, it’s important that you know what you’re doing. To begin with, make sure that you create a simple floorplan of the existing layout which can help you figure out what step to take next to help create extra space. You can also play around with the layout by adding and removing walls until you’re satisfied with the end result. 

Next, make sure to have a think about the circulation space in your home such as the corridors and halls that may not be needed in a property that’s suited to less formal lifestyles. Removing walls and creating larger rooms will make your home seem larger, especially if your flooring and wall finishes continue throughout your home. 

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Add a Bedroom

It goes without saying, the more bedrooms you have in your home, the more chance you have of a buyer purchasing your property. If you aren’t sure where to begin when it comes to improving your home, adding an extra bedroom is always a good place to start. To help free up space in your property, you will need to remove or add walls or consider converting your attic or basement. You may even have the option to extend, however, this process will be lengthy and expensive, so you will need to have a budget in place first to work out whether it’s financially viable. Another good tip to take on board is to create a fair balance between the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you have. 

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Kitchen Makeover

Many homeowners love nothing more than to spend their free time in the kitchen cooking up a storm. If you’re a foodie and like to try out new things, it’s likely that the kitchen will be the area that’s your pride and joy. Having an attractive and sociable kitchen is what will make your property stand out to buyers and valuation surveyors, so to add value to your property, it’s important that you create a kitchen that’s functional, stylish, and ticks all the boxes.

Before you decide on giving your kitchen a makeover, you will need to consider the fundamentals first, such as the shape of the kitchen and its position which can help you decide if you need to make any structural changes. If you don’t have the cash to splash, but want to make some changes to your kitchen, repainting unit doors or replacing the worktops can totally transform the overall look and feel. Your kitchen may also benefit from better lighting or new floor tiles which can be a great way to impress homebuyers. 

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Update Your Bathroom

Many of us love nothing more than to have a soak in the bath after a long day at the office, making it more important than ever to create a bathroom that’s fresh, hygienic, and luxurious. If you’re the type of person who wants to add a touch of class and sophistication to your bathroom, you need to start by ensuring there’s adequate lighting in place. The walls of your bathroom can also play a huge part in how comfortable and relaxed you feel, so it’s best to stick with a neutral light shade. 

It’s important that you try and bring in as much natural light as you can into your bathroom too. There are tons of benefits that you can get from natural light, such as the fact that it can positively affect your mood. If you don’t have a window in your bathroom, you will need to invest in good lighting that can enhance your bathroom. It might also be a good idea to add a walk in tub with shower.

RELATED: A Step-by-Step Guide to Remodeling Your Bathroom to Perfection

Transform Your Yard

It’s just as important to spend time on the exterior of your property as it is with what’s on the inside. From the moment buyers pull up to your home, they will be on the lookout for any problems, so it’s only natural that you will want to make an excellent first impression. Redesigning your yard will not only make sure that it’s attractive and appealing, but it can also help add value to your property too.

There are various changes that you can make to your garden for the better, such as adding extra fences to provide maximum privacy, build your pool that you’ve always dreamed of, as well as installing a well-designed deck which will create an extra bit of useable living space that you can use. If you decide not to makeover your yard, you should at least cover the basics, such as cleaning up and tidying litter, getting rid of weeds, as well as repairing the lawn. To inject a bit of color into your yard, have a think about the types of plants that will work well in your outdoor space.

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Boost Curb Appeal

Putting yourself in the buyer’s shoes will help when it comes to boosting the curb appeal of your home. If you were to go and view a property, it’s likely that you will have made your mind up within the first couple of minutes, so to get the viewing off to the best start possible, there are various things that you can do to give your property an exterior makeover. Repainting your front door or windows, repointing brickwork, adding a porch, or sorting out broken or cracked cladding can transform the exterior of your home and make it stand out from neighboring properties. For those who want to do a large-scale makeover, this may include changing your roof, converting an existing space like the garage, or extending your home. A radical exterior makeover will mean you may need to apply for planning permission, as well as hire a contractor who can carry out the work for you.

Add Some Wow Factor

We all want our homes to stand out for all the right reasons, so incorporating a few interesting features on the outside and inside of your home can be another great way to increase the value of your property. Adding a bit of wow factor can set your home apart from other properties for sale in the area. Various features that you should consider include installing a fireplace, creating a feature window, or even investing in a designer front door. There are lots of simple features that can be incorporated into your home with ease, not to mention they are easy on the wallet! 

Restore Original Features

Inappropriate additions or alterations to a home can decrease its value, so if you want to boost the appeal of your property, you should consider removing any outdated features like pine cladding, textured walls or ceilings, internal stone cladding, or poorly laid laminate flooring. There are various things that you can replace or restore which can add value to your home, such as paneled doors, stair handrails and banisters, period or original style fireplaces, as well as polished floorboards. Only you will know what’s right for your home, so make sure that you have a think about what is best removing and what should be kept. 

Build a Driveway

Creating a parking space at the front or alongside your home can add significant value, even if this does mean sacrificing a part of your front yard. For many homebuyers, having a well-designed, low maintenance drive is far more appealing and valuable than a front yard that they will never use. If the front of your property looks like it’s seen better days, it’s best to invest in a driveway, especially if families are interested in your home, meaning they have space to park their car. However, it can be hard to know what to lay down for your driveway. Whether you opt for a paved driveway or gravel, there is the element of extra maintenance that you will need to keep up with. So it is always recommended you should consult with driveway pavers expert to start any walkway or driveway project in your home.

Create Extra Storage Space

Creating storage space should be one of the main things on your to-do list if you’re serious about adding value to your property. The more space you have, the better, and when you take into account that many buyers see storage as a real selling point, it’s a no brainer to make use of every spare bit of space you can find. Whether that’s by building a shelf or fitting doors to create cupboards, there are various things that you can do.

If you want to go the extra mile, there are several areas to look out for which could be used as storage space, such as underneath your stairs, dead space at the end of a corridor, concealed nooks in a corridor, as well as space above the sink. The more room buyers have to house their belongings, the more chance you have of selling your property.

Add a Bathroom

While updating your existing bathroom can be a great investment and increase the salability of your home, another wise decision is to create an en suite in the master bedroom. To find space for an en suite, you can try remodeling your existing space, or consider extending. It’s advised to have WC facilities on each floor of your property that has bedrooms, so if an attic conversion is on the cards, try your best to feature a WC too. If you live with others, you will know only too well how frustrating it can be to need the toilet or use the shower if somebody is already in there, so adding an extra bathroom can eliminate the problem and impress buyers.

Fit Solar Panels

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint and do your bit for the environment, there are lots of energy-efficient options that you may want to consider which can also add value to your property. More and more homeowners are investing in solar panels which can conserve energy, cut down on your electric bills, as well as improve grid security. While installing solar panels can be an extensive project to carry out, you need to think about the long-term benefits, especially if you plan on selling your home in the near future. Many potential buyers who are trying to do their bit for the environment will be impressed that you have solar panels installed, which can only go in your favor when it comes to selling your home.

Go Green

If you don’t have the budget for solar panels, but you’re serious about making your home energy efficient, there are tons of small but subtle changes that you can make for the better. These include investing in energy-efficient light bulbs which last far longer and consume less energy, replacing showers and toilets with low-flow features, swapping old windows for energy-efficient ones, as well as adding a programmable thermostat that you can turn up and down should you get too hot or too cold.

Replace the Roof

If your property is over 20 years old, it’s advised to replace the roof. Even if you can’t spot any issues or leaks, you will want to provide the next homeowner with the reassurance that your home isn’t on the verge of collapse! Investing in a new roof will also improve your home’s list price. It’s best to opt for energy-efficient roof choices or pick another option such as a white metal roof, which can be up to 60% cooler than other popular styles. If you live in an area that’s prone to harsh weather conditions and storms, they can damage your roof over time without you realizing, making it more important than ever to replace your roof sooner rather than later. 

Invest in New Flooring

The flooring you have throughout your home can play a major part in overall comfort, style, and salability. Choosing laminate for your floors can give your home the makeover it needs and help your property stand out for all the right reasons. One of the main benefits of laminate flooring is that it can be used in every room, such as the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. What’s more, unlike carpet, laminate flooring is far easier to clean, meaning you don’t have to worry too much about getting the vacuum out! Also, carpets can get stained very quickly (especially if they are beige or cream) so choosing laminate will mean you can tidy up with ease.

If there comes a time where you’re ready to move on from your property, it’s only natural that you will want to get what you paid for your home (and then some!), therefore, taking any of the home improvement tips listed into account will help transform your property for the better and add some wow factor to your home.

Impressing potential homebuyers from the moment they pull up to your house is crucial, so make sure that you invest just as much time on the exterior of your property as you would on what’s on the inside. The more changes you make, the more chance you have of increasing the value of your home.