Wallet-Friendly Ways to Increase Home Value
1. Add Natural Light.
These brightness-boosting ideas don't usually require a big remodel budget.
- Turn a window or wall area into a glass door.
Are there any rooms in your home that would be more pleasant if a glass slider or French doors replaced a window or wall? This is a great way to make rooms feel larger and take advantage of potential outdoor living space options.
- Install a skylight.
Skylights are sometimes less hassle and expense than people expect. (The extent of work depends on the ceiling and attic configuration.)
Tip: Skylights are always a good option to look into when you're getting a roof replaced.
- Install a solar tube or sun tunnel.
These are perfect for hallways and small rooms where a traditional skylight won't fit. Velux and Solatube are two popular brands.
2. Replace House Numbers and Exterior Lighting.
House numbers and lighting are easy upgrades that can significantly change a home's exterior appeal. You can find attractive and unusual house number styles for reasonable prices at places such as Etsy.com. (Examples below.)
Screenshot courtesy of Etsy.com
3. Refresh Cabinets with New Hardware
Would you like to give your kitchen or bathroom a newer look without replacing all the cabinetry?
Try switching out the current cabinet and drawer hardware for a more modern style. This subtle upgrade doesn't have to cost a lot and can make a big difference.
Tip: A great resource for low cost, good quality cabinet hardware is DoorCorner.com. Two other good options are Knob Deco and RokHardware.
4. Spruce Up Curb Appeal.
A home's curb appeal is its "first impression" opportunity, so it's important to make that moment as pleasant as possible. Here are some ways to do that.
- Replace or add exterior plants.
Has any shrubbery become straggly or grown in the wrong direction over the years? Sometimes plants that started out as a good fit need to be trimmed back, reshaped, or replaced.
Tip: Clean lines along landscaping borders are pleasing to the eye and will guide people towards your home.
- Paint or replace the front door.
A contrasting front door color becomes the focal point of your home's exterior and sends out a visual invitation.
Tip: Using a color that contrasts strongly with the trim or the main house color allows the door to "pop".
5. Repaint with Fresh Colors.
One of the easiest ways to revive a home's interior is by giving it a fresh coat of paint.
Tip: If the primary goal is good resale value, it's usually a good idea to stay reasonably safe with a warm neutral tone.
Here are some examples of warm neutrals that have widespread appeal, along with the Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams "Colors of the Year" for 2024.
- Sherwin Williams "Softer Tan"
This is a warm neutral that's still cool enough to complement blue, gray, or green flooring and decor colors.
- Sherwin Williams "Pearly White"
A warm light gray that's trending in 2024.
- Sherwin Williams "Upward" and Benjamin Moore "Blue Nova"
Both of these blues are versatile enough to complement a variety of styles, making them more likely to have staying power compared to some other trendy colors.
Tips for Successful Paint Choices
Have you ever brought home a can of paint expecting great results, only to find that once it dried it looked much different than what you had hoped for? If so, you are definitely not alone. :)
Here are some tips on how to always choose the right paint color and sheen:
- Compare similar paint colors next to each other.
Colors can seem virtually identical when viewed separately, but when you place swatches side by side it's very easy to see any undertones of blue, green, or red that would become obvious if you painted an entire wall.
- Use contrasting colors and tone for visual interest.
Contrasting trim and wall colors create clean lines and visual appeal.
Another way to use contrast is to choose a cool complementary wall color to offset a predominantly warm color scheme, or vice versa.
- Know your paint sheens.
Here are the sheens often recommended by professional painters:
-- Low sheen for living rooms and bedrooms.
(This often translates to eggshell, or "Eg-Shel" in Sherwin Williams paint.)
-- Satin or semi-gloss for bathrooms and kitchens.
-- Flat or matte for ceilings.
Do you have questions about these tips? Please feel free to reply to this email to get personalized recommendations specifically for your home.
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