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Affordable DIY Projects That Increase Your Home’s Value

14 min read

When you spend a lot of time at home, you start to notice things you’ve never noticed before. Things like outdated hardware, an ugly ceiling fan, or even your landscaping can leave you wanting to update your home.

While renovations like new windows or doors are certain to make your home feel fresh and add value, we understand those projects aren’t possible for everyone right now.

Luckily, there are a lot of DIY home improvement projects that can spruce up your space while adding to your home’s value. Whether you’re planning on selling or not, we’d say that’s a win-win!

Painting your home, interior and exterior, is a great start, but if you want to do something more, here are our recommendations for DIY projects that increase your home’s value. These are budget-friendly projects that you don’t have to be a professional contractor to complete.

Interior DIY Home Improvement Projects

Paint or Stain Your Kitchen Cabinets

The kitchen is one of the rooms that prospective home buyers will be paying special attention to. In fact, 81% of prospective home buyers say an updated kitchen is a must-have. While you may think that means appliances, and it certainly does, they’ll also be looking at the cabinetry.

New kitchen cabinets can completely transform the look of your kitchen but unfortunately, they can be extremely expensive. If your cabinets are in good physical condition, you can paint or stain them to get that like-new look for less! This project takes time and elbow grease but you’ll love the results.

Tip #1

Prime your cabinets before painting. Use an acrylic latex-based paint to ensure the best coverage and staying power.

Install New Cabinet Hardware

Complete your cabinet makeover, or give your kitchen a mini-makeover, with new hardware. When it comes to new knobs or pulls, there is no shortage of choices. From big box hardware stores to handmade options on sites like Etsy, you’re sure to find something to match your current decor or change up the style of your kitchen completely. Changing your hardware is easy and typically only requires a screwdriver and some time.

Oversized drawer pulls (anywhere from 6-21 inches long) are very trendy, especially for those that favor a sleek, minimalistic aesthetic. Homeowners also love matte black finishes right now. This finish really pops on white cabinetry!

Tip #2

Create a different look with your cabinet hardware. Match your new hardware to your sink and lighting fixtures for a completely cohesive look. For more visual interest, choose hardware that contrasts with your cabinet color.

Recoat Your Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are beautiful and a major selling point. In fact, 90% of realtors say homes with hardwood floors sell for more than those with other flooring. But it’s no secret that hardwood floors can become worn over time, especially if you have pets and/or kids.

If your floors are showing a little too much character, you can recoat them to bring back their luster. This is a weekend project that requires serious elbow grease, so it’s not for the faint of heart! The results are worth it, though. And if you’re selling your home in the near future, it’s a surefire way to add value to your home.

Tip #3

Sand before you recoat. But just for floors that already have a wax finish! Modern polyurethane coating won’t stick to wax. You can recoat solid wood, laminated wood, and parquet floors without sanding.

Install a New Ceiling Fan

A new ceiling fan can change the feel of a room, quite literally. If your fan has stopped working or is just outdated, replacing it is the perfect DIY project for anyone with a little electrical know-how. Most ceiling fans will run you $100-$200 dollars and with the variety of styles available, you’re sure to find something that fits your decor and your budget.

Tip #4

Choose your fan based on the height of your ceiling. If you have low ceilings, flush-mount models are best. For average to high ceilings, the extra height means you can choose a fan with an extension rod.

Install Crown Molding or Chair Railing

Crown molding and chair railing can instantly elevate a room and add value. Crown molding and chair railing can be added to any room in your home, but chair railing is especially popular in dining rooms. You can buy molding and have it cut to size at any home improvement store. All you have to do is paint or stain it and put it in place with a nail gun!

Tip #5

Paint your molding before attaching it. Even if you plan to paint it the same color as your walls, painting it beforehand will make it easier to ensure you get full coverage on the molding.

Exterior DIY Home Improvement Projects

Landscaping

Landscaping instantly increases your home’s curb appeal, making it one of the best projects to increase your home’s value. While the amount it can add to your home’s value varies greatly, most homes with a nicely landscaped lawn go for thousands more than a home without one. Even if you’re not ready to sell, you’ll get to enjoy the fruits of your labor! From basic landscaping like ensuring your lawn is weed-free and planting flowers to more in depth projects like creating mulched flower beds, you can tailor this project to your skill level and style.

Tip #6

Set your lawn up for success. Research plants and flowers before you purchase them to ensure they’re a good fit for the climate you live in.

Pressure Wash

Pressure washing your home, driveway, and sidewalk is a quick way to brighten up your property. Any home exterior can be pressure washed, from vinyl siding to brick, and everything in between. If you don’t own a pressure washer, you can rent them at big box hardware stores for relatively affordable prices.

Tip #7

Use the right pressure settings. The low or medium-duty setting is great for the sides of your home and a heavy-duty setting is best for your driveway or other large areas of concrete.

Resurface Your Garage Floor

The garage is one part of your home that you may not think about adding value to, but resurfacing the floor is a relatively easy way to do just that. Resurfacing concrete fills in pits and cracks, making it look like-new at a small fraction of the cost of a new garage floor. The process itself is simple but it does require special materials like resurfacer, crack sealer, a floor squeegee, and a power mixer.

Tip #8

Pressure wash your garage floor before resurfacing it. This gives a nice, clean surface for the resurfacer to bond to.

Build a Patio With Pavers or Stones

A nice backyard is one of a house’s biggest selling points, and in a recent survey by the National Association of Home Buyers, 87% of buyers said that a patio was a feature they looked for in a home.

You don’t have to hire a professional to pour a new concrete patio, though! You can build your own patio out of pavers, stones, or bricks for a beautiful, unique outdoor space. This project does take a few days of hard work, but the results are worth it.

Tip #9

Different pavers create different looks. Brick patios look well-worn, like they’ve been part of your home for a long time, while lighter pavers look newer and more modern.

Install New House Numbers

This might be the easiest home improvement DIY on our list. It won’t add a ton of value to your home, but it is guaranteed to make a good impression on visitors and potential buyers! You can completely customize your house number to match your home’s style. Look to Pinterest for inspiration and let your creativity shine!

Tip #10

Make sure your house numbers are large and easy to read. Keep this in mind when creating your house number display.

To Add Even More Value to Your Home, Choose Window World

Hungry for more value? Window World’s replacement products are a great way to increase your home’s value. In fact, 90% of prospective homebuyers say they are willing to pay more for a home that’s equipped with energy-efficient windows or doors.

Whether you’re looking to sell your home in the near future or you just want to improve your home for yourself, our team of professional installers are here to install your new Window World products.

Ready to elevate your home’s value? Schedule your free estimate today!

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