By Nick Gerhardt
Updated: Oct 05, 2024
These are the top renovations that increase home value. Some are quick, budget-friendly updates perfect for a weekend project.
Enhance Your Deck with Outdoor Lighting
Upgrading your outdoor space with landscape lighting can significantly boost your home’s appeal and value. While it may seem complex, low-voltage lighting systems are surprisingly DIY-friendly. Focusing on your deck enhances both its beauty and safety with improved visibility. These systems utilize a transformer plugged into a standard GFCI receptacle, converting 120 volts to a safer 12 volts. This current then powers your fixtures through outdoor cables, making it a manageable project for beginners.
A Stylish Kitchen Backsplash on a Budget
Kitchen backsplash with mosaic tiles
A kitchen backsplash is a high-impact upgrade that doesn’t have to break the bank. You can easily transform your kitchen in a single weekend. Plan to install the backsplash tiles on Saturday, then grout and seal them on Sunday. This simple project offers a significant return on investment.
Illuminate Your Kitchen with Updated Lighting
Modern kitchen with updated lighting
The kitchen is the heart of the home, serving multiple functions from cooking and dining to working and socializing. Effective kitchen lighting is essential for creating the right ambiance for each activity. Fortunately, customizing your kitchen lighting to suit your needs and existing wiring is achievable. Whether you opt for brighter task lighting or softer ambient lighting, this upgrade enhances functionality and aesthetics.
Fresh Coat of Paint: Maximum Impact, Minimal Cost
A fresh coat of paint offers the most dramatic transformation for the least amount of money. For around $38 per gallon of quality one-coat paint, you can instantly update your home’s interior. Neutral colors like gray are currently trending, providing a versatile backdrop that allows your décor and furnishings to stand out.
Boost Energy Efficiency with Attic Insulation
Adding or upgrading attic insulation is a smart investment that often pays for itself through increased energy efficiency and higher home value. Proper insulation reduces heating and cooling costs, making your home more comfortable and appealing to potential buyers. Loose-fill insulation is a popular choice for attics, offering excellent thermal performance.
Steel Entry Door: Enhance Curb Appeal and Security
Replacing your old entry door with a steel door significantly enhances your home’s curb appeal and security. A new steel door creates a positive first impression for potential buyers, signaling quality and durability. It also offers improved energy efficiency and enhanced protection against intruders.
Modernize Your Home with Manufactured Stone Veneer
Stone veneer on exterior of house
Manufactured stone veneer offers a cost-effective way to achieve a high-end, modern look for your home’s exterior. Whether you choose to DIY or hire a professional, this upgrade adds significant value and visual appeal. Stone veneer is durable, low-maintenance, and available in a variety of styles to complement any architectural design.
Minor Kitchen Remodel: High Return on Investment
A minor kitchen remodel can provide a substantial return on investment without the expense and disruption of a major overhaul. Focus on cost-effective updates such as replacing countertops, cabinet refacing, and upgrading appliances. These improvements modernize your kitchen and enhance its functionality without breaking the bank.
Upgrade Your Curb Appeal with a New Garage Door
Replacing your garage door is a significant curb appeal upgrade that offers a high return on investment. A new garage door instantly enhances your home’s exterior aesthetics, adding value and making a positive first impression. Choose a style that complements your home’s architecture for maximum impact.
Fiberglass Entry Door: A Luxurious Upgrade
Black front door with stonework
A fiberglass entry door is a premium upgrade that significantly increases your home’s value and curb appeal. Known for their durability, energy efficiency, and elegant designs, fiberglass doors offer a luxurious touch that appeals to discerning buyers. This investment offers a substantial return, recouping a significant portion of the project cost.
Enhance Your Home’s Protection and Value with New Siding
Siding replacement is a major home improvement project that offers both aesthetic and practical benefits. New siding enhances your home’s curb appeal, protects it from the elements, and improves energy efficiency. This substantial upgrade increases your home’s value and provides a high return on investment.
Window Replacement: Energy Efficiency and Aesthetics
Replacing old windows with energy-efficient models is a valuable upgrade that enhances both comfort and curb appeal. New windows improve insulation, reduce energy costs, and enhance your home’s aesthetics. Consider vinyl or wood options, both offering comparable recoup rates, though wood typically comes with a higher initial investment.
Universal Design: Accessibility and Increased Value
Woman in wheelchair navigating a wide hallway
Incorporating universal design elements into your home enhances accessibility and increases its appeal to a wider range of buyers. Features like wider doorways, grab bars, and zero-step entryways cater to individuals with mobility challenges and improve overall safety and convenience for all occupants. This forward-thinking approach adds value and marketability to your property.
Roof Replacement: A Necessary Investment with High Returns
A new roof is a major investment that significantly impacts your home’s value and protects your largest asset. Addressing roof issues promptly prevents further damage and ensures the structural integrity of your home. A well-maintained or replaced roof provides peace of mind and adds significant value for potential buyers.
Expand Your Living Space with a Deck Addition
Adding a wood deck expands your living space, enhances your outdoor enjoyment, and boosts your home’s value. A deck provides a versatile area for entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying the outdoors. This relatively inexpensive upgrade offers a high return on investment and significantly enhances your property’s appeal.
Smart Home Technology: Modern Convenience and Increased Value
Automatic water main shutoff valve
Integrating smart home technology increases your home’s value and appeals to modern buyers. Features like smart thermostats, security systems, and leak detectors enhance convenience, security, and energy efficiency. These upgrades showcase your home’s modernity and add a desirable selling point.
Simple Fixes and Details: Make a Big Difference
Addressing small repairs and paying attention to details can significantly impact your home’s overall impression. Simple fixes like improving lighting, washing windows, and ensuring functionality demonstrate care and maintenance, making your home more appealing to potential buyers.
Repainting Walls: Refresh and Renew Your Interior
Repainting walls is a cost-effective way to refresh your home’s interior and cover up wear and tear. Fresh paint brightens rooms, updates the look, and creates a clean, inviting atmosphere. Opt for neutral colors to appeal to a wider range of tastes and maximize your return on investment.
Finished Basement: Add Usable Square Footage and Value
Finishing your basement adds valuable living space and significantly increases your home’s value. A finished basement can be transformed into a variety of functional areas, such as a family room, home theater, or extra bedroom, significantly boosting your property’s appeal and square footage.
Flooring Upgrade: Hardwood or Laminate for Lasting Appeal
Replacing old carpeting with hardwood or laminate flooring is a popular upgrade that adds value and enhances aesthetics. These flooring options offer durability, easy maintenance, and a modern look that appeals to buyers. Their longevity and resistance to stains make them a desirable choice for homeowners.