Renovation ideas to increase your property’s value
INSIGHTS
April 26, 2023

Home improvements can significantly improve the value of your home.

Renovations come in all shapes and sizes, and it can be difficult to determine which project will bring the most value to your property.

Plan home renovations with a broad audience in mind rather than adding too many tastes and preferences.

A poorly done DIY renovation, particularly in the kitchen or bathroom, can also turn buyers off.

Here are some tips to help you increase the value of your home.

What adds value to a house?

Adding value to your property before marketing it can be done in a variety of ways. If you want to gain the highest return on your investment, you must spend your money in the right places.

Improving the kitchen and bathroom of your home will generally increase its value.

As one of the first things potential buyers see when visiting your home, it’s also essential to maintain the exterior of your home.

Increasing the value of your property doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars in renovations. Additions like ceiling fans, walk-in closets or pantries will often attract prospective buyers.

Invest your renovation money right, and buyers will be lining up to put offers in for your home. Maximising value without spending a lot is the key to successful value-adding.

How to increase your property’s value

Consider beginning small before committing time and money to a project that might not succeed.

You can instantly increase your home’s value in a variety of ways.

For example:

  • Upgrade old flooring with new, trendy coverings.
  • Maintaining and landscaping your garden requires time and money but is a worthwhile investment.
  • Bring new life to outdoor living spaces, such as the patio, deck, and driveway.
  • Transform a closed-off kitchen into an open one.
  • Knocking down some walls opens up the space within your house.

Freshly painting tired areas of your property can be a transformation. Refreshing a home with a fresh coat is a simple way to make it look new again. In fact, painting is the best way to increase your property’s value.

Think about adding a feature wall or picking a trendy paint colour or texture to make your home seem modern. Make sure that the colours you choose stay current and will not overwhelm those with more conservative tastes.

Redo the flooring

A home’s floors can also have a significant effect on its perceived value. Whether your floors are outdated, aged or damaged, an update to your flooring will not break the bank and it is sure to be an instant value-add for potential buyers.

Here are some tips to help breathe new life into tired, old timber floors before replacing them:

  • Clean, vacuum the room thoroughly, and then mop it with a damp, warm cloth. (Note: A simple clean might not be sufficient, and your timber flooring may need a new finish.)
  • Filling a lacquer or wax finish is a fast and affordable way to spruce up your floors.
  • The buff and polish method is an excellent option to avoid costly packed sanding and refinishing.
  • Enhance the original beauty of your timber flooring by polishing it with a buffer and your choice of polish.

You should consider the specifics of your property sale and perhaps consult your real estate agent to determine what level of professionalism you should use.

Replacing floorings like carpet, tiles or laminate is a low-cost way to modernise rooms without a complete renovation.

You could also replace old floor coverings with updated colors and styles, or install completely new flooring following current trends.

How to update your garden

Australians often enjoy spending time outdoors, so investing in your garden can add significantly to your property’s value.

To improve the landscape of your garden, try these ideas:

  • Clean up overgrown gardens: A garden clean-up immediately benefits your garden. Trimming hedges and trees, removing fallen palm leaves, and pulling out weeds or unwanted plants helps.
  • Add new vegetation to bare areas: Plants and flowers will likely improve the appearance of your garden. Choose ones that are easily maintained and suited to your climate. A well-planned garden can add instant street appeal to your property.
  • Add features: Features such as solar lighting, ponds and fountains can liven up an otherwise plain garden.

If some parts require maintenance or have running costs, check them out to ensure they’re worth the expense.

Perhaps the thought of gardening doesn’t inspire you. If that’s the case, enlist the help of a professional landscaper to design and implement your garden.

Your outdoor area needs rejuvenation

As with gardening, outdoor spaces can involve many projects and usually require forethought and careful planning.

Here are our top tips for revitalising your outdoor areas.

Add a patio or an entertainment area

If your budget and requirements allow, you can design quick and easy entertainment areas or more elaborate, expensive ones.

Adding a patio or entertainment area will almost always increase the value of a home.

Replace or rejuvenate driveways

A home’s driveway plays a vital role in the first impression a potential buyer gets of it. It’s a big investment and might take a lot of work, but it’s worth considering your options because there may be a lot of potential value.

If you do decide to redo your driveway, you can create unique patterns by mixing colors or using contrasting borders. It’s also possible to choose from a variety of colored pavers and styles.

Swimming pools and spas

Your home will generally gain value with a pool or spa, but there is a risk of turning some potential buyers away.

Pools and spas require a great deal of maintenance and can, unfortunately, be too much trouble for busy people. Some people just prefer to use the local pool rather than worry about maintaining their own.

Determine if the maintenance expense will negatively affect any potential added value before deciding on whether to install a pool or spa into your property.

Invest in a new kitchen

Your kitchen/dining area is a gathering place where family and friends come together to eat, socialise and enjoy a good meal. Money spent here is generally well spent as it’s usually the most used part of the house.

Whether you have a big or small kitchen, you can always look at improving it.

Open plan kitchens

Open plan kitchens that extend beyond the dining room will drastically change how the entire home feels.

The concept has long been a popular trend in home renovations.

It will also enable you to create a more social and enjoyable living area.

Upgraded appliances

Updating your appliances can enhance your kitchen if a complete renovation is not possible.

Old, outdated appliances can make a kitchen look dated, even if it is modern. Replacing them with new ones will help the kitchen look sleek and contemporary, and make cooking and cleaning easier with state-of-the-art technology.

Natural light

Natural light can make the space more inviting, and updating old light fixtures can make the area look brighter.

It’s time to set the scene

To ensure your home looks stunning on open house day, you do not need to spend a fortune on dressing your house for success but you will need to invest in a thorough cleaning.

Identify the optimal placement of furniture, and replace it if necessary. Placement of the furniture should make the room seem more significant and open up the space.

You should also choose accessories that make your home look fresh, modern, and stylish. It’s often possible to find cheaper versions of expensive items, so you don’t have to spend much money. Throws and cushions are great low-cost options that can change the way a room looks and feels.