Whether you are considering selling your home anytime in the near future or just want your home to appear a little more upmarket, there are many ways you can add value to your home. There are a lot of tricks out there that help create a more appealing home without the large price tag associated with it. Sometimes it is a quick fix; other times, it's a little more in-depth, but if you are determined and focused, you can definitely add that extra appeal you are looking for, enabling you to increase that asking price by a lot more than you spent.
Fix Broken Things
Make a list of everything in your home that is broken, light switches, curtain rods, doors that won't lock, duff drawers, etc., and begin fixing these things. Nothing shows neglect more than things that don't work. If you have curtains hanging off in a room, why not investigate new types of curtain rods. An attractive curtain rod can decorate a room far better than an old broken one. If you have any larger structural issues, then these need to be sorted out as a matter of urgency. No one is going to pay the full asking price for a home with a dodgy-looking crack in the wall.
Space
Okay, you cannot actually make a room larger, unless you can afford an extension or conservatory, but you can create the illusion of more space. Several things affect how large a room seems. First clutter. Be honest, is your home filled with a lot of junk? Perhaps it is time you had a thorough clearout. Not only does decluttering give you more space, but it is also good for your mental well-being. Having a greater sense of well-being can inspire you to make other and better decisions regarding your home and life in general.
So, decluttering should be one of the first things you look to do. Secondly, are your rooms organized in the best way? Sometimes rearranging the furniture can make a room appear larger. Next, consider painting any dark walls a lighter color. Light colors rebound light better and have the effect of creating the illusion of more space. It simply feels less enclosed. Also, mirrors are a great shout. They instantly help make a room appear larger and brighter too, if you place them in the right place.
The Heating System
If your heating system is not very energy efficient or has not been serviced for a while, it is time you pay it a little more attention. A bad heating system can knock a lot off your asking price; it can also cost you a lot of money to keep the house warm. So, why not invest in a new heating system? In the long run, it will save you money, keep you warmer and increase the value of your home.
Paint
Paint is a great way to reignite the luster of any home. First, think about how your house looks from the road - its curb appeal. Repainting the exterior, the walls, window frames, and sill, the garage door, and the front door could all be done. Have a look and decide what colors are best for your area too. There is no need to paint your house the same light yellow. The interior can also be repainted to cover a multitude of sins. Peeling, blistering, and stained paint can also be painted over.
If you have ever had water damage, paint can hide this too. Remember, you can paint interior doors, and even the floor if you do it carefully enough. When it comes to colors, remember lighter colors add the illusion of space. So, if you have a small room, a light color would work best. Also, consider how colors can make you feel. Warm colors can make a room feel very cosy, for example.
Paneling
Interior paneling can enhance the feel of a room instantly. If you have a dining room, for example, and intend to have a lot of guests, then adding paneling can transform the room and give it more character and sophisticated appeal. It can also be used to create a clear divide in multi-use rooms. A living room/ dining room could have paneling on one half and none on the other. This, combined with clever lighting and other forms of divide can really enhance the appeal of a multi-use room. You could use paneling on the bottom half o a wall, too, and the good news is it's pretty easy to install yourself.