Owning a home is one of the time-honored milestones in life. It can also be financially beneficial to have a well-maintained and updated property since renovations or upgrades often lead to higher resale values.
However, if you’re not sure where to start when it comes to increasing your home’s value or making it more comfortable for your family, we’ve got some ideas that may inspire creativity and give you the motivation needed for an upgrade project.
From adding a workshop space for tinkering around on projects all day long or creating a functional garage suited specifically for car lovers, there are numerous ways to make your house into a modern dream while boosting its curb appeal and market value at the same time.
Always Start With Curb Appeal
One of the best ways to increase your home value is to start on the outside. Chances are your home’s exterior and landscaping need some TLC.
Get creative with more than just planting a few flowers or painting the mailbox. While these are excellent ways to boost curb appeal on a budget, there are other ways you can add to the value and comfort of your home.
Ways to get instant curb appeal:
- Paint the front door
- Install new sidelight windows
- Hang outdoor art
- Add window or railing planter boxes
- Install shutters
- Reseal driveway and walkways
- Pressure wash siding, walkways, fencing, and furniture
- Replace mailbox and house numbers
- Add solar and motion-sensor lighting
Investing in changes such as fresh paint and a beautifully landscaped yard can do wonders for your home’s value. Burbach Companies has a checklist for homeowners who want to ensure their home has a fresh face, which you can find here. Not only will these updates make your home look more inviting for you, but they can draw in potential buyers if you plan to sell.
Invest in Exterior Renovations
Going beyond some of the cosmetic, DIY-friendly upgrades can add significant value to your home. Investing in exterior renovations like new windows, a new garage door, or exterior siding can completely transform the look of your home and make it your favorite place to be every day. Plus, there are several exterior renovations you can make that offer a high return on investment (ROI) so it’s worth it if you put your home on the market someday.
Ways to get transform your home’s exterior:
- Replace the roof
- Install energy-efficient windows
- Install energy-efficient exterior doors
- Upgrade to vinyl or fiber cement siding
- Install brick or stone veneer
- Add a deck
Imagine pulling up to your driveway and being greeted by a beautifully crafted front door and pristine windows that allow natural light to illuminate every room. A new garage door not only adds curb appeal but also increases your home’s energy efficiency.
Cater to Family Hobbies
Having space inside your home for your family to enjoy their hobbies is a great way to increase how valuable your home is to you. Not every upgrade has to be made with resale value in mind! It’s important to make our living spaces as functional as possible, so look at ways you can carve out space for hobbies or work-from-home needs.
Have you spent time and energy learning about ways to fuel your body and exercise to meet your goals? The pros at Performance One tout the benefits of having a strength and conditioning coach, but what good is it if you don’t have convenient access to a workout space?
Is working from home truly convenient if you have to set up your office on the kitchen counter and put it away multiple times a day for meals or to make room for the kids’ homework? Do you want to learn more about taking care of your own vehicle, but have a garage so packed with stuff that you can barely navigate to open the car door?
A lack of well-organized space can make your home feel too small and unable to suit the needs and wants of your family.
Ways to make space for family favorites:
- Divide rooms with bookshelves to create space for sewing, painting, or other crafts
- Add a backyard shed to your property to serve as a workshop
- Increase vertical storage in the garage to make room for a home gym, workshop, or autocare zone
- Install a projector and use a blank wall or screen for family movie nights
- Maximize square footage by having kids share rooms, and use the “spare” room for designated work or living spaces
- Utilize an attic or crawlspace for seasonal storage so traditional living spaces aren’t cluttered
It can be difficult to prioritize how to use the space in your home, but focusing on the things your family loves to do is a great way to start.
Make Your Home Work Smarter
Transform your home into a smart abode with the installation of automatic home systems. Say goodbye to room-to-room light switches and manual thermostat adjustments with a few taps on your smartphone. You can enjoy the convenience of controlling your lighting, blinds, and temperature with just a few clicks from your phone or voice commands to your virtual assistant.
Ways to make your home a smart home:
- Connect systems to a smart home hub
- Use smart home controllers (Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Nest, etc…)
- Upgrade Internet connection and speed
- Install motion sensors for lighting (outdoors, garage)
- Upgrade to smart appliances
- Install a smart thermostat
- Use timers for sprinkler systems
Program your system to switch on a warm light in the morning and close your blinds at night. Use your controller to have home temperatures set to conserve energy when you’re away and warm the home before you return. A smart home can give you peace of mind that you’re saving energy and creating a cozy environment. Make your home work for you and let automation simplify your daily routine.
Upgrade Hardscaping – Driveway, Pathways, Retaining Walls, and More
Driving up to your house every day should be a smooth and pleasant experience, but a rough and bumpy driveway can ruin that. Consider re-paving or re-pouring your driveway for a fresh and smooth look and feel. Not only will it improve the overall appearance of your home, but a new driveway can also add value to your property. No more tiresome bumps and cracks to navigate over with your car or snow shovel; just a smooth and inviting path.
While you’re at it, address any crumbling retaining walls that are on your property. Ensure they’re adding both beauty and function to your space and repair as necessary. You want walls, fencing, and other hardscaping to artfully define outdoor spaces, not make them an eyesore.
Infographic provided by Canter Power Systems, a provider of generator installation in Houston.