Home value boost: 30 smart projects that really pay off

Add value to your home with these design tricks

If you're looking to sell your home or make some much-needed improvements, then there are some simple steps you can take to ensure you get the best possible results. From updating your appliances to revamping your garden, these easy home improvement tasks show that you don't have to spend a fortune to make your home more desirable, and significantly increase its value.

Read on to find out more...

Build a garden room

With the huge increase in home working over the past few years, an outdoor garden room that's connected to mains electricity can increase a property's value by up to 5-10%, according to the Property Centre. Planning permission is not usually required, but if you live in a listed building or your home is in a designated area, double-check with your local planning office to see if you have permitted rights.

Upgrade your appliances

Everyone loves brand-new appliances, so if your home boasts an old heating system, an outdated washing machine or a grimy refrigerator, you could inadvertently be putting potential buyers off. Invest in high-quality, energy-efficient appliances and you could boost the interest in, and value of, your home.

However, be wary of splashing out unnecessarily on pieces that don't hold their value and keep your expenditure in line with the house itself – designer white goods will always help sell a mansion but you may not recover your costs on a three-bedroom family home...

Move the boiler

If your heating system is old or a little unpredictable, it might be worth upgrading it before you place your home up for sale. There's a whole range of quieter, more efficient boilers on the market these days.

When installing a new boiler, consider relocating it to the loft, basement or utility room to free up space. And it's not just aesthetics – a boiler move can improve results for hot water demand, too.

Reinstall a bathtub

Maybe you prefer showers more than a long hot soak but property expert Sarah Beeny said: "I would strongly suggest having a bath in place if you’re looking to sell. With no bath, I feel you’re limiting your market…you can always have a shower above a bath." It's a bathroom staple, especially for young families where bathtime is part of a regular routine.

Short on space? This stylish tub is a compact design that takes up less floor space than traditional models.

Fix that fencing

Fencing is a small detail that can make a big difference to your home's kerb appeal. If yours is looking a little worse for wear, it could be time to fix it for good, as unsightly, broken or shabby fence panels at the front or rear of your property can devalue a house. Since budget options can cost about the same amount as a simple restaurant lunch, replacing them is a cheap but easy way to transform your garden and make your home more attractive.

Get the decorators in

Often, house hunters are put off if a property's décor is old fashioned. Is your wallpaper peeling or are your bathroom tiles looking a little drab? Well, you'll be surprised how new plasterboards and a fresh lick of paint can totally transform your home. If you have the budget to get a decorator in to help you fix any obvious issues, then you'll be able to show off your property in the best light. Remember, keep it simple so that potential buyers can envisage the space as their own.

Add a downstairs cloakroom

Squeezing a downstairs toilet onto your ground floor is super-practical and nowadays considered a necessity in most homes. Whether it's an under-stairs nook, utility room upgrade or an add-on to a new porch, a cloakroom is on many buyers' wish lists and, according to Checkatrade, can add up to 5% to the value of your property.

Even if you've only got minimal square feet to spare, there are plenty of space-saving solutions. For example, this compact ground-floor bathroom features a combined basin and toilet unit.

Utilise bedroom space

Property value can often hinge on the number of bedrooms a home has. According to Nationwide, the value of a two-bedroom detached house could increase by 13% if you can carve out an extra bedroom.

So, if you have a spare room that's currently not being put to good use, there could be an opportunity for you to make your house more desirable. Clear out the clutter, add a bed if there isn't already one and turn that redundant room into an extra bedroom. With more bedrooms, you will be able to attract a broader range of buyers.

Declutter your interior

The biggest, and arguably cheapest, improvement you can make to your house is to declutter. No one wants to see someone's belongings strewn around or endless ornaments covering every surface. Have a clear-out and rid your rooms of junk. If you're keen to keep hold of your personal effects, then move them out of sight so that they can't be seen by any visitors or put them into storage until you sell the house.

Convert your loft

If your loft space is big enough, then consider converting it into a dedicated bedroom. While converting an attic space is no simple or cheap task, it could seriously enhance your home. In fact, according to research carried out by Checkatrade, loft conversions can add up to 20% to the value of your home.

If you're converting the loft of an older home, you may choose to leave characterful wood beams exposed. Think carefully about your furnishings – a low wooden bed frame like this design can help make the most of low eaves.

Make the most of your storage

With space at a premium, every inch of storage counts. If you have any secret storage spaces hiding in your home, whether a cupboard under the stairs or some extra loft space, don’t just use them as a dumping ground. Clear it out so that any buyer can see exactly how much space they will have to play with.

Spruce up the garden

According to research by the HomeOwners Alliance, a well-kept back garden can add as much as £9,000 to the value of the average UK home. But in order to do so, the space really has to look its best. Overgrown weeds and out-of-control shrubs aren't going to entice anyone, so make sure the lawn has been mowed, cut back any bushes that might make the space look smaller and have a general tidy-up. Even just sweeping the paths will make a big difference.

Add a conservatory

Adding a conservatory doesn’t have to cost a fortune. What’s more, that extra space will only add value to your property – typically around 7%, according to research from home-buyer Quick Move Now.

Building a conservatory doesn't usually require planning permission either, but there are a few quid pro quos, so be sure to double-check with your local authority first. Plus, with extra glazing drawing additional sunlight into your home, your interior will be a bright and inviting space that's sure to seduce buyers. Fitted blinds like this can offer respite from the sun's glare when needed.

Build an extension

A single-storey extension can add around 5–8% to the value of your house, while a double-storey build can give a boost of up to 12%.

Before you get the builders in, it's a good idea to evaluate whether the estimated cost of the extension will be lower than the potential added value, which will depend on your area. However, building an extra bedroom or transforming the kitchen into a spacious and practical kitchen diner is pretty much guaranteed to increase your asking price.

For example, this kitchen extension is the perfect light-filled family hub thanks to its glazed gable and bi-folding doors.

Apply for planning permission

Even if you don’t have the cash to pay for an extension, you can have the planning permission in place for the next owners. This could really boost the appeal of your property since it shows potential investors that renovations or improvements are not only feasible but readily permitted and ready to go!

Spruce up the bathroom

It's no secret that the bathroom and the kitchen are the most important rooms when it comes to selling a house. Keep any improvements very simple. Chic tiles and a bright, clean suite can do wonders. Consider updating the taps and if you need a shower screen, opt for glass over a curtain.

If your toilet and sink have exposed pipework, conceal it with coordinating built-in cabinetry like these units to add storage and style.

Knock down a wall

Firstly, make sure it isn’t load-bearing! But generally, buyers are more impressed with how much usable living space they have, rather than the number of rooms – this doesn't apply to bedrooms, of course. So consider knocking down a wall in order to create a bright, open-plan space. This will give you one impressive room, rather than two underwhelming ones. Then, sit back and watch your home’s value soar.

Focus on the kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home, not just where you make your food, and a brand new kitchen can add between 4-10% if it's done well. However, simply ensuring your appliances are all up to date, painting the cupboards, updating handles and buffing up the work surfaces will also give your kitchen a new lease of life.

If you're feeling adventurous, opt for contrasting cabinetry, like this classic Shaker-style scheme.

Hang a mirror in the hall

The hallway is the first part of the interior that viewers see. The trouble is, entryways are often the narrowest and darkest part of the house. Installing a mirror on either wall will make your hall look much bigger and will allow natural light to fill the entire space. This will really help boost its attractiveness to potential buyers.

Paint the outside of the house

The front of the house is the first aspect a potential buyer will see, so it’s important to make a good first impression. Giving the outside a fresh lick of paint means you’re off on the right foot but also clean your windows, consider investing in some potted plants and hide any rubbish or mess away until the viewings are over.

Refurbish the front door

There’s no point in having a nicely spruced-up exterior if your front door looks a mess. This is a really easy fix – you may get away with simply giving the doorknob and letterbox a decent polish but new stainless steel numbers or a nice, new knocker can also be a good investment. Plus, with a plethora of exterior paints available, you can be as bold as you like when it comes to colour, however, a classic shade such as black will appeal to more buyers.

Create driveway parking

If you live in an area where parking is at a premium, then dedicated space to park in front of the house will likely be a big selling point. Not only will driveway parking entice more potential buyers, but it will also be far easier to maintain than endless flowerbeds – another plus point for house hunters.

According to Checkatrade, the average cost of a dropped kerb is around £1,800, but Property Price Advice claims it could add 5-10% in value to your home.

Add central heating

Adding central heating to a property that doesn’t have it will always add more value than it costs – in fact, it's one of the best investments you can make to increase your property's value, according to Estate Agent Today. It’s generally considered an essential for homebuyers today.

Improve the energy efficiency of your home

This is a big one for two reasons: obviously, there’s the cash involved; if your home is energy efficient, you’re less likely to run up massive bills. But buyers today are almost just as likely to be concerned about the environment. If your home is helping the planet, that can only help you sell it.

Add in extra sockets

Most of us have a host of gadgets today, from laptops to tablets and game consoles – and they all need to be plugged in somewhere. Make sure that you have plenty of sockets on offer in areas where they don’t look too ugly. You can even hide wireless chargers and retractable sockets inside cabinets and worktops. You'll also get extra points for wireless charging options and USB ports in power sockets.

If it creaks or leaks, fix it

Go through each room of your house and see if there are any superficial defects on show, whether it’s a creaking door, a leaking tap or a loose tile. Each and every one will dent the attractiveness of your home to a buyer, so go through and fix everything you can.

Replace the windows

OK, this might not be cheap but it can be very important. Just as buyers view central heating as essential today, the same goes for double glazing. Research conducted by window experts SEH BAC reported that not only will double-glazed windows improve energy efficiency, and therefore lower the cost of rising bills, but could increase your home's value by 10%.

Give your floors some love

The floor is an often overlooked part of the home, but it’s a crucial selling point. Buyers will be turned off by old, stained carpets or wooden flooring that is horribly scratched. Replacing the floors entirely may be too costly but a little bit of work to remove stains or scuffs can go a long way. Alternatively, you could lay down some new rugs that you can take with you.

In this hallway scheme, European oak flooring has been accessorised with a cream tufted rug to protect the planks from daily wear and tear.

Don’t forget roof repairs

Replacing worn-out areas of your roof could help you secure a higher sale price. The logic is simple: if the buyer thinks they might need to deal with a leak or the cost of replacing tiles, it will bump down the price they are willing to pay. Repairing a small area of tiling, as opposed to replacing the whole roof, should be a relatively cost-effective way to up your home's value, costing between £106 and £152 per square metre, according to Checkatrade.

Let there be light

If you want to really show off your home, you need to show it in its best light – literally. Make sure there is plenty of natural light in the property by opening curtains and blinds and giving all the windows a good clean. It's a good idea to update your light fixtures too. For any evening viewings, turn on ambient lighting to create a warm glow in any social spaces.

In this refined scheme, floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the beautiful dark green kitchen cabinetry in natural light, while pendant lighting over the island ensures plenty of illumination after nightfall.