Increasing the value of a home can be a challenging and stressful task. You must not only schedule the upgrades, but you will also spend a large amount of time and money.
Fortunately, there are home improvements that you can do on your own and without the need for a professional. With Spring season, you will have the perfect weather to start. So, with a little bit of elbow grease, a free weekend, and a few do-it-yourself improvements, you can quickly add value to your home and make it stand out from the crowd.
Here are the top three DIY home projects that are easy, inexpensive, and can yield a high return on investment:
Landscaping – Maintain a Clean Front Lawn
The importance of curb appeal cannot be overstated. After all, your front lawn is the first thing people see as they arrive, and you want to make a good first impression.
Your home can look unappealing and messy if it is overgrown and poorly maintained. It might not even be considered because, if the outside is awful and messy, how bad would the inside be? However, a tidy and well-maintained lawn can attract attention and have an exterior charm. It will be inviting and can encourage visitors to look inside.
Fortunately, basic gardening and landscaping are both simple and inexpensive. Simply cleaning up your front lawn by removing unwanted weeds and trimming the grass can give it a brand new and refreshing look. You can also add color and variety by using flowers and scrubs.
However, be careful about adding too much vegetation to your front lawn. It can appear cluttered and messy – not only that, but it will also be difficult to maintain.
Brighten Up Your Home – Inside and Out
Dark rooms can be depressing and uninviting. By adding and installing new lighting, your home can feel more spacious, friendly, and welcoming. It’s even better if you can get some natural lighting.
Natural lighting can make a room feel larger, so get rid of those old curtains and shutters, and open the windows. Your home will immediately feel more spacious, and as an added bonus, it can even brighten up areas like hallways where typical light fixtures aren’t feasible.
Be sure to update the light fixtures in your home as well. Fluorescent lights are out of date and harsh on the eyes, so opt for recessed and warm lighting with LEDs instead.
Exterior lighting is also important. Lighting should be installed to highlight structural features, such as paths and decks. It can increase your home’s curb appeal and make it stand out, but it can also add a layer of security. Soft lighting will remove dark areas that an intruder might hide in, as well as reveal any activity or movements on your property.
While lighting can be helpful and can even be used to ward off crime, extremely bright lighting should be avoided. Not only can they cause eye strain, but they can also cast big shadows, defeating the intent of getting lights in the first place.
Repaint the Interior and Exterior of Your Home
A fresh coat of paint can fully change the appearance and feel of your home. It can provide a clean and improved look, but you must be cautious about the colors that you pick. After all, neon green and hot pink are not going to be particularly appealing to most audiences.
A neutral color, such as grey or white, appeals to most people. It has the ability to brighten and expand a room, making it feel larger. It also provides a blank state, making it easy for audiences to imagine themselves in the space, which can increase the attractiveness of your home.
Keep in mind that rooms aren’t the only interiors that you should be repainting. You should also repaint your kitchen cabinets, which can have a build-up of grease and grime as a result of cooking for years upon years. Not only that, but kitchen designs and styles come and go, so a simple coat of paint can revitalize and modernize your kitchen.
Remember to paint the exterior of your house as well. A new front door will look friendly and homey, while an old and broken door can keep people away. A freshly painted garage door can also evoke similar thoughts and feelings.
