What do you consider when thinking about home improvement projects? You may often only think about your taste and preferences or functional additions but give little consideration to the return on your investment. Your home is an investment, and investing in improvements with high return potential helps build equity and deliver notable financial benefits in the long run.
The improvements don’t have to come with a hefty price tag or significant disruption, such as moving temporarily and knocking down walls. Herein, we’ll look at proven home improvement projects that deliver high returns without causing substantial friction.
The kitchen
Kitchens sell homes – You’ve probably heard that before, and it remains true. Why? Kitchens are the most used spaces in a home, making them the most check-out areas. It is where you prepare and share meals, meaning you need an inviting and functional kitchen.
Kitchen improvements deliver the highest returns, and the best thing is that you don’t have to invest in those cost-intensive and time-consuming remodels. You’ll easily find diverse kitchen improvement projects within your budget that won’t affect your schedule, such as:
- Adding a backlash
- Refreshing the cabinets (painting or changing doors)
- Sink grout repairs
- Faucets replacement
- A fresh coat
- Rethinking the lighting fixtures, to name a few
The bathroom
After the kitchen, the next most scrutinized room is the bathroom. For instance, when looking for apartments for rent in Nairobi, potential tenants almost always consider the number, size, and condition of the bathrooms. You need a functional and comfortable bathroom now that they’re no longer spaces you go to shower.
Modern bathrooms serve more purposes, including as an extension of storage space. When improving the bathroom, think about how you can optimize space usage and create an inviting atmosphere. Among the creative ideas for bathroom improvements include:
- Add or improve bathroom window for improved lighting and ventilation
- Change or improve the floor
- Upgrade to low-flow toilet
- Upgrade shower head and faucets for water-saving impact
- Add drawers and cabinets, including a recessed medicine cabinet for more storage
- Improve lighting fixtures
- Reconsider accessories like mirrors
- Add a pop of color for an inviting impact
The floor
Flooring is among the top workhorses in any home. It takes a lot of pressure, and you could notice some raised surfaces or cracks. Such concerns are a tripping hazard and can significantly affect your home’s value. Floor improvement can be a bit costly, but they deliver high returns.
Approach it as a long-term improvement with the most sought-after options like hardwood floors that add an irresistible aesthetic appeal and warmth to your home. Such an improvement can serve you for decades and keep your home’s value high.
The hardware
Windows, doors, knobs, air conditioning units, lighting fixtures, and other appliances should be on your radar as you consider the best home improvements with high returns. These are long-term improvements; while some can be costly, they improve home value and serve you for an extended period. Moreover, such upgrades, geared toward eco-friendliness, save you more money and help keep up with emerging trends like the modern shift to smart homes. You can invest in improvements like:
- Bigger windows
- Insulated doors and roofing
- Ergonomic knobs
- Automated air conditioning
- Energy-saving appliances
- Smart security systems
Such improvements can significantly lower energy consumption, improve security, functionality, and convenience, make your home more appealing, and increase its long-term value, which delivers high returns.
The looks
Curb appeal! This doesn’t just apply when staging a home. Your home’s looks impact its value. A fresh coat usually does the trick. It is a great way to ensure that the aspects that have seen better days don’t look old and worn out. Besides painting, also look into elements like the lawn.
Enlisting a professional landscaper can help transform the outdoor space into an eye-catching and functional area. Keep the exteriors at their best, and besides catching the eye, avoid concerns like pest infestation from hitting, which can affect your home’s value.
When considering the interior looks, focus on cleaning and decluttering. This way, the property’s gems won’t be masked by chaos. Moreover, the home will be much safer, more functional, and look bigger, adding value. Focusing on your home’s look is perhaps the most pocket-friendly measure that delivers high returns.
The space
Have you optimized your home’s space usage? Price per square foot is among the notable metrics determining a property’s value. Therefore, ensuring you make each inch usable can go a long way in improving its value. Measures like improving the garage or converting it into a livable space can deliver notable returns. You could even rent it out and earn. Such returns can help you finance the mortgage or boost your savings. The trick here is to consider each space in your home to see if some areas could use improvements that enhance their usability, from the basement, attic, garage, and outdoor areas.
Home improvement projects come in all shapes and sizes, and the trick is to narrow down the option to find the one that matches your budget and preferences and deliver high returns. The above ideas are a great starting point, which you can undertake whether you intend to put your home on the market or to improve its value.