Ask any real estate agent and they’ll tell you, in most circumstances, building a new bathroom or finishing your basement is a surefire way to add value to your home. But those aren’t the only projects that provide a boost! For example, did you know installing a home elevator can raise your home’s worth by 10% or more?
There are many atypical ways you can add value to your home, from small, DIY-friendly efforts to more significant improvements that can renew your love for your house. Whether it’s lighting fixtures or dumbwaiters, if you’re looking to add value to your home, consider these more unexpected options that fit into many different budgets. Here are nine ways to raise your home’s valuation.
1. Laundry Room Upgrades
Laundry is one of life’s unavoidable tasks. So why not make it a little more enjoyable with a laundry room you’re happy to spend time in? Enhancing your laundry room can make it more appealing to a potential buyer, too. You can easily upgrade your laundry room with some basic additions and improvements.
The laundry room is a space where you can get creative with a new coat of paint or a bold wallpaper pattern that will instantly refresh the room. Opt for bright, light colors to make the room more spacious. Adding cabinetry is always helpful, but if you don’t have the space for more storage, try hanging curtains in front of the washer and dryer to keep the area looking clean and tidy.
For added utility, consider installing the following:
- a sink to rinse or soak extra-dirty items
- a fold-down ironing board that tucks into the wall when not in use
- a drying rack for delicate items that need to air dry
2. Rethink Landscaping
A new approach to landscaping can enhance your home’s curb appeal while making your yard easier to manage. A low-maintenance option is to switch to a xeriscape, a landscape style that requires little or no irrigation through gravel, rocks, mulch, and drought-tolerant plants. Xeriscaping is ideal if you have minimal time or ability to care for your yard, want to save on your water bill, or live in an area that often experiences droughts. The American Society of Landscape Architects reports demand for climate-friendly landscaping continues to rise.
Alternatively, if you like the look of a traditional garden, consider adding perennial plants that you won’t have to replant each year. Most real estate agents agree the more appealing your landscaping is, the more attractive the home is to potential buyers. Using weed barrier fabric with a thick bed of mulch can also reduce the amount of weeding you’ll have to perform.
Then, to make your yard feel like a true extension of your living space, create room for outdoor seating. Add a fire pit and solar-powered lighting, and you can relax in your outdoor space all year long.
3. Consider a Home Elevator
Both luxurious and practical, installing a home elevator adds a ‘wow factor’ to your home without necessarily requiring extensive remodeling. In addition, elevators make it easy to move between floors and are ideal for seniors with mobility limitations.
Home elevators are available in many different sizes and designs. Shaftless and pitless home elevators are designed to fit into tight spaces. Glass home elevators are also space-efficient and customizable. With so many options, you can find an elevator that suits your needs and reflects your style.
Arrow Lift offers an excellent selection of elevators designed to bring sophistication and accessibility to your home. Get a quote today.
4. Powerwash the Exterior
A nice, strong shower can do wonders. The same goes for your home! As your home ages, exterior surfaces become dirty and look older and worn down. Power washing, also known as pressure washing, can thoroughly clean those surfaces, enhancing your home’s curb appeal and helping to maintain or even increase its value.
As long as they’re in decent shape, you can power wash many surfaces around your home. This includes shingles, siding, chimneys, walkways, fences, driveways, and more. Regular power washing can keep your house looking its best. Plus, by removing layers of algae and grime that tend to build up on your home, you can better inspect and monitor your home for any necessary repairs.
5. Enhance the Lighting
Even small changes to your home’s lighting can make a big difference in its atmosphere. For example, adding recessed lighting and replacing your light fixtures can give your home a more modern touch.
Experiment with layering different types of lighting, like ambient overhead lighting and accent lighting, that draws attention to a favorite wall hanging or spot in the room. Additional lighting is attractive and practical in places like under your kitchen cabinets, along a stairwell, and inside closets.
If you’d like a quick update with a significant impact, look at your light switches. Older switch covers can become outdated and detract from your space. While upgrading to a more contemporary look, consider boosting functionality with smart light switches. Smart home upgrades like light switches you can control with an app or automated schedule will also make your home more appealing to buyers looking for modern features.
6. Add Storage
A home can never have too much storage. Consider the available space in your garage, kitchen, entryway, and mudroom — all top areas where clutter tends to accumulate, and storage would come in handy. Whether using the backs of doors to hang items or installing built-in shelves, take advantage of your home’s vertical space. That includes the ceiling, which can conveniently store everything from pots and pans in the kitchen to bicycles and scooters in the garage or mud room.
You can also improve your home’s value by renovating your existing storage space. Closets tend to get overlooked in day-to-day cleaning and home maintenance. Upgrading a closet with new paint, light fixtures, flooring, doors, and a closet organizer can make the most of the storage space you already have.
Also, feel free to put furniture on double duty. Coffee tables and couches that open up to store items are especially helpful in our most common living spaces.
7. Plant Trees
Planting trees can transform your yard’s appearance and enhance your home. You can plant trees as statement pieces or strategically position them to create shade or privacy.
As you explore different tree options, consider which tree species will thrive in your soil, climate, and the growing conditions around your home. Then, you can use your region’s hardiness zone to determine which trees are hardy enough to survive in those conditions. With the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, it’s easy to look up your location’s hardiness zone. Then, bring that information to the tree nursery when you shop.
When you choose the planting site, it’s important to consider how much growing space the tree will need. Referencing the Arbor Day Foundation’s sizing guide can help you predict how much space a mature tree will need so you can place it in the best spot.
8. Declutter
Multiple studies show being surrounded by clutter makes us more likely to be stressed and overstimulated. Removing excess items from your space is calming and more appealing to potential buyers. With less stuff, your home will not only appear larger, but it will also be a safer space to move around in.
Decluttering an entire home can be overwhelming, so start small. Set a goal to declutter a single room area, like a desk, and then go from there. Getting rid of items you no longer need can be satisfying and provide inspiration to continue the process throughout your home.
9. Install a Dumbwaiter
Dumbwaiters make moving items from floor to floor more effortless, and they can increase your home’s value to potential buyers. Dumbwaiters are ideal for moving groceries, decorations, and laundry, and they save you the process of carrying these items up and down multiple sets of stairs.
Residential dumbwaiters are ideal when you have multiple floors and limited space in your home. They are reliable, efficient, and a home upgrade that you’ll likely use regularly.
Make Your Home Improvement Projects a Success
There are many ways to increase your home’s value and make it safer and more enjoyable. Simple projects like planting trees or adding storage can enhance the space and its functionality, while more considerable upgrades like installing an elevator or dumbwaiter can provide convenience and safety.
If you’re interested in an elevator or dumbwaiter, choosing a trusted company like Arrow Lift can help to ensure a smooth installation process. Arrow Lift is family owned since 1985, and our team of industry experts is BBB accredited with an A+ rating. Request a free consultation today!
