Your home is likely the most expensive purchase you’ll ever make. In fact, according to Census data, the average home price in the United States was $398,900 in 2017. However, for many people, after the home is bought, there’s little done to maintain the space. Unfortunately, over time, this means that your pricey investment starts to depreciate faster than you can say, “Save me, HGTV.”
But there are plenty of easy ways to upgrade your home and increase its value in a hurry. “The time to maintain and improve your home value is always. Don’t wait to keep up regular maintenance and contemporize decor until you are trying to sell or planning a party or for a company visit,” says interior designer Denise Gianna, owner of New York-based Denise Gianna Designs. Adds award-winning real estate broker Aaron Hendon, “The key is to only do home improvements that provide $1.10 for every $1.00 spent—otherwise why do it?”
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 40 surefire ways to improve your home’s value, from major projects to upgrades you can hammer out by yourself in just a few minutes. And for more ways for dolling up your real estate, check out the 40 Simple Tricks for Boosting Your Home’s Curb Appeal.
1 Repaint your front door.
Simple though it may seem, just painting your front door can seriously increase your home’s value.
“It takes someone one minute to decide if they want to enter your home. If you are selling, that minute can cost you thousands in lost opportunities and days on the market!” says Gianna. “Give your home a fighting chance: paint your front door and shutters (your garage doors too if it applies). This is cheap and a must—akin to washing your face before leaving the house! Use deep, bold blues, greens, wine tones to add style.”
