For most home owners, maintaining or improving property values is important even if you aren’t thinking about selling right now. By refreshing the look of your property, you can improve the capital value of your investment and also potentially increase your rental returns. If you have ever wondered why two homes that are quite similar sell for very different prices, the answer could be in the small details. We show you how you can also improve the value of your property without breaking the bank.
1. Refresh the Bathroom and Kitchen
Wet spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens tend to age, particularly because they are used so much, and can look dated as trends change quickly. There are many ways you can give your bathrooms and kitchen a lift. Take a look at the cabinets and think about whether a different colour would give the room a lift. What kind of flooring do you have? Could some modern tiles perhaps replace the dull vinyl floor and give new life to your kitchen. Appliances and appointments (such as taps and curtains) are also small things that can be modernised and add sparkle to a tired room.
2. Add a Room
No, we don’t expect you to knock down the wall and take over a room in your neighbor’s house, but take a good look at your floor plan and see if there is the opportunity to create some additional space. Is there an attic, small pooja room or hall area that isn’t really utilised? If it can be closed off by a door or even a curtain it can create the feel of a new room. A home study doesn’t require much room and is a great way to add value to your property.
3. Create More Storage Space
Storage space is at a premium in cities, particularly if your home is a small apartment. Creating storage not only adds value to a property but is also practical. If there is already a closet, perhaps it can be configured differently to create a walk-in wardrobe or perhaps that small space under the staircase could be utilized. A walk-in wardrobe will add a much sought after luxury element to your home, make your bedroom appear larger and keep all your clothes organised and carefully out of sight. If space is limited and it isn’t possible to create a walk-in, you could simply add shelves to a room and voila you have an instant bookcase.
4. Utilise the Space Outdoors
Even if you only have a small balcony, there are many ways you can bring the outdoors in and create a feeling of more space. Add some simple seating and a table and you now effectively have a new room in the house. If you want to create a natural environment, perhaps add some plants, flowers or even a herb garden, to bring the outside in. There is nothing like the presence of some greenery to make a room feel relaxed and larger.
5. A Lick of Paint
The easiest way to make your property look new is to give it a coat of paint. But before you go to grab a paintbrush, first step back and take a good look at your walls. Painting can be used to lift a room in several ways. It can cover scuff marks and small signs of use, making a room feel newer than it is. If you live in a monsoon affected area, your walls may show signs of mould, dampness and leaks. If this is the case then it is worth while trying to repair the wall before painting it, otherwise the damage is likely to show through almost as soon as you have finished painting.
It may even be time to consider changing the look and feel of the room completely, and painting is the perfect way to do this. Add a feature wall or make a room feel larger or warmer simply by changing the colour of the walls.
Over the coming weeks we will show you how to expand on these ideas and create value in your home. You will be surprised just how different your home can look with just a few small changes.
Image Attributed to Flickr Contirbutor: Anne-Marii
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