Five simple and cheap fixes that add value to your home

Photo by Wildroof

You’ve been eyeing that big kitchen renovation project, haven’t you? If you are like me, you’ve got one big renovation project that you are dying to do. It’s an itch you really want to scratch. But, maybe you don’t have the patience for the disruption to your life it will cause or maybe it feels risky to spend the money right now. Here are some ways you can scratch the itch to upgrade your home without spending much money that also deliver a nice return on investment.

Door hardware

Your door is one of the first impressions that people have of your home. Upgrade a flimsy or outdated knob to a nice, substantial feeling knob or handle-type fixture that you can really grasp onto. Nice new door hardware will cost you only about $400 for a very solid handlebut you could pay as little as $120 for a simple version.

Increase curb appeal with some landscaping

Even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can make the front of your home incredibly appealing to come home to (and attractive for home buyers when you go to sell) by updating the greenery. If you don’t have an eye for design, hire a landscaper for a couple of hours to make suggestions. Doing it yourself could cost you as little as $300 to buy a few large shrubs or trees and improve the grass, and for around $600, you should be able to get a couple hours of advice and plant recommendations.

Professional carpet cleaning

Professional carpet steam cleaning can be done for $25 to $75 per room, depending on area and the number of rooms you have done at one time. If you have carpets that are looking dingy, instead of replacing them, consider a good cleaning. Professional cleaning removes dirt, dust mites, pet dander and other allergens, so deep cleaning can have other benefits than just aesthetics.

New bathroom fixtures

Do you have a dated bathroom, or maybe one that’s just sort of generic-looking? New fixtures for your bathroom can give it a modern, updated look and really freshen it up without costing a lot of money. Consider also updating the bathroom door hardware along with the faucets to tie it all together. New bathroom fixtures will run you between $130 to $800 depending on the style and quality.

Interior paint

If you are like me, there’s at least one room in your home that you wish you could change the paint. Why don’t you do it? Well, there’s the furniture moving and deciding whether to hire the expert or do it yourself. And if you choose to do it yourself, then you need to get all the equipment and block out the time.

No matter if you do it yourself or hire a professional, painting a room gives you instant gratification at a low price and also adds value to your home, if your new aesthetic appeals more to potential buyers. You can have a room professionally painted for between $300 and $800, and to do it yourself, expect to spend between $200 and $300.

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