1. Begin with a fresh coat of paint

Have you noticed areas of faded or cracked paint across your home?

If so, we highly recommend a fresh coat of paint – the most accessible and cost-effective home improvement you can make. It will immediately brighten up your living spaces.

Consider your colour choices carefully. Neutral colours are timeless and will attract a wider range of potential buyers. 

For those with a bigger budget: Hire professional painters for a flawless finish.

 

 

2. Enhance your garden and curb 

First impressions matter.

And when people (or, more importantly, potential buyers) visit your home, the exterior is naturally the first thing they'll see.

Your driveway. Front lawn. Garden. Together, these make up your ‘curb appeal’ – the attractiveness of your home from the sidewalk.

You have many options to elevate your curb appeal and make it suitable to your home’s style and budget. Some easy DIY tasks include weeding, repainting your mailbox, adding an address sign and house numbers, and maintaining a well-kept lawn.

For an even more personal touch, you could add furniture like a bench or a firepit or install some solar outdoor lighting.

And who doesn’t love a good garden moment? Exercising your green thumb will improve your front lawn's visual appeal. Our top picks for some year-round colour? Sunflowers, marigolds and coneflowers. 

For those with a bigger budget: Consider hardscape elements like a paved pathway, a deck or a patio.

 

 

3. Update your kitchen appliances

Got an oven that emits strange odours? A dishwasher that keeps clicking, clanking and clogging when it probably shouldn’t? Those appliances should head to the top of your repair list.

But if they’re very old and can’t be repaired, then it’s simply time to upgrade. Worn appliances can make the entire space look dated (even if the rest of the kitchen is modern).

Alternatively, if you’re after an even faster aesthetic upgrade, change up the backsplash. It’ll give your kitchen a new, budget-friendly personality.

For those with a bigger budget: Install a kitchen island or a walk-in pantry. Extra entertainment or storage space is highly valuable.

 

4. Refresh your flooring

Time to walk the walk – on new and improved flooring.

If you have carpets, invest in professional carpet cleaning.

If you have laminate floors, clean them with a dedicated floor cleaner. Alternatively, add an extra layer of sealant to protect it from dings and dents. Or add a coat of fresh paint (yes, you can paint some laminate floors!).

If you have hardwood floors, get a professional to sand and refinish them. You can even choose a different wood stain while you’re at it.

And if you don’t want to invest in any new flooring materials? At least go in with some tile grout cleaner to remove any dust and grime.

For those with a bigger budget: Install hardwood flooring if you don’t have it already. It’s modern, durable – and aesthetically pleasing. Plus, you can customise it to match the rest of your home with different types of woods and finishes.

 

 

5. Upgrade bathroom elements

There are several ways to keep your bathroom upgrades shining and cost-effective. You don’t have to do it all – one or two considered changes can make a big difference.

Swap out old or rusty faucets, showerheads, towel racks and cabinet hardware. Replacing them with more modern fixtures will elevate the bathroom’s style and functionality.

And again, fresh paint, clean tiles, and gleaming grout will go a long way in enhancing the visual appeal.

For those with a bigger budget: Replace the vanity or sink to increase storage space. Or, if you have the room, add a second sink.

 

 

6. Boost your energy efficiency

An energy-efficient home will heavily appeal to eco-conscious and budget-savvy buyers. And if you’re not selling, it’ll keep your bills down.

Investing in proper insulation throughout your home will reduce your heating and cooling costs. It’ll keep you warmer in the winter. And even cooler in the summer.

Although it requires an upfront spend, it’s the single most cost-effective way to remain energy-efficient in the long term.

For those with a bigger budget: Upgrade to a smart thermostat. Precise temperature control from your phone and lower electricity bills? Yes, please! (Just ensure your home’s HVAC and electrical system are compatible with it, first.)

 

7. Integrate smart home technology

Not all smart home technology devices will work for your home and lifestyle needs, but there are a few you could consider.

Everyone wants peace of mind. Upgrading to a smart security system with smart locks and doorbell cameras will provide that sense of security – and convenience.

Or consider smart lighting. You can customise it from your phone, creating a mood-lighting ambience for entertaining guests (or just binging the latest Netflix show).

For those with a bigger budget: Look into creating a comprehensive smart home system. Beyond individual devices, you can connect multiple aspects of your home from one central platform. 

 

8. Maximise storage space

An extra cabinet in the laundry room. A locker system in the entryway. Extra shelving in the kitchen. More hooks and racks in wardrobes, cupboards and the back of doors.

Both you and potential buyers will love these extra storage hacks. No more Tetris with all those bedsheets, towels and toys!

For those with a bigger budget: Elevate your wardrobes – get them pushed back and fitted out by a professional with extra hanging bars and drawers. Or if you have a garage, look into space-efficient storage like ceiling tub storage units.

 

 

9. Establish an additional bedroom

Home buyers love nothing more than an extra space – for whatever they imagine. It could be a spare bedroom, a play area or a home office. But how do you create one?

One idea? You could convert and furnish an underutilised space, like an attic or basement. Or you could add a wall into a living space to section off a brand-new room.

On a smaller scale, you could use partitions like folding screens or curtains to visually divide the space, making it more multipurpose.

For those with a bigger budget: If you have the space and resources, consider building a stand-alone granny flat.

 

 

Looking for more ways to revamp your residence? Head to The Peer Blog for all your home improvement inspiration.