Home improvements don’t need to be expensive. If you already like taking on DIY projects then you know that approach can help you save money while also improving your home at the same time. Not the DIY type? With proper planning, you can update the look and feel of a room or many different areas of your home and stay on budget.

Topics this article covers include:

The importance of house improvements
How to update your home
The best ROI home improvements

The Importance of House Improvements

Home improvements that add value are one of the most important reasons homeowners choose to invest the time and effort involved, but there are many other benefits to consider when weighing whether to make your own house improvements, including:

Improving energy efficiency. Increasing or upgrading the amount of insulation can enhance a home’s energy efficiency and improve its overall comfort.
Adding space. If areas or rooms in your home are on the small or narrow side, adding extra space during a home renovation can increase a home’s value.
Enhancing curb appeal. Homes are often long-term investments, and most exterior improvements, from landscaping to painting to new siding can improve a home’s appearance and increase curb appeal.
Increasing security. Often, by simply going through a home renovation process, homeowners also notice ways to improve security, which can provide more peace of mind knowing the home is safer and more secure.

The focus of this blog will be on DIY house improvements such as painting, upgrading doors and windows, installing crown molding, and more.

Home Improvements That Increase Value

What home improvements add the most value to your property? There are many excellent ROI home improvements that you can tackle without spending a lot of money. Below are some of the best home improvements to increase value. We’ll start with DIY improvements that won’t break the bank, followed by ideas that may need a little more spending room in the budget to complete.

Try a Fresh Coat of Paint

One of the best home upgrades is also the easiest. Add a fresh coat of paint to your home to give it an updated look and increase your home’s value. You can either choose a bright color that matches the room’s look or start fresh with a brilliant white.

A fresh coat of paint can transform the look and feel of your room. Best of all, you don’t need to be a professional to paint your walls.

The painting process starts with prepping your walls. You will need to clean, smooth and sand, and potentially prime the walls so they are fully dry before applying painter’s tape. Be sure you lay down a drop cloth to control spills.

You can use a roller for most of the work and a small paintbrush for the final touches. Your home will be looking great in no time at all.

Add More Kitchen Storage

No matter the size of your kitchen, it’s essential to have plenty of storage. Ample kitchen storage is always an excellent selling point and can boost the appeal of your home.

We recommend taking advantage of a corner space or a wall to install additional open shelving where you can place frequently used dishes, spices, and cookware. Or make it a space that reflects your personality or interests.

Put Down New Bathroom Caulk

Aging bathroom caulk not only looks unsightly, it can also allow colonies of mold and mildew to take hold in your bathroom. It can also let water seep into the wallboard and the framing, turning them spongy.

If you have aging caulk anywhere in your bathroom, it needs to go. Caulk is inexpensive to purchase, and as long as you start with a dry bathroom, it is easy to apply. A few simple tools are required along with an hour of time. Just plan to give the completed caulking at least 24 hours to dry.

Enhance Your Landscape

A landscaped walkway with plenty of greenery is a great way to add instant value to your home. We suggest creating a sense of natural beauty and texture with an assortment of perennial plants and flowers.

A mix of both ground and potted plants will give the outside of your home an inviting look and feel. You can make a quick trip to the farmers’ market, greenhouse, or local home improvement center and upgrade areas of your yard in one afternoon.

Next, we’ll look at house improvements for those with a little more room in the household budget:

Upgrade Your Doors and Windows

Upgrading your doors and windows increases the energy efficiency of your home. Newer windows and doors can improve the seal around the frame as well as the overall insulation of your home. In addition, when you make this upgrade, you can choose doors or windows with security features like reinforced locks and tempered glass that make it easier to protect your home and family.

If replacing windows and doors is out of your price range, we recommend taking steps to improve the seals around your current window frames. While doing so won’t improve your home’s efficiency as much as replacements, it's a step in the right direction.

Install Crown Molding

Crown molding is another excellent way to transform the look of your home. Beautiful crown molding can add a touch of charm and quickly increase the value of your home.

We recommend using a lightweight polystyrene foam coated in hard plaster since this type of crown molding cuts reasonably smoothly with a handsaw. It can also be installed relatively quickly.

You can upgrade a plain-looking room into an elegant space with crown molding. Plus, the process typically takes only a single weekend to complete.

Refinish Wood Flooring

Another great way to add value to your home is to refinish your wood flooring. You can do this by rough sanding the floors with a drum sander or belt sander. The next step is to screen-sand the floors in order to level unevenness and buff away any scratches.

After completing these steps, you need to clean up all that dust from the floors. Then, apply your preselected finish. Refinishing your wood flooring can be a lot of work. But the results are certainly worth the effort.

If your budget has a bit more spending room and you have the DIY drive, here are a few more home improvements that add value:

Contact First American Home Warranty

First American home warranty plans can give homeowners the protection and peace of mind they need, so they can focus on other things. With home warranty coverage, many of your home systems and appliances can be repaired or replaced if they fail. Contact us today to get a quote.

The contents of this article are provided for general guidance only. First American Home Warranty does not assume any responsibility for losses or damages as a result of using this information.