21 Inexpensive Home Updates That Add Value Instantly

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Whether you just bought a house (congrats!) or you are in the process of selling your house (you got this!), these are the home updates that add value that you DON’T want to overlook.

People often think that it’s the big grand renovations that add the most value to your home…but that’s not always true. The small, sometimes overlooked, updates are the ones that add the most value. Especially when they all stack up together.

I can personally attest to this! We have lived in our home for five years and completed every single one of the updates below (without ever undertaking a major renovation). And I am proud to say that our home has increased in value! I have the comparative market analysis to prove it! 🙂

Let’s dive right into it! Here are the 21 inexpensive home updates that will add MAJOR value to your home!

The BEST Home Updates That Add Value:

#1 Paint a Fresh Coat Of Paint (It Can Go A Long Way)

I always say, paint is the cheapest home project you can do that makes the biggest impact!

Just by painting your bedroom a moody color, your cabinets a creamy white, or your front door a crisp black, you can instantly change the vibe of your space. Plus, painting is a super DIY friendly project and can be done in just one weekend!

#2 Replace Cabinet Hardware and Handles

This one might just be the easiest on the list! New hardware can COMPLETELY change the look of your cabinets.

That was one of the first upgrades we made in our kitchen, and it took our kitchen from 90’s builder-grade to cozy cottage kitchen in minutes!

#3 Install New Light Fixtures In Your Main Rooms

If you have been living with old pendant lights in your kitchen or an outdated chandelier in your dining room, THIS is your sign to invest in new ones.

I get it! Sometimes these pieces become unnoticeable when they have been there a while. However, as soon as you install new light fixtures, you will quickly realize how much they enhance your home!

Hanging guides that will make your life easier:

#4 Replace Those Yellow Lightswitch Plates with White

This is one of those upgrades that is easily missed! Replacing your yellow light switch plates in your entire house with white ones is a cheap and easy project. It will make your rooms seem more modern and a lot cleaner.

#5 Update Your Kitchen Backsplash

I know you might not consider this one super cheap. However, replacing your kitchen backsplash is way more affordable than doing a full kitchen remodel.

Just by picking out a fun new tile for your backsplash or installing a peel-and-stick backsplash yourself, this small update will boost your home’s worth.

#6 Regrout The Old Bathroom Tiles

I know! Not a super fun task, but the results are worth it! This project is great for when you don’t want to spend a ton of money on a bathroom remodel, but you want to make your home more desirable.

#7 Give A Little TLC To Your Curb Appeal

I’m not saying you need to spend thousands of dollars on a complete landscaping transformation. Instead, adding some flowers or bushes to your garden beds, taking out a dying tree, or simply mulching your landscaping can go a very long way.

Just a little care and attention to your front yard will give your home a value boost!

#8 Power-wash EVERYTHING

I’m talking driveway, siding, walkway, garage door, and patio set. Anywhere there is a little grim or dirt, your power washer needs to touch!

The cleaner your house is, the more it looks like it had a major glow-up, even though all you did was spray it with a little water.😉 These results are always so satisfying.

#9 Do A Mini Bathroom Upgrade

For this, you don’t need to spend a ton of money! You could pick just one of these improvements, depending on your budget, and your bathroom will instantly look better than before.

Treat yourself to upgraded faucets that you actually want
Paint or refinish your bathroom vanity yourself
Replace tile with something more modern (yes, this one is slightly pricier, but it’s LESS pricey than a full remodel and will make a huge difference).
Replace builder-grade mirrors with framed bathroom mirrors

#10 Replace Wire Shelving In Your Laundry Room With Wooden Shelves

I promise this one doesn’t have to be expensive! We replaced our wire shelves in our laundry room with these DIY laundry room shelves, and they look fantastic. In total, I think we spent around $100 for the entire project!

#11 Add Dimmer Switches To Main Living Areas

Your family room, kitchen, and dining room will thank you! My first recommendation for any room transformation is to focus on the lighting. Whether that is cozy lamps or overhead lights on a dimmer, this small upgrade drastically changes the vibe of your room.

Spend an afternoon switching your light switches to dimmer ones. This truly does add a lot of value to your home.

#12 Add Simple Crown Molding Or Trim Updates

If you have a builder-grade home (like me), these trim updates really do add so much character to your home. Plus, they are DIY friendly!

Here is a list of trim updates that can make your home more desirable:

#13 Paint Interior Doors With Contrast Trim

This is another great, simple weekend project that can add a ton of character and value to your home!

What is contrast trim? It is where you paint all your doors, doorframes, and trim around your space a slightly darker color than your walls. I recently took on this project, and the finished look is truly gorgeous.

#14 Update Your House Numbers With More Visible Ones

Simple and easy! If you have outdated or hard-to-read house numbers, simply replacing them with easier-to-read ones will be a game-changer.
RELATED POST: 13 Unique House Numbers for Anyone Trying to Improve Their Curb Appeal

#15 Step Up Your Garage Organization Game With Wall-Mounted Storage

If you have bikes that take up too much space, use wall-mounted hangers for them. If you have a ton of lawn tools (like clippers, a shovel, edge trimmers, or a rake), hang them on a wall-mounted system.

Getting your tools and supplies up and off the ground in your garage will actually make a huge difference. And look so much cleaner!

#16 Take Time To Replace Worn Caulking Around Tubs, Showers, and Windows

If you are having a slight reluctance reaction to this task, I get it! No one actually wants to take the time to replace old caulking, but if you push through, you’ll be happy you did!

Replacing caulking around tubs, showers, and windows can upgrade those spaces very quickly. Plus, it’s satisfying to see old, grimy caulk turn bright white again! So clean.

#17 Add a Motion-Sensor Light To the Back Entrance

To make your home feel as safe as possible, add a motion-sensor light to your back entrance. Not only will it make you feel at ease, but it will also make your home more market-ready.

PLEASE NOTE:

The next couple of suggestions are not considered “cheap”, but they are small home updates that can add some serious value.

Depending on your budget, these are the projects that you can either splurge on or find cheaper alternatives. Regardless, they will upgrade your home and can be done slowly over the years.

#18 Upgrade Your Window Treatments With Nicer Blinds or Roman Shades

If you currently have plastic blinds or broken shades, THIS is your sign to replace them. Replacing your cheap blinds with something a little nicer will make your home feel elevated.

We recently replaced our 15-year-old broken plastic blinds with nice linen roman shades. I was shocked at how much homier our house felt when we made this switch!

#19 Upgrade The Kitchen Faucet For A Modern Style

If you want to boost your kitchen’s worth without committing to a full-reno, upgrading your faucet or sink is the way to go!

Not only will it make your life so much easier, but this small change really does upgrade your home without the cost.

#20 Install New Door Hardware

When we moved into our 20-year-old home, we got 20-year-old fixtures with it. To give our home a little facelift, we put brand new door hardware on all our doors. This made our doors seem brand new without replacing the actual door. I highly recommend this one!

#21 Find Ways To Maximize Your Storage

If you really want to improve retail value, find ways to maximize your storage. People are always looking for extra storage when house-hunting. If your house doesn’t have a ton of natural storage, like closets, there are other ways to add additional space.

More storage options:

Install a closet system. Even basic ones will add so much storage!
DIY a built-in in the dining room or family room. We did this in our dining room to store our extra kitchen appliances and serving trays/platters. I couldn’t be happier that we did!

All Of These Home Upgrades Will Make Your Home Stand Out

As I mentioned, all of these updates will add up over time and give your home a value boost!

You don’t have to complete all 21 projects at the same time. That might become a little pricey! Instead, tackle these projects over time, and they will make your home stand out.

Did I miss any small home updates that add value? I would love to hear about any project that you completed that raised the value of your home!

21 Inexpensive Home Updates That Add Value Instantly

The BEST Home Updates That Add Value: