10 Cost-Effective Home Improvement Tips

Home improvement doesn’t have to be a massive project to be meaningful. There are small projects on every floor of your home that can easily (and inexpensively) add value. Whether it’s something you’ve put off for a long time or maybe it’s just recently become an issue, but your house has room for improvement on every floor. Aside from the most obvious (painting), here are 10 ways to improve your home—and increase its value—without breaking the bank.

Update Shower Head(s)

(See, we told you these would be simple.) As simple as it sounds, new shower heads can make a big impact on your shower experience. Not only do they look nicer, but there are a lot of styles and functions to choose from.

Upgrade Light Fixtures

The type of lighting in a room has a dramatic impact on how people see it. New ceiling fixtures and lamps can help the other features in a room stand out. And don’t underestimate the bulbs! Different bulbs produce different light, so figure out what works best for your home.

Put up Shelving

Shelves are great for display (form) and organization (function). They immediately add elements of interest to a room and can do so at different levels to give the room texture.

Change Vanity

Grand Central Station of your bathroom is the vanity, so an upgrade there is sure to get noticed.

Swap Out Warn Carpets

Go room by room, floor by floor, or do the whole house—either way, carpeting is like painting but for your floors. Few things can change the dynamic of a space like a new carpet. Through a mix of color and texture, you can breathe new life into an old room.

Install New Countertops

Not ready for a full kitchen remodel? Installing new countertops can make a big statement for a fraction of the cost for a full remodel. Marble, concrete, stainless steel or copper, there are a ton of options to choose from.

Refinish Driveway

This sounds boring, but it’ll add instant curb appeal if your driveway is looking a bit rundown. Plus, expect to get close to 20 years out of it.

Finish Basement

This is the most intense project on this list, but likely far less invasive compared to remodeling a kitchen, bathroom or living room. Take the time to think this through; you may not need or want to finish the entire space, rather just a portion of it instead.

Replace Washer/Dryer

Upgrading your washer and dryer can lead to energy savings over time and also help can help get your laundry area more organized.

Add an Egress Window

This can add legitimate value to your home. An egress window turns your basement into a livable space, instantly adding square footage to your home that you’ll be able to factor into your sale price when the time comes.