DIY home improvements can be great feel-good projects. You get to learn a new skill, use your hands, and take pride in something you create yourself. But improvements have to pay off when it comes time to see your home. Lauren Sieben, a realtor.com contributor, talks about seven projects that novices can tackle:
1. Refresh your kitchen cabinets
If the cabinets are in good shape adding a fresh coat of paint or stain will dramatically transform a kitchen. Painting is not difficult, but it takes time. You have to remove the doors and drawers to ensure a complete and clean finish. Take it slow and don’t try to rush. You’ll love the results.
2. Create curb appeal
Making a great first impression on home buyers is one of the quickest ways to boost your home’s value. Add tasteful foliage and keep the grass cut. Paint old fences and rune overgrown plants.
3. Give you front door a makeover
Give your front door a fresh coat of paint. All it takes is a few coats of paint. Work slowly and carefully avoid drips and roller marks. A fresh pop of color at the front door is a great way to enhance your home’s curb appeal for not a lot of money.
4. Add a backyard deck
People are looking for ways to expand their home’s usable living space, and outdoor living is popular … even more so since the pandemic started. But building decks are not for the faint of heart, especially if you’re putting in concrete footings for deck posts. Taking your time is the key here also. Plan, review, revise, and plan some more. Avoid tricky changes in elevation, and use pressure-treated lumber instead of hardwoods that are rough to cut and secure with screws.
5. Brighten up your basement
If your basement has an unfinished ceiling, spray it with flat black latex paint. Spray the walls white, or paint with white stain-blocking paint. If you want to go further, add carpeting and adjustable lighting, and clean out any junk, or I mean, possessions that you haven’t used in years. This will let perspective home buyers envision the area as a rec room, play area, or home gym.
6. Add more storage
Adding a pantry to the kitchen, a new storage unit in the garage, or even closet organizers will add valuable storage space to your home.
7. Make small repairs and keep up with maintenance
It may not be as satisfying as tackling a big project, but staying on top of your home’s basic maintenance is just as important and promises serious ROI. Perspective buyers will see red flags if they see a leaky faucet, loose gutter, or missing light fixture. You don’t fix everything at once, but work on at least one of these needed fixes every few days.