Top 5 Renovations to Increase the Value of Your Home

If you’re in the “new year, new me” mindset, steer that motivational energy towards increasing the value of your home with these projects, ranked from simple to more complex. Whether you’re looking to sell this year or just want to love your space even more, adding these projects to your New Year’s resolutions list will make 2023 your home’s best year yet.

Pro-Tip: Declutter

Before you get to renovations, clear out your home and start with a clean slate. Declutter and organize, donating everything you don’t need to ReSOURCE or Goodwill. If you’re doing a real deep clean, consider renting a dumpster to make the process as smooth as possible. Decluttering is the quickest way to increase curb appeal without spending a dime!

Paint

The paint in your home can make rooms seem bigger, brighter, and cleaner – so it’s no wonder a fresh coat of paint is the quickest way to boost the value of your home. Especially if you’re looking to sell, neutral paints, in particular, can freshen up your space and help it appeal to the broadest audience possible. According to Real Simple Magazine, white, cream, light blue, and greige (gray-beige) are the four colors most likely to boost your home's value. Some colors are best suited for specific rooms:

• Living room/family room: White, cream, greige
• Kitchen: White, cream, bold colors (like navy blue, sage green, citrus tones)
• Bathroom: White, light blue, dark gray
• Bedroom: White, cream, greige, pastels
• Exterior: White, greige, earthy neutrals (dark brown, sage green), gray/black

Of course, there are countless shades of the colors above to choose from. Explore Sherwin Williams’ best-selling paints for some inspo here.

Update Hardware

When you think of upgrading your home, hardware might not immediately come to mind. But hardware can significantly impact the overall look of a space – plus, residents interact with doorknobs, sinks, and cabinet handles daily. Springing for new hardware is a quick, easy way to add cohesion and intentional design to your space. According to Jenna Kate, matte black drawer pulls can bring new life to your kitchen. Gold accents are becoming increasingly popular for bathrooms, especially if you have warm or neutral tones in your color palette. And if you’re keeping doors and cabinets in an older home, we recommend finding hardware with a vintage feel; for example, we love a faceted glass knob on older doors. 

Asking yourself whether to splurge on hardware or go for more affordable options? Our rule of thumb is to invest in pieces that will be handled frequently – think front door handles, kitchen cabinet hardware, primary bathroom sinks – and choose budget-friendly for things that won’t be touched as often, like guest bathroom drawer pulls or entertainment center hardware.

Refresh Lighting

Brighten up your home with upgraded lighting. Overhead lights can make your space feel dim and dingy, and there are many alternatives on the market today that can bring warmth and ambience into your space. If you love the vintage look, exposed Edison bulbs are trendy and add a warm glow to any room. If you’re going more modern, smart light bulbs let you change their hue and brightness from your smartphone! If you’re in the Burlington area, check out The Lighting House on Shelburne Road in Shelburne. Their showroom offers two floors of lighting inspiration that is sure to inspire! 

Refinish Hardwood Floors

Everyone loves a beautiful hardwood floor. If you’re lucky enough to have them in your home, it pays to take good care of them. Refinishing hardwood floors can breathe life into an older home or refresh newer homes that are subject to high-traffic or have suffered from water damage. Flooring refinishers can charge anywhere from $3 - $10 per square foot. Looking for a referral for your area? One of our Vermont Real Estate Company agents would be happy to help! Working on a budget? With some elbow grease and a can-do attitude, this can even be a DIY project! If there’s minimal damage, you might just need a quick buff and fresh coat of varnish – here is Home Depot’s guide to refinishing your hardwood floors yourself.

Add Storage – Ideally, A Mudroom

In Vermont, extra storage space – especially for winter gear – is as good as real estate gold. If you’re in the market for a bigger-scale renovation, we highly recommend adding a mudroom or other functional storage space into your home. Even if you’re not looking to add an entire room to your house, incorporating some built-in shelving or storage near entryways or in a highly trafficked hallway can be a great use of space and resources.

For maximum functionality, add in a deep farmhouse sink (we love steel or ceramic), lots of hooks, and plenty of cupboards with vented fronts for storing damp winter gear. Designate a hook or dish for the essentials like keys and wallets, and hang a whiteboard for keeping track of chores and errands. Got four-legged friends? Mudrooms can be the perfect spot for kennels, litter boxes, or even a dog wash station! And don’t forget to include a seating area for putting on stubborn winter boots.

Once all your New Year’s renovations are finished, check out our blog on prepping your home for the spring market! Whether you’re selling or staying put in 2023, Vermont Real Estate Company always believes in making your home the best it can be.