Raise Your Home's Value with 8 Budget-Friendly Summer DIY Upgrades
Summertime is the right time to tackle those DIY home improvement projects. You don't need to bust your budget to do them, either. Check out these low-cost summer DIY projects that can increase your home's value.
Revamp your Front Door
First impressions count, and there's no simpler way to make a fabulous first impression than a front door re-do. Paint your front door in a welcoming color that coordinates with the home's exterior and swap out worn-down entry hardware. If you have wiggle room in the budget, consider installing a new door. Remodeling's 2016 Cost vs. Value Report found that adding a midrange-quality front door to your home will recoup 91% of your investment.
Clean up your Landscape
High-maintenance features, like a large lawn or row of boxwoods, take their toll on you"”and perhaps potential buyers. Spruce up your exterior by swapping out maintenance-heavy, water-hogging landscape features. Talk with the pros at your local garden center and ask them to recommend native plants that are less likely to require water and maintenance. Not only will you make your yard look clean and maintained, you'll save money on water bills, too.
Let there be Light
Highlight walkways and other exterior features with inexpensive solar-powered lights. If you're the crafty type, search for DIY outdoor lighting ideas on Pinterest to discover ways to make no-electrician-required lights that add charm to your property. Check out this DIY outdoor solar chandelier tutorial to get your creative juices flowing.
Freshen up the Walls
Ditch the intense colors and upgrade your walls with a new color. Choose a neutral shade to brighten each room and make it feel larger. Depending on paint brand and quality, expect to spend $20 to $30 per can.Spruce up the Kitchen Cabinets
Perhaps nothing dates a kitchen quite as much as a wall full of tired, grungy cabinets. New cabinets are pricey, so when you need low-cost DIY projects, consider painting your old cabinets instead. Complete this project with conventional paint, which will often require priming and other prep work, or check your local home store for paint kits specifically designed to coat cabinets without stripping or priming. Right now, white cabinetry can make your home feel modern and on trend. Take your re-do a step further by replacing cabinet handles and knobs, too.
