If you want to make your house attractive either for you or in anticipation of a coming sale, you should know that you don’t have to pay through the nose or turn everything upside down. Whatever renovation project you had in mind, there is a strong chance that you could get the same results for less by being smarter with your decisions. You could do that by choosing materials wisely, or by making small but strategic additions that will make a big difference. Here are some small upgrades that will dramatically change the look of your house.

• 

Sensible Kitchen Remodel

One of the most important and eye-catching rooms in the house is the kitchen, and a kitchen remodel is one of the most efficient ways to give a house a whole new feel. But don’t make the mistake of going for an extensive renovation here, especially if your goal is to extract value from it.

You should focus on the small things, like changing, repainting, or resurfacing the cabinets, for instance. Or you could simply upgrade the fixtures and add a transparent door for style and convenience. Another thing you could do is create a backsplash with veneer, add some worktop lights, and get a new table for the dining area.

Be careful when picking the shape for the dining table, however, as it could clash with the room. If you have a narrow dining space, then a rectangle table would be a better option. An oval table could work there too. But if you have a square space and need to seat a lot of people, something like this square dining table for 6 would be a perfect option.

Sensible Living Room Makeover

The living room is also one of the most important rooms in the house and upgrades here will be noticed. What you do will largely depend on how much you have to play with, but we would suggest you start with getting new window treatments, consider repainting the room, and adding molding. You could also get new furniture and a nice coffee table that could act as a focal point or as a support for one. If you’re looking for a coffee table that will instantly elevate your living room, a Vidaxl coffee table would be a perfect choice.

• 

Front Porch Makeover

This is for people who want to increase their home’s kerb appeal. The front porch area is one of the first things people will look at when they get to your property, and anything you do there will have a significant impact on the perception people will have of your house. And even if you don’t intend to sell, most people would like to come home to a beautiful facade, so look at what you could do to upgrade it.

Something as simple as adding some window planters and a container garden could be more than enough. You can go one step further and replace the front door, house numbers, and mailbox. And if you want to go one step further, you could reseed or sod your lawn and add a tree. Your house will be nearly unrecognizable once you’re set and done.

These are all upgrades that won’t cost you that much and will completely transform how your house looks and feels. So, look at what will be needed for these renovations and perform those that speak to you the most.

• 

Owning a rental unit can be profitable if you can draw in the right occupants. An unattractive apartment unit can make it difficult to find tenants, and the longer it stays empty, the less money you will make. To heighten interest, landlords need to make more of an effort than just slapping a new coat of paint on the apartment walls.

New tenants want to settle in a unit that is move-in ready with modern touches. Paying attention to the little things in your unit and updating any features that are broken, old, or out of style can make a real impact on potential tenants.

There is no need to spend a fortune on expensive and extensive renovations to freshen up your rental unit. Let’s take a look at a few ways that you can renovate your rental unit.

New Fixtures

You may not consider your fixtures to be important, but old faucets, light switch covers, and toilet seats can make your home appear lackluster. One of the simplest ways to bring some modern style to your rental is to add new fixtures. New kitchen and bathroom faucets or a new rainforest showerhead can make an impact on the overall feel of your rental unit.

Update Lighting

• 

A simple way to give your rental a new softer look is to update the lighting. Invest in new and more modern pendant light, or switch it out for a stylish track system. Eliminate the harsh glare of overhead lighting by adding a few lamps to your main rooms. Using soft LED lights can bring warmth to your rental. Fashion lamps can be bright, colorful, and unique to add an individual decor touch that will intrigue your potential tenants.

Add a Backsplash

Rental kitchens are generally pretty generic and bland. If you want to give the kitchen a makeover, it can be done easily by installing a unique backsplash. Adding a backsplash is less complicated than you may think, and can usually be done in just an afternoon. You can choose chic subway tile, ceramic, or even stainless steel tiles to give the kitchen a polished new look. If you aren’t experienced with tiling and putting in mortar, you can choose a peel-and-stick backsplash pattern that goes on just as quickly as wallpaper.

Replace Hardware

An easy and affordable way to update your apartment is to switch out all of your hardware. Door handles, cabinet pulls, hinges and vent covers can be coordinated in a style of your choice.

Fresh Paint

• 

Most rental units are updated with a fresh coat of paint between tenants, but going a bit further could help to give your unit a new and dramatic look. If you want to give your unit a unique style, a new coat of paint can make a powerful impact. You can get dramatic with a bright and cheery accent wall, or use a warm color palette to make it feel cozier for tenants. As a landlord, you want to renovate your unit to help you draw in interest from tenants.  Once you’ve refurbished your unit, you can use a rental estimate tool to set a competitive rate and gain interest from tenants in the area. Follow some of these tips to help you renovate your rental and make it your own.

If you want to sell your property, there are several adjustments you can make which will instantly boost the appeal of your home. Some of these suggestions are quick and almost instant. Getting the best price for your home or achieving a quick sale can sometimes be down to a few minor aesthetic improvements.

• 

1.     Transform the Garden

When people arrive outside your home, the garden is the first thing they will see. Even those who are driving or walking by your property will notice your garden – especially if it’s tidy, clean, and attractive.

If your garden is messy and full of clutter, it will instantly put off some potential buyers and make it more difficult to get a sale.

2.     A Fresh Coat of Paint

Not every home improvement needs to take weeks and cost thousands of dollars. A fresh coat of paint internally and externally can improve your home almost instantly and at a low cost. You can either repaint the house yourself or choose a professional decorator to do the job for you. There are benefits to both options and it will depend on personalized factors such as cost and time.

• 

3.     Replace the Windows

If the windows around your home are getting worn or tired, it may be time to replace them to boost the curb appeal of your property.

Windows are a feature of the house which are visible from both inside and outside. They decide how much light the home gets, and can make a huge difference to any building.

To get some window inspiration, have a look at other homes in your neighborhood or check out these eight eye-catching home window options. Choose something which suits the overall look of your home and will be hard-wearing and long-lasting for the new owners.

4.     Deep Clean the Home

This is particularly important if you’re trying to sell a property which hasn’t been well looked after. Even if the home has many other advantages and selling points, potential buyers will be turned off if the house is unclean and messy.

Deep cleaning the home should include cleaning of all fixed appliances, floors, walls, ceilings, and furniture items. You should ensure the bathroom and kitchen are given special attention and cleaned thoroughly before any viewings.

5.     Refresh Any External Gates and Fences

External gates and entrance points to the property should be inspected for any damage. If they are in good condition but looking a little worn, consider a fresh coat of paint.

All fences and gates around the perimeter of the property should also be given some attention to boost the overall appearance of the home.

• 

6.     Clean the Gutters

Gutters are important features on the exterior of any property, and unclean or broken gutters can reduce the appeal of your home. It can also encourage weather-related problems which will not be desirable to anyone viewing the house.

Regular cleaning of the gutters, as well as the replacement of any damaged pipes, are essential to maintaining a home and boosting its curb appeal.