Which renovations add the most value to your home?

Whether you’re looking to sell your property or not, most homeowners want their home to one day be worth more than what they paid for it. Although property value is largely influenced by factors such as location, infrastructure (think schools, public transport systems, and medical facilities) and market forces, there are certain renovations and alterations you can make to increase your home’s value. However, not all renovations are equal and certain ones have a bigger impact on sale value than others. Additionally, it’s important to avoid overcapitalising on your property, otherwise it may be difficult to obtain a return on your investment.

If you’re looking to renovate to increase your overall quality of life or preempting a move down the track, these are the best home renovations – large and small – to increase the value of your property.

There has been a marked shift towards indoor-outdoor living over the past few years, something that only intensified during lockdowns. An outdoor living and entertaining space maximises the livability of your home, creates an alfresco destination for entertaining and dining, and in turn, increases property value. More than a barbeque on the patio, contemporary outdoor living spaces can comprise an extra outdoor ‘room’ or partially covered area and potentially house an outdoor kitchen with a grill and bar fridge. Alternatively, having man-made spaces within a landscaped garden creates a striking style statement and allows your backyard to be enjoyed to its full potential.

A pretty face isn’t everything, but a pretty facade certainly serves to increase the value of your property. Improving the street appeal of your home doesn’t have to be a massive undertaking, with small changes serving to improve first impressions and entice more people through the door. The front door itself is a key consideration – painting your door a bright colour or replacing it altogether with a contemporary iteration is a low-cost way to boost the aesthetic of your home. Adding a fresh coat of paint to your fence – or making like Tom Sawyer and enlisting your friends to do it – ensures your home looks neat and inviting at first glance.

For a slightly larger investment, consider recladding your home in contemporary materials such as pre-painted steel.

Simple, affordable and undeniably effective, adding a fresh coat of paint to your interior areas is the easiest way to refresh the look of your home while increasing resale value. Painting your home a carefully considered colour scheme can serve to modernise a tired property and bring dated interiors into the current era.

Resene has a plethora of chic paint options, with the Karen Walker collection grouping together timelessly classic hues that tell a story.

Updating your interior and exterior light fixtures is another easy way to add value to your home. Replacing dated ceiling lights with well-placed task lighting can improve the ambience in your home and add a little ‘wow’ factor. Outside, illuminating garden areas with solar-powered lights allows exterior spaces to be used day and night.

The expression “size doesn’t matter” isn’t applicable to property! If council regulations allow it, consider adding square footage to your home through an extension, whether it be an additional bedroom, teenage retreat or new living space. Working with an architect ensures the style and materials used in your extension complement the existing structure of your home.

As the heart of many a home, the kitchen needs to balance functionality with style. Updating your kitchen with contemporary appliances is a must, as is ensuring it has adequate storage space and a practical layout. Other considerations include an island benchtop, creating a breakfast bar, and potentially opening up a closed kitchen to connect with living spaces.

Looking to kickstart your renovation process? Find a trusted architect, interior designer or builder on ArchiPro.

Words by Tanisha Angel