Whether you own a rental property and are in search of a quality tenant, or you have a house that you’re trying to turn into a home, there are plenty of small projects you can do to breathe fresh life into an otherwise old and dated property.
You may be surprised to learn that one simple material is both versatile and cheap, making it the perfect solution for updating those aspects of your house that are in need of a little TLC. That material is paint.
When it comes to increasing the value of your house without shelling out thousands of dollars, it’s best to focus on quick, cosmetic fixes. We’ve previously discussed topics like improving curb appeal, updating the kitchen, and even incorporating smart features into a house, but you don’t even have to go to this extent.
Believe it or not, you can improve the entire look of your home – inside and out – with nothing more than paint, brushes, an ounce of elbow grease, and a healthy amount of creativity. Here’s how:
1. Paint Interior Walls
Let’s start with the most obvious home improvement task: painting interior walls. While it can be painstaking to use paint in a large room, it’s almost always worth it. Not only can it modernize a dated space, but it can also change the perception of a room. (For example, painting a room white can make it look bigger.)
If you’re looking for mass appeal, stick with neutral colors. White is really hot right now, as are creams, beiges, and shades of gray. The goal should be to create a clean look that complements the entire look of your home.
2. Use Paint the Outside of Your House
If you’re searching for a way to increase the value of your home and enhance curb appeal at the same time, a fresh paint job on the exterior could be just what the doctor ordered.
The biggest challenge with painting the exterior is preparing it. Speak with a professional and see how much scraping, sanding, and priming will be required. This is most likely a job you don’t want to do on your own unless you have experience and time.
You should also take your time in choosing the paint – paying careful attention to the type you’re using.
“Deciding which paint to use has gotten much easier now that acrylic latexes have pushed oil-based paints almost to extinction,” says Joe Hurst-Wajszczuk of This Old House magazine. “The acrylics offer superior performance (they don’t harden with age, the way oils do, so they move and breathe without blistering), they don’t mildew as readily, and they emit fewer VOCs, so they comply with new air-quality regulations. They also work over both oil and water-based primers.”
If you decide to use paint on the exterior of your house, take your time and don’t rush into anything. This is probably the most costly and intensive paint task on this list, so be sure before proceeding.
3. Give Your Front Door a Color Pop
As you’ve probably noticed, painted front doors are really trendy right now. In fact, Zillow estimates that homes with doors painted shades of navy blue to dark gray earn a premium of $1,514 when sold. Not bad for a job that costs less than $50!
The key is to prime the door before painting (ideally with a roller for application). When the primer is dry, go over trim work and touch up other details. Then it’s time to paint.
“A paintbrush will give you a nice ‘hand-painted’ look,” Tiffany Burgess Adams writes for DIY Network. “Even if you use a roller, you can use a brush for the final coat to achieve this look. Allow the door to dry completely before reattaching the hardware and rehanging the door if you removed it to paint.”
4. Modernize Kitchen Cabinets
Most people think they have to totally replace their kitchen cabinets if they’re dissatisfied with the way they look, but this isn’t true. It typically makes more sense to use paint them. It’s cheaper, easier, and looks great.
White cabinets are always a good idea, but navy is also enjoying a moment. Pick something that suits your tastes, since this is one room you’ll be spending a lot of time in.
5. Paint Trim
You probably don’t spend much time thinking about it, but the trim inside and outside of your house has a huge visual impact. If you currently have dated, wood-colored trim or a faded beige, consider touching up with a bright white. It’ll give your house a clean look and really help the walls and/or siding pop.
6. Spruce Up Hardware and Furnishings
This last tip may surprise you, but did you know that you can change the entire look of your home with a few cheap cans of spray paint? While it often gets a bad rap, spray paint is a really cheap and effective way to spice up items that are looking drab and dated.
This article from LighterSide gives you an idea of some of the amazing ways you can spruce up hardware and furnishings. Applications range from bathroom hardware and bedroom doorknobs to planters, patio furniture, and even light fixtures. Get creative and see what neat ideas you can come up with.
There’s a difference between a house and a home. A house is a physical structure that you live in for safety and shelter. It may be nice, but it doesn’t really feel like it belongs to you. A home, on the other hand, has intrinsic and emotional value that extends far beyond the floor, walls, and ceiling.
At Green Residential, it’s our goal for every house in Greater Houston to become a warm and inviting home. Whether you’re buying, selling, or investing, we have skilled and experienced professionals ready to serve you at every point along the way. For additional information on how we can help you, please contact us today!
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