Want to spruce up your home but don’t want to spend a ton on a major remodeling project? It is absolutely doable! You can enhance your home’s value without breaking the bank. Your home is your biggest investment and anything you do to boost its livability and aesthetics will be rewarding for you—and appealing to potential buyers. Here are five home improvement projects under $5,000 that can add significant value to your property, while also improving your homeowner experience.
1. Bathroom Refresh
Bathrooms are a critical area for enhancing home value. Update yours by replacing old fixtures such as toilets, sinks, and faucets with newer, more stylish models. Consider adding a new vanity mirror, updating lighting fixtures, and re-grouting tiles to level up the space. Adding a fresh coat of paint or an understated wallpaper would also polish up this well-used room. The cherry on top would be fluffy new towels, rugs, and bath accessories. These relatively inexpensive changes can make your bathroom feel brand new—and how fabulous for you to feel like you’re in a spa!
2. Deck or Patio Upgrade
Upgrading your current deck or patio is a terrific boost for your home. Get new outdoor furniture—or repaint or stain what you’ve got, and add fresh cushions! A new grill station and planters can further enhance the functionality and appeal of your outdoor living space. Increase the cozy, inviting factor with outdoor lighting (Hot tip: the Costco LED string lights are the best!) and a fire pit. A well-designed, functional, and fun outdoor living area expands your home’s usable square footage, and creates a great space for relaxing, dining, and entertaining.
3. Kitchen Updates
Your kitchen is likely the most-used and beloved part of the house—it’s the heart of your home! It is also the most expensive room to do a full remodel on. If you’re not up for that, consider cost-effective updates instead. Start by painting cabinets in a fresh, neutral color and replacing outdated hardware with modern alternatives. Next, upgrade one or two appliances to energy-efficient models with a few bells and whistles (e.g., features like an ice maker, convection baking, or a quieter dishwasher). Last, install a new sink and faucet for a noticeable aesthetic boost. If you’ve got any leftover cash in your budget, add fun new accessories such as fresh kitchen towels and a new coffee machine.
4. Landscaping
Enhance your home’s exterior by improving the landscaping and boosting its curb appeal. Start by tidying up your yard—trim bushes, mow the lawn, and plant vibrant, colorful flowers. Hire a local teen to help you out—they’re cheaper than a landscaping company! Then add mulch around flower beds and trees for a more polished look. Install outdoor lighting to highlight architectural features or pathways, and increase your house’s nighttime aesthetic vibe. Simple improvements like repainting the front door, updating house numbers, and power washing the exterior can further enhance your home’s attractiveness.
5. Smart Upgrades
Investing in smart home tech can save on utility bills and make life a little easier. A smart thermostat will give you better control over heating and cooling schedules, optimizing energy use. Smart lighting gives you better control over your lights—say goodbye to those basic little plug-in timers of old! If you really want to up your street cred, then get a smart home hub to control and automate all of your home’s devices—lights, security cams, thermostat, speakers, etc. Smart technology really does make things easier, but yes, there is a bit of a learning curve. Is it worth it? We sure think so!
Improving your home on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or impact. These five projects under $5000 can enhance your home’s value and improve your everyday living experience.