Simple DIY Home Upgrades That Will Add Serious Value to Your Home

by Emma Yardley Updated June 14, 2021

As homeowners, we’re always on the lookout for ways to improve our properties – especially if we don’t have to take out a second mortgage to do so. These cost-effective DIY home upgrades get that ROI we’re looking for while also increasing our current, at-home QOL (quality of life).Exterior of a beautiful blue and white bungalow with large front porch with pillars and outdoor seating, a well-manicured front lawn and attractive landscaping as featured on Master of Flip on HGVT Canada HGTV 1 / 10

Plant Those Plants

When you have a well-manicured lawn and attractive front-of-house landscaping, people will assume that if you take this level of care for a property’s outdoor spaces, the indoors will be equally well maintained. Create distinct beds, plant hardy shrubs, and put down mulch – a few hundred bucks gives you a wealth of curb appeal.

Related: The Cost of Renovations for Every Room in Your Home in 2021View of a wood panelled door with a Weiser San Clemente x Halifax Handleset in matte black looking into a room with a wooden table and white chair inside Spectrum Brands 2 / 10

Lock it Up

One of the easiest ways to update an entryway (and up curb appeal in 10 minutes) is to replace your front door hardware with a stylish new set. For over 115 years, Weiser has been making stylish, innovative products to keep homes safe, just like the San Clemente x Halifax Handleset in Matte Black. With SmartKey technology, you can even re-key the lock yourself if you lose yours – which saves time, money and frustration. Exterior of a cute blue and white bungalow with a wide flagstone path, lawn and landscaped garden beds as features on Masters of Flip on HGTV Canada HGTV 3 / 10

Front of House

While repainting the entire exterior may not be in the budget, there’s still room for (thrifty) improvements. Pressure wash the siding to remove dirt and mould, then touch up flaking areas and repaint just the trim and front door to instantly brighten the façade. Chic modern kitchen with light wood floors, a large centre island with three barstools and a white countertop, black cabinets, black counters, black and stainless-steel appliances, and two groups of glass pendant lights as featured on Master of Flip on HGTV Canada HGTV 4 / 10

When a Cabinet Door Closes

Kitchen remodels are extremely expensive (and disruptive) so instead of ripping it out, give your kitchen a new lease on life with a fresh coat of scuff-resistant cabinet paint in an on-trend colour.

Related: Bryan Baeumler’s 10 Simple Kitchen Updates That Cost Less Than $100View of a kitchen sink with a matte black Pfister Seahaven faucet and soap dispenser, light turquoise glass tile backsplash, and white countertops Spectrum Brands 5 / 10

Fair-a Faucet

Sometimes a simple change can have a big impact, such as switching out an outdated kitchen faucet for a sleek, feature-loaded design. The matte-black, mid-century-modern-inspired Pfister Seahaven has TopPfit™ Technology, which means you can install it in three easy steps using their TopPfit™ tool (no plumber necessary). Chic bathroom with grey diamond-shaped tile floors, a wooden dresser vanity, wooden ceiling, a shower bathtub combo with white subway tile and grey grout with a horizontal window, black fixtures, a dark copper pendant lamp over the vanity, a large black framed mirror, and a potted plant on a stand Spectrum Brands 6 / 10

Tiles and Tiles to Go

After kitchens, bathrooms are where you’ll see the highest ROI. If your layout still works, focus on updating the “coverings”, i.e. the floor, shower tiles, and countertop. Play with unconventional tile shapes and dark grout for a modern vibe. Beautiful living room featuring stained hardwood floors, two green velvet wing backed chairs, a red woven rug, a round wooden coffee table, a white brick fireplace, a blue coat nook, and white walls as featured on Property Brothers on HGTV Canada HGTV Canada 7 / 10

Reduce Reuse Resand

If your hardwood floors are looking tired and scratched up, it may be time to roll up your sleeves and rent a floor sander. Most hardwood floors can be sanded and stained up to 10 times, revealing a whole new, refreshed look for your lived-in living space. Beautiful open concept living room with a large cream coloured sectional couch, a round black coffee table, a large geometric white rug, a navy blue mid-century modern velvet armchair, looking into a grey kitchen as features on Property Brothers Forever Home on HGTV Canada HGTV 8 / 10

Staying Neutral

When it comes to thrifty-yet-chic upgrades, paint is your friend. In communal spaces such as the living room and kitchen, opt for neutral paint shades with warm undertones such as creams and soft greys. If doing all the walls is out of the question, tackle the trim, windows and mouldings for a quick facelift. Pretty laundry room featuring a white wash and dryer installed on the floor with a countertop and soaking sink, green tile backsplash, white storage cupboards, and wood open shelving stacked with towels, baskets and group of vases as featured on Farmhouse Facelift on HGTV Canada HGTV 9 / 10

Upstairs Not Downstairs

Having laundry on the main floor rather than a basement or garage is a massive boon to a home’s ROI – no one wants to lug loads up and down stairs, or outside. If a laundry area can be relocated, do it. If it can’t, make the space more inviting with a pretty backsplash, displays shelves, and lots of storage.

Related: Scott McGillivray Reveals 8 Tips for Designing the Perfect Laundry RoomA cool backyard lounge area with a large white outdoor couch, two teal square poufs, a built-in wooden bench seat with sheepskin throws, cement paving stones, tall wooden fence with black hardware, large potted plants, and a black backyard laneway house as featured on Backyard Builds on HGTV Canada HGTV Canada 10 / 10

Outdoors but Like Indoors

Setting up a chic (and comfy) outdoor entertaining space adds livable square footage to your property – at least for part of the year. A privacy fence, soft lounge seating, potted plants, and linear gas firepit all add to the cozy ambiance of a backyard setup.