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Elevating Your Home's Market Value with Professional-Quality DIY Design

February 25, 2024 by Jeremy Lindy

Selling a home you love is not easy, but if you have to make this step, you can at least make sure the new owners appreciate it as much as you did. You do this by highlighting all its pros, like a well-cared-for garden or a spacious kitchen.

The good news is that you don’t have to invest extra to make your house attractive to buyers. A little DIY can go a long way, and we've got insider tips and professional-quality design tricks that'll have buyers lined up around the block. 

Learn to Do a Good Paint Job

Did you know that freshly painted walls (inside and outside) can add some serious zeroes to your home’s price tag? It’s just like when we put on a sharp suit or elegant dress before heading out – you don’t just feel fancy; other people see it, too.

Fresh paint isn't about covering up flaws (although it helps with that, too). A good painting job gives off a ‘just minted’ vibe to your space and can add up to $5,000 to the offer. This usually happens because buyers prefer moving into ready-to-live-in homes, so they’ll happily pay extra for a space that looks and feels fresh.

If you’ve never held a paintbrush before, this may be a bit of a tricky job. But don’t worry, everything can be learned. Look for tutorials and videos online, and you’ll soon be a professional painter.

We’ll even share a little secret with you: don’t skimp on quality. Higher-end paints are like that sturdy pair of boots you love – they stick around and don't give up easily. Also, do yourself a favor and look for paint with fewer chemicals in it.

Lastly, make sure you know which colors to choose. For instance, professionals recommend light neutrals if you want to impress buyers. Also, it’s a good idea to use the same color on your walls, trims, and ceilings to give off a seamless look.

Get Inspiration from the Pros

In today’s day and age, you have the possibility to learn tips and tricks right from professional interior designers. All you need to do is buy some magazines or visit some specialty websites. Social media is also a fantastic way to learn what works in the world of interior design and how to make your home more appealing to buyers.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, why not hire the services of an interior designer? They can come in, take a look around, and offer some personalized advice that you can implement. They might even suggest simple tweaks like rearranging furniture or swapping out lampshades that don’t cost you anything but may make buyers do a double-take.

Create Original Art

Who says you've got to be the next Warhol to whip up some eye-catching art? 

With today's tech, creating something impressive and eye-catching for your walls is easier than ever. And you can brag about it being an original!

All you need is a bit of inspiration and the right AI-powered tool to turn your vision into reality. For instance, you can use photos from your last family vacation - just make sure they are clear and high-quality and edit with PicsArt templates for a bit of professional touch.

Additionally, knowing a bit about color theory and shapes is a good idea. With the right combinations, you can create impressive visuals that help the viewer see the space exactly as you envisioned.

Upgrade the Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the house, and many buyers will walk away from a home they like if the kitchen is not updated. 

The good news is that you don’t have to invest in renovating a kitchen you won’t use. You just have to know how to spruce things up a bit. For starters, replace some of your old appliances with sleek stainless-steel ones. They’re shiny, they’re chic, and they look good.

Next, take a look at your kitchen hardware. We’re talking faucets, handles, knobs, and anything in between. Switching the old ones for some metallic marvels like black matte or satin brass can dial up the class factor of your kitchen without spending a fortune.

Cabinets are also important, but you only have to worry about the facade (aka the doors). Simply painting the doors or changing them will breathe new life into your kitchen. Crisp white or soft grays can work wonders here.

Take Care of Your Yard

The front yard is the first thing potential buyers see, and specialists say that a manicured lawn and a neat flower bed could get you anywhere between 5 to 12% more cash when selling the house. 

So, if your bushes look more 'haunted forest' than 'enchanted garden', you’ve got some sprucing up to do. To make sure the value of your property will increase, it’s good to create a relaxation area where the owners can sit and enjoy a coffee with friends or put together a barbeque on their days off. 

Some mood lighting also helps increase the value of your home. We're talking cute ground lights to light pathways or magical string lights that make every evening feel like there's something to celebrate.

For the front yard, make sure to add some flowers that bring a pop of color and make everything look lively. And, if you've got a few bare patches on your lawn, roll out some fresh sod or scatter grass seeds (if you’re not in a hurry to sell).

Key Takeaways

As you can see, with a bit of knowledge of color theory, paint application, interior design, and landscaping, you can take the value of your home up a few notches. Sure, there may be situations when you have to call for professional help, but most of these jobs can be turned into DIY projects.

So, roll up your sleeves, get the family involved, and give your house one last spruce up before you move and the new owners take over!

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