When it comes to extending or improving your home, most people will do so with the aim of creating a functional and usable space that brings the most significant benefit to the whole family. However, many homeowners will also consider whether their improvements will increase the value of their property. After all, if you’re going to invest money into your home, then the idea that you’ll get it back and potentially even make a profit when you sell up is a pretty attractive one!
With that in mind, we thought we’d take a look at some practical improvements that you can make to your home that will also add value to your property.
Potential value increase – up to 30%
If you have an unused and unloved basement, then you’re sitting on a goldmine. Transforming an existing basement into a living space is just about the surest way to add value to your home. As long as the cost to develop the space is less than the price per square foot in the area, then you’re almost guaranteed not only to get your money back but also to make a profit.
As well as the financial benefits, converting a basement should, in theory, be one of the easiest home improvements you can make, as you shouldn’t require planning permission. That reduces the time and cost of the work considerably. Common basement conversions include everything from creating an additional bedroom to building underground home movie theatres, games rooms, gyms, recording studios, and even bars.
2. Revamp your kitchen
Potential value increase – up to 10%
Not all of the ways of increasing the value of your home require extensive building work or high costs. It is possible to add a good chunk of value to your home by spending a relatively small amount of money. For most homebuyers, the kitchen is the most important room in the house, so you can really boost the appeal of your property by replacing a tired and outdated kitchen with a modern, practical, and attractive alternative.
While buying a new kitchen can cost as little as $6,000, the average cost tends to be around $12,000-$16,000, but the good news is that you should see a return on your investment. Fitting a new kitchen can add between four and 10% to the value of your home.
To get the biggest benefit, you must make sure that the amount you spend is proportionate to the value of your home. For example, if you spend $25,000 on a luxurious new kitchen for a $200,000 house, you may not see the full investment reflected in the selling price. However, a new $10,000 kitchen on a $200,000 home will be a real selling point and could lead to a tidy profit.
3. Install an in-ground swimming pool
Potential value increase – up to 15%
There’s much debate among real estate professionals about whether installing a swimming pool in your home adds value to your property. The reality is that it depends on where you live. If you live in a cold part of the US that’s covered by snow for six months of the year, swimming pools are, understandably, not particularly desirable. However, if you live in an extremely hot climate, pools can make a big difference in your sale price.
For example, in California, a swimming pool can increase the value of a median-priced home by around $95,000, making a $30,000 pool a very shrewd investment. Whereas, in the Midwest, the addition of a swimming pool is likely to add between nothing and $40,000 to the value of your home.
If you do choose to install a swimming pool, you should opt for a salt pool. Salt pools help to keep the maintenance costs down, making them more attractive to homebuyers. There are also no chemical smells or health concerns that you can get with traditional chlorine pools.
4. Apply for planning permission
If you haven’t got the time, inclination, or budget to make improvements to your home, then one very cost-effective step you can take is to apply for and obtain planning permission. That will help elevate your home and attract buyers with bigger budgets looking for a little more space than your home currently offers.
For example, if you have planning permission for a single or double floor extension, that could allow buyers to add a new bedroom and bathroom upstairs and increase their living space dramatically downstairs. It’s also very appealing because it gives them the freedom to create a space that works specifically for them.
5. Make a good first impression
You might think that purely cosmetic changes won’t do much for your property’s value, but first impressions count. Buying a new front door, giving your home a new coat of paint, and tidying up tired old masonry with fresh render can make a huge difference to your home’s appeal.
As well as making the front of your home as inviting as you can, a few aesthetic improvements to the back garden can also add value. Cutting the grass, sweeping up the leaves, and doing some planting can help. A tidy lawn will always look larger than a messy one, so turn your garden into a selling point by creating a simple, stylish, and welcoming space.
Designing a home is often referred to as a very intimate thing, a balance of the aesthetic and the emotional, the timeless and the functional. This Mother’s Day 2025, Dulux Velvet Touch joined hands with K2 India, helmed by Sunita Kohli and Kohelika Kohli, to bring their vision to life. For them, design isn’t just […]
As houses become more efficient and conscious, bathroom storage design is rising to the occasion in terms of function and aesthetic. In 2025, all about sleek looks, intelligent solutions, and eco-friendliness. From floating vanity to modular organizers, these bathroom storage solutions merge functionality with style, ideal for contemporary Indian homes that need order, sophistication, and […]
When it comes to bathrooms, many people prioritize aesthetics, luxury, modernity, and so on. And indeed, the end result is often beautiful, especially when done by highly-trained professionals like Denver Bathroom Pros. While you’re at it though, why not add in one more aspect to focus on? Wellness is a concept often overlooked by homeowners […]
We often wander through our homes on autopilot, barely noticing the surfaces beneath our feet. Yet the humble rug—particularly the increasingly popular washable rugs — can transform our living spaces in ways we rarely pause to appreciate. These fabric canvases not only protect our floors and provide comfort, but they also create invisible boundaries that […]
Curtains for living room spaces do more than cover windows—they define mood, enhance style, and elevate functionality. In India, where design preferences blend tradition with innovation, choosing the right curtains for living room décor becomes a key element in crafting beautiful and personalised interiors. From airy sheers to rich velvets, every curtain style speaks a […]
Lighting in interior design isn’t simply a utility anymore; it makes a statement, strong and bold in the individual’s personality, mood, and style. Lighting has gone beyond the functional in Indian homes or offices. They are now used to incorporate beautiful installations that are unique, sculptural, and custom-made to evoke strong designs in these environments. […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
Indian homes place equal importance on pooja room door designs as they do on main door designs. With diverse and unique ethnic backgrounds, every family strives to reflect their personalities and identities in their designs. These identities can encompass religious or spiritual interests, local contexts, or other personal elements. This series of blogs, featuring 50 […]
The integration of screening evergreen trees serves as an artful blend of practicality and natural beauty. These screening evergreen trees, with their lush foliage and diverse benefits, play a crucial role in enhancing privacy. It also blocks unwanted views, and contributes to the overall well-being of homeowners. From the majestic Jamun trees to the versatile […]
Gate Design is an important feature of any home. Numerous scopes for experimentation open up when delving into the design possibilities. Materials like wood and black steel are popular options in Indian homes. At the same time, designers also experiment with a combination of materials that suits their aesthetic. Buying mass-produced Sydney automated gates has […]