8 Modern Home Improvements That Add Value to Your House

Are you trying to sell your house and looking for ways to raise the resale value? Or are you simply trying to decide which home improvements will give the biggest bang for the buck? Regardless of your reasons, there are simple improvements you can make to your house that will add value. Here is a list of eight things that will greatly improve the value of your home:

1. Kitchen renovation
One of the first things potential buyers look for when shopping for a house is a renovated kitchen. Doing a minor kitchen renovation can provide some of the best returns on your invested money. You don’t have to change the layout of the kitchen in a minor remodel, simply update the fixtures and finishes.

Consider replacing dated laminate countertops with solid surface ones. Add some tile to the backsplash to provide a more modern look. If your cabinets are still in decent shape, consider getting them professionally repainted in a modern color.

2. Update old light fixtures
Updating your dated light fixtures is easy and a fairly cheap update that will immediately make your home look newer. For flush mount lights, a nice alternative is recessed lights, but there are also stylish alternatives for flush mount fixtures available at your local hardware store.

Most finishes look good, but it’s important to maintain a consistent style and finish throughout your house. Getting dimmer switches installed is another inexpensive addition that will create moody lighting that looks expensive.

3. Replace the front door
The front door is the first thing people see when entering your home. Front door replacements are one of the best investments you can make in your house. Installing a new steel door is considered the best bang for your buck, you may also want to consider aluminum doors for a more modern look. Don’t forget to buy a quality lock and strike-plate, which is the point of weakness in break-ins.

4. Update window treatments
Making your window treatments more contemporary is a great way to improve your home’s appeal. Get rid of old draperies and blinds and install simple curtains hung from a rod in their place. If you don’t want to lose the functionality of blinds, consider replacing them with wood blinds, Roman shades, or honeycomb blinds that look modern and are easy to use.

5. Install new hardware
Hardware makes a big statement about your style, it’s like jewelry for your home. For those not wanting to do a major renovation, replacing your kitchen and bathroom cabinet hardware is a great way to modernize your home. Even old wood cabinets can be quickly refreshed with a new drawer pull or knob.

6. Refresh the bathroom
Updating your bathroom can add value to your house just like the kitchen. Installing ceramic floor tiles and updating the shower surround with new tile as well. Other great updates are an undermount sink to replace a drop-in one and a simple glass shower door.

7. Paint everything
Nothing gives your home a new feel like a fresh coat of paint. Remove any old wallpaper and paint the walls a nice color. To see which colors on trendy, check out Pantone's seasonal Color Trend Report. However, if trendy colors aren’t your thing or if you’re planning on selling your home soon, consider white or neutral gray colors.

8. Replace your windows
Changing your old single-pane windows with new, insulated double-panes will add energy savings and comfort while making your home look better. Double-pane windows also provide a good return on your investment through savings on utility bills over time. They also make older homes more appealing to buyers.