10 TIPS TO ADD VALUE TO YOUR CURRENT HOME

How to Elevate Your Space

Your home is not just a place to live; it is also a valuable asset that deserves investment and care. Whether you are planning to sell in the near future or simply want to enhance your living environment, there are plenty of ways to add value to your current home. In this blog post, we will explore 10 tips and strategies to help you elevate your space and increase its appeal and marketability.

1. Declutter and remove/replace bulky items

We all tend to accumulate a lot of things over time. But there is always a point when the clutter becomes overwhelming and interferes with how we operate and feel in our home.

In Feng Shui and other design philosophies, clutter is believed to block the flow of energy, or chi, within a space, leading to stagnation and imbalance. Removing no-longer needed items creates a more harmonious and balanced environment, promoting positive energy flow and enhancing overall well-being. This can have a profound impact on your mood and mindset, making your home a more enjoyable and nurturing place to live.

It is also possible that in the past you bought or were gifted furniture pieces that are too big for your room, restricting the flow and creating a sense of confusion in the space. Removing bulky furniture is another great way to instantly create a sense of spaciousness and airiness in a room. You can also replace those bulky pieces with slimmer, more-to-scale or multi-functional items that allow for better flow and circulation of both natural light and foot traffic, making the space feel larger and more inviting.

2. Replace old light fittings

Outdated light fixtures can detract from the overall aesthetic of your home, making it feel dated and less inviting. By replacing old fixtures with modern, stylish options, you can instantly update the look and feel of your space, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication.

Upgrading your light fittings also allows you to choose fixtures that provide better quality lighting for your home. You can select fixtures that distribute light more evenly, reduce glare, or provide warmer or cooler light temperatures to suit different activities and moods.

Consider swapping over to more efficient bulbs, like LED or other energy-saving features, so you can reduce your energy consumption and lower your utility bills while minimising your environmental impact.

3. A fresh coat of paint

Paint can work wonders in revitalising your home's appearance, both inside and out.

If you are planning to sell, consider painting walls in neutral tones to create a blank canvas that appeals to a wide range of tastes. If your walls are already white or neutral, consider covering up any scuffs or marks to give walls and ceiling a fresher look. Additionally, updating exterior paint can give your home a modern and well-maintained look that attracts potential buyers and adds value to your property.

If you are going to stay, a good bold colour always makes a great statement in a room (just saying!). You can also consider a feature wall or half wall in the colour that you most like and is unique to you. Do not forget that light plays a crucial role in choosing the right paint colour.

Paint is something that can be changed relatively easily so if you do not like it, well, paint it over again?

4. Lay a Rug?

Not everyone can afford replacing the flooring so how about laying an area rug?

A rug can cover a tired-looking flooring and also serve so many other purposes such as warming up the space, absorbing sound, adding pops of colour and also zoning and defining the space. This can be applied not only on hard flooring but also on carpet. 

Remember that the size of the rug should be proportioned to the other elements in the room and its texture and patterns should not clash with the room’s style and colour palette.

5. Upgrade Fixtures and Hardware

Replacing outdated fixtures and hardware is a simple and cost-effective way to add value and style to your home. Upgrade door handles and cabinet hardware with modern, high-quality options that complement your home's aesthetic. These small details can make a big impact and give your home a polished and cohesive look.

6. Goodbye empty walls!

Empty walls can make a room feel unfinished or lacking in character. By adding artwork, mirrors, or other decorative elements, you can instantly transform a blank wall into a focal point that draws the eye and adds visual interest to the space. 

Wall decor is an opportunity to showcase your personality, interests, and style preferences, too. Whether you choose to display artwork, photographs, or other decorative items, the pieces you hang on your walls can tell a story and reflect your unique taste and identity.

If you are selling, consider hanging more abstract artwork that is more neutral in taste and you can hang it using command strips rather than nails or screws to avoid damaging the walls.

7. Boost Curb Appeal

First impressions matter, so start by enhancing your home's curb appeal. Simple updates such as painting the front door, refreshing landscaping, and installing outdoor lighting can instantly improve the overall look and feel of your property. Consider investing in minor exterior repairs and maintenance to ensure that your home makes a positive impression from the moment potential buyers or visitors arrive.

8. Update Kitchens and Bathrooms

Kitchens and bathrooms are key selling points for any home, so updating these spaces can significantly increase your home's value. Consider making cosmetic upgrades such as painting cabinets, replacing hardware, and updating fixtures to give these rooms a fresh and modern look. If your budget allows, invest in more substantial upgrades such as replacing countertops, installing new appliances, or upgrading flooring to further enhance these high-traffic areas.

9. Maintain Regular Maintenance

Do not overlook the importance of regular maintenance in preserving your home's value. Stay on top of routine maintenance tasks such as cleaning gutters, servicing HVAC systems, and repairing minor issues as they arise. By maintaining your home in good condition, you not only protect your investment but also ensure that it remains attractive and marketable in the long term.

10. Call the Pros

Finally, even though making improvements to your home can be somewhat satisfying and fun, it can also add stress to your life.  Sometimes it is worth speaking to professional Interior Designers since their expertise can ultimately save you money in the long run and help you achieve the highest possible return on your home improvement budget.

If you are planning to sell, we recommend you refer to a professional Home Stager who can help see your home with fresh eyes and provide valuable feedback on how and what to update and improve in order to boost your sale.

If you are interested, explore our services here.

 ABOUT MIKA DESIGN STUDIO

Mika Design Studio is an interior design studio on a mission to make a positive and meaningful impact on our clients’ lives; inspire them on the use of creativity and sustainable materials to create authentic interiors that organically evolve with them.

We are based in Royal Leamington Spa (Warwickshire, UK) but also operate online nationwide. We provide Consultation and Home Staging services for properties to sell, Re-design & Styling services for serviced accommodation/buy-to-let properties, and Online Interior Design for single bespoke rooms.

Visit our website to find out more about us.