Renovating your property can significantly increase its value, even if you only make small changes. 

Here's a list of renovation ideas, budget-friendly options and sustainable upgrades that can add value to your home.  

Thinking of selling? These upgrades could also potentially earn you thousands of dollars in capital when you put your home up for sale.

- __Related__: [What increases the value of your home? See the property features Aussies buyers want most](https://www.lendi.com.au/inspire/insights/what-increases-the-value-of-property-australians-weigh-in/)
- __Related__: [Renovating vs Buying a new home?](https://www.lendi.com.au/inspire/finance/buy-a-new-property-or-renovate-whats-cheaper/)
- __Related__: [Renovation checklist ](https://www.lendi.com.au/inspire/design/renovation-checklist-7-things-to-do-before-construction-starts/)

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## General renovations and home upgrades 

### 1. Get an outdoor entertaining deck 

Many Australians love to spend time outdoors and love to entertain. So, why not give your home a boost with a functional and high-quality outdoor entertaining deck?  

You could even opt to add a small gazebo to give your backyard a resort-like quality.  

Or, if you’d like to save, think about what you can do with your existing space. 

For example, if you have a courtyard, you can also create an attractive outdoor area for entertaining by: 

- Tidying it up 
- Adding a stylish outdoor setting 
- Adding  a barbeque 
- Incorporating nice lighting
- Adding in some plants. 

If and when the time comes to sell, buyers could envision themselves living and entertaining there. 

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![Asset | Outdoor entertainment space with furniture and lights](//images.ctfassets.net/o2gysnvd04sg/51RUN0EzkMDuJqGm6fpefg/d11f5bfe029005ce4ebbb2f92f708bdd/Lendi_blog_hero__26_.png)

### 2. Change the layout of your home 

Sometimes, the original layout of your home doesn’t make sense for you and your family anymore. Older houses are often entirely sectioned off into many walled rooms with doors. 

It’s hard to deny that open-plan living is in trend. Having your kitchen, dining room and living room all in one big space can make your home seem larger and brighter. 

In general, it’s a lot easier to socialise and spend time with your family in an open-plan home. 

Sometimes, it’s as simple as knocking a wall out to create a larger, less confining space.  

While prices vary depending on the size and material of the wall (as well as the builder), they typically start at around $300. If it is a load-bearing wall, you should expect to pay at least $1,000. 

### 3. Remodel the kitchen  

One of the most common ways to increase your home’s value is by remodelling the kitchen.  

For many people, the kitchen is the centre of the home and a gathering place for the family. It’s an area you might want to prioritise if you’re thinking of selling. 

While most kitchens can be repainted, save the hassle by choosing neutral tones. Whites, greys, natural timber and variations of blue are typically well-received. 

Kitchens often lack sufficient storage, so don’t neglect this aspect. A substantial-sized pantry (even a butler’s pantry) is a nice way to optimise storage. 

And don’t forget about the appliances. While you usually take your fridge, microwave and kettle with you when you sell your house, other appliances including the oven and dishwasher are likely to remain in the kitchen. So, consider incorporating high-quality appliances. 

Other ways to improve your kitchen include: 

- Replacing countertops 
- Installing new handles and knobs 
- Repainting cabinets 
- Adding or change a backsplash 
- Adding an island 
- Replacing fittings such as a new tap or sink.

![Asset | Kitchen appliances in a white and blue kitchen](//images.ctfassets.net/o2gysnvd04sg/1SsfNRyMPMEmPcsrtnBibW/6bde3d7bfccd06d6a001ad1b7ec3fb97/Lendi_blog_hero__24_.png)

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### 4. Update the bathroom 

Like the kitchen, the bathroom is another great space to update. 

Older bathrooms can appear unkempt with age. For example, dirty grouting between clean tiles can give this kind of impression. 

If you don’t want to do a complete bathroom overhaul, but would still like to spruce it up, here are a few things you can do: 

- Re-tile your bathroom 
- Replace old grout 
- Update fixtures like the tap and sink, toilet, showerhead, lighting and mirror 
- Put in a couple of plants to add colour to the space. 

### 5. Simple landscaping 

If your garden needs some work, consider simple changes and additions. Adding some grass, shrubs and easily-to-maintain plants can aesthetically enhance a property and increase its value. 

If you take a keen interest in gardening, don’t shy away from pursuing your hobby.  

A complex garden is very unlikely to reduce property value. But, for those who are paying someone to re-do the garden, a simple garden is more than good enough. 

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### 6. Rethink your lighting 

Another way to boost your property’s value is to reconsider your lighting. 

An interior designer can help you optimise your lighting, but you can also do it yourself.  

Consider adding dimmers to overhead lights and think about the brightness and colour of the light. 

A stark white, ultra-bright light can often be unappealing, unflattering and may be something you want to avoid in rooms with mirrors. 

At the other end of the lighting spectrum, natural light is a great feature to have and big windows are often very appealing to prospective buyers. 

Many older houses in Australia have very small or very few windows. Refresh and modernise a space by installing some larger ones. 

In small spaces, a large window can create the illusion of a larger and more open space. 

![Asset | Indoor plants in a room with white and wooden furniture](//images.ctfassets.net/o2gysnvd04sg/6wGRfN9e3VpRaByfd85God/39918ec4381f56613f03aa37bca0c2ba/Lendi_blog_hero__27_.png)

### 7. An extra bedroom or a granny flat 

If you have the space on your property for it, a home extension or separate building can add a lot of value. 

Research says that an extra bedroom can increase a property’s value by somewhere between around $95,000 and $150,000.  

Sometimes, you may even be able to rework space and your home’s layout to add in an extra bedroom with the help of an architect. 

A granny flat is an attractive option as it can serve as guest accommodation for when friends come to visit, a separate space for adult children or as a rental property. Leasing your granny flat can introduce additional income. 

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### 8. Expand your storage 

Many buyers looking for inbuilt storage in a new home. It is very practical and much better than having an oversupply of free-standing wardrobes and cupboards. 

Think about adding built-in wardrobes to the bedrooms and maybe even a walk-in wardrobe for the master bedroom.  

It’s a good idea to have a linen cupboard as it can be hard to find space for excess bed linen, towels and blankets. 

Storage in the laundry room or cupboard is also a valuable and attractive addition for buyers with families. 

## Budget-friendly renovation ideas 

### 9. Wallpaper and fresh paint 

Simply changing your wallpaper or adding a fresh coat of paint can be effective and affordable ways to give your rooms new life. 

For example, in the kitchen, instead of replacing whole cabinet doors and tiles which can be quite costly, use tile paint to refresh the cabinets. 

New wallpaper can also be a great solution to change up your space and are less time consuming than painting.

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### 10. Replace old faucets and racks 

Old fixtures can make a home feel old and outdated and are often forgotten about. Changing these to more modern fixtures is an affordable way to upgrade your home. 

For example, changing faucets, doorknobs and towel racks can give bathrooms a facelift. 

It can also help to keep the metals the same – if you’re going for a brass tapware, you might want to match your towel rack and doorknobs to make the room feel more cohesive. 

### 11. Give your curb appeal a boost 

Updating the appearance of your front entrance can give your property that essential ‘wow factor’.  

Your front entrance forms the first impression potential buyers have of a property, so you want to make sure that it is a positive one. 

If you have a front garden, start by adding some colourful flowers and plants to brighten up the space and make it more inviting.  

You can even give your door a fresh coat of paint to improve the look and feel of your home’s exterior. 

If you have the space for it, consider adding some basic outdoor furniture and decor such as a bench, bird bath and some potted plants.

![Asset | Front exterior of a home with a blue door and greenery](//images.ctfassets.net/o2gysnvd04sg/5oyLrRTjJ5tSF2nAwMMvIx/db64c8659af600406830b2e7c1885cad/Lendi_blog_hero__28_.png)

## Sustainable upgrades to boost your home’s value 

### 12. Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances and lightbulbs 

Upgrading to new electronic appliances throughout your home can increase its value.  

Opting for energy-efficient appliances can be attractive to prospective buyers as they’ll likely reduce energy bills. 

If the goal is to increase the value of your property, focus on upgrading the appliances that you will leave behind when selling. These may include: 

- Oven, rangehood and stove 
- Ceiling fans 
- Air-conditioning units 
- Solar panels 
- Hot water systems 
- Dishwasher 

You can also improve the energy efficiency of your property by switching out traditional light bulbs to LED bulbs. 

These light bulbs will save you money as you won’t need to replace them as often and are a more sustainable option. 

### 13. Get double-glazed windows 

Double-glazed windows have a number of benefits for those seeking sustainable home improvements. These include: 

More secure and durable home: double-glazed glass can’t be shattered as easily, so you’ll have an added layer of security  

Improved insulation: heat and cold will find it more difficult to transmit through thicker glass 

Energy bills will be lower: because your home will be better insulated, you won’t need to turn on the heating or cooling systems as frequently 

A quieter home: double glazed windows can help reduce outside noises, so that’s a bonus for those wanting a quieter night’s sleep 

### 14. Start a vegetable garden 

While it’s a bit of work to get started, an organic herb or vegetable garden can be a lovely addition.  

Doing this will allow you to save money by growing some of your own fresh produce and reduce your carbon footprint as well. 

You can also start a compost with your food waste as you can use it to enrich the soil. 

Plus, when it comes to selling your home, a simple but well-established vegetable garden can attract buyers. 

### 15. Install solar panels 

Why not make the most of one of Australia’s most abundant natural resources? 

Solar panels help you generate electricity in a sustainable manner, while reducing your power bills and reliance on fossil fuel-based energy sources. 

According to solar installer company, Life Solar, homes with solar power can sell for 4% to 10% more than those without. 

## Got a home loan question? Just ask!
We're here to help. Get free expert advice at a time that suits you. Choose a time to chat with a [Home Loan Specialist here](https://www.lendi.com.au/book-appointment/). 

*The information in this post is general in nature and should not be considered personal or financial advice. 
You should always seek professional advice or assistance before making any financial decisions.*


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