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When you think of increasing your home's value, you might think of large-scale, expensive projects, like replacing the roof or landscaping the yard. But you can actually make lower-lift changes in various areas of the house that add up to a larger price point when it comes time to sell.
We reached out to Amanda Pendleton, Zillow's home trends expert, to identify 10 low-lift upgrades you can make to your home. She also shared data on how these smaller projects can significantly add value. These home improvement projects involve adding visual and architectural interest, making your home more energy-efficient, and creating a welcome environment with color.
If you're ready to tackle some simple DIY projects, we've gathered 10 upgrades to boost the value of your home without renovations.
Love them or hate them, open shelves in kitchens show no sign of slowing down. In fact, "homes mentioning open shelving sell nearly five days faster than expected — and for 1.5% more," says Pendleton. They're an easy way to display kitchenware or decor, which adds personality and storage solutions for a potential buyer.
These floating shelves made from reclaimed pine come in three different sizes: 24, 36, and 48 inches. They are great for mounting one on top of the other or in smaller nooks that need more storage.
This set of two white floating shelves is a perfect neutral backdrop for colorful cookware, knick-knacks, and plates.
These maple floating shelves come in lengths from 12 inches all the way up to 90 inches, so they can span the exact width of the area where you’re adding storage.
Installing modern light fixtures in place of dated ones can totally transform a space and make it easier for a buyer to see a home's potential. Even better, while you're at it, switch all the bulbs in the house to LEDs. According to the US Department of Energy, LEDs use at least 75% less power than incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer. An entire house of LED bulbs is certainly a selling point for someone looking to make a smart investment. Plus, Pendleton says that just switching to LEDs could add an additional 1.9% to your home's selling price.
This is an incredibly affordable pack of LED bulbs, perfect for replacing the bulk of the energy-sucking incandescents in your house.
LEDs no longer mean sacrificing style, exemplified by these Edison-style bulbs that would complement a modern light fixture with exposed bulbs.
If you’re looking for a soft white glow instead of a bright daylight, these bulbs are a great option.
"A fire pit can contribute to a home selling for 1.8% more," says Pendleton, because what family doesn't want to envision themselves gathering on summer nights for a round of s'mores? Luckily, fire pits don't have to cost a fortune, and lots of models can be stowed inside for the winter for easy preservation.
This fire pit is portable thanks to its lightweight design and handles, making it easy to move around in the yard.
You can’t really go wrong with a classic concrete fire pit, especially one that’s propane-powered for easy on and off.
The Solo Stove is one of the most popular fire pits on the market because it’s designed to significantly reduce smoke, making s’mores nights even more enjoyable.
Kitchen renovations are notoriously expensive, which is why lots of sellers opt not to do a full-on renovation when they're leaving a home. There are budget-friendly options, though, like swapping outdated hardware and cabinet doors with Shaker-style doors, in particular. This can potentially add a 2% sale premium, according to Pendleton.
Unfinished brass hardware is having a huge moment due to the way it develops a beautiful patina, so installing brass pulls in your kitchen will ensure they’ll only get better with age.
These sleek, low-profile knobs come in brushed brass or matte black to coordinate with any cabinet finish.
Lowe’s has a wide selection of Shaker-style doors that can fit pretty much any cabinet or drawer you’re looking to customize.
This might seem like an oddly specific upgrade, but Zillow research found that "homes with pale blue bathrooms could sell for 1.6% more — nearly $4,698 on a typical US home," says Pendleton. Pale blue has a calming effect, so we wouldn't be surprised if the hue gives buyers some peace of mind.
Nationally, interior painting averages $385 per room, according to a survey by the home improvement website Thumbtack, but considering how much the average home sold for after a pale blue bathroom finish, it pays for itself. We rounded up some designer-favorite blues below if you're looking for some inspiration.
Andrea Magno of Benjamin Moore said the company is seeing people purchase more pale blues. “Palladian Blue is a really beautiful one,” she said.
Sue Wadden of Sherwin-Williams said Sea Salt, a soft, watery blue, is one of the company’s top 10 colors right now.
Named for periwinkle, Clare Wink is a pale purple hue that’s subtle and pretty.
Backyards are more important than ever with people working from home and needing a respite, for hosting socially distant gatherings, and just kicking your feet up after a long day. It's no wonder that demand for well-lit outdoor spaces has gone up, too, and Pendleton points out that "path lighting, landscape lighting, or deck lighting are easy additions that can contribute to homes selling for 1.6% more than expected."
These solar-powered lights are easy to install on pathways. Just stake them into the ground and let them light the way at night.
Clip-on lights make any deck feel customized, and these ones are low maintenance since they’re solar-powered.
Nothing adds charm to a backyard quite like string lights, which can be strung along a fence, on a pergola, or across the yard.
Similar to bathrooms, it seems that home buyers are attracted to a specific shade when it comes to welcoming front doors. "A newly painted front door can instantly boost curb appeal, but it pays to be strategic about the color you choose," says Pendleton.
Zillow's most recent research (2018) on exterior paint colors found that homes with a front door painted black can sell for 2.9% more than expected. We rounded up a few of the most classic black paint colors for your door, courtesy of a very helpful blog post by Netflix -famous interior design firm Studio McGee.
Studio McGee calls tricorn back “the perfect saturated black that looks incredible in a high gloss finish.”
French beret, according to Studio McGee, is a black with a serious blue-gray undertone ”that’s great for really dark walls and exteriors without fully committing to black.”
Soot is a “moody gray-black that works beautifully for interior walls without feeling too cold,” says Studio McGee. It would translate well to a front door too.
Lots of home buyers appreciate small details, like crown molding, ceiling medallions, and picture frame molding. "Homes that mention crown molding in their listing description can sell for 0.1% more than expected," says Pendleton, thanks to the character and grandeur they add to even new homes.
This crown molding is made with recycled polystyrene, so it’s exceptionally lightweight and easy to cut to fit, and it can be painted any color.
Ceiling medallions are an easy way to add interest to ceilings and light fixtures and can be installed with a nail gun or industrial adhesive. Just be sure to measure your fixture’s base diameter before ordering.
Luxe Architectural sells premade molding kits to create stunning picture frame molding in your home. DIYer Drew Scott of Lone Fox Home used them to transform a simple bedroom into a Parisian escape, plus they come in permanent or removable options.
Whether controlled with Alexa, Google, or some other service, smart lighting is a cost-effective way to add smart home capabilities, while also saving money on energy bills. Plus, Pendleton notes, "mention your smart lights in your listing description and your home could sell nearly four days faster than expected." Luckily, we've already rounded up the best smart light bulbs on the market.
“If you're new to smart lighting, then the Philips Hue Starter Kit is a great place to begin,” says reporter Simon Hill. The bulbs are highly versatile (think: a huge range of dimming and warmth, plus colorful LEDs for ambience) and reliable.
Wyze bulbs are an example of exemplary tech at an accessible price, with each bulb ringing in at just $9.99 each. They don’t change color, but they have “a temperature range that goes from 2,700 kelvins to 6,500 kelvins, so you can transition between warm white to a cooler white that's more like daylight,” says Hill.
"Projects that specifically add dining and gathering areas to your outdoor space can boost your bottom line," says Pendleton, so consider adding an outdoor dining area or cozy seating setup. For an even more luxurious addition, Pendleton recommends a pizza oven, which can tack on an additional 2.3% to the sale price.
For a relatively affordable dining setup, go for a bistro set, like this one from Ballard Designs, one of our favorite outdoor furniture retailers.
If you’re looking to invest in an outdoor couch, consider the brand Outer, which makes attractive furniture from recycled plastic.
Another front-runner on our list of favorite outdoor furniture brands is CB2. This sofa can skew modern or more traditional, making it a perfect fit for any backyard setup.
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