Home is where the heart is. A castle, a shelter, a place of protection, of family and love, and one which, for better or for worse, reflects your personality in myriad, magical ways. But conversely, when the time comes to sell up and move on, those rose tinted spectacles you’ve been wearing need taking off. A more clinical perspective is required to achieve the best results and, without wishing to sound uncouth, make the most money possible. With that in mind, here are 5 IDEAL & pratical investments to improve the value of your home.

BATH TIME

There is no space smaller which packs such a punch in terms of potential value. After all, where else do we sit, without distraction, and stare ahead of us, contemplating imperfections? So, to improve your house’s immediate, cosmetic appeal and convey a sense of ‘worth’, it’s a good idea to scrutinise every nook and cranny of your bathroom to check for any blemishes, and at the very least invest in a deep clean, but more likely, a new coating of paint. 

In doing so, the bathroom will look brighter, more roomy, and simply, fresher. Because after all, as the old adage goes, if the bathroom isn’t clean, what does that say about the rest of the house? On the flip side, if things here do look shipshape, the home as a whole will look rosier. And if you’d like to spend a little more on making your bathroom really purr, then check out our 5 IDEAL items to add luxury to your bathroom over here.

FINESSE THOSE FITTINGS

Whilst updating the fixtures on your house (those ever presents like the toilet, bath, the boiler, radiators etc.) can represent a large scale investment, giving the fittings some extra attention can add value without being such a huge undertaking. Though these fittings are often not included in the sale of your property, having attractive elements on domestic display can really help the potential buyer imagine their new life in your property; and that sense of imagination is something you should really encourage when trying to sell. 

So, make sure your kitchen appliances are sparkling and perhaps even consider investing in some shiny, modern new bits of tech to help present your house’s best side. Display some art, make sure flowers are looking perky and fresh, perhaps hang a new full length mirror; all little touches which don’t cost much but emphasise the potential, all important ‘livability’ of your property and make it seem like a comfortable, desirable place to dwell.

RELIABLE, DURABLE FLOORING

The ability to lure in potential buyers so their first look isn’t their last is best realised via a  multisensory approach. Sure, it’s clear things should look good; clean, in order, bright and beautiful. And yep, with the viewer able to foresee their future domestic bliss in all its glory, a sale of the value you’re seeking is much more likely. But first impressions are best made when things also feel, smell and sound good, and a sense of longevity is harnessed. Flooring plays a vital role in achieving this attack on the senses, and can make or break that first impression.  

Of the many options available, wooden flooring can add particular value, as it’s durable, sturdy and reliable, and as such gives the impression of being part of a bigger, investment-worthy picture. The fact it sounds so good under foot and smells, well, homely certainly does no harm either.

PAY ATTENTION TO KERB APPEAL

We keep banging on about first impressions. What’s logically and logistically true is that these occur before a potential buyer has even entered the building. Giving the exterior of your home an update is a simple cosmetic procedure, and one which can cement a positive impression so early on in the process. After that, the viewer is putty in your hands. 

Taking care of that first impression is something called ‘kerb appeal’ and even the most innocuous elements can play a part in the overall impact of that first once over. An unruly front garden, broken gates, a tatty fence or dirty drive; these can all be a major turn-off. A basic clean-up, with rake, shears and lawnmower at the ready, can go such a long way, but we’re here to talk about investments. 

Focus first on your front door, since it’s an element which will get a thorough appraisal on first visit. Give the doorknob and knocker a good polish, make sure the key turns with ease, and give the whole door a new coat of paint should that be required. If you’re lucky enough to have a front garden, make the most of it! Trim back any shrubbery from your hedge, mulch the flower beds, add hanging baskets, prune old ones, and fill window boxes with eye-catching arrangements. If the outdoor space of your gaff is purely a place for the bins, a wooden bin store could serve to hide any unsightly bags of rubbish. Yep, those first impressions are definitely worth micromanaging.

CONVERT STORAGE INTO LIVING SPACE

A slightly larger undertaking, both in terms of time and money, this, but one which can reap serious benefits if the effort is made. Each and every house has those areas dedicated (perhaps too keenly) to storage, which sometimes become a bit of a dumping ground when the potential is there for so much more. 

Since you’re moving out anyway, and the necessity for storage isn’t long term, consider clearing out any areas which have accumulated ‘stuff’, perhaps into a short-term lock up, and devoting a little time into making that room a living space instead. This only requires an investment in a sofa or bed, some furniture, perhaps a couple of shelves and decoration to make it feel more homely, but in doing so, possibilities in the mind of the buyer are opened up. It’s all about giving your house a chance at putting its best foot forward. An added living space makes strides in the right direction.

Elegance; it’s all in the beholder’s eyes, right? But when it’s your own touches of artistic flair and interior design, domestically, then that view belongs to you. And sometimes, let’s face it, when you cast your eyes around your house, there’s a sense that perhaps things need a little update. To truly bring that sense of sophistication and style, read on; our 4 IDEAL steps to a more elegant home design.

LIGHT & SHADE

This sounds almost too simplistic to be true, but it’s solid advice nonetheless and shouldn’t be dismissed. Light is, generally speaking, the defining feature of any indoor space, even if we take its presence for granted.

A light fixture in the middle of your room automatically creates an impact one way or the other. A gaudy, cheap light fixture automatically brings down the feel of a room, while an elegant light fixture creates a more tasteful, luxurious atmosphere, both in the way it casts light and creates shade, and in the style of the actual piece itself. 

The best part about changing light fixtures is that it’s not only one of the simplest DIY projects that you can take on, it’s also one of the most affordable. It’s all in the positioning and layering here, combining different lights to create a particular mood or feel. From side lamps illuminating a dark corner to flickering candles creating a warm glow, this layered approach is ideal for switching up the shade according to the activity you want to shine some light on.

COLOUR PALETTE

Another move you can make to increase your home’s overall sense of elegance is to add a lick of paint where change is needed most. ‘Elegant’ walls are often more neutral in their colour, but that doesn’t mean that a pop of colour elsewhere in the room won’t bring a certain amount of class to the space. 

We don’t think we’re going out on a limb here when we say that few elegant spaces call hot pink, lime green, or electric blue their primary colour, but something calming as the predominant hue of the space is inherently classy. We love ecru, lavender, sapphire or even burgundy.

To really set the space off, consider buying an area rug, a piece of artwork, or a small table (you can paint an existing one) that has a splash of a brightness that complements, not clashes with, the wall colour. 

HONE IN ON THE HEART OF THE HOME

There’s so point channelling all of this elegant energy if you’re not planning to entertain guests and luxuriate in your newfound sense of sophistication. And if you’re having people round, then the most important room to update decor-wise is, of course, the kitchen, the heart of any self-respecting home.

While modern appliances and other fixtures can drastically improve the look of your kitchen, such additions can end up being pretty costly. A more affordable way to get the space noticed is with an update of countertops, which can be chosen at trusted purveyors such as Marble (the clue’s in the name). While granite is certainly a classic look, marble usually represents a more budget friendly option. Running on average about £45 per square foot, marble countertops that come in a variety of colours and ingrained patterns can give your kitchen a sleek, elegant look for less money than granite. 

CROWN MOULDING

Increasing your home’s elegance is all about the details, even the small ones. The presence of crown moulding gives any space a sense of completion. If you don’t have crown moulding right now, take a good look at where your ceilings meet your walls, and notice that it feels as if a blank space exists there. Crown moulding will fix this. Found in essentially any width, it’s generally advised that you go for the widest crown moulding that your budget will allow. The best part of crown molding is that it’s relatively cheap (especially for the plastic-based, easy to paint type) but looks expensive and brings an element of class and cohesion to any space.

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