From there, you can expect to pay $300 – $1,000 for a professional to remove it or consider removing it yourself. Why install complicated light fixtures when natural light can pour in from above? Adding a skylight to a room brings the outside in, and the sky view will make a room feel more spacious.

Fixer Upper focuses on the design and transformation of homes in the Waco, Texas area while highlighting the power couple’s built-to-last love. Alternatively, you may want to consider a home improvement loan. An unsecured loan, such as those provided by Admiral, can be used for anything from a new boiler to loft insulation without any financial risk to your home. Expanding the amount of physical space available in your home is one of the more expensive improvements but can also increase its value.

So needless to say, swapping it out makes a huge impact for very little money. Choose a fringe-style curtain for a boho look, go bold with large, moody florals or opt for a soft, modern ombre like designer Kerra Michele Huerta did here. We also love how she upped the drama by installing a shower curtain on each side of the tub. Hung over a patio, porch or backyard, globe cafe lights instantly turn any outdoor space into a gathering spot, increasing your usable square footage. This extra “room” comes in handy when entertaining or in the summer months when warm evenings are best spent outdoors, drink in hand. Whether it’s from a fallen branch, a pair of over-eager paws, or simple wear and tear, sooner or later most window screens will require a repair.

The vent runs up through the house and out the roof, or out the side of the house and up to the eaves. A special in-line fan for radon is placed in the attic or outside the house to suck air through the vent. Any openings in the slab or foundation are sealed to keep out radon. Motion detector lights are a proven crime deterrent, and standard hard-wired models cost as little as $15.

  • Having a single dramatic piece of art of the wall will draw the eye towards it, rather than highlight the limited dimensions of the room.
  • Each episode takes a deep dive into DIY or contractor-performed home improvement projects, choosing to focus on a single installation rather than the renovation of the entire home.
  • The closing costs will typically be subtracted from the cash you’re getting, so you won’t have to pay anything out of pocket.
  • When trying to sell, a nice coat of neutral paint can give the entire house a facelift, and buyers really love to see a fresh blank canvas.

Every manufacturer has many different models and all different price ranges. Whenever possible we provide photos, illustrations and videos to help make things easier for you. Energy-efficient thermal insulation, replacement windows, and lighting. Norm Abram, a regular fixture on “This Old House,” hosted his own home improvement series, “The New Yankee Workshop,” on PBS for two decades. Occasionally, episodes also include information on how to maintain and restore antique furniture as well as short biographies of notable furniture makers from decades past.

Which home improvements add the most value?

The most important thing to remember when installing grab bars is to find the studs and mount the bars directly to them. Miss the studs and you’ll be pulling out more than the bars when you put your weight on them. Create extra storage in a snap with kits for bookcases, shelving, or cabinetry that you assemble yourself. Try a combination of open shelving and cabinets for a mix of storage and display space.

Refinancing is a low-interest way to get tax-free cash for remodeling your kitchen, finishing your basement or anything you choose. Get free, objective, performance-based recommendations for top real estate agents in your area. Unless you’re a structural engineer, you’ll want to consult with a professional to confirm the wall you’re removing is indeed non-load-bearing.

Install a Ceiling Fan

The front door is the first thing a potential buyer will see when coming to visit your property so make sure it’s clean, and if needs be, give it a lick of paint. Eye-catching front doors might be handy if you have guests coming to visit but may be off-putting to potential buyers, so keep it neutral. Once your house becomes a home, you’re probably more focused on the inside than out. Stand on the kerb and appraise your house like you’re seeing it for the first time – is there peeling paint or cracked gutters? If the answer’s yes, it’s time whip out the paint and ladder.

To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners. Information provided on Forbes Home is for educational purposes only. The products and services we review may not be right for your individual circumstances. You may have never cleaned out your dryer vent before but there are many reasons why you should.

Lenders typically require you to maintain 15 – 20% equity in your home after a cash-out refinance. This can limit the amount you can access for home improvements. The best time to refinance your mortgage is when interest rates are low. The lower the interest rate you secure, the bigger your savings will be over time and on a month-to-month basis. Check out your home’s basement, and where there are I-beams or wooden support beams in the ceiling, that’s where the home’s weight rests and you can’t remove walls above it. Replace a traditional ceiling light with tracks if you want to direct lighting on multiple spaces — like shelves, work surfaces, or gathering spaces — in a room.

By Brina