When considering renovations or upgrades to your home, the first place to start is with how it will enhance your day-to-day life. The second fact to consider is how it may enhance your home’s value, especially if you’re planning to sell in the near or distant future. After all, renovations can mean a considerable financial investment on your behalf so knowing that any changes you make may also increase your home’s value at sale time is always a smart path.
The editors at Martha Stewart checked in with a host of home improvement and real estate experts to get their opinions on which home improvements may have the best return on investment. Here’s what they had to say.
Custom cabinets. Standard kitchen cabinets often have spaces that are underused or less-than functional, such as awkward corner cabinets or shelving that is too deep. Custom cabinetry on the other hand is designed to add maximum functionality to your kitchen with stand-out features such as an appliance garage to hide those countertop appliances or extra shelving where you need it most. Custom cabinetry doesn’t necessarily have to mean starting from scratch either; existing cabinets can often be updated with unique features to make them more user friendly—and more attractive to prospective buyers.
Smart-home technology. Once a futuristic concept for the tech-forward set, smart home technology has become mainstream and expected by many of today’s homebuyers, especially Millennials and Gen Z. Smart home features are also a big plus for your day-to-day life, allowing you to control your thermostat, turn lights on and off and open your garage door from the convenience of your mobile phone. Smart-home tech can also up the security of your home with cameras and the ability to talk to anyone at your front door no matter how far away you happen to be.
Garbage disposal. For an investment of just a few hundred dollars, you can add a garbage disposal to your kitchen sink and instantly add convenience to your current life and a must-have feature for future buyers. If you’re handy, installing a disposal can be a DIY project, too.
A sound system. While an at-home theater is not on everyone’s wish list, a good sound system is a plus all around. Whether you’re setting the mood with music for an intimate dinner party or playing DJ for a lively party, great sound in your home is a feature to be enjoyed on many levels. It will make movie night more memorable and help expose children to different types of music, from classical to jazz. Future buyers will love this feature too.
An outdoor deck. A home’s outdoor environment has become an extension of its indoor living space, utilized more and more, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Make sure your outdoor space is as inviting and user-friendly as possible with the addition of a stylish deck, then consider adding popular features like lighting, comfortable furnishings and outdoor kitchen appliances. Your outdoor environment will be put to use right away and will become a major selling point for buyers.
