In one of our previous blog posts, we explored ways to increase the value of your home before selling. By upgrading certain areas of your home that potential buyers care about most, you will effectively increase its selling price.

If you're planning to sell this winter, the idea of making changes to your home might be especially daunting; Edmonton's sub-zero temperatures aren't exactly ideal for giving your home a facelift.

The good news is, with a little home staging and a few minor changes, you can not only increase your home's overall value but make it more attractive to prospective buyers. Even if you're not planning on selling anytime soon, here are a few things you can do to breathe new life into your surroundings.

1. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint

It's amazing how a fresh coat of paint can revitalize any room in your house. Whether you choose to use the same colour as before or change the feel of the room entirely with a brand new palette, a newly painted room will look clean and bright. Best of all, you can paint as many or as few rooms as you’d like, or as your wallet will allow.

2. Make Your Home Appear Larger

Before you decide to start knocking down walls and add to your home, there is an easier way to make your rooms appear bigger than they are. It can be as simple as removing clutter that fills out the room needlessly, placing a large mirror on the wall or introducing more natural light into the room.

3. Install New Carpets

If you haven’t replaced your carpet since the original shag carpets were installed in the 1970’s, then your home will benefit from a facelift. An additional benefit is one you can’t even see - cleaner air in your home. Old carpets have untold amounts of dust, dirt, and allergens living in it, so installing new carpet will clear the air for you and the next owner.

4. Buy New Appliances

If your appliances are as old as you are, that's usually a good indication you need new ones. While this can be a costly investment (depending on the appliances chosen), you will see the value almost immediately. Newer appliances use less energy to operate, use less water and are more efficient.

5. Stay on Top of Maintenance & Repair

Maybe you’ve got a broken towel rack, a furnace filter that needs replacing or a loose doorknob. You say you’ll get around to addressing these things, but they can begin to really pile up. By staying on top of the maintenance and repairs your home requires, you can truly enjoy your home instead of being constantly reminded of everything that is wrong with it.

6. Rework the Bathroom

There are so many different things you can do to with your bathroom to make it an inviting space in your home; and like many of the other projects on this list, you can do as much or as little as you’d like. You could do something as simple as replacing the shower curtain or caulking the bathtub and sink. But if you really want to make a change without renovating your entire bathroom, consider installing a new vanity, sink fixtures, and a shower head. Finish off your project with a fresh coat of paint and you’ve got yourself a revitalized bathroom buyers will love!

7. Show the Kitchen Some Love

Much like the bathroom, there are a large number of simple things you can do to update your kitchen. A good starting point for this room is to decide what you want to change the most and go from there. For example, if you can’t stand looking at your outdated cupboards anymore, then this is a good place to start. As you do this, though, make sure not to get too far ahead of yourself, as this change will lead you to want to make other changes. Having a budget in mind will help keep your project under control.

8. Custom Closets

Being organized can do wonders for you, especially when talking about the closet in the master bedroom. By adding custom closets, you provide a unique element to your home that'll help keep you organized. Best of all, it will create real value when you decide to sell.

9. More Storage

Most of us have more stuff than we realistically need, which means we need a place to put it all. Whether you add more storage space to your kitchen, basement or garage, you are providing yourself and a future owner with great value. The less cluttered your home is, the happier you'll be.

By doing some of these projects to enhance the interior of your home, you'll be investing in the enjoyment of your own home, as well as increasing its overall value when you're ready to sell. Even if it's only a minor change, remember a little bit can go a long way.

What are some small projects you’ve done in your home that made a big difference?  Let us know in the comments below!

Photo credits: ensuite, kitchen