When it comes to upgrading your home to improve its value, many homeowners assume big-ticket items like full bathroom and kitchen renovations give you the best return on your investment. But sometimes, it’s the small things that can have a big impact on how much your home can sell for.

We spoke to designers to find out which affordable upgrades they swear by for increasing your home’s value, without spending a fortune.

Refresh Your Paint

Both of our designers agreed that paint is one of the best—and easiest—projects you can do to increase your home’s value.

According to Hannah Griffiths, an interior designer founder of Studio Palindrome, suggests breathing new life into dated walls, doors, and cabinetry with a fresh, of-the-moment color.

“It’s sweat-equity friendly, cost-effective, and one of the few changes that can literally shift the entire atmosphere of a home overnight,” she says.

Lauren Saab, founder of interior design firm Saab Studios, agrees. She says that instead of painting every wall in your home, opt to cover up any areas that have marks and scuffs.

“Focus on the entry, hallways, and trim,” she says. “Those quick refreshes make the entire home feel cleaner and better maintained.”

Swap Out Lighting

Dated, old light fixtures that look like they haven’t been touched in 20 years can actually have a big impact on your home’s value when you put it on the market. While many people assume replacing lighting is a big project, Saab says it’s a lot easier than you think.

“Warm LED bulbs lift the mood of a room right away,” she says. “Add a new shade or a plug in dimmer and suddenly the whole place feels refreshed.”

For Griffiths, layering your the lighting throughout your home is “the secret weapon of high-end design.” Forget simple recessed lights in every room—instead, she says, you should incorporate different layers of lighting throughout your home and in each room to create depth.

And installing modern, fashionable light fixtures provide an “architectural-level refresh.”

“Bonus points [if you] add dimmers for a ‘luxury upgrade’ feel without breaking the bank,” Griffiths says.

Upgrade Kitchen and Bath Fixtures and Hardware

It’s no secret that installing new hardware on your kitchen and bathroom cabinets can take the whole space from drab to charming. While Saab and Griffiths agree this is a great project for increasing your home’s value, you can also take it a step further.

“A faucet swap can feel like a remodel,” Saab says. “Replacing a dated fixture with a modern pull-down…model improves both function and style and makes the kitchen look newly updated at a fraction of the cost.”

Griffiths says that updated drawer pulls, faucets, and light switch covers “can make a home feel custom in hours, not months.”

Don’t Forget Curtains and Rugs

While curtains and rugs aren’t necessarily going to be included when someone purchases your home, focusing on these details can still have a big impact on selling it.

According to Griffiths, investing in some new curtains and rugs can add personality and luxury to your house without making structural improvements.

“Male sure to get the size and placement right for each—full length drapes with enough ‘fullness’ and rugs large enough to anchor each zone,” she says. “Layering in these textiles elevates a space from ‘house’ to ‘home’.”

Make The Entryway Inviting

Once you’ve taken care of some indoor projects, the last step is to make sure your home makes a great first impression with the entryway.

In addition to painting the front door, Saab suggests adding a pair of plants either side of the door to really make the front of your home feel welcoming and inviting.

Inexpensive Upgrades Designers Swear By for Increasing Home Value – and They’re Easy to DIY by Kate McKenna | The Spruce