10 Easy Budget-Friendly Upgrades To Boost Your Home’s Appeal
When you search the internet or social media for ways to make your home more appealing, you often come across big home renovations that cost a lot of money. But there are also simple, budget-friendly updates that will do wonders for your home appearance.
New insights from Zillow® and Thumbtack reveal that homeowners can significantly increase buyer interest with affordable, no-demolition home improvements. As the cost of living rises, many homeowners seek cost-effective ways to enhance their properties without extensive renovations. Thumbtack’s data shows these projects typically cost less than $5,000 nationwide, offering an attractive option for homeowners.
Top 10 No-Demo Home Improvement Projects
This analysis combines Thumbtack’s project cost data with Zillow’s insights on home features that drive more daily saves and shares, reflecting high buyer interest. These projects add appeal and have gained popularity over the past year.
1. Window Boxes
Window boxes are rectangular boxes for flowers, plants, or herbs that is installed outside, under your window. These boxes add color, a natural element, and curb appeal to your home.
Homes with a window box can get 48% more saves and 52% more shares per day on Zillow compared to similar homes without this feature.
2. Open Shelving
Most homes that I see on real estate sites nowadays feature open shelving. Open shelving allows homeowners to display meaningful and beautiful objects without introducing bulky furniture. It helps to create a more open and personal home, which appeals to everyone who sees the photos.
Homes with open shelving can get an additional 37% more saves and 45% more shares daily on Zillow.
3. Painted Brick
Brick walls that are painted are more popular with prospective buyers. Unless your home features a unique historic brick feature wall, it’s best to add a layer of paint to boring brickwork.
Homes with painted brick can get 31% more saves and 39% more shares per day on Zillow than similar homes.
4. Vintage Touches and Finishes
Vintage furniture and decor add charm and personality to a home. I don’t often see homes anymore without thrifted and vintage items. Vintage items can be found anywhere: thrift stores, garage sales, or your family’s attic space. You can also add vintage items to add character and historic charm to your home, for example, by installing vintage molding or an old fireplace mantel.
Homes with vintage features not only have charm and character, but they can get 28% more saves and 31% more shares per day on Zillow compared to similar homes.
5. An Outdoor TV
Gardens are becoming a more popular feature in real estate, especially gardens that are designed with an outdoor kitchen, lounge space, and more luxurious features. An outdoor TV is one of the features that home buyers love.
Homes with an outdoor TV can receive 28% more saves and 26% more shares per day than expected on Zillow.
6. A Picket Fence
A white picket fence is a classic feature that buyers never tire of. More than a third of homeowners said their dream yard would have a fenced-in space for pets.
Homes that have one can get 27% more saves and 31% more shares per day on Zillow compared to homes that don’t.
7. A Pergola
More people spend time in their yards, and with the temperatures rising, homeowners want an outdoor space that offers shade. A pergola can be freestanding or attached to a home and creates a shaded outdoor space.
Homes with a pergola can get 20% more saves and 24% more shares per day on Zillow compared to similar homes.
8. A Fire Pit
When you have a garden, you want to spend cozy nights in them filled with s’mores and stargazing. And when you do that, you’ll want a fire pit.
Homes that have one can get 19% more saves and 23% more shares per day on Zillow.
9. Outdoor Sound System
This project can be combined with the desire for an outdoor TV. Home buyers want just as much entertainment outdoors as indoors, so an outdoor sound system is one of the luxury items that people are looking for.
Homes with an outdoor sound system can get 18% more saves and 19% more shares per day on Zillow compared to similar homes.
10. Smart Lighting
According to Thumbtack data, smart-home installations are up 21.8% year over year, and smart lighting is a huge part of this increase. Smart lighting is convenient, but you can also create the perfect atmosphere for any room.
Homes with smart lighting can get 18% more saves and 23% more shares per day on Zillow.
“Low-lift projects can offer a high return by making a home more appealing to buyers,” says Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert. “These features can create a ‘wow’ factor, signaling that a home is modern, well-maintained, or move-in ready, potentially speeding up the sale process and increasing the home’s value.”
Morgan Olsen, Thumbtack’s design expert, adds, “This data reassures homeowners that they don’t need extensive renovations to make a big impact. Small changes, whether DIY or professionally done, can significantly transform a home and increase its appeal to buyers.”