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When we moved into our home, it was perfect for our family at the time. Our son was only 6 months old and hadn’t quite accumulated an obscene amount of stuff like he has at the age of five. Our tiny house seemed like the perfect investment for what we needed, and we had intended on moving in about 5-7 years anyway.

Well, five years later, add another baby plus five years worth of stuff, and it feels like the walls are caving in. We’ve refinanced to a better rate and have conceded to the fact that our family and our tiny house are in this for the long haul.

If you’ve ever felt like the walls are caving in on you in your home, and moving isn’t an option, then you can do what I do: make a list. Mine is a list of projects I want to do to not only update and add a bit more life to my home, but are projects that will add value to it as well.

I’ll share my list with you, and if you have a list feel free to share it with us as well! Here are seven cheap ways you can add value to your home – all for less than $1000 each!

Update the Kitchen

Update Cabinets – $1000

You can give your cabinets a brand new face lift with something as simple as paint and new hardware. The key to making sure your cabinets look great is proper preparation. The cost with updating your cabinets isn’t so much the price of the materials, but with the amount of prep work that takes place. Make sure you clean, sand and prime your cabinetry all before painting with an oil-based or 100 percent acrylic paint.  You can even add personal touches by painting the interior a contrasting color or using beadboard for texture.

Hardware is a great way to add a quick updated look to your cabinets without having to spend a lot of money. You can find great looking handles and knobs at your local hardware store for as low as .50 cents each if you do a little hunting. For inspiration you can visit sites like Better Homes and Gardens or Apartment Therapy.

Replace Sinks and Faucets – $600

Replacing a sink doesn’t require a lot of work. In fact, this is a project you can do yourself in a matter of hours, and is a lot easier than you think. Remember, if you’re seeking long-term savings, look into energy-efficient features that can reduce water usage by at least 30 percent.

Update the Living Room

Paint – $30/can of paint

A fresh coat of paint instantly transforms the look of any room. If you’re looking to sell your house, it’s important to remember that lighter, neutral shades generally make a room feel larger and have the most appeal to home buyers. Most buyers aren’t able to look past bold or bright colors to imagine themselves living in the space.

Most home improvement stores sell sample-size cans of paint, so you can “try it before you buy it” so to speak. And it’s worth it – on average, a nice and clean paint job can earn you a 250 percent return on investment.

Install Crown Molding – $5 per foot

Crown molding, while tricky to install, is one of the nicest additions you can do to update your home without spending a lot of money. It adds depth to a room, giving off the illusion that the ceilings are much taller than they are, and has a wow factor that most people don’t forget. Most of all, it just finishes off a room. I like to think of crown molding like a bow on a present. It’s not necessary, but it sure looks a lot nicer when it’s there.

Replace the Front Door – $150-$500

It makes sense to update and modernize the interior of the home, but what most people forget is that first impressions are the ones that last the longest. The first thing people see when they come up to your home is the front door. Visitors notice unique details like a leaded glass window, or a really cool paint color, while new buyers will notice if it’s an energy-efficient steel door. It makes sense to purchase one with both of those traits because according to Remodeling magazine, homeowners can expect a 129 percent return on investment with a steel door.  And how does that old saying go? “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.”

The Great Outdoors

Landscaping – $300-$500

Before your visitors or potential home buyers even get to the front door, (that you’re going to replace to with a fancy steel one, right?) they see the yard and the landscaping – or lack thereof. Face it. If the outside of your home, the thing that’s out on display for everyone to see, is a big mess, then people are going to assume the same about the inside of your home as well. Basic landscaping can make a major impact. Think color, think perennials and think cheap. You can do a very nice, clean and green exterior without breaking the bank.

Organize the Garage – $1000

The garage is often the catch-all part of your home that you don’t actually consider as part of your home. But you will be surprised at how much more space you can reclaim inside your home if you organize your garage. Seasonal items can have their place in storage, neatly, so you don’t have to store that Easter Bunny banner in the closet anymore!

Many people either go for a slat-wall panel system that uses slats to hold hooks, shelves and baskets. Or they use a pegboard system to hang shelves and hooks for tools plus other home hardware.  Or you can go online and order a  “starter organization kit” that comes with the most commonly used things to help you get started on your garage organization!

Amanda Pallay is a writer for Quicken Loans, an amazing place to work.  Find out more about being a part of our team at Quicken Loans and learn how we Amaze our clients.

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