Improve This, Not That 3 Smart Home Improvement Alternatives

Whether youre considering selling your home or you just need an update for yourself, prioritizing home improvements can be a headache. For home sellers, you need to balance projects that wont break the bank yet still add value to your home and appeal to buyers. Even if you dont plan to sell your home in the near future, its still good to find projects that last and add value to your home.

If youre dreading an upcoming project or if you dont think you can afford it, you might be in luck. Here are three unique ways to approach home improvement projects with a big impact and low cost.

The Kitchen Paint and a Backsplash Instead of New Cabinets

New kitchen cabinets are a great way to completely redo the feel of your kitchen. They can add storage, maximize space, and even be matched up with an overlay refrigerator. Unfortunately, most kitchen remodels offer a bad return on investment (ROI), not to mention the logistics of tearing up your entire kitchen for an extended period of time no one likes washing dishes in the bathtub.

Instead, consider simply repainting the kitchen or cabinets themselves a new lighter finish is trendy and can brighten the entire room with a modern look. Not enough? Installing a tile backsplash only costs around $1,000 and can add an attractive accent.

While youre at it: Update outlets with USB ports and new wall plates buyers will love it if they can charge their iPad while watching a cooking tutorial.

The Yard Xeriscape Instead of Fixing the Lawn

A lush green lawn is not only great for curb appeal and home value, but also for anyone who enjoys spending barefoot time in their yard. But is that fight still worth fighting? With many parts of the country facing drought and coming off the hottest summer on record, the battle to keep your lawn green may be one to concede.

Instead, look into xeriscaping not to be confused with zero-scaping, which features very few plants. Xeriscaping is garde ning with a focus on reducing water waste with plants and landscaping that relies solely on natural water sources. As a result, xeriscaped plants are slow growing and require little maintenance.

A recent study found that last year, more than a quarter of homeowners moved to reduce the size of their lawns. Low maintenance yards that save on your water bill are a win-win, especially when it saves you the pain of replanting sod or trying to get fickle grass seed to take. Whats more, with so many former renters entering the real estate market, a low maintenance yard will definitely be a selling point.

While youre at it: If youre tired of maintaining a flower or vegetable garden, dont just leave a pile of dirt. Plant a few native shrubs, add a cool rock, and spread out some bark dust to spruce things up.

The Bathroom Paint and Update Fixtures Instead of Remodeling

Bathroom remodels have some of the worst ROIs of any home [...]

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