How to increase the value of your home in one weekend

Increasing the value of your property pre-sale doesn’t have to require a team of professionals. 

Just one weekend dedicated to cleaning, refreshing, tidying and upgrading can put you in great stead for sales success.

We asked the experts to reveal the best value-adding DIY projects to suit a short time frame and shoestring budget. 

Refresh an old paint job

There is no easier way to boost a property’s value than a new paint job, which can range from a one-room refresh, to an extensive repaint of the entire home. 

For homeowners low on budget and time, focus on painting the main living areas with Dulux’s Wash&Wear to disguise mismatched old paint, cracks and imperfections. 

“It’s great for interiors, especially in the matt finish. Even if the colours don’t entirely match, you can get away with it,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, colour planning and communications manager at Dulux Australia.

In terms of colour, white remains popular for appealing to a broad base of buyers.

If painting an older property, opt for warmer whites such as Dulux Natural White or Antique White U.S.A ® Contemporary homes are more suited to cooler whites, with a grey or beige base, such as Dulux Lexicon ® or White on White.

Create a feature wall

Painting a feature wall can be a valuable method for creating a point of difference on a minimal timeframe. This might be a dark single shade in the main bedroom or a bold dual-colour wall. 

“Feature walls, nooks and colour-blocking with tape are all ways to add interest,” says Lucena-Orr. 

When selecting colours for a feature wall, look for shades that will complement the room’s existing furniture and décor items. 

“Try using colours to highlight an artwork, a piece of furniture, or tie into the bed linen,” Lucena-Orr says.

Photo: Lisa Cohen, Styling: Bree Leech and Heather Nette King, Campaign: Dulux

Tidy the exterior

If there is one area of the home you should focus on before a sale, it’s the exterior.

While some homes will benefit from an entire façade repaint, updating this area can be achieved in a few quick jobs. 

Start by removing any cobwebs, cleaning the walls and filling in visible cracks. For added aesthetic appeal, paint some pots and place them near the front door, or spray paint a bench seat for the front porch. 

Painting the front door a colour such as cobalt or teal blue is another powerful tool for creating colour memories and attracting interest.

“A teal door will help buyers remember the house. Even if buyers don’t like it, it’s quick and easy for them to change,” Lucena-Orr says.

Install storage shelves

Installing open shelves in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry and study is a simple way to integrate more storage into a property, which never goes unappreciated. 

“Installing hooks, rails or racks to your doors will spruce things up without being too dramatic or involve any structural changes,” says Bunnings category manager – decorator, Sharyn Petrzela.

“Pull-out baskets and base-mount slide-out baskets are also a great way to add storage and can be installed in a day.”

Photo: Dulux

Outsource odd jobs

Selling a home is stressful and time consuming. If budget allows, don’t be afraid to outsource tasks where you can. 

Websites such as Airtasker make it affordable to hire individuals for even the smallest household jobs, from removing weeds, to assembling furniture, collecting hard rubbish and hanging pictures. 

You might just want someone to focus on cleaning those detailed areas of the home such as the skirting boards, architraves, light fittings and door handles. 

Add the finishing touches

If you can’t afford a professional property stylist to decorate your home pre-sale, try these expert tips.

“As a stylist, I think having decorative items (vases, candle holders and similar) that have a colour theme and style that is carried through the house gives a sense of flow that makes a house feel like a whole, instead of a series of different rooms,” says Sophie Kost, director and lead designer of My Beautiful Abode.

Even small updates like replacing the feather inserts in your couch cushions can have a big impact on the feeling of a home.

Remember to declutter surfaces and remove personal possessions in this process, as this allows buyers to better imagine themselves in the space.

Photo: Brooke Holm, Styling: Marsha Golemac, Project: Flack Studio