Property Expert Laura Hamilton, presenter of A Place in the Sun, has shared her top solutions for freeing up space in your home and boosting kerb-appeal, as well as increasing the value of your property.
Laura said: "I'm no stranger to renovating property, in fact over the last 22 years I've renovated 19 properties, including a commercial unit. So, it's safe to say I've picked up a few top tips along the way.
"It's not surprising, with the cost-of-living crisis affecting so many, that more and more homeowners are investing in home improvements, to add value to their existing properties, rather than taking on the stress and expense of moving. Making use of untapped areas like your loft, which is often one of the largest spaces in your home, is a great way to attract potential buyers who are looking for more usable space - believe me, you can never have too much storage space.
"LoftZone and products like it are smart investments to help you do just this – creating a safe, strong, and secure storage area that means you have an organised and usable space rather than a cluttered and overwhelming dumping ground."
Laura Hamilton has shared her top five ways to add value and boost appeal of your home:
1. Give your home kerb appeal
First impressions are important and tidying up your outside space will automatically increase the kerb appeal of your property. Whether you are seeding a patchy lawn, pruning or planting shrubs, or jet washing walls and patios, giving your outside space a little TLC will add value to your home. Try adding a couple of pots, either side of your front door, to make your home feel more welcoming.
2. Think of your loft as an extra room not a dumping ground
Your loft can often be one of the largest spaces in your house and yet it can very often be neglected and used as a dumping ground that then becomes very overwhelming. To make the most of your loft space you need great access with an easy-to-use loft ladder. You need to ensure the loft is fully insulated to stop precious heat from escaping and to keep your heating bills as low as possible. Once insulated you need to board it out, and this is where LoftZone can help. Boarding out your loft with raised boards prevents your insulation from being squashed, rendering it less effective. Once boarded you can add storage solutions to keep your loft well organised, tidy, and easily accessible.
3. Give your Kitchen a facelift
The kitchen is the heart of the home and these days, more and more time is spent in the Kitchen, as they are often a social space too. Replacing a kitchen can be extremely costly, but you can create a similar effect by giving your existing kitchen a facelift. Painting the cupboard doors and drawer fronts and changing the handles can give your Kitchen a fresh new lease of life, at a fraction of the cost.
4. Freshen up your paintwork
Giving a lick of paint to any room will automatically make your home feel fresher, brighter and cleaner. Try painting the ceiling and the woodwork the same colour as the walls - this will not only save you time, as you won't have to "cut in" but it will give the room a wrapped look, making it feel more homely. Remember if you are painting in readiness to sell your property, stick to neutral tones that won't put off prospective buyers.
5. Make sure your rooms are well dressed
Dressing a room, with carefully selected accessories, can add value to your home by giving it a show home feel. Creating a well-dressed room does not have to be expensive, by carefully choosing your accessories, whether that's cushions, rugs, artwork, mirrors, frames, flowers, candles...the list goes on, you can create a luxurious feel without breaking the bank. Lighting is also key when dressing a room, adding a few well-appointed lamps can change the whole ambience of a room.
