The decision to spruce up your home is not usually one taken lightly, given the cost and time that go into projects.
However, property development experts from Essential Living have pointed out that not all home improvements actually add value in the long run.
The number one thing to avoid - and something that could actually decrease the value of your house - is covering up the property's original character.
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Going over or replacing period features in a bid to make it more modern could be detrimental.
Instead, it is best to invest the money to maintain or restore the original characteristics of the home. The experts said this is more likely to attract interest from prospective homebuyers.
Surprisingly, something as useful as a kitchen upgrade may not be worth it either. The experts said: "For most people, the kitchen is the heart of the home, but fitting a brand spanking new kitchen isn’t necessarily a sensible financial decision.
"First, know that the next tenant or homeowner may not actually like the new design you choose - especially if it involves bold colours or a trending style.
"Instead, they may take one look and plan to redo it all over again as soon as they move in. Rather than installing a new kitchen, it’s a lot safer (and cheaper) to refresh the space with a lick of paint."
Other design choices like expensive wallpaper or turning a bedroom into a dressing room could knock money off. Getting rid of a bath in favour of a shower was also listed as a "common" mistake.
Lavish touches like cinema rooms could also be a bad idea. The experts said: "With home cinemas, the average cost of installing one is priced at £27,500 and adds only £2,000 onto the overall value of the property, which is a significant loss."
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