Upgrade Your Home for as Little as $1,000

By Sally Deneen

Are you looking for simple solutions to make your home more appealing to buyers? Or are you trying to make your home more comfortable? If so, you can boost your home's appeal with a shoestring budget of $1,000, or make even more improvements for up to $5,000.

For $1,000, add a wall of built-in bookshelves, advises stylist and designer Lindsay Jackman.

"Take them floor-to-ceiling on an empty wall in your living space, dining room, or even hallway," she suggests, adding that "few things say charm and character like built-ins."

If your rooms are small, you could create an open floor plan for about $3,000 by hiring a contractor to take down a wall to create a larger open space.

"Much new home construction today makes use of an open floor plan," Jackman notes. "A home where one room flows into the next is convenient for everyday family life, and is also a huge advantage when entertaining guests."

For $5,000, you might install a custom tiled shower in the bathroom — or instead upgrade your kitchen with custom cabinets that work for you and maximize storage, Jackman suggests.

"Features like built-in wine racks and spice storage are options that will really put the 'custom' in your new cabinets," Jackman says.

Consumer Reports advises that sprucing up the kitchen for $300 to $5,000 can bring a return of 3 to 7 percent when it comes time to sell your place. For example, new countertops and floors may cost a couple thousand dollars, "especially if you go for DIY-friendly laminate and vinyl."

In the end, Jackman says that whether you want to make your home more comfortable for yourself or to entice a buyer, "small updates can be a win-win."

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