Whether you’re looking to sell your home right away or simply thinking about the future, increasing the value of your home is never a bad idea.

Getting top dollar for your home doesn’t have to break the bank—learn to improve the value of your home with these 10 budget-friendly tips:

1. Paint

A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to aesthetically update any space. Freshly painted walls make the space feel clean, updated, and inviting. When choosing a color palate, keep in mind that neutral colors appeal to the greatest number of people and will make your home more desirable. The right colors in your home can work a lot of magic—gray and blue shades, for example, can trick the eye into thinking a room is larger than it actually is.

2. Find inspiration to decorate

Houses shave more perceived value when they look better, so don’t be afraid to decorate. You don’t necessarily need to hire a professional to redesign your space—flip through design magazines, TV shows, or websites like Pinterest to find inspiration of color schemes and designs you like. If you’re on a budget, simple DIY are best and can look just as good—or better—than more expensive routes.

3. Create space

Space sells. But even if you can’t bust out walls for an open floor plan, or build an addition, there are still ways to create more space without breaking the laws of physics. Organization is key—nothing turns away buyers quite like clutter. If room size is a problem, ditch the oversized furniture and try a more minimalist approach. Even if you’ve outgrown your space, you need to give the appearance that your house has space for others to grow.

4. Clean, Clean, Clean

For most people, dust and spider webs are not an “added bonus” when buying a house. Even if you clean regularly, there are bound to be places that you missed or smells you’ve gone “nose blind” to—things people scrutinizing your home will notice. Whether you need to hire a professional cleaning service, or turn yourself into Cinderella, get cleaning. Homes that look well cared for are easier to sell.

5. Opt for energy efficiency

Cutting money from your monthly energy bills saves you money now, and can be a great selling point for potential buyers. High-efficient lightbulbs last a long time, so you wouldn’t have to worry about changing them for a long time, and neither would potential buyers. Replacing old fixtures, like noisy, wobbly ceiling fans or your ancient green toilet makes your home both enjoyable and cost effective—which is a beautiful thing.

6. Scrap the textured ceilings

If your home has popcorn ceilings, it’s not doing you any favors. Really, nothing dates a home quite like textured ceilings. Luckily, bringing your rooms out of the past is a doable weekend project (just make sure your ceilings don’t contain asbestos, first). All you need is a solution to soften the texture and scrape away.

7. Curb appeal

Updating the inside of the house is important, but the outside needs to look good, too, to encourage people to go inside. Add curb appeal to your home by cutting grass, pulling weeds, and trimming bushes/trees if necessary. Add some color with low maintenance landscaping: choose plants native to your region and/or drought-tolerant plants for less hassle.

8. Small bathroom updates are big

Updating bathrooms yields a big return. The best part is you don’t even need a complete remodel to make a difference. Simple changes like replacing outdated wallpaper, leaky faucets, and a modern showerhead can go a long way. Updating old plumbing, replacing an outdated vanity, or adding a new tile floor will go even further.

9. All Kitchen updates add value

To maximize your home’s value, kitchens are key. You don’t have to completely tear out your old kitchen, either. As with all updates, start small and make them one at a time, if you need. Update outdated appliances one at a time, replace the countertop with something that adds value, like granite, or take out that linoleum floor for a nice tile or hardwood.

10. Keep up with regular maintenance and repairs

Keeping up with all the little things that are broken or in need of repair is easier than tackling all the projects at once. While small repairs might not seem like a big deal, they all add up—and can give potential buyers the wrong impression. Show that your home has been loved, not neglected—and someone will fall in love with it, too.

Bonus Tip

Contact your Realtor for advice on where to best invest your time, money, and efforts