12 ways to increase the value of your home in a weekend

The value of your home is a meaningless number unless you are trying to sell it. Well-presented and staged homes often sell much faster and can achieve up to 8% more than the competition. Furthermore, according to recent market analysis from Zoopla, 2026 began with an eight-year high in housing supply. This has resulted in increased buyer choice, meaning your property needs to work harder to stand out.

So, if you are looking to get the best price possible for your house, what can you do in a single weekend to boost the chances of doing so?

With over 30 years of experience in the residential property market, I can tell you for a fact that there are simple ways to increase the value of your home. And the good news is that it's not all about DIY.

1 - Don't add a room, create a room

When potential buyers look for a house, they are trying to maximise value for their money and get as much house as possible for their budget.

We all want more space in our homes, so use this to your advantage. Instead of waiting until you can afford an extension, why not create an extra room? If you have an unused space on the landing or under the staircase, add seating or a desk to create a functional 'extra room'. With hybrid working now a permanent fixture for millions of UK workers, research by Rightmove indicates that properties highlighting a dedicated study or home office space attract significantly more buyer interest.

To avoid clutter, think practically and ensure any furniture fits well with the ambience of the selected space.

2 - Switch on to lighting

If you want to make your house look great, you need to get your lighting sorted out.

Don't just rely on a standard pendant light hanging from the ceiling; try using spotlights, uplights, and dimmer switches to add that extra touch of luxury to your home, instantly boosting its perceived value for any buyer.

Simply placing uplights behind a small corner table, a chair, or even the TV will dramatically change the atmosphere of the room. Check out lighting supplier websites for some innovative ideas for your home.

3 - Dig for gold in the garden

Keeping your garden tidy is a must if you want to add value to your home. Research by The AA indicates that well-maintained, landscaped gardens can increase a property’s market value, with optimised spaces potentially adding up to 16% to the total property valuation.

Whether it is summer or winter, there will always be jobs you can do that can help make a difference. After you have done all the back-breaking jobs you can, start turning your garden into an extra outdoor room. Create seating and dining areas to give the perception of space. Decorate these areas with potted plants, grouping them together to create a relaxing and interesting space. Add lighting and running water to your garden to add that final 'wow' factor.

You can buy small fountains with built-in lights for even the smallest space, or opt for solar lights if you lack access to external power.

4 - Get creative with your kitchen

Take a critical look at your kitchen and view it from a prospective buyer's viewpoint.

Is it cluttered with appliances, or are the cabinets looking tired? To immediately improve the space, hide away any appliances that you don't use daily. Store them in a plastic box in a cupboard or under the stairs so you can still retrieve them easily.

If your cabinets look dated, consider painting them in a vibrant colour instead of replacing them. Remember, you are selling the dream of dinner parties and social status, not just a house.

5 - Create a sense of demand

House prices adhere to the basic rules of supply and demand. So be smart, and boost the perceived demand by speaking to your agent to arrange an open house or block viewings. Estate agents use this highly effective strategy all the time. Interested buyers will be inclined to make a higher offer to outdo the competition, perceived or otherwise, helping you sell your house for tens of thousands of pounds more.

6 - Do your reconnaissance

Give your agent a call and ask for background details on your prospective buyers before they visit your property. You can then showcase your home while emphasising the elements that will appeal to each buyer. No two viewings should be the same, because no two buyers are the same.

7 - Learn to sell

The truth is you know your home better than anyone else and are best positioned to sell it, so make sure you conduct all the viewings.

Now learn the following default viewing technique, which you can adapt as needed:

• Welcome your guests: Offer them a set of details and explain that you will take them through the house showing each room in turn.
• Set the ground rules: Let them know that after the tour, they will be free to look around on their own, and you will be available to answer questions at the end.
• Start with the lounge: This is the main living space and a key selling point.
• Move to the kitchen: This is the second most important room for most buyers.
• Finish the ground floor: Move through the remaining downstairs rooms, starting with the largest and finishing with the cloakroom, if you have one.
• Head upstairs: Show all the bedrooms, starting with the main bedroom, and finishing with the bathroom/s.
• End outside: Conclude the guided portion of the tour in the garden and any outbuildings.

8 - Storage, storage, storage

Every home needs storage space - the more, the merrier. Check out furniture websites for some innovative storage ideas; it's worth spending a small amount of money to maximise these areas in your home. Tidy up your existing cupboards and you will be surprised by how much space you already have. The more clean lines viewers can see, the greater their perception of space and therefore the value for money they are getting. The better the value, the more likely they are to put in a higher offer.

9 - Don't decorate, declutter

Over the years we collect items to decorate our homes - an ornament here or a picture there. You love all these items, but sometimes we don't take a step back to cast a critical eye over each room. Maybe it's time to remove some of these items to give your rooms a fresh look and create a feeling of space. You don't need to throw these items away; you can just store them in your loft until you move.

10 - Buy some rugs

If you feel your carpets are looking tired, then instead of replacing them, just buy some good-quality rugs. Adding a rug to a room will give a feeling of warmth, hide imperfections and can add a modern twist that lifts the whole room.

11 - It's curtains!

Curtains and blinds can transform a room with little effort. If you shop wisely, you can find competitively priced options that can be easily installed in a couple of hours. Choose heavier curtains in living areas to provide a more luxurious look and lighter curtains in darker rooms to let in more light.

12 - Engage the senses

A bad odour in your home can put off prospective buyers, with research showing that smells like cigarette smoke, damp, and pet odours are primary turn-offs. You must, therefore, proactively ensure your property smells fresh. Candles, plug-ins and incense sticks are readily available to fill your home with seasonal aromas and provide a more luxurious and inviting feel.

Further reading

• How to get the full asking price for your property
• 6 mistakes people make when trying to sell their property
• 5 reasons your house is not selling (and what to do about it)