A long weekend is the perfect opportunity to tackle those home improvement projects you’ve been putting off. With a little planning, you can transform your space and boost your home’s value – all without having to tap into those valuable leave days.
READ: How to determine the true market value of your home
According to Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, regular home maintenance not only keeps your property in top condition but also protects its resale value in the long run. “Buyers are more likely to invest in a well-maintained home, as it signals fewer future repair costs and a home that has been cared for,” he states.
For those who haven’t managed to book a weekend away yet, RE/MAX of Southern Africa shares some practical household projects for homeowners to consider for the upcoming long weekend.
Garage Clean-out
Dedicate a day to sorting through the garage, closets, kitchen cabinets, and any other storage areas in and around the home. Donate items you no longer need and invest in storage solutions like baskets or shelving to keep everything tidy. A clutter-free home feels more spacious and inviting – the key is to stay on top of it so that you don’t get buried under the chaos of life without realising it.
Tinker in the Garden
If you have a garden, patio, or balcony, use the long weekend to enhance your outdoor area. Consider planting flowers, painting outdoor furniture, installing lighting, or setting up a cosy seating area. With the rise in sectional title living, garden space is an incredibly valuable asset. Investing some time and effort into making it as appealing as possible will almost always generate a good return.
Maintenance Checks
A long weekend is an excellent time to inspect your home for minor repairs. Check for leaky taps, loose hinges, cracked grout, or areas needing caulking. Addressing these small fixes can prevent bigger issues down the line.
DIY Renovations
Small updates can make a big difference – and can be an affordable and impactful project that can easily be completed over a weekend. For example, swapping out old cabinet handles, doorknobs, light fixtures, or even faucets can modernize your home with minimal effort. Even just a fresh coat of paint can make a room feel brand new.
By setting aside time for these household projects, you’ll make your home more functional and visually appealing, all while making good use of your long weekend.
“If you are unsure which parts of your home need attention first, contact your local RE/MAX agent and ask for some free advice. Aware of comparable sales in your area, real estate agents can advise which projects have the potential to generate the highest possible returns,” Goslett says.
READ: 5 improvements to consider to maximise the value of your investment property
Here is a look back at David Jacobs, Gauteng Regional Manager for the Rawson Property Group, favourite DIY home improvement ideas:
Kitchen facelifts
Kitchens are renowned for their impact on the value of a home, and clever updates in this area can give a lot of bang for your buck. Concentrate on external surfaces like countertops and cabinet doors, which are easy to refurbish without professional help.
Cabinet doors
Modern buyers definitely prefer light and bright kitchens and repainting old, dark cabinets a lighter or more modern colour can really open up a space.
Solid wood cupboard doors can be sanded down using a palm sander before painting, while melamine cabinets need to be primed with a special primer before they’ll be ready to paint. Remember to remove the doors from the cabinets and take off all the handles and hinges before sanding and painting. Use a foam roller with a water-based enamel paint for the smoothest and long-lasting finish.
Countertops
Great countertops make a big difference to both a kitchen’s appearance and the cooking experience. Granite, Caesarstone and marble counters are always crowd favourites, but they do cost a fair bit and need to be installed by professionals. Timber and Formica are much more approachable and affordable for the DIY family, and can be just as attractive if they’re chosen and installed well.
When selecting a Formica finish, Jacobs recommends avoiding dated options like faux granite or marble.
Modern wood grains and minimalist textures give the best results. A square edge profile rather than the traditional quarter-round also adds a more contemporary flavour.
For the more adventurous DIYer, there are also options like casting your own concrete countertops. Just keep in mind the general style of your home, and make sure your countertop choice enhances its surroundings.
Your garage
Garages may not seem like the most important part of a home, but Jacobs says homeowners can add a lot of value to their property by turning them into more functional spaces.
Garages are often underutilised. They’re ideal spaces for adding extra storage - something that is very important to a lot of buyers, and can often accommodate a mini workbench or laundry area with a little planning.
While adding a laundry corner to your garage would require a plumber, storage is an easy weekend DIY for the handyperson in your home.
You can buy ready-made cupboards and shelves from your local hardware store, but budget-conscious DIYers can also try second-hand websites to find old kitchen cabinets to mount along their garage walls.
For those with less available space, hanging storage may be a better option. Try pegboard walls with hooks for holding everything from bicycles to lawnmowers and secateurs.
Update outdoors
Garden spaces are still very popular with buyers, but a bigger emphasis is being put on ease of maintenance.
Water-hungry lawns and labour intensive plant beds are falling out of favour, but outdoor entertainment areas are in high demand. Homeowners with a flair for DIY could do well to combine these two trends by adding paved or gravel sections to their garden, and possibly a pergola or a built-in braai.
While paving may be hard work, it is DIY-friendly, as is the basic brickwork required for a simple braai. Construction plans for braais and timber pergolas can be found online, and all supplies are available at your local hardware store.
Remember, low-maintenance doesn’t mean bare of all greenery and life - try to at least keep a border of plants or creepers, and definitely preserve any mature trees.
Restyle your bathroom
Bathrooms may be tricky to totally revamp as a DIYer, but small updates can make a big difference here. Try a fresh coat of paint on your walls and ceilings and replace old-school towel rails and accessories with more modern versions. You can also refinish your bathroom cabinets, or replace your vanity entirely. Adding a few stylish mirrors or display shelves can be a great idea as well.
Retiling makes a huge difference, but it’s a pretty big DIY. If you’re not up for a project of that scale, you could consider refinishing your existing tiles using the specially formulated tile paints that are now available.
If you do decide to paint your tiles, just remember to follow the instructions very closely. For the best finish, avoid areas like shower enclosures that get wet on a regular basis.
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