Your guide to DIY reno projects to sell this spring!
Your guide to DIY reno projects to sell this spring!
Between the home reno shows, the dedicated Instagram accounts, and the abundance of TikTok hacks, home reno fever is real – and for good reason. Whether you're staying put in your home or prepping to sell, small and affordable DIY updates can increase your home's value, ramp up its appeal, and boost comfort too. With spring incoming, it’s the perfect time to get stuck in with 11 of our favourite ideas to elevate your home – both inside and out. Ready to roll up your sleeves?
Between the flurry of home reno shows, Instagram accounts dedicated to DIY home styling, and Pinterest boards aplenty, a spot of home DIY has become increasingly ingrained in our DNA – and for good reason. Renovating our homes has the ability not only to shape them to suit our lifestyles better, but also to add value and increase appeal for a future sale. Whether it’s updating a tired kitchen, opening up a living space, or creating a more energy-efficient layout, in a competitive market, first impressions count and getting on the tools can be a smart financial move. Spring is the perfect time to tackle these projects – we’ve got longer daylight hours, milder weather and builders and tradies are often more available than during the summer rush. Plus, with the property market traditionally heating up in spring, if you’re planning to sell in the upcoming months, now’s the time to get things underway. Not sure where to focus your efforts? These 11 key areas of your home – inside and out – are the smartest places to invest your time and money based on spring real estate trends:
1. Start at the front
Front door and entryway looking a bit drab? First impressions and curb appeal truly matter. Whether you're planning to sell or not, it’s easy to make yours a warm welcome with a few simple and cost-effective fixes. Give your front door a lick of fresh paint, replace that worn-out old doormat, sweep away any cobwebs, and add some potted colour or lush greenery to brighten up the entrance.
2. Fresh paint = fresh feel
If your home’s still rocking buttery yellow interior walls reminiscent of the 90s or some outdated feature walls, a simple sweep of neutral paint will instantly modernise, freshen, and brighten the space. It’s relatively simple to DIY interior painting with the right tools and advice, or call in the pros if that’s not your thing. If you’re stuck on colours, the Dulux Colour Forecast 2025 will set you on the right track.
3. Refresh your kitchen
It’s widely suggested that a quality kitchen can add between 5% and 15% to the value of your home, but that doesn’t mean you need to rip everything out and start from scratch. It can be as simple as swapping out old handles, upgrading your pantry or giving your old cabinetry a fresh coat of paint. You’ll find plenty of simple ideas to refresh your kitchen on Instagram and TikTok, alongside lots of fun DIY projects like this IKEA unit transformed into a kitchen island. If you’re looking for a bigger change and want to visualise it first, get app-y and explore 8 of the best kitchen design apps.
4. Bathrooms bliss
Coming in a close second to kitchens, bathrooms leave a lasting impression on potential buyers and will also boost your enjoyment of your home. Start by giving yours a good clean, then move on to easy, cost-effective tweaks like re-grouting, replacing fixtures, investing in a new, more modern mirror and adding the luxe factor with plush new towels, some indoor plants and on-trend, inexpensive accessories. If budget allows, invest in some more serious upgrades that’ll turn up the wow factor.
5. Clever, clutter-free storage
From stacks of USB charges cluttering the benchtop to overflowing wardrobes and homeless cleaning supplies, it’s time to transform your home into a clutter-free haven where everything has a (tidy) place. Sometimes, it’s as simple as installing hooks in key areas like laundries, wardrobes or by the front door, picking up some modular shelving from your local Bunnings, popping up some floating shelves, or buying some affordable storage baskets. These days, there is literally a storage solution for every area of your home.
6. Light up your life (and save $$)
Old-fashioned, outdated lighting can make your home feel much older than it really is. It’s simple to upgrade to modern lighting – whether that’s switching out bulbs or installing new fixtures – and you’ll benefit from mood-boosting, warm LED lighting and wallet-friendly energy usage.
7. Reawaken tired floors
Aside from interior painting, your flooring sets the tone for your entire home. If yours is looking worse for wear, form a plan of attack based on what is needed and what you can afford. This could be as simple as hiring a DIY carpet cleaning machine from your local hardware store or Woolworths, investing in some decorative rugs to cover up any flooring sins, or, for something a bit more involved, you could look at re-finishing wooden floors or laying new floating floorboards. Fresh flooring can add tangible value to your home.
8. Go all in on year-round outdoor living
A simple covered deck or patio can transform your home by extending your usable living space – and is particularly valuable if your home is tight on indoor space. Whether you’re up for some DIY decking, embarking on a cosy fire pit project, or picking up some new outdoor furniture, outdoor spaces to relax or entertain in are a huge drawcard for buyers and rank highly in terms of personal enjoyment too!
9. Get efficient with weekend-friendly upgrade
Cosy, cost-efficient, and energy-smart homes rank highly on buyers' wish lists and offer plenty of benefits for homeowners as well. Get started this weekend by sealing gaps around doors and windows, adding DIY insulation, installing cheats double glazing, and putting appliances like heaters and heated towel rails on timers. Whether you opt for these easy upgrades or are keen to invest more in your home's energy efficiency, whatever you do will make your home more comfortable, cut your power bills and boost its appeal among potential buyers.
10. Smart home, smart move
Renovating with smart additions in mind not only adds value but also sets your home up for the future. Smart home technology, like thermostats, automated lighting and voice-controlled assistants, makes life easier, saves money, and shows that your home is up to date with the latest tech. You don’t need to go all in either – start with a few clever additions like smart plugs that let you turn any appliance into one that’s connected to your Wi-Fi.
11. Get dressed
Whether you're selling or staying, dressing your home with some styling updates adds warmth, creates an emotional connection, and provides the perfect finishing touch. Place your focus on cosy and affordable additions, like cushions and throws in on-trend hues, maximalism-inspired rugs, atmospheric lighting and some scented candles to amp up the ambience. If you’re preparing your home for sale, DIY staging is all about creating an inviting atmosphere that will help your potential buyer imagine themselves living there – so switch the family portraits for some trending prints.
Visualise before you materialise
Keen to visualise your next DIY project before you hit the hardware store? We’ve rounded up 4 of the best AI-powered tools fit for the job:
· RoomGPT
Upload a photo of your room, and RoomGPT allows you to instantly see AI-generated redesigns in various styles, like Scandinavian, modern, or farmhouse. Great for visual inspiration, and a free tier version is also available.
· IKEA Kreativ
This free tool from IKEA allows you to take a photo of your room and use AI to remove your existing furniture, enabling you to test out new IKEA products in the space. Super handy if you’re redecorating.
· Planter (iOS & Android)
Perfect for veggie gardens, Planter (available on iOS and Android) helps you design your garden based on your region and season. You can even drag and drop plants into raised beds or garden plots to see how they look.
· Pinterest Lens
Using the Pinterest app on your phone, snap a photo and find DIY ideas, how-to’s or real products that match what you’re looking at. Perfect for recreating an interior look you’ll love.
Turn vision into value
In today’s market, property value means more than just price. For some, it’s about lifestyle; for others, it’s about connection to the local community or potential for future growth. Beyond this top-tier checklist, buyers are drawn to homes that feel personal yet practical, and fortunately, a spot of DIY is an easy and affordable way to achieve this. Whether you’re renovating to stay or preparing to sell, the outcome’s the same – small upgrades will make a big impact for both you or a future buyer.
Ready to take the next step? Download our Sellers Guide for expert advice on how to achieve the best real estate sales outcomes, or contact your local First National Real Estate team to start your property journey with confidence.
The following advice is of a general nature only and intended as a broad guide. The advice should not be regarded as legal, financial, or real estate advice. You should make your own inquiries and obtain independent professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making any legal, financial, or real estate decisions. Click here for full Terms of Use.