Whether you’re looking to wow potential buyers or simply want to enhance the value of your own home, there are lots of easy and affordable apartment upgrades that can maximize your return on investment. Yet with so many options, it can be difficult to know exactly which kinds of upgrades will be the most impactful. To narrow it down, here are some key areas to consider: lighting, storage, fixtures, and energy efficiency.

Lighten It Up

Image by photobank.ch/Shutterstock

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to lighten up a space is with paint. Apply a fresh coat of a neutral white to make the space look light, clean, and open. Benjamin Moore’s Off-White Colour Collection offers a wide variety of choices, many with calming gray undertones like Pale Oak (OC-20).

To further brighten the space, upgrading lighting fixtures is another simple but very impactful fix. Ditch track lighting (which doesn’t work well for lighting large rooms), and make a statement with a bold pendant lamp over a dining table. Add ambiance with dimmers and wall sconces in the bedroom and kitchen—two places where people spend a lot of time reading and relaxing.

Maximize Square Footage

Image by WorldWide/Shutterstock

In apartments, every square foot counts, especially when it comes to closet and storage space. Consider installing a built-in storage system that takes advantage of floor-to-ceiling height. Add doors to shelves to hide clutter, and install practical hooks in hidden areas like behind doors. If you have a den-to-office conversion, build your furniture in to also maximize filing and storage space on wall space above.

Do a Mini Facelift

Image by Breadmaker/Shutterstock

Complete kitchen and bathroom renovations can be costly. For a less expensive and easy transformation, repaint cabinets. Replacing them can be rather costly but a new paint job can freshen them up.

You can also update your faucets. Explore different finishes and shapes. For example, a brass faucet can be a standout feature in a kitchen with mostly stainless steel appliances. Touch-activated faucets are also a popular choice for their ease of use and cleanliness. When it comes to hardware, long and sleek shapes can modernize a room, while rounded shapes can add some traditional elements.

Embrace Efficiency

Image by scyther5/Shutterstock

Smart home features are becoming increasingly attractive to buyers, particularly ones that make homes run more efficiently. For example, a programmable thermostat is easy to install and an affordable way to cut energy costs. The Nest Learning Thermostat, , which costs less than $300, automatically adapts to the seasons by self-programming itself.

Apartment upgrades can be easy and affordable to accomplish. Focus on key elements like light, storage, fixtures, and efficiency. These types of simple renovations will help make your home more attractive to prospective buyers, and you’ll enjoy a well-earned payoff, too.

These are great, practical upgrades, but there are certain remodelling efforts that aren’t worth it—check out our article on home updates to avoid.

Top image by Kuprynenko Andrii/Shutterstock