10 Ways Your Tax Refund Can Add Value to Your Home

Instead of spending your income tax refund on a vacation or personal items, consider investing it back into your home. Investing in home repair is putting your tax return to good use in a number of ways including adding long-term value to your home. In addition to deriving more enjoyment from your home, you may save money in the end, depending on what types of repairs or upgrades you make.

There are countless ways to improve on a house to keep it in good shape – getting new drainpipes, a new roof, painting the interior and exterior of the home, or simply replacing old furniture.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Replace bathroom fixtures with energy and water-efficient models.
Switch out existing shower heads and toilets with those that use less water. Water-conserving toilets (such as dual-flush models) have a better functionality in comparison to traditional toilets and are more cost-effective.

Change your windows.
Give your exterior and interior a more modern look by replacing your windows. Choosing the right replacement windows will not only make your home more aesthetically pleasing but will also assist in energy conservation, saving you money on heating and cooling costs.

Upgrade your kitchen.
Since the kitchen is the one of most utilized rooms in the home, consider investing in a few key upgrades. Explore kitchen design ideas using Home Depot’s Kitchen Visualizer and work with a professional designer to select new countertops and cabinets, which will enhance the look of your kitchen.

Refresh a room with paint.
The paint on walls can become dull over time, making your home look dark and old. Lighten up a specific room – or your entire living space – with a new coat of paint, and experiment with new colors to give your home a fresh look.

Add a fireplace.
Not only does a fireplace enhance the overall look of your home, it’s an addition that adds charm and comfort to your living space.  Whether you opt for a small gas fireplace or a larger traditional one, adding a fireplace contributes to the resale value of your home.

Update your bathroom.
Simple changes to your bathroom can make a big difference. Much like the kitchen, the bathroom is a high traffic area that endures a lot of wear and tear. Changing the flooring and a new coat of paint can give your bathroom a whole new look. For a more comprehensive upgrade, replace your bathroom sink with a vanity. Vanities are available in various styles and designs and will provide extra storage space as well as enhance the overall look of your bathroom.

Build an outdoor living space.
Adding an outdoor deck or patio area to your home provides many benefits. It’s a great place to entertain family and friends and also adds to your home’s overall value. If you already have a deck, consider refurbishing or adding on to it.

Renovate your garage.
The garage is the one place that often goes unchanged and can easily become over-cluttered. Adding storage cabinets or resurfacing the floor can dramatically change the appearance of your garage. Replacing an older garage door with a new one will also enhance the exterior of your home.

Upgrade your landscaping.
The outside of your home should definitely be part of your home improvement goals. Smaller outdoor projects include planting flowers or creating a garden. You can also make major adjustments like repaving your sidewalk or driveway and adding new fencing.

Visit homedepot.com for more great home improvement ideas and explore great savings on everything you need for your home upgrades, big or small.