Interiors experts reveal 7 cheap & easy Twixmas improvements that’ll boost your property value

TWIXMAS is the perfect time to give your home some much needed TLC.

So we asked four top interiors experts to share cheap and easy home improvements you can do in the downtime between Christmas and New Year – and they could add £133,000 onto your property’s value.

According to housing experts, January is the best time to get your house on the market.

Paula Higgins, chief executive of campaign group the HomeOwners Alliance told The Sun: “Many homeowners make selling a property their new year’s resolution as they seek a fresh start.

“January is also a good time for parents to move into a catchment area so they can be ready to apply for schools.

“There is also demand from the end of the year as many sellers avoid listing their homes from the end of October to December during the darker and quieter winter months.”

RightMove reported that there were 218 million visits to its site and apps last January.

And according to the experts, simple home improvements such as adding tiling to your kitchen splashback or updating your paint colours could add thousands onto the asking price.

Rachal Hutcheson, the National Retail & Direct Manager at Sharps, told us: “Quick and cheap home improvements can make a big and immediate difference in boosting a property’s appeal and value. 

“Simple upgrades can be instrumental in creating a more inviting look without breaking the bank.” 

Here are seven low-effort, price-friendly tweaks you can do to your house in Twixmas.

Keep kitchen colours neutral: adds up to £2,000, costs from £7.49

Looeeze Grossman, the founder and CEO of The Used Kitchen Company, told us that adding value to your home starts in the kitchen.

And not only should you paint the walls, but your cupboards too.

Looeeze said: “A neutral colour palette adds value as it will appeal to most people’s taste and will rarely go out of style. 

“Bright colours or extravagant colour palettes can put buyers off as it means they’ll have to change the entire kitchen if it’s not to their taste. 

“A neutral palette such as whites, soft grey and muted tones can be adjusted to suit the buyer’s taste much more easily than a brash or bold colour.

“People often have these neutral colours sitting under the sink already, and a DIY painting job can be done over a weekend.”  

If you’re on a budget, you’ll be pleased to see Wall & Ceiling paint from B&Q’s GoodHome range for just £12.

You’ll also find a range of Cupboard and Furniture Paints from The Range, from only £7.49.

Potential value added: According to Looeeze, if you buy your paint on a budget and change your walls and cupboards to a unique colour, you could look at adding between £1,000 to £2,000 to the value of your home.

Prioritise built-in storage: adds up to £1,000, costs from 50p

Another simple way you can increase the value of your home is all to do with your kitchen storage.

Looeeze added: “People want to keep their kitchen spaces clean and clutter-free, but to do this, you need to think carefully about the placement of your drawers and cupboards. 

“Hidden storage, built-in draws, built-in spice racks, and even a larder will all help to keep the clutter off the worksurfaces. 

“This also helps buyers to visualise the space without the distraction of appliances or utensils around the kitchen. 

“Take advantage of the Christmas break and add stackable baskets or clear plastic containers for cupboards and use over-the-door racks for pan lids, spices or cleaning products.”

If your purse is feeling emptier than ever before, you’ll find cheap storage solutions from B&M, with storage jars currently on sale for just 50p.

Not only this, there’s also plenty of containers with stylish bamboo lids that’ll cost you just £2 each, ensuring you’re able to upgrade your kitchen storage without having to break the bank.

And while you’re at it, according to Looeeze, it’s important that you finally throw away that out of date spice kit you never use, as well as the sauces you were gifted and still haven’t opened from five Christmas’ ago.

Potential value added: As per Looeeze’s expert advice, if you’ve already got the storage solutions at home, you could be looking at a £1,000 increase on your home’s value, while if you need to go out and buy such items, you could be looking at anything from a £500 increase.

Invest in smart, energy-efficient appliances: adds up to £5,000, costs from £99.99

While you might be strapped for cash after splashing out on Christmas presents, if you’ve got any spare savings knocking about, it’s now time to nab the newest smart appliances.

Looeeze shared the importance of buying cohesive, built-in, A-graded appliances and explained: “Investing in the latest energy-efficient appliances is a great asset when trying to sell or rent your home, as appliances are often the most expensive items to purchase when it comes to a new kitchen. 

“This also saves the buyer or renter from having to invest in these (if they’re included in the sale). 

“One of the best ways to do it is by purchasing ex-display showroom appliances, which are often top of the line and can be bought for 70% off RRP.

“Making green improvements that raise your EPC rating has also been linked to a 16% uplift in value, according to Rightmove.”

You’ll be able to find many clearance and ex-display appliances from a range of different websites, but RDO Kitchens & Appliances has countless high-end options to choose from, with prices from just £99.99.

There, you’ll find Smeg cookers that’ll save you £3,000, posh Miele microwaves that are £2,199 new but £1,599 in the current winter sale and Samsung fridge freezers that have been slashed by £400.

Potential value added: According to Looeeze, once you add energy-efficient appliances to your home, you have the possibility to add from as little as £4,000 up to £5,000 to your home’s value.

Upgrade to an island: adds up to £2,000, costs from £63

Not only this, but if you’ve always wanted a kitchen island, now is the time to get your DIY head screwed on.

Looeeze stressed the importance of opting for a “well-designed and integrated” island that will instantly create “a big visual and functional uplift.” 

She acknowledged: “Adding an island to your kitchen will not only add visual value to the kitchen by creating a “wow effect” but can also maximise the kitchen’s space by expanding the size of your seating area and workspace, creating more room for cooking and entertaining. 

“A good kitchen island can make back 70 to 80% of its cost in added home value.”

If you’re eager to add a kitchen island to your home on the cheap, you’re sure to be pleased to know there’s affordable options from Wayfair for £62.99.

Wowcher also have kitchen islands from £120 and in the current Debenhams sale, there’s a trolley island that’s been slashed from £210 to just £157.50.

If you’ve got a small kitchen, make sure to choose a slim, mobile cart or a narrow, wall-mounted unit, and use visual tricks like matching finishes to blend it in, ensuring your kitchen stays looking clutter-free.

And for those really looking to cut costs, you’ll find plenty of YouTube tutorials explaining how to make your own island on a budget, using reclaimed wood or scraps.

Potential value added: Looeeze recognised that once you add an island to your home, you could list your property for £1,000 to £2,000 more than you originally bought it for.

Add splashback tiling: adds up to £8,049, costs from £13.95

Another piece of advice that is sure to glam up your kitchen whilst adding value to your home comes from Josh Jinks, Brand Manager at UltraTile.

The interior guru told us: “OK, so tiling sounds like a big job, and it can be – but smaller tile installations like splashback tiling above your hob or kitchen sink can have a really big impact on your home’s look and feel.

“You could go for a peel-and-stick approach, but if you want a long-lasting installation that will look great, there’s no substitute for the real thing.

“You’ll need a little patience, but this is the ultimate weekend home improvement job – with one survey suggesting buyers would be willing to pay up to £8,049 more for statement kitchen tiling!”

Josh even shared his handy step-by-step guide to adding splashback tiling, as he recommended: “Wash and thoroughly degrease your walls, removing any loose paint or flaky plaster, and mark a reference line for the first row of your tiles.

“Spread tile adhesive evenly using a notched trowel and apply tiles one-by-one.

“Press each tile firmly in, using spacers to keep the tiles separate.

“Use a spirit level regularly to keep your tiles uniform and give your adhesive plenty of time to dry according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

“Then grout the tiles – remove your spacers and use a grout float to press grout into the gaps between the tiles, before wiping off any excess with a damp sponge.

“Once the grout’s dry, polish with a dry cloth and apply sealant where your tiles meet the sink or counter – simple!”

If you fancy giving this a go, you’ll be able to find packs of splashback tiles from Victorian Plumbing from just £7.95 and B&Q have budget friendly tile packs for only £12.89.

Meanwhile, grout starts at just £4 from Amazon and there’s plenty of sealants from only £2, making this DIY hack great for those looking to cut costs.

Potential value added: According to Josh, once you’ve paid for tiles and DIY supplies, buyers would be willing to pay up to £8,049 more for a property with splashback tiling.

Glam up your bedroom with fitted furniture: adds up to £103,798, costs from £55

As well as making upgrades to your kitchen, according to Rachal Hutcheson, getting your bedroom in tip-top shape is also key.

And if you want to add a whopping £100,000 – yes, you heard that correctly – to the value of your home, fitted furniture is the place to start. 

Rachal explained: “One slightly unexpected way to add value to your abode is by levelling up with fitted furniture.

“While an investment up front, the value it can add to your home, yields a high return on investment. 

“At last count, Zoopla reported that homeowners could see an increase of £100,000 on their property’s value by having a walk-in wardrobe or fitted furniture feature, when compared to similar properties that did not. 

“It’s a sure-fire way to instantly elevate tired spaces, add storage and generate 40% more space than regular freestanding wardrobes. 

You can book in for your design consultation during the Twixmas period when the hustle and bustle of Christmas has finally passed, for a high-quality home improvement that will add incredible monetary value to your home

Rachal Hutcheson, National Retail & Direct Manager at Sharps

“You can book in for your design consultation during the Twixmas period when the hustle and bustle of Christmas has finally passed, for a high-quality home improvement that will add incredible monetary value to your home.”

If you want to add fitted furniture to your bedroom on a budget, you can head over to IKEA where you’ll find numerous PAX options, with simple singular wardrobe frames starting from just £55.

There, you can totally customise your own wardrobes, and you’ll find double wardrobe options starting at £173.

Potential value added: While the average property on Zoopla costs £233,889, according to Rachal, a property that features walk-in wardrobes commands on average £337,687 – a whole £103,798 more. 

Get the lighting right: adds up to £15,000, costs from £5

Finally, perfecting your lighting can also increase the value of your home by more than you might have imagined. 

According to James Kendall, Operations Director at KES Lighting & Home: “Lighting plays a far greater role in adding value to a property than many people realise.”

James recognised: “A well-lit home feels more spacious, more welcoming and more luxurious, all qualities that appeal strongly to potential buyers. 

“It is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to elevate a space and make it stand out in the market.

“The first step is to ensure each room has a balance of ambient, task and accent lighting – layering light helps define spaces, create atmosphere and highlight architectural features. 

“Replacing a single overhead fitting with a mix of wall lights, table lamps and floor lamps instantly adds depth and warmth. 

“Small updates like upgrading old fittings or adding statement pendants in the kitchen and hallway can make a home feel more refined and contemporary without significant expense.

“These simple and affordable updates can refresh a room without the need for major renovation.”

As well as this, according to James, “kerb appeal also benefits from thoughtful lighting,” as he added: “Exterior wall lights or discreet garden lighting can transform how a property looks and feels at night. 

“Buyers often form their first impressions from the outside, and a home that feels well cared for and beautifully illuminated naturally feels more valuable.

These lighting updates typically cost between £100 to £2,000 to implement, making them one of the most cost-effective improvements a homeowner can make before selling

James Kendall, Operations Director at KES Lighting & Home

“While it’s difficult to isolate lighting’s exact contribution to property value, estate agents consistently report that well-lit homes with contemporary fixtures can achieve a 2-5% premium over comparable properties with dated lighting. These lighting updates typically cost between £100 to £2,000 to implement, making them one of the most cost-effective improvements a homeowner can make before selling. 

“For a £300,000 home, that could mean £6,000 to £15,000 in added value from a relatively modest investment.

“Additionally, properties with modern lighting tend to sell 10 to 20% faster, which can save homeowners money on mortgage payments, bills and estate agent fees during an extended selling period.”

If you’re looking for lights you can fit yourself with no electrician needed, opt for stylish table lamps which you’ll find from Dunelm for £6, or simple wall lights from £6.99 from B&Q.

Meanwhile, where exterior wall lights are concerned, B&Q have plenty of affordable options from just £5.

Potential value added: According to James, if you’ve got a £300,000 property, you could add from £6,000 to £15,000 in added value after you give your lighting an upgrade.