The Best Home Renovations For Boosting Your Home’s Value

Thinking about adding value to your home? You’re not alone. Whether you’re planning to sell soon or just fancy making your place a bit more luxurious, the right improvements can make a big difference- not just to your lifestyle but to your property’s price tag. But before you start knocking down walls or digging out a basement, let’s break down the home renovations that offer the best return on investment.

1. Loft Conversions: The Golden Ticket

If you’ve got an unused loft, converting it into a bedroom (or better yet, a bedroom with an en-suite) could add up to 15% to your home’s value. That’s a serious chunk of change London homeowners love because, well, space is at a premium. If extending outward isn’t an option, going up is a smart move. Just remember, costs start at around £22,000 and while some conversions don’t need planning permission, larger ones might.

Best for: Homes with unused loft space, especially in built-up areas where expanding outwards isn’t practical.

2. Off-Street Parking: London’s Ultimate Luxury

Nothing says ‘premium property’ quite like your own private parking spot. In some areas, a driveway can add up to £50,000 to your home’s value. That’s right- buyers will pay a serious premium to avoid fighting for a street space every evening. Transforming your front garden into a parking space can cost anywhere from £3,000 to £15,000, depending on kerb work and paving costs. Even if you don’t drive, renting out a parking spot in London can bring in some handy extra income.

Best for: Homes in busy areas where parking is scarce.

3. Kitchen Makeovers: Worth It (If You Go Big)

A new kitchen is up their with the best home renovations and can add up to 15% to your home’s value, but be warned- just swapping out cabinets won’t cut it. Buyers love open, sociable kitchens with space for dining, so if you’re tackling a revamp, think about layout as well as aesthetics. The cost of a full kitchen redesign? Around £45,000. Pricey, yes- but if done right, it could be worth every penny.

Best for: Family homes where a large, open kitchen is a must-have.

4. Garage Conversions: More Living Space, More Value

If your garage is currently home to a collection of old bikes, half-empty paint tins, and a questionable treadmill, it might be time for a rethink. A garage conversion can add up to 15% to your home’s value, and costs a relatively reasonable £5,000–£7,000. That said, if parking is already an issue, buyers might prefer a garage over an extra room. Weigh up what’s more valuable in your area- extra space or a secure parking spot.

Best for: Homes with underused garages in areas where parking isn’t a major concern.

5. Basement Conversions: High-Value (But High-Cost) Upgrade

Digging down rather than building up? A basement conversion can add 10–15% to your home’s value, making it a strong contender for the best home renovations in London properties where space is limited. But here’s the catch: it’s expensive. Basement conversions can cost twice as much as a loft conversion, and not every buyer will appreciate the underground space.

Best for: Urban homes with no other expansion options.

6. Open-Plan Living: Modern & Desirable

Knocking down a wall to create an open-plan living space is a relatively low-cost upgrade that could increase your home’s value by 3–5%. Buyers love large, flowing spaces for entertaining and family time. But with energy prices on the rise, some might be wary of heating big, open spaces- so keep insulation in mind.

Best for: Homes with separate kitchen and dining rooms that could benefit from being combined.

7. Bathroom Refresh: A Small Change with a Big Impact

A shiny new bathroom can boost your home’s value by 3–5%, and you don’t have to spend a fortune. While full renovations can be pricey, even smaller updates like new tiles, modern lighting, and stylish fittings can make a big difference. If your home has only one bathroom, consider adding another- extra bathrooms are always a selling point.

Best for: Homes with outdated or limited bathroom space.

What’s Popular vs. What Adds Value

Interestingly, the home improvements people do most often aren’t necessarily the ones that add the most value. A Halifax survey found that the most common upgrades were:

• New bathrooms (38%)
• New kitchens (34%)
• New boilers (34%)
• New windows (29%)
• Garden landscaping (27%)

While all these can improve your home’s appeal, they might not always bring the biggest return when selling.

Final Word: Do Your Research First!

Before grabbing a sledgehammer or calling in the builders, check the local market. What do buyers in your area really want? Are they looking for extra bedrooms, parking spaces, or open-plan living? This will determine the best home renovations for your property. An estate agent (like us- hint hint) can help you understand your home’s current value and which improvements will actually pay off. Even if you’re not selling just yet, it’s always good to know where to invest your money wisely. Why not get in touch and we can help you plan the best upgrades to get that property value boosted.

Contact us:

mark@daviesdavies.co.uk – Sales Director (contact for sales, lettings and new homes)

katrina@daviesdavies.co.uk – Head of Property & Block Management (contact for property and block management)

Davies & Davies Estate Agents, 85 Stroud Green Road, London, N4 3EG

Article & images by Barefaced Studios

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