5 Ways to Make Your Old House Look New Again in Seattle

old house look new

Maybe you’ve been in your home for several years now, and it’s, well, just looking a little tired. So now you want to make it look newer and fresher and maybe increase its value at the same time. But you don’t have the cash for a major remodel or housewide renovations. You can, though, do quite a bit without a lot of effort or major expense. Here, then, are 5 ways to make your old house look new again in Seattle.

1. Install New Outlets, Switches, and Plates

Energy Efficient Homes For Sale Seattle
Switch out your outlets, make sure your breakers work, and update burned-out lightbulbs throughout your home.

Those mismatched, dirty, yellowed, and often painted-over plates can really make a room look old and neglected because they are so noticeable. With little effort and for probably less than $100, you can replace the outlets, switches, and plates in an entire home to give it a brighter, newer look. Just make sure you what you’re doing when replacing the outlets and switches, and always make sure the correct breakers are off.

2. Give the Entrance a Makeover

red front door makes house look ready to sell
When considering upgrades to increase the value of your home, make sure your front door says “wow!” to home buyers.

What’s the first thing people see when they come to your house? The entry area, of course, because it’s a major focal point. So in looking for ways to make your old house look new again in Seattle, you simply can’t ignore the entrance.

You could start by painting the door a bright, appealing color and installing a new knob and kick plate. Some strategically placed plants that accent and complement the look of the house is a good idea, too. Then you could finish off with a new doormat and address letters.

3. Refresh the Kitchen

You spend a lot of time in your kitchen, so you’ll definitely want to make it look newer. For those who want to spend a little more, new cabinets will work wonders for your kitchen. Or you could just paint the ones you have and install new hardware (and on the drawers as well). Another nice touch would be new faucets and light fixtures. And for an older kitchen with that ugly 1970s flooring, new flooring can certainly make it look almost new again.

4. Brighten Wood Floors

Refinishing wood floors can run into a good bit of expense, and it’s a lot of work. But just brightening and refreshing your wood floors can be almost as effective as one of the ways to make your old house look new again in Seattle.

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If you’re really serious about drilling down on what repairs will offer the highest ROI, then call a couple of contractors to get bids and find out HOW MUCH they will charge for your job (roughly) and WHEN they will have time to do it. Armed with that information, you can talk with me about your plans, and I can give you an estimate on how much impact that will have on your potential sales value. Typically, your home value is constrained by the value of the homes nearby, so expensive repairs do not always return their cost upon sale.

Floors with an oil finish can be brightened with an application of wood oil and polishing. If your wood floor has a polyurethane finish, cleaning with a solution of vinegar and water – using a damp mop – can make them significantly brighter and newer looking.

5. Give the Bathroom a Facelift

An affordable bathroom facelift starts with repainting the bathroom in a light color to make it seem larger. A next good step is to install a new vanity and possibly a new mirror to complement the new vanity. Then you’ll likely want to add a new lavatory and fixtures to that bright, new vanity. You might also consider installing a new toilet if it is located very near the updated vanity. And don’t forget a new shower curtain to add the finishing touch.

These 5 ways to make your old house look new again in Seattle will do a lot for your home without costing you a lot. Still, you can do a lot more to make the house look new again without having to call a contractor.

Want to learn more about making your home look newer to increase its value? Contact us by phone at (206) 578-3438 or fill out this simple form.

Emily Cressey

Emily Cressey is a real estate broker residing in Lake Forest Park, WA who services the Greater Seattle area including Shoreline, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Lynnwood, Kenmore, Bothell and Edmonds, WA.

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