Before someone starts home improvements, they should have an end objective in mind, says Vanessa Taylor, brand and commercial manager for Realestate.co.nz.
"Understand what you want from your improvements. Before you start, ask what you're out to achieve," Taylor says.
Not everyone is redecorating or renovating to sell up. Some people want to make their home more functional or more modern. Others might want to restore an older home's character.
People on a budget might want to smarten only one room, such as the kitchen. But, when making improvements, homeowners should look at the house as a whole and not make one room stick out.
An attractive front door can make a big improvement to the feel of a home. If the garage door is front-facing, painting it can also help freshen the look of the house. Painting the front door and indeed the rest of the house is the simplest, least expensive way to improve the look of the home.
"In or outdoor, absolutely, a lick of paint is the one thing that's going to be the most cost-effective with the most amount of impact," says Taylor. "Paint can brighten up a room or give it character."
Before you pick up the paintbrush or roller, Taylor says you should know whether you are doing improvements just for yourself or for resale. Since most homes eventually will be resold, any wild colours will probably need to be painted over before the house goes on the market.
Keep improvements neutral, particularly if you have an eye on selling your home down the track.
Flooring is also a cost-effective improvement. Most people can do some indoor painting but flooring is generally a job for the professionals. If you're not ready to rip out all the carpet, renting a steam cleaner can help improve its looks.
Most homeowners cannot afford to redo everything at once. So, Taylor says to prioritise.
"It depends on what you're starting with. You want to look at the area that probably hasn't had the most love for the longest amount of time."
Soft furnishings can also make a big difference in a house. Replacing tatty drapes or re-upholstering a sofa can make a home feel cleaner and more comfortable.
A less visible improvement, but one that improves living standards, is installing a heating and ventilation system. Depending on the way a home is built, DIY insulation can be an option. Professionals can also blow insulation into existing walls to help retain heat. Installing double-glazed windows also helps keep the house warm and dry. They are a good option if you need to replace rotten window frames.
If the house has been damp for too long, the windowsills might be mouldy. Cleaning, painting or replacing them can tidy up the home.
Taps are also subject to the damp. If kitchen or bathroom taps are old and tarnished, replace them with shiny new ones -- but make sure they match the character of the house.
"If you've got a very old 70s Formica bathroom, you do not want to go and stick a 2015 blue water tap in there," Taylor says.
With a minimal budget it's easy enough just to replace the taps like for like.
One of the easiest ways to improve the look and feel of your home on a daily basis is to tidy up. Most of us do it when company is coming over but might not do it every day.
"It's everything from gardens to keeping your rubbish bins out of view and keeping a clean driveway."
Vanessa Taylor, commercial manager for Realestate.co.nz.
Things like keeping leaves away from the front door may not seem important but can influence the way you feel about your home.
Another spruce-up has to do with the bare bones of the house.
Is the hot water cylinder in good condition? Are the walls cracked? What's the state of the dishwasher, the oven and the washing machine?
Since we see and use these items nearly every day, bringing them up to scratch makes a noticeable improvement -- and it may require only a bit of elbow grease.
Outside, keep trees trimmed, plant native landscaping, plant a garden.
