10 No-Demo Renovation Projects That Increase Your Home’s Value

Any homeowner knows their house is an investment. Even if you plan on staying there for the rest of your life, your property appreciates in value as the years go by. When it does end up getting sold, it’ll likely go for a lot more than you initially paid—as long as you take good care of it, of course. Here at House Beautiful, we’re always on the lookout for smart ways to increase not only your quality of living but the value of your home, and we know that doing so can sometimes mean investing in pricey renovations, like adding on a deck or planning a kitchen makeover. But that isn’t always the case. There are other, less expensive ways to increase your home’s value, and the teams at Zillow and Thumbtack have just revealed the top 10 no-demo renovation projects that always catch a average prospective buyer’s eye.

According to Thumbtack data, these no-demo renos cost less than $5,000 on average to complete but really boost the saves and shares your home gets on Zillow, which improves your chances of selling your house faster and for more money.

“Certain low-lift projects can deliver a high payoff because they elevate a home in the mind of a buyer,” Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert, explains. “Many of these projects cost just several hundred dollars or could be done DIY, yet they can have a significant impact on a home’s performance on Zillow. They bring a wow factor to a home or signal that a home is up-to-date, well-maintained, or move-in ready.”

Hear that? You don’t need to invest in a monthslong renovation to get your home spotted on real estate websites—the improvements can be cost efficient and modern. We’ve listed the top 10 no-demo reno ideas below, from least to most impactful. As Thumbtack design expert Morgan Olsen puts it, “Whether it’s a DIY project or pro-worthy, these small changes can make a significant transformation.” That’s something you’ll enjoy as much as any potential buyer.

Install Smart Lighting

In general, smart-home installations have increased almost 22 percent year over year, according to Thumbtack data, and smart lighting is a huge part of the increase. On Zillow, homes with smart lighting get about 18 percent more saves and 23 percent more shares per day. The average national cost of installing one of these systems is $308.

Put in an Outdoor Sound System

The cost of an outdoor sound system varies depending on the quality and type of system you desire, but the national average runs between $500 and $2,000. This is definitely one of those improvements that’ll greatly increase your quality time at home while still getting your property about 18 percent more saves and 19 percent more shares per day on Zillow. If possible, you might be able to bundle this with another no-demo reno lower down on this list to save time and money—installing an outdoor TV.

Add a Fire Pit

Fire pits are a year-round amenity if you’re truly dedicated. While you might not want to use one on a hot summer day, they’re perfect for cool nights as we transition into fall and winter—which makes them highly desirable. According to Thumbtack data, homes with fire pits in the yard get 19 percent more saves and 23 percent more shares on Zillow, and the average national cost to install one is only about $200. This is definitely one of the more DIY-friendly options on the list.

Invest in a Pergola

If you’re unfamiliar with pergolas, they’re semi-open structures that are fully or partially covered by a roof. They’re an ideal solution for sunny outdoor spaces like patios and can be attached to your home or freestanding in your yard or garden. By installing a pergola in your yard, you’ll increase your home’s average daily Zillow saves by 20 percent and your shares by 24 percent. Because installation typically covers labor costs and materials, the average national cost of putting one in your yard is $3,600 for a 10-by-10-foot structure.

Embrace a White Picket Fence

Believe us when we say that a white picket fence won’t turn you into a Stepford wife—it’ll just increase your home’s curb appeal. There’s a good reason why this classic fence design partially embodies the image of the American Dream: People love them. Properties that have picket fences get 27 percent more saves and 31 percent more shares per day on Zillow than homes that don’t. Installation costs depend on where you live and the material you use, but the average national cost to put in a picket fence ranges from $7 to $45 per linear foot. Who doesn’t want a yard where pets and kids can roam freely?

Buy an Outdoor TV

As you expand your outdoor living space, you should really think about purchasing a TV that can withstand the elements. According to Thumbtack’s findings, outdoor TV installations are up almost 13 percent year over year. That tracks with the popularity of outdoor sound systems. Having a full entertainment center in your backyard will make entertaining so much easier and more fun, and it’ll get you 28 percent more saves and 26 percent more shares per day on Zillow. The average national cost runs from $175 to $300, but Pendleton warns that costs could increase depending on electrical capabilities and weatherproofing. You’ll need to factor in installation too.

Leave Those Vintage Touches and Finishes

Are buyers finally getting tired of builder-grade homes? Well, according to Zillow and Thumbtack (and us), it looks like it. The charm and character that vintage features and architectural details give a home can nets you 28 percent more daily saves and 31 percent more daily shares on Zillow compared with similar houses. It’s a bit hard to quantify the average national cost of historic-looking additions since there are so many different things you can do. Crown molding, for example, can cost just $2 to $50 per linear foot depending on the material and quality you choose.

Paint the Brick

As much as the DIY TikTokers tell you not to, if you want to paint your brick, go ahead and do it. It’s your house, after all, and doing so can earn you 31 percent more saves and 39 percent more shares on Zillow per day compared with similar homes in your area. Depending on the amount of brick that needs to be painted, this could definitely be a DIY job, but the Thumbtack data explains that the average national cost is around $1.85 to $3.03 per square foot, making the national average for the entire job roughly around $4,600 to $7,600. This cost does include labor, materials, and equipment. Like the look but want something less permanent? Consider limewash.

Install Open Shelving

Don’t let your fear of clutter stop you from installing open shelving in your home, because the look can be visually stunning. Homes with open shelving can get an additional 37 percent more saves and 45 percent more shares per day on Zillow. For a professional installation, the average national cost is $275 minus the cost of the shelving itself. Thumbtack also reports that shelving installations and closet systems are up almost 32 percent year over year, indicating that this trend is being embraced by homeowners.

Hang Up Window Boxes

Believe it or not, adding window boxes to the outside of your home can actually get you the biggest increase in saves and shares on Zillow. These low-maintenance flower beds add pops of color and little pockets of nature close to your house, giving you an increase of 48 percent more daily saves and 52 percent more daily shares on the real estate site compared with other listings without this feature. Though it depends on the materials used and where you’re at, the average national cost for professional installation of window boxes is $100 to $150 and $15 to $900 for materials.

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Meghan Shouse is House Beautiful‘s Assistant Editor, a role she has held since September 2023. On top of being the magazine’s go-to Waco expert, Meghan also touches on quite a few other verticals in the digital space, like hot news content featuring your favorite HGTV stars, home design inspiration, and the latest interior TikTok trends. However, her favorite pieces are the ones that start conversations, such as stories about resale value and whether or not the Solo cup is chic. Before becoming a home writer, Meghan worked in the fashion industry for two years, writing for Harper’s Bazaar after graduating from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in apparel merchandising. When she’s not interviewing interior designers about home trends, you can find Meghan reading a fictional thriller with her cat in her lap, planning themed parties, or strolling through flea markets searching for chunky candle holders and vintage bookends.