15 Easy Garage Updates That Could Boost the Value of Your Home

A fancy kitchen is fabulous. A gleaming bathroom is a showstopper. But there is one humble renovation that is one of the smartest homeowner moves you can make when trying to appeal to buyers, and it's slightly unexpected.

It’s the garage.

Ultimately, buyers want to see how it’s set up and how it could bring a new level of type-A organization to their lives.

If you can cut through the clutter, that’s good news for prospective sellers. Simple, cost-effective updates can yield a significant return on investment in this space.

You don’t need a costly renovation to increase your home's value. Here are 15 easy garage updates that will boost its value.

Start with curb appeal. A shiny, new garage door can make your garage more appealing and freshen up the look of your entire home. Choose a steel or fiberglass door in a style that suits your home’s architecture. Every prospective buyer who drives up will immediately stop and notice.

While you’re improving the curb appeal, consider the lighting. Hang a pair of lanterns flanking the door to give it a sophisticated, styled look. Or, if you want to shine a light on the area, make sure you have motion sensor lights that will help lead the way to your home during after-hours showings.

If the lighting outside is well thought out, the lighting inside should be, too. A garage is only dark and dreary if it has terrible lighting.

Add task, overall, and ambient lighting (layers are key!) to make your garage feel more like a room and intentional space rather than an afterthought. Use bright, energy-efficient LED lighting to improve visibility and help buyers see the potential.

The number one thing you can do to improve the look of your garage might earn you money rather than cost you money.

Spending a weekend clearing all the clutter from your garage will make your space seem lighter, brighter, and bigger. Host a yard sale to remove what you don’t want, then donate the rest. Even after a few basic renovations, you could have a net positive.

Once you’ve finished removing all the clutter, it’s time to organize. Install wall-mounted shelves, cabinets, or pegboards to maximize space and organize tools.

This will lend a sense of calm to the space, which buyers will immediately internalize. They’ll imagine just how organized they would be if they bought the house.

The driveway leading up to your garage could be considered part of the overall experience, so ensure it's in tip-top shape. Fix any cracks and repair any aged concrete.

If it’s beyond repair, opt for a budget-friendly solution like asphalt or concrete, or go high-end with pavers.

Garages experience incredible wear and tear, and durable, easy-to-clean floors will improve their look and functionality.

Epoxy or polyurethane flooring is a long-lasting, cost-effective, and low-maintenance choice. It will withstand cars, sports equipment, DIY projects, and anything else that’s going on in your garage.

A coat of paint is the easiest way to give any space a quick, affordable refresh, and the garage is no exception. You can paint the walls and the doors for a clean look.

Choose a neutral shade in a semi-gloss for maximum durability. Just ensure you’ve repaired and prepped the wall before swiping those first brushstrokes.

If you’re selling your home to an avid DIYer or someone who loves their tools, they’ll want to use the garage throughout the year. To do that, the garage needs to be insulated. This DIY project (or one for the professionals!) can turn your garage into a proper usable space.

This doesn’t need to be a permanent renovation, but if you have sports equipment, power tools, and other items in your garage, consider organizing them into clear zones.

This will give the buyer a sense that the room has a purpose, and they can quickly see how their belongings will fit into the space.

To create even more storage space in your garage, add a dry-walled storage loft. This isn’t a significant renovation, and many DIYers could do it themselves.

Alternatively, install overhead storage racks and show them outfitted with suitcases or other items that might be trouble spots for buyers in their homes.

Add a Wi-Fi-enabled smart garage door opener to show that your garage is keeping up with the times. Buyers will be impressed by the technology, regardless of whether they currently understand it. They’ll wonder what else you’ve upgraded.

If you’re up for a larger renovation, consider adding an apartment above the garage. If you have a smaller house, buyers will see this as a potential guest room. If they don’t need the space, they might see it as potential rental income.

A green roof adds insulation and reduces your electric bill, but most people don’t think to install one themselves. However, when they see one, they find it exciting. If you have roof access to your garage, this could be a doable project that may add value to your home.

Just because it’s a garage doesn’t mean it can’t be fun! Hang a few fun art pieces or signage to add whimsy to the garage. Maybe you have something from a favorite sports team or a vintage sign. These add personality as long as the overall space is clean and tidy. If your garage is messy? They could look junky.

Need to tap into home equity to make these garage upgrades work? Depending on how much the renovation adds to your home’s value, it could make sense.

You can explore various home equity lines of credit (HELOC) loans to look at interest rates available and find the right loan for your situation. In cases where you know you’ll get more out of the renovation than you will put in, it’s a worthy investment.