When I moved into my newly-constructed 1,600-square-foot home in 2009, I was perfectly pleased with the builder-grade, turnkey-ready features awaiting inside. But, tastes and needs change over time, of course, and as a result, nearly every builder-grade feature has been refreshed, thanks to new paint, new flooring, and new countertops. And like most homeowners, I’m always considering resale value. I thought that the small square-footage of my home might be a downside to prospective buyers, but that may not be the case.
Rick Bannon, global real estate advisor at ONE | Sotheby’s International Realty in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, says that in today’s market, unless a buyer’s primary focus is a home with expansive square footage, the typical buyer tends to focus less on square footage as the dominant pre-requisite and more on how a home feels, functions, and shows. Bannon also points out that because flaws can be more noticeable in a smaller home, thoughtful improvements can dramatically increase perceived space.
Melissa Rubenstein, a realtor associate in New Jersey and New York, also notes that an updated home presents best in photos, “and tends to draw the most views as well as the most in-person visits, thus getting higher offers,” adding, “especially when a smaller square footage may deter some potential homeowners.”
No plans to sell your small home? There are still benefits when revising your spaces. “Even if a homeowner has no plans to sell in the near future, small annual updates help keep maintenance costs manageable,” Rubenstein says.
Ahead, find out the updates you should consider making—and which are best to skip, according to the pros.
1. Refresh the Kitchen
The good news is that you don’t need to fully remodel your kitchen to increase resale value. “In a smaller home, kitchen optimization, not a full remodel, is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make, since the kitchen is often the number one decision point for buyers and can deliver a strong ROI,” Bannon says. He notes that this can include simple improvements, like refinishing cabinets, upgrading to quartz countertops, adding storage, and installing modern lighting.
2. Paint the Walls
A low-cost way to refresh your home in a hurry is painting the walls throughout. And the bonus? Neutral walls can make spaces feel larger.
“When presenting a home to market, I always ensure it has a fresh coat of a neutral color paint,” Rubenstein says. “Nothing scares off a home buyer more than small spaces in a multitude of outdated colors, especially red.”
3. Install Consistent Flooring
“Upgrading to consistent flooring throughout the home is one of the simplest ways to create a significant impact, as flooring plays a major role in first impressions,” Bannon says. “Using materials like LVP or engineered wood is both cost-effective and eliminates transitions between rooms to create a seamless flow that makes the entire home feel larger and more cohesive.”
4. Create a Spa-Like Bath
“A bathroom refresh that creates a clean, spa-like feel can significantly boost both buyer interest and perceived value, and regularly delivers a strong ROI,” Bannon says. He lists straightforward upgrades to consider, like a frameless glass shower, updated vanity and fixtures, and refreshed tile. “Even in a smaller footprint, this kind of upgrade conveys comfort, style, and subtle luxury that resonates with today’s buyers,” he adds.
Rubenstein also underlines the importance of having at least one bathtub in the house, “especially in a smaller home with only one or two bathrooms—it is a must for young families.”
5. Include Smart Storage
“Smart storage and built-ins can be a game changer for small homes, where lack of storage is often one of the biggest buyer concerns,” Bannon says. “Adding features like built-in seating with hidden storage, custom closet systems, and vertical shelving helps transform unused areas into functional space.”
6. Emphasize Closet Organization
For even more organization, think about increasing closet sizes or including organization systems. “You don't need a very expensive custom closet,” Rubenstein says. “Pre-designed systems from big-box stores will provide the organization and space-saving buyers are looking for.”
7. Increase Curb Appeal
Bannon says that in a smaller home, entry upgrades are powerful because buyers form opinions within seconds, as they typically do for all homes, often before they even step inside. You can install a new front door (or paint your current one in an on-trend hue), tidy up the landscaping, and showcase a clean exterior through paint or pressure washing, as Bannon says.
What to Skip
Well, as it turns out, there is such a thing as overimproving a small home. “As is true with every home, but an even stronger point to consider with smaller homes, is that you can overimprove a home and significantly reduce your ROI or possibly erase it completely,” Bannon says. “Overly high-end renovations rarely deliver a strong return and can price you out of your own neighborhood.”
It’s key to find that middle ground between refreshing and going overboard, and Rubenstein echoes this fact by saying that any upgrades should align with a home’s value. For instance, “A small home can have a beautiful kitchen with stainless steel appliances and quartz countertops without needing to invest in the highest end appliances that a large home might require to maintain value,” she says.
Shelby Deering is a freelance lifestyle writer who frequently covers home design and decor for national publications. She has worked as a full-time freelance writer for over a decade, and has worked in the industry for nearly 20 years, writing home tours, interviewing top designers, and beautifying her own home. She holds a master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and when she's not writing, you can find her at thrift stores and flea markets, running, or exploring local trails in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and corgi, Dolly.
