Former estate agent and interiors expert Laura Rich shares simple home improvements that can boost perceived property value by thousands.
If you’re contemplating refreshing your home in the new year, increasing its value doesn’t have to involve extensive renovations, months of upheaval, or eye-watering budgets. In fact, homeowners across the UK could implement some straightforward changes to their property that can boost its perceived value by as much as £10,000.
Former estate agent and interiors expert Laura Rich from online store Furniturebox explains how you can embrace many of the new 2026 interiors trends – and add at least £10,000 to the value of your home overnight, in some cases by spending as little as £10.
Kitchen makeover
“An attractive and sociable kitchen is essential to buyers and valuation surveyors. Before replacing an entire kitchen, consider the fundamentals such as its shape and position and decide if you need to make any structural changes to the space,” says Laura.
Very often, kitchen renovations can be undertaken for a modest investment. “Small changes such as repainting can cost as little as £10 or replacing unit doors can have a huge impact,” she added.
Replacing worn, stained worktops can also modernise the appearance of a kitchen. Laura suggests embracing 2026 looks such as quartz veining.
Adding privacygarden
Homeowners can spend a fortune on an expensive garden transformation while overlooking key fundamentals such as privacy which is absolutely vital. Laura explains that enhancing privacy needn’t cost a fortune, noting: “Improving the feeling of seclusion will add value without breaking the bank. You can raise boundary fences and walls up to 2m without needing planning permission,”.
Homeowners might want to install fresh fencing or plant fully-grown trees to shield their outdoor spaces from neighbouring properties.
Enhancing street presence
The property expert emphasises the importance of exterior appearance, stating: “First impressions count,” and warning: “Most buyers will decide if they like a property before they even get out of the car and it can be hard to shake off negative first impressions created by a poor or unattractive exterior.”
Among affordable 2026 trends, Laura recommends incorporating climbing plants or trellises, whilst also suggesting refreshing worn masonry through repointing work.
Adopting rounded designs
Laura predicts a continued rise in curved aesthetics, saying: “Rounded furniture with soft elements will continue to be big in 2026,” and anticipating: “Expect a mid-century throwback with statement rounded sofas and coffee tables with sculptural shapes.”
She adds that a single striking furniture piece can completely reimagine a lounge area, explaining: “One statement piece of furniture can totally transform the look of a living room.”
Wood elements
The specialist forecasts timber becoming increasingly prominent in 2026 interior choices.
Laura observes shifting consumer priorities, adding: “People are being conscious about how they spend their money, looking for pieces that will last, and evolve with them as their homes and lives do, but still look nice,”.
She recommends seeking clean-lined designs that blend timber with complementary materials, incorporating curved forms alongside textiles and stone finishes.
Quiet luxury
Understated elegance returns Quiet luxury in interior design focuses on crafting spaces that exude effortless elegance, tranquillity, and sophistication without appearing overly contrived.
Laura noted that this aesthetic, prominent throughout 2024/25, is set to return in a more approachable form, stating: “This trend we saw in 2024/25 will be back but a little more accessible this time and grounded in everyday life with more nostalgia woven in through retro touches.”
Layered textures
Regarding the incorporation of layered textures, Laura highlighted their enduring appeal, explaining: “They will be on trend next year and this speaks to pre-war 1930s sensibilities of taking simple design and adding dimension and interest without too much drama. We love to look back – it makes people feel safe.”