More Resale Value?

9 years ago

I think I already know the answer to this, but I'm trying to decide between two projects: low- to mid-height built-ins around my fireplace in the living room or shaker style wainscotting (board and batten?) in the dining room. To stem the flow of my DIY tendencies, I'm trying to choose projects that will actually add value to the home whenever I end up selling. Which project would be more cost effective in terms of adding value in the long run?

I know they probably aren't comparably priced jobs either. I haven't priced out the wainscotting yet, but I know the built-ins will be about $500 for the Ikea part and then maybe another $100 for the trim and tools needed to make them look built in.

I've attached some photos for examples of what I'm looking to do.

Built-ins similar to this, but with a short shelf or two added above the cabinets. (So the built-ins will be just a little shorter than the mantel.)

Classic Clean Line Ranch Home in Rolling Hills Estates · More Info

This is the living room currently:

Height and style of the wainscotting:

Custom Board and Batten · More Info

This is the dining room currently:

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Comments (6)

Judy Mishkin
9 years ago
since you seem to need storage, i'd do the built ins.
Ellie RK
9 years ago
When we were looking last year, I wasn't a fan of built-in anything, especially not in the living room since it limits where I can place furniture.

Don't love wainscoting either, but I know others do. If I had to pick, I'd do the wainscoting in the DR. Gives it a more formal feel that I know many people like.
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PRO
Verona Home Design
9 years ago
Hello!

Excellent ideas -- Be sure to check out our page if you are looking to upgrade your doors for higher resale. Front doors are one of the best investments you can make for resale!

Thanks!

Verona Home Design
suedonim75
9 years ago
Off topic- are posts like this ^^^ from spammers, or legit "pros"? Nothing was mentioned about front doors.
PRO
Verona Home Design
9 years ago
DIY wainscoting can be done on the very cheap and add a dramatic change to the dining room. There's quite a few ways to go about the upgrade and there are many tutorials online! Built-ins require a little more work to get them right if built from scratch, pre-builts from Ikea are certainly another route to go and might save you a few headaches in the cutting process.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
9 years ago
Built ins if done properly but to add some cheap Ikea ones with some DIY trim not really good and IMO wainscotting only works in some spaces I would be ripping it out if I bought a house . So I guess I would not do either unless they are of good quality