Whether it’s your primary or secondary home, deciding to sell your Kiawah Island home is hardly an overnight decision.
We want to ensure you get the most out of your home, both in cherished moments and at closing price. To increase your home’s value at sale and appeal to potential buyers, it’s worth considering certain home renovations prior to listing.
Read on to learn about five renovations to increase your beach home’s value in 2025.
1. Simple Bathroom Renovations
Let’s be honest; people spend a generous amount of time in their bathroom. And bathroom renovations typically see the highest return on investment—oftentimes returning over 100 percent of the total cost.
Installing a new sink, shower window, or cabinetry can immediately enhance any bathroom. Focusing on the walls and floors can also enliven a space that was once a dull afterthought. Many homeowners are now painting walls and retiling their bathroom floors to get the most out of their remodels.
2. Install A Kitchen Island or Walk-In Pantry
In 2024, upgraded kitchens were one of the most significant selling points for buyers. In fact, even a minor renovation often recovers almost 96% of the investment. Adding an island with an additional sink takes your kitchen to a new level that will leave an impression on potential home buyers.
Another simple kitchen upgrade is adding additional pantry/storage space, often done through a walk-in pantry. Walk-in pantries not only look great but are also extremely useful. They allow home cooks to glide in and out, grabbing the necessary ingredients for a meal.
Related: The Chef’s Kitchen: A Culinary Dream
3. Reimagine the Floor Plan
It’s likely no surprise that open-concept floor plans are popular among homeowners. An open floor plan can drastically improve the look of any home and offer more space for potential buyers.
It’s also important to keep storage in mind when renovating a floor plan. Vacationing families will need plenty of storage and “drop spots” for sandy items after a day at the beach—which is when the addition of a mudroom is perfect!
Even villas can be renovated! Get inspired with this Ideal Villa Makeover.
4. Expand Outdoor Space
A home’s outdoor space is often one of the first aspects a buyer will notice. Are your outdoor spaces organized logically? What about the landscaping? Is there a designated area for outdoor entertainment?
Sprucing up the outside of your home is just as important as improving the inside. So much so that outdoor renovations are known to result in a return of upwards of 85 percent.
Investing in tasteful and strategic landscaping can be a huge bonus, as can adding an entertainment area, such as a deck or gazebo. If your home already has a deck or patio, consider enhancing these areas with a water feature, outdoor fireplace, or landscape design.
People wanting to purchase a home on Kiawah Island will be looking for homes that allow them to enjoy the outdoors and indoors, which is why investing in outdoor improvements is crucial.
5. Build or Convert a Home Office
Home offices are huge bonuses, especially considering the more substantial work-from-home trend in recent years. Converting an unused bedroom into an office can give your home an edge during selling.
Installing built-in shelving and cabinetry or adding warm office lighting to a bedroom can give it an office vibe. Properly staging the room to reflect an office environment is also vital to the selling process, so including a high-quality desk and desk chair is just as important as any permanent redesign.
Learn More: Coastal Home Design Trends for 2025
Selling Your Beach Home on Kiawah Island
At Kiawah Island Real Estate, we understand the difficulties of preparing your home for sale, especially if you’re trying to sell your home from afar.
We can walk you through the home-selling process seamlessly so you won’t have to worry about the intricacies and anxieties of selling. If you have questions about selling your Kiawah Island home, contact us below!
This blog was first published in October 2019 and refreshed in February 2025.
Via KiawahIsland.com
