While the worst may be over for the housing market, houses are still in short supply, as many homeowners are choosing to stay put. If you’ve been looking to spread your wings, don’t worry – there are plenty of ways to upgrade your property, without having to up sticks.

It’s amazing what improvements can achieve - whether they’re investments such as a new kitchen or bathroom - or simply giving your home a facelift with a lick of paint and some new accessories.

And you might be surprised to find that you’re probably not using the space you have. Research by Yorkshire Bank found that while house buyers stretch their finances in the pursuit of more room, most end up not using it.

The poll discovered that one in four people had at least one room that remained largely unused - usually a spare bedroom or dining room, lying empty until Christmas. Gary Lumby, head of retail for Yorkshire Bank says:

“While location still tops the charts of ‘must haves’, space is now the new frontier. However, once we’ve got it - and in most cases paid a premium for it - we don’t often use it the way we intended.

“So instead of moving house every time they need more space, a significant number of people are looking at houses they can grow into and extend.”

Making a home more comfortable and desirable - and ensuring all the space works hard - so it’s more enjoyable to live in can’t be a bad move. Also, it’ll pay dividends if you finally decide to put it on the market.

Follow our guide to adding thousands to your home’s value and turning it into your perfect property.

FIRST SMARTEN UP

“The biggest mistake people make is not keeping their house in good condition by carrying out regular maintenance,” says celebrity builder,Tommy Walsh.

“Keeping up with repairs is vital, not just so that it’s comfortable to live in, but also, if you decide you want to move, then its condition will really count.”

“If prospective buyers see leaking pipes and flaking paintwork, they’ll worry that other more major jobs - like subsidence, damp patches and cracks - have also been neglected - potentially landing them with big bills if they buy your property.”

THINK KITCHENS

A smart kitchen can send the price of your home rocketing, according to research by Halifax. It found that 29% of would-be buyers regarded a newlyfitted kitchen as the most valueadding improvement, with the National Association of Estate Agents estimating it can add 21% to value.

Homeowners are now so fashion conscious about kitchen style that, in general, they renovate the room every three to five years.

But if you’re seeking the right style, bear in mind that the trend is for kitchens to double as family rooms if space allows. So opt for wood finishes and coloured units to achieve a warmer and less sanitised look than the industrial style of a few years back.

Jim Barnard at Wickes says: “More than ever the kitchen is the heart of the home with two thirds of us saying we prefer to socialise and entertain in the kitchen - rather than the living room or family room.”

DECOR POWER

Some experts believe that substandard DIY can knock £10,000 off the value of a home, and major plumbing, wiring or construction jobs should be left to the experts. But decorating is not difficult and can give a home a great facelift.

BATHROOM BLITZ

Once a dreary, cold place for a wash and brush up, these rooms are now all-singing all-dancing sanctuaries where we relax and unwind. So much so, we now spend as much on bathroom furniture as we do on bathroom suites.

Designer Linda Barker says: “Doing up a bathroom will really benefit a property. It should be more than a white suite - think about creating a spa effect - low voltage ceiling lights and a set of plush towels could transform that room.

“Spend time sourcing the right basin, there’s a great range of styles out there to give your room an individual look, and teamed with great tiles - glass or stone - your room will have individual style.”

BIG UP YOUR HOME

One of the surest ways to improve a home is to add to it, and Government figures show that planning applications have doubled over the last 10 years.

According to the Nationwide building society, a well-designed extension – adding around 10% more space – can add up to 5% to the value of a typical house and 7% to a detached house.

A loft conversion, which includes a bedroom and bathroom, can add up to 20%. But do remember that the average price of properties in your area will dictate the maximum asking price of your property - so don’t overspendbeyond your home’s market value as you may not get the return.

A conversion can cost around £15,000 plus and you may need planning permission, but it’s a hit with buyers as around 44% of people would opt for a home that had this potential, according to a survey by agents.

Adding a conservatory is the third most popular improvement after a new kitchen and bathroom. If you decide to go ahead, ensure it has heating and blinds so it’s usable all year round, and make sure its style suits your property and doesn’t eat up too much garden space.

Expect to pay anything from £5,000 to £20,000, and it’s likely you could recoup 50 to 75% of the installation costs when you sell your property. An extra toilet (especially if it’s downstairs) always features on the wish list of property buyers.

This needn’t be expensive if you convert the space under the stairs. If you’re on a budget you could fit one out for around £200 by using appliances from Homebase. Its compact Peru basin costs £94.50, Peru toilet, £160.30.