To add ‘size’: Brighten light

You can earn a 50% return on your investment by adding outdoor lighting, according to research. “A well-lit exterior makes buyers feel safe,” says Matt Bigach of Nexus Homebuyers. To light your home like a pro, just line walkways with solar lanterns, then use solar spotlights to create “uplighting” between windows in the front, a trick that makes your home look larger. Stick to “warm white” or yellow bulbs, which look more homey than cooler white light.

Also smart: Paint fixtures black or bronze, both elegant colors that give the appearance of highend materials. “A lot of updated homes are using light fixtures in darker colors,” says RE/MAX Elite agent Madeline Balgavy.