Whether you’re a full-time resident or enjoying your Spanish property as a holiday home, home improvements are the fastest way to increase value, improve comfort, and reduce long-term maintenance issues. But choosing what to tackle first can be overwhelming.
From structural upgrades to aesthetic enhancements, this guide walks you through the top 10 home improvements you should consider, with a special focus on hiring qualified builders, electricians, plumbers, and tilers for a job done right.
Upgrade Your Outdoor Area
Your outdoor space on the Costa del Sol isn’t just for show, it’s a lifestyle feature. With over 300 sunny days a year, homeowners should treat their outdoor areas as an extension of their interior space. Unfortunately, many older Spanish properties don’t take full advantage of this. Whether it’s a cramped terrace, an outdated pool, or a garden that demands too much maintenance, these underperforming spaces hold your home back from its full potential. The first step is functionality, extending terraces, adding covered pergolas, and building fully usable entertainment zones can transform how you live. This is where skilled builders come in, helping you open the space, lay foundations, and shape permanent structures that are both stylish and practical. Once the framework is in place, hiring a qualified electrician is essential to set up safe, weatherproof lighting, ceiling fans, or outdoor sound systems. For outdoor kitchens or pool showers, a plumber is needed to run water safely and in compliance with local building codes. The pool area is another major focus. If your pool still has outdated curves or ceramic edges, modernising with clean lines and safety-first non-slip tiling is an immediate upgrade. Tilers can completely transform the look and feel of your exterior flooring with new tiles that are durable, cool underfoot, and cohesive with your overall design. It’s also a smart time to introduce low maintenance landscaping, using artificial grass, Mediterranean plants, or tiled walkways to cut down on water usage and weekend chores. Your outdoor space should be inviting, functional, and built for comfort all year round. When done right, it not only boosts resale value but becomes the most used space in your entire home.
Top 5 Outdoor Improvement Ideas:
Hire builders to expand your terrace, install pergolas, create structured chill out zones
Use an electrician to add landscape lighting, sound systems, ceiling fans
Bring in a plumber for pool showers, outdoor sinks, or garden kitchens
Let tilers retile patio floors, pool surrounds, and walkways with modern slip resistant options
Add low maintenance landscaping with artificial turf, tiled surfaces, Mediterranean plants
Modernise the Appearance
The architectural charm of traditional Spanish homes is timeless, but often these properties can look tired, dark, and disconnected from modern living. Elements like heavy balustrades, arched terraces, small windows, and rough plaster finishes may no longer reflect your lifestyle or interior tastes. That’s why modernising the appearance of your Spanish property is one of the smartest improvements you can make. A fresh coat of white exterior paint brightens the home and reflects heat, while larger, modern windows maximise natural light and views. Builders can help remove dated arches, open up underused balconies, and replace stone railings with sleek glass or metal alternatives. These upgrades immediately lift the aesthetic and give your home a clean, fresh, and modern feel. If your property’s interior has outdated ceramic tiles or inconsistent design, work with tilers to install new flooring that adds warmth, flow, and luxury. Light neutrals or wood look porcelain tiles work perfectly in Mediterranean homes. This is also the ideal time to bring in an electrician to change outdated lighting plans, install new switch layouts, or integrate dimmable and smart lighting for better energy use. The final touch lies in symmetry, clean lines, and bright finishes that feel modern without losing the Spanish character. Modernising doesn’t mean removing identity, it means elevating it. With the right tradespeople, your home can stay true to its heritage while looking brand new.
Top 5 Appearance Improvement Ideas:
Use builders to remove arches, replace outdated railings, and expand windows
Repaint interior and exterior walls with light reflective finishes like white, ivory, sand
Hire an electrician to rework lighting plans, switches, and exterior uplighting
Work with tilers to replace dated floor and wall tiles with modern large format designs
Create open, symmetrical design flow between entryways, corridors, and living areas
Open Up Kitchen and Living Areas
In traditional Spanish homes, the kitchen is often closed off from the living or dining areas, creating dark corners and disconnected social spaces. Today’s homeowners want light, flow, and usability, which makes opening up your kitchen and main living areas one of the most impactful upgrades you can invest in. Start with a builder who can assess load bearing walls and help open up the floor plan. Even partial openings or archway removals can make a huge difference. Once open, you’ll likely need an electrician to reposition sockets, install pendant lights over kitchen islands, and rework your lighting scheme for the new space. Plumbers come in if you plan to reposition sinks, appliances, or water lines to accommodate a more functional kitchen layout. One of the smartest updates is a large central kitchen island that doubles as storage, prep area, and social gathering point. Choose durable, cohesive flooring with the help of a skilled tiler who can blend the kitchen with the dining or living space for a unified feel. Open plan living works beautifully in warm climates like southern Spain, allowing fresh air and light to move through the home naturally. It also makes entertaining, relaxing, or working from home more efficient and enjoyable. The end result is not just a kitchen and living space, it’s the heart of your entire home.
Top 5 Open Plan Improvements:
Hire a builder to remove interior walls, merge kitchen, dining, and lounge areas
Use an electrician to add task and feature lighting, adjust sockets, install pendant lights
Get a plumber involved if moving sinks, dishwashers, or laundry to a new layout
Work with tilers to create seamless flooring that connects all living areas
Install a kitchen island that provides function, storage, and social space
Restructure Internal Layout
Many Spanish homes, especially those built several decades ago, suffer from awkward layouts. You’ll find long, narrow hallways, closed-off rooms, and poorly placed doors that waste space and block natural light. That’s why restructuring your internal layout is a powerful way to transform how your home feels and functions. This home improvement begins with analysing the way you live — are your living areas too small, are bedrooms too dark, or does the kitchen feel disconnected? Builders are key here, helping to knock through internal walls, reframe rooms, and create better flow. This is also a great time to involve your electrician and plumber. If you’re moving a kitchen, bathroom, or laundry, your plumber will need to reroute water and drainage pipes safely and compliantly. Your electrician will be essential for moving switches, sockets, and lighting to match the new design. One of the most overlooked elements during a layout restructure is airflow. Spanish summers are hot, so make sure the new floor plan promotes natural cross ventilation. Adding windows or moving openings can improve comfort while reducing reliance on air conditioning. Another key factor is zoning. Define separate zones for relaxation, cooking, sleeping, and working without building walls — this can be achieved through thoughtful furniture placement, flooring materials, or lighting levels. If you’re converting a holiday home into a full-time residence, or need to maximise rental potential, smart layout changes can make even a small home feel spacious, logical, and modern. Restructuring isn’t always about doing more, it’s about doing better with the space you already have. – If you’re looking for the best Air Conditioning Marbella has to offer, look no further!
Top 5 Layout Improvement Ideas:
Work with builders to remove or reposition internal walls for open flow
Coordinate with an electrician to move sockets, lighting, and install new switches
Hire a plumber to reroute water pipes if moving kitchens, bathrooms, or utility rooms
Create airflow through new openings, window repositioning, or open plan connections
Define separate lifestyle zones using design features, materials, and furniture placement
Upgrade Bedrooms and Bathrooms
While bedrooms and bathrooms are often private areas, they’re where we begin and end every single day — so upgrading them has a huge impact on daily comfort and wellbeing. Start by evaluating how much natural light comes in. If bedrooms are dark or poorly ventilated, consider enlarging windows or adjusting their placement with the help of a builder. For bathrooms, layout is key. A well-designed space feels luxurious even when square footage is limited. Plumbers are essential here, particularly for moving water lines, replacing old pipework, and ensuring proper drainage. Consider replacing a traditional bathtub with a large walk-in shower or upgrading to a floating vanity for a sleek, modern touch. Tilers will help you execute the visual side — walls, floors, and wet zones all need to be waterproofed, level, and finished cleanly. Don’t overlook your electrician either. Bathroom lighting should be layered — task lighting at the mirror, ambient light overhead, and potentially accent lighting for a spa-like atmosphere. In bedrooms, integrated bedside lighting and custom wardrobe lighting can add a luxury hotel feel. If you’re tackling multiple rooms at once, focus on consistency in materials and colour palette to unify the feel throughout. It’s also worth investing in underfloor heating, especially in tiled bathrooms, for that extra layer of comfort year-round. These upgrades not only make your space more enjoyable, they increase functionality and resale value dramatically.
Top 5 Bedroom and Bathroom Improvements:
Bring in a plumber to install walk-in showers, floating vanities, and upgrade drainage
Use an electrician to install layered lighting, vanity LEDs, underfloor heating
Work with tilers to add modern large format tiles on walls, floors, and wet zones
Hire a builder to add or enlarge windows for natural light and ventilation
Integrate wardrobes and optimise space for maximum comfort and minimal clutter
Improve Insulation and Energy Efficiency
Spanish homes, particularly older ones, often suffer from poor insulation, outdated windows, and construction gaps that make them inefficient year-round. In summer, they trap heat. In winter, they let in cold drafts. That’s why one of the most underrated yet essential home improvements is upgrading your insulation and energy systems. Start with the basics — roof and wall insulation. Builders can install new insulation boards, cavity fills, or roof barrier systems that drastically reduce energy loss. Once that’s addressed, check all windows and doors. If they’re single glazed or have poor seals, upgrade to double or triple glazing. These adjustments can reduce your cooling and heating bills and improve indoor comfort immediately. An electrician plays a critical role when upgrading energy efficiency. From LED lighting and energy monitoring systems to solar panel integration and smart thermostats, their work ensures your home uses power intelligently. Plumbers are essential if you’re installing energy efficient boilers or switching to systems like solar hot water. You can also go one step further by working with a tiler to install thermal flooring systems or underfloor heating with ceramic tiles. Insulation might not be as exciting as a kitchen remodel, but it’s one of the most impactful changes you can make for your health, your bills, and the long-term durability of your home. The goal isn’t just to seal your house better, it’s to make it run smarter.
Top 5 Energy Efficiency Improvements:
Ask builders to install roof, wall, and underfloor insulation to retain temperature
Replace old windows with double or triple glazing for year-round comfort
Work with an electrician to add smart thermostats, LED lighting, solar panels
Hire a plumber to upgrade boilers, install solar hot water systems, or reduce energy loss
Use tilers to install underfloor heating systems with thermally efficient materials
Add Proper Storage Solutions
One of the most overlooked improvements in many Spanish homes is storage. Despite their charm and character, many traditional properties lack the built-in wardrobes, utility cupboards, or hidden storage areas that modern living demands. As a result, everyday clutter piles up quickly, making rooms feel smaller, messier, and harder to manage. Improving your home’s storage isn’t just about space saving — it’s about creating a clean, organised environment that promotes comfort and peace of mind. Start by looking at where you can build vertically. Floor-to-ceiling built-in wardrobes, overhead cabinets, and recessed shelving all make use of dead zones without eating into your living area. Builders can help carve out storage from unused corners or restructure awkward spaces like under the stairs. Electricians are valuable in this stage too — wiring inside wardrobes or cabinetry adds convenience with integrated lighting, USB ports, or motion sensors. If you’re adding a utility or laundry area, you’ll need a plumber to ensure proper drainage, and potentially a tiler to waterproof and finish the floors. Think of areas like entrance halls, corridors, or even the back of doors as opportunities for functional built-ins. In holiday homes or rentals, this type of improvement is essential for cleanliness and ease of use. Storage that is hidden, functional, and beautifully integrated adds both practicality and long-term value to your property.
Top 5 Storage Improvement Ideas:
Work with builders to add recessed wardrobes, under stair cupboards, and loft shelving
Use electricians to add lighting inside wardrobes, charging points, and motion sensors
Hire a plumber if adding a laundry space or utility cabinet with water access
Use tilers to finish storage areas with clean, easy to maintain flooring
Create vertical storage using floor-to-ceiling cabinetry or wall-mounted shelving
Upgrade Electrical and HVAC Systems
If your property in Spain hasn’t been rewired or updated in over 20 years, chances are it’s not just inefficient, but potentially unsafe. One of the smartest and most necessary improvements you can make is to modernise your electrical and HVAC systems. Begin with a full electrical inspection by a certified electrician. They’ll check if your fuse board is up to current standards, evaluate wiring conditions, and advise on upgrading circuits for modern appliances, air conditioning units, and electric vehicle chargers. House rewiring is essential if you plan on renovating other areas — such as installing a new kitchen, adding lighting features, or integrating smart home technology. HVAC is another critical area, especially in the Costa del Sol where temperatures can reach extremes. Work with a plumber or HVAC technician to install or upgrade ducted systems, air conditioning, and energy-efficient heating. Also consider adding extractor fans in bathrooms, ceiling fans in bedrooms, or underfloor heating in tiled zones. Whether it’s for comfort, compliance, or cutting long-term energy bills, upgrading your electrical and HVAC systems sets the foundation for a modern, comfortable, and efficient home.
Top 5 Electrical and HVAC Improvements:
Hire an electrician to inspect and rewire the entire house, update fuse boards, and improve safety
Add new sockets, smart switches, dimmers, or motion sensors for improved control
Work with a plumber to install ducted AC, efficient boilers, or ceiling-mounted heating units
Install underfloor heating, extractor fans, or ceiling fans in high use zones
Plan for smart integration including solar readiness, EV chargers, and remote control systems
Install Renewable Energy Systems
Renewable energy is no longer a future trend — it’s a present priority, especially in sunny regions like the Costa del Sol. Installing renewable energy systems is one of the most forward-thinking improvements you can make, both environmentally and financially. Solar panels are the most popular choice, and for good reason. A professional electrician can help design a photovoltaic system suited to your home’s energy demands, install panels and inverters, and connect them safely to your existing circuit board. You might also consider adding battery storage to ensure you’re capturing and using as much of your solar energy as possible. For hot water needs, a plumber can install a solar thermal system, significantly reducing your reliance on electric boilers. If your roof structure needs support for panels, bring in a builder to reinforce beams or framing. In some cases, you might even combine renewable systems with other upgrades — such as using excess solar energy to power your pool heater or underfloor system. With energy prices rising and sustainability becoming more urgent, solar and renewable systems are one of the few upgrades that actually pay for themselves over time.
Top 5 Renewable Energy Improvements:
Hire an electrician to design and install solar panels, inverters, and battery systems
Work with a plumber to connect solar hot water systems and integrate with heating
Ask a builder to reinforce or adapt your roof structure to support panel installations
Set up smart monitoring for energy use, storage, and performance tracking
Use solar to support heating for pools, floors, or air conditioning systems
Understand Legal Requirements and Manage Your Team
Before diving into any home improvement, it’s essential to understand what’s legally required in Spain. Many homeowners get caught out by local laws, fines, or project delays simply because they didn’t know they needed permission. In most municipalities, you’ll need a building license for any structural changes, major plumbing, electrical rewiring, or exterior alterations. Working with professional builders who understand regional requirements can save you a world of stress. The same applies to your electrician, plumber, and tilers — only work with certified, insured professionals who understand local building codes. Beyond the legal side, managing your renovation team effectively is key to ensuring things run on schedule and on budget. Always get written quotes, clear timeframes, and check references. If you’re doing multiple improvements at once, phase the work in logical order — typically starting with structural changes, followed by plumbing and electrical, then finishing with tiling, painting, and final touches. Communication is critical. Use shared calendars, daily check-ins, or even hire a project manager if your build is complex. Home improvements are an investment, and proper planning ensures it’s one that pays off.
Top 5 Project Management Tips:
Check which improvements require permits, and apply early with your local town hall
Only hire certified, insured builders, electricians, plumbers, and tilers
Get fixed quotes, signed contracts, and clear deadlines for all phases
Phase the project correctly, starting with structure, then systems, then finishes
Stay organised with paperwork, progress tracking, and regular communication
