Home improvements can be a way to both increase the value of your home and to simply make living there more comfortable and enjoyable.
But do you have to do a major remodeling job to accomplish that? Well the answer is no.
In fact if you're considering a major improvement like a room addition or a complete remodel of a kitchen or bathroom, you may want to stop a moment and figure out how that's going to impact on the value of your home.
If you're planning on staying in the house then it really doesn't matter but if you plan on moving at some point, then you don't want to overbuild.
If you addition makes your home the most expensive on the block, you'll have a more difficult time selling it than if you had made smaller changes.
An example of a small change that also has a great return on the investment is a steel entry door.
If you haven't looked at these recently you're going to be surprised because they don't look anything like steel.
They come in a variety of attractive styles and mostly resemble rich hardwoods.
Thanks to the steel door's appearance, security, and durability it has a return on investment of nearly 130% according to Remodeling Magazine.
That's pretty amazing when you consider that most home improvement projects will only return 8% of the original cost.
Following the steel door as the top small home improvement projects were adding an attic bedroom, adding a deck, minor kitchen projects like new counters or new flooring, and replacing siding.
With the exception of the siding and the electrical and plumbing parts of the attic bedroom, these projects are pretty much do it yourself capable.
Here's a couple of more ideas that can change the look and feel of the house without costing a fortune.
Lighting can make all the difference in a room.
If you have standard overhead fixtures, consider swapping out for track lighting.
You'd be surprised the difference it can make in a kitchen.
Also splurge on high end fixtures.
Get really nice towel hangers for the bathroom and update the faucets.
If you're planning on selling right away, invest in some landscaping.
Curb appeal sets the tone for the whole sales experience.
Nicely trimmed shrubs and a well cared for lawn goes a long way in setting a favorable first impression.
Make sure the front yard and porch are clear of litter and anything that can detract from the house.
So think small home improvements for both adding value and making your home a more enjoyable place to live.