If you’re planning to put your home on the market anytime soon, you’ll want to do everything you can to increase the value of your home. At the same time, you don’t want to spend so much money on home improvements that you don’t enjoy a return on your investment. To that end, here’s a look at five home improvement ideas you might want to implement to get more for your home.

Home Improvement #1: Energy Upgrades

A growing number of home buyers are looking for homes with energy efficient features. So anything you can do to make your home “greener” will make it more attractive to potential buyers. Some steps you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your home are to replace your windows, roof, doors, and windows. Adding additional insulation will also be attractive to potential buyers.

Home Improvement #2: Apply Fresh Paint

Applying fresh paint inside and outside the house will give it the face lift it needs to attract potential buyers. A fresh coat of paint will not only refresh the look of your home, but it’s also an inexpensive way to update your home while making it more attractive to a wider range of buyers. Just be sure to use neutral colors when repainting your home, as unusual colors will only appeal to a small segment of the population.

Home improvement #3: Update the kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home. Therefore, updating it is one of the keys to increasing its value. Simple upgrades like installing new cabinets and hardware, a granite sink, new countertops, and energy-efficient appliances will go a long way toward attracting buyers and increasing the value of your home.

Home improvement #4: Update the bathroom

The bathroom is usually the second most important room for potential buyers. So you want to make sure your bathroom spreads out and catches those who turn it. Remodeling the bathroom with a new sink, faucet, countertops, cabinets, flooring, and light fixtures are great ways to make it more attractive. If you only have one bathroom and space allows, you may want to consider adding an additional bathroom as well.

Home Improvement #5: Add a Deck

Adding a deck is a relatively inexpensive upgrade, but expanding your outdoor space with a deck is a great way to increase the value of your home while increasing its overall curb appeal. Whether you use treated lumber from a composite material, you will likely recoup most, if not all, of the cost of laying a new deck.