11 Upgrades Your Home Will "Appreciate"

Which home renovations bring the best ROI?

Some interior renovations can increase your home's resale value.³ But you can also just make some furniture and decor changes that won't add to your resale value at all, but can still leave your home feeling fresh without spending a lot of money.

You don't have to take your kitchen down to the studs to improve the look, function and value. Smaller upgrades, like new paint, flooring, countertops, fixtures, cabinet facades and select appliances, can make the kitchen feel new without breaking the bank. In fact, smaller kitchen remodels, like updating your backsplash and adding a fresh coat of paint, tend to bring a greater return on your investment at resale than major overhauls.⁴

Here are some tips on good investments for your dollar when updating your kitchen. It's important to remember that even if you don't get a full return on investment (ROI), these small improvements can add up to a better presentation and overall resale value. For example, if you invest $5,000 and get a 50% ROI, that means you would have added about $2,500 to your resale value, and also improved your own enjoyment of your personal space.

• A granite countertop only costs about $3,250, but it can bring a higher resale value.¹ In general, countertops run $1,500 to $4,500 and can bring an ROI of 60% to 80%.⁵
• Upgrading to stainless steel appliances might cost $5,301, but you'll likely have an ROI of at least 74%.⁶
• A new backsplash costs just $900 to $2,100 and may bring an ROI of about 81%.⁵
• A major kitchen remodel involving top-of-the-line cabinets, stone countertops and other high-end fixtures can cost more than $150,000 and only bring a 31.7% ROI. In contrast, a more minor kitchen remodel that involves new cabinet fronts, an energy-efficient refrigerator and range, new laminate countertops and a new mid-priced sink and faucet costs about $26,790, with an average ROI of 85.7%.³

READ MORE: Everything You Need to Know About the Cost of Kitchen Cabinets

You don't have to spend a fortune on your bathroom to make it feel fresh. Midrange upgrades tend to bring a better ROI than major remodels.¹ These small changes can make your bathroom feel like it had a major renovation:

• Try replacing the toilet seat, showerhead, shower curtain and mats.
• Change to slab countertops for a higher-end, more elegant appearance.⁷ These may cost $15 to $140 per square foot (pre-fit countertops cost less than custom).⁸ Updating a vanity can have an ROI of 59.9%.⁹
• Convert your shower to a curbless (zero-entry) model. This brings a modern feel and makes it accessible for future buyers.⁷ Adding a walk-in shower has an ROI of about 54.6%9 and may cost $4,200 to $8,500.⁸
• Expensive, trendy faucets and lighting won't bring much of an ROI. So instead, look for fixtures that cost in the $100 to $200 range.¹⁰
• A midrange 5-by-7-foot bathroom remodel that replaces all fixtures (including a porcelain-on-steel tub, a new shower control, a new white toilet, a new solid-surface counter and sink, ceramic tile floor, vinyl wallpaper and a recessed medicine cabinet) costs about $24,606, with a 66.7% ROI.³ In contrast, an upscale bathroom remodel can cost $76,827 and only bring a 36.7% ROI.³

READ MORE: How to Renovate Your Bathroom for $2,000 or Less

When it comes to renovating your bedroom, don't invest a lot of money making "luxury" changes hoping they will pay off. Instead, focus on what will feel most relaxing to you.⁶ Try these ideas:

• Get a new mattress, lamp, ceiling fan or even just new bedding and pillows.
• Keep your costs down by choosing inexpensive paint for your walls or laminate flooring.¹¹
• Add a new primary bedroom suite for an approximately 65% ROI11 (though other sources put that estimate at 50% or lower).⁶ This is the most expensive of the renovation options, and not all homes would have the space for this.

While new living room furniture or fixtures may not add a lot in terms of ROI, they're a great way to show potential buyers that you cared for the home while you lived there. But remember: expensive, luxury items (like a fancy light fixture) don't usually add value to your home, since trends can come and go.¹² So unless you're just in love with a luxury item, you should feel the freedom to get the furniture or fixtures that you like. So it's OK to focus on budget-friendly additions (like a new couch) that feel inviting to you. These aren't sunken costs because you take them with you when you move. And even before you move, you can enjoy the ambiance that new living room furniture and fixtures add to your home.

READ MORE: 6 Tips for Arranging Living Room Furniture in Your New Home

One simple change that can make a big difference to any room of your house is painting your interior walls. Adding a fresh coat of paint and repairing holes in the wall can go a long way in improving your home's value, whether you're painting the entire house or just one room. A fresh coat of paint shows potential buyers that you cared for your home while you lived there. If you're concerned about ROI, choose a light, neutral color like gray, beige or white.¹

• The average ROI for a new coat of paint is as high as 105%.¹⁰
• Repainting your interior walls can increase your ROI by as much as 107% and increase your home value by an average of 5%.¹³
• Repainting the interior of an entire home could cost $7,500 to $16,000 if you hire a professional, depending on the size of your house. Repainting one room, like a small bathroom, might only cost about $120.¹³

In addition to the walls, you can touch up the baseboards or the crown molding and ceilings to make a home fresh. If you can't paint all your rooms, just cleaning the walls—such as removing scuff marks—can freshen up a room significantly.

Regardless of ROI, painting a home's interior brings homeowners a "joy score" of 10 out of 10, according to a NAR survey, and 88% reported a greater desire to be home.²

READ MORE: Brighten Up Your Home on Any Budget

According to 2023 data, exterior renovations tend to bring the best resale value, and changes that focus on your home's curb appeal have the best ROI overall.⁴ Here's a look at some exterior renovations you might want to try.

Quickly improve curb appeal and the functionality of your home by replacing an aging garage door. To make your daily life easier, add a smart garage door opener while you're making upgrades. (For more suggested smart home switches, check out our guide.)
In addition to the ROI, a NAR survey found that homeowners' "joy score" upon finishing the project rated 9 out of 10, with 80% having a greater desire to be home after the project.²
Average job cost to replace garage door: $4,302 | Average resale value: $4,418 | ROI: 102.7%³

Give your home a big facelift without major surgery by replacing a portion of your vinyl siding with manufactured stone veneer. You only need to work with the bottom third of your facade, as well as any columns (or the archway to your front entry), to produce gorgeous and cost-effective results.³
Average job cost for stone veneer: $10,925 | Average resale value: $11,177 | ROI: 102.3%³

If you don't have the budget to replace your siding, try painting the exterior instead. Buyers tend to prefer white or brown front doors, but if the rest of your exterior paint is neutral, you might want to go with a bold color.¹
Average cost for exterior painting: $5,400 | Average resale value: $7,500 | ROI: 138%¹

Make an excellent first impression by upgrading to a strong (yet still beautiful) steel entry door. With today's options, you don't have to sacrifice aesthetics for added security and durability. As a bonus, steel doors are more energy-efficient than their wooden counterparts.1 Plus, one survey found that 91% of homeowners who made the switch reported a greater desire to be home after finishing the project.²
Average job cost to replace entry door: $2,214 | Average resale value: $2,235 | ROI: 100.9%³

Replacing your windows can refresh your home, even if it doesn't bring the same ROI that you'd get from replacing your entry door or garage. Interestingly, although wood window replacements cost more, they bring a lower ROI than vinyl.³
Here's a look at the average costs and ROI if you're replacing 10 existing 3-by-5-foot double-hung windows with insulated Low-E vinyl or wood windows.

Average job cost for wood: $24,376 | Average resale value: $14,912 | ROI: 61.2%³

Average job cost for vinyl: $20,091 | Average resale value: $13,766 | ROI: 68.5%³

Not only does a deck addition increase the likelihood of sweet summertime parties, but it can also increase the value of your home. If you can't afford an entire deck, try other types of improvement projects or even statement pieces. A cozy fire pit can give your backyard an entirely new ambiance. And as a bonus, it's a high priority for at least 17% of top real estate agents.1 But even something simple like better landscaping can improve your personal enjoyment at home and bring a return on investment. Here's a look at ROIs for different outdoor projects:

• Deck: The average job cost for a wooden deck is $17,051, with an ROI of 50.2%.³
• Fire pit: A fire pit can cost as little as $100 for a basic model and bring an ROI ranging from 67% to 500%.¹⁴
• Tree care: Something as simple as fertilizing, spraying and pruning a 30-foot tree can cost just $2,875 from a professional, with an ROI of 87%.¹⁵
• Lawn service: Hiring six standard lawn care services that focus on seasonal fertilizer and pest control can cost $415 for a 5,000-square-foot lawn and bring an ROI of 217%.¹⁵
• Lighting: Installing 20 LED lights and a 600W transformer may cost about $6,800, with an ROI of 59%.¹⁵

Upgrades to your home are a great way to get the "new home vibe" without having to move. While exterior changes are more likely to result in a higher resale ROI, interior changes can also help you feel happy with your current place all over again. So focus on small improvements that fit your budget, rather than chasing trends that could go out of style in 10 years.12 In the long run, you'll "appreciate" these choices more.

READ MORE: Home Improvement 101: DIY or Why Not