For many, home improvements mean new countertops or a walk-in steam shower. But when it comes down to increasing the value of your home or selling it, these kind of home improvements might not be the best to invest in. Here are some of the best home improvements that have the biggest returns.

Kitchen or Bathroom Remodel

According to HGTV, a kitchen remodel has a return investment of 100 percent of the cost. In San Diego, a $17,928 kitchen remodel returned $27,000 on resale. Remodeling a kitchen or bathroom can be one of the best home improvement projects you ever do. When you start planning your remodel focus on traditional aspects such as wood cabinets, stone or natural wood floors, stone countertops and commercial-looking appliances. These will create a more timeless look in your home. Replace a whirlpool tub with a walk-in shower to open up space or add a second bath if you only have one.

Siding Replacement

Since it’s on the outside of your home, siding can get a real beating and affect your curb appeal. Old, worn siding can contribute up to a loss of 10 percent of your home’s value. Installing new siding can show potential buyers that you really take care of your home. New siding can come in a number of options, vinyl and fiber-cement being the the top options. Vinyl siding is low-cost, easy to install and very durable. Fiber-cement siding is a bit more expensive but its overall look screams quality. According to the “2015 Remodeling Impact Report,” it also has a 79 percent payback.

Replace the Front Door

Switching your old front door for a newer one could give you up to 91.1 percent return. Like siding, a new front door can add to the overall curb appeal of your home. You can even add stained glass to the front door. Simply reach out to a stained glass film manufacturer to get some film which you can easily install for a quick way to add some color to your front door.

Replace your old one with a new steel door and you’re sure to see one of the best paybacks. Old doors can also be a big source of energy loss. Replacing an old door can not only give you a better return but it can also help you save on energy costs. A new steel front door has a median cost of $2,000 but you could recover around 75 percent of that at resale.

Add More Space

From changing an attic into a bedroom or study to adding another room or bathroom can be a great investment. Often times, buyers invest in the additions since they can’t afford a larger home in their neighborhood. According to the 2005 study for the National Association of Realtors every 1,000 square feet added to a house will boost the sale price by over 30 percent. The joke of having a room just for one’s shoes from the hit film The Italian Job, wasn’t that far off either. More and more people today are wanting a room specially dedicated for hobbies like a craft room, personal study or even a home gym. When you start adding space, be sure to keep your home’s price in the affordable range of your neighborhood or else it may never sell.

Add a Patio or Deck

A 2014 Home Trends Survey from the American Institute of Architects showed that patios and desk were on the rise. If you can’t afford to add a second room or bathroom, adding a patio or deck can be a less expensive investment at just $8 per square foot whereas a new addition could cost up to $150 per square foot.

Like a front door, the garage door is one of the first things anyone sees as they drive up to your house. Replacing a two-car, embossed steel door could cost up to $2,300 according to the “2015 Remodeling Impact Report,” but you can see up to 87 percent of that investment at resale. There are some truly wonderful new garage door styles from glass doors to accordion folding. Doing this is a definite improvement that has one of the biggest returns.

David Glenn

David Glenn

David Glenn is a home improvement expert. He occasionally freelance writes about home maintenance and DIY home repair. He’s also knowledgeable about topics like how to improve social presence and building a reputation online.