Besides making your living space more comfortable for you and your family, the best home improvements add value that you can recover if you decide to sell your home, even years later. When planning your remodel, prioritize your spending on the renovations that give you the most bang for your buck. Here are a few of our favorites.

1. Entryways

A simple coat of paint on your front door can give your house a facelift, but it’s your home’s security that really matters. A steel reinforced door adds nearly 100% of its value when selling your home, while a new garage door can provide an 85% return on investment. With options under $1,000, either will make a great first impression on a buyer and provide peace of mind as to your home’s safety.

2. Decks and Sunrooms

Adding a deck provides a seamless transition in and out of your home, while a sunroom increases the square footage of the house, typically at a lower cost. Both provide you with a relaxing area to enjoy evenings and weekends with your family and friends.

 3. The Kitchen

The kitchen offers many options for improvements, no matter what your remodel budget. If you’re looking to do a complete overhaul, consider purchasing energy efficient appliances, which will then save you money in the long term as well. Looking to make less costly changes? Choose new hardware for your cabinets or repaint and put in a pretty backsplash behind your sink. You can expect to recoup anywhere from 60% to 120% of the cost of a kitchen remodel.

4. The Bathroom

If you’re looking to get the most value from a bathroom remodel, consider adding an additional one to your home. Stick with classic features that would appeal to all design tastes, and don’t feel that you need to go overboard on adding more costly deluxe options, like a whirlpool, that won’t make or break a sale.

 5. The Basement

Finishing your basement gives your home more usable living space, adding to its value. Popular options for the basement include rec rooms, media rooms, or “man caves.” You can even add extra bedrooms (just make sure you have the appropriate egress windows or doors for safety).