Not only is your home a place to live, it is also an investment. As such, it is important to build the value of that space. There are a variety of ways to increase the value of your home this year, and these can range from simple touches to more extensive projects. Here are a few of them:

Plants Set the Stage
Part of the way to build curb appeal for any house is landscaping. Tidying up any existing perennial beds and carefully pruning trees can help to build visual appeal.

Adding more plants can also create a more attractive view. Plus, they can make for cleaner indoor air. This can, in turn, boost the home's value.

New Door
A home's door is more than just a matter of safety and security. It also serves as a visual cue as to the value (or perceived value) of the home.

Choosing to replace an older, less appealing door can boost the value of the house. The right door can make for a warmly welcoming home that will appeal to residents and guests alike.

Updated Kitchen
A strong selling point for any home is the kitchen. Old, outdated appliances can detract from the overall value of the house. A tiny kitchen that is not easy to work in is also something that works to negatively impact your home's value.

Opening things up by adding more space can boost value. Of course, an addition may not be a practical option for your home. If that is the case, removing a wall to open up the floor plan is another way to achieve this.

Updating kitchen appliances is an easier and less expensive way to update a tired kitchen. Just changing out the refrigerator and stove might transform the look of the space.

Fresh Paint
One way to boost home value is with a fresh coat of paint. This applies both to the interior and exterior of the house.

Exterior paint can make a place more attractive and boost the curb appeal of the home. It can also add thousands of dollars to the value of that home.

Interior paint is an inexpensive way to freshen up and brighten rooms. For little money and a little time, a room can be easily and inexpensively updated. A dark room can become a lighter one. An outdated room can become more modern.

More Beautiful Windows
A simple and inexpensive way to transform a house and boost its value is by making the windows more attractive. One way to achieve this is by adding plantation shutters. Carefully choosing where to get plantation shutters is important, since there are a range of qualities with these. Making the right choice, though, means a more attractive and valuable home.

Shed Some Light On Things
A dark house is a less attractive house. Adding sufficient and the right sorts of lighting can make a difference. For instance, adding just the right lighting to the exterior of the space can make for a warm and welcoming entrance.

Remove the Popcorn
While it was a popular trend for a short period of time, popcorn ceilings have long since fallen out of favor. If your home has this particular element, having it removed can be an important step in boosting value.

Final Thoughts
Whether you are looking to sell your home or just want a more attractive house in which to live, taking steps to boost your home's value make sense. By making one or more of these changes, you will have a more beautiful and more valuable home.

Author's Bio: 

My name is Lizzie Weakley and I am a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. I went to college at The Ohio State University where I studied communications. I enjoy the outdoors and long walks in the park with my 3-year-old husky Snowball.