Top Home Improvements That Could Increase Your Home’s Value

Key Takeaways:

• Exterior upgrades like landscaping and garage door replacements can deliver some of the highest returns when selling your home.
• Minor kitchen updates and outdoor living spaces can improve both your home’s resale value and your everyday enjoyment.
• Before starting a renovation, research local market demand, set a realistic budget, and choose improvements that offer lasting appeal.

Many homeowners start renovation projects to make their space more enjoyable. But the right upgrades can do more than improve how your home looks or functions — they can also increase its market value.

Research from Zillow shows that remodeled homes often sell for a premium compared to similar properties that haven’t been updated. The key is choosing improvements that deliver both everyday benefits and strong resale potential.

If you’re planning a project, here are several home upgrades that can help you get the most value from your investment.

Which Home Renovation Updates Offer the Best ROI?

Some renovations deliver far stronger returns than others. According to industry research, exterior upgrades and targeted interior updates often provide the best balance of everyday enjoyment and resale value.

If you’re looking for projects that can strengthen your home’s value while improving how you use the space today, the following upgrades are consistently among the top performers.

Boost Curb Appeal With Strategic Exterior Updates

A welcoming exterior sets the tone for how your home feels every time you pull into the driveway. That starts with the basics, like a well-manicured lawn, bursts of color from seasonal flowers, an inviting porch, and a brightly painted front door.

In fact, eight of the top 10 projects mentioned in Zonda’s 38th annual Cost vs. Value (CVV) report are exterior improvements.

Project with payoff: Work with a landscape designer to create a front yard with real presence. Consider a new stone or paver walkway, layered planting beds with perennials and seasonal color, and landscape lighting to highlight your property’s best features at night.

Replacing Your Garage Door Can Deliver the Highest ROI

Where do you get the absolute best return on investment in curb appeal? While it might not be the most glamorous renovation to discuss at a dinner party, replacing the garage door topped the CVV’s list for the second consecutive year, recouping a remarkable 267.7% of its cost.

Because the garage door usually occupies a significant portion of the front-facing façade, it can spiff up the entire look of your property. And beyond aesthetics, newer garage doors offer improved insulation and other functional benefits.

Project with payoff: Swap your current door for a more design-forward model with windows, carriage-house styling, or decorative hardware. Updated exterior sconces or recessed lighting above the bay can make your home look polished, day and night.

Minor Kitchen Updates That Increase Home Value

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and as such, the minor kitchen remodel is the only interior project to crack the CVV’s top 5, with a 113% ROI. Refreshing the kitchen will pay back in other ways too, earning a perfect 10 on the Joy Score in NAR’s Remodeling Impact Report, which also noted a commensurate increase in buyer demand at 48%, the highest of any improvement.

Project with payoff: A minor kitchen remodel can completely transform the room without the cost and disruption of a full renovation. Hit all the marks through refaced or painted cabinets, updated hardware, a new backsplash, and modern appliances.

Add Outdoor Living Space to Expand Your Home’s Value

A well-designed deck effectively extends your home’s usable square footage, creating a space for morning coffee or weekend entertaining. According to the CVV report, it recovers an impressive 95% of its investment, securing its spot as a top performer for the future while paying dividends today in a functional outdoor living area.

Project with payoff: Already have a deck? Consider adding a pergola or freestanding gazebo to create a defined outdoor room. String lights, weather-resistant furniture, and a few potted plants can transform it into the most used spot all summer long. Add a fire pit to anchor the space and extend your entertaining season deep into the cooler months.

Set Yourself Up for Success Before Starting Your Home Improvement Project

Even the most promising renovation can fall short without careful planning. From understanding your local housing market to setting a clear budget, a few key considerations can help ensure your project adds both value and long-term satisfaction.

1. Consider Talking to a Real Estate Agent First

With a long wish list, it can be hard to know where to focus first. A real estate agent who specializes in your neighborhood is one of the best free resources you have. They can tell you exactly which features buyers are requesting and willing to pay a premium for. They can also give you a realistic sense of your home’s current value on the market so you can invest confidently without pouring money into upgrades the market won't reward.

2. Build Your Budget Before You Browse

Already deep into Pinterest boards and TikTok reels? It’s best to have your budget nailed down before you fall in love with anything. Tapping equity through a HELOC or renovation loan is a great way to leverage the investment you already have in your home to build even more value, without disrupting your broader financial goals. 

In fact, more than half of respondents to the NAR survey said they relied on home equity loans or lines of credit to finance their remodeling projects, making them the top financing choice by a wide margin. A HELOC, in particular, offers flexibility because you can draw funds as you need them throughout the project rather than borrowing a lump sum upfront. This is a smart match for a renovation that unfolds in phases.

3. Design with Longevity in Mind

There's no shortage of design inspiration out there, and no faster way to go down a rabbit hole of beautiful, impractical ideas. While your renovation should absolutely reflect your personal taste, be mindful of going all-in on choices that could feel too niche or dated to future buyers, especially if your time horizon for selling is under seven years.

A good rule to follow is to bring bold personality into your space through elements that are easy to change or that you will take with you — such as textiles, art, lighting fixtures, and paint colors — and save the more permanent investments for finishes that have broad, enduring appeal. In other words, think a leopard-print rug rather than wall-to-wall carpet.

4. Research Your Contractor Carefully

For every smooth, on-time renovation, there's a homeowner with a cautionary tale about delays, cost overruns, and even outright fraud. Online reviews are a starting point, but referrals from neighbors and friends who have actually used a contractor are far more reliable. Go a step further and search the contractor’s name alongside the word “complaints,” and check their standing on your state contractor’s site, as well as a resource like the Better Business Bureau.

Get at least three bids, but remember that the lowest price isn’t always best overall. Consider other factors like the quality of materials they use and their communication style. And don't forget to make sure they are insured.

The Best Home Improvement Return Is One You Can Enjoy Right Now

Ultimately, the smartest renovation is one that improves your daily life and strengthens your financial position. Fortunately, these goals aren't mutually exclusive. The NAR survey found that 64% of respondents expressed a greater desire to be in their homes following their remodel.

Are you ready to add to your home’s value as well as your quality of life? A HELOC through Old National Bank may be the flexible solution you’ve been looking for. Visit us online to learn how you can put your equity to work — without disrupting your broader financial goals.