Our home is the one place we spend most of our time in – it is our sanctuary from the outside world, and it reflects our personality. We all want our home to be as comfortable and welcoming as possible, and that’s something that requires a lot of maintenance work and a number of home improvement projects, both big and small. It’s difficult to get things the way we want right away, and people’s needs and sensibilities do change over time so there are plenty of opportunities to make improvements.

There are certain features that will significantly increase the value of your home. Oftentimes, it’s the small and cost-effective changes that can make a house look stunning; while, at the same time, a ton of money can be sunk into impractical vanity projects that don’t do much in terms of property value, functionality or overall aesthetic appeal. The trick is to focus on the truly useful projects, ones that will actually make a difference, the kind of projects that will make our lives a bit easier and give our home some form of functionality it previously didn’t have. In this article we will discuss the important factors of such effective home improvement projects.

Some great home improvement ideas

There is a whole lot you can do around the house, but not all projects are financially sound or worth your time and effort in the long run. A good home improvement project is one that has a high return on investment, e.g. it’s something that can both improve the quality of your life and raise the value of your home. Here are a few examples of good home improvement projects:

• A fresh coat of paint on the walls
• Renovating the bathroom
• Installing new windows
• Insulating your home
• Soundproofing the basement
• Renovating the kitchen
• Creating a home gym

Building a game room or home theater

Kitchen and bathroom renovations raise your house value significantly, so you will get a big return on your investment. Insulating your home and installing allows you to save a lot of money on heating on top of increase the house value. Soundproofing the basement or garage is a great choice for those who have a small workshop and use power tools or musicians who want to practice playing instruments.

You can even rent out soundproofed rooms to bands, charging an hourly rate. A home gym is a great way to stay in shape and get stronger, and you can use the equipment for generations to come with little maintenance, or sell the equipment later on if you need the money. These are all sound investments that make your life a little easier and make your home a more desirable place to live in.

DIY vs. hiring professionals

If you are handy-man or have some friends who are good with tools and have done a number of DIY projects in the past, than you may be able to save some money by doing everything, or at least most of the work, yourself. I've had friends help me redecorate (which means a lot of heavy lifting) or do some smaller projects in exchange for a pizza and a few beers. There have also been a number of more complex projects that I felt confident I could do myself or with the help of a couple of friends, only to end up spending a lot more money than I needed to because a professional had to be brought in to fix the mess I've made first, and then do things the right way.

However, with some projects it’s easy to mess up a few minor details and have huge problems down the line. I would strongly advise seeking professional help regarding plumbing, electrical wiring and serious construction work – e.g. installing insulation, putting in new windows, re tiling the bathroom, etc. With big and complex projects it’s best to invest in skilled professionals, even if it means that you are going to need to pay a bit more. In the end, it’s up to you to assess the complexity of the project and your own abilities before you start a project.

Financing your project

Home improvement projects can vary wildly in complexity and difficulty. Doing small repairs or painting a room can be done in an afternoon and on a tight budget, while renovating or setting up a home office can end up being quite costly. For larger projects, you may need several thousand pounds, and setting that much money aside is never easy. Your first option is to take out a loan, but many people may have difficulty doing this because of their bad credit history, or they may not even have a credit history.

In such cases, it’s worth looking into logbook loans. UK residents only need a car that has been paid off, or only has a few payments left, registered in their name, and some form of proof that they have steady income that allows them to make the monthly payments. Logbook loans are fast and easy, but have much higher rates. You can limit the costs if you work on the project yourself and look for good deals on the tools and materials required, and you may be able to save up some extra money with effective budgeting.

Everyone’s idea of the perfect home is different – some like it simple and cozy, others a bit extravagant, some find the retro look appealing, some enjoy open space and neutral colors, while others like combining modern and traditional elements – but there are some projects that just make more sense than others, both financially and practically. Keep in mind the points that have been brought up in this article, focus on smart projects, and you will be able to create the home of your dreams.