Considering updating your home but don’t know where to focus your efforts? From the DIY Network, here are 5 DIY home projects that pay off in the long run.

Investing time and work in the right areas of your home can boost your homes’ value-which is a great pay off whether you’re looking to sell or planning on staying for awhile. For the biggest return on investment (ROI), homeowners should focus on certain projects and rooms/areas of the home-some areas are just worth more than others. And it’s important to stay away from projects that cost too much, reflect too much of the homeowner’s personal taste, or are in a space that isn’t used daily. The DIY Network also advises, “To gain the most from your improvements, select projects that do more with what you already have”. Keeping these tips in mind, here are the top 5 places to invest your time and work in your home:

1. Kitchen. Investing in some DIY projects around the kitchen is a great way to add value to your home without doing a full remodel (and breaking the bank). To add the most value to your kitchen, while maintaining a budget and a reasonable amount of difficulty, make your kitchen feel more modern with updated flooring, countertops, cabinet knobs, and plumbing fixtures. Adding recessed lighting is also a great way to update your kitchen.

2. Bathroom. Similar to the kitchen, bathroom fixtures can be updated fairly quickly and cheaply for a great ROI. If you’re updating the floor go for large tiles, which look more modern and are easier to clean. DIY Network recommends installing brushed nickel fixtures and adding slate colored tile for an “expensive” look.

3. Replacing siding. This is especially important if you plan on listing your home for sale. The National Association of Home Builders’ Cost vs. Value report finds that replacing 1,250 sq. ft. of vinyl siding and trim returns 95.5 percent of cost (when you hire a contractor). Fiber-cement board and cellular polyvinyl chloride (PVC) lumber are great upscale siding options with a 103.6 percent return value.

4. Interior Paint. Updating the paint in your home is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to improve the look and value of your home, but you have to pick the right colors. White walls are great because they’re neutral, but if every wall in your home is white your home will lack character. Try choosing soft muted colors (beige, pale green) paired with white baseboards-this will give you a safe, neutral look while still adding character to your home.

5. Rejuvenate Landscaping. Again, this one is really important if you’re trying to sell your home. The outside of the house and the landscaping make up the curb appeal of your home and are the first things potential buyers will notice about your home. Poorly cared for lawns can send buyers running, while well maintained yards and an investment in landscaping can draw buyers in. Keep trees and shrubs trimmed and looking healthy, add colorful plants to your yard, and consider replacing your garage door or even mailbox to help your home look its best.

Improving the value of your home can be easy with a little financial investment and elbow grease, but make sure you know where your time and effort is best spent. Avoid costly projects on areas that aren’t used very often and instead invest in your kitchen, bathrooms, and your homes’ exterior.

For more information on increasing the value of your home with DIY projects, read the original article from the DIY Network here!